Outdoor Travel Activities
There are so many possibilities when planning outdoor travel activities.
The outdoors can be the travel focus, like backpacking.
Or your travel can include outdoor activities, like going surfing while in Hawaii.
Either way, it will be a blast.
Here we want to give you ideas of ways to get outside and enjoy nature in your travels.
We live on Earth, a place of incredible beauty.
Land
Rainforest, mountains, desert, tundra, grasslands.
Hot, cold, humid, freezing.
Valleys, canyons, hills, gorges.
So many words we have to describe the vast and complex landscape that covers the surface of this planet. There is so much to see and beauty to absorb.
There are many ways to enjoy all that our world has to offer. Let’s take a look at some activities we can do on land.
Backpacking
Carry all necessities in a backpack, go out into the wilderness, and sleep in a tent, hammock, or under the stars.
A Rainforest Adventure: Backpacking the Blue Glacier Trail
Hiking
It’s like going for a walk, just away from people, out in nature.
How to Become a Hiker – Couch to Trail
Camping
Load your car with everything you need to survive for a few days and drive to a campsite or other location.
Live out of your car, set up a tent, and live outdoors.
Rock climbing
Scramble around rock formations, which is called bouldering.
Or get some training and gear and rope and climb up steeper formations.
Outward Bound’s Beginners Guide to Rock Climbing.
Horseback riding
Just you and a horse. (And maybe a saddle, if you prefer it to bareback.)
Active Weekender’s guide to getting started in horseback riding.
Caving
Spelunking: finding caves and exploring them.
Preferably with a source of light in hand.
Discover hidden spaces in the mountains and underground.
Running
Use your legs to take you places, fast.
From a daily run to running events and races, running is a favorite form of exercise and a great way to get outside and see more of the outdoors.
Running for Beginners: a selection of training plans for running different distances.
Cycling
The same as running, only your sitting down and pushing two tires, so not at all like running.
Need some encouragement to get out on your bike? Check out Nerd Fitness’ beginning guide to biking.
Mountain biking
Riding a bicycle on trails, up mountains.
Adventure in You, Beginners Guide to Mountain Biking: Everything You Need to Know
Mountain climbing
Mountain climbing is a more intense version of hiking.
Usually involves significant elevation gain.
Mountains for Everybody has a good guide for getting started in mountain climbing.
Geocaching
The grown-ups version of treasure hunting.
A worldwide organization of hidden caches waiting for you.
Orienteering
Use a map and compass to navigate your way from one checkpoint to another.
The goal is to complete a set course.
Orienteering USA has information explaining how and what orienteering is.
Sand Sledding
It’s in the name. You sled on dunes.
Water
Creek, stream, river, bog, bayou, seashore, bay, ocean, sea, waterfall.
Another aspect of our planet, another series of adventures we can take to explore this world of ours.
Here is a list of water-related activities.
Whitewater rafting
Get in an inflatable raft and float down a river with rapids and lots of splashing.
You may even get wet!
Kayaking
On the water in a kayak. Paddle.
The possibilities are nearly endless.
Canoeing
On the water in a canoe. Paddle.
Check out Cool of the Wild’s beginners guide to Canoeing.
Paddleboarding
Stand up on a large surfboard-like board, balance, and paddle.
Outside Pursuit- how to guide to paddle boarding.
Surfing
A board, you, and ocean waves.
Stretch out on your board until a wave comes along, stroke-like mad to catch the thrust of the wave, and then bring yourself into a standing position as the water pushes you ahead.
No sweat!
Adventure in You’s guide to beginner surfing.
Parasailing
Wearing an open parachute, grip onto a tether trailing from a motorboat.
The speed of the motor boat lifts the parachute, and you soar along behind the boat.
What to Expect from Your Parasailing Experience by San Diego Parasail Adventures is a good overview, no matter which outfitter you choose.
Windsurfing
Surfing across the water on a board with a sail attached.
Using the wind as well as the waves to propel you along.
How to Windsurf 101 has a series of lessons on its website to get you started. They do suggest taking classes before starting on your own.
Snorkeling
With a mask and a tube (snorkel), you can swim around and look under the water’s surface without having to come up for breath.
Explore coral reefs, see fish, and search for sea creatures.
Outside Pursuits has an ultimate guide to snorkeling.
Scuba diving
Deep water with air strapped to your back.
You can go down into the water where light doesn’t quite reach.
Swimming
Move around in the water without looking like you’re drowning.
Get Healthy U beginners guide to swimming.
Fishing
Sport fishing is a popular activity in the Pacific Northwest.
Charter fishing, deep sea fishing, shore fishing, and bass fishing are a few options.
Be aware of Fish and Game license requirements and laws in each state. Game wardens don’t accept ignorance as an excuse; you can be slapped with a hefty fine.
Interested in bass fishing? Your Bass Guy has a thorough post on the topic – How to Catch Bass: The Last Bass Fishing Tips Guide You’ll Ever Need
Sky
Air, clouds, wind, horizon.
Defying gravity and taking the adventure to the sky.
Here are a few things to do off the ground.
Ziplining
Strapped into a harness, slide along a cable from one platform to another.
Boundless Adventures tips for beginner zipliners.
Skydiving
Jump from an airplane attached to an expert diver.
Plummet towards the Earth until a parachute is engaged, and you float down to a safe landing.
Reader’s Digest has an informative post to prepare you for your first dive.
Ballooning
Get in a hot air balloon basket and take a unique trip as you float into the sky.
Paragliding
Jump from an elevated location with a parachute-like canopy attached to a harness.
Glide along with the lift of the parachute until you touch the ground.
The US Hang Gliding and Paragliding Association is the go-to source for all things paragliding.
Snow
The Inuit people have over 40 words for snow.
If you enjoy snow activities, you probably begin to understand the reason for so many words for snow.
Wet-snow, dry-snow, powder, flurries, snow storms.
Here are some snow-related activities to get you outdoors.
Snowshoeing
Walk on top of the snow with the help of snowshoes.
Visit this snowshoeing for beginners’ guide at Section Hiker.
Skiing
Cruise down slopes balanced on a pair of skis.
Beginners guide to skiing- Outside Pursuits.
Cross-country skiing
Slide over a surface of the snow with skis attached to your feet.
Snowboarding
The skateboard of snow sports.
Attach yourself to a shorter, wider version of ski and cruise your way down hills of snow.