A Complete Guide of Outdoor Holidays
Editor's note: This article was initially published in December 2022 and has been updated in December 2025 for accuracy and comprehensiveness. Some of the external website links still need to be updated with 2026 event information for this update.
If you are like me, the daily grind of life gets in the way of enjoying the outdoors or even taking the opportunity to experience new activities. Over the years, being spontaneous in this effort has failed. I need to take the time to schedule my outdoor activities.
With a new year approaching, now is the time to fix this issue. I want to plan and schedule those activities. I needed to build a list of ideas or a bucket list. The truth was, I just needed something to make the process simple. This quest might have started with National Bike to Work Day, or another day I need help remembering. Once I had the date, I researched other National Days. This was a great way to put a place marker on my calendar.
As I started to build my list of these National Outdoor Days, I had the idea to make this a yearly guide—a resource that lists all the national, world, or global Days that get us outside to enjoy the great outdoors. While compiling this guide, I wondered how these days started in the first place.
While researching, I found that at least one organization was the catalyst behind those days. Plus, most of these days have environmental, conservation, or stewardship causes behind them. The days are occasions to educate the public on issues of concern. While other National Days are just about getting people outside to enjoy nature.
NOTES ABOUT THIS GUIDE:
- DATES: Some national, world, or global days are set as a particular day, week, or month, and it is that day, week, or month every year. Some days are celebrated at different times of the year around the world. This is due to a growing or migratory season. I will provide the correct dates, or note that the dates can differ around the globe.
- WEBSITE LINKS: The links provided will navigate you from the Navigate to Your Adventure to the organization or government website that provides more information and resources about the day. This might be one of many resources, and Navigate to Your Adventure does not endorse any particular organization's efforts. Many groups and organizations support and are catalysts in the local area.
- HASHTAGS: I have also provided social media hashtags. If you are into sharing your experience. These are the official hashtags suggested by the sponsoring organization.
- READER INPUT: My intent in this guide is that it will be a living resource. If you know of a National, World, or Global Day that should be listed. Please leave a comment. If you know of other websites that should be added. Please leave a comment. The goal of this post is to help you to plan and put a day on the calendar. You may do one of these National Days annually with family and friends. You may find a cause you are passionate about and want to support. But the goal is to get you outside and explore.
JANUARY:
Thursday, 1 January 2026
First-Day Hikes: State parks across the United States—and participating regions in Canada—invite you to ring in the New Year on the trail. In all 50 states, you’ll find ranger-led programs and self-guided walks designed to help you start the year on the right foot. And it’s not just about hiking: many parks also offer First-Day activities such as orienteering meets, river floats, wilderness first-aid sessions, camp-cooking demonstrations, and even 5Ks.
Monday, 5 January 2026
National Bird Day: Hike a birding trail or paddle a migratory waterway to learn about wild bird conservation. But this day is about the negative effects of holding exotic birds captive. For more information about National Bird Day, navigate to the Avian Welfare Coalition. Use the hashtags #NationalBirdDay, #MoreBeautifulWild.
FEBRUARY:
Monday, 2 February 2026
World Wetlands Day: Celebrate the role of wetlands in filtering pollution and buffering communities against extreme weather worldwide. Attending a free educational program or posting your own that will take place in a marsh, estuary, lake, or floodplain near you. For more information, navigate to World Wetlands Day. Use the hashtags #CelebratingWetlands, #WetlandsandCulturalHeritage.
13-16 February 2026
Great Backyard Bird Count: The Great Backyard Bird Count is a fun global activity that can be done in your backyard. How do I participate? Choose a location, watch birds for 15 minutes at least 1 day over the 4 days, and identify all the birds you see and hear within your planned time and location. Then share your sightings with an online tool. For more information, navigate over to Birdcount.
Monday, 16 February 2026
Presidents' Day: It is a National Parks fee-free day. Use this resource: Presidential places to plan a visit to reflect on the life and legacy of U.S. Presidents. Also, visit one of these parks related to the Presidents.
Monday, 22 February 2026
World Scouting Day: This day marks the birth anniversary of Lieutenant-General Baden-Powell, known as the founder of Scouting. Scouts Day and Guides Day are generic terms for special days that observe the Scouting movement. There is also Founder's Day, World Thinking Day, Saint George's Day, and African Scout Day. If you belong to a Scouting movement, check when your country observes its day. For more information, navigate over to Scout.
Week of 23-27, February 2026
National Invasive Species Awareness Week (NISAW) is an international event to raise awareness about invasive species, their threats, and what can be done to prevent their spread. For more information, navigate to NISAW.
MARCH:
6-7 March 2026 (Sundown to Sundown)
Global Day of Unplugging: Formerly National Day of Unplugging. Its goal is to commit to 24 hours of smartphone-free living. Then shift to an offline activity, in-person interaction, or real-life gathering. You can organize an outdoor activity to disconnect from the digital world and reconnect with your community. For more information, navigate to Unplug Collaborative.
Tuesday, March 3, 2026
World Wildlife Day: Show your support for the world’s wild animals and plants by increasing awareness of our planet’s endangered species. Sign up for an endangered species program hosted by a state or national park near you, then share what you’ve learned on social media with hashtags #WWD2026, #PartnershipforConervation, #WorldWildlifeDay, #WWD. For more information, navigate to Wild Life Day.
Thursday, 12 March 2026
National Girl Scout Day: Celebrate the first Girl Scout meeting anniversary in 1912. Help inspire your favorite scout to become a National Park Girl Scout Ranger. Volunteers who contribute 10 hours or more. They are recognized with an official certificate and patch. For more information, navigate over to Girl Scouts. What is your favorite Girl Scout cookie?
Saturday, 14 March 2026
National Wildlife Refuge System Birthday: Celebrate the birthday of the U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service by fishing, hiking, paddling, or volunteering in one of over 550 National Wildlife Refuges across the country. For more information, navigate to the National Wildlife Refuge System.
Wednesday, 18 March 2026
Global Recycling Day: This will be the 9th Global Recycling Day. This should be an easy day to participate in the effort. For more information, navigate over to Global Recycling Day.
Friday, 21 March 2025
International Day of Forests: This year's theme is "Forests and Foods". On each International Day of Forests, countries are encouraged to undertake local, national, and international efforts to organize activities involving forests and trees. For more information, navigate to Collaborative Partnership on Forests or UN Women.
APRIL:
Week of 18-26 April 2026
National Park Week/ National Volunteer Week & Earth Day: Kick off the National Park Service’s week-long celebration and recognition for National Parks. Free entry on the first day, 18 April. For more information, navigate over to the National Park Week. Follow the National Park Service on Social Media during the week #YourPark.
Wednesday, 22 April 2026
Earth Day/Mother Earth Day: Marks the anniversary of the birth of the modern environmental movement that started in 1970. In 1990, Earth Day went global, and 190 countries were involved in this event. You shouldn't have to look hard for an Earth Day event. This year's theme is Our Power, Our Plant™. Sharing stories on social media using the hashtag #RenewableEnergyNow. For more information, navigate to Earth Day 2026
Friday, 24 April 2026
National Arbor Day: Celebrated on the last Friday in April, but many states observe Arbor Day on different dates throughout the year based on the best time to plant a tree. Get involved by volunteering to plant and care for trees in these wild lands and your community. For more information, navigate to the Arbor Day Foundation or check your state forestry department.
MAY:
Saturday, 2 May 2026
International Women's MTB Day: Celebrated annually on the first Saturday in May. It's a day for women to gather and ride their mountain bikes and get their stoke on! The day is social media-driven. Look for women's MTB Day events at the local level and get the word out about your Women's MTB Day by using the hashtag #womensMTBday. For more information, navigate to IMBA.
Saturday, 2 May 2026
Clean the Bay Day: Since 1989, Virginians have been giving back to their waterways by removing litter and debris. Over the last three decades, there have been 165,500 volunteers engaged with this event and have removed 7.18 million pounds of debris. For more information, navigate to Clean the Bay Day.
Friday, 15 May 2026
Endangered Species Day: Every year on the third Friday in May, people worldwide participate in Endangered Species Day. This year will be the 19th year of this celebration. The Endangered Species Coalition’s mission is to stop the human-caused extinction of our most at-risk species and restore their habitats. For more information, navigate to Endangered.
Friday, 15 May 2026
Bike to Work Day: BTWD is an annual event that promotes bicycles as an option for commuting to work. Statistics show that 40% of all trips in the United States are less than two miles away. If the city where you live has commuting infrastructure, plan ahead and take the bicycle instead of the car. There are so many benefits to commuting by bike. For more information, navigate to Bike League.
Saturday, 16 May 2026
Kids to Parks Day: Celebrate the 16th annual Kids to Parks Day on the third Saturday of May. The day connects kids and their families to local, state, and national parks to promote discovery and exploration in the great outdoors. Participate in a stewardship, STEM, and history event at a national, state, or local park near you. Or, just visit a park for a day of outdoor fun! Today is all about enjoying nature. For more information, navigate to National Park Trust.
Monday, 25 May 2026
Memorial Day: It is a National Park fee-free day. It is a time for remembrance of those who lost their lives while serving in the U.S. Military. Take the time to reflect on military service and sacrifice. Make the most of this day. The fallen would have wanted it that way. Find Places of Remembrance.
JUNE:
Friday, 30 May through Sunday, 1 June 2025
Bike Travel Weekend: Invite a few friends and plan a bikepacking or touring trip with help from the Adventure Cycling Association, or find an overnight trip at Bikepacking Overnighters.
Saturday, 6 June 2026
National Trails Day: The American Hiking Society's National Trails Day is about committing to trail service. This year's theme is any trail, anywhere- leave it better. For more information, navigate to the American Hiking Society.
Monday, 8 June 2026
World Oceans Day: Visit a coastal park, hike a beach trail, volunteer to pick up trash on the shore, or travel to your local zoo or aquarium for this global celebration of healthy oceans. For more information, navigate to World Ocean Day.
Sunday, 14 June 2026
Flag Day: It is a National Park fee-free day at all national parks, commemorating the adoption of the U.S. Flag on 14 June 1777.
Friday, 26 June 2026
National Canoe Day: Back in 2007, the Canadian Canoe Museum declared the canoe as the 7th wonders of Canada. Celebrated in Canada or virtually, this year's theme is #OnTheWater. To participate in National Canoe Day virtually. Get out on the water and share a photo. Use the following social media tags #OnTheWater, #NCD2025, and #NationalCanoeDay. Tag @cndcanoemuseum on any post so they can see you celebrating the day. For more information, navigate to Canoe Museum National Canoe Day 2024.
Saturday, 27 June 2026
Great American Campout: Also known as the Great American Backyard Campout. This year, Clean Earth Challenge is to go camping and be a part of a wide-scale effort to clean up the planet. This could be around your campsite or on the trail. Hashtag #ComeCleanForEarth. For more information, navigate to The National Wildlife Foundation.
AUGUST:
Tuesday, 25 August 2026
National Park Service Birthday: Help the park service celebrate 110 years of preserving America’s wild places with this year’s theme, Discovering Something New. Plan a park outing with your family, and share your adventure on social media with the hashtags #NPSBirthday, #FindYourPark, and #EncuentraTuParque. For more information, navigate to the National Park Service.
SEPTEMBER:
September is National Wilderness Month. The Wilderness Act was signed into law by President Lyndon B. Johnson in 1964, opening a new chapter in American conservation by creating the National Wilderness Preservation System. Today, there are 800 wilderness areas spanning 111 million acres.
Friday, 4 September 2026
National Wildlife Day: Explore the wilderness areas in your state to discover the wild creatures in the woods and on the water around you. Learn about America's best wildlife viewing experiences.
Tuesday, 22 September 2026
World Car Free Day: A day to get around by bike, train, bus, or walking around. For more information, navigate to Car Free Metro DC.
Saturday, 26 September 2026
National Public Lands Day: Celebrate the 29th anniversary of National Public Lands Day and the 53nd anniversary of the National Trails System and National Wild & Scenic Rivers System with a conservation project at a national park near you. You’ll get a fee-free token in return to use on a future visit. For more information, navigate to the National Park Service.
Saturday, 26 September 2026
National Fishing & Hunting Day: Learn about the critical role hunters and anglers play in conservation efforts by attending an educational event at a shooting range, wildlife refuge, fish hatchery, or national forest in your area. For more information, navigate to National Hunt and Fish Day.
Saturday, 23 September 2025
Bike Your Park Day: For more information, navigate to Adventure Cycling Association or National Park Service.
NOVEMBER:
Wednesday, 11 November 2026
Veterans Day: Honor America’s heroic veterans with an educational visit to one of our nation’s battlefields, military parks, and historic sites. From the Statue of Liberty to the USS Arizona Memorial, daily admission is free to all national parks on Veterans Day.
Tuesday, 17 November 2026
National Take a Hike Day: Brush up on hiking skills and Leave No Trace practices, then take off for the trailhead on the American Hiking Society’s last trail day of the year. For more information, navigate to the American Hiking Society.
Friday, 27 November 2026
#OptOutside Day: Join REI’s movement to opt out of holiday shopping on Black Friday. Commit to spending the day after Thanksgiving outdoors, enjoying an activity you love, spending time with family and friends, or giving back to nature and your community. For more information, navigate to Recreational Equipment Inc.
DECEMBER:
Friday, 11 December 2026
International Mountain Day: Climb a peak to learn about fragile mountain ecosystems, and take photos of your journey to post on social media and tag #MountainsMatter. For more information, navigate to the United Nations.
14 December-5 January 2026
Audubon Christmas Bird Count: The Audubon Christmas Bird Count is the longest-running community science bird project. Navigate to Audubon Christmas Bird Count to join the fun.
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