Outdoor Goals You Can Actually Accomplish in 2026

Outdoor Goals You Can Actually Accomplish in 2026

If you’ve been craving more fresh air, trail days, or weekend escapes, 2026 is your year to finally make it happen. And you don’t need to overhaul your entire life or buy a mountain of gear to do it. With a few realistic goals and the right lightweight setup (hello, Near Zero), getting outdoors becomes way easier and more fun.

Here are achievable goals you can crush this year, plus where to start and how ultralight, beginner-friendly gear from Near Zero can help you get there.

Take on a “12 Hikes in 12 Months” Challenge

A hike a month is the perfect consistency goal—enough to feel adventurous, not enough to burn you out.

How to make it happen:

  • Start local so you don’t rely on perfect schedules.

  • Track your progress with photos or a notes app.

  • Use lightweight day-hiking essentials to stay comfortable without feeling weighed down.

Why Near Zero helps:
Near Zero’s ultralight day gear keeps your pack simple, streamlined, and beginner-friendly—no more hauling around bulky, unnecessary items.

Where to go:

  • Utah: Bonneville Shoreline Trail, Corner Canyon, Stewart Falls.

  • PNW: Snoqualmie Pass or Forest Park.

  • East Coast: Catskills, Shenandoah, White Mountains.

Complete Your First Overnight Backpacking Trip

Backpacking doesn’t have to be intimidating—especially when you’re using simple, lightweight gear made for beginners.

How to make it happen:

  • Choose a one-night, low-elevation beginner trail.

  • Rent gear if you’re new and want to try things out first.

  • Keep your pack under 30 lbs for a smoother experience.

Why Near Zero helps:
The Near Zero DEAN 60L ultralight backpack keeps your load light and organized, and its modular camping system makes it easy to pack only what you need. You can even rent gear from Near Zero if you’re not ready to buy—perfect for new backpackers.

Beginner-friendly routes:

  • Desolation Wilderness (CA)

  • Lamar Valley (WY)

  • Uintas (UT)

Learn to Build a Reliable Campfire—Even in Snow or Rain

This is an underrated skill, but once you learn it, your confidence skyrockets.

How to make it happen:

  • Practice in a legal fire pit at home.

  • Try different fire-building methods.

  • Use proper fire-starting tools instead of relying on luck.

Why Near Zero helps:
Near Zero’s mini stove, fire-starting kits, and compact tools make winter or damp-weather camping way less stressful.

Where to practice:

  • Wasatch Mountain State Park (Utah)

  • Tahoe National Forest (California)

  • Mt. Hood (Oregon)

  • Great Smoky Mountains NP (North Carolina & Tennessee) 

Camp Once Each Season

Camping through all four seasons is a surprisingly grounding goal—and with the right lightweight setup, it’s way easier than you’d think.

How to make it happen:

  • Choose drive-up campgrounds for spring and fall.

  • Use ultralight winter-ready gear for cold months.

  • Ease into each season with shorter overnighters.

Why Near Zero helps:
Near Zero’s insulated sleep systems and ultralight modular kits take the guesswork out of what to pack. Their all-in-one rental bundles are clutch if you don’t want to buy winter-specific gear.

Where to go by season:

  • Winter: Southern Utah, Arizona state parks

  • Spring: Smoky Mountains, Yosemite Valley

  • Summer: Glacier NP, Adirondacks, Uintas

  • Fall: Colorado’s Maroon Bells, New England trails

Learn One New Outdoor Skill

Skills make the outdoors feel more accessible and safe—no extra bulk in your pack required.

Ideas:

  • Map and compass basics

  • Water filtration techniques

  • Ultralight packing strategies

  • Stove and shelter setup in bad weather

  • Easy backcountry cooking

Why Near Zero helps:
Near Zero’s gear is designed to be intuitive, simple, and extremely beginner-friendly making it easier to learn skills without wrestling with complicated equipment.

Where to learn it:

  • REI classes

  • Local outdoor shops

  • National park ranger programs

  • Guided beginner backpacking courses

Plan a “Big Dream Hike” for the End of 2026

Your big adventure doesn’t have to be a thru-hike. Think of something that feels major to you.

Ideas:

  • Angels Landing (Utah)

  • The Narrows (Utah)

  • Four Pass Loop (Colorado)

  • Havasupai (Arizona)

  • Superior Hiking Trail section (Minnesota) 

  • Teton Crest Trail (Wyoming)

Why Near Zero helps:
Going ultralight makes dream hikes feel way more doable. The Adventure Bundle paired with The DEAN 60L will keep your load light and organized so you can go farther with less effort. Going on a same-day hike? Take The Little DEAN, it’s comfortable, can be paired with a hydration bladder, and has plenty of space for extra shoes, snacks, and more. 

Create Your Own Signature Adventure

Pick something fun, quirky, or personal and make it your thing for 2026.

Ideas:

  • Visit every national park in your state

  • Camp in 5 new places

  • Hike to 10 new lakes

  • Try one sunrise hike each month

  • Family “no-phone campout” tradition

  • Monthly ultralight gear test day

Why Near Zero helps:
Their lightweight gear makes spontaneous adventures way more doable. You can grab your pack, toss in a few essentials, and go.

Make 2026 the Year You Actually Get Outside

You don’t need expensive gear or huge blocks of time. You just need simple goals, lightweight equipment that feels intuitive, and a willingness to say yes to new experiences.

 

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