If you find yourself itching for wilderness explorations from home, check out some of these fantastic sources for a virtual outdoor adventure!

Natural Areas (state & national parks)

Google Earth – National Parks Virtual Tours – Visit one of 31 National Parks in the United States from from the comfort of home. (Use the app, or visit via your computer’s web browser.)

Virtual Whale Watching – Oregon State Parks – Watch the Gray Whale migration along the Oregon Coast. Live videos are streaming through March 29th. Don’t worry if you miss it live! Recordings are uploaded daily during Whale Watch Week (and you can catch 2019’s migration, too).

Katmai National Park, Alaska – Brooks Falls Brown Bears – Hosted by explore.org. Watch bears fishing in the river as salmon leap and gulls stand watch for leftovers. Note: These are recorded highlights; prime viewing season is July & September.

Wildlife Encounters (zoos, aquariums, etc.)

Oregon Zoo – Live feeds, videos introducing featured animals, and great activity suggestions for kids home from school.

Oregon Coast Aquarium – Live feeds from popular areas in the aquarium, including sharks, seabirds, and otters.

Point Defiance Zoo & Aquarium – Check out several videos introducing you to the inhabitants of the Point Defiance Zoo & Aquarium in Washington State.

Wolf Cams – International Wolf Center – Live feed of the center’s ambassador wolves, plus retired pack cams.

Films & More

Epic Films for the Great Indoors – Banff Film Festival – This internationally known outdoor film festival has curated a list of free festival films for folks to watch at home.

Virtual Outdooor Adventure Updates

As I am writing this, near the end of March 2020, we are experiencing the global pandemic that is COVID-19. Some previously unimaginable conditions are keeping many of us indoors and close to home. There has been an outpouring of creativity and support across the world. People are utilizing technology to connect with others and with temporarily unavailable locations.

I’ll be doing my best to keep these links for virtual outdoor adventures updated through April 2020. If you have suggested additions, contact me with a link so I can check it out. Be sure to share this list with anyone you know who could use a virtual outdoor adventure from home!