6 Adventurous Things to Do on Leap Day
The calendar needs righting, and you need a day of fun.
Every four years, the calendar requires a bit of cleaning up. Contrary to popular belief, it doesn't take 365 days for the Earth to rotate around the sun — it takes 365.25 days. A Leap Year, like 2020, handles this by putting 366 days on the calendar.
Leap Day, which is this coming Saturday, is an extra 24 hours to do with what you will. Aren't we always wishing for more time? Well, here it is!
Take advantage of this cosmic tidying with a day full of adventure. If you need some inspiration, we have a few ideas...
1. Take a Road Trip
Hike at Kasha-Katuwe Tent Rocks National Monument | Photo by Josiah Roe
Hop in your car or van with a friend and head out for a whirlwind road trip this weekend. Sleep under the stars, warm up your camper, or book a hotel room and explore somewhere new.
2. Go Mountain Biking
Forget Winter at These Southwest Mountain Biking Hotspots | Photo by Chris Engelsman
If you live within driving distance of a place where the singletrack isn't covered in snow, might we suggest you make your way there post-haste? Do for all of us who are dreaming of dry dirt and desert warmth.
3. Soak in Natural Hot Springs
10 Winter Adventures in Idaho | Photo by Dusty Klein
You don't need warm weather to enjoy a day of soaking in a natural hot spring — in fact, we think springs are the best when the snow starts to fall! Find a spring near you by filtering for "hot springs" on The Outbound Collective.
4. Ski the Bowls
It's Bowl Season! Here Are 6 Spots to Find the Best Bowling Skiing in North America | Photo by Idarado Media
Plan a last-minute ski trip and spend your Leap Day carving the groomers, weaving through trees, and floating over powder. It's bowl season, after all — go get some!
5. Hang With Your Family
A Family Paddle on Florida's Crystal Clear Ichetucknee River | Photo by Affuera Vida
Spend your extra day hanging with those you love — your family! Plan an adventure that everyone can enjoy, like a canoe or a snowshoe, and make some memories that'll see you through all those other years that only have 365 days.
6. Do Something Hard
Do Hard Things | Photo by Aaron Rickel
Experiencing beautiful places is nice, snapping that perfect shot at sunset can be rewarding, but when is the last time you did something hard? Like, really hard? Doing hard things, just for the sake of doing them and learning something new, is becoming a lost art. This Leap Day, go do something hard. Stretch your limits. See what happens.
Cover photo by Dusty Klein | Adventure: Soak in Kirkham Hot Springs
We want to acknowledge and thank the past, present, and future generations of all Native Nations and Indigenous Peoples whose ancestral lands we travel, explore, and play on. Always practice Leave No Trace ethics on your adventures and follow local regulations. Please explore responsibly!
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