14 Nature Lovers Must-Haves For Ultimate Adventure This Season
By Meg Archer|Published April 01, 2024
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Meg Archer
Author
Meg Archer is an Editor & Newsletter Editor who has called Oregon home for nearly 30 years. She spent her childhood exploring the mountains, forests, and high desert of Central Oregon before relocating to Portland after a brief stint out-of-state for college. She holds an B.A. in English from Cal Poly-San Luis Obispo and a B.S. in Psychology from Portland State University. Meg has worked in writing, editing, and media-related fields for over 10 years and joined the team at OnlyInYourState in 2015. When she’s not writing or exploring the West Coast, Meg enjoys playing tabletop games, working on visual media projects, and can always be found in the front row at Portland Timbers matches.
The sun is shining, flowers are blooming, days are slowly growing longer, and we’re ready for a fantastic season full of outdoor adventures. If you’re a nature lover, it’s impossible not to feel energized and invigorated around this time of the year! Perfect for spring adventures planned for the first warm day of the season to summer excursions and fall getaways, we’ve hand-picked our 14 favorite products for nature lovers – goodies, gear, and gifts that celebrate nature and inspire us to explore – including some great games to excite and encourage young adventurers.
Carefully curated by our team of local travel experts and nature lovers based on their personal experiences, these products help us embrace the great outdoors. For more incredible product recommendations in your inbox each week, sign up for our Hand-Picked email.
We've trail-tested dozens of different socks over the years, but we always come back to the Darn Tough Hiker Cushion Socks. Plus they come in both men's and women's sizes and are an all-around favorite among hikers of all ability levels. Trust us, your tired feet will thank you.
If visiting all of our incredible National Parks is on your Bucket List, you'll love the Wondery Outdoors Parks of the USA bottle. Keep track of your adventures (and show off your progress) by adding stickers as you explore. Plus, Wondery donates a portion of all sales to the National Parks Conservation Association!
Time outdoors is time well spent! If you find calm and clarity in nature, you'll love this deck of mini-meditation cards that encourage mindfulness practices in an accessible, nature-centric way.
When you're out for a day in nature, you don't need to lug around a big backpack built for long treks. The Patagonia Atom Sling Bag is a favorite among the OnlyInYourState editors for its comfort, carrying capacity, and easy access.
Staff Pick: OnlyInYourState Editor Sarah M. has this to say: "This is a great bag for a short hike, a day at the park, or just when you're out and about exploring. I can also wear it comfortably while biking!"
While you should always try on hiking boots to ensure a perfect fit for long treks, a sturdy, low-top hiking shoe is a great alternative when you know the trails won't be too tough. The Merrell Moab 3 is a solid option (with both men's and women's
women's sizes) and a bestseller that provides a comfortable fit for most feet.
If you're planning a more challenging adventure, a sturdy set of trekking poles is a must-have. The MSR Dynalock Ascent Poles are comfortable, collapsable, versatile, and have a more secure locking system than other poles we've tried.
Staff Pick: OnlyInYourState Sr. Manager Catherine A. has gifted these to pretty much everyone (including our whole team of travel experts!): "I always carry a little memo book while exploring so I can take notes for future adventures. I love the classic Field Notes and recently added the Parks Series to my collection!"
Springtime is hummingbird migration season and these little guys could use some help along the way. Some species are making a journey all the way from Mexico to Canada! A simple hummingbird feeder is all you need - and you get the added bonus of inviting nature right into your own backyard!
Save the bees! We'd be seriously in trouble if bumblebees cease to... well... be. Many plant species that support pollinators have become sparse as our human impact grows, so it's time for us to be a part of the solution.
This pollinator seed mix not only helps our buzzy little friends, it's also a colorful addition to any yard or garden!
No matter how far you roam, eventually you'll end up with some bumps, bruises, and blisters... but there's always the risk of injuries that require more than just grit to get through. The HART Outdoor Day Hike First Aid Kit has everything you need to treat minor injuries on the trail.
For an even smaller & lighter option, HART also has a basic Pocket First Aid Kit that fits in any bag. Safety first!
If you're fascinated by flora & fauna, a trusty identification guide is your best friend. We're big fans of the Sibley Guide to Birds and the Sibley Guide to Trees, not only for the excellent information they contain, but also for the stunning illustrations of thousands of species created by David Allen Sibley. They're as beautiful as they are useful for nature lovers!
Staff Pick: OnlyInYourState Editor Meg A. is our resident bird nerd: "Between my Sibley Guide and the Merlin Bird ID app, I've learned so much and can't recommend this guide highly enough!"
This perfectly pocket-sized game is sweet, easy, and fun for all ages! Go Find It encourages exploration and discovery by focusing on simple sensory elements found in nature. We're big fans!
Family camping trips are some of our favorite childhood memories. There's nothing quite like gathering together around a campfire after a day of exploring, and this neat little deck encourages imaginative storytelling using cool creatures and outdoor activities for inspiration.
Kids are never too young to start learning about the wonders of our world! Start them early with this colorful, interactive board book written with the tiniest of explorers in mind. Parents might learn a thing or two about animal tracks too!