I live in New York City, where it is a commonly held belief that people walking four abreast on a public sidewalk deserve summary execution. I also run in New York City, often alone but just as often with run clubs—in other words, in groups of as few as four or as many as a hundred, and on the same...

　　Technology has rendered modern Americans both more connected—and more isolated—than any population of humans in history. In fact, some researchers have gone so far as to declare a loneliness epidemic in reference to our increasingly desperate need for IRL connection and community. That said, knowing that you need new friends and actually making them are two very different things. Building...

　　When Bre Kanak, an art teacher in northern Wisconsin, was invited to join a nine-day sea expedition to Antarctica, her husband Dan stayed home to watch their snakes and chickens. He felt a bit of FOMO, he admits, but mostly he was excited for her—especially because he got to follow along vicariously. Dan remembers keeping a close eye on Antarctic...

　　In 1941, Swiss engineer George de Mestral was hunting in the Alps with his dog, when he noticed burrs stuck to his jacket, pants, hat, and his pup. Being the egghead that he was, de Mestral examined the burrs under a microscope. He discovered their “stickiness” was due to tiny hooks and loops. This discovery dominated the next decade of...

　　This summer, Outside Festival returns to Denver with an electric mix of music, adventure, and storytelling that’s poised to become a cultural touchstone for lovers of the outdoors and the artists who soundtrack their journeys. Held June 1–2, 2025, at Civic Center Park and the Denver Art Museum campus, the two-day event blends live music with panel discussions, immersive experiences,...

　　Dear Sundog, 　　I’m a biologist and land conservationist who has spent the last two decades working with farmers and ranchers to keep their land and way of life intact. I walk their property looking for habitats that might harbor rare plants and threatened wildlife. If the property meets certain ecological criteria, the owner can place the land under “conservation easement,”...

　　What’s your favorite national park? After two decades as a journalist with a specialty in outdoor recreation, that’s the question I am most often asked. I’ve had the pleasure of visiting most of the big ones. I’ve even led trips to Yosemite, Grand Canyon, Yellowstone, Zion, and Denali as a professional guide, and, most recently, as a national park expert...

　　Remaining Native begins with a warning: This is a film that doesnt shy away from abuse, violence, or any of the other crimes that darken Native American history. But thats also the films strength: The feature-length documentary captures what it means to be a Native runner, balancing joys and tragedies in a way that will resonate with any athlete—and any...

　　Neal Francis makes the kind of music that feels both timeless and intensely personal. Weaving in his own hard-won perspective following addiction and upheaval, the singer, songwriter, and pianist draws on the grooves of New Orleans funk and 70s soul in a solo career that’s earned him a growing national audience and a much-anticipated recent album release, Return to Zero....

　　Two summers ago, I went shopping for a mountain bike group ride. I’d just moved to the Lake Tahoe area, and everywhere else I’d lived, races and group rides were how I’d made friends. I knew that if I could find a good weekly ride, I would find my new community. 　　The first ride I checked out had only three...

　　West Virginia’s famed country roads offer an open invitation. Weaving across rugged terrain and through spirited small towns to uncrowded gems and world-class outdoor adventures alike, the roads form a latticework of endless possibilities for road trip itineraries. Five customized Mountain Rides can help connect activities that range from serene paddling tours to thrilling whitewater runs, with pristine biking trails,...

　　Chattanooga is not like other cities. While some towns can boast about being close to the outdoors, adventure is seamlessly woven through the fabric of this city, from the Tennessee River that wraps around downtown to the towering cliffs and lush mountains that rise from the edge of its neighborhoods. 　　“A lot of cities are gateways to the outdoors, but...