10 Black Adventure Groups Helping Travelers Reconnect With the Outdoors

The National Brotherhood of Snowsports (NBS) is an organization dedicated to supporting and increasing Black representation in winter sports by providing resources for Black skiers and snowboarders.

Founded in 1973 as a coalition of Black ski clubs, the nonprofit organization aims to increase participation and encourage community among winter sports lovers. But early members confronted major challenges. Older NBS members recall when segregation restricted access to ski lifts, often forcing them to hike up the mountain before skiing down.

And at its inaugural gathering in Aspen, the National Guard was reportedly on standby, since it was unusual for Black skiers to visit major resorts en masse at the time.

Today, the NBS hosts its annual Summit, one of the largest gatherings of Black skiers and snowboarders in the world. The week-long event combines skiing, snowboarding, and networking at major ski resorts.

In addition to hosting events, the NBS supports future athletes through programs like its Olympic Scholarship Fund. The program supported athletes, including Henri Rivers IV and Tallulah Prouix, who competed at the 2026 Winter Olympics in Milano Cortina.

For travelers who like the idea of camping but are unsure where to start Camp Yoshi offers some solutions. Founded in 2020 by Howard University graduate and chef Rashad Frazier, his wife Shequeita, and brother Ron. The Oregon-based company was created with the goal of creating a space where everyone, especially people of color, could connect with nature.

Camp Yoshi curates full outdoor adventures designed to eliminate the stress of planning. The company takes care of logistics before travelers arrive… it prepares campsites, provides necessary gear, and maps out routes so participants can enjoy the experience.

Trip packages range from backpacking day trips to multi-day adventures in destinations such as Hawaii, Puerto Rico, and Japan. The group also hosts family trips and private tours.

When conversations shift to the Black outdoor movement, Outdoor Afro often comes to mind. What began as a blog in 2009 has grown into a national network helping thousands of people experience the outdoors. Founder and outdoor leader Rue Mapp launched the platform to celebrate and amplify Black connections to nature.

Today, the not-for-profit focuses on reconnecting Black communities with land, water, and wildlife through outdoor education, hands-on recreation, and conservation activities. Across the country, Outdoor Afro hosts beginner-friendly events–guided hikes, introductory camping trips, birding, and kayaking outings.

Extending its impact even further, Outdoor Afro also promotes water safety through its Making Waves Program. Launched in 2019, the initiative provides swimming scholarships, or “Swimmerships,” for Black children and their caregivers to take swim lessons. The goal is to help every Black child and caregiver learn to swim. It also aims to help Black families and the wider Black community develop a positive relationship with water.

Explorers have long been captivated by the underwater world, and the National Association of Black Scuba Divers (NABS)–a group dedicated to Black divers–works to ensure that people of color also enjoy the experience.

Founded in 1991 by diving pioneers Ric Powell and Dr. A. Jose Jones, the organization was formed to bring together Black divers and address issues that limited Black participation in scuba diving.

Today, the group is a network of affiliated clubs with more than 2,000 members who share a passion for diving and ocean exploration. Divers are connected via training programs, educational resources, and national dive summits.

The Black Surfer Collective, a Los Angeles nonprofit, uses mentorship, education, and community programming to make surfing accessible to people who may not have regular beach access.

The group hosts events such as Pan African Beach Days and Freedom Summer to encourage families, young people, and first-time surfers to participate in water safety instruction, surf lessons, and youth leadership programming.

For many young people, their first camping trip may spark a lifelong affinity with the outdoors. Black Outside, Inc., is working to create those moments for the next generation.

The nonprofit, founded by outdoor educator Alex Bailey, develops programs that connect Black children and their families with nature. One of its major initiatives is Camp Founder Girls, where participants build leadership skills and confidence while exploring nature. It is widely recognized as the country’s first historically Black summer camp for girls,

Additional programs extend that mission. Brothers With the Land introduces Black boys to environmental learning, while Homecoming brings families together through community-focused outside gatherings.

Off-roading and overlanding have grown in popularity among travelers looking for an adventure in remote landscapes. Black People Off-road is helping to ensure that the growing movement includes diverse adventurers.

When founder Necota Staples launched the group, his goal was to create a friendly space for Black travelers drawn to off-road exploration. What began as an online community has grown into a network of more than 4,000 outdoor enthusiasts united in their passion for vehicle-based travel, overlanding, and backcountry camping.

Members connect through in-person meetups and social media to share travel experiences, tips, and inspiration.

The group emphasizes education, sharing guidance on off-road driving, marshalling, vehicle preparation, and trail safety. In doing so, Black People Off-road makes off-roading more accessible to marginalized communities.

Expanding access to outdoor recreation for residents of urban neighborhoods and people from underserved racial and socioeconomic backgrounds is the focus of Vibe Tribe Adventures. The Denver-based nonprofit, founded by Jessica Newton to create opportunities for individuals, especially youth, to experience nature through adventure and education.

Participants are introduced to activities they may not otherwise encounter, like rock climbing, skiing, rafting, hiking, and camping.

Vibe Tribe Adventures also encourages young people to pursue careers in the outdoor industry. Programs like Urban Trekkers offer hands-on experiences in environmental science, conservation, and leadership.

Melanated Campout is an adults-only weekend event that brings participants together for classic outdoor activities.

Held in Georgia, the campout introduces newcomers to nature over a weekend that blends outdoor adventure with family-reunion energy. The annual gathering was created to make camping more welcoming.

Campfire conversations, kickball, spades, and Uno games are staples of the weekend, while playful events like water gun battles and lip-syncing contests create a festival-like atmosphere.

High-altitude mountaineering is one of the most demanding forms of outdoor adventure. Full Circle Expeditions was created to ensure that more people from underrepresented communities see their reflection in that world.

The organization made headlines in 2022 with its historic Full Circle Everest Expedition, a climb that honored the legacy of Black mountaineers. Through expeditions, storytelling, and public speaking, the organization expands the image of who belongs in the world of mountaineering.