Workout routines benefit both the body and the mind. However, sometimes you need a change to the routine to keep things exciting and fresh. Spending time outside unlocks access to many new activities to keep active — and gives you that much needed vitamin D. Luckily, you can fully take advantage of the outdoors no matter the time of year, from warm summer months to chilly winter days.
Here are some ways to get moving outside all year round!
Summer: try paddleboarding
The warmest time of year, Summer brings long days and high spirits. You probably find motivation to spend time outside especially easy. However, during the peak of the day, the heat can feel overwhelming. Rather than hiding from the summer sun indoors, getting out on a nearby lake or reservoir can help you keep cool and beat the heat.
If you have easy access to water, paddle boarding makes a great summer activity. Paddleboarding involves a long, narrow board used in conjunction with a paddle to glide over the surface of a body of water. You can stand on the board, kneel on it or even lay on it. Paddleboarding offers a low impact activity that keeps the whole body engaged, since the upper and lower body work must together to keep the board balanced. (Although, losing balance and falling off the board only adds to the experience.) A quick dip in the water is a great way to stay cool!
If you’re in the Denver metro area, the Boulder Reservoir and McIntosh Lake are two locations that offer paddle boarding to the public. Boulder Reservoir offers paddle board rentals on site while McIntosh Lake allows carry-on, non-motorized boats and boards.
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Autumn: visit a local farm or pumpkin patch
Autumn brings the changing of the leaves in hand with cooler, shorter days. With holidays like Halloween and Thanksgiving approaching, cozy festive activities become the peak of fall energy. Embrace this season by visiting a corn maze at a local pumpkin patch or farm. This life-size puzzle keeps the body moving and the mind engaged. Keeping track of twists, turns, and dead ends transforms walking into an exciting and suspenseful activity. This is also a great way to support local farms and engage with local communities. You can also visit an apple orchard like Ya Ya Farm & Orchard and pick your own fruit!
Rock Creek Farm offers miles of corn mazes open to the public for a small admission fee. It has four different mazes, ranging in distance from less than half a mile to over four miles. With mazes of varying difficulty, this is accessible to all ages and is family friendly.
Another great outdoor activity for fall — if you want to get out for a longer period of time — involves immersing yourself in nature via camping. Fall camping hits different. The heat of summer has passed and the winter chill hasn’t fully hit yet. You roll up somewhere a little remote — even a state park an hour or two away — and set up camp under a canopy of half-bare trees. Then you get to cozy up around a campfire, bundled in hoodies or flannels, roasting marshmallows, sipping something warm and talking until late. Pro tip: bring extra warm sleeping bags (rated for colder temps), maybe some fairy lights for extra magic, and a simple camping stove for cozy meals like soup or pancakes.
If you don’t want to commit to overnight camping, you can always try a trail run or mountain biking on leaf-strewn trails! In autumn, the trails completely transform. The ground gets blanketed with golden, red, and orange leaves, and the air smells earthy and clean. Running or biking through that feels magical — like you’re moving through a living painting. Plus, there’s something exhilarating about the slight crunch of leaves underfoot or under your tires, and catching glimpses of colorful forests stretching out around you.
If you’re in the Denver metro area, Green Mountain (William Frederick Hayden Park) in Lakewood, or Apex Park and North Table Mountain in Golden are beautiful this time of year!
[Turn Up the Heat: Embracing Challenge for Ultra Personal Growth]
Winter: outdoor iceskating + snowshoeing
Cold days and long nights can often feel daunting, but offer a unique opportunity to experience all the outside has to offer. Landscapes change from lush green meadows and dense forests to snow-packed winter wonderlands. Winter birds such as the Northern Shrike make home, while plants like rose hips provide a stunning streak of color against white backdrops.
With lakes and ponds frozen solid, they become nature’s perfect ice rinks. Outdoor skating makes an incredible way to take advantage of the cold weather. Gliding over ice is not only enjoyable, but it also improves balance and coordination. Learning a new skill like skating can also improve confidence.
Evergreen Park and Recreation offers skating at Evergreen Lake to the public. With a Zamboni to keep the lake surface in top shape, skaters can glide at their own pace or take a lesson. Affordable skate rentals and admission make this an accessible activity for anyone looking to stay moving in the cold. More details are found at
But wait — there’s more. During the cold season, popular summer hiking trails get completely transformed by the snow blanket. For those who love exploring trails, snowshoeing becomes a great way to get out on the trails safely while allowing more freedom for exploration. Snowshoeing does not have a learning curve; anyone can do it!
Snow shoes attach to any warm winter boot, so the only equipment required is the snow shoe itself. Once on, it’s as easy as walking. Previously inaccessible areas can be traversed with a pair of snowshoes. You can even cross lakes and creeks, with ice and snow providing a safe bed to walk over. Most importantly, you can view landscapes from new vantage points, the beauty of already stunning sights enhanced.
A variety of snow shoeing trails can be found in Estes Park. These trails allow free-form exploration and a variety of difficulties. Many guided tours are available for beginners from a variety of outdoor gear vendors. The Estes Park Mount Shop, as one example, offers $6 show shoe rentals.
Spring: explore nature on foot
Spring brings warmer weather and new life to the outside world, making it the perfect time to experience nature walks and go hiking. Native, unique plants bloom, constantly growing and changing, and wildlife peeks out all around, with young offspring taking first steps in the world. Learning about and spotting local flora and fauna creates strong and long-lasting connections to nature.
To get started, all you need is a trusted pair of shoes and comfortable clothes. Trails and paths marked by length and difficulty allow all experience levels and ages to participate. Nature strolls can be a great social activity as well. Walking or hiking with friends and loved ones gives time to catch up in a peaceful, distraction-free environment. Admiring the outdoors together creates shared experiences and strengthens bonds.
The barrier to entry is low — protected nature preserves and city maintained trails are free for use to the public. Using these areas supports local parks and recreation organizations, and in turn strengthens the community.
If you’re a Colorado local, Waterton Canyon is a hiking area friendly to young children and inexperienced hikers, located near Louviers. Here, big horned sheep sightings are common! The trail, which runs along a creek ending at a reservoir, is an out-and-back trail — meaning, it starts and ends at the same location. Explorers can choose how long an adventure to embark on!
These outdoor activities are a small selection of all the outside world has to offer. No matter the time of year or physical ability, anyone and everyone can benefit from spending time moving outside.
