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The ongoing coronavirus outbreak has put a stop to everything from travel to business to grocery shopping. But it doesn’t have to stop a vacation or fun day outdoors.
As social distancing becomes the norm for everyone, from busy professionals to business owners and schoolchildren, it’s important to remember there are still activities out there that won’t threaten your health. What is there to do when schools, businesses, stores, and public spaces are all closed? Go outside.
While a lot of the world is closed, the great outdoors might be the best respite for summer 2020 vacations. You can look close to home for adventures and relaxation. And these heed the CDC’s advice to avoid touching shared surfaces and well as going to high-traffic, public places.
So, on a positive note, here are 10 outdoor activities you can still do this spring. They won’t increase your chance of getting sick from exposure to COVID-19. And they’re a whole lot of fun.
1. Set an FKT.
It doesn’t have to be something crazy like running the entire Appalachian Trail. But from Strava segments to local classics, FKT attempts are a fun way to get creative and get outside.
Paddle across a local lake in record time, run your first 5K, or find a climbing route that hasn’t been done and make a first ascent. Check out FastestKnownTime.com for inspiration on records you can challenge or set.
2. Go hiking.
Alone or with your family, hitting the trail for an hour, a weekend, or more is a great way to exercise and unwind. And a longer hike can make for a wonderful weeklong vacation.
New to hiking? Check out the Hiking Project to find trails near you. Start with just a day hike if you are short on gear. You can gradually up the mileage and time out this summer.
And don’t hesitate to bring the kids! Especially with the schools, daycares, and childcare resources shutting down, take a moment — even just an hour — to take your kids (or pets) outside.
Skip the playground (lots of germy surfaces) and head out for a local hike instead. The fresh air and scenery will do you good.
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3. Go backpacking.
This is in the same vein as hiking, but there’s something important to be said for getting away from crowds of people and cities and living outside. Loop trails are especially easy to accomplish — just drive to the trailhead of your choice, park, and leave all the germs behind. Check out this list to find a trail near you.
4. Bag a 14er.
There are no threats of coronavirus (last time we checked) on the top of any 14ers. Why? For one, there are way fewer people, no hard surfaces for the virus to live on, and the chances that someone with COVID-19 being on the top of the mountain? Pretty low.
So grab a pack, trekking poles, food, and layers, and take a mountain getaway. 14ers.com is a great resource that provides recent conditions, trip reports, and even a list of the least-crowded mountains.
5. Sport climb outside.
If you’re craving more excitement in your daily life and know how to climb, take this opportunity (away from people) to go climb outside. Especially with the amount of risk at indoor climbing gyms, outdoor climbing is a much better, more adventurous option.
But if you do climb at popular sport areas, don’t forget to wash your hands.
6. Go fishing.
This one is a great choice if you’re still working remotely or taking care of kids. Pack up for a few hours, bring a couple of fishing poles and a sack lunch, and work from a local lake or dock. With a power bank or Wi-Fi hotspot, you can still check up on that work project while waiting for a bite.
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7. Bike to work.
This one is for those of us who still have somewhere to be (namely, an office or job site).
Biking to work avoids public transportation (again, you’re increasing your exposure to more people, especially people who are traveling). It’s fairly easy, great exercise, and gets you outside if you don’t have time otherwise.
8. Do backyard or living room yoga.
We aren’t saying that everyone should avoid group fitness and yoga classes, but it’s probably safer to do so. All you really need is a yoga mat (or if you don’t own one, a thick blanket). Roll it out at home, in your backyard, or a local park and find your flow.
9. Go camping.
Ah, the great outdoors. With more and more international flights and travel being canceled and postponed, 2020 just might be the summer where camping becomes the go-to vacation.
By nature, camping spreads people out and reduces close contact. But it’s worth noting that, at this point, some state park campgrounds (and probably a few others) have closed due to the virus. Be sure to check your local campground or try some dispersed camping to really avoid close human contact.
It also might be time to start booking those trips if you’d like to hit more popular campsites. Reservations for campgrounds at Rocky Mountain National Park went live online 2 days ago and are already fully booked through May 20.
If you’re itching to get outside and your favorite campsite is booked, browse around for first-come, first-served campsites.
10. Go for a picnic.
It’s scary to think that eating in restaurants could put you at risk of getting sick. In restaurants, there’s a higher concentration of people and surfaces that have been touched by others.
It’s worth going to the grocery store (wipe down the cart with hand wipes), stocking up, and cooking at home. Once you’ve got some meals and snacks prepared, take ’em outside.
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