Nature

Is the Aurora Borealis magic, science, or something in between?

A conversation with activists, a look at the radical origins of Earth Day, and a slew of ways you can take action for the planet every single day.

Not all stretches of sand are created equal. These are the Atlantic’s best, most adventurous shorelines, from Maine to Florida.

Forget sitting in a backyard ice bath. These spots have chilly waters with beautiful backdrops, and a devoted community of fellow swimmers to share the experience with.

From California to Belize to Australia—at these spots you'll experience thriving intact coral reefs, colorful (and big) fish, and the trip of a lifetime. Our diving expert reveals her favorites.

Where did eagles come from? Why are grizzly bears so mean? In this Audible Original excerpt, host James Dommek Jr—the great-grandson of a famous Iñupiaq storyteller—travels around the state sharing legends from different cultures and traditions

The 1,000 Hours Outside challenge wants to encourage kids to spend more time outside. But what about those of us who don’t have easy access to nature? 

Singer-songwriter David Lindes found his way into running with help from the most unexpected teacher: a bull moose

More than 15 years ago, Pete McBride set out to document all 1,450 miles of the threatened waterway. He captured its beauty and multiplying challenges, and his images underscore why its preservation is essential to us all.

During a monthlong stay in Sweden, I realized that my Americanized relationship with the outdoors was off track. Here’s what I learned.

People dream of boating or swimming with whales. But that’s based on the false assumption that they are gentle giants that don’t bother humans.

Let your children wheel across the remote Utah desert, trek to a jungle treehouse in Thailand, and pitch a tent aboard a ferry to Alaska. These one-of-a-kind wild experiences—kid-tested, parent-approved—will have everyone stoked to travel.

The origin story of a groundbreaking organization for Black skiers, the young scientist building a more inclusive STEM community, and more from the Outside archives.

In this excerpt from his new book ‘Local,’ Alastair Humphreys—who coined the term “microadventures”—finds treasure while mudlarking

A nature walk through the Florida Everglades

From the most beautiful hikes in the world to advice on tipping, these are our most-read articles of the year

The West isn’t always best. Here’s why one outdoorsy editor gave up Oregon and moved his family to New England.

An interactive art installation encourages Block Island visitors to get outdoors and slow down

After 50 years, one of the most consequential environmental laws in U.S. history may no longer be relevant to the world we’re living in

Go ahead, pick one: to check in on, root for, and admire

Mountain lions are becoming more aggressive. Or maybe they aren’t?

Give yourself the gift of a better climate future by donating to these nonprofits

After 25 years, writer Katie Arnold returned to Long Caye, a slice of paradise that the adventure travel boom forgot

Go beyond Abbey and McPhee with a great read for wherever your next journey takes you

Throughout the lower 48, recreational bush pilots are using their nimble planes and social media influence to spread the word about bold frontiers in flight: touching down on remote federal lands, flocking to little-used runways in designated wilderness, and drag racing one another for pure sport. Their capstone event each season, the High Sierra Fly-In, never fails to deliver hair-raising thrills.

A bizarre rescue in Michigan has eerie similarities to a 2022 incident in Washington State

A new documentary, ‘Walking Two Worlds,’ chronicles Quannah’s rise in fashion alongside her activism on behalf of the climate and her Indigenous community in Alaska

The best ways to experience America’s best idea

Artificial light makes it impossible for most people in North America to see the Milky Way. But we don’t have to live like this.

When Pam Houston traveled to the nordic island nation to ride its unique breed of spirited horses, she wasn’t just after an adventure—she was urgently seeking a way to be well again

Experts suggest the practice of grounding may lead to better shut-eye. Here’s why.

Outside’s ethics columnist weighs in on the great cairn debate

Sometimes the grass really is greener in a new place

New legislation is being supported by a major REI initiative

Even a familiar place can deliver a dose of the unexpected

Sometimes a quick brush with danger can feel almost transcendent

Nature is the ultimate source of wonder. But what is awe, really, and why is it good for us?

We’ve all taken in the power of a big slide on social media. But there’s no substitute for the real thing.

Scientists are focusing on the power of awe, and for good reason. Experiencing it is essential for our health. Our author hit the road during California’s superbloom to figure out how our mind and bodies are transformed when we’re blown away by nature.

Studies show that astonishing experiences in nature can have life-changing benefits, and that even small everyday doses of time outdoors can have immediate impacts

As a young actor, his first-ever trip outside the United States opened his heart to the astonishing power of the natural world

Nothing says “I do” like a small blood sacrifice

The actor’s flight into space in 2021 left him with an urgent desire to make us aware of the fragility of our home—a feeling that has yet to fade away.

When the actor took a suborbital rocket ride, he came down with amazing (and fearsome) insights about the previous nature of our planet

There are both healthy and harmful ways to get away from it all, psychologists point out

Serious illness gave our writer an urgent need for physical and spiritual rebirth. She found both by bonding with a unique riding breed that seems touched by Viking spirit.

It’s becoming harder to find a slice of nature all to yourself. But there are plenty of secluded sweet spots around the country if you know where to look. From national monuments and lakeshores to forests and scenic waterways, here are some stunning, uncrowded wildlands that are definitely worth exploring.

I have ADHD, occasional anxiety, and my sleep schedule sucked. After a four-month experiment, I found the antidote to my problems was right outside my front door.

There’s a reason the acclaimed author wrote his latest book in the voice of a stray dog: it enabled him to run free all over an imagined seaside park

If you're looking for a new running companion, these 20 dog breeds are the best of the best.

When veteran climber Mark Jenkins came up with a plan to witness a solar spectacle from the summit of a 20,000-foot peak, he had little idea what he was getting himself into

On an epic mountain-biking adventure, the Outward Bound instructor found belonging on remote trails

The scientific evidence is overwhelmingly clear: spending time outdoors boosts your brain function. So what are you waiting for?

A Black southerner who grew up during the dying years of Jim Crow journeyed north as a young man to pursue life as a writer and scholar. Fate brought him back, and he fell in love with a troubled part of the state known around the world as the birthplace of the blues.

In 2016, a wildfire jumped the Athabasca River and headed straight for Fort McMurray, an Alberta oil town 600 miles south of the Arctic Circle. In this excerpt from ‘Fire Weather: A True Story from a Hotter World,’ John Vaillant chronicles the moment the blaze enters town, forcing nearly 90,000 people to flee in what remains the largest, most rapid single-day evacuation in the history of modern fire.

These odd scraps of property tell us more about ourselves than we realize.

Right out of college, Leath Tonino traveled to Antarctica to experience the frozen landscape of his childhood exploration heroes. The daily routine was a bit dull—shoveling snow for the U.S. government—until a pair of skinny skis unlocked the potential of the vast snowy expanse.

Losing a close friend taught the fitness instructor that embracing your emotions is a sign of strength and growth

We bet you've never heard of some of these dog breeds

No commands, rules, or directives here. Just a gentle nudge towards something truly lovely.

Apples no one has ever tasted are still out in the wild. Dave Benscoter, a retired FBI agent, has spent a decade searching for these 100-year-old heirlooms.

We’re celebrating the grandeur of America, from beautiful rivers, beaches, and mountains to incredible glamping outposts and wild places. Our travel experts are constantly on the road finding new adventures, and their ideas will jump-start your next unforgettable journey.

Peter Kaestner has traveled the world on an adventure-filled quest to become the first birder to hit 10,000. Ornithologist Jessie Williamson hitched a ride on a rollicking South American mission that involved land, sea, and (you guessed it) air.

At five feet tall, she was the smallest wildland firefighter in her crew and worried she couldn’t keep up. But on her very first blaze, she discovered her strength.

When the largest tornado ever recorded touched down in central Oklahoma, storm chasers, meteorologists, and thrill seekers were expecting a show. What they got was a deadly lesson in the power of nature.

I think he’s overreacting, and it feels embarrassing 

‘Wild and Precious’ is a memorial to the beloved American poet and a celebration of her work

Our trails columnist has hiked thousands of miles. These are the routes at the top of his bucket list. Thrill yourself with a trip to an amazing trail this year.

Whether they’re for yourself or for someone else, here are some tips for taking NSFW photos in nature

This nonprofit turned 40,000 miles of unused travel infrastructure into a system of walking and biking paths—and wants you to use them

And what about charging people to climb that mountain? Outside’s ethics guru weighs in.

Chances are you can catch the nighttime spectacle from your backyard

In her podcast, ‘FOGO: Fear of Going Outside,’ Ivy Le takes on the great outdoors—very, very reluctantly

Wolves are my favorite animal, but my parents see them as the enemy that kills their livestock

After I spent a decade in the grind of working motherhood, seals welcomed me to the wild

Outdoor time with your partner is more than just fun—it can be the key to a superstrong bond