High Adventure Treks

Nationally-accredited Ma-Ka-Ja-Wan High Adventure Base has been guiding Northwoods adventures since 1976. Take in stunning vistas on foot on one of three remote backpacking destinations. Paddle cool river waters in the upper reaches of Wisconsin or into Canada by canoe. Kayak across the waters of Lake Superior to visit the Apostle Islands. No matter how you like to adventure, we have a trek for you.

2027 Summer Camp Dates:

Week 0: Jun 20 – 26

Week 3: Jul 11 – 18

Week 1: Jun 27 – Jul 3

Week 4: Jul 19 – 24

Week 2: Jul 4 – 10

Week 5: Jul 25 – 31

A group of campers sit atop a plateau with the sun setting behind their camp site

Canoeing

Boundary Waters/Quetico

The boundary waters between the United States and Canada are teeming with wildlife and have long been the destination for those seeking a premier canoeing experience traveling the routes of the fur trade Voyageurs. With over a thousand lakes and miles of canoe routes, this area provides unmatched solitude and natural beauty. The trek begins off the historic Gunflint Trail, winding through a series of interconnected lakes and portages that lead deep into the wilderness.

This trek is perfect for a crew who are comfortable in their canoeing skills and who are ready to challenge themselves with extended paddling and portaging while developing teamwork and backcountry skills. Distance covered during your trek can vary depending on crew preference.

Flambeau Flowage

The Turtle‑Flambeau Flowage spans roughly 37,000 acres of forest, islands, and wetlands, supporting one of northern Wisconsin’s richest wildlife communities. Crews will be able to soak up the sun while peacefully weaving between islands and looking for the Flambeau's hidden channels. The Flambeau is most famous for its walleye fishing, but northern pike, muskellunge (muskies), bass, sturgeon, catfish, bluegill, and other game fish also abound.

This trek is a perfect introduction to canoeing treks and backcountry camping! Routes typically involve less than 7 miles of paddling a day.

Backpacking

Porcupine Mountains

The Porcupine Mountains ("Porkies") offer a mixture of terrain from the barren top of the Escarpment to the wetlands created by beaver dams to the lowland hemlock groves. Favorites include hiking along the top of the Escarpment, eating dinner on Lake Superior's shore, and camping at the picturesque Lake of the Clouds.

The Porcupine Mountains offer a wide array of trail options and can provide challenges for first-time backpackers and experienced crews alike. Treks range from 20 to 50 miles long, depending on your crew’s preference.

Isle Royale

Only accessible by boat, Isle Royale is the nation’s least-visited national park, but it is well worth the trip. Crews will hike on rocky coastline and through dense forests, exploring trails that wind between ridges and coves untouched by roads or development. Even though this island gem has the highest backcountry overnight use per acre of any national park, you will still have a sense of more privacy than anywhere else.

This trek is good for an experienced crew looking for a challenge and the adventure of a lifetime. Route distances are crew specific but are typically 30-40 miles.

Ice Age Trail

Take advantage of an outstanding hiking trail right in Ma-Ka-Ja-Wan’s backyard. In Langlade and Lincoln Counties, long segments of the Ice Age Trail wind through a region full of lakes and bogs formed by the last glacier's melting. Amid the northern forest of spruce, fir, maple, and birch, the trail follows the glacier’s terminal moraine as it winds through the woods just a few miles from camp.

This trek is an excellent introduction to primitive backcountry camping and Leave No Trace principles. Participants will camp in “un-designated” wilderness sites in a close-to-home adventure that builds confidence for longer expeditions. Distance covered during your trek can vary depending on crew preference.

Pictured Rocks

An unforgettable adventure along the southern shore of Lake Superior. Known for its striking rock formations and clear blue water, Pictured Rocks National Lakeshore offers one of the most scenic backpacking destinations in the Midwest. You will follow the North Country Trail as it winds above the cliffs and through mixed hardwood forest. You’ll pass waterfalls, inland lakes, and stretches of sandy beach perfect for rest stops.

Have a large crew interested? This may be the trek for you! We can accommodate up to 19 participants on a Pictured Rocks National Lakeshore trek. Our typical route is 41 miles.

Kayaking

Apostle Islands

You will be led by an experienced guide through a pristine collection of islands and shorelines. See stunning geological formations—including caverns, arches and pillars—uniquely accessible to the kayaker alone. Carry your gear in your kayak as you explore the deep blue waters of Lake Superior, then bed down under the night sky on the sandy beaches of Gitche Gumee, Ojibwe for Lake Superior.

To participate in a High Adventure Trek, you need qualified personnel present. Please submit your contact information as well as brief details of your interests below, and we will get in touch with you about scheduling your trek!

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