Outdoor Recreation

 

Choose your next adventure.

Find opportunities to explore new places across the region, climb to new heights on the 35 foot climbing wall, and teach and refine your outdoor skills through outdoor recreation programming at the UREC.

Skill Sessions

No experience is needed and previous experience is welcome at these skill sessions to improve your climbing and outdoor skills. All skill sessions are free!

Climbing

students climbing on the bouldering wall

These sessions include Bouldering 101, Learn to Belay, and Learn to Lead Climb and is a great place for those that are interested in bouldering, but do not know where to start. All sessions take place at the Climbing Area and are free.

  • Crack Climbing Workshop - January  20
  • Learn to Belay - January 21, February 23, March 16, April 20

learn more & register for Beginner sessions

These special climbing events through the semester allow you to put your skills to use and build your climbing community. All levels of climbers are welcome.

  • Crate Stacking/Rappel - March 3
  • Coffee & Climbing - January 26, February 2, March 2, April 6
  • Get Vertical Climbing Challenge - January 28
  • Rappel Workshop - January 20
  • Coed Climbing Competition - February 14
  • Top Rope Climbing Competition - March 24
  • Boulder League - April 6 - April 10

learn more & register for special events

These special events at the Challenge Course allows to bond with friends, tackle obstacles, and soar on our thrilling zipline.

  • Open Zipline - January 14, February 19, March 5, April 13
  • Open Challenge Course - March 17, April 8
  • Scanvenger Hunt: Orienteering - March 26
  • Adventure Race - April 18

LEARN MORE & REGISTER FOR SPECIAL EVENTS

Camping and Biking

camping gear

These sessions will teach you important fundamentals needed to plan and execute a successful camping trip. All sessions take place at the Outdoor Recreation Center and are free. Registration opens 2 weeks prior to the event.

  • Outdoor Gear Maintenance Workshop - January 13
  • Fire Building & S'mores - January 22
  • Outdoor Recreation Skills Sampler: Game Night - February 10
  • Campfire Movie Night - February 13
  • Plan Your Own Trip - March 4
  • Bike Maintence Workshop - March 5, March 18
  • Reel Rock '26 - March 27
  • Earth Day Mobile Bike Maintenance - April 22

Learn more & register for Camping sessions

 Develop "healthy attachment styles" throughout this 4-part knot tying series. These are stand alone topics, and no climbing experience is required!

  • Bights: February 4
  • Friction Htiches - February 11
  • Bends - February 18
  • Anchors - February 25

Learn more & register for Tying the KNot series

Outings

Get out of the indoors for a couple hours and not only enjoy the fresh air, but go paddling on the water or cruising on the land. All outings are free!

Paddle Outings

bucnh of students kayaking

All levels of paddlers are welcome to relax on a kayak adventure around the LSU Lakes. Gear and equipment needed for this adventure is provided. Space is limited, and free registration opens 2 weeks prior to the event.

NO OFFERINGS THIS SEMESTER

All levels of paddlers are welcome to relax on a paddleboard adventure around the LSU Lakes. Gear and equipment needed for this adventure is provided. Space is limited, and free registration opens 2 weeks prior to the event.

No offerings this semester

All levels of paddlers are welcome to relax on a canoe adventure around the LSU Lakes. Gear and equipment needed for this adventure is provided. Space is limited, and free registration opens 2 weeks prior to the event.

NO OFFERINGS THIS SEMESTER

Dip your paddle in a safe, controlled environment! This pool-based session teaches you the basics of kayaking or canoeing, perfect for beginners looking to build confidence before hitting the open water.

  • Paddle the Pools: Battleship Competition - April 1, 2026

Register to Paddle the Pools

Bike Outings

students riding bikes

These sessions will allow you to explore downtown Baton Rouge, bike the levee, and meet our fitness team for GroupX class outdoors at Capitol Park. Registration is free and opens 2 weeks prior to the event.

  • Bike to Yoga @ Capitol Park - March 25

REGISTER TO BIKE Baton Rouge

Spring 2026 Trips

two students camping and playing volleyball

UREC Outdoor Recreation team journeys through the state and region to explore new hiking spots, water ways to paddle, or just a great day outdoors to see animals These day trips and overnight trips will not only allow you to breathe some fresh air, but will also help share an incredible experience with other LSU students from different backgrounds.

Register for an upcoming Trip

Trip Dates Times Registration Opens
Hike Frenchtown Conservation Area January 29, 2026 10 am - 2 pm January 15, 2026
Mardi Gras Museum & Cafe Du Monde February 2, 2026 10 am - 4 pm January 19, 2026
Hike & Fish Blackwater Conservation Area February 22, 2026 9 am - 12:30 pm February 8, 2026
Intro to Mountain Biking February 25, 2026 9 am - 3 pm February 11, 2026
Spring Break: Camp by the Beach March 7, 2026 - March 10, 2026 Multi-Day February 14, 2026
Sunset Paddle MArch 23, 2026 3 pm - 6 pm March 9, 2026
Horseback Riding: Frazier's Homestead Horseback March 31, 2026 1 pm - 4:30 pm March 17, 2026
Strawberry Pickin: Mrs. Heather's Farm April 9, 2026 TBD March 26, 2026
Avery Island: Tabasco Factory April 15, 2026 TBD April 1,  2026
Hike Tunica Falls April 18, 2026 8 am - Noon March 28, 2028
Sunset Paddle April 21, 2026 3 pm - 6 pm April 7, 2026
Visit the LSU Ag Center April 27, 2026 10 am - 2 pm April 13, 2026

Challenge Course

Strengthen your team

Whether it's goal setting, collaboration, dealing with conflict, or general team building– we can customize our challenge course program to meet your teams needs. 

Learn more about the challenge course

 

Rent or Reserve Gear

UREC Outdoor Recreation Center provides outdoor rental items including everything you would need for kayaking, backpacking, canoeing, or camping. LSU students, UREC members, and the community may rent equipment on a daily basis.

View Gear Rental

red canoe on water
camp site on beach
boat house with boats for rent
backpacking gear
mountain bikes for rent
outdoor cooking gear