Guides

Forest bathing is a wonderful practice that costs absolutely nothing but your own time and attention. Isn’t that incredible? The benefits are potentially immense. To give you a head start on what this practice is… and how to try it, we’ve condensed a very informative Time Magazine article below. When you are ready to give it a shot, check out the trail list for a new, quiet spot to explore. There are over 170+ trails listed for the South Shore. What is Forest Bathing In Japan, we practice something called forest bathing, …

Each day that we get outside is a good day in our book – but sometimes it’s a fun reminder to think of why we are thankful for the beautiful South Shore. FYI – We’ve rather intentionally left some of the most popular spots off our list like World’s End, Whitney Thayer, Two Mile Farm and Norris Reservation. They are all incredible spots (!!!) but… the parking lots are always full and there is more to explore on the South Shore. (1) Spots with places for kids to run Regardless …

Are you looking for a way to engage the whole family? Or just challenge yourself on a hike? You should check out the South Shore Quest! The South Shore Quest is an annual challenge to “encourage exploration of the outdoors through the use of CLUE-directed walks through local public lands and parks”. The organization was formed in 1998 and has been delivering fun ever since.  Update: Historically, the quest books have been for sale for $5 at local retailers. Given the pandemic, they are posting the book for free online …

We know that during these challenging times, everyone wants to get outside and recharge. One challenge we all face right now is how to enjoy the outdoors responsibly during this civil state of emergency related to COVID. Fresh air is great for everyone, but it is important that we stay safe and take care of nature.  Here are a few tips on how you can get some fresh air while being smart, staying safe, and sticking close to home.  Note: Some organizations have chosen to close their properties during this …

In the market for an affordable gift? We can help. We’ve hand picked an assortment of gifts for every type of outdoors person in your life. The kayaker. The trail lover. The bird watcher. And all the other ways we love to enjoy the great outdoors. Gifts are a way to show you know what makes someone tick … and also that you care about their interests. So whether they like to unplug, explore the water, or take care of their blisters… we’ve got you covered. click the logo to …

Hunting Season Hiking Tips We love to spend all the seasons exploring our trails – but need to be extra vigilant during hunting season. With the right precautions, there is no reason to not enjoy your favorite trails during your local hunting season. We’ve pulled together some tips for staying safe while you are on the trails. (1) WEAR BLAZE ORANGE Wear a fluorescent or “blaze” orange hat and vest (and pack cover if backpacking), or hooded outerwear when hiking in fall, winter or spring. Blaze orange will help distinguish …

Have you heard of geocaching? If not, we are here to help. Geocaching is an outdoor activity that prompts participants to use GPS to find containers, called “geocaches”, at specific locations marked by coordinates all over the world. Exciting right? A typical cache is a small waterproof container containing a logbook and sometimes a pen or pencil. The geocacher signs the log and then the cache is placed back exactly where it was found. HOW One of the best parts about Geocaching is how easy it is – and free! …

In the market for an affordable gift? We can help. We’ve hand picked an assortment of gifts for every type of outdoors person in your life. The kayaker. The trail lover. The bird watcher. And all the other ways we love to enjoy the great outdoors. Gifts are a way to show you know what makes someone tick … and also that you care about their interests. So whether they like to unplug, explore the water, or take care of their blisters… we’ve got you covered. For the trails It’s …