Outdoor Programs

Outdoor Programs (OP) provides adventure and discovery to USU students. Students are connected to their local and regional environment while learning how to recreate responsibly on public lands through non-motorized recreational opportunities. Students are encouraged to test their own real or perceived psychological and physical limitations while building relationships with each other in dynamic outdoor environments. This exposure is facilitated through programmed trips, access to outdoor equipment, and courses in outdoor skills and leadership.

Equipment Rental

Outdoor Programs offers a large variety of equipment rentals to USU students, faculty, and the public. Current students receive a 35% discount on all equipment. Reservations are recommended to insure equipment is available and for groups of four or more to avoid long wait times in shop while equipment is prepared.

You can find camping, water, winter, climbing, and biking gear!

Rental Gear List & Prices

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Outdoor Trips

Outdoor Programs offers outdoor adventure-based trips for current USU students. These trips are a great way to explore the outdoors in Logan, the state Utah and the Rocky Mountain west while learning skills and making new friends. OP trips are led by trained student leaders and operate on a cost-shared, non-profit basis in order to make them as affordable as possible to students. Most OP trips are geared toward beginners but those with experience can also have a great time. Trips can range in duration from a few hours up Logan Canyon to several days in Southern Utah. Whether you're new to the outdoors or a seasoned veteran, the OP has a trip just for you!

Upcoming Trips & Events

• Wilderness First Responder Recertification Course: 11/9-11/10
• FREE Know Before You Go Avalanche Awareness Presentation: 12/4 7pm
• Tune and Wax Clinic: 12/5 7pm
• Wilderness First Responder Course: 12/18-12/22

See our events calendar for a complete schedule of OP trips and events. 

Events Calendar

Select an event on the calendar to find more details and a registration link. Click here to receive email updates on upcoming OP trips and events!

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Outdoor Certification Courses

Challenge Course

The Utah State University Challenge Course provides a fun, educational approach to achieving teambuilding objectives and applying experiences at the course to a wide variety of real-world situations in both your personal and professional lives. Programs are designed to create strong, cohesive teams and develop the skills necessary for success in any organization. Experience the unique learning atmosphere the USU Challenge Course can offer your organization!

Learn More about the Challenge Course

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Natural Bridges: Freshman Wilderness Experience

The Natural Bridges Freshman Wilderness Experience enhances the transition of incoming freshmen to USU. This enhancement is through building bridges with the natural environment and other incoming freshmen while spending five days backpacking in the Mount Naomi Wilderness or canoeing on the Green River through Labyrinth Canyon. Registration opens each year in March.

Find out More About the Natural Bridges Experience

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Indoor Climbing Wall

Outdoor Programs operates the indoor climbing wall in the Aggie Recreation Center. The wall serves as a recreational and educational platform to train students on climbing skills and prepare them to be responsible for climbers in outdoor environments.

Find out More About the Indoor Climbing Wall

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Outdoor Leadership

Outdoor Programs provides students with a passion for the outdoors the opportunity to become student trip leaders and help other students engage in various outdoor experiences. Student trip leaders enjoy working with others and are competent in one or more outdoor activities. OP trip leaders receive satisfaction from sharing their knowledge, developing lasting friendships, and providing adventure, education, and discovery to the University community.

Find out More About Becoming a Student Trip Leader

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Blind Hollow Yurt

The Outdoor Programs team manages a Mongolian-style yurt at Blind Hollow, in the Bear River Range, a short drive from campus up Logan Canyon. The yurt is maintained with USU student fees which means students get priority access on weekends and a discounted rental rate.

Learn More About Renting the Yurt

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Outdoor Leadership Scholarship

The Lyon, Maas, Mueggler Outdoor Leadership Scholarship pays 50% of the tuition for the Desert Mountain Medicine Wilderness First Responder (WFR) certification course.

Named for Max Lyon, Keith Maas, and Karl Mueggler who died in an avalanche in the Bear River Range East of Logan on January 12, 1997. The three young men were exceptional athletes, noted for their climbing, kayaking and back country skiing abilities, among their many other outdoor talents. The true measure of their impact on the world, however, lay beyond their seemingly insatiable spirit of adventure. While they were alive, Max, Keith and Karl took a leap beyond just adventure into that greater world of human richness, human imagination, human kindness, compassion, and commitment. They were always driven to somehow make a difference in whatever course their lives took at the moment. They weren’t just adventurers: they were educators, outdoor activists, voices for community, committed professionals and all-around good people. This scholarship was set up as an attempt to continue that legacy.

Scholarship Requirements

• Must be a current full-time student with minimum 2.5 GPA
• Must submit a one page resume showing commitment to outdoor leadership
• Must submit an original written composition not to exceed 800 words that includes the following:
  • Your personal beliefs and views on outdoor leadership.
  • Identification and description of your personal outdoor ethic using examples from experience.
  • Your intended use of the WFR training.
  • How you will contribute to the development of the outdoor recreation community through your leadership.

NOTE: The written composition should attempt to embody the spirit of Max, Keith, and Karl, using the summary about them above as a guide.

Applications are accepted starting on September 1st and are due before 5pm (MST) on October 1st.   

To apply, email the following documents to greg.j.davis@usu.edu: 

• Resume that includes the following information:
  • Year in school (Freshmen, Senior, Graduate)
  • Major
  • Current GPA
  • USU A-Number
  • Relevent outdoor experience that shows your commitment to outdoor leadership
• Original written composition as described under the scholarship requirements above. Use of AI is prohibited and compositions using AI will be rejected.

All submitted documents must be in .doc, docx, or .pdf format. You must put your first and last name and "lmmols" as the file name of the documents (i.e. greg_davis_lmmols.pdf). Incomplete or improperly formatted application documents will not be considered.

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Outdoor Program Staff

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OP Program Registration Instructions

There are many ways to register for an OP trip, event or certification course.

Online Registration