What to look for when choosing your next big wilderness adventure
Prepare for your next wilderness adventure by knowing your preferred style, evaluating the terrain, and packing the right items from snacks to gear. Safety matters, so pack navigation tools and let someone not on your trip know where you're going.
Outside Magazine reported that outdoor participation in the United States grew to a record-breaking 181 million people in 2024, up from 3% previously. This number included Americans of all ages, from children to elders enjoying what being outside has to offer.
What Is My Wilderness Adventure Style?
Enjoy your adventure travel by choosing what options work best for you. Your nature getaway may be a scenic day hike or a multi-day backpacking challenge. Some people may want to hop into an RV for comfortable base camping for a few days of fishing and river rafting with family.
Be realistic about your limits and fitness level. When hiking for the first time, start with a shorter distance ranging from 1 to 3 miles and progressively work your way up to longer paths. You may prefer solitude or traveling with friends and family.
Understand the difficulty for safety reasons, so start small with local trails before expanding to more remote areas.
How Should I Map Things Out?
Effective outdoor trip planning starts with mapping your route. Whether you're doing a local adventure or planning a wilderness trip abroad, you may be dealing with:
- Miles of forest
- Paved or unpaved trails
- Deserts
- Rivers
Map elevation changes, which can increase difficulty on outdoor tracking. Know where nearby freshwater sources are and calculate how much mileage you'll have to cover. That way, you can ensure you don't run out of gas in a vehicle or plan a realistic distance on foot.
What Are Some Safety Tips?
Do your vacation ideas involve water-based activities? Book guided Idaho river rafting experiences where a professional leads the way on those fun but rough waters.
Whether you're on a guided trip or solo, pack safely with:
- A paper map and compass
- Extra layers of clothing
- First aid kit
- Sun protection
- Non-perishable snacks
- Water bottles and water tablets
Extra layers of clothing are essential as the weather can change at any time, especially during certain seasons. For example, if wilderness travel is in a valley, an intense rainstorm can quickly flood the area. Be prepared to quickly take shelter and hunker down in an outdoor emergency.
Be flexible by having alternative trails planned and gear that can accommodate weather or terrain changes. Always make sure someone back home knows where you're at in case you get lost or have an emergency.
Enjoy Nature with the Right Prep
A wilderness adventure can mean a fun long weekend or an extensive multi-week adventure with friends and family. Being outside can become a regular part of your daily experience, from long walks on a beach or river to extensive hikes and biking on nearby trails.
As you become more familiar with the outdoors, stay safe by packing the right gear and clothing and being ready for unpredictable weather changes.
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