How to Spend More Nights Outside in 2025

It’s a new year, which means it’s the perfect time to start looking into some outdoor resolutions for 2025. Cnoc Outdoors is providing some inspiration with four themed bundles perfect for helping you dive into a new outdoor hobby (or getting more out of an old one!) in the new year - all at a discount. Check out the Backpacker Bundle on our site now and check back each week for a new bundle and inspiration blog all January. 

Our first blog dives into ways to spend more nights outdoors in 2025. Stuck in a pattern of one backpacking trip a year or limited to a few weekend trips in the summer? Read on for tips to sneak in a few extra nights without draining all your PTO and abandoning your responsibilities. 

Find a good local trail

Everyone should have a good, utilitarian weekend backpacking trip in their back pocket. It shouldn’t have a complicated or competitive permit system. It should be a short drive away. It should be hikeable as much of the year as possible. When researching, you should prioritize those factors over trails with a particularly prestigious or glamorous locations - the goal is just to get out there. 

Research shoulder season trails

Planning peak season trips exclusively limits your window and can burn you out if you try to pack too much in. Try to include a shoulder season trek or two on your list so you're spreading out your adventure throughout the year. This is a commonly discussed topic, so you’ll be able to find shoulder season ideas for your area in both forums and blogs with a quick Google search. 

Invest in versatile gear

Having gear that will work for you in a variety of climates, environments, and seasons will keep you outside all year long without a prohibitive upfront cost on your individual trips. That ultralight 50 degree quilt might be tempting, but you’ll get far more bang for your buck with a 30 degree one. 

Utilize the Half Day Friday

Sneak an extra night on your weekend trips by taking a half day on the occasional Friday. Everyone at the office will remember seeing your face, but not that you left early. And no one is very productive on a Friday afternoon anyway. 

Convert a friend 

The more folks you have to backpack with, the more likely someone won’t have a scheduling conflict the weekend you want to head out! Plus new faces will keep things fresh for you and may open you up to trips you wouldn’t have taken otherwise. 

Don’t be afraid of a solo trip

In the same vein, being willing to take a trip solo removes any external limitation on when and where you can backpack. It can feel like a big step for folks that have never backpacked by themselves, but it’s a completely new experience you may find you really enjoy. If it’s something you’re nervous about, stick to trails with decent cell service or carry a GPS communicator. 

Already happy with how many nights you spend outside? Not the resolution for you? Check out our other blogs and bundles!