Outdoor Activities

Outdoor activities such as biking, climbing and hiking keep you active during the warmer months. Learn more about snow sports like bobsledding and the Iditarod to keep you moving this winter.

Topics to Explore

How the Boston Marathon Works

How Long-Range Hunting Works

How to Maintain a Boat

Essential Camping Checklist

Learn More

Why Many American Suburbs Welcome Urban Deer Hunters

Urban hunting might seem like an oxymoron but many cities and suburbs rely on hunters to keep the deer populations manageable. Here's how it works.

By Nathan Chandler Jan 23, 2020 Hunting / Hunting Regulations

How to Steer a Cruise Ship

Navigating a massive cruise ship through open waters takes a load of technology. We'll show you how it happens.

Outdoor Activities / Water Sports

The 'Wild' Effect? Why Hiking Is Surging in Popularity in the U.S.

In the last few years, trail hiking has exploded in popularity in America. What sparked the increase, and is this a good thing?

By Melanie Radzicki McManus Mar 26, 2019 Outdoor Activities / Hiking & Camping

Code Brown: Pools Are Nasty, Study Says

It's just about vacation and pool season. But do you know exactly what you're swimming in?

By Kristen Hall-Geisler May 24, 2018 Outdoor Activities / Water Sports

Trophy hunting is extremely polarizing. On one hand, proponents argue it's important for the survival of big game species and conservation of their lands. Opponents say that argument holds no merit. We explore both sides of this divisive issue.

By Oisin Curran Hunting / Game Handling

Boy Scouts Gets New Name, Admits Girls, Keeps Evolving

The Boy Scouts of America will no longer include the word 'boy' in its official name. Opinions differ on the change.

By John Donovan May 4, 2018 Outdoor Activities / Hiking & Camping

Gnarly Dude! Surfer Rides Record-breaking Wave

Brazilian Rodrigo Koxa sets the world record for biggest wave ever surfed — and it's huge!

By John Perritano May 1, 2018 Outdoor Activities / Water Sports

How the NRA Works

The National Rifle Association focuses its considerable power on protecting the Second Amendment — the right to bear arms. But that was not their primary mission in their early years. So what changed?

By Vivien Bullen & Patrick J. Kiger Hunting / Hunting Clubs and Organizations

Zion National Park Overrun by Tourists, RSVP May Soon Be Required

The National Park Service is considering making RSVPs mandatory for Zion National Park, as crowds have overrun the park.

By John Perritano Jul 28, 2017 Outdoor Activities / Hiking & Camping

From the 5K to the Marathon, American Runners Are Slowing Down

U.S. runners are taking longer than ever to cross the finish line. But why?

By Shelley Danzy Jul 20, 2017 Running Events / Marathons

Why Using the Term 'Dry Drowning' Could Do More Harm Than Good

"Dry drowning" sounds scary, and is all over the news. But is it even a real thing?

By Jesslyn Shields Jun 21, 2017 Outdoor Activities / Water Sports

Extreme Sports Athletes Crave the Reward, Not the Risk

Think people who do things like jump out of a plane in a kayak have a death wish? A small 2017 study suggests otherwise.

By John Donovan May 19, 2017 Outdoor Activities / Air Sports

Kathrine Switzer's Trailblazing Boston Marathon Run Was 50 Years Ago

The 20-year-old athlete became the first woman to enter the marathon, and officials tried to physically stop her. They couldn't.

By Christopher Hassiotis Apr 19, 2017 Running Events / Marathons

Surprising Number of Marathoners Had Kidney Damage in Small, New Study

People who take on the 26-mile run may be prone to acute kidney injury, a condition that can cause swelling, pain and even seizures.

By Shelley Danzy Apr 6, 2017 Running Health / Running Injuries

Spend a Weekend Camping to Sleep Better, Study Says

Catch up on those missing zzzz's by spending some time in the great outdoors.

By Kate Kershner Feb 9, 2017 Outdoor Activities / Hiking & Camping

Could Humans Break the Two-hour Marathon Barrier?

In the 20th century, Roger Bannister ran the first ever sub-four-minute mile. Will the 21st century see humans running a marathon in under two hours?

By Julia Layton Nov 16, 2016 Running Events / Marathons

Bike Helmets That Look Like Toy Hair Could Get More Kids to Wear Them

In an effort to encourage kids to wear helmets, designers looked to the iconic, Lego-esque plastic hair of Playmobil toys.

By Laurie L. Dove Nov 8, 2016 Outdoor Activities / Biking

Junko Tabei, the First Woman to Conquer Everest, Has Died

Tabei, also the first woman to reach the highest peak on all seven continents, spent her life challenging social norms and championing environmental causes.

By Christopher Hassiotis Oct 26, 2016 Outdoor Activities / Climbing

Bike Helmet Airbags Could Keep Your Head Safe

New research finds that bike helmet airbags are pretty darn effective at protecting your noggin from traumatic brain injuries.

By Jonathan Strickland Oct 6, 2016 Outdoor Activities / Biking

The Kids Are All High

Whether they're scrambling up 750-foot Hong Kong skyscrapers or climbing up the world's tallest church, urban climbers are daredevils with a pretty insane view.

By Kate Kershner Sep 29, 2016 Outdoor Activities / Urban Sports

Stuntman Skydives With No Parachute, Just Aims for Giant Net

Luke Aikins plummeted at 120 mph, risking his life in a daredevil stunt. Physics saved him.

By Christopher Hassiotis Aug 2, 2016 Outdoor Activities / Air Sports

How Fish Fraud Works

That red snapper you're enjoying for dinner might well be tilapia since 87 percent of snapper in the U.S. is mislabeled. Why is fish fraud so widespread?

By Melanie Radzicki McManus Fish Conservation / Responsible Fishing