10 Inexpensive Outdoor Activities in MD/DC/VA

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Snowboarding – Take a class and then rip it up at a local ski resort.  Try Whitetail, Ski Liberty or Wisp.


Snowboarding in Maryland!

Inexpensive Adventures in MD/VA/WV - Try Caving! Caving – Venture into an underground labyrinth and explore the beauty of one of the wild caves of West Virginia.  Check out an Introduction to Caving program to learn more.

Rock Climbing – Indoors or outdoors, rock climbing in the DC area is easy to find, and offers something for everyone.  Give it a try indoors at Earthtreks or Sportrock, and then venture outdoors with one of our top-roping courses.


Rock Climbing adventures in Maryland

Introduction to Mountain Biking at Seneca Creek State Park Mountain Biking – The trails at Schaeffer Farms give beginners and advanced riders alike a chance for steep hills and curvy single-track.  If you’re new to the sport, check out our Introduction to Mountain Biking courses.

Flat-water Canoeing – The rivers and lakes around Washington DC provide some excellent paddling for the recreational canoe paddler.  If you are itching to learn some new paddle strokes, check out the classes offered by The Canoe Cruisers Association

Flat water Canoeing on the Potomac River

Whitewater kayaking on the Potomac River Whitewater Kayaking – World-class whitewater can be found on the Potomac River. If you are new to the sport, or simply want to improve your techniques, check out the instruction courses offered by Liquid Adventures and Potomac Paddlesports.

Sailing – Travel down to the Eastern Shore of Maryland and enjoy a day of sailing.  Learn to sail with Annapolis Sailing School and you can join a club that meets to sail near the Chesapeake Bay.

Sailing on the Chesapeake Bay

Backpacking in Western Maryland Backpacking – Hike Shenandoah’s Blue Ridge trails, or venture out to Western Maryland to enjoy the trails near Blackwater Falls.  If you are ready for wilderness travel, sign up for a Backpacking Adventure and take a long weekend on the trail.

Shelter building during a Wilderness Skills clinic with GO-Adventures Wilderness Survival Instruction – When you’re ready to transition your camping from “car camping” to “backcountry” it’s time to brush up on your Wilderness Skills.

Multi-Sport Adventures – With so many adventures to choose from, who wants to do just one?  Sign up for a multi-sport adventure and you could be climbing today, camping along the trail tonight, and caving tomorrow morning!

Camping during an Adventure Weekend with GO-Adventures

Via Ferrata – combining rock climbing, hiking and ropes challenge course into one amazing adventure, the Via Ferrata (Iron Way) is an excellent introduction to the excitement of mountain face travel.

Via Ferrata - combining climbing and ropes course in West Virginia

Recreational Tree Climbing clinic teaches safe ropework for new climbers. Recreational Tree Climbing – Trees are plentiful in the DMV, and with plenty of deciduous species all up and down the mid-atlantic, you don’t have to drive very far to find a good tree for climbing! A Tree Climbing clinic will show you the ropes!