How to Find Adventurous Friends
Let's face it—making friends can be hard.
Whether you have just moved to a new location, are looking to expand your friend group, or find yourself surrounded by people who aren't all that interested in the outdoors, you may be looking for new adventure buddies in your life.
After all, don't we all need that person in our life who will drag us out of our tent to see a beautiful sunrise, and share a drink around the campfire at night?
Especially as you move further away from group living situations—like college, AmeriCorps, or simply having roommates—finding people with common interests can feel like a struggle. So how do you go about finding folks that are adventurous (or adventure-curious) like yourself?
Here are a few ideas to get you started.
Join an Outdoor Club
Outdoor clubs are great places to join in with like-minded people for adventures, conservation activities, volunteering, and educational programs. They are often focused on a particular area of the United States (like the Appalachian Mountain Club or the Colorado Mountain Club), but others, like the Sierra Club, are much larger and have chapters sprinkled throughout the country.
Find one close to you by searching online for "outdoor clubs near me."
Go to Local Outdoor Events
Find your town or visitor bureau's calendar and scour it for local outdoor events. If the botanical garden is leading a wildflower hike, or the gear shop is hosting a slideshow of someone's recent trek to Nepal, go. While you're enjoying the event, be sure to chat up your fellow explorers and make some connections. These one-off events are perfect for finding people who have at least one thing in common with you...they dig the outdoors.
For those of you in the US, check out our Pursuit Series events. They're a super fun way to meet like-minded people and create lasting friendships!
Join a Leave No Trace event during their 2019 Hot Spot Tour. You'll have a unique opportunity to connect with nature-lovers and learn some ways in which you can help protect our Earth's beautiful lands.
Check Out Meetup
Meetup is an online tool that can be used to form groups and schedule in-person events. "Outdoors & Adventure" is one of Meetups most popular categories, and you can find anything from a group of slow-and-steady hikers to ocean kayakers and group bike rides.
Meetup is location-based, so head to their website and type in your zip code to get started.
Go Big with a Group Trip
If you want to take it to the next level, book a group trip with an adventure touring company. While this might feel like a 'jump in feet first' kind of situation, it's really a great way to bond quickly with a group of people. Plus, you'll be gaining new skills, seeing beautiful locations, and having company as you do it!
Check out our list of tours and trips for active and adventurous travelers.
Be Safe
Meeting new friends is exciting, but don't lose track of your safety or common sense along the way. Especially with adventure buddies, take the time to gauge their skills and your own comfort.
Start out small—maybe a local hike or a flatwater kayak with a few other people—and see how you feel. You can work up to bigger adventures if and when you are both ready, but also be prepared to part ways if you're not a good fit.
All good relationships take work, right?
Now...get out there and find your next adventure friend! What are you waiting for?
Cover photo by Holly Mandarich
We want to acknowledge and thank the past, present, and future generations of all Native Nations and Indigenous Peoples whose ancestral lands we travel, explore, and play on. Always practice Leave No Trace ethics on your adventures and follow local regulations. Please explore responsibly!
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