I have been a member of the Sierra Club for several years. They do great work to help the environment, and have hundreds of chapters across the United States and Canada that organize local hikes, backpacking trips, camping trips, and even international adventures!

Being a Sierra Club member is definitely a great way to meet fellow hikers and get hiking!

The club was founded by John Muir, the famous Scottish-American naturalist who was instrumental in establishing the Yosemite and Sequoia National Parks in 1899.

As Muir advised: “Keep close to Nature’s heart…and break clear away, once in awhile, and climb a mountain or spend a week in the woods. Wash your spirit clean.”

The Sierra Club charges annual fees, but that enables you to go on their hikes and trips, and receive their magazine, local newsletters, and other notifications so you can find out what is going on in your area. Plus they have classes and workshops on a broad range of topics such as naturalist weekends, navigation training, mountaineering skills, and more.