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Our Most Popular Stories of 2023

The Outdoors.com team covered hundreds of stories in 2023—from showcasing national parks to providing tips for outdoor travel, outdoor survival, foraging, and more. We also covered plenty of news that impacted the outdoor community. Here’s a look back at the 10 most popular stories for 2023 and 10 you may have missed.

Outdoors.com’s 10 Most Popular Stories in 2023

1. Things You Didn’t Know About National Parks

This isn’t a single article but rather a series of articles in which our writers collected fun and lesser-known facts about national parks in the U.S. and beyond. We covered dozens of parks, including Yosemite, Glacier, Grand Canyon, Rocky Mountain, and Great Smoky Mountains. 

2. A Trail Camera Captures How Powerful Mountain Lions Are

Seeing wild animals do wild things is always a hit with the Outdoors.com audience. More affordable and better-quality trail cameras have given us a whole treasure trove of footage that we shared throughout the year. In this particular article, a video clip shows how terrifying a mountain lion can be when it pounces directly at you.

3. Dream Job Alert: Michigan DNR Is Hiring Bear Cub Cuddlers

Is there such a thing as a dream job? If so, this seems like it. In March, Michigan’s Department of Natural Resources hired someone to cuddle bears as they conducted research.

4.  Single Mom and Her 13 Kids Thru-Hiked the Appalachian Trail—What’s Next?

Parenting is never easy, but one woman didn’t let that slow her down. In fact, she did the opposite and took 13 of her 15 children on a thru-hike of the Appalachian Trail. 

5. How to Identify Toxic Mushrooms, According to Bear Grylls

Foraging struck a chord with the Outdoors.com audience in 2023. However, when it comes to mushroom foraging, extra caution is necessary. This is Bear Grylls’s advice on how to identify toxic mushrooms.

6. WATCH: This Baby Animal Crossing in Utah Is Adorable

This Utah DOT video showing a land bridge that allows animals (and their offspring) to safely cross a major roadway was a big hit.

7. The 9 Best National Parks for Seeing Wildflowers

From Crater Lake to the New River Gorge, this article helps visitors find the best time to see wildflowers at national parks all over the U.S.

8. Scientists Discover Giant Red Spider That Can Live for 20 Years

Scientists discovered a new species of spider this year in Australia. (Don’t click on this one unless you’re cool with spiders, which, apparently, many of you are.)

9. Superbloom? Or SuperSHROOM? California Storms Spawn Epic Mushroom Season

Wildflowers are beautiful, but if you’re more of an Alice in Wonderland fan, then this superSHROOM article is for you. Check out how California’s wet year helped contribute to an explosion of mushrooms.

10. Looking for Fall Foliage? Great Smoky Mountain National Park Wants You to Look Elsewhere

America’s national parks can be crowded. Great Smoky Mountain National Park officials offered some advice to see the fall foliage—elsewhere. 

Sometimes, great stories fly under the radar. Here are 10 more Outdoors.com stories from 2023 that deserve some more time in the limelight.

Great Outdoors.com Articles You Might Have Missed in 2023

1. What Do Park Rangers Do? Go Behind the Scenes With a Real-Life Ranger

In this guest post, a California park ranger shared a day in her life with details about patrols and other job responsibilities.

2. Extreme Tourism Is a Booming Industry for the Rich, But Is It Ethical?

The final frontier of the outdoors is taking people to the bottom of the ocean and into outer space. We look at the ethics of this modern age of adventures.

3. Ice Baths, Nootropics, and Beyond: The Science of Biohacking

Is biohacking just a trend? We look at the real benefits of activities like ice baths and taking nootropics.

4. Inside the Minds of Thrill Seekers: Why Participate in Dangerous Outdoor Sports?

The outdoors drives some to extreme pursuits with free climbing, BASE jumping, and more. Here is what inspires people to do these dangerous activities.

5. Nature vs. Burnout: How the Great Outdoors Could Address the Burnout Epidemic

There’s a burnout epidemic, and spending time in nature may benefit your health for the better. We take a closer look in this article.

Together with Inside Hotels

Hotels We Love: Meritage Resort & Spa

Whether you go to Napa Valley for food, wine, or spa treatments, you’ll find what you’re looking for at The Meritage Resort & Spa. An amenity-packed retreat with an equally packed events calendar, you won’t be without things to do here. The onsite Spa Terra is located underground in a former wine cave, and its menu changes with the seasons. Culinary options range from award-winning to grab-and-go, and there’s even a food & wine center for culinary demonstrations. The only hard choice you’ll have to make is whether you’d rather spend your afternoon at the pool or on a vineyard picnic.

⛺️ The Packing List

Featured Guide: The Best Bear Spray You Can Buy Right Now

Bear spray is one of those things that you never want to use, but having it makes you feel a little safer when you’re out on the trails. If you come across a bear, especially a brown bear or grizzly, in the wild, there are certain behaviors to watch for that can help you avoid bear attacks.

Even when you learn and heed these warning behaviors, carrying bear spray is an important safety net, and can even be a crucial last resort. If you’re in need of a refill on your bear deterrent spray, or in the market to purchase your first canister, here are the best bear sprays on the market right now.

Counter Assault bear spray is the most trusted brand on the market to date, for it’s spray duration and distance.

• Most Trusted – Counter Assault

• Best for First-Time Buyers – SABRE Frontiersman

• Best for Gifting – UDAP Pepper Power, Two Pack

• Best for Bears… or Other Large Animals – Mace Brand Holster

• Best for Stopping Aggressive Bears – UDAP Griz Guard Bear Pepper Spray.

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