Discovering Winter Recreation Opportunities in Your Area: Step-by-Step Guide
Brave the great outdoors this winter with ease! Whether you're seeking a small adventure or a full-blown expedition, these resources will help you find the perfect winter thrill.
With COVID-19 posing physical, mental, and social challenges, spending time outdoors this winter might be more essential than ever. Address those challenges by checking out our Winter Survival Guide for inspiring ideas you can try anywhere.
Discovering organized recreation activities can be challenging, but this list of resources will help you snowshoe, ski, or camp through the Northeast's long winter. No need for flashy gear or national park access: Simply layer up and explore the open spaces in your backyard. Just remember to assess your experience and fitness levels and equipment needs for each activity.
Get your winter explorations underway with these easy-to-use resources:
AMC's Outdoor Connector
AMC's 11 chapters across nine states arrange over 5,000 trips annually, and the Outdoor Connector gathers them all in one place. With a simple search, you can find activities for any location, date, audience, and activity type.
AMC Chapter Websites
Each chapter website offers opportunities to meet neighbors, learn about local trips and educational offerings, and gain valuable tips for all four seasons. Here are the links to some of the regional chapters:
- Boston Chapter
- Connecticut Chapter
- Delaware Valley Chapter
- Maine Chapter
- Narragansett Chapter
- New Hampshire Chapter
- New York-North Jersey Chapter
- Potomac Chapter
- Southeastern Massachusetts Chapter
- Western Massachusetts Chapter
- Worcester Chapter
For better navigation, it's advisable to use physical maps instead of smartphone apps when exploring the backcountry. Guidebooks can also be useful for uncovering new outdoor adventures.
Books and Maps
Guidebooks from a variety of publishers point residents of the Northeast and Mid-Atlantic towards local outdoor recreation opportunities near them. AMC has been a trusted source of expert outdoor knowledge since 1889, offering an impressive lineup of books and maps that includes well-known titles like AMC’s Best Day Hikes series, a paddling lineup, regional maps and guides, and the ever-popular White Mountain Guide.
AMC's online resources
AMC's online presence features nearly two decades of turn-by-turn guides for hiking, cycling, trail running, paddling, and backpacking excursions across the region.
Hike It Baby
Hike it Baby helps families with babies and young children connect with nature, making outdoor exploration accessible for all families. Hike it Baby has communities throughout the country offering a diversity of activities, such as leisurely walks and challenging hikes, all listed on their website and social media pages.
Audubon
With parks, events, and trail networks across the country, the National Audubon Society offers plentiful outdoor opportunities. Many states have their own Audubon organizations dedicated to preserving local natural spaces. Visit Audubon.org for more information.
Meetup.com
Meetup.com helps you find and connect with groups who share your interests, making it simple to find a running club that meets in the cold or a hiking group who shares your pace.
Local Land Trusts
Land trusts are dedicated to protecting land for its natural, recreational, scenic, historical, or productive value. In New England alone, there are over 255 land trusts, while 133 operate in the Mid-Atlantic region. Some well-known trusts preserving and managing land in the AMC region include the Trustees of Reservations, the Nature Conservancy, the Appalachian Trail Conservancy, the Trust for Public Land, and the Conservation Fund. Visit findalandtrust.org for more information.
Your Local Parks, Town, or City Department
Your local parks and recreation department works to keep neighborhood nature accessible for everyone. If you need help identifying outdoor spaces or trail recommendations in your area, don't hesitate to give your local parks and recreation or government office a call. They'll be happy to chat with you!
- Embrace home-and-garden improvements this winter to create a cozy outdoor living space, ideal for relaxing after a day of sports or outdoor-living activities.
- To complement your newfound love for winter outdoor-living, explore various resources for neighborly meetups and organized recreation activities, such as AMC's Outdoor Connector, Hike it Baby, Meetup.com, and local land trusts.
