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What if your next big adventure started with a podcast? Outdoor and survival podcasts are booming: According to the New York Times, downloads for some shows have doubled in the past year.
Listeners aren't just entertained — they're inspired to get outside and explore. The right story can ignite your wanderlust even before you decide where to go. That's why we've put together the 12 best outdoor podcasts, carefully curated with insights from experts like Bear Grylls and the editors of Backpacker.
These shows are a great fit if you love hiking, biking, camping, or just admiring the backcountry. They will keep your adventurous spirit alive year-round!
Why start listening to outdoor podcasts now
A study conducted by Edison Research shows that podcasting is experiencing a significant comeback, now attracting a record-breaking 90 million weekly listeners in the US. More than just entertainment, the right outdoor podcast can:
Teach you new survival skills
Introduce you to hidden travel gems
Inspire you to set (and smash) your adventure goals
Headway — Your bonus audio resource for outdoor inspiration
As Bear Grylls recounts in his book Mud, Sweat and Tears, our achievements are only limited by the beliefs we impose on ourselves. If we constantly tell ourselves that we don’t have what it takes, that inevitably becomes our reality. Freeing ourselves from these limiting beliefs is what led Bear to be able to:
Achieve his childhood dream of climbing to the summit of Everest at age 23;
Become one of the youngest second-dan black belts in the UK;
Create a prime-time TV adventure series, “Man vs. Wild,” with 1.2 billion viewers worldwide;
Lead record-breaking expeditions to the world’s extremes, which have raised more than $2.3 million for children’s charities.
If you are short on time, the Headway app is meant for you. Our app offers 15-minute audio book summaries of the best nonfiction adventure stories — perfect for fueling your outdoor passion without hours of reading.
Bear Grylls, the legendary adventurer, proves how mindset shapes success. In his book 'Mud, Sweat and Tears,' Bear shares how freeing yourself from limiting beliefs helped him:
Climb Mount Everest at just 23 years old
Earn one of the youngest second-dan black belts in the UK
Build a TV series watched by 1.2 billion viewers worldwide
Lead expeditions raising over $2.3 million for children's charities
Bear's story is just one of many you can discover on Headway. Whether you want motivation from adventure biographies, insights on mindfulness in nature, or the science behind the psychological benefits of the outdoors, we have got you covered.
Not sure where to begin? Explore our content:
12 best outdoor podcasts for your next adventure
If you love the outdoors, podcasts are a great way to stay connected and inspired. Whether you're on a hike or just dreaming about your next outdoor adventure, these are the 12 best shows out there for adventure enthusiasts. Most of them are available for both Apple and Spotify podcast users.
1. Outside/In — best outdoor podcast for environmentalists
Outside/In is one of the best catch-all outdoor podcasts on the market. The show is about the natural world and how we use it. Current host Nate Hegyi talks with people who work, play, and live outside. He also discusses fascinating plants and animals you've never heard of.
Nate also touches on sustainability issues and how individuals are working to harness the earth to be more eco-conscious. For example, a recent episode titled "The Race to Net Zero: Building a Car-Free Future."
If you are looking for a great podcast that discusses the beauty of nature and how we should care for it, Outside/In is a great option.
2. America's National Parks Podcast — best outdoor podcast on National Parks
America's greatest resource is its 400-plus outstanding National Parks. This podcast is arguably one of the most significant resources for information about them. This outdoor podcast features news, history, stories, adventure sports, and tips for visiting the great outdoor world.
This series has you covered, whether you are interested in listening to insights from park workers or learning about wildlife and plants.
3. The Adventure Podcast — best outdoor podcast for deep, reflective storytelling
If you want more than just adrenaline-filled adventure stories, The Adventure Podcast is for you. This weekly podcast, hosted by Matt Pycroft, features relaxed, in-depth chats with explorers, climbers, and photographers.
Instead of focusing on gear or logistics, the show digs into the "why" behind their journeys — what drives them, what scares them, and what they learn along the way. It often touches on mental health and the personal challenges that come with pushing limits in the wild.
For fans of She-Explores and stories of adventure that go beyond the surface, this podcast offers a thoughtful, human look at life outdoors.
4. Backpacker Radio — the best outdoor podcast for hikers
From the Pacific Crest to the Appalachian Trail and everything in between, Backpacker Radio discusses all there is to know about long-distance backpacking. If you didn't already know that thru-hikers and backpackers have their own exclusive culture, and if you are a part of it or are curious to see behind the curtain, this is the podcast for you.
Co-hosts Juliana Chauncey and Zach Davis discuss everything hiking-related, from practical trip advice to what gear you need, to interviews with impressive hikers and details about specific trails. Topics include:
Trail culture
Advice
Interviews
Gear among others
If you are considering packing a bag and heading into the woods, give Backpacker Radio a listen.
5. Out There — best outdoor podcast for personal growth through nature
Out There isn't just about the outdoors — it's about how nature changes us from the inside out. Hosted by Willow Belden, this award-winning show mixes interesting stories with thoughtful reflections.
You'll hear from backpackers and adventurers whose time in nature helped them face challenges or find new meaning in life. If you've enjoyed backpacking podcasts like The First 40 Miles, this one takes the experience deeper by exploring the personal growth that comes with spending time outside.
It's a reminder that sometimes the biggest adventures happen within ourselves.
6. The Dirtbag Diaries — best outdoor podcast for adventure stories
The Dirtbag Diaries has been a trailblazer in the space and a staple on every best outdoor podcast list for years. Backed by Patagonia, this long-running podcast has been sharing thrilling outdoor tales since 2007. Think of this podcast as a modern version of the campfire story. Every episode features an inspiring outdoor-related tale.
The Dirtbag Diaries episodes have two formats: "Features," which are longer episodes with interviews and narration, and "Shorts," which are brief essays written and read by listeners.
With a massive backlog of catalogs, figuring out where to start can be intimidating. One of the most famous episodes is "Paul's Boots," which serves as a humble reminder of how short life is to fulfill the greatest desires on our bucket lists.
7. Humans Outside — best outdoor podcast for daily nature inspiration
Can spending just 20 minutes outside each day really change your life? Humans Outside, hosted by Amy Bushatz, explores that question through personal stories and interviews, with new episodes that often resonate with the same spirit found in the best hiking podcasts.
Amy started the adventure podcast after committing to a daily nature habit herself, and now inspires listeners — from casual walkers to thru-hikers — to do the same. She's even spoken with guests who have taken on the Appalachian Trail, Pacific Crest Trail, and other long-distance adventures, offering insight into completing a thru-hike.
Whether strolling in a city park or preparing for a major trek, this show helps you find simple, meaningful ways to connect with nature every day.
8. Outside Podcast — best outdoor podcast for ripped-from-the-headlines stories
If you haven't heard of Outside Podcast, you may have heard of Outside magazine — the premier outlet for outdoor enthusiasts. The adventure podcast represents their longstanding literary storytelling tradition coming to life, which is to say, it functions like an audio version of the magazine.
Outside Podcast was launched in March of 2016 with the series "Science of Survival" and has since expanded into a range of story formats, such as interviews with notable figures in adventure and the outdoors and reports from correspondents in the field.
Each episode features a story, whether an inspirational road trip or a harrowing tale of survival. If you want a "ripped from the headlines" listen, this outdoor podcast is for you.
9. Downtime — best outdoor podcast for mountain bikers
If you love mountain biking, Downtime is the best adventure podcast for you. Host Chris Hall has been mountain biking for over 30 years, but found that he wasn't improving. His riding transformed after completing a training program and taking some mountain bike coaching sessions.
This outdoor podcast was born out of the wish to make that information available to as many people as possible and get more enjoyment from riding bikes in the woods.
Hall interviews coaches, athletes, professional mechanics, and anyone else involved in mountain biking to provide more insight into how they do what they do. Each episode contains valuable tips and tricks to feel stronger on your bike.
10. Wild Ideas Worth Living — best outdoor podcast for motivation
REI is one of the most popular places to purchase outdoor gear. And they've now turned that expertise into a successful outdoor podcast. Despite being a retailer, Wild Ideas Worth Living steers clear of discussions about camping and fitness gear. Instead, the podcast features interviews with people who found purpose through their experiences with nature and took the road less traveled.
Journalist and host Shelby Stanger interviews authors, health experts, world-class explorers, scientists, entrepreneurs, and athletes about how they've made their wild ideas a reality. This adventure podcast might inspire you to find your calling in the wild.
11. The Sharp End — best outdoor podcast for climbers
If you love listening to a story that has you on the edge of your seat, The Sharp End is the best outdoor podcast for you. Host Ashley Saupe, a long-time instructor for Outward Bound, brings the stories from the "Accidents in North American Climbing" pages to life.
Saupe's intention with this outdoor podcast is to help climbers learn from other people's mistakes and minimize future accidents through storytelling. In the episodes, Ashley interviews rescuers and climbers involved in life-threatening incidents.
They share their lessons and warnings, helping listeners become safer climbers and outdoor adventurers in general.
12. She Explores — best outdoor podcast for women
Since 2016, Gale Straub, host and founder of She Explore, has been discussing women's experiences in the outdoors in relation to community, motherhood, inclusion, self-love, mental health, advocacy, and more.
She brings together multiple perspectives on her podcast, from everyday explorers worldwide to famous names within the community, all the while highlighting inspirational female journeys.
This outdoor podcast creates a space where expression is encouraged, and others' voices are amplified. She explores the fact that there is no "one way" to find ourselves outside, making it a platform for beginner adventurers and expert explorers alike.
If you want a raw, in-depth conversation about solo trekking, this adventure podcast is for you.
Start your next adventure with Headway: Explore stories of the great outdoors!
An inspiring outdoor podcast can be life-changing. The benefits of spending time in nature and conquering your adventure goals are endless. Use this article to discover the best outdoor podcasts for your adventure lifestyle.
Whether you are interested in hiking, backpacking, rock climbing, mountain biking, camping, national parks, or just a good old adventure story, there is a podcast for you.
Learning about the outdoors and how you can engage with nature can be overwhelming — there are so many different options! With Headway, you can take your outdoor journey at your own pace by dedicating just 15 minutes daily to our audiobook summaries on topics like adventure, health, mindfulness, the outdoors, and more.
Enriching your mind with the words of bestselling authors in this genre can empower you to take the leap and step out into the great outdoors.
Download the Headway app today to listen to the world's best nonfiction book summaries and enhance your outdoor experience!
FAQs about the best outdoor podcasts
What are the top 10 most listened to podcasts?
The top 10 most listened to podcasts often include shows like The Joe Rogan Experience, Crime Junkie, The Daily, Call Her Daddy, and My Favorite Murder. These podcasts dominate due to diverse topics, engaging hosts, and large loyal audiences worldwide in 2025.
Can I do a podcast alone?
Yes, you can absolutely do a podcast alone. There are many successful solo podcasters. They manage things like content creation, hosting, and editing. Solo podcasts are great for personal storytelling and direct connection with listeners. This is why they are a popular choice for beginners and experts alike.
Can you do a podcast outside?
Yes, you can record a podcast outside. Outdoor podcasting adds authentic ambiance but requires good microphones and wind protection to capture clear audio. Many nature and adventure podcasters use portable equipment to record interviews or stories in natural settings.
What are some underrated podcasts?
Underrated podcasts include hidden gems like The Adventure Zone, Heavyweight, and Song Exploder. These shows may have smaller audiences but offer unique storytelling, fresh perspectives, and high-quality content, perfect for listeners seeking something new beyond mainstream hits.
What podcast is everyone listening to?
Everyone is listening to The Joe Rogan Experience, which remains one of the most popular podcasts globally. A few more popular shows include SmartLess, Call Her Daddy, and Crime Junkie. These podcasts attract millions because they mix entertainment, true crime, and honest conversations.
