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

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.

Established in 1732, Georgia is one of the southeastern-most states in the US and is the last of the original Thirteen Colonies. As the largest state east of the Mississippi River, Georgia has a land area of almost 60,000 square miles. The state is bordered by land as well as the Atlantic ocean on the east coast. There are approximately 250 species of trees and 58 protected plants within the state, and much of the state is categorized in climate as humid subtropical. With several tourist attractions, state parks, and barrier islands, Georgia is a hot-spot for activity and is a sure-fire hit for visitors with a love for the outdoors. 

With a mix of coastal cities and rural areas, Connecticut is famed for its seaport in Mystic filled with centuries-old ships. Connecticut is the third smallest state by area and is named after the Connecticut River. Due to its extensive waterways and ports, Connecticut is famed for its maritime traditions (although it has no direct access to the sea). Despite the state’s relatively small size, it features wide regional variations in its landscape. From the northwestern Litchfield Hills featuring rolling mountains and horse farms to the southeastern New London County featuring beaches and maritime activities, there’s a little something from every outdoor adventurer in Connecticut.

Known for its geographic diversity, Colorado is one of the most sought-after locations in the western US for outdoor activities. Here, one can visit snow-covered mountains, arid deserts, and river canyons throughout its over 100,000 square miles of land. The state itself encompasses most of the Southern Rocky Mountains as well as the northeastern portion of the Colorado Plateau and the western edge of the Great Plains. With so much to explore, it’s no wonder that Colorado is a key destination for outdoor adventurers.

Stretching from Mexico northwards along the Pacific Ocean for about 900 miles, California has a vast terrain encompassing cliff-lined beaches, redwood forests, the Sierra Nevada Mountains, Central Valley farmland, and the arid Mojave Desert. While many may think of Hollywood and other famous cities and regions within the state, California is also a jackpot for outdoor enthusiasts and lovers of adventure. Indeed, the sheer size of the state demands a wide variety of climates and geological features prime for outdoor exploring. 

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.

Located in the southeastern region of the United States, Alabama’s name is believed to have originated from the Choctaw language. With the second-largest inland waterway system in the US, many travel to this state to experience all that the Alabama waterways have to offer! Geographically, the rest of the state is ⅗ gentle plain with some mountainous regions in the Northern region. The Tennessee River cuts through these mountains, creating a vast, beautiful array of streams, creeks, and waterways leading down towards the Gulf of Mexico.

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.

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.

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.

Have you ever wanted to explore the outdoors, but have not been able to find anyone to join you? Gociety was created just for people like you to network and enjoy outdoor activities together. Founded in January 2014 by Alex Witkowicz, Gociety fosters a community of like-minded individuals who hold a love for the outdoors and are looking for others to join them in their adventures. The name Gociety explains in itself what the aim of the company is – get people to GO and join with others in SOCIETY. 

Located in the Andes Mountain Range, Aconcagua is the highest mountain outside of Asia, towering at 6,960.8 metres (22,837 ft). Wrapping up the end of 2014, famed mountain runner Kilian Jornet set the record for the fastest ascent. Merely less than two months later, Karl Egloff set a blistering 7 hours, 55 minutes record to nudge his competitor off the pedestal by nearly an hour, fueled mainly by a handful of energy gels and bars. So what does it take to be a record-holder?