As the days grow longer and summer approaches, you might find yourself craving time outdoors. While a months-long thru-hike or extended trip isn’t feasible for most, microadventures offer a simple way to bring more intention into your life. Coined by Alistair Humphreys, these small, achievable adventures easily fit into your day-to-day, helping you shift your perspective and embrace new experiences. To get you started, here are 10 microadventure ideas to shake up your routine and add excitement to your everyday life.
Sleep Under the Stars
When your home starts to feel a little claustrophobic, sleeping under the stars is one of the best ways to shake things up and have an adventure without traveling far. Research local campgrounds and book a site. Or even set up your tent in your backyard! Also, don’t be afraid to go camping on a weekday. Not only are campsites much easier to score, but it’ll help break up the monotony of the week and give you something interesting to share with your friends and co-workers.
Jump Into a Natural Body of Water
There’s nothing quite like jumping into a natural body of water. The initial rush of adrenaline followed by immediate clarity and focus is hard to replicate in any other way. If you’re looking for a microadventure to help reset your mind and body, then one of the best ideas is to head to a local body of water and dive in. Whether it’s a lake, river, or ocean, pack your swimsuit and enjoy the invigorating plunge (just make sure to check local regulations first). If you’re extra ambitious, consider an early morning dip or an ice plunge to activate your body and senses for the day ahead.
Plan a Wilderness Picnic With Friends
While a solo microadventure can be very fulfilling, if you’re looking for ideas to do with friends then plan a wilderness picnic! Find a local hike, pack everything you need, and hit the trail. When you find a good resting point (preferably with a view), set up your things and enjoy a meal in the wild with friends. You also can bring a deck of cards, discussion prompts, or a field guide to add to the experience. Just make sure to leave everything as you found it and pack out what you packed in.
Go Stargazing
When stuck in the city, it’s easy to forget how magnificent the night sky truly is. Instead of your usual nighttime routine, head out away from the light pollution and take in the beauty of the stars overhead. For a truly optimal experience, try to venture to a flat, expansive landscape like the desert or prairie. Also, plan your excursion around the new moon (light from the full moon can overpower the stars). There are fun apps you can download that will tell you about constellations, planets, satellites, and other celestial objects.
Visit a New Park or Wilderness Area
Even for those living in dense urban areas like myself, you can usually escape to a park with just a short drive. Research new wilderness areas that you haven’t been to before and make a plan to check them out. Keep your search broad—aside from national parks and forests, consider looking into BLM land, or even state, county, and city parks. Often, these places are easier to get to, have much fewer crowds, and offer spectacular beauty.
I recently embarked on a microadventure and explored Red Rock Canyon State Park, just two hours from my home in Los Angeles! To read about my experience and learn how you can visit this place, check out the story below.
Wake Up Early to Catch the Sunrise
If you’re like me, getting out of bed early is not a strong suit. Still, every so often I love to wake up before dawn and enjoy the sunrise. There’s something magical about watching the world around you illuminate in a glow of beautiful, warm colors. It’s also a time for me to slow down and reflect before the busyness of my day takes over. If you can, head to a local viewpoint or an outlook for a truly expansive sunrise.
Leave Your Car at Home
Next time you’re thinking about driving somewhere, instead see if you can take public transit, bike, or even walk there instead. Not only are you being kind to Mother Earth, but you’ll also have a chance to experience your neighborhood from a fresh perspective. Keep an eye out for hidden trails, pathways, and other scenic routes, and take time to enjoy the little details that you usually miss. By slowing down, you’ll start to see your neighborhood from a new perspective and feel more connected to the place you call home.
Cook Over a Campfire
Cooking is an essential part of everyday life, but one way to spice up this sometimes mundane task is to try preparing a meal over an open campfire. Whether it’s in your backyard or at a local campsite, you can get back to your primal roots and cook a recipe over the open flame. You truly make this microadventure your own as there are limitless ideas to inspire you. From simple classics like hot dogs and hamburgers to more complex meals including a Dutch oven pizza or cinnamon rolls, there’s no shortage of delicious possibilities to try.
Try a new Outdoor Hobby or Sport
It’s easy to get stuck in the day-to-day routine, so one of the best micro adventure ideas for shaking things up is to learn a new outdoor hobby or sport. Whether you’ve been thinking about getting into kayaking, hiking, backpacking, mountain biking, or rock climbing, taking the first step is a great way to learn something new and add some excitement to your daily life. Living in Los Angeles, my goal for this year is to learn how to surf. It’s been a humbling journey so far, but I’ve loved the process of starting as a complete beginner and stepping out of my comfort zone. Plus, it forces me to get outside, which is always a win. If there’s an outdoor sport or hobby that you’ve been thinking about learning, now is the best time to start.
Learn a New Outdoor Skill (and Put it to the Test)
If you’re looking for a microadventure that will also help level up your wilderness experience, then one of the best ideas is to learn a new outdoor skill and put it to the test. Whether you want to try and start a fire without a match, brush up on your map and compass navigation, or get better at identifying native plants in your area, spend some time developing your new abilities. Then, when you’re feeling confident, head out into nature to put to practice what you learned! Not only will you gain confidence in the outdoors, but these skills can also open the door to bigger adventures in the future.
I hope that these 10 microadventure ideas have inspired you to embark on your own bite-sized but meaningful escapes! If you’re looking for extra help planning your outdoor adventure, please reach out! We at GoForth are experts at crafting seamless and memorable outdoor experiences, and we’d love to help make sure your time outside is a success. Click on the button below to learn more about our offerings, and contact us if you’re ready to take the first step toward a life outdoors!
Check out some of our other outdoor advice and education pieces
Tips for Hiking Alone to Stay Safe on Trail
National Park Travel Tips to Help You Plan Your Journey
Five Premier Camping Destinations Near Los Angeles
Camping in the Desert: 8 Tips for a Successful Adventure
Beginner Backpacking Tips: What to Know for a Smooth Trip
