6 Must-Have Apps for Nature Lovers & Outdoor Adventures in 2024
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Did you have time to get outside today? For most people, it sounds like a no-brainer (especially for families with children) but in today’s busy world it’s common for the hours, and sometimes even days, to pass us by before we spend quality time in the natural world.
Spending time outdoors in nature isn’t just for fun, many research studies have proven that health benefits of being outside vary across physical, mental and emotional well-being. From increasing your body’s physical fitness and generating endorphins in your brain, to absorbing Vitamin D from the sunshine, your body is built to benefit from being in nature.
In fact, a Harvard Health report indicates that being in nature contributes to lowering your feelings of stress and the corresponding stress hormone cortisol. Previous research on evolutionary psychology suggests that may be because the primitive parts of the human brain still associate the sight of trees with habitat and safety. Other research has shown that being around nature also lowers our blood pressure and slows our heart rate, which is why we often feel calmer outside.
When it comes to being in nature, it makes sense to take a break from technology and enjoy the world around you. But at the same time, there are some times and places that having access to technology can help enhance your experience in nature. To help you make the most of your next camping trip, hiking trail, or nature day– and not feel too cut off from the world– here is a round up of Young Eden’s suggestions of great apps to keep in your back pocket while outside.
6 Must-Have Apps for Nature Lovers & Outdoor Adventures in 2024
AllTrails
Free & Pro Version ($2.99 per month)
Winner of the App of the Year and Editor’s Choice awards from both the Apple App Store and Google Play Store, you’d be remiss not to check out AllTrails. The app offers offline maps of your local neighborhood trails for hiking or biking, as well as guides for visiting national parks. We like that the app even personalizes its maps to your individual preferences–like dog friendly, wheel-chair friendly, runner friendly options and more.
HipCamp
Free
HipCamp is a highly rated marketplace and mobile app that allows you to search and book destinations for outdoor lodging and camping experiences– many people describe it as being like an “Airbnb for camping.” You can research destinations near and far, pricing, pictures and reviews of potential lodging options that vary across campsites, RV parks, cabins, and even “glamping” for those city kids (like us). We like how easy to use and navigate the booking options are and the inspiration HipCamp offers to build a memorable trip outdoors.
Survivalist.ai
$7.99
We have been enjoying this new offline chatbot app during the moments when we don’t have cell service or wifi due to bad weather, remote access on mountain ranges or even just on long flights between cities. Survivalist.AI is an offline AI assistant for iPhone and iPad that lets you ask questions about nature (and your other favorite topics) and get instant answers, without the need for internet access. So, if you’re out in the woods camping one night, you can ask the app important things like how to purify water or put out a campfire, or give the app more entertaining prompts like suggesting meditations to practice, how to identify popular constellations, and much more. It’s like a handy and portable encyclopedia in your backpack.
Calm
$14.99 per month
This is one of our favorite apps at home and away on trips. If you’re alone outdoors for longer periods of time, hearing another human voice to help you meditate, fall asleep, or practice mindfulness can help keep you feeling well-rested and focused on maintaining a positive mindset. There are a variety of soundscapes, music, breathing exercises and even educational lectures on topics like reducing stress, psychology, parenting, and financial planning. We’ve used the app’s sweet bedtime stories for children to soothe our kids during sleepless nights and sick days as well, so it’s definitely a fantastic app for the whole family.
PhotoPills
$10.99
You might not think too hard about planning photography shoots when you’re spending time outdoors, but capturing those unforgettable moments in nature can actually be an activity that many outdoor enthusiasts enjoy the most. The PhotoPills app is lauded for its features to help you plan out the best photos of your camping trips, explorations of national parks, watching meteor showers and more. You can track the positions of the sun, moon, and sky, calculate the best times for your photos, and even leverage augmented reality to improve your shots. Whether you’re a real professional or aspiring photographer, this is an app you’re likely to enjoy outside.
Star Chart
Free
Rated as the top educational and augmented reality astronomy app, Star Chart is used by over 20 million people. All you have to do is point your AR enabled device (with iOS or Android) at the sky and Star Chart will tell you exactly what you are looking at. The app calculates the current location of every star, planet and moon visible from Earth and shows you precisely where they are in real-time, even during daylight. It’s a very cool and easy way to learn and explore the sky that both kids and adults can enjoy outside.
Want to read more? Check out Young Eden’s Sustainability Matters and Raising the Future blogs for more articles you might enjoy.