5 Outdoor Adventures To Do Before Fall Is Over

The temperatures are dropping, and fall is almost over. But you can enjoy a few outdoor activities before the trees are completely bare and the weather is too cold. If exercising and adventuring in the great outdoors is right up your alley, here are four outdoor activities you can take part in before winter officially arrives:

4 Activities to try before fall is over

Hiking along the nature trails

When you think of stress relief, chances are your first thought is a massage. After all, 23% of massage consumers had a massage for stress relief in a year.

But did you know that being in nature for 20 minutes can also reduce stress? Studies have found that exposure to nature can lower blood pressure, heart rate, muscle tension, and the production of stress hormones.

Fall is one of the best times of the year to expose yourself to nature through hiking because you don’t have to worry as much about dehydrating on the trail or overheating in the sun. Consider going on a hike to reduce stress before the season is over.

Rock climbing and bouldering

Like hiking, rock climbing is also great to do in the fall. Cooler temperatures allow climbers to return to higher rock walls without worrying about the heat and sweat affecting their climb. What’s more, rock climbing in the fall gives you an incredible view once you reach the summit.

If you like to travel for outdoor adventures, consider visiting Colorado, which has over 50 peaks higher than 14,000 feet. Some top places to climb in the state include the Garden of the Gods, the Rocky Mountain National Park, and Rifle Mountain Park.

Throw a backyard party

If you don’t want to go very far, you can always throw a backyard bonfire or get together with your friends and family. If you want to pair this with a little exercise, you and your family can gather twigs and branches from your backyard for the fire or have fun games that get you moving. For instance, set up a volleyball net or play two-hand touch football. This gives you a great opportunity to get active with your family and friends and gives you some high-quality bonding time.

Once the sun sets, you can set up a bonfire and stargaze. Like any party, be sure to be adequately stocked on food, refreshments, and other party materials. It can be easy to forget the smaller things like disposable cups, plates, and napkins (for napkins, be sure to stock up, as you’ll need 200 for each set of 15 guests). When the planning is all set beforehand, you’ll be able to relax and enjoy a great night with your friends and family!

To have the perfect atmosphere for the party, do not forget to decorate your modest venue. There are so many fun ways to decorate for this type of event. You could string up some lights, hang lanterns from tree branches, or set out pathway lights to guide your guests to the party area. You could also decorate the table with fall leaves, pumpkins, and gourds. And, of course, no fall party would be complete without a few made-to-order inflatables in the shape of pumpkins or ghosts! These inflatables will add some spice to your party decorations and can be reused as decorations for other fall festivities like Halloween or Thanksgiving. So get creative and have fun decorating for your next backyard bonfire party!

ATV Riding

It’s no secret that ATV riding is popular. Three years ago, the demand for sport ATVs was as high as 180,000 units. Now is one of the best times to get the most out of your all-terrain vehicle.

If you love the weather in fall and don’t like to be cooped up in the car when you go around to take in the fall foliage, consider going on an ATV ride to see fall foliage instead. Some of the best ATV trail systems to ride include Ride the Wilds in NH, Hatfield-McCoy Trails in WV, and the Round River Drive Trail in MN.

Smashing Pumpkins

Don’t just throw away your pumpkins now that Halloween is over. Instead, consider smashing your pumpkins to turn them into rich compost you can use later. The city of Springfield, MO, is doing just that.

“It’s such a waste to pitch pumpkins in the trash,” said Ashley Krug, the Sustainability and Market Development coordinator at the Springfield Yardwaste Recycling Center. Just like the scrap and unused material in manufacturing is 100% recyclable, so are pumpkins regarding soil enrichment.

“They end up in the landfill, where they take years to fully break down when they could be processed into rich compost to help support next year’s harvest or boost your lawn,” Krug said. “If you’re not going to turn it into a pie, add it to your compost bin or come give it a smash!”

Fall is one of the best times of the year to enjoy being outside. The weather isn’t too hot or cold, and the leaves have turned beautiful colors. Take advantage of the season by adventuring in one of the four outdoor activities above before winter arrives, and you’d rather spend time indoors where it’s warm.