13 Outdoor Adventures Every Couple Should Try!
Got Adventure?
For many of us stuck in the trenches of parenthood, the word “adventure” stirs within us something we have forgotten, like a delicious dream. While some may feel that adventuring + parenthood don’t coexist I heartedly disagree. Nothing breaks the monotony of raising littles quite like getting out in nature and having a bit of an adrenaline rush.
But sometimes the hardest part is figuring out what to do. Well lucky for you I came up with an adventure list that any outdoorsy couple would love!
Best Adventures for Couples
To begin my list I am going to share all of the things I have personal experience with and can recommend. At the bottom of the list are some items from our high adventure bucket list. Hopefully, while you browse the ideas below it will inspire you to take a break from the parenting grind and reconnect with your partner through some high adventure fun!
Backpacking the Wind River Range, Wyoming
The Wind River Mountain Range is the longest range in Wyoming. Teaming with soaring peaks and crystal clear lakes it is the perfect destination to get away from it all!
Backpacking season runs from about mid-July to mid-September, but the weather can be temperamental so you should always be prepared for sub-freezing temperatures, snow or afternoon thunderstorms. My favorite time of year to go is the beginning of September. While there is more of a chance for snow at that time of year, there are less mosquitoes and smaller crowds (e.g. you will hardly see anyone else).
If you don’t feel up to trying it on your own, contact the Pinedale Ranger District Office for a list of guides that can provide fully catered trips!
Learn to Surf at Short Sands Beach, Oregon
Many people may not equate surfing with Oregon but at the right spot with the right equipment, it can make for an unforgettable experience.
While there are many places along the Oregon Coast you can learn to surf I would highly recommend Short Sands Beach (near Cannon Beach). The shape of this cove makes the waters more friendly for beginners and you don’t have to pay to gain access (like you would at Indian Beach). You also get to enjoy a beautiful 1/2 mile hike through an old-growth forest of Sitka spruce.
When Dustin and I were there for our 5th anniversary we didn’t have the funds to pay for surfing lessons (check out my post on our week in Oregon for under $1000), and honestly, it is one of my biggest regrets about that trip. We did enjoy boogie boarding, but I must say I was a bit envious of those that were there learning to surf.
To get equipment and lessons I would recommend using this company. I would also recommend avoiding the weekends during the summer as it can get crowded.
Take in Scenery at Gimmelwald, Switzerland
When I was in college I was lucky enough to do a study abroad in Austria and do some traveling. Of the places I went, my ALL TIME favorite was Gimmelwald, Switzerland. While it isn’t necessarily “high adventure” it definitely is an experience that any outdoor enthusiast should not miss!!
Gimmelwald is a tiny village located in the heart of the Alps on a 4485-foot cliff. The only way to access it is by aerial cable car, making it one of the last car-free villages in Switzerland. Let me just say, it will not disappoint! Not only do you get to see the Alps up close and personal, but the village is everything you would imagine Switzerland to be (right down to the cute cows with huge bells).
If you want more information on visiting Gimmelwald I would recommend checking out Rick Steves’ website for tips.
Rappel Pine Creek Canyon, Zion National Park Utah
Zion National Park is always worth a visit. But instead of hitting The Narrows or The Subway I would recommend trying your hand at Pine Creek Canyon for truly a once in a lifetime experience.
Now before you get too excited let’s cover some logistics. Pine Creek Canyon requires at least 6 rappels to make the 900-foot descent. It can take anywhere from 2-6 hours to complete and requires wet suits. The other tricky part is that commercial guiding is prohibited in technical canyons in Zion National Park. Which means you can’t pay someone to take you through this canyon.
So this adventure is best suited for those of you that are already into canyoneering or want to make the investment in some classes (and equipment) to learn the necessary skills to see you safely through the canyon! Your other option is to make friends with people that have experience canyoneering and join their group…that is what I did!
River Raft Cataract Canyon, Moab Utah
For some unforgettable fun, check out Cataract Canyon. With a range of class III-V rapids it definitely qualifies as a high adventure activity. I have been fortunate enough to river raft Cataract Canyon a couple of times for work (those were the days).
The first year was a high water year and some of those rapids were unbelievable. The outfitter we used had J-rigs which helped navigate the large rapids. It also meant that for some rapids we were able to motor back up the river and hit them twice!
You can find a variety of outfitters to take you down the river. Trips range from 3-6 days in length and are fully catered. The company I used for my work trips was Adrift Adventures. I had nothing but good experiences with them and recommend checking them out. And if you are looking for some other fun things to do while you are in Moab, Utah check out my post The Ultimate Guide to Moab, Utah. I think this would make for an awesome couples trip with friends!!
Mountain Bike Flume Trail, Lake Tahoe California
Dustin and I went on our honeymoon to Lake Tahoe. We actually never got in the water (because it was late September) but we did spend a lot of time outdoors. One of my favorite activities that we did on that trip was mountain bike the Flume Trail.
The Flume Trail provides some of the most amazing views of Lake Tahoe and originates from the path of a wooden flume in the 1800s during the mining boom.
The trail is rated moderately difficult, mostly due to the first part of the trail. In the first four miles you gain 1100 feet in elevation (going from 7000′ to 8157′). The trail is sandy which makes the climb even more difficult. But the climb is totally worth it. Of the 14 mile trail there is about 5 miles of single track, but there wasn’t anything that was super technical. The other tricky part is the last three miles. You drop about 1500 feet in elevation and once again the trail is sandy. You will need to for sure drop your seat and get your weight out over your back tire or you will fishtail in the sand.
If you want to check it out I would recommend renting bikes from Flume Trail Bikes. They have a shuttle that can take you to the start of the trail and the trail ends right at their bike shop. There is also a tasty café at the end of the trail (Tunnel Creek Café) where you can get a bite to eat or a delicious smoothie after all your hard work!
Backpack to Havasupai Falls, Grand Canyon Arizona
The Havasupai Indian Reservation is breathtaking with its amazing waterfalls and blue-green water.
This is a trip I would recommend doing in a group. You do have to make a reservation (and they have been known to sell out the first day) so you will want to pull your group together early so you are ready to go on the website and claim your spot. They begin accepting reservations on February 1st.
It is a 10-mile hike from the parking lot to the campground. All downhill on the way there, and all uphill on the way back. Since you are hiking in the desert you want to make sure you don’t pack too heavy, have plenty of water and get a very early start to avoid the heat. There are options to pay to have your bag taken down and back by mule, but if you do that make sure to take your swimsuit with you because it can take a while for the mules to show up.
Rock Climbing in Grand Teton National Park, Wyoming
If you have never experienced the majesty of the Grand Teton’s it is definitely worth the trip. And the best way to experience them, in my opinion, is by doing some rock climbing!
If you are not a rock climber or don’t feel comfortable leading a multi-pitch climb, no worries. There are a variety of outfitters available to help you have this experience.
I was lucky enough to do this on a work trip. We used Exum Mountain Guides as our outfitter. They did a great job assessing the skill level of our group and tailoring our experience accordingly. We ended up having one group do an easier route and another group do Guide’s Wall, a multi-pitch climb. We were able to warm up our climbing skills once we got into the Grand Teton Park by doing a little bit of bouldering and then we hit the actual route. It was a challenging experience and an amazing way to experience the Tetons up close and personal.
Looking for even more Ideas?
Here are some more adventure ideas that are currently on Dustin and my’s bucket list:
Snowshoe to a Yurt
For a fun couple’s getaway try snowshoeing (or cross country skiing) into a yurt. If you are located near Utah I would recommend checking out this website for a list of backcountry yurts that are available for rent. Just imagine reconnecting with your partner next to a toasty wood-burning stove. Yes, please!!!
Swim in Cenotes, Yuctan Peninsula Mexico
Unique to the Yucatan peninsula in Mexico are Cenotes. Cenotes are sinkholes that are created when the limestone bedrock collapses to expose the groundwater underneath. Given that there are thousands of them scattered across the Yucatan peninsula, it might feel a little overwhelming knowing which ones to visit. I would recommend checking out this post to find the best ones!
Backpack Kalalau Trail, Kauai Hawaii
Yes, another epic backpacking adventure!! The Kalalau trail is located on the beautiful island of Kauai, Hawaii. It is a 11-mile trail that traverses five lush valleys from Ke’e Beach to Kalalau Beach along the Napali Coast. What makes the Kalalau trail so special is it provides the only land access to Kalalau beach. Just be aware that in order to backpack the Kalalau trail you’ll need a permit.
Zip Lining in Costa Rica
I have always wanted to go to Costa Rica. In fact, when Dustin and I were dating I tried to convince him that we should sell all our stuff and move to Costa Rica for a year. We both speak Spanish and Costa Rica is an outdoor enthusiast paradise. He wouldn’t go for it…and he says I am the responsible one! We haven’t made it there yet, so it is definitely at the top of our adventure to-do list!
Visit National Parks
In my opinion, any national park is an adventure. While Dustin and I have been to our fair share, here are a couple we are anxious to experience together:
Glacier National Park, Redwoods National Park, Yosemite National Park and Kenai Fjords National Park
For your ultimate guide to National Parks, I would recommend checking out Dirt in My Shoes. She is my go to expert for anything National Parks related.
Adventure Awaits!
So there you have it, plenty of adventure ideas to keep any outdoorsy couple busy for a while. Hopefully, these ideas inspired you to find a sitter and make some time to get away and play. If you are looking for more adventure ideas be sure to check out my post Best Utah Adventure Date Ideas!
Which adventure activity sounds most interesting to you? What adventure ideas do you have on your bucket list?