The gentle breeze rustles the leaves, the aroma of pine fills the air, and you’ve just taken out your smartphone. Don’t worry about checking your device while enjoying the great outdoors! A variety of applications are now available that can significantly improve your outdoor adventures instead of being a distraction—be it an offline map, an audio tour for your headphones, or guidance on distinguishing poison ivy from harmless plants. (See also: 10 Smartphone Apps That Can Help You in an Emergency)
1. Bivy
The Bivy app serves as a compact outdoor adventure guide that you can carry along while hiking. Whenever you find yourself in a new location and are searching for a trail to hike, climb or paddle, simply access the app. It also enables you to document and share your outdoor experiences with fellow enthusiasts.
This tool is especially great at notifying you if you veer off course, which I personally find invaluable. Last weekend, for instance, my family and I attempted to reach a waterfall using directions from an online source. Despite following the clues and covering the suggested distance, we ended up fruitless in our quest. Next time, we’ll rely on Bivy. (See also: 10 Most Breathtaking Day Hikes in the U.S.)
2. PlantSnap Plant Identification
Among the myriad apps claiming to identify various plants and trees through photos, PlantSnap stands out for receiving robust reviews from users on both the iTunes App Store and Google Play Store.
The app’s developers assert it can identify 90 percent of plant and tree species globally, though user experiences suggest its accuracy can be hit-or-miss. If you’re fond of snapping pictures of flowers and bushes but struggle to identify them, this app is a worthwhile investment at $3.99 on iTunes or free on Google Play. (See also: 6 Surprising Ways a Houseplant Can Save You Money)
3. HERE WeGo
Promoted as a navigation app for urban settings, HERE WeGo also proves advantageous for forest hikes due to its ability to download maps for offline use. Just save your destination while you’re still in range, and venture into the wild without worry of losing your signal. This function is especially useful for international travels when data may be limited. (See also: 8 Ways to Save on Smartphone Costs While Traveling)
4. Just Ahead
I’m notorious for missing wildlife moments or stumbling over my own feet because I’m engrossed in a guidebook. Just Ahead provides an audio-guided experience for several National Parks, including Yosemite, Zion, and the Grand Canyon. While it may seem pricey for an app (it’s free to download, but each travel guide costs up to $19.99 for in-app purchases), these professionally written and narrated tours come from seasoned writers with credentials from National Geographic and similar channels.
Plus, if you find yourself off the grid, the guide is saved to your phone and will function without a cellular connection. (See also: How to Save on National Park Visits in 2018)
5. Sky Guide or Star Walk 2
Utilizing your phone’s GPS, both Sky Guide and Star Walk 2 incorporate augmented reality to help you identify stars and celestial bodies in the direction your device faces.
I mention both applications because Sky Guide (priced at $2.99) is not available for Android users. Instead, those on Android (as well as iOS users) can experiment with Star Walk 2, accessible in both free and $2.99 formats.
6. Maprika
Initially marketed as a skiing app, Maprika offers much more. It not only assists with hiking and biking trail navigation but can also help locate restrooms at theme parks or guide you on college campuses. A standout feature is its ability to show your exact location on the map, similar to the friendly “YOU ARE HERE” indicators on public maps. Additionally, if you’re hiking with a group, you can track your friends or kids on the app as well. (See also: 6 Cheap Date Ideas for Nature Lovers)
7. ChirpOMatic or Bird Song ID
Similar to the sky mapping applications, ChirpOMatic is the leading option but is exclusively available for iPhone at $3.99. Android users can turn to Bird Song ID, which is priced at $4.99, to enjoy similar features.
Often likened to “Shazam for birds,” these apps let you record avian songs, which they then analyze to determine the species you’re hearing. Like other recognition apps, user satisfaction varies; while some reviewers appreciate their functionality, others find them less reliable.
8. AllTrails
AllTrails is a favored mapping application offering essential features like trail discovery and navigational guidance. Users particularly appreciate reading comments from others, which can often help avoid trails that are snowy or lead to old, dried-up waterfalls. With over 50,000 ratings on iTunes, it’s likely that another user has valuable information regarding your intended trail.
A paid Pro version (available for $29.99 per year) includes options to download offline maps, create custom routes, and generate real-time overlays showing conditions like heat or air quality along your path—all without the interruption of ads present in the free version. (See also: 7 Affordable Destinations for Nature Lovers)
