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2021 Adventure Guidelines

At this time, we're still operating with precautions in place:

While we are unable to provide transportation for our adventures for the time being, we believe we have come up with a few creative ways to get you back to nature. We hope to offer transportation this spring and will update you when it's available again.

Read our protocols for mitigating risk while traveling in the Catskills in our Responsible Travel Agreement. If you’re traveling for a DBA led adventure, we will ask you to sign the agreement as a commitment to safe travel to the region.

If you’d like to learn more about what we’re doing to manage risk, please read our COVID-19 Risk Management Protocols.

Book Your Adventure!

Destination Backcountry

Our dedicated team of expert outdoor guides help nature-deprived New Yorkers discover the magic, peace, and beauty of nature in the Hudson Valley, Catskills, Adirondacks, and Utah with guided trips and outdoor skills training.

We Offer

Guided adventures: hiking, backpacking, canoeing & kayaking, and yoga trips

Academy classes: map & compass, survival school, fishing, family adventures, and more

Custom trips: corporate training, marathon and Spartan race training, skill development, birthday parties, and more

Trips Include

Transportation from/to New York City with convenient pickup locations near the Barclays Center in Brooklyn and Grand Central in Manhattan

Fresh, healthy, gourmet meals, including breakfast, lunch, snacks, and dinner depending on trip length

Required group gear and rental options

All Skills Levels Welcome

We became outdoor guides because we love sharing nature with others.

Whether you've never stepped foot in the woods before, or you're a burgeoning outdoor amateur, we're positive you'll discover something new on our trips. Our trips range from gentle walks through the woods to extreme endurance challenges.

Our Adventures

Hiking & Snowshoeing

Backpacking

Cross-Country Skiing

Catskills 3500

Slow Hikes & Snowshoes

Multi-Night Adventures

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Our Team

Dave and Jessica have dedicated their lives to helping people develop a closer relationship with nature.

Our guides are as diverse as our adventures. Whether a bushcraft expert or a canoe & kayak aficionado, we all believe in the power of nature and our mission of making the mountains accessible to everyone. 

Meet the Guides

I'm truly overcome by the graciousness, variety and overall fulfillment of these tours. DBA definitely has a special touch—a composite of great energy, subject matter expertise, people and organization.

—Nina S.

If you are an experienced hiker, you will find your outdoor zen in Dave and his merry band of guides, and I would venture to say that you would learn a lot from each other in the process (as well as be privy to plenty of laughs).

There is something for everyone here, and I can't offer a more solid recommendation for Dave/DBA. I would be hard pressed to find a more outstanding outdoor experience at such an incredible value.

—Matt M.

Dave's the real deal. He really loves the outdoors and it's contagious. Besides great energy and the most positive upbeat attitude you'll ever meet, he's got lots of outdoor and nature knowledge to share. There's a well-read science nerd inside his outdoorsy exterior.

—Solange V.

Perfect way to get away from the hectic life of NYC. I did the Yoga retreat and it was amazing!!! A full day of activities and beautiful scenario. Hiking, Yoga, Meditation, Waterfalls, Food!!, More Hiking. It was honestly like a 1 day vacation for me. Highly recommend! I will be back.

—Eric L.