Paddling
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Outside visits every state in the U.S. to find the best parks—national or state—in every region. What park made the cut in your state?
Here’s how to make the most out of a visit to one of the wildest places in the U.S., from kayaking to birding to fishing and so much more
From family-friendly hikes to deep-wilderness paddling trips, Maine has it all.
Purpose-built platforms for a variety of experiences
The New Yorker staff writer spoke with Outside Book Club host Elizabeth Hightower Allen about turning the unbelievable story of itinerant canoeist Dick Conant into a book
In the heart of Cornhusker country, they know how to make their own fun. Native son Carson Vaughan drafted four friends, loaded up on beer, and did what may be the strangest float trip in the world.
How two rival teams fought storms and sleep deprivation to claim an 18-year-old paddling FKT
Take a break from NPS crowds by visiting these lesser-known designations, which we chose based on spectacular scenery, great hiking trails, and unique features.
At the most recently declared national park, the adventure starts and ends with the 1,000-foot-deep New River Gorge. The 73,000-acre stretch of rugged canyon in West Virginia is home to Class IV+ whitewater rafting, some of the best rock climbing on the eastern seaboard, purpose-built singletrack, and more than 100 miles of hiking trails that capture this dramatic part of the country.
How to buy your first bike, grill, paddleboard, sleeping pad, and more
Inflatable SUPs are getting even better
Stowable craft that can handle whatever the water deals you
Author Natalie Warren wants young women to disregard conventional rites of passage and get lost in the wilderness
This Maine destination is a place of rugged coastal wonders and an immersion in Down East culture
In an excerpt from his new book 'Beginners: The Joy and Transformative Power of Lifelong Learning,' Outside contributing editor Tom Vanderbilt takes up surfing as part of an experiment to learn new skills as an adult and discover the benefits of being a grown-up novice
How young is too young for risk? During an Idaho river adventure that included her seven-year-old, Tracy Ross faced this question in the most harrowing way imaginable.
At 59 years old and with a preexisting condition, Paralympic rower Angela Madsen had plenty to worry about as the coronavirus spread across the country. So she dipped the oars of her small rowboat in the Pacific and pointed the bow toward Hawaii. She never returned.
Seven pieces that offer sun protection, breathability, and waterproofing—on and off the river
Want to see some wildlife in New England? Moose are your best bet. Here's where to find them—and get some great outdoor adventuring while you're at it.
On a solo expedition in the Himalayas, whitewater paddler Nouria Newman nearly drowned—then found her purpose
This world champion says you can get into surf shape without ever catching a wave
Angela Madsen, a three-time Paralympic rower, has a new goal: becoming the oldest woman to row from Los Angeles to Hawaii
A week of running rivers around Voss, Norway, with French kayaking sensation Nouria Newman and her buddies
With a résumé full of wins at kayaking's most prestigious competitions and historic first descents of the planet's deadliest whitewater, Nouria Newman is considered one of the greatest paddlers around. So why can't she turn her passion into a sustainable career?
After tireless testing, these were our favorites under $150
Expedition kayaker Scott Lindgren knocked off first descents of the most remote and dangerous rivers on earth, from the Himalayas to the Sierra. He paddled with an aggro attitude and saw weakness as an unforgivable trait in himself and others. But when a brain tumor started to derail his athletic performance and threaten his life, everything changed.
John Olson has been on the water for nine decades—and he's still working
How to explore the western rivers and wilderness on the route of legendary explorer John Wesley Powell
It's not good enough to simply keep one with you while you're on the water. You've got to know how to work it.
The River of Sorrows almost never flows, due to a tricky confluence of climate change and water rights, but this year was different
This film will leave you seeking out your next adventure—and it just might be on the shores of Hawaii
Don't be a kook. Here's a crash course in surf etiquette.
Taking a tiny human floating seems intimidating, but it doesn’t have to be
At 1.1 million acres, the Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness is one of the largest and most popular backcountry destinations in the U.S. and a longtime proving ground for adventurers. But now the region is facing the threat of sulfide-ore copper mining. Stephanie Pearson paddles into the wild.
You're just as likely to build a robot as paddle a canoe at summer camp today, but the value of the experience is even more important for our screen-addled youth
This year is a celebration of the past—each of the boats at the top of our list is a revamp of a bestseller. Some might say that looking back is a sign that the sport isn’t progressing, but we don’t agree.
Hoffmeister is no stranger to long kayak trips—she's already paddled around Ireland, Australia, and South America
Forget functional fitness. If you want to run whitewater on a SUP, you need focused fitness.
The hiking duo Her Odyssey highlight their journey from Patagonia to Colombia by nonmotorized travel
Twin brothers Ryan and Casey Higginbotham planned to paddle from Alaska to the U.S.-Mexico border, but when they got there, they decided to keep going
One weekend, Matthew Bryce headed to his favorite Scottish beach to surf. The conditions were perfect. Until they were deadly.
These shades blend style, comfort, durability, and versatility better than any others I've tried
The U.S. Coast Guard closes the Potomac River any time President Trump wants to hit the links.
Kayaker Kenny Unser has circumnavigated Manhattan almost six dozen times. This film explores his motivation.
Carrying your own portable boat is officially the coolest way to go deep into the wilderness
After nearly 40 years of attempts by multiple people—and at least one mysterious disappearance—Scott Donaldson became the first person to paddle alone across the 1,400-mile stretch of ocean
The Passage, from Day’s Edge Productions, is a story about a family’s quest to canoe the entirety of the inside passage.
After a summer of testing, these four SUPs came out on top
Tried-and-true adventures big and small, from sea to shining sea
Waxed canvas is durable and looks stylish. There's a reason the material has been around for nearly 300 years.
With a hydration sleeve, clamshell zipper pocket, and rescue-compatible features, this is the future of PFDs
How people who make a living playing outside protect themselves from sun, rain, and sweat
Rich in cultural history, wildlife, and geological wonder, this route is dominated by expansive plains and vast stretches of pristine landscape
The vests, bags, belts, and more that top athletes use to stay primed while they push
First screened at the National Paddling Film Festival, Heart of Dampness took home their best of award back in 1988. Enjoy a little throwback.
Adventure paddler Aleksander Doba willed his 71-year-old body and 1,600-pound kayak through a 4,000-mile trans-Atlantic journey
In our ongoing Weekly Escape series, we aim to transport you from your desk to an incredible place in two minutes or less
The race takes place on a section of the Payette River in Idaho known as Jacob’s Ladder, which is famous for its massive features. This year, the record runoff had some competitors worried.
A celebrated origami boat gets a crucial upgrade
This summer in Bermuda, the Australian-born sailor will lead Oracle Team USA’s bid to retain the oldest trophy in international sports. The 37-year-old’s secret to staying on top? Stepping away from the boat.
Famously cold and frighteningly massive, Lake Superior contains 10 percent of the world's surface freshwater, holds the remains of 6,000 shipwrecks, and offers a lifetime of adventure. Stephanie Pearson sets out to circumnavigate America's most overlooked playground.
