Photo: Joshua Resnick (Shutterstock)
There’s something about being in nature that is so refreshing and calming—something many of us developed a new appreciation for during the pandemic. But if you’re new to the outdoors or just want to up your game, you need some solid apps to help you navigate the great outdoors. Here are our favorite outdoor apps to help make your next adventure even better.
Best hiking app: AllTrails
With more than 50,000 hand-curated trails, AllTrails is a great app for finding hiking trails near you. No matter where you are, AllTrails can help you find the perfect trail for your skill level and desired activity.
Other hiking apps worth checking out include Gaia GPS, Hiking Project, Wikiloc, and Komoot.
Best app for long-distance hikers: Atlas’ Guthook Guides
If you’re planning on doing any long-distance hikes, Atlas’ Guthook Guides is a must-have app. This app provides detailed maps and information for more than 50 popular long-distance trails in North America. Plus, with offline access and GPS tracking, you’ll always know where you are (and where you’re going).
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Other long-distance hiking apps to consider include Halfmile and Trail To summit.
Best cycling app: Strava
Strava is a great app for tracking all of your outdoor activities, but it specializes in being a great app for cyclists. Cyclists can easily plan routes using Strava’s “Heat Map” feature to see where other people are riding. That said, whether you’re going for a run, ride, or hike, Strava can help you track your progress and see your stats. With the premium version, you can get even more detailed information about your performance.
Other cycling apps to check out include Map My Ride, Cyclemeter, and Bikemap.
Best camping app: The Dyrt
The Dyrt is a great app for finding camping spots near you. With more than 40,000 campsites in their database, you’re sure to find the perfect spot for your next camping trip. Plus, you can read reviews from other campers to get an idea of what to expect.
Other good camping apps include Hipcamp, Campendium, and Free Roam.
Best climbing app: Mountain Project
Mountain Project is a great app for finding climbing routes near you. With more than 75,000 routes in their database, you can always find something new to climb—and you can read reviews from other climbers to get an idea of what to expect before you go.
While not apps, if you’re looking for more climbing beta (and especially if you want to bag some peaks), take a look at SummitPost and Peakbagger.
Best weather app for the outdoors: Dark Sky Weather
If you’re planning any sort of outdoor activity, you need to check the weather first, and for that, we recommend Dark Sky Weather. Dark Sky Weather is known for its down-to-the-minute forecasts, which can be extremely helpful when planning your outdoor activities. (There is also a premium version that provides even more detailed information about the weather.)
Other weather apps for your outdoor adventuring include Windy, MyRadar, and Weather Underground.
Best navigation app: Google Maps
Yeah, yeah, of course. But seriously—no matter where you’re going, Google Maps is a great app to have on hand. With its turn-by-turn navigation and real-time traffic updates, you always know what’s up ahead. Plus, it’s possible to download offline maps, and your GPS signal will work even if you don’t have a cellular data connection. This can be a lifesaving resource if you’re not exactly sure where you are.
Other maps that are good for navigation include Maps.me, Citymapper, and Waze.
