ABOUT
Detroit is a world-class outdoor destination worth exploring, celebrating, and protecting.
That is the core belief of Expedition Detroit, and you're invited to join our growing community that shares this vision.
Whether it's a morning hike on a wooded trail, paddling through a pristine river, ripping down a mountain bike trail, finding a new ski line, or watching the sunset from a tree stand, Detroit's outdoors have the natural beauty and wealth of experiences that recreationists of all interests, skill levels, and backgrounds can explore and enjoy.
OUR MISSION
The mission of Expedition Detroit is to create and accelerate value for Detroit’s emerging outdoor industry. Our business creates content celebrating our region’s best outdoor experiences, leads guided trips for hands-on exploration of our most beautiful destinations, facilitates access to top tier retailers, amplifies key voices within the recreational community, and highlights the value of an outdoor lifestyle.
We vow to always support conservation through promoting impactful organizations, educating our community on landmark laws and regulations, and publicizing volunteer opportunities.
OUR PASSION
Every business has its own definition of success. Ours is simply the moment when our core belief - that Detroit is a world-class outdoor destination worth exploring, celebrating, and protecting - becomes common knowledge on a global scale.
Until then, our passion will drive us to continue innovating within Detroit's outdoor industry. We will always aim to create content and share experiences that inspire new adventures, increase recreational opportunities, support outdoor lifestyles, and protect the best of the Detroit region for generations to come.
We can’t wait to see you out there.
OUR TEAM
Dan Cooke
Founder & CEO
Dan founded Expedition Detroit in 2022 after starting his career in venture capital as an investor and attorney. His passion for the outdoors, conservation, and the Detroit region inspired him to leave big law and create the company that he had always aspired to work for.
Dan was appointed by Governor Gretchen Whitmer in 2024 to the Michigan Wildlife Council due to his work with Expedition Detroit. Away from the office, he is a backcountry skier, wilderness backpacker, competitive trail runner, and backwoods hunter.
Emily Hudspeth
Chief Operating Officer
As a born-and-raised Metro Detroiter, Emily grew up enjoying her local parks and natural destinations. After earning her degree at the University of Kentucky, Emily later returned to Michigan to pursue administrative and recruitment opportunities - and explore her natural stomping grounds again with a fresh perspective.
When Emily is not keeping the lights on at Expedition Detroit, she also works as a legal assistant and volunteers at Oakland Family Services. You can find her outside in her garden or hiking the trails with her cat in her "catpack."
Eli Winer
Trail Guide
Eli grew up in Metro Detroit, but has spent much of his life backcountry camping in Algonquin Park, Canada and exploring National Parks across North America. Eli has worked with summer camps and day camps teaching both outdoor recreation and creative arts to all ages. Eli is Expedition Detroit's lead guide at Belle Isle Park in Detroit.
Eli also works as a private kayaking instructor and historic tour guide on the Detroit River with Detroit River Sports, as well as working with the DNR Outdoor Adventure Center. In his free time, Eli enjoys kayaking, camping, foraging for wild mushrooms, outdoor photography, cooking, archery, music, art and bringing people together from different backgrounds to share their stories.
Bria Peterson
Trail Guide & Featured Contributor
Bria was born and raised in southeast Michigan and grew up enjoying everything about the outdoors. Turning her passion into a job, Bria is now the Natural Resources Volunteer Coordinator at the Huron-Clinton Metroparks, where she works to manage and preserve natural areas and wildlife throughout the 25,000-acre park system. Certified as a Firefighter Type II, Bria also works on prescribed burns with the Michigan DNR and David Borneman, LLC.
When Bria is not out working in the woods, she's hiking in them! She loves taking her camera out on the trail to capture a unique landscape or a favorite bird. Bria also enjoys camping, salmon fishing, snowboarding, and playing guitar.
Emma Stults
Trail Guide
Emma is a barista born and raised in the Metro Detroit area. Growing up, Emma gained valuable experience in camping, hunting, and fishing all around Southeast Michigan. Currently studying environmental science at Wayne State University to work in nature conservation, to protect Michigan's amazing parks and watersheds. Emma is Expedition Detroit's lead guide at Maybury State Park.
When not inside studying or making coffee, she's either outside hiking or hanging out with her cats. Her favorite spots in Michigan are Torch Lake and Belle Isle Park, and her favorite bird is the common Loon.
Dr. Eric Reilly
Featured Health Contributor
Dr. Reilly is an anesthesiologist born and raised in Southeast Michigan. Dr. Reilly is currently a Staff Anesthesiologist at Corewell Health in Royal Oak, Michigan. Dr. Reilly is also the Chairman of the Michigan Society of Anesthesiologists' Committee on Governmental Affairs.
When Dr. Reilly isn't in the hospital saving lives, you can find him in the wilderness - or at least try to. The Doc has an unmatched talent for locating the best off-grid backpacking campsites, untouched powder runs, and bedding grounds for Michigan's most elusive whitetails.
