I went on a 3-day camping and hiking trip led by REI's travel company - here's why I recommend REI Adventures to anyone

Packed into the trailer were tents, cooking equipment, food supplies for all three days, and camping chairs.

I haven't camped in at least 10 years, so I was a little nervous about having to set up my own tent. But thanks to the clear direction of our guides and the simple design of the tents, I had my humble abode set up in no time.

In case you're wondering, we slept in these airy REI Co-op Kingdom 4 Tents ($399). Since I don't camp often, I appreciated that these were provided to us. I wouldn't use it enough if I bought one for myself, and I also have nowhere to store it in my own apartment.

I wouldn't mind helping make dinner, but I have to admit it also felt great not worrying about any of our meals throughout the trip. Our main task that evening was to be on the lookout for wily, hungry raccoons.

Our first dinner included salad, salmon, pork loin, and potatoes.

If you have food restrictions or allergies, don't worry — our guides were careful and attentive about concerns like keto or dairy-free diets in our group and always had alternatives available.

Not having to prepare food, then filling ourselves with the delicious meals, meant we had plenty of energy to attack each day's activities. The guides also carried snacks and prepared picnic-worthy lunch spreads during our hikes.

I felt confident in their capable hands as they led us through noteworthy parts of the park, and I learned a lot about the wildlife and geology of Pinnacles. The guides are also great resources for types of outdoor gear you should carry, cool parks and hikes around the world, and other tidbits of outdoors knowledge.

It's not often I can watch the sun rise and listen to the birds and other animals come alive in the morning, so I relished the respite from city life.

When you go on a trip with REI Adventures, chances are you'll be traveling with like-minded people. Everyone may have different backgrounds and interests in different outdoor activities, but you're ultimately bonded by a love of the outdoors.

REI says that half of its trip participants are solo travelers, so trips are an excellent opportunity to meet new people. There are also friends, couples, and families who travel together.

Thanks to these standout features from my experience, I wouldn't hesitate to go on another trip through REI Adventures.

• The guides: The organization, expertise, and friendliness of the guides are everything. They make the trips both fun and informative.
• The convenience: Annoying hassles like large, expensive equipment and detailed itineraries are all taken care of, so you can enjoy your destination even more.
• The destinations: Since the outdoor destinations are living, breathing entities, there's never any guarantee that you'll be able to see a specific animal or capture a specific view on your camera. However, there's no questioning that they're beautiful, interesting places to explore and appreciate.