Recreation trips and events

Treat yourself to an exciting adventure with your fellow VanCougs!

Hiking, skiing, whitewater rafting and other excursions are organized and led by enthusiastic professional and student staff. You will learn skills, have fun and have an awesome trip experience. No technical experience is necessary.

Recreation Events Spring 2023

  • 9 a.m. – 1 p.m. Feb. 11—Cougar Trails Maintenance Work Party with Washington Trails Association
  • 10 a.m. – 1 p.m. Feb. 18—Wildlife Tracking Class with Cascadia Wild, $10 students, $20 non-students
  • March 1—No Man’s Land Film Festival: Outdoor and adventure film festival featuring films written, directed by and starring women, gender non-binary and trans athletes
  • March 4—Day trip: Natural Hot Springs! $5 students, $10 non-students
  • March 13 – 17—Spring break trip to Methow Valley, Wash.
  • 9 a.m. – 1 p.m. March 25—Cougar Trails Maintenance Work Party with Washington Trails Association
  • April 8—Day hike, FREE
  • 9 a.m. – 1 p.m. April 15—Cougar Trails Maintenance Work Party with Washington Trails Association
  • April 22—Earth Day! Volunteer event TBA

Swing by the Recreation Office in the Annex building to sign up and secure your spot on one the events or excursions today! Bring your CougarCard and cash or check to pay any registration fees. Credit and debit card payments are not accepted.

Follow @wsuvosi on Facebook and Instagram for new programming and daily updates. Email van.osirec@wsu.edu to sign up for the weekly Recreation Program newsletter.

Sign up for your next adventure

Contact the Recreation Office to learn about upcoming activities.

Recreation Office

Email van.osirec@wsu.edu to request a printable copy of the schedule.


Expedition favorites

Regulars that have become campus traditions include the annual Mount Bachelor skiing/snowboarding trip, Spring Break backpacking, overnight camping and climbing at Smith Rock and several whitewater rafting trips each year.

Mount Bachelor skiing/snowboarding trip

Bond with friends on a weekend of winter fun, skiing and snowboarding at Mt. Bachelor. With over 3,000 acres of lift-accessible terrain, you'll experience the highest skiable elevation in all of Oregon and Washington.

Spring Break backpacking trip

Caravan to Moab for a week exploring the beautiful Arches and Canyonlands National Parks of Utah. Hike, camp and forge lasting friendships.

Smith Rocks trip

Experience world-renowned climbing in the Oregon high desert. With climbs of varying difficulty, miles of hiking trails and views of the Crooked River, this is a trip you won't soon forget.

Whitewater rafting, kayaking and paddle boarding trips

Explore the beautiful rivers of Southwest Washington. Day- and overnight-trips across the year offer a variety of opportunities to get outside, learn new skills and have fun on the water.


General trip information

Trip fees

Trips are subsidized by S&A Fees, but may still have a participation fee. Check with the Recreation Office to see if the activity you want to participate in has a charge. Some events and trips are open to guests. The Recreation Office will check availability and costs for guests.

Participant skill level requirements

Outdoor recreation trips receive a rating to indicate the level of skill needed to participate. The scale is intended to safeguard participants and trip leaders. Speak with Recreation staff to learn more about the trip rating system. They will help you understand the rating, and can speak more specifically about a particular trip.

Trip leaders

Some trips are organized and led by students with a passion for outdoor recreation. Trip leaders have participated in training and are certified to lead a variety of trips. The leaders are encouraged to take an idea, plan for its development, execute the plan and successfully lead participants on an incredible outing. Some past student lead trips include hiking, white-water rafting and golfing.