Finding an Outdoor Community: Tips for Making Friends

Moment of gratitude and sharing something that might help others. Today, I was texting to set up a canyon trip in the PNW with some women who I’m proud to call friends. Reflecting on this made me realize how far I’ve come. 🙏 Over four years ago, I had zero canyon friends outside of UT and very few female outdoor friends, aside from those interested in day hikes. Until 5-7 years ago, I hadn’t committed to deepening my outdoor pursuits. Most of my friends were into city activities, which is okay. However, I wanted to spend my life outdoors, and this made it challenging to break into the sports and hobbies I was passionate about. Mastery of these activities requires repetition in various scenarios, which was hard without a supportive community. I had to overcome a lot of fear, insecurity, and even trauma, as I didn’t grow up with access to these activities or mentors. 😓 Fast forward to today, and I’m thrilled to have friends who share my interests in canyoneering, mountaineering, sailing, photography, climbing, yoga, writing—every hobby I’m into. Building this community took time, intention, and openness. Initially, I settled for spending time with people who didn’t make me feel good about myself, just to be outdoors with someone. Those were tough lessons, and I’d love to share how to avoid loneliness, inaccessibility, and settling for less-than-great company. 💪 Tips for Making Friends Outdoors: 1. Facebook and Meetup Groups: Every hobby has a group listing in your area. Find these groups, participate online, and attend the meetups. 👍 2. Invest in Classes: Enroll in classes for the sports or activities you’re interested in. You’ll meet like-minded people, and your confidence and safety will improve. 📚 3. Social Media: Share your adventures on social media and connect with others. I’ve met many real-life outdoor friends this way. 🌐 4. Follow Up and Show Up: Don’t be shy about making plans and including others. Initiate, follow up on plans, and be reliable. Show up on time with a positive attitude. 📞⏰ I hope this helps you find a supportive and like-minded community in the outdoors! 🌲