The great outdoors… nature’s playground! Being outside offers so many benefits, both physically and mentally. Exploring nature brings the senses alive and is so invigorating! Technology today has made getting outside even more enjoyable by giving people of any experience level the tools to explore with confidence. Gone are the days of paper maps and compasses (although being able to use those is still a good skill to have) as primary tools for outdoor adventures. There are a bevy of apps out there that will make your next trip more enjoyable to map out and experience. Below are eight of our favorite outdoors apps that we use as we explore the USA!
AllTrails
One of the first apps we open whenever we arrive at a new location is AllTrails. We love to hike, and AllTrails is an easy-to-use search tool for hikes in your area. It rates the trails by difficulty level, gives descriptions of the terrain and what to expect, and has trail maps for navigating as you go. AllTrails also has great user reviews that offer up-to-date info and comments from those who have hiked the trails. Additionally, you’ll find a photo gallery with each trail so you can see the sights before you go. One of our favorite features is the Favorites list which allows you to save hikes for easy reference. If you love to explore nature on foot, AllTrails is a must-have app!
onX Offroad
Before we left on our journey, we had never been four-wheeling. It was something we had always wanted to do but just never had the vehicle or the time for. But, we knew we would be spending a lot of time out West and getting to drive some off-road trails was a good possibility. So, in addition to it being a good towed vehicle, we got a Jeep Wrangler to be able to tackle the dirt and rocks out West! Not knowing the first thing about where to look for off-road trails, we found the onX Offroad app and absolutely love it! It has an extensive and very detailed database of off-road trails for any type of vehicle. It can filter search results by area, vehicle and difficulty, so you can find exactly what you’re looking for. It also has user reviews and trail photos to help give you a better idea of what to expect. Getting some mud on your tires is even more enjoyable with onX Offroad at your fingertips.
Be sure to download your trail maps in case you lose service when trying to stay on the trail.
BoatUS
If mud and rocks really aren’t your thing and you prefer a more fluid situation when it comes to recreational vehicles, the BoatUS app will be a great one to have in your phone. Find information on tides, weather and marine conditions where you plan to get on the water. And you can also check weather forecasts to make sure you’ll have a beautiful day. In the event the weather goes sour while you’re cruising around, BoatUS will alert you to incoming adverse conditions so you have time to change course. It will also give you small craft advisories and hurricane warnings, depending on where you’re located. And if the unfortunate event of a breakdown occurs, BoatUS connects you with a tow service 24/7 so you’re not left stranded. Make sure to download BoatUS before you hit the water, and enjoy the day!
FreeRoam
Camping has been a favorite pastime of outdoors lovers since the dawn of time. With the popularity of camping on the rise in recent years, finding that ideal spot to drop your stakes can be a little more difficult. That’s where FreeRoam comes in. No matter what kind of camping you’re doing, whether in an RV or a tent, you can use FreeRoam to find a campsite to suit your needs. It does include RV parks, but where it really shines is in locating state parks, dispersed areas and public-land camping. The easy-to-use map allows you to search by area (city or state) and zoom in on specific locations. It then shows you all the camping spots in the area, with color coded icons to indicate the type of campsite it is. We like to use it when we are looking for a quick overnight spot to break up a long stretch between destinations. We’ve been able to find great free camping that we can get our rig into using FreeRoam. The user reviews and rating system are helpful. The app gives you ratings on things like noise level, campsite size and spacing, cleanliness, safety, shade and more. This info really helps to determine if the site is right for you. Check out FreeRoam for your next camping trip!
Recreation.gov
Exploring our nation’s recreational areas can be an amazing and rewarding experience. Recreation.gov, and the accompanying app, is a great resource for information on all state and federally run areas. You can find information on national and state parks, forest areas and public lands. It also has tools to find lodging, camping and other activities wherever you may roam within these areas. In our experience, it’s the easiest way to book shuttle tickets, obtain required tickets or passes for national parks and apply for permits when required for day access or backcountry exploring and camping. The app will also store and organize your tickets, passes and permits for easy access when you need to show them to enter the designated areas. Looking for guided tours at your destination? You can find those in the Recreation.gov app, as well. It’s an all-around great app to have when exploring!
FishAngler
When we hit the road, fishing was one of the things at the top of Kade’s list to do! But we hadn’t done any fishing since long before he was born, so we needed some help to find good fishing spots along the way. That’s when we searched and found the FishAngler app. It is a great app for newbies like us but is packed with fantastic tools for the experienced angler, as well. GPS fishing maps make it easy to see where other people have had success catching fish, including details on time of day, species caught, weather and size of fish. The fishing forecast feature shows good times and locations for fishing based on weather and tides and provides charts that show wave direction and swell. You can even log your catches and include info like species, size, bait, location, time and weather, and even add photos. If you choose to make this info public, others can benefit from your success. You can even connect with other anglers through the app to share information and tips on the best hot spots. This app has been helpful for us with our limited experience. It really is an awesome source of information!
National Park Service
Are you on a quest to visit all the national parks? The new National Park Service app has you covered with information on the parks you’ve heard about and the ones you haven’t. It actually includes details on all 420+ national parks, monuments, forests and preserves in the National Park System. You can find park maps, tours, directions, trail maps and more. Less glamorous, but just as important, you can also find locations for bathrooms, food and other amenities located within the parks. Information can be downloaded and used offline, which is a great feature as many of the major national parks are void of cell service.
Cairn
Named after the often-seen trail markers made from stacked rocks, this app provides peace of mind for both you and your loved ones when you go out on adventures. The main feature of this app is that it allows you to share info and details about your hike/run/trek with family or other contacts, so they know where you’re going and when to expect you back. It’s always heartbreaking to hear about a lost hiker, but with the Cairn app, you can set parameters for it to alert your emergency contacts if you have not reached a designated point by a certain time. And if you allow, they can also see your GPS coordinates, so in case of an emergency, they can pass on that vital information. It can also map out areas of cell coverage on your route. The app even provides topographical information, elevation gain and ETAs for thousands of hiking trails around the world. If you are venturing out beyond cell service and into areas with wildlife, or if you just want to reassure your loved ones you’re OK on your hike, Cairn is a great app to have!
