Hoping to challenge yourself with some new nature hobbies in 2025? The following list of outdoor activities can help you get active and enjoy some fresh air while capturing the natural beauty of your surroundings.
As the new year approaches, you might be looking for some active hobbies you can do outdoors in your free time. Not only will this help you unplug and step away from the hustle and bustle of everyday life, but it can also be a great way to get some physical exercise.
If you need some inspiration to help you get started, continue reading below for a list of outdoor hobbies you can do alone or with friends.
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Hiking
If you like a little variety in your athletic hobbies, hiking might be a good option for you. Going on a hike allows you to get out and explore your area while still enjoying plenty of variation as you try out different trails.
The great thing about hiking is that you can typically find trails suited to your specific skill level, no matter where you’re located. Plus, it doesn’t require much technical gear. You’ll usually just need a good pair of tennis shoes or hiking boots, a backpack to bring along some water and food, and maybe some hiking poles if you’d like.
Before heading out on a hike, do some research ahead of time to assess the difficulty and length to ensure you’re prepared with the appropriate attire, water, and other supplies.
Forest Bathing
The best outdoor hobbies don’t have to be physically demanding. Maybe you’re interested in an outdoor activity that will help you practice mindfulness instead. If so, consider forest bathing, which is a popular Japanese relaxation technique that’s also referred to as shinrin yoku.
Forest bathing is exactly what it sounds like. It’s the practice of simply existing and finding quiet among the trees. It’s a sort of meditation practice that challenges you to be mindful of your surroundings while either walking, standing, or sitting in nature. In this way, it’s a sensory experience, helping to ground you in your environment and destress the mind.
It’s very easy to try out forest bathing. You don’t need any special equipmentl, just a quiet outdoor space where you can practice mindful observation. Start with a short time limit, and slowly work up to an hour or two as you become more comfortable.
Urban Farming And Gardening
2025 could be the year that you finally start that garden you’ve always talked about! Whether you’re located in the city or a rural area, cultivating a home garden can be one of the most rewarding outdoor hobbies.
Gardening allows you to work with your hands and helps you feel connected to your natural environment. In this way, it can be a form of stress relief, helping you get into a regular routine of tending to your garden with soothing activities like weeding and watering your plants. Plus, at the end of the growing season, you may get to enjoy the literal fruits of your labor, depending on the specific crops or seeds you planted.
If you have the outdoor space, you could start small with one planter to test out your green thumb. Otherwise, many cities offer community gardens where you can work and learn alongside others, adding a social aspect to this great hobby.
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Trail Running
Maybe you’re looking for a bit more of a challenge than hiking. In that case, trail running might be one of the physical hobbies you consider for 2025.
Like hiking, there’s minimal equipment required for trail running, so there’s a low barrier to entry. Plus, you can typically head out on the same trails as you would for a standard hike. However, proper footwear is essential for those interested in trail running. Wear shoes that offer good traction and stability, as you’ll be traversing over uneven and potentially slippery terrain.
If you’re used to running on paved roads or trails, start simple by running on a beginner-friendly gravel road or dirt trail. You can gradually ramp up to more challenging trails as your body becomes accustomed to this different form of running.
Camping Or Glamping
If you really want to immerse yourself in nature, camping (or glamping) could be a hobby worth considering for the new year. A camping trip can be the perfect solo getaway or something you can share with friends and family.
Camping takes a bit more preparation than some of the other ideas on this outdoor activities list. You’ll need to pick out where you plan to camp and determine whether you need to make a reservation beforehand. Based on the length of your trip, you must pack the appropriate amount of food, water, clothing, and other gear.
Depending on your local climate, this might be something you plan as one of your new hobbies in summer, as the winter weather may not allow for camping. Plus, if you’re not sure about setting out into the wilderness on your own, see if there’s a camping group or club in your area that you can join.
Surfing
Those who live near the beach can try out surfing in the new year. This is one of the favorite outdoor physical activities for people on the coast. So, if you have yet to get out on the waves, 2025 might be the perfect time to start.
Surfing takes some practice, so if you’re up for a challenge, take the leap and sign yourself up for some lessons. This way, you can learn the proper technique and practice this exhilarating water sport under supervision to help make the activity as safe as possible.
Learn how to read a surf report so you know when it’s the best time to hit the waves.
Nature Photography
Nature photography is a popular hobby for outdoor enthusiasts. It allows you to spend time in nature and get familiar with local flora and fauna. Thus, it may even turn into a learning experience as you research the subject of your photos, helping you gain a better understanding of your surroundings.
Not to mention, advancements in cell phone cameras have made this hobby much more accessible to the average person. In other words, nearly anyone can try this out with little preparation or equipment. You certainly can invest in professional equipment if you’d like, but it’s no longer a strict requirement as it was a decade or so ago.
Another fun aspect of this hobby is that you’ll be able to look back on your early photos, watching as your skills have progressed over time. Plus, there are plenty of free resources to help you improve and learn more about the hobby, no matter your skill level.
Outdoor Yoga
Similar to forest bathing, outdoor yoga is a great option if you want to find a hobby that is relaxing and stress relieving. However, don’t underestimate the physical benefits and challenges that yoga offers as well. There are a variety of yoga practices ranging in difficulty levels, so this hobby is suitable for beginners as well as experienced practitioners.
Outdoor yoga is another activity that requires very little equipment and is something you can do either on your own or with a group if you’re looking for a community element. See if there are local yoga classes held outdoors where you live. Or, you can head out into nature and find a small plot of flat ground to practice yoga on your own.
Kiteboarding
Kiteboarding, or kitesurfing, is a popular extreme sport, perfect for adrenaline junkies and any water lovers who enjoy a challenge. A combination of surfing, windsurfing, and wakeboarding, kiteboarding takes a bit of practice for beginners. But, once you’ve mastered it, you can continue challenging yourself to learn new tricks and techniques as you glide across the water.
You’ll need a few pieces of equipment to get started, including a board, harness, and specially designed kite. It can be helpful to sign up for classes from a licensed instructor. This way, you’ll learn basic kiteboarding techniques, as well as essential skills like how to pick the right location, understand optimal wind patterns, and more. Apps like iKiteSurf provide wind forecasts to inform kitesurfers when the conditions are right for kiteboarding.
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Geocaching
Geocaching is a fun outdoor treasure-hunting activity you can do with others or on your own. You’ll use GPS coordinates to find hidden “caches” around the globe, which might be located in the city center, a remote mountaintop, or somewhere in between.
This activity is both mentally and physically stimulating, as you’ll need to decipher clues and traverse various landscapes to uncover the hidden treasure. It can be a great way to explore new areas you wouldn’t have otherwise and meet fellow outdoor adventurers who share similar hobbies and interests.
Biking
Biking is one of the most popular active hobbies for adults. Even if you haven’t gone for a ride since you were a kid, it’s a fun outdoor activity you can always return to in adulthood. Biking offers a variety of benefits, such as getting your heart rate up as a cardio workout, helping you enjoy the scenery, and being easy on the joints compared to other rigorous forms of exercise.
Chances are, there’s a bike path or trail located near you where you can start out. If you don’t already have a bike, see if you can rent one first to make sure you enjoy the hobby before purchasing your own. If you’re feeling adventurous, you can try mountain biking on a trail. For any biking, don’t forget to wear a helmet for safety.
Sailing
Setting sail on the open waters can be an exciting outdoor activity for those who love the water and have a knack for navigation. Whether on a lake or ocean, people are drawn to sailing because it relies on the power of the wind, making it quite unique from other types of boating.
Sailing can be a bit intimidating if you’re new to the hobby. So, it can be helpful to find a sailing group or club in your city that can help you get your feet wet. Or, consider professional lessons if you’re serious about the hobby and want to learn the proper techniques and maneuvers from the beginning. Apps like SailFlow make sailing easier, providing powerful weather visibility with real-time wind observations and forecasts from over 100,000 key locations worldwide.
Review the different types of weather instruments you can use to get up-to-date weather readings like wind, precipitation, humidity, and more for your outdoor hobbies.
Skiing And Snowboarding
If you live somewhere with long winters, finding an outdoor hobby like skiing or snowboarding can help you embrace the colder, inclement weather and see it as an opportunity for a fun day on the slopes.
Research ski resorts in your area and see if any offer lessons for adults. They’ll typically have gear you can rent before you’re ready to purchase it, but be sure to ask about anything you’ll need to supply, such as warm gloves, a stocking cap, a snowsuit, and warm socks.
Cross-country skiing and snowshoeing can be a bit more beginner-friendly. You don’t have to visit a resort to try these activities, and the technique is more straightforward to learn than downhill skiing or snowboarding.
Birdwatching
Want to learn more about the feathered friends that visit your yard? Try birdwatching! Observing birds is a common pastime and something you can even do from your own backyard. You’ll only need a few items to get started, like a pair of binoculars and a local field guide. You can also install a bird feeder in your backyard for close birdwatching.
As you get more invested in the hobby, you can expand your horizons beyond visiting local parks by exploring a national park, wilderness areas, and forests for more birdwatching. There may even be a local club or association dedicated to the hobby where you can connect with others in your community and learn more about the birds in your area.
Fishing
Millions of people across the country enjoy fishing as an outdoor hobby, so you might consider trying your hand as an angler in the new year.
Why is fishing so popular? Aside from helping you unplug and spend time outdoors, it’s also a chance to connect with friends and family, learn about local fish species, and get some physical exercise as you navigate through waterways, cast a rod, and reel in a big catch.
There are various types and methods of fishing, so it should be easy for you to find something that suits your preferences and location. If you’re fishing on the boat, check the fishing weather with an app like FishWeather for real-time conditions.
Before you head out, research fishing guidelines in your city or state, like getting a fishing license and catch and release rules, to support local conservation efforts. Also check the barometric pressure before fishing since that can affect the chances of you catching fish.
Get An Accurate Local Forecast For Your Outdoor Hobby With The Tempest Weather System
No matter what outdoor hobby you plan to try out in 2025, you’ll need to keep an eye on the weather to ensure conditions are optimal for your chosen activity.
Rather than rely on the spotty accuracy of weather forecasts, you can get precise local weather data with a Tempest Home Weather System before you head out for the day – including information about wind speed and direction, temperature, precipitation, and more.
Then, when you’re on location, you can continue to get accurate readings with the Tempest WEATHERmeter, a miniature weather device that connects to your smartphone. There are also several hobby-specific apps you can download to get accurate weather readings like iKitesurf, SailFlow, and FishWeather.
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