How to Use an Outdoorsman Bucket List
A bucket list works best when it mixes two kinds of goals: skills you want to have and places you want to see. The skills make the places safer and more enjoyable. This list is a starting menu, not a checklist you have to complete, so cross things off, add your own and reorder freely.
If you are earlier in the journey, our outdoor hobbies ideas guide covers easier ways to begin.
Core Outdoor Skills to Learn
Treat these as the foundation. Many are best learned in a hands-on course.
- Navigate with a map and compass. Phones and GPS devices are helpful, but batteries die and signals drop. Learn to read topographic maps and take a bearing.
- Wilderness first aid. Courses from recognized providers teach you how to respond when help is far away. This is arguably the most valuable item on the list.
- Leave No Trace. Learn the widely taught principles for minimizing your impact, from packing out trash to camping on durable surfaces.
- Build a camp and pitch a tent in poor weather. Practice at home and then on a short trip close to the car.
- Read weather. Understand forecasts, mountain weather patterns and signs that conditions are changing.
- Make a safe campfire where permitted. Check fire restrictions and bans first, and fully extinguish every fire.
- Purify water. Know how to use filters, chemical treatments or boiling in the backcountry.
- Pack a bag well. Learn what to carry, how to distribute weight and how to keep gear dry.
- Cook outdoors. Practice with a camp stove, and learn food storage practices appropriate to the area, including bear-resistant methods where required.
- Tie a few useful knots. A small set goes a long way for shelters, gear and hanging items.
- Swim and paddle confidently. Water skills open up a whole category of trips.
- Know how to turn around. Good judgment is a skill, and one of the hardest to develop.
Skills to Add Over Time
- Fishing and, where legal and licensed, hunting, including local regulations and ethical practice
- Rock climbing and rope systems through a certified instructor
- Avalanche safety education if you plan to travel in snow terrain
- Whitewater paddling with proper instruction
- Basic tracking and wildlife identification
- Winter camping
- Search and rescue volunteering, if you want to give back
Adventures to Pursue
The following are widely admired trips. Always check the managing agency’s website for current permit systems, seasons, closures and safety guidance, since these change.
Long Trails and Multi-Day Hikes
- The Wonderland Trail around Mount Rainier, Washington. A roughly 90-mile loop that typically takes about 10 to 14 days, and needs permits.
- Rim-to-rim in the Grand Canyon, Arizona. A demanding hike with extreme heat and logistics concerns, so research thoroughly and plan conservatively. See our Grand Canyon rim to rim hike guide for permits, timing and camping.
- A section of the Appalachian Trail or Pacific Crest Trail. You do not need to thru-hike to enjoy them.
- The John Muir Trail, California. A long Sierra Nevada route that requires permits. The Mount Whitney gear list is useful for the high Sierra.
National Park Backpacking
- Glacier National Park, Montana.
- Yosemite National Park, California. See the Yosemite packing list for what to bring.
- Sequoia and Kings Canyon national parks, California.
- Olympic National Park, Washington.
Our guide to national park activities also covers non-hiking ways to experience them.
Wilderness Areas and Mountain Ranges
- The Wind River Range, Wyoming.
- The North Cascades, Washington.
- The Sawtooth Mountains, Idaho.
- Southern Utah’s canyon country, which offers a vast range of hiking and canyoneering, though desert travel needs careful water planning.
International Treks
- The Dolomites, Italy, known for hut-to-hut trekking. The Tour du Mont Blanc is another popular hut-based trek.
- Jotunheimen National Park, Norway.
- Torres del Paine, Chile.
- The Salkantay Trek, Peru, and other routes to Machu Picchu. The best time of year for the Inca Trail is covered in a separate guide.
Water and Winter Adventures
- A multi-day river trip, such as a rafting or canoe journey on a permitted river.
- Sea kayaking along a protected coastline.
- A winter hut trip on skis or snowshoes.
- If you are advancing in ski mountaineering, see our look at 50 classic ski descents.
For more activity ideas by environment, see our list of adventure activities.
How to Progress From Beginner to Expedition
- Start with day hikes and a single overnight near home.
- Add a second night, more distance and less predictable weather.
- Take a first aid course and a navigation class.
- Join a trip with experienced people or a guide to learn from them.
- Lead a short route yourself, with a conservative plan and a bailout option.
- Take on bigger, remote or technical objectives only when your skills and your group match them.
Planning and Safety for Big Trips
- Research permits early, since popular routes can fill months ahead.
- Check current conditions, closures, fire and wildlife advisories.
- Leave a detailed trip plan with someone at home.
- Carry appropriate navigation, water treatment, shelter, first aid and emergency communication.
- Train in advance for elevation, distance and pack weight.
- Consider travel and evacuation insurance for remote or international trips.
Making It Your Own
The best outdoorsman bucket list reflects what draws you outside. Pick three skills and two adventures for the next year, and set dates. Once those are done, build the next list. If you want something to do with a partner along the way, see our outdoor adventure date ideas.