Addy is a Black teenager from the Bronx who lost her parents in a tragic apartment fire when she was four. Raised by her grandmother, she constantly maps out escape routes and complex mazes to ease her severe anxiety regarding fire and enclosed spaces. Reluctantly attending a wilderness program in California, she discovers an unexpected natural aptitude for topography and outdoor survival.

Leo is the adult owner and founder of the Wilderness Adventures program at Paradise Ranch. Having grown up as a city kid himself, he deeply respects the outdoors and gathers topographical data for scientists tracking climate change. He quickly recognizes Addy's spatial skills and takes a special interest in teaching her to map the environment.

Jay is a Black teenager from Brooklyn attending the wilderness program. He carries quiet grief after losing his younger brother to a drive-by shooting, an event that pushes him to learn first aid. He proves to be a capable hiker who understands Addy's anxieties without requiring her to explain them.

Dylan is a college-aged counselor working at Wilderness Adventures primarily to secure a recommendation letter from Leo. He displays a mocking attitude toward the teenagers from the city. He regularly dismisses the campers' concerns and becomes defensive when his authority is questioned.

Nessa is a friendly teenager from Jersey City who loves dance. As Addy's assigned roommate at Paradise Ranch, she breaks through the protagonist's usual isolation with immediate warmth. Though she struggles with the physical demands of the wilderness activities, she consistently supports her peers.

DeShon is a teenager attending the California summer program. He initially finds the long hikes exhausting and frustrating, bringing him into brief conflict with the faster hikers. With encouragement from the staff, he discovers a specific interest in studying reptiles.

Grandma Bibi is Addy's maternal grandmother who relocated from Nigeria to New York City to raise her granddaughter following a fatal fire. She believes strongly in the healing power of the outdoors. She insists Addy leave the city for the summer to experience personal growth away from her tragic past.

Jamie is a college-aged counselor at Paradise Ranch. She is much kinder to the teenagers than her colleague Dylan, taking time to organize fun activities like making s'mores over the fire pit. However, she struggles to assert her own authority when disagreements arise.

Kelvin is a teenager from the city attending Wilderness Adventures. He hides his asthma from the counselors and most of the other teenagers, confiding only in his closest friend at camp.

A'Leia is one of the six city teenagers attending the program. She experiences significant fear during the high-ropes activities but pushes through her anxiety. She plans to stay connected with her new friends after the summer ends.

Ryder is Leo's dog who lives at Paradise Ranch. He acts as a comforting presence for the campers and frequently accompanies Leo, Addy, and Jay on their early morning hikes through the woods.