Getting outside and enjoying the natural world does not come easily to everyone. Sometimes people better enjoy their time indoors. Sometimes people feel intimidated by all the information: miles, weather, gear, driving, permits. And sometimes folks worry that they won’t be outdoorsy unless they get the nicest climbing, biking, or hiking gear or do the most extreme outdoor activities.
I’m here to tell you that all is a lie.
You don’t need to plan extravagant camping trips to be outdoorsy. And you don’t have to buy the most expensive gear to start being an outdoorsy person. All you need is some planning and a mindset to appreciate the outdoors. There is no catch-all definition of what makes a person “outdoorsy”. It could be taking walks in your neighborhood. It could be having a container garden in your backyard or balcony. It could be kayaking, camping, hiking, climbing, biking, fishing, photography, skiing, running, you name it. The main goal is to enjoy your time in nature. Below are a few suggestions to get you started.
1. Go for a picnic at a local park
Pack up some of your favorite snacks or make a simple meal that you can eat outside. Maybe there’s a city or neighborhood park near your home where you can lay a blanket out, watch the clouds or get some sun (with sun protection!), listen to the birds, and feed your body and your spirit. When it comes to the food, keep it simple. I am a fan of charcuterie boards, veggies and dip/hummus, fruit, sliders or wraps. Or just even swing by your favorite restaurant and get a meal to go to eat outside! I would never say no to sushi or Thai food in the park!
2. Run errands by foot or bike
This is not always possible depending on where you live. I have been lucky enough to be in small cities or spaces that have sidewalks and bike lanes. For a while, I rode my old Nishiki bike to and from work at the mall. It initially was to save money on gas and share my car with another person. But it ended up becoming a highlight of my day. I noticed things on my bike rides that I would have never seen in a car, trees flowering or their leaves falling in autumn, the cool temperatures at night, feeling like I was in a French movie. Sometimes it’s fun to glamourize the small things in your life.
3. Take an outdoor class/experience
Check out your city center, local organizations like the YMCA, businesses like REI, or online like on Airbnb Experiences to find a class or experience to join. These classes and experiences can also line up with your interests. There are outdoor photography classes, coffee or margarita crawls, learn about caring for farm animals, meet animal ambassadors, or learn how to read maps and a compass. The options are as numerous as your area can offer!
4. Give gardening a try
I almost think gardening is a gateway drug for the outdoors. One minute you are growing a few seeds in your window, the next you have 8 raised beds and a canning system for your harvest. It is probably one of the easiest activities to start and it can also be the best way to learn how to work with nature, and that nothing is certain. Check online or with your local library for resources on what grows best for your area. And pick crops that you know you will eat. There is no sense trying to grow tomatoes if you hate tomatoes. Or grow something for fun! This year, I am planting some pie pumpkin seeds just to see what will happen. Either we will be up to our eyeballs with pumpkins that we will need to can/freeze, or we don’t and we learn how to adjust for next year. You can also focus on growing native wildflowers or creating a Certified Wildlife Habitat for local wildlife!
5. Move some of your favorite activities outside
Do you like to read? Draw? Paint? Board games? Or maybe just enjoy morning coffee? One of the simplest ways to embrace the outdoors is to move your favorite activities outside! This can be done on your front porch or lawn, backyard, apartment balcony/window, local park, etc. And even better, there is minimal planning, and if you are using items you already own, it’s free!
6. Day hike a local trail using the AllTrails app
Anytime I go to a new area, I open my AllTrails app to see what the local spots are. You can adjust the difficulty, length, activity, and suitability (pet friendly, kid friendly, paved, stroller or wheelchair friendly) to find the best hike for you. In my current local in Tulsa, you would think that there are no trails in the city. But surprisingly there are! We have short trails to small waterfalls, mountain biking and hiking trails at Turkey Mountain, and paved trails next to the river. Before you start off on the trail, make sure it matches your comfort and ability level. There is no shame in being honest with yourself about where you are in your outdoorsy journey.
7. Ask friends to go camping
To get started camping, I suggest asking a friend to let you go with them on a trip or help you plan a camp trip together. There’s a few reasons for this. One, you can learn from friends that already camp or you can bond with someone as you both learn your camping styles. Two, you can share the load of what to take with you to the campsite. Maybe one of you brings the cooking utensils and stove while the other brings a cooler and food. Or there is a friend that has a 2-4 person tent that you can both use instead of buying a new one. See if you can find a camp site that has solid reviews online. Google is really helpful for this. When I am traveling, I open my google maps and search for “camping” in my area. I usually get several options, both privately owned camps and state or federal campsites. You can read through the reviews and the amenities for each campground. I would start with those first before trying dispersed camping.
8. Take a weekend trip
If you feel more adventurous and comfortable with the idea, a weekend trip to an outdoor spot can be a wonderful way to disconnect and reconnect with the outdoors. You don’t have to go all the way to Yosemite or Yellowstone to do this (unless those parks are in your backyard which I am jealous of you. lol.). I recommend finding places that are within a 3-hour drive radius. Maybe more if you are cool with driving longer distances. I find that three hours gives enough time to get into a new landscape, find a place to stay, and explore a new area. While you could combine this trip with camping if you feel ready for that step, you could also rent a cabin or a room at a hotel or lodge. I will admit, sometimes it is so nice to come back to an actual bed after a day or hiking or kayaking.
Now that you have started making these steps to embrace the outdoors, it’s also to prepare for the bigger moments in the outdoors when you are ready! Here are some solid tips for beginner hikers and campers. There’s sooooooo much information out there that it can feel overwhelming. I will stand behind folks starting at their own pace and their own comfort level. And I will always stand behind entering a new activity in YOUR budget. There is no reason to go into debt or go broke because someone made you feel like you needed to get the newest, fanciest gear and gadgets. My mom would probably not consider herself an adventurous outdoors-woman, but she consistently shows up for herself as she wants to. She has visited dozens of countries, hiked hundreds of miles, climbed mountains in China, and even rode a snow machine in Iceland. And she has never stepped foot inside an outdoor supply store.
That being said, there are 10 essentials that you should take on every hike for safety.
- Navigation – map, compass, altimeter, GPS device. Note: not all trails have cell service. in fact, most don’t. You cannot always rely on your phone as mavigation.
- Sun protection – sunglasses, sunscreen, and sun protective clothing such as hats and sunshirts
- Light – headlamps, flashlight, lanterns. Don’t forget extra batteries!
- First Aid – you can find these as pre-made packages at most stores. Or you can make one from the first aid at your home. Be sure to include foot care and bug spray. I keep a first aid kit in my car and carry one in my day pack. If you have special medications, include a few of those in your kit as well. I alsways carry my inhaler and extra medication for myself and my kiddo in a labeled bottle. If you ask the pharmacy for a labeled, empty bottle most are glad to help.
- Repair kit and tools – a multipurpose tool such as a Leatherman or a Swiss Army Knife is great to have in case of first aid, emergencies, or repairs!
- Fire – waterproof matches, a lighter, tinder, or a stove is helpful in case you are caught in a situation that requires you to make a fire for warmth or as an SOS signal
- Shelter – an emergency blanket, thermal bivy, or small tarp in case you need to shelter from any sudden weather or if you are injured and waiting for help.
- Nutrition – pack calorie dense foods to fuel your hike. and always pack an extra serving in case you are out longer than you planned. Snacks on the trail are one of my favorite comforts. I usually pack jerky, dried fruit or an apple, PB&J, homemade energy balls, and/or some gummy candy. Please remember to pack it in and pack it out. A ziplock bag helps to keep your trash in one place in your bag and not on the trail.
- Hydration – Plan for half a liter of water per hour for moderate temperatures. If you are in dry, hot areas, you need to increase that to a full liter per hour or more. I just recently did a short half mile sunset hike at Big Bend and drank half a gallon of water in less than an hour. now how much water to need for yourself. And then pack more. Hydration packets are also super helpful for dry climates or higher elevations. If/when you start backpacking or going on longer hikes, learn how to treat water and invest in a filtration system that works for you.
- Appropriate clothing – Happy feet make for a happy hike! Select well-fitting shoes or boots that provide traction, support and protection for your activity. Even sandals have traction and support! Dress in layers so that you can adjust to changing weather and activity level. I sweat like crazy! always have. I make sure to wear moisture wicking materials like wool or synthetic fibers. Try to avoid cotton if you can since it gets fully saturated with sweat or water and then takes forever to dry. You are then stuck feeling hot and gross one moment, then cold and clammy the next. It’s also helpful to pack extra socks if you know there are water crossings or waterfalls you want to explore. Extra tip: keep a spare outfit and sandals in your car as a post-hike outfit!
Now that you are packed and have a plan, there’s a few more useful lists for getting outside: the 7 principles of Leave No Trace and basic hiking etiquette. Leave No Trace (of LNT) should be practiced in all areas/types of being outdoors. This ensures that natural areas and wildlife stay protected and can thrive in the future.
As you move from your starting point and gain confidence, there is even more information and knowledge to gain within your outdoorsy niche! Do what feels right for you!
