What's on my outdoorsy bucket list for 2026

These are the hikes I want to try and the ways I want to get outdoors next year

It’s kind of hard to believe that 2026 is right around the corner, but somehow we’re pretty much there.

This point in December always feels like a mad dash to come up with my goals for the new year, but things feel different this go around.

I’ve actually been looking forward to drafting this bucket list all year long. Some of these adventures I’ve had on my mind for a while now (and hell, many of them I prioritized in 2025, too).

I won’t keep you waiting with anymore talk, though (because who has time for that this time of year, anyways?). If you’re looking for some inspo for little ways to get outside a bit more in the new year, these are the things I’m putting at the top of my list. Let’s get into it.

I want to romanticize the small outdoor moments. More car picnics, cozy blankets and all. Even if it’s just a meal enjoyed from the back of the car while pulled over on the shoulder of a random road in the mountains. The views are worth the stop.

I plan to have more mornings that start outside. I did a good bit of this over the past summer, but essentially, I started every morning with coffee out on the patio, and it was such a boost to the rest of the day.

I want to try a new-to-me outdoors activity. Not sure if it’ll be cross country skiing, trail running (I’ve stuck to roads up to this point), paddleboarding, or what. Don’t get me wrong, I love hiking, but I think there’s value in trying other ways of movement in the great outdoors. I’m kind of leaning toward cross country skiing as a way to get myself outside in the wintertime, even when I hate how cold it gets.

I want to do a multi-day hike. When you have kids, anything longer than a day hike is a logistical process that feels nearly impossible, but I’m hoping us parents can sneak away for a few days and do a multi-day outdoors adventure. I’ve had my eye on the Sneffels Traverse in Ridgway, Colorado.

I want to explore more bike paths. We’re lucky to live in Colorado, where there are no shortage of bike paths in every city. I’m honestly pretty new to the whole biking thing (as an adult, that is), and I’ve gotten more and more into it over the past couple of years. With so many new bike routes coming about in our area, I can’t wait to go riding.

I hope to make some real progress on our backyard. This past summer we did a lot of gardening, planting of new trees and bushes, and some patio updates. But there’s still so much to do. I’m hoping this year will be the one when we wrap up the backyard and make it into our outdoors haven (because being outdoorsy doesn’t always have to mean hiking).

I want to make sure I get outside every single day. Doesn’t matter if it’s five minutes out on the front porch or it’s 5 hours out on the trails. It’s a day wasted if I didn’t at least step outside the front door. You know those days where you realize it’s 7 pm and you never even opened a window? I’ve had too many of those recently, and it’s a total bummer. Not going to let that happen next year.

I’m going to prioritize al fresco dining. Basically just a fancy way of saying, I plan to eat more meals in the fresh air. Summer in Colorado is a total dream weather-wise, and I just can’t picture a better place to have dinner than outside in the height of July. I’m manifesting gatherings and dinner parties with friends in our (hopefully) finished backyard. We’ll see how it goes.

That pretty much sums it up. I’m not going to lie, it feels like a lot. And there’s a good chance I might not do all of these things, but what’s the harm in trying? Might as well put it out there.

Let’s hold each other accountable in the new year. What do you have on your 2026 outdoors bucket list?

P.S. I’ll be taking next week off to enjoy time with family. Hope you’re able to enjoy the some off-screen time with loved ones as well. Even better if you’re able to get outside with them. Until next year.