Outdoorshopping Blog

In terms of square footage, Texas is the second-largest state in the country, and along with size, comes a great selection of outdoor activities to choose from. With its wide variety of terrain and landscaping, Texas has plenty of room to roam and explore. From hiking, biking, and camping to kayaking, canoeing, and fishing, Texas is nothing short of awe-inspiring and entertaining for all of its residents and visitors. Here are just a few of the top Texas destinations to visit when searching for places to experience your favorite outdoor activities!

Big Bend National Park

Pretty much any outdoor recreational activity you can think of - hiking, biking, backpacking, camping, fishing, boating, rafting, kayaking, swimming, bird watching, nature watching, rock and fossil finding, you name it - can all be experienced at

Utah offers such an abundant supply of adventure for outdoor enthusiasts, that 80% of the state is designated just for public use! What’s more is that the outdoor fun lasts all four seasons throughout the year in Utah! During the spring and summer months, you can experience hiking, biking, camping, geocaching, horseback riding, rock climbing, wildlife viewing, ATV riding, fishing, rafting, canoeing, kayaking, boating, water skiing, sailing, jet skiing, paragliding, and more. Many of these activities can even be enjoyed during the fall, as well. During the winter months, take advantage of skiing, snowboarding, snowshoeing, ice skating, snowmobiling, and the like. Take a look!

Source: pinterest

Known for its cotton cultivation, Mississippi has grown into a state with much to offer the outdoorsman in recent years. Mississippi is a southern US state with a small portion of its border resting along the Gulf of Mexico. The state is entirely composed of lowlands, the highest point being Woodall Mountain (807 ft above sea level), which is located in the foothills of the Cumberland Mountains. The lowest point is sea level at the Gulf coast. The Mississippi landscape is filled with forests, waterways, and wildlife, providing an abundance of opportunities for ample outdoor activities including hunting, fishing, wildlife watching, camping, hiking, horseback riding, and more. If you’re planning a getaway into The Magnolia State, then check out some of these outdoor activities in the area.

Bordered by the Ohio River to the north and the Appalachian Mountains to the east, Kentucky is also known as the ‘Bluegrass State’ due to its abundance of bluegrass found in many of its pastures. Kentucky is known for its diverse landscape which includes the world’s longest cave system in Mammoth Cave National Park. Kentucky is also home to the longest navigable waterways and streams in the contiguous US as well as the two largest man-made lakes east of the Mississippi River.

The idea of camping during the fall or winter season may seem unusual to some people, but it may actually be a fun, adventurous, and inexpensive way to say goodbye to the hot summer and hello to the cool, crisp autumn. There are several benefits of camping during the fall season as opposed to the summer season. One of these is that the mosquitoes and insects are much less abundant during the cooler seasons. Another is that campgrounds are much less crowded after the summer is over.

As the largest and most sparsely-populated state in the U.S., Alaska is ideal for visitors looking to enjoy the outdoors away from the hustle and hubbub of modern-day urbanization. Indeed, Alaska is well-known for its diverse geographical features including diverse terrain, wide-open spaces, mountains, and forests. Abundant wildlife makes for a scenic trip, and there are a host of activities available for visitors and tourists looking to make the most of their Alaskan vacation. 

Nestled between the Missouri and Mississippi Rivers is the midwestern state of Iowa, the only state to have both eastern and western borders formed entirely of rivers. Known for its vast landscape of rolling hills and fertile cornfields, Iowa’s agricultural economy has also made a recent transition to a more diversified economy consisting of biotechnology and green energy production, to name a few. There are several natural lakes within the state as well as well as a multitude of diversified ecological areas, but most of the state still remains primarily agricultural in nature. Still, there are several areas of interest to the avid outdoor explorer in Iowa!

Nicknamed “The Prairie State”, Illinois is located in the midwestern region of the US and is marked by geographical features such as its farmland, rolling hills, forests, and even wetlands. There are three major divisions within the state known as Chicagoland, Central Illinois, and Southern Illinois. The latter 2 of these sections boasts more of the rural farmlands and rugged terrains that are ideal for outdoor adventurers, as Chicagoland is aptly named for its most notable feature: Chicago. Most of Illinois’ climate can be characterized as humid continental climate, making for hot, humid summers and cold winters.

Outdoor activities can be great therapy for your dog. Here are a few things you should remember to pack for your pooch.

While his friends went to Vegas for the weekend, this guy chose the Yosemite National Park located in California's Sierra Nevada mountains. All he needed was a tent, some nice camping clothing to keep him warm and food for a couple of days. He had a great experience hiking and camping all by himself, enjoying the breathtaking views and the freshness of the air.

Hiking with an infant or toddler can be quite the chore if you haven’t properly prepared for it, but it is certainly not an impossible task. With a little extra planning, hiking with your little one can be an excellent bonding experience, a great way to introduce them to the wilderness, and maybe even a stress-reliever for yourself.

Loki the WolfDog is actually breaking hearts since 2012 on Instagram, but many people have seen him for the first time after his human had posted a picture of both of them sleeping in a hammock. They are indeed best friends and spend most of their time enjoying outdoor adventures.

Home to the Grand Canyon, Arizona is located in the southwestern region of the United States. Known for its desert climate, the southern portions of Arizona are home to the Sonoran Desert where seasons are characterized by very hot summers and mild winters. In stark contrast, northern Arizona is home to mountainous regions including the San Francisco Mountains and many forested areas of Douglas fir, pine trees, and spruce trees. In addition to the tourist attraction that is the Grand Canyon, Arizona is also home to several national forests, national parks, and national monuments as well. 

Just because you’re camping or stopping for a meal during a day-long hike doesn’t mean you have to sacrifice good food!

Across America, you can find 58 National Parks peppering the landscape. These federally-protected areas are scenic or historically-important locations available to the general public with the intention of the preservation of the landscape and wildlife. Let’s take a look at five of our favorites from coast-to-coast!

Manawai - Endless summer from Andro Kajzer.

Andro and his girlfriend went to Fuerteventura and had an amazing time surfing and skateboarding.

The apparel you choose for your outdoor excursion can make a world of difference in your comfort and safety. Camping outdoors forces one to be exposed to the elements, and your first line of protection comes in the gear you choose. With camping clothing, there are a few important things to keep in mind when investing in the right pieces. Here’s five tips to choosing camping clothing for your next overnight outdoor trip!

Many Americans are given a day or more off from work on the 4th of July, and this year, the 4th falls on a Saturday! While some stick to tradition by grilling in their backyards with their families, there are many other ways to enjoy the holiday outdoors. Celebrate American tradition this year by stepping outside of your comfort zone and trying a few of these outdoor activities for the 4th of July holiday season.

Best Camping Items 2015.

Latest Camping Inventions to Make the Outdoors Feel Like Home.

Part of the joy of traveling comes in the preparation. Wiping away the dust from old equipment and packing your bags builds excitement for the trip to come. While you’re gathering your accoutrements for your outdoor adventure, make sure to check off these 10 must-have items for your trip!

Preparing for any excursion takes more than a bottle of water and a well-packed travel bag. In fact, critical survival skills - while hopefully never needed - can get you through a crisis situation should the need arise. Honing your survival skills takes time and preparation, but these skills are just as important as anything you could stow away in your backpack. Here are a few survival skills that every outdoorsman or woman should master.