Sometimes being tethered to your smartphone can be a good thing. Think of all the information you have at your fingertips. Combine your love of the outdoors with the best modern technology has to offer with these five cool outdoor apps that can help you make the most of your camping and hiking adventures!
Project Noah (free)
If wildlife encounters are your goal, then this app is for you. This kid friendly app contains a field guide of plants and animals, complete with photographs that can be filtered according to your location. You can even upload your own photos and share your wildlife stories. In the “Field Missions” section, you can link to environmental organizations to act as a “citizen scientist” to help them with projects.
MapMyHike (free)
Providing you with detailed feedback like your pace, distance walked, and even calories burned, this app is great for the avid distance hiker. It enables you to find popular local routes, plus you can compete with others for best times. The paid member version is $2.50 per month, which includes a live tracking feature so you can keep track of your hiking buddies.
AllTrails (free)
With more than 1.5 million users, the AllTrails app makes it easy to pick a great trail. Use the app to create your own trails based on whatever criteria you like: mountain bike routes, fly fishing spots (don’t forget to take your fish finder!), or just a gentle nature hike. It allows you to integrate GPS tracking, photos, and text so you can save and share your routes with others. The download is free, but TrailApps also offers a paid member version ($50 per year) that has added benefits like a partnership with National Geographic Maps, as well as links to events like the World Elevation Challenge.
Camp Finder ($3)
This app is a massive list of over 17,000 campgrounds in the US. With filters that allow you to search by things like amenities and activities, you can customize your search for quick results. It works with Google maps for simple directions, and you can save your favorite spots. The information is kept up to date through a partnership with CampingRoadTrip.com, which includes reviews and photos of each site.
SAS Survival Guide (small fee)
This comprehensive survival guide is put out by the Special Air Service branch of the British Army, one of the most elite fighting forces in the world. Featuring Morse code, compasses, first aid tips, and more, this app was written by a former SAS soldier. The price varies by device from $4-6, and is not currently available for Blackberry.
