12 Outdoor Activities to Try as a Hobby or an Experience

Credits: Style My Soul, www.stylemysoul.com | Outdoor Activities, Experiences

Outdoor activities offer a wealth of benefits for both physical and mental well-being. Drawing on insights from field experts, we explore various activities suitable for beginners and enthusiasts alike, providing a fresh perspective on ways to engage with the natural world.

Soar Through the Sky on a Zipline
If you’re craving a rush of pure exhilaration and a taste of true freedom, zip-lining is an unforgettable adventure. Soaring high above the ground, you’ll feel weightless — suspended between earth and sky — as the wind rushes past and the world stretches out beneath you. It’s a rare chance to let go of fear, embrace the thrill, and experience the wild joy of flying.
Dr. Jo L, Holistic Life, Wellness, Spiritual Coach & Yoga Teacher, TulaSoul

Explore Your World on Two Wheels
Cycling is a brilliant outdoor activity I recommend to anyone looking for a refreshing change of pace or a new hobby. It’s an activity that can suit any lifestyle and fitness level. One of the reasons I’m a fan is that it’s a fantastic way to explore and learn about your environment. Moreover, cycling has the added benefit of being both eco-friendly and physically rewarding. It’s a great low-impact workout that builds endurance and reduces stress. Your bike rides may turn into a daily practice or remain delightful weekend journeys, but either way, they bring you movement and a connection with the outdoors.
James McNally, Managing Director, SDVH [Self Drive Vehicle Hire]

Paddle Peaceful Waters in a Kayak
I always recommend kayaking — whether it’s just once or the start of something bigger. It’s accessible, beginner-friendly, and offers a totally different perspective of the outdoors. There’s something powerful about gliding across a lake or river, surrounded by the sound of water and wildlife. It helps you slow down, tune in, and connect with the landscape in a peaceful, almost meditative way. In Arizona, we’re lucky to have incredible places to paddle — from mountain lakes to desert rivers — and you don’t need a ton of gear to get started. Many spots offer rentals and guided trips, which makes it easy to try without a huge commitment. 
For anyone looking to recharge, reflect, or just try something new, kayaking offers adventure without overwhelm and a chance to see nature from a whole new angle. Mary Grodman, Outdoor Adventure Program Coordinator, Community Schools Outdoors

Find Balance and Clarity Through Hiking
Hiking offers a simple and rewarding way to reconnect with your body and mind. It demands no special equipment, only the commitment to move forward. Trails challenge your endurance, test your awareness, and give your thoughts room to breathe. After years focused on growing access to medical cannabis, I’ve learned how essential movement is for healing. Hiking provides that movement in a way that’s free, accessible, and grounding. You feel every step. You breathe deeper. You notice how much noise you’ve been carrying once it finally gets quiet. The first time I hiked alone, I was burned out, trying to balance life and work. There was no breakthrough moment. No epiphany. But I slept better that night. The next morning, I felt lighter. I started hiking twice a month. That rhythm helped me reset mentally and physically. It gave me clarity. You don’t need to summit a mountain. A loop around your local trail works. Nature doesn’t ask for productivity. There’s no scoreboard, no pressure. That absence lets people reset their pace. In our work supporting patients, we often talk about balance. Hiking gave me mine. It’s an activity that builds strength without stress and restores focus without force. If you want a new experience that offers both challenge and peace, this is the one to try. - Aspen Noonan, CEO, Elevate Holistics

Immerse Yourself in Nature with Forest Bathing
One of my favorite, highly accessible, and impactful outdoor activities to try — whether as a one-time experience from a mental-health perspective or the seed of a longer-term hobby — is forest bathing (the Japanese practice of shinrin-yoku). Forest bathing isn’t exercise or hiking for distance — it’s a slow, mindful walk in a wooded area, allowing your senses to fully engage with the forest environment. Your main focus should be to breathe deeply, notice sights, sounds, textures, and even smells, and to be present in that natural setting. During a forest-bathing session, you should move at a leisurely pace and engage all your five senses. You might pause to notice the varying shades of green in the canopy above, to listen deeply to birdsong or the rustle of leaves in the breeze, or to feel the texture of tree bark and cool moss beneath your fingertips. Even a single 20–30-minute outing into the trees can have profound mental-health benefits. Numerous studies show that time spent in forest environments lowers levels of the stress hormone cortisol and produces measurable reductions in anxiety. The gentle, “softly fascinating” stimuli of nature help you restore depleted attention capacity, sharpen your focus, and boost your creativity. Meanwhile, the quiet connection to the living world around you boosts your mood through natural increases in serotonin and dopamine. To try forest bathing for yourself, choose a park or woodland with mature trees — whatever green space is closest to you. Set aside a half-hour, ideally early in the morning or late afternoon. Keep your phone silent or put it away so there are no digital interruptions. 
As you walk, let go of all your problems and simply absorb the beauty of nature. Notice varying shades of green and soothe your eyes. Observe dappled sunlight, leaf shapes, the chorus of insects and birds, the cool firmness of bark, the scent of damp earth, and many other smells that you can’t commonly feel around you. Gently touch the tree bark or cool moss, pause to inhale earthy, pine, or damp-wood scents. If you know it’s safe, taste edible berries or herbs and deepen the connection with nature. Even if you never return, that single forest-bathing experience can act like a reset button for your nervous system — lowering stress, lifting your spirits, and clarifying your thoughts. If it resonates, you can weave it into your self-care routine, turning a one-off outing into a sustainable hobby that supports your mental well-being over the long term.
- Shebna N Osanmoh, Psychiatric Nurse Practitioner, Savantcare

Join the Pickleball Craze for Fun
Try pickleball — it’s the perfect mix of low-barrier and high-fun. It’s super easy to learn, doesn’t require intense athleticism, and you can jump into a game without needing a full squad. Plus, it’s surprisingly social — parks, recreation centers, and even parking lots are turning into mini pickleball hubs. Whether you’re competitive or just want to laugh your way through a new hobby, pickleball hits the sweet spot. One game and you’ll see why everyone from college kids to retirees is hooked. It’s like ping pong and tennis had a laid-back baby. - Justin Belmont, Founder & CEO, Prose

Discover Wild Edibles Through Foraging Adventures
One outdoor activity I highly recommend people try, either as a new hobby or a one-time experience, is foraging for wild edible plants. It’s not only deeply grounding and educational, but it also reconnects you with nature in a way that is rare in modern life. When I tried foraging for the first time with a local guide, it completely changed how I experienced trails and forests. Instead of just walking through nature, I started noticing details: the shape of leaves, the smell of the soil, and the way sunlight hits certain plants. We found wild garlic, wood sorrel, and even mushrooms that we added to dinner that evening. There’s something incredibly satisfying about eating something you found yourself with your own hands directly from the earth. It’s also a hobby that teaches patience, observation, and humility, you have to learn to identify things carefully, and you start to understand ecosystems more intimately. It can be a one-off thrill or a long-term pursuit, and it blends well with photography, cooking, hiking, or journaling.  
Just be sure to go with an expert first, some plants can be toxic, and guidance is key. But once you do it safely, foraging can completely transform your relationship with the outdoors. -Naima Ch, Marketing Head, Morse Code Translator

Cultivate Joy with a Home Garden
The outdoor activity I recommend people try is starting a garden, even if it’s just a small patch or a few container plants. Gardening offers a perfect blend of relaxation and satisfaction, especially when it comes to transforming an ordinary space into something you can be proud of. I’ve seen firsthand how nurturing plants can be both a rewarding and calming experience. Whether it’s growing flowers, herbs, or even vegetables, the process connects you to nature and teaches you about patience and growth.For many homeowners, it’s easy to overlook the power of a well-kept lawn, but taking time to care for your outdoor space, whether by planting new seeds or maintaining your lawn, can improve your overall quality of life. I remember one customer, Maria, who started with a simple herb garden on her balcony. Over time, she found herself spending more and more time outdoors, enjoying the fruits of her labor and the beauty of her space. The sense of accomplishment from caring for plants can offer a new sense of pride in your environment, making it a perfect activity for both new hobby seekers and those wanting a one-time experience. Gardening gives you the opportunity to connect with the environment and appreciate the way plants grow, adapt, and thrive with proper care. The mental and physical benefits, like reducing stress and boosting mood, are just as important as the practical ones, like growing fresh produce or creating a more visually appealing space. We often talk to clients about the importance of proper lawn care, but gardening adds another layer of joy to the outdoors that you can see and feel every day. While starting a garden can seem intimidating at first, it’s one of those activities where small steps lead to big rewards. Whether you’re planting a few flowers in your front yard or designing a larger vegetable patch, each success along the way builds confidence. Even for those who don’t consider themselves gardeners, this type of outdoor experience can unlock a deep connection to the land and foster a new hobby that grows with you. - Francis Daniels, Founder & CEO | TurfPro, Turf Pro

Experience Serenity on a Paddleboard
I’d recommend trying paddle boarding. It’s a fantastic way to embrace nature, get moving, and enjoy a sense of calm on the water. Whether you’re on a serene lake or exploring the coastline, paddle boarding allows you to disconnect while engaging your entire body. The beauty of it lies in how accessible it is to beginners, yet still offers a challenge for seasoned athletes. What makes paddle boarding stand out is its versatility in connecting with your surroundings while also offering a great workout. I’ve had customers share how their first experience was unexpectedly transformative. They started with a bit of hesitation, unsure of balance or strength, but found themselves in awe of how peaceful and empowering it felt once they were out there. It’s the perfect example of how trying something new can lead to discovering a new love for the outdoors. There’s something about the rhythm of the paddle, the splash of the water, and the surrounding nature that makes paddle boarding more than just a sport — it’s an experience that leaves you feeling refreshed, confident, and closer to nature. It’s one of those activities that checks all the boxes: fun, fitness, relaxation, and safety. - Laura Kosmorsky, Co-Founder, Tied Sunwear

Reset Your Mind and Body with Rucking
One outdoor activity I recommend everyone try at least once is rucking — walking with a weighted backpack. It’s deceptively simple: 20–30 lbs on your back, a trail or sidewalk underfoot, and zero screens involved. Why is it worth trying? It resets your nervous system. Carrying weight while walking taps into deep ancestral wiring — your body interprets it as “we’re moving with purpose,” which helps calm the mind while engaging the muscles. It’s also joint-friendly and efficient. You’ll build strength and endurance without needing to run or track metrics. Some of my clearest ideas — both personal and professional — have surfaced mid-ruck. The combination of movement, nature, and just enough strain opens a mental clarity zone that’s hard to replicate. Bonus hack: I use voice notes during longer rucks to log ideas — it turns out fresh air and forward motion make for great problem-solving fuel. Whether once in the mountains or weekly in your neighborhood, rucking delivers a full-body and full-brain upgrade.  - Murray Seaton, Founder and CEO / Health & Fitness Entrepreneur, Hypervibe (Vibration Plates)

Challenge Yourself with Rock Climbing
I always recommend that people try rock climbing, even if it is just once. It is one of the few outdoor activities that challenges both your body and your problem-solving skills at the same time. Every climb feels like a moving puzzle, and you have to stay focused, patient, and strategic with each move. What I love about recommending rock climbing is that it meets you at your own level. You do not need to be an athlete to enjoy it. Beginners can start with easy routes, and success comes from technique and mindset more than brute strength. The experience of reaching the top, even on a small wall or cliff, gives a real sense of accomplishment that stays with you.
Trying rock climbing once often shifts how people think about their own limits. Even if it does not become a regular hobby, that confidence carries over into other parts of life. - Saltuk Doganci, Founder/Owner, Brick My Walls

Connect with Nature on Horseback
As someone who lives on an 80-acre horse ranch in the Colorado mountains, I’d recommend horseback riding as a transformative outdoor activity. It creates a unique connection with nature you can’t experience through hiking or biking alone, allowing you to cover more ground while developing a relationship with an incredible animal. The mental health benefits are profound. During stressful periods running my interior design business, I’ve found that even a short trail ride resets my perspective completely. There’s something about the rhythm of the horse’s movement and being fully present that quiets the mind like nothing else. You don’t need to own horses to enjoy riding. Many ranches offer beginner lessons and guided trail experiences. Start with a single lesson to learn basics, then progress to longer rides as your confidence builds. Most stables provide all necessary equipment. The skills transfer surprisingly well to other areas of life. The patience, communication, and leadership required for effective riding have directly improved how I collaborate with our design team and clients. It teaches you to be decisive yet gentle — a balance that serves you everywhere.- Adam Bocik, Managing Partner, Divine Home and Office