Come out for a camping trip in one of Tennessee's most scenic areas. In addition to beautiful camping and excellent dutch-oven food, we will be checking out one of the state's most famous climbing areas: The Lily Boulder Field! There are awesome climbs here for total beginners, and experts alike!
Govs Outdoors
Govs Outdoors is Austin Peay’s outdoor recreation program. We offer indoor rock climbing at the Foy, guided outdoor trips, outdoor equipment rentals, and a low-ropes course for teambuilding and leadership programs. We have climbing for all ability levels, outdoor trips from Clarksville to the Grand Canyon, low ropes games for teambuilding, and any of the gear you need to go on your own adventures! Govs Outdoors aims to provide all students with an opportunity to expand their horizons, develop new skills, and improve their self-reliance, all while enjoying the experience of the great outdoors.
Trip Info Trip Schedule Climbing Wall Gear Rental FAQs
Trip Information
Govs Outdoors offers a variety of outdoor experiences. Some outings will be short, in and around Clarksville, some will be overnight trips, and some will make use of the Fall and Spring Breaks to allow for 3+ days of adventure. Govs Outdoors trips are cooperative adventures; participants will learn relevant skills throughout the trip and be empowered to contribute to the adventure experience.
Prospective Employee Sponsorship Program
We are happy to introduce a new sponsorship program for students who are interested in working at Govs Outdoors. Students with a genuine interest in developing outdoor and leadership skills can apply for the program and get up to 40% of their trip fees waived following an interview with the Govs Outdoors coordinator and trip leaders. Please email murchisonm@apsu.edu to apply!
Trip Difficulty
There is a Govs Outdoors trip for everyone. All trips are open to newcomers, and none require prior experience, regardless of activity type. Most trips demand a certain level of physical readiness. Most individuals can meet these demands without additional preparation, but it is an important consideration for any trip. Some trips require little more than a paddle stroke every couple of minutes, some will require a 4000 foot climb out of a desert where rescue options are limited. Please inquire BEFORE registering if you are unsure of your readiness for ANY trip.
Equipment
Specialized equipment will be provided and included in trip pricing. Some trips require or recommend specific types of clothing articles that the average participant will already own, such as a dri-fit t-shirt. We may not be able to provide items of this nature, but we will work with you to find a solution.
Trip Fees
Trip fees include all transportation, lodging, in-camp food, equipment rental and activity fees. The trip fee advertised is the fee each individual pays.
Refunds/Cancellations
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Full refunds will be granted under the following conditions:
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A trip that is cancelled by Govs Outdoors for weather, low participation, or other extenuating circumstances.
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A trip is full, has an active waitlist, and another participant is willing to take your spot.
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Family/medical/personal emergencies will be reviewed on case-by-case basis by the Govs Outdoors Coordinator and Associate Director.
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Cancellations 3 weeks in advance of the registration deadline.
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Cancellations 2 weeks in advance of a trip's registration deadline will be eligible for a 75% refund
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Cancellations 1 week in advance of a trip's registration deadline will be eligible for a 50% refund.
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Cancellations within a week of a trip's registration deadline will not be eligible for a refund.
University Recreation reserves the right to cancel a program due to inclement weather, lack of participation, natural disasters, or extenuating circumstances. Sometimes trip pricing includes outside reservation or activity fees; these fees are non-refundable.
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SPRING 2026 Trip Schedule
Dates: 04/04 - 04/05
Price: $85
Registration Deadline: 03/25, 11:59 PM
Witness the natural beauty in Clarksville's own backyard! Take a scenic 8-mile cruise on the Red River! This trip is a great introduction to the outdoors and is totally contained within one day.
Dates: 04/25, 10 AM - 5 PM
Price: $30
Registration Deadline: 04/15, 11:59 PM
Govs Against Gravity is back, back again for the third year in a row! And this time, it's 3D! Featuring regular competition boulders and a set of unique partner climbs, we're literally adding new dimensions to rock climbing. Compete for raffle tickets to wager on prizes, and show off your best moves in the Finals Showcase!
Date: 04/24
Price: $15
Registration Deadline: None! Drop in anytime!
Curious what rock climbing is really like? Meet us on Saturdays at King’s Bluff, right here in Clarksville! We bring the gear and expertise, all you have to do is climb! King’s Bluff is one of Clarksville’s hidden gems and has climbs for every ability level.
Dates: 9AM - 1PM, 03/28, 04/18 & 04/25
Price: $5
Registration Deadline: 5 PM, the Friday before the trip.
*Requires Foy Center Climbing Membership
The Rock at APSU
Climbing at the ROCK at APSU requires a climbing membership. All you need to do is visit the Rock on a Monday or Tuesday, between 3 and 6 PM for an orientation. If you will need other arrangements, please email murchisonm@apsu.edu.
The ROCK features a 12-foot free-standing boulder and a 26-foot roped climbing wall with two autobelay devices. Both the boulder and the wall have climbs suitable for beginners and advanced climbers alike.
Open bouldering is available for climbing members anytime the Foy is open.
Roped climbing is available on Monday and Tuesday, and a Belay Certification is required.
Belay Training
Belaying is managing the rope while a climber is on the wall. Climbers wishing to rope climb will be taught to belay by ROCK Staff (free). After passing a certification test, climbers can rope climb without supervision. All belay certifications are subject to termination if repeated mistakes are observed or reported.
No experience, no problem. Our staff is available during open hours to assist those new to climbing. New climbers will go through a short orientation to become familiar with the ROCK’s policies. All necessary equipment is provided for free.
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Bike Shop & Gear Room
Note: All bike shop and gear rental inquiries must be made at the Rock while it is staffed.
Bike Shop
Govs Outdoors' Bike Shop is oriented towards keeping you moving. We can assist with all minor repairs and adjustments to tires, chains, shifting and brakes. For major repairs, please call or email the program coordinator before bringing your bike in.
Gear Room
Govs Outdoors keeps an inventory of outdoor recreation gear available for rent by all Foy members. We offer gear for casual car camping trips and for more adventurous activities like backpacking.
Rental Requests can be submitted at the Rock when it is open during Fall, Spring and Summer classes. Rental Requests are unlikely to be fulfilled if received less than 72 hours in advance. We do not accept walk-in gear requests. Gear is unlikely to be available during Fall and Spring Break, as rental gear will be used by participants in those trips.
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Equipment may be rented for either a weekend, or a week.
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Equipment may only be picked up or dropped off on Mondays and Fridays, when the Rock is open.
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Renters are responsible for returning gear in good condition. Damages will incur fees. Gear that is damaged beyond repair will incur a charge for its current MSRP, or that of a suitable replacement.
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Gear will be inspected before pickup and at drop-off. Participants renting gear that makes use of combustible gas must view a brief demo for such gear before renting.
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One PFD will be included with any boat rental; additional PFDs must be rented separately.
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If renting a canoe, you must be able to transport the boat independently.
Gear Room Fees
|
Gear |
Weekend |
Week |
|
2 Person Tent |
$10.00 |
$15.00 |
|
3 Person Tent |
$10.00 |
$15.00 |
|
4 Person Tent |
$10.00 |
$15.00 |
|
55L Backpacking Pack |
$10.00 |
$15.00 |
|
70L Backpacking Pack |
$10.00 |
$15.00 |
|
75L Backpacking Pack |
$10.00 |
$15.00 |
|
Sleeping Bag (20 deg.) |
$9.00 |
$13.00 |
|
2-Burner Camp Stove |
$8.00 |
$12.00 |
|
Hammock |
$7.00 |
$10.00 |
|
10x10 Tarp |
$6.00 |
$8.00 |
|
The Big 3 |
$20.00 |
$30.00 |
|
Gear |
Weekend |
Week |
|
2 Seat Canoe |
$30.00 |
$50.00 |
|
3 Seat Canoe |
$30.00 |
$50.00 |
|
Inflatable Kayak (single) |
$20.00 |
$40.00 |
|
Inflatable Paddleboard |
$20.00 |
$40.00 |
|
PFD/Life Jacket |
$7.00 |
$10.00 |
|
Gear |
Weekend |
Week |
|
Climbing Shoes |
$7.00 |
$10.00 |
|
Climbing Helmet |
$7.00 |
$10.00 |
Frequently Asked Questions
No! All Govs Outdoors programs are designed to be accessible to people unfamiliar with the activity type. That being said, you may find you are better suited to some activities as opposed to others. We encourage you to ask as many questions as you can think of before the trip so that you can better assess your readiness to take on a new activity.
You should choose a trip based on the activities you are interested in exploring and what that activity’s challenges will be for you. All trips will have their own elements of challenge, and they may not be what you initially think of. Many backpackers find they are not deterred by the physical challenges of walking several miles, but by camping in colder weather and eating less glamorous meals than they were expecting. If you are unsure about the nature of any trip, ask Govs Outdoors Staff. We encourage you to welcome challenges, but ultimately, we want you to enjoy the adventure you choose.
It always depends. Most overnight trips will involve camping, but every now and then we will spend a night in a cabin or hotel. The best source of information is always going to be the Govs Outdoors Staff. Ask about the specific trip(s) you're interested in, and they will let you know what to expect.
Govs Outdoors trips are planned with students in mind, but anyone with a Foy membership may register. Your membership must be active the day you register, and the entire duration of the trip.
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Full refunds will be granted under the following conditions:
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A trip that is cancelled by Govs Outdoors for weather, low participation, or other extenuating circumstances.
-
A trip is full, has an active waitlist, and another participant is willing to take your spot.
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Cancellations 3 weeks in advance of the registration deadline.
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Family/medical/personal emergencies will be reviewed on case-by-case basis by the Govs Outdoors Coordinator and Assistant Director.
-
-
Cancellations 2 weeks in advance of a trip's registration deadline will be eligible for a 75% refund.
-
Cancellations 1 week in advance of a trip's registration deadline will be eligible for a 50% refund.
-
Cancellations within a week of a trip's registration deadline will not be eligible for a refund.
We will make every reasonable effort to accommodate dietary restrictions and food allergies. Do not hesitate to contact us with any questions or concerns. Food options are always discussed at Pre-Trip Meetings. If you have a food allergy, you must let us know so we can take preventive measures.
It always depends. Almost all trips will have access to facilities at some point, but not constantly. A climbing site may have restrooms at the trailhead, but not in the climbing area. A backcountry trip may stop at a hotel during travel, but will have no facilities on-trail. However, even on backcountry trips, we prioritize sanitation, and when necessary we will teach participants how to use the backcountry bathroom.
Please do not wait for the Pre-Trip Meeting to begin preparing for your trip. The best people to contact are Govs Outdoors Staff. They have usually done the trip before, and can give you detailed information about how it went, what you’ll need, where people had trouble, etc. Our adventures are accessible to beginners, so the best preparation is mental. Depending on the trip, you may encounter new sources of discomfort, and being open to new challenges is part of the process.
All specialized equipment is provided. To us, this means gear that the average person cannot be expected to provide (i.e. climbing harness, backpacking packs, trekking poles). You will be responsible for personal items, such as clothing and toiletries, but not including specialized clothing such as a rain jacket. You will be expected to provide a bag to pack these items in, unless it is something like a backpacking trip.