nature

A snowshoer explores Olympic National Park’s Hurricane Ridge in winter.

Cold-weather hikes are less about conquering miles and more about savoring moments—so lace up, layer on, and let these 10 trails show you what happens when the off-season becomes the best season.

Hikers watch Kīlauea erupt from the safety of the trail.

if you want explosive drama with your hiking adventures, there’s nothing like walking on a volcano. Here are 10 trails that will take you there.

So many of them are in danger of going extinct.

These flowers made famous by the internet may become extinct if we don‘t act now.

These trails will really get your heart pumping.

It kinda looks like a blue jay, but it‘s a hybrid.

This isn‘t your average backyard bird.

For hikers who crave a little frisson of fear with their outdoor experience, these allegedly haunted trails and footpaths offer more than just crisp air and casual ascents.

How outdoorsy is your home state? A recent study analyzed a full year of search trends to find out.

There‘s a lot of noise that goes on around coral reefs.

Scientists are finding new ways to listen to fish thanks to technological advancements.

What dog wouldn't love a crisp, autumn hike?

It’s important to be as prepared as possible before you and your pup hit the trail.

Cheating accusations are afoot at the WSSC.

Modified stones were discovered during a recent tournament, rocking the sport to its core.

This classic fall-time activity poses more risks than you may think, but there are things you can do to mitigate them.

These hiking trails put on a spectacular show around this time of year.

MBARI's advanced underwater robot reveals a new species of deep-sea snailfish

Get to know the bumpy snailfish, a deep-sea creature that won‘t give you nightmares.

Wondering when the autumn leaves will put on their yearly show? This interactive foliage map helps you follow peak colors from September through November.

A new study explains why letting bison roam large areas can be a good thing for soil.

Don’t be surprised to see wild wallabies hopping around the UK.

Manchineel trees with warning signs at Buccoo Beach, Tobago.

The “little apple of death” is the true forbidden fruit.

From Yosemite National Park’s Glacier Point, hikers can witness Half Dome bathed in alpenglow.

There’s something sublime about seeing the sun slip behind the horizon: The colors change, the temp cools, and the world seems to pause in a place of perfection. Here are 10 of the top trails for seeing the show.

More than half of all land managed by the National Park Service is in one state. How does your state measure up?

Maybe one of these places will make your bucket list.

See if your favorite outdoor destination made the list.

A fishing group thought they caught a giant goldfish. What they hooked was actually much weirder.

Hiking is rewarding, but you should take some basic safety precautions ahead of your trek.

Hiking is great for your health. Getting lost and thirsty is not. Here's how to avoid it.

These are two species of Bootanomyia dorsalis wasps introduced from Europe.

Learn about Bootanomyia dorsalis, the tiny but troublesome parasitic wasp invading the U.S.

Yellowstone National Park dominates the map.

See which national parks people in the U.S. are most curious about.

10 Top Trails for Winter Hiking Adventures

10 Fascinating Volcano Trails

Monkey Face ‘Dracula’ Orchids Are Under Threat

Mapped: Spooky Hiking Trails Across the U.S.

For the First Time, Wild Blue Jay and Green Jay Produce Colorful Hybrid Offspring in Texas

10 of America’s Most Haunting Hikes

The States Most Obsessed With Outdoor Fun, Based on Google Searches

Fish Can Be Surprisingly Noisy, Eavesdropping Scientists Say

Want to Safely Hike With Your Dog? Consider These 6 Tips From an Expert Dog Trainer

How a Cheating Scandal Shook the World Stone Skimming Championships

Is Jumping in Leaf Piles Safe?

12 of the Best Fall Foliage Hikes in the U.S.—From Alaska to Tennessee

‘Smiling’ Bumpy Snailfish Proves That Not All Deep-Sea Creatures Are Scary

Interactive Foliage Map Shows When Fall Colors Will Peak in 2025

How the Return of Bison to Yellowstone Has Revitalized the Park’s Grasslands

6 Fascinating Marsupial Facts You Probably Didn’t Know

Just Touching the World’s Most Dangerous Tree Could Send You to the Hospital

10 of America’s Most Beautiful Sunset Hikes

Mapped: The States With the Most and Least National Park Land

The Best State Parks for Hiking, According to Google Reviews

White-Eyed, Bright Orange Shark the Result of Extremely Rare Mutation

15 Hiking Safety Tips That Will Keep You Alive on Your Next Trek

Parasitic Wasp Documented in the U.S. for the First Time—What to Know About the Invasive Species

Map Shows Most-Searched National Parks by State