Western Spirit Expands from Cycles to Canyons with New Adventure Trips

MOAB, UT – March 12, 2026 – After three decades of building a reputation as a premier guided cycling tour operator, Moab-based Western Spirit is charting a new course. The company announced today the launch of its Western Spirit Adventure Trips, a significant expansion beyond its two-wheeled roots into the burgeoning world of multi-sport backcountry expeditions. These new all-inclusive itineraries are designed to blend activities like hiking, rafting, and canyoneering with the company’s signature logistical support and gourmet camp dining, opening up remote American wilderness to a broader audience.

The move comes as the adventure tourism market experiences explosive growth. Valued at over $400 billion in 2024, the sector is projected to soar towards $2 trillion by the early 2030s, fueled by a profound shift in consumer values. Today’s travelers, particularly millennials and Gen Z, increasingly prioritize immersive and authentic experiences over passive vacations. This has ignited demand for “soft adventure”—trips that offer genuine connection with nature and physical activity without requiring specialized skills or the rigors of traditional, unsupported expeditions.

Western Spirit's new offerings, which include curated trips through Redwood National Park, the Grand Tetons, and Utah's Grand Staircase-Escalante, are strategically positioned to capture this evolving market. By combining accessible pursuits with high-level comfort, the company is betting that the future of adventure lies in making the profound beauty of the backcountry attainable for everyone.

Redefining the Backcountry with Comfort and Access

The core of Western Spirit’s new venture is the removal of barriers that often deter people from deep wilderness travel. The company aims to merge the raw, unfiltered magic of remote landscapes with a level of comfort and support that transforms the entire experience. These are not spartan survival treks; they are fully catered immersions into nature.

A cornerstone of this model is the promise of gourmet dining in settings most people only dream of. Professional guides double as outdoor chefs, preparing elaborate meals like perfectly grilled salmon, fresh, expansive salads, and even freshly baked cakes miles from the nearest kitchen. This focus on culinary excellence is part of a broader trend seen across the high-end adventure industry, where competitors like Backroads and REI Adventures have also found that quality food is a powerful draw for clients seeking a premium experience.

“Our goal is simple: to provide an accessible, comfortable, and inspiring way to disconnect from the daily routine and reconnect with the great outdoors,” said Ashley Korenblat, CEO of Western Spirit Adventures, in the company's announcement. “Time in the backcountry does wonders for the body and soul, and by expanding our guided trips to include other outdoor activities and adventures, we can help even more people step away from the crowds, unplug from their devices, and soak up the magic of the great outdoors.”

This philosophy is supported by a robust logistical framework. Custom support vehicles haul all personal gear, camping equipment, and kitchen supplies, meaning guests can hike or paddle through the day carrying only a light daypack. At the end of the day, they arrive at a fully prepared campsite. For those new to camping, the company offers high-quality rental gear, eliminating the need for a significant upfront investment in tents and sleeping bags. This “glamping” approach makes the prospect of a multi-day wilderness trip appealing to families, older travelers, and anyone curious about the outdoors but intimidated by the associated work.

A Strategic Play on Decades of Expertise

Western Spirit’s expansion is more than a reaction to market trends; it is a strategic leveraging of a core competency honed over 30 years: navigating the labyrinthine world of public land permits. The company’s ability to secure commercial use authorizations in the nation’s most sought-after and protected landscapes—from National Parks to remote Bureau of Land Management (BLM) districts—is a formidable competitive advantage. This process is often a significant barrier to entry for newer operators, involving complex applications, environmental reviews, and fierce competition for a limited number of slots.

This deep-seated expertise allows Western Spirit to craft unique itineraries in hard-to-access areas, promising an escape from the crowds that can overwhelm more accessible public lands. Waking up in a secluded canyon or a remote alpine meadow is a key part of the value proposition. The new trips showcase this advantage with destinations that are both iconic and intimate.

The 2026 lineup includes a diverse range of experiences. A five-day trip in Colorado’s San Juan Mountains combines alpine hiking with the thrill of climbing the Telluride Via Ferrata and rafting the Animas River. Another itinerary explores Northern California’s dramatic coast, blending biking and hiking among the giant trees of Redwood National Park with floating on its wild rivers. In Southern Utah, adventurers can explore the geology of Grand Staircase-Escalante through canyoneering and biking the historic Burr Trail, or delve into the cultural history of Bears Ears National Monument while visiting well-preserved ancestral Puebloan cliff dwellings.

By diversifying its activities, the company not only broadens its customer base but also creates opportunities for retaining loyal clients over their lifetime. A hardcore mountain biker might return years later with their family for a less intense, multi-activity trip, allowing the brand to grow alongside its customers.

With bookings for the April to October 2026 season now open, Western Spirit is betting that its blend of logistical mastery, backcountry comfort, and unparalleled access will resonate deeply with a new generation of adventurers. For travelers seeking to immerse themselves in America’s grandest landscapes without the traditional hardships, this new chapter offers a compelling and fully-supported path into the wild.