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Intrepid Travel Launches ‘Active-ism' Trips to Support U.S. National Parks
Intrepid Travel, the tour company focused on responsible travel, is launching two limited-edition 'active-ism' trips hosted by influential activists in U.S. National Parks. Both trips combine adventure activities with activist-led discussions, designed to unite travelers around the shared goal of protecting the national parks. They will be led by both an Intrepid guide and a guest activist, who can guide the conversations about advocacy for the protection of the parks.
The impetus for the creation of the trips was the series of executive actions that led to the dismissal of more than 1,500 National Park Service staff members and proposed $1 billion cut to the budget of the U.S. National Park Service.
'As a purpose-driven company, we recognize the role that tourism can play in supporting both people and protected areas. With these Active-ism trips, we hope to raise awareness and foster discussion around the challenges facing U.S. national parks, while empowering travelers to advocate on their behalf and have the trip of a lifetime,' Leigh Barnes, President of the Americas for Intrepid Travel, said in a statement shared with Travel + Leisure .
The first trip is a five-day adventure at Zion National Park and The Grand Canyon, and will run twice, with one trip hosted by public lands advocate Alex Haraus on Nov. 1 and the other by environmental advocate and founder of Black Girl Environmentalist, Wawa Gatheru on April 14, 2026. The price for this trip starts at $1,446.
The second trip lasts for 6 days and visits Yellowstone National Park and the Grand Tetons. The first iteration of this trip will depart June 7, 2026, and be hosted by climate educator Michael Mezzatesta, while the second leaves a week later on June 14 and is hosted by environmental author Leah Thomas.
To make these trips more accessible, Intrepid has reduced the cost of all the "active-ism" trips. They are the only Intrepid offerings globally to feature an activist host.
'Whether you travel with Intrepid or not, the most important thing is that you go. And if you can't visit a park, you can support them by learning, sharing, advocating, volunteering or even donating to your local national park,' Barnes said in the statement.
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