From the towering peaks of the Rockies to the winding canyons of the Southwest, U.S. National Parks are some of the most awe-inspiring places on Earth. But as more people fall in love with these wild spaces (as they should!), the importance of how we explore them has never been more vital.
At Adventures in Good Company, we believe that adventure and stewardship go hand in hand. We don’t just visit national parks—we engage with them intentionally, guided by principles that leave places better than we found them. Here’s how we do it, and how you can too.
1. We Go Beyond “Leave No Trace” — We Live It
"Leave No Trace" isn’t just a set of guidelines for our guides; it’s embedded in every part of our trips. From pre-trip prep to final farewells, our guides are trained in Leave No Trace ethics and lead by example.
But we don’t stop there. We take time during our trips to talk about the why behind the principles, not just the what. Whether we’re hiking in Shenandoah or exploring the quiet edges of Big Bend, we create space for conversations about impact—how trampling fragile soil or leaving behind micro-trash affects the ecosystems we love.
How we act on this:
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We bring reusable containers and encourage participants to do the same.
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We use designated trails and campsites, always.
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We pack out everything, including food scraps, biodegradable item, and even trash we find on the trails.
2. We Support Small. We Choose Local.
Many of the country’s National Parks aren’t isolated; most are surrounded by gateway communities that rely heavily on tourism. We believe that minimizing impact also means maximizing benefits to local economies.
Our trips prioritize locally owned lodges, guides, outfitters, and restaurants. That means our travel dollars support sustainable jobs and help build community resilience.
How we act on this:
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We strive to stay in community-owned and operated lodges when outside park boundaries (though our first priority is always staying within the National Park).
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We partner with local experts, especially for cultural interpretation and natural history.
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We share the stories of the people who call these landscapes home.
3. We Keep Group Sizes Small for a Reason
Big groups make big footprints. That’s why we keep our trips intimate, usually maxing out at 12 participants. It’s better for the trail, better for the wildlife, and better for group connection. Smaller groups also mean our guides can be more hands-on in supporting sustainable, Leave No Trace practices.
How we act on this:
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We try to avoid “peak hour” visits whenever possible to minimize crowding.
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Our guides are empowered to make real-time decisions that prioritize park health over convenience.
4. We Teach While We Trek
Our guides are educators as much as they are adventure lovers. You won’t just see a beautiful wildflower—you’ll learn about its pollinators, habitat, and why it shouldn’t be picked. We believe education is the first step toward protection. After all, many of us were never taught how to care for the natural world and we're learning now, together.
It’s one thing to know what not to do; it’s entirely another to understand why. That knowledge stays with you long after the trip ends, influencing how you hike, camp, and explore elsewhere.
How we act on this:
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We build time into our hikes to talk about flora, fauna, geology, and indigenous history and significance.
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We celebrate curious questions and welcome participants into the learning experience.
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We highlight lesser-known attractions and trails to help spread our impact.
5. We Share a Sense of Collective Responsibility
The best moments on our trips often come from the simple magic of a group of women looking out for each other and the planet. Whether it’s spotting litter on a trail or gently reminding each other to stick to the path, AGC trips are a place where care and accountability grow side by side.
Our love for the U.S. National Parks is rooted in respect, stewardship, and gratitude. That means always respecting the land we travel to and making choices that preserve these places for future generations of adventurers.
We hope that you’ll consider exploring U.S. National Parks the AGC way! We’d love for you to join us on a U.S. National Park adventure to see how we truly live these practices out. We promise you’ll leave with tangible tactics to take with you on your next journey.
