15 Secrets for Planning an Epic Outdoor Getaway

As George Bernard Shaw wrote, “We don’t stop playing because we grow old; we grow old because we stop playing.” When you think of a holiday, what comes to mind? A spa day, tanning on the beach, an afternoon of music at a chic winery? All are great options—but how about mixing in a little adventure?

An outdoor-oriented holiday is the perfect excuse to challenge yourself a little—or a lot. Maybe you’re out to master a new skill, or perhaps you just want to feel strong and fit. It could be as simple as joining a sunrise yoga class or outdoor meditation session at your hotel, hiking to a natural hot springs or legendary fishing hole, or as ambitious as trekking hut-to-hut around Mont Blanc.

The biggest of outdoor adventures start with baby steps. Dip your toes into the wild by adding a night or two of camping to your usual hotel lineup or switch things up with a cozy yurt or a backcountry cabin. Unplug, reset and earn that hot shower, Swedish massage or ice-cold beer. As Jack Kerouac—the original road trip influencer—wrote in Dharma Bums, “Because, in the end, you won’t remember the time you spent working in the office or mowing your lawn. Climb that goddamn mountain.”

Whether you're comfortable on the couch or a seasoned fun hog, here’s how to get started:

This might not be your year to summit Everest or deep-sea fish off the Florida Keys, but the outdoors doesn’t have to be epic to be awesome. From walking, hiking, and rolling—thanks to a growing network of mobility-accessible trails—to backpacking, trail running, fishing or kayaking, there’s something out there calling your name. The trick? Start with what you already love, then remix it in a new setting.

First, determine how many days you can take. If you can swing it, mid-week travel helps you dodge the weekend hordes. Or string together two weekends for a sweet 9-day escape. Make a list of three dream destinations and pick one. Consider your budget. You can save money and avoid crowds by traveling during the shoulder or off-season. Weather’s always a factor. Iceland in the winter lets you skip the summer bustle, but it’s cold. Yellowstone National Park in the winter is beautiful, if you enjoy snow. Canyoneering in Utah and Arizona during monsoon season or hiking in Death Valley in midsummer are very bad life choices. Read historic weather reports and be prepared. If possible, skip peak holidays, spring break stampedes, and the mid-July-early August tourist mosh pit.

You don’t need a plane ticket or a cross-country drive to have an adventure. Test your gear, grit, and fitness close to home. A staycation lets you explore local trails, rivers, and campgrounds you’ve probably overlooked. See your own backyard like a tourist—you don’t need to live in the mountains or by the beach to get outside. New York City boasts hundreds of miles of shoreline, with fishing opportunities for all levels. Los Angeles County has over 2,000 miles of publicly accessible trails. From sea to shining sea, there are millions of DIY or guided outdoor adventures. Lots of them are dog-friendly, too—just check leash rules before you go.

Got a weeklong summer trip with some park-hopping, beach time, or mountain days? Sign up for that dream experience—whether it’s guided fishing, whitewater rafting, or via ferrata. Or scope out a 10K trail run at your next vacation destination. Nothing makes you feel like a local faster than showing up at the starting line.

The better shape you're in for your outdoor vacation, the more fun you'll have—and no, we’re not talking swimsuit selfies. Get moving. Walk local trails. Load up your pack and do it again. Take the stairs. Carry a basket at the store. Head to your local climbing gym. Knock out a dozen pushups and crunches when you wake up, then stretch for five minutes. Repeat.

Buy a paper map or road atlas. Mark it up. Circle cool towns that you recognize from Johnny Cash songs. Highlight roads that aren’t interstates. Look for parks you’ve never heard of. Pencil in hikes, weird roadside tourist attractions, and national monuments. Yes, you should stop at Wall Drug, the Jimmy Carter Peanut Statue, and Reptile World.

Start a packing list two weeks before departure. Everyone gets their own list—especially kids. Start with shoes and socks, then work up to sunglasses and a hat. Think in categories: apparel, gear, essentials (like toothbrush, comb, and meds), and hard-to-find snacks. Your best adventure travel pals? A solid pair of shoes for walking, smart sock choices, a lightweight rain jacket, a brimmed hat, and apparel that’s as comfortable on the boat or trail as in town. Pick a corner to start stashing the gear you think you’ll need—then do a ruthless edit a couple of days before departure. When it comes to the outdoors, light is right. A little planning up front saves a lot of swearing later—especially when you realize you forgot your passport.

Don’t let lack of gear hold you back. Maybe you’re still flirting with an activity and not ready to go steady. You can rent everything from camping stoves and kayaks to a complete backpacking and fishing kits. Gear is delivered to your home or mailed to your destination. Most college outdoor programs, hiking clubs and larger sporting goods retailers offer rental equipment. Then, when you’re ready to make a commitment to a particular sport, you’ll know what works for you.

The best thing about technical outdoor clothing? It performs and looks good for everything short of a black-tie affair—and that’s debatable. A PFG fishing shirt works everywhere—just ask Columbia ambassador and country star Luke Combs. Today’s technical apparel is a legit fashion flex; wrinkle-free, quick-drying, and comfortable. With a dialed-in kit, you can go anywhere. You can go full khaki—but pop color’s a way of expressing your freedom and individuality—and adds important visibility if you’re in a group or get lost.

You're probably not a Navy SEAL, so don’t plan seven straight days of death marches. Alternate high-octane stuff with museum visits, ghost town strolls, or just a really good pastry and park bench. Quiet time is part of every great outdoor adventure. Sit on a rock. Watch the clouds. Take the path less followed. If your itinerary looks like a spreadsheet, you’re doing it wrong.

As Napoleon said, an army marches on its stomach—you need fuel. Stock up on non-perishable snacks before you leave town. Buy local fruits and vegetables at your destination—farmers markets are great spots to score fresh food and insider tips. If you're cooking over a campfire, keep it simple—food tastes better outdoors, so don’t sweat your culinary skills.

Yes, national parks are amazing. But you don’t have to enter through the front gate—there’s almost always a lesser-used backdoor. The North Rim of the Grand Canyon has less traffic than the South Rim and is equally stunning. Hetch Hetchy in Yosemite sees just a fraction of the crowds. Go half a mile off the main road in any park, and chances are, you’ll have the trail—and the view—to yourself. Or skip the crowds entirely and find an underrated state park, forest or BLM recreation area. Sure, schedule that day trip to Dollywood or Disneyland, but balance it with a day where the only lines you see are ants.

Go fancy, go dirtbag simple—or better yet, mix it up. Rough it for a few days, then reward yourself with a night in an old-school lodge. Camping, yurts, and vintage hotels are all part of the fun. Just don’t let algorithms pick your lodging. That’s how you end up in a beige hotel with a boring breakfast buffet. Pro Tip: You save money when you walk in the door and book a room in person. Stay somewhere you can walk straight onto a dirt trail. The closer you sleep to the outdoors, the better your odds of waking up to birdsong, sneaking in some stargazing, or motivating yourself for an afternoon hike.

Research your destination to avoid any last-minute surprises. If you’re heading to a national park, wilderness area, or another popular spot, check whether you need entry reservations or permits. Many parks have workarounds, so even if there’s a timed-entry or reservation system, you can often find a way around it.

Book a guide for a day. Guides are basically outdoor wizards: they know all the secret spots and somehow make you feel like a badass even when you’re experiencing serious self-doubt. They'll size up your skills, level you up, and point you toward adventures you can tackle solo later. Most of them are a blast to hang out with—and have the best stories. If you’re traveling internationally, hire a driver. They know where to go, speak the language, and can show you all the good stuff you’d otherwise miss.