The movie follows two friends, Jack (John Candy) and Sheldon (Dan Aykroyd), who embark on a disastrous camping trip in the great outdoors. Jack, a city boy, is hesitant to join Sheldon, an experienced outdoorsman, on the trip. However, he eventually agrees, and they set off on their adventure. Along the way, they encounter various challenges, including bears, harsh weather conditions, and personal differences.