100 Outdoor Activities for Adventurous Couples (Date Ideas)
Are you looking for the best outdoor adventure activities for couples to try on your next date?
Whether this is your first date or your 100th date, you will love some of these outdoor date ideas.
Here is what we cover in this article:
- Summer outdoor date ideas for couples who love adventure
- Fall activities for couples who love nature and being outdoors
- Best winter date ideas for adventure-loving couples
- Adventurous activities for couples who love spring
Summer Outdoor Date Ideas For Couples Who Love Adventure
Summertime is a wonderful season to plan an adventurous date with the one you love. It is perfect for couples who love warm weather and has lots of options.
Many tourist locations offer their longest extended hours during the summer months.
The main thing you will want to consider if planning a big adventurous trip during the summer is crowds.
Summer is the most popular season because that is when kids are out of school and many families take their trips during the months of June, July, and August.
If visiting a location that caters to tourists, you can almost guarantee that prices for hotels and activities will be highest in the summer.
But don’t let that deter you. We plan trips during the summer all the time and we have never once regretted it.
Here are some fantastic adventure date ideas for couples who love the season of summer and the warm weather that comes with it:
Scuba Diving
Scuba diving would be a fantastic date idea for couples who love adventure and water.
Here are a few scuba diving locations to check out:
- Florida Keys, FL (reefs and shipwrecks)
- Jupiter, FL (most dives are over 70 feet deep)
- Monterey Bay National Marine Sanctuary, CA (amazing marine life)
- Morehead, NC (shipwreck dives)
- Lake Erie, PA (wrecks to explore between 10 feet and 200 feet)
- Bonne Terre, MO (A very unique freshwater dive experience)
Rock Climbing
Rock climbing is a really fun activity to enjoy as a couple.
You do not even need experience. There are places all over the US that will teach beginners how to climb.
If you are on the west coast, check out Yosemite Mountaineering School. They offer climbing lessons in Yosemite National Park.
If you are on the east coast, check out Blue Ridge Mountain Guides. They offer climbing lessons in New Hampshire, West Virginia, Virginia, and North Carolina.
Hot Air Balloon Ride
Spending a summer morning or early evening in a hot air balloon is an experience that adventurous couples will love.
Hot air balloon rides typically last between 1-3 hours.
Pair your balloon ride with breakfast afterward or a nice dinner if taking a later afternoon/early evening trip.
Snorkeling Together
Snorkeling is the perfect date idea for couples who love the water but don’t want to go through the steps to get certified in scuba diving.
Our two favorite locations that we have ever snorkeled were:
- Black Rock in Maui, Hawaii (On Kannapali Beach in front of The Sheraton)
- La Jolla Cove in San Diego, CA
- Dry Tortugas National Park near Florida
Horseback riding
Horseback riding is the perfect date idea for couples who love animals and the great outdoors.
Find a local ranch or farm that offers horseback riding. These horseback rides typically last 1-3 hours.
Skydiving
A couple that jumps out of a plane together is a couple that stays together.
Seriously, hang out tight, and don’t let go!
Skydiving is one of the best date ideas for couples who love a good adrenaline rush.
Just Google “skydiving near me” for a variety of trips close to you.
Skydiving trips are usually pretty quick.
You will want to plan on 30-60 minutes of safety lessons, 20-30 minutes heading up to your dive elevation, then 5-7 days for the dive itself.
Amusement Park
Amusement parks are a great date idea for adventurous couples because you can plan the day in a variety of ways.
Here are a few ideas to get you started:
- Plan on riding every single roller coaster and thrill ride in the park.
- Make a scavenger hunt together and spend the day finding all of your items.
- Plan on eating only food and snacks that you have never had.
- Plan on being one of the first couples in the park and one of the last couples to leave.
Mountain Biking
Mountain bike riding is a really fun date idea for couples who love adventure.
You can plan a trip that is more riding than thrill (like biking around a state park near you), or you can check out a site like Escape Adventures for a bunch of awesome mountain biking trip ideas.
Go Karts
Racing Go Karts are such a fun and exciting way to spend time together on a date.
Google “Go Karts near me” for a variety of options close to you.
Typically these Go Kart locations will also offer other fun activities like miniature golf, food, games, etc.
Skateboarding or Longboarding
Skateboarding or longboarding would be really fun activities to spend on a date together.
Grab your longboards (or rent them) and cruise down the path at a place like Venice Beach, CA, or take your skateboards to a local skate park and ride the bowls and ramps together.
Surfing or Boogie Boarding
If you already know how to surf, then you know how fantastic this date idea is.
If you have never been surfing, take a lesson together and then tackle the waves the rest of the day.
However, if surfing sounds too intense for you, consider boogie boarding. With boogie boards, you get the thrill of wave riding without having to learn the standing-up part, ha!
Canoeing or Kayaking
Spend the day paddling a canoe or kayak down a local river or creek near your town.
If you are looking for something more adventurous, travel to an amazing destination like Lake Tahoe, California, or Clear Water Canoe Trail, Montana.
If you do not own your own kayak or canoe, no worries. You can usually rent them from local shops. Many lakes, rivers, and creeks have stations where you can rent by the day or hour.
Just Google “kayaking or canoeing near me.”
Sailing
Sailing is a wonderful way to spend a date together.
Chances are, you do not own your own boat.
Find a lake or bay near you and Google “boating or sailing trips near (that location).”
Bring lunch and enjoy the afternoon on the water together.
Parasailing
Parasailing is a great date idea for couples who love a slight adrenaline rush.
Soar up to 500 feet above the ocean or your favorite lake together.
Almost all popular beach locations and lake resorts offer parasailing trips for couples.
Whitewater Rafting
Whitewater rafting is the perfect date idea for thrill-seeking couples who love a wild ride on the water.
Do a Google search on white water rafting trips in your area.
If you are a beginner looking to have fun but still stay safe, you are going to want to look for category 1 or 2 rapids. These provide a nice adrenaline rush, but you’re not going to get tossed around too much.
Category 3 rapids can really move and should be navigated by people who have some experience with category 2 rapids.
Category 4 and 5 rapids are for experienced white water rapid riders.
Don’t even attempt category 6 rapids unless you really love to live on the edge.
We recommend starting your white rafting date with category 1 or maybe category 2 rapids.
Burning Man
The Burning Man festival is a really unique date idea for couples who love to experience new things and places.
This amazing festival takes place in Black Rock City (Nevada’s Black Rock Desert) at the very end of August/beginning of September every year.
Burning Man is a one-of-a-kind experience for couples who love art and self-expression.
Find all of the info you need about Burning Man here.
Whale Watching (East Coast)
Whale watching on the East Coast is a really great idea for a date.
Some of the whales you can see are Humpback whales, Minke whales, pilot whales, and North Atlantic right whales.
While you can go whale watching from a boat anywhere along the East coast, the best whale-watching locations are:
- Bar Harbor, ME
- Rhode Island
- Cape Cod, MA
- Long Island, NY
The Best Summer Travel Destinations In The United States For Couples Who Love Warm Weather
Here are our personal favorite summer destinations for couples who love being outdoors (we have personally traveled to each of these locations during the summer):
- Acadia National Park and Bar Harbor, ME (Amazing scenery, fantastic food, and dozens of fun activities for adventurous couples).
- San Francisco, CA (So many things to do for couples no matter if you prefer quiet nature or the busy city lifestyle).
- Outer Banks, NC (we personally love Corolla in the north or Avon in the south).
- Cannon Beach, OR (The beaches in Oregon are perfect for couples who love traveling with their dogs. All state beaches in OR allow dogs!).
- Boothbay Harbor and Bailey Island, Maine (Popham Beach is a must. One of the most amazing beaches I have seen in all of the United States).
- Sonoma County and Napa in California (We used to live in Sonoma Country and highly recommend this location to couples who love to travel together).
- Lake Tahoe, CA/NV (We also lived in Lake Tahoe. It is a must-visit location for couples who love adventure).
- San Diego, CA (I was born in San Diego and would not hesitate to move back in a few years).
For more summer travel ideas in the US, check out these articles:
Fall Activities For Couples Who Love Nature And The Great Outdoors
Fall is an amazing time to plan an adventurous trip.
Kids are back in school, the air is cool and crisp, and crowds are much lighter than they were in summer.
Here are some of our favorite fall date ideas for couples who are looking for adventure and fun:
Road Trip For Fall Color
We have spent a lot of time taking fall road trips in the Northeast and in the Sierra Mountains along the CA/NV border. It is the perfect way to have an adventurous date.
In the northeast, we highly recommend checking out the following locations for amazing fall colors:
- The Green Mountain Byway in Vermont
- Acadia National Park, ME
- The Catskill Mountains in New York
- Elk Neck State Park in Maryland
- Ricketts Glen State Park in Pennsylvania
In the west (The Sierra Mountains to be specific), we recommend checking out the following locations during your fall road trip:
- Hope Valley, CA (near Lake Tahoe)
- Conway Summit (Along Highway 395)
- June Lake, CA
- Yosemite National Park, CA
Experience Wine Tasting Together
Fall is our favorite time to go wine tasting. Wineries are less crowded in autumn and the fall colors are amazing!
Spend The Weekend In A Mountain Cabin
Check out sites like VRBO to find the perfect cozy cabin with a hot tub that you can rent for the weekend. This can be done in any location.
Take A Scenic Hike Together
Hiking during the fall is one of our favorite things to do. The air feels so refreshing.
Simply use Google to find the best fall hiking locations near you.
Go Apple Picking
Visit a local farm or orchard during the fall and go apple picking (pumpkins too).
Many of these farms and orchards have live music on the weekends and amazing food/drinks.
Run A 5k Together
5k races are usually easy to find during the fall. Use a site like Running in the USA to enter the locations and time of year you prefer.
Tough Mudder or Something Similar
For couples who really like to push themselves, a mud run like Tough Mudder would be a really fun and unique date idea. Check out upcoming events for the entire year.
Enjoy A Scenic Train Ride
Taking a scenic train ride through the mountains or through fall foliage is an awesome idea for a couple who loves experiencing new things together.
This is similar to taking a road trip together, except you can sit back and relax while you enjoy the sites.
Watch The Sunrise From A Popular Location
Watching the sunrise from a location that is typically busy with tourists is something that couples should experience.
Watching the sunrise at a location that is usually busy is the best way to experience the location without all the people.
Some amazing places where we have watched the sunrise together are:
- Lake Tahoe, CA (We watched the sunrise over Emerald Bay over 15 times when we lived in Lake Tahoe)
- Acadia National Park, ME (Cadillac Mountain)
- Corolla, NC (The Outer Banks)
- Bryce Canyon National Park, UT
- San Francisco, CA (We watched the sunrise over the Golden Gate Bridge from The Marin Headlands many times)
- Death Valley National Park, CA (We hiked into the middle of the sand dunes before sunrise)
- Yosemite National Park, CA (We watched the sunrise from Tunnel View and Taft Point)
Horseback Riding
Horseback riding is a great date idea for adventurous couples.
We have gone horseback riding in Lake Tahoe, CA, and in Upstate NY.
You can find lots of fun horseback riding options by doing a Google search for your area.
Make A Bonfire At The Beach
A beach bonfire is a really fun and romantic date idea.
Bring a picnic dinner and a blanket for a complete date idea.
Make sure you get the proper permits for your area if you are planning to have a bonfire on the beach.
Don’t forget to check out our article filled with 150 date night ideas for couples (indoors and outdoors).
Best Winter Date Ideas For Adventure-Loving Couples
Many people think that winter dates need to take place indoors.
But you are here because you are looking for a date idea that is a little more unique and adventurous.
Here are our favorite date ideas for couples who love the winter outdoors:
Winter Camping
Winter camping is a great way to spend a weekend date together.
Pair this date idea with cross-country skiing or snowshoeing and you have yourself the perfect winter date.
Ice Skating
Ice skating at an outdoor ice rink is a fun and romantic way to spend time together during winter.
We have personally gone ice skating at the following locations and would recommend all 3:
- Curry Villiage Ice Rink in Yosemite National Park
- Rockefeller Center in New York City
- Heavenly Village Ice Rink in Lake Tahoe, CA/NV
You can do a quick Google search to find outdoor ice rinks near you.
Skiing and Snowboarding Together
Snow skiing or snowboarding are two of the most popular outdoor winter activities.
There is something magical about skiing down the hill together and then enjoying lunch and hot chocolate at the ski lodge.
We have personally gone skiing together at almost every ski resort in the Lake Tahoe area. Starting this winter, we will be heading to a few resorts in PA and VT.
Sledding and Tubing
If you are not a fan of skiing or snowboarding but love playing in the snow, sledding or tubing would be a wonderful date idea.
You can either pay to sled/tube at a ski resort, or you can simply grab your tubes and sleds and find any hill in your area.
A quick search online will give you lots of sledding ideas in your area.
Dog Sledding
Dog sledding is a really cool and unique date idea for adventurous couples.
We are heading to the Pittsburgh, PA area this winter to do it again. I will update this article after our trip in February 2023.
Ice Fishing
Ice fishing is a great experience for couples who love fishing and the outdoors in winter.
We have gone ice fishing in Upstate New York, Minnesota, and Pennsylvania.
Search “ice fishing near me” online for a few great locations.
Snowmobile Riding
Snowmobiling is a great activity for couples who love an adrenaline rush.
If you do not own your own snowmobile, you can take a tour near most ski resorts.
Fat Biking On Snow Trails
Snow biking is a must-try for adventurous couples!
It’s like biking on dirt trails but it doesn’t hurt as much when you fall, ha!
Viewing and Photographing The Northern Lights
Having the chance to see the northern lights (the aurora borealis) is a wonderful opportunity.
It’s on our bucket list for sure.
Friends who we have talked to have had the best luck seeing them from Alaska, Minnesota, and Acadia National Park in Maine.
Polar Bear Swim
This one is for couples who are really adventurous!
Time to put on the bathing suit and plunge into ice-cold water.
Another amazing reason to do this together is it’s a way to raise money for the Special Olympics.
Cross Country Skiing
Cross-country skiing is a fun way to spend the day together.
Pack a picnic lunch in a backpack cooler and make it a date.
Snowshoeing
We absolutely love snowshoeing together.
One of the nice things about this outdoor activity is you can do it anywhere it snows. We have had so much fun simply walking around our neighborhood after a fresh snow.
The Best Winter Travel Destinations In The United States For Couples Who Love Being Outside When It’s Cold
Here are some of our favorite destinations in the US to visit during the winter for couples who love snow and cold outdoor activities:
- Lake Tahoe, CA/NV (You will never run out of outdoor winter activities in the Lake Tahoe area)
- Aspen and Veil, CO
- Yosemite National Park in California
- New York City, NY
- Manchester/Dorset, Vermont
- Pittsburgh, PA
Best Locations For Couples Who Want Warm Weather In Winter
Here are a few of our favorite travel destinations that stay warm even in the winter months:
- San Diego, CA
- Orlando, FL (Disney World and Universal Studios are great locations for couples who love adventure dates)
- Key West, FL
- Maui, HI (We honestly love every island in Hawaii during the winter)
- Savannah, Georgia
- Las Vegas, NV
Adventurous Activities For Couples Who Love Spring
Spring is personally our favorite season for adventure trips.
Here are a few of our favorite adventurous date ideas:
Road Trip For Waterfalls
Springtime is the best season for waterfalls and you should be able to find some no matter where you live.
Our favorite locations for waterfalls are:
- Yosemite National Park
- Ricketts Glen, PA
- Pacific Northwest
- Maui and Kauai, Hawaii
Helicopter Ride
A scenic helicopter ride is a fantastic way to see some of the country’s most beautiful locations in a way most people never get to experience.
You can book scenic helicopter or plane rides in almost every location that gets visits from tourists.
Waterfall Repelling
For couples who love a good adrenaline rush, waterfall repelling is a must-try!
This is such an awesome date idea for couples who are really adventurous.
Bungee Jumping
Bungee jumping is a must-try for adrenaline junkies.
Do a quick search for bungee jumping trips in your area.
We once did a bungee jumping trip from a train bridge over the Feather River near Oroville, CA
Whale Watching (West Coast)
Here are a few of the best places to whale watch along the west coast during the spring:
- Monterey Bay, Big Sur, and Santa Cruz, CA (We saw humpback whales, blue whales, and gray whales. You will see whales in these areas almost all year long)
- Depoe Bay, Oregon (Great opportunity to see gray whales)
- Southern CA (Gray whales and humpback whales in early spring. Blue whales and finback whales in late spring)
- Juneau, Alaska (Orcas and humpback whales starting in April)
- San Juan Islands, Washington (A big variety of whales)
