The Best Black Hiking & Outdoor Social Groups in NYC

Living in New York, you’re surrounded by people from every background imaginable — so it only makes sense that the outdoor community should look just as diverse. But for a long time, hiking spaces haven’t always felt like they were made with everyone in mind.

Lately though, that’s been shifting. Across NYC and the Tri-State area, more Black-led and community-centered groups have been creating spaces where getting outside feels welcoming, social, and actually fun. It’s less about being a “serious” hiker and more about fresh air, good energy, and finding community on the trail.

Whether you're curious about hiking for the first time or just looking for more ways to get outside and meet people, these are some of the Black hiking and outdoor social groups in NYC worth tapping into.

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HIKING & OUTDOOR ADVENTURES

The Hood Hikers

Hood Hikers started in Brooklyn as a way to make the outdoors feel more welcoming, familiar, and accessible — especially for people who didn’t grow up seeing themselves reflected in hiking culture. At its core, it’s a community-centered outdoor collective that gets folks out of the city and into nature together.

The group organizes day hikes, camping trips, and other outdoor adventures, often providing round-trip transportation from Brooklyn and the Bronx so people can literally go from the hood to the woods. While everyone is welcome, Hood Hikers intentionally centers the Black and Brown experience. They also offer pay-what-you-can tickets so cost isn’t a barrier for people who want to get outside.

Their outings are more than just hikes –– what starts as a group of strangers often turns into something that feels surprisingly aligned: good energy, shared experience and a sense of belonging.

Their programming often emphasizes:

  • Environmental awareness
  • Outdoor survival basics
  • Building confidence on the trail
  • Group accountability and camaraderie
The Hood Hikers

CLIMBING & OUTDOOR ADVENTURES

Brown Girls Climb

When you start paying attention to who gets represented in climbing and outdoor culture, you realize pretty quickly that the community hasn’t always reflected the full range of people who love being outside. Brown Girls Climb (BGC) is one of the organizations working to change that.

BGC is a national nonprofit focused on creating more access, representation, and leadership opportunities in climbing and outdoor spaces for People of the Global Majority. What began as a space uplifting women of color in climbing has grown into something broader — a community that supports climbers across identities who have historically been pushed to the margins of outdoor culture.

Brown Girls Climb creates opportunities for climbers to support one another while also challenging the outdoor industry to become more equitable. Their vision is an outdoor and climbing community where people can build their own meaningful relationships with the land — one that acknowledges complex histories, centers the voices of those most impacted by colonization and industrialization, and makes space for everyone to find their place in the outdoors.

Brown Girls Climb

SOCIAL & OUTDOOR COMMUNITY

Fun with Friends

The name Fun With Friends pretty much captures the whole vibe. This Black-led community brings people together through outdoor activities that feel as much about connection as they are about the hike itself.

Their outings tend to be casual, welcoming, and easy to join — even for people who might be new to group hikes or just looking to meet new people. Conversations flow along the trail, photos get taken, and by the end of the day a group of strangers often starts to feel more like a circle of friends.

Their events usually include:

  • Social-forward group hikes
  • Curated outdoor experiences
  • Low-pressure events that make nature feel less intimidating

It’s a great option for anyone who wants to get outside, move a little, and connect with others while doing it. 

Fun with Friends

HIKING & OUTDOOR ORGANIZATION

Hike Clerb

Some hiking groups are all about speed and mileage –– Hike Clerb is a little different. The focus here is just as much about community and joy as it is about getting outside.

Founded by Evelynn Escobar-Thomas, Hike Clerb was created to open up more space for women of color in the outdoors — especially for people who may not have always felt represented in traditional outdoor spaces. The idea is simple: nature should feel welcoming, restorative, and accessible.

The vibe at a Hike Clerb event is pretty easygoing. There’s a lot of chatting along the trail, people hyping each other up on the hills, and plenty of moments to pause, take photos, or just take in the view. It feels less like a hardcore hiking club and more like a community gathering that just happens to be outside.

Their events often include:

  • Community-centered hikes and outdoor meetups
  • Conversations around climate justice and environmental awareness
  • Spaces that intentionally center women of color in the outdoors
Hike Clerb

SOCIAL & OUTDOOR COMMUNITY

Peak and Pace

Peak and Pace keeps things a little closer to home, with most of their events happening right here in the city.

The group focuses on movement in all its forms — not just hiking. Their events range from neighborhood walks and social runs to the occasional hike, all centered around getting people outside and moving together. The energy is relaxed and welcoming, with a big emphasis on connection within the Black community and creating spaces where people can show up, move their bodies, and spend time together.

It’s less about pace and performance and more about building a rhythm that works for everyone.

Their events usually include:

  • City-based walks, runs, and occasional hikes
  • Movement-focused meetups that are easy to join
  • Social gatherings that center connection in the Black community

Overall, Peak and Pace makes outdoor movement feel simple and accessible — proof that getting fresh air and building community doesn’t always require leaving the city.

Peak and Pace

OUTDOOR ORGANIZATION

Outdoor Afro

At the heart of Outdoor Afro is a simple but powerful idea: Black connection, leadership in nature, and outdoor education belong together.

Founded in 2009 by Rue Mapp, Outdoor Afro has grown into one of the leading organizations in the country creating spaces where Black people can connect with nature — and with each other. What started as a small community has expanded into a national network with trained volunteer leaders across the country, including right here in New York.

Through local outings and programs, Outdoor Afro brings people outside in a lot of different ways. Depending on the event, that could look like a group hike, a paddling trip, birdwatching, or an educational program for families. The energy is welcoming and community-focused, with people of all ages coming together to learn, explore, and spend time outdoors.

Their work focuses on:

  • Leadership development
  • Environmental stewardship
  • Outdoor education
  • Intergenerational participation
  • Accessibility
Outdoor Afro

Hiking Group

Hikeish

And of course, it wouldn’t feel right not to mention Hikeish, one of our community programs hosted by Outlandish.

Hikeish was created, especially for folks in the Black community and people who may not always see themselves reflected in traditional hiking spaces. The goal goes beyond just getting outside — it’s about reconnecting with nature and creating opportunities for people to experience the outdoors in ways that feel supportive.

Hikes are led by licensed guides from The Tristate Hikers, a Black and Caribbean-founded hiking community led by women who are deeply committed to expanding outdoor expertise within underrepresented communities.

To make it easier for people to join, Hikeish provides round-trip transportation, hiking poles, and demo hiking shoes from Salomon, removing some of the common barriers that can keep people from trying hiking in the first place.

The experience includes:

  • Moderate Hikes
  • Licensed Guides
  • Gear support and transportation
  • A welcoming space for Black hikers and outdoor-curious folks
Hikeish