Shows / Virginia Outdoor Adventures: Hiking, Camping, Kayaking, Local Travel and more!
Virginia Outdoor Adventures: Hiking, Camping, Kayaking, Local Travel and more!
From the Blue Ridge Mountains to the Chesapeake Bay, Virginia is a mecca for outdoor travel and adventure. Virginia Outdoor Adventures Podcast is your local guide to hiking, camping, kayaking, travel and so much more. Get the information and the inspiration to plan your own adventure, right here in Virginia. Lets Go!
Episodes
Virginia Outdoor Adventures: Hiking, Camping, Kayaking, Local Travel and more!Virginia’s Adventure Towns: Onancock – Paddling, Boating, Fishing, and Camping the Eastern Shore with Mary and Bill Burnham, Burnham Guides (Ep 64, Part 1)
What if you could explore a destination that's off the beaten path yet brimming with natural beauty and cultural treasures? Discover the hidden gem of historic…
Virginia Outdoor Adventures: Hiking, Camping, Kayaking, Local Travel and more!Haunted Hikes, Cabin Gear Packing List, Backpacking and First Aid Gear Discounts, Podcast Behind the Scenes, Fan Mail Bag, and more (Ep 63, Part 2)
In part 2 of this two-part episode, I’ll share highlights from my latest newsletter, featuring discounts on backpacking and first aid gear. We’ll wrap up with…
Virginia Outdoor Adventures: Hiking, Camping, Kayaking, Local Travel and more!Haunted Hikes, Cabin Gear Packing List, Backpacking and First Aid Gear Discounts, Podcast Behind the Scenes, Fan Mail Bag, and more (Ep 63, Part 1)
Join me for a spine-tingling episode filled with spooky stories from a haunted hike— perfect for those who love a good thrill! Plus, we’ll dive into your fan…
Virginia Outdoor Adventures: Hiking, Camping, Kayaking, Local Travel and more!Virginia's Venomous and Nonvenomous Snakes: Hiking Safety, Myths, and Appreciation with Caroline Seitz, Virginia Herpetological Society (Ep 62, Part 2)
We’re slithering into the fascinating world of Virginia’s snakes, equipping you with practical tips to enjoy the great outdoors while respecting these…
Virginia Outdoor Adventures: Hiking, Camping, Kayaking, Local Travel and more!Virginia's Venomous and Nonvenomous Snakes: Hiking Safety, Myths, and Appreciation with Caroline Seitz, Virginia Herpetological Society (Ep 62, Part 1)
We’re slithering into the fascinating world of Virginia’s snakes, equipping you with practical tips to enjoy the great outdoors while respecting these…
Virginia Outdoor Adventures: Hiking, Camping, Kayaking, Local Travel and more!Scenic Hikes in Southwest Virginia: Breaks Park and Pine Mountain Trail (Ep 61, Part 2)
Get ready to uncover the hidden gems of Southwest Virginia's scenic hiking destinations. Tyler Mullins of the Pine Mountain Trail Conference, takes us on a…
Virginia Outdoor Adventures: Hiking, Camping, Kayaking, Local Travel and more!Scenic Hikes in Southwest Virginia: Breaks Park and Pine Mountain Trail (Ep 61, Part 1)
Get ready to uncover the hidden gems of Southwest Virginia's scenic hiking destinations. Tyler Mullins of the Pine Mountain Trail Conference, takes us on a…
Virginia Outdoor Adventures: Hiking, Camping, Kayaking, Local Travel and more!Hurricane Helene in Southwest Virginia: Status of Trails/Parks/Public Lands, Our Outdoor Community Can Help (Special Edition)
Hi Friends, If you’re like me, you’ve been watching the news about the devastating aftermath of Hurricane Helene and wondering what you can do to help. Our…
Virginia Outdoor Adventures: Hiking, Camping, Kayaking, Local Travel and more!Season 5 Trailer - New Episodes, Giveaways, Upcoming Events, Fan Mail Texting, Shout Outs and more (Ep 60)
I'm back for a fifth season of Virginia Outdoor Adventures! In the Season 5 Trailer, get a sneak peek of new episodes, upcoming fall festivals and events where…
Virginia Outdoor Adventures: Hiking, Camping, Kayaking, Local Travel and more!59. Wandering Waters Paddle Quest with Sammy Zambon, Virginia State Parks
“Our goal for Wandering Waters is to get people out and exploring our parks, either on a stand up paddle board, a kayak, or a canoe and seeing our parks from a…
Virginia Outdoor Adventures: Hiking, Camping, Kayaking, Local Travel and more!58. Virginia’s Adventure Towns: Urbanna's River Life - Fishing, Crabbing, Boating, Camping & Paddling with Rivah Sistah
“For us to get to Grey’s Point campground, we had to pass through Urbanna. So one day I made a left just to explore and I was like, 'Wow! It’s so beautiful!'…
Virginia Outdoor Adventures: Hiking, Camping, Kayaking, Local Travel and more!57. Walk Ride Paddle: A Life Outside with Senator Tim Kaine
"Everybody has a favorite place in Virginia like a trail, a sunset, a beach, a lake, or a river. Everyone has a place that's special to them and everyone is…
Virginia Outdoor Adventures: Hiking, Camping, Kayaking, Local Travel and more!56. Let’s Go Adventures - Camping, Hiking, Kayaking, Fly Fishing, Archery, and Orienteering with Diego Riffle and Sarah King, Virginia State Parks
“Sarah and I want folks to gain some confidence recreating in the outdoors, especially in our Virginia State Parks, and gain some knowledge on how to recreate…
Virginia Outdoor Adventures: Hiking, Camping, Kayaking, Local Travel and more!55. Appalachia’s Greatest Conservation Story: Elk Restoration in Southwest Virginia with Jackie Rosenberger, Virginia Department of Wildlife Resources, and Avery Rose, Breaks Interstate Park
“For almost 200 years we didn't have this native animal. It was because of volunteers and people like Jackie with Virginia DWR and their combined efforts with…
Virginia Outdoor Adventures: Hiking, Camping, Kayaking, Local Travel and more!54. Ticks and Tick-Borne Diseases: Protecting Yourself in the Outdoors with Dr. Holly Gaff, Old Dominion University
“As part of the change in economy, we reforested the eastern part of the United States. We have a lot of forests now that are about 100 years old. As the trees…
Virginia Outdoor Adventures: Hiking, Camping, Kayaking, Local Travel and more!53. Virginia’s Adventure Towns: Farmville with Mayor Brian Vincent
“There's a real excitement about Farmville, a steady progression, where we sit on this cusp of what we all think is an opportunistic moment for Farmville to…
Virginia Outdoor Adventures: Hiking, Camping, Kayaking, Local Travel and more!52. Dragon’s Tooth, Cascade Falls, and other gems of the Eastern Divide Ranger District with Ranger Beth Christensen, George Washington & Jefferson National Forests
“I couldn't be more proud. My staff and I have a lot of pride in taking care of these areas and this landscape, because there are so many things to love and…
Virginia Outdoor Adventures: Hiking, Camping, Kayaking, Local Travel and more!51. Trail of Transformation: Discovering Nature’s Path to Inner Strength and Resiliency with Kevin Conley, Wildland Firefighter and Author of Above the Ashes
“The best way to describe how I got into this journey is that in the past, I've hiked the Appalachian Trail and the Pacific Crest Trail, and I've done bike…
Virginia Outdoor Adventures: Hiking, Camping, Kayaking, Local Travel and more!50. Virginia's Adventure Towns: St. Paul with Maddie Gordon, Clinch Life Outfitters
“My husband and I traveled out west and saw wonderful, amazing sights. My favorite thing was coming back into Southwest Virginia, seeing our mountains and…
Virginia Outdoor Adventures: Hiking, Camping, Kayaking, Local Travel and more!49. Hiking Virginia’s Summits with Erin Gifford, Go Hike Virginia
“One of my favorite things about Virginia summits is I love going up there and being able to stare out, getting lost in the views. Virginia has so many…
Virginia Outdoor Adventures: Hiking, Camping, Kayaking, Local Travel and more!48. Journey along the James: Paddling, Camping, and Exploring Virginia's Iconic River with Charles Johnson, James River Association
“The James River runs 340 miles through the heart of Virginia, from the Blue Ridge all the way to the beautiful Chesapeake Bay. The river’s watershed is…
Virginia Outdoor Adventures: Hiking, Camping, Kayaking, Local Travel and more!47. Ocean Connections: Catching Waves and Conserving Coastlines with Drew White, Coastal Plant Ecology Lab at VCU
“I've taken a boogie board out in just the tiniest little waves breaking right on the shore and had a blast. I've taken a surfboard out in waves that were…
Virginia Outdoor Adventures: Hiking, Camping, Kayaking, Local Travel and more!46. Jeep Overlanding with Shawn Van Der Poel and Dawn Creamer, Terra Overland
“Once those tires hit the dirt, it's a completely different experience. It's about getting out and having a great adventure, freeing your mind, freeing your…
Virginia Outdoor Adventures: Hiking, Camping, Kayaking, Local Travel and more!Bonus Episode: Backcountry Meal Prep with Aaron Owens Mayhew, Registered Dietician and owner of Backcountry Foodie
Following Episode 44, Beginner Backpacking with Alison Wata of Exploration Solo, I received a lot of requests for additional information about trail food and…
Virginia Outdoor Adventures: Hiking, Camping, Kayaking, Local Travel and more!45. Waterfalls of Shenandoah National Park with Ranger Kevin Moses
“I love everything about waterfalls. I love their energy. I love the sound they make in the otherwise quiet woods. I love the mist that forms at the base of…
Virginia Outdoor Adventures: Hiking, Camping, Kayaking, Local Travel and more!44. Beginner Backpacking with Alison Wata, Exploration Solo
“Teaching others how to backpack takes being confident in your own skills, knowing what you can handle, and a desire to help other people love the outdoors.”…
Virginia Outdoor Adventures: Hiking, Camping, Kayaking, Local Travel and more!43. Virginia’s Lost Appalachian Trail with Mills Kelly, Historian and Host of The Green Tunnel Podcast
“The Appalachian Trail is thought of as a trail for thru hikers but it's just not true. Three to four million people will hike on the Appalachian Trail this…
Virginia Outdoor Adventures: Hiking, Camping, Kayaking, Local Travel and more!42. A Glimpse into the Wonderful World of Virginia’s Wildlife with Meagan Thomas, Virginia Department of Wildlife Resources
“You get this intimate view of something that you don't get to see too often, and you kind of get to know the birds and what to expect from them. You get…
Virginia Outdoor Adventures: Hiking, Camping, Kayaking, Local Travel and more!41. Stargazing in Virginia’s Dark Sky Parks with Jayme Hanzak, Chapel Hill Astronomical and Observational Society
“As I stared at the cloud, I realized it wasn’t really a cloud. Those were all stars. It was very humbling for a 12-year-old to be looking up at the Milky Way…
Virginia Outdoor Adventures: Hiking, Camping, Kayaking, Local Travel and more!40. Whale Watching in Virginia Beach with Mike Mizell, Virginia Aquarium
“When the whales come up for a breath, they're not out at the surface very long, and you're intently searching for it. Then suddenly, there it is! I don't…
Virginia Outdoor Adventures: Hiking, Camping, Kayaking, Local Travel and more!39. Ice Climbing in Virginia’s Blue Ridge with Grant Price, Blue Ridge Mountain Guides
“One of my favorite parts about Virginia's outdoors is that a lot of places aren't that mainstream or heavily publicized, so they require some adventuring…
Virginia Outdoor Adventures: Hiking, Camping, Kayaking, Local Travel and more!38. Hiking to Heal with Jessica Chenard, Her Hike Collective
“Moving on taught me to climb mountains not because they are easy, but because they are worth it. When I summit a mountain, that is when I feel most alive. I…
Virginia Outdoor Adventures: Hiking, Camping, Kayaking, Local Travel and more!37. Adventure is for Everyone with Shep Roeper, Beyond Boundaries
“Our mission is to get people outdoors. It's to offer individuals of all abilities, no matter physical, cognitive, or economic situation, the opportunity to…
Virginia Outdoor Adventures: Hiking, Camping, Kayaking, Local Travel and more!36. Caverns and Caving in Virginia's Karst Regions with Dave Socky, Blue Ridge Grotto
“Caves are otherworldly. You have the experience of exploration where you don't know what's around the next corner. One of the prime draws to caving is that…
Virginia Outdoor Adventures: Hiking, Camping, Kayaking, Local Travel and more!35. Whitewater Paddling with Jen Jimenez and Berkley Nestler, James River Women
“I've never experienced anything in my life that gets me so connected to nature and earth. You're feeling the way that the water is pushing you, you are going…
Virginia Outdoor Adventures: Hiking, Camping, Kayaking, Local Travel and more!34. Foraging for Wild Edible Plants with Tim MacWelch, Advanced Survival Training
“We all have ancestors who lived really close to nature, who found their food in the wild. This is our birthright and I get really excited when I can lead…
Virginia Outdoor Adventures: Hiking, Camping, Kayaking, Local Travel and more!33. Hiking Old Rag Mountain with Gabby Dreyfus, Old Rag Mountain Stewards
“Old Rag is a particularly memorable and rewarding hike. We’re there to help protect this cherished natural and cultural resource, and protect people at the…
Virginia Outdoor Adventures: Hiking, Camping, Kayaking, Local Travel and more!Bonus Episode: How to Recreate in Virginia, VML Voice Podcast
In this Bonus Episode, I’m sharing a guest appearance I made on The VML Voice, the official podcast of the Virginia Municipal League. I speak with the Host…
Virginia Outdoor Adventures: Hiking, Camping, Kayaking, Local Travel and more!Bonus Episode: Brian Livingston, Author of The Habits of Squirrels
In this Bonus Episode, I speak with Brian Livingston, Author of the new book, The Habits of Squirrels. Drawing upon his own experience completing a thru-hike…
Virginia Outdoor Adventures: Hiking, Camping, Kayaking, Local Travel and more!Bonus Episode: Aaron Owens Mayhew, Backcountry Foodie
I recently asked you, my listeners, what topics you would like to learn more about in Season 3. One of the most popular responses I received was meal prep and…
Virginia Outdoor Adventures: Hiking, Camping, Kayaking, Local Travel and more!Bonus Episode: Tara Fisher, Author of Virginia is for Adventurers
In this Bonus Episode, I speak with Tara Fisher, Author of the new book, Virginia is for Adventurers. Inspired by her own adventures around Virginia with her…
Virginia Outdoor Adventures: Hiking, Camping, Kayaking, Local Travel and more!Bonus Episode: If She Can Do It So Can You Podcast with Amanda Creasey
In this bonus episode, I’m sharing a guest appearance I made on another fantastic Virginia-based podcast called, If She Can Do It So Can You. The show is…
Virginia Outdoor Adventures: Hiking, Camping, Kayaking, Local Travel and more!32. Exploring the Wild at Wildlife Management Areas with Lisa Ghidotti
“I want to visit all the Wildlife Management Areas, but honestly, it's about the journey, not the destination. I've traveled to all corners of the…
Virginia Outdoor Adventures: Hiking, Camping, Kayaking, Local Travel and more!31. Rock Climbing in Breaks Park and Southwest Virginia with Brad Mathisen and Kyle King, Central Appalachia Climbers Coalition
“You can climb a route to the top and get this incredible view of the gorge. There’s a feeling of grandeur and wilderness, even though you're extremely close…
Virginia Outdoor Adventures: Hiking, Camping, Kayaking, Local Travel and more!30. Paddling Virginia's Coastal Region with Laura Scharle, Virginia Water Trails
“Every time I go paddling, I am completely mesmerized. To be on the beach or in the marsh and not hear or see a single sign of human life, it's just this wow…
Virginia Outdoor Adventures: Hiking, Camping, Kayaking, Local Travel and more!29. Great Hikes in Virginia with Erin Gifford, Founder of Go Hike Virginia
“We want our kids to get outside and revel in nature. To get kids to put down the devices, we need to offer them something truly amazing. In Virginia, we can.”…
Virginia Outdoor Adventures: Hiking, Camping, Kayaking, Local Travel and more!27. Hiking, Cycling, and Paddling the Virginia Nature Triathlon with Senator Tim Kaine
“The James River is where American history began...Skyline Drive, the Blue Ridge Parkway, and the Appalachian Trail are all such quintessential Virginia…
Virginia Outdoor Adventures: Hiking, Camping, Kayaking, Local Travel and more!26. Elizabeth River Trail with Kindra McDonald Greene, Executive Director I Elizabeth River Trail Foundation
“The trail can get you from one hidden gem to another, highlighting the best of what the city has to offer, and that is what I think is so special about it. We…
Virginia Outdoor Adventures: Hiking, Camping, Kayaking, Local Travel and more!25. Good Fire with Sam Lopez, Wildlife Area Manager I Virginia Department of Wildlife Resources
“‘Good Fire’ is a tool that allows us to preserve the beautiful and pristine landscapes we have in Virginia so we can continue to enjoy the outdoors, wildlife…
Virginia Outdoor Adventures: Hiking, Camping, Kayaking, Local Travel and more!24. Paddleboarding, Hiking, and Van Life with James Gregory, The Ethnic Explorer
“My dream is to build a more inclusive outdoor community. I want to inspire other people of color to get out there and explore.” - James Gregory, The Ethnic…
Virginia Outdoor Adventures: Hiking, Camping, Kayaking, Local Travel and more!23. There's Something for Everyone in a Virginia State Park with Tim Kennell, President I Virginia Association for Parks
“If you love a state park, it pays to speak out and support it. It's going to take all of us to make sure that our elected representatives hear how important…
Virginia Outdoor Adventures: Hiking, Camping, Kayaking, Local Travel and more!22. Hiking McAfee Knob and Virginia’s Triple Crown with Diana Christopulos, Roanoke Appalachian Trail Club
“The actual day-to-day maintenance of the trail is almost 100% done by volunteers. We need to take good care of it for ourselves and for future generations.” -…
Virginia Outdoor Adventures: Hiking, Camping, Kayaking, Local Travel and more!21. Mountain Biking with Thomas Jenkins, Co-Owner of Shenandoah Bicycle Company
“We always joke about whether we spend more time riding or hanging out in the parking lot, eating and drinking. But that’s the mountain biking community, and…
Virginia Outdoor Adventures: Hiking, Camping, Kayaking, Local Travel and more!20. Thru-Hiking with Kristen Musselman, Chief Hiking Officer I Devils Backbone Brewing Company
“Some of the things that continue to draw me back to the outdoors are the connections I make with others, which tend to be richer when I'm connecting with them…
Virginia Outdoor Adventures: Hiking, Camping, Kayaking, Local Travel and more!18. BONUS EPISODE with She Opts Out
Hi, Friends. Jessica here, Host of Virginia Outdoor Adventures, coming to you with a bonus episode. But before I get to that, I have exciting news about Season…
Virginia Outdoor Adventures: Hiking, Camping, Kayaking, Local Travel and more!17. Hiking and Photographing SNP with Larry W. Brown I Author of 'Guide to Waterfalls of Shenandoah National Park'
“It gives you a sense of accomplishment to go places where few have ever ventured. For those of us with an adventurous spirit, that's what we live for. I…
Virginia Outdoor Adventures: Hiking, Camping, Kayaking, Local Travel and more!16. Creating an Outdoor Space for Women of Color with Shara and Nicole I Founders, Black Girls Hike RVA
“When you realize tomorrow is not promised, you want to experience things that are just not tangible, like having peace and love and connection. You can have…
Virginia Outdoor Adventures: Hiking, Camping, Kayaking, Local Travel and more!15. Backyard Adventuring and Edible Landscaping with Cory Suter, Suters Glen Permaculture Farm
“What I enjoy most about the farming lifestyle is being close to the Earth. Being outside helps us relax. The more we learn how to work with nature instead of…
Virginia Outdoor Adventures: Hiking, Camping, Kayaking, Local Travel and more!14. Empowering the 'Wiser Female Adventurer' with Linda and Mandi I Founders, She Opts Out
“I love to just be outside. It fills my bucket, keeps me creative and recenters me. Life is busy and there's always going to be challenges in our lives. So…
Virginia Outdoor Adventures: Hiking, Camping, Kayaking, Local Travel and more!13. Endless Outdoor Rec Opportunities on Shenandoah Mountain with Lynn Cameron I Co-Chair, Friends of Shenandoah Mountain
“People say, ‘I had no idea how special this area was’ and they appreciate learning about it. It's easy to take for granted what's in your backyard and not…