National Great Outdoors Month

June is National Great Outdoors Month—a time to put down our phones, open our front doors, and breathe in the beauty that exists just beyond the concrete and the noise. It’s a nationwide invitation to remember what it feels like to stretch your legs on a hiking trail, skip stones across a quiet lake, or lay in the grass and watch clouds roll by like slow-moving dreams.

At IMPACTtruth, we believe the outdoors is more than a destination—it’s a healer, a teacher, and a great equalizer. Whether you’re a seasoned adventurer or someone rediscovering the simple joy of a walk in the park, June is a call to reconnect with nature and with each other.

A Brief History: From a Week to a Movement

National Great Outdoors Month began in 1998 as Great Outdoors Week, launched by President Clinton to encourage Americans to embrace the restorative power of public lands. Over the years, the celebration grew thanks to bipartisan support and enthusiastic participation from communities across the nation. In 2019, Congress officially recognized June as National Great Outdoors Month.

Now, with millions of people celebrating each year, it has become a powerful movement that combines recreation, stewardship, mental wellness, and civic engagement.

Why the Outdoors Matter More Than Ever

1. Mental and Emotional Wellness

Nature has a remarkable way of soothing the soul. Scientific studies show that spending time outdoors can reduce anxiety, lower blood pressure, and even improve memory and creativity. For young people in particular—especially those facing trauma, instability, or overwhelming screen time—the outdoors offers space to heal, reflect, and grow.

2. Physical Health

Simply being outdoors encourages movement. Whether it’s hiking, running, swimming, or playing, nature motivates us to be active in joyful, unstructured ways. And for communities with limited access to health resources, the outdoors can be a crucial and accessible avenue to wellness.

3. Community and Connection

Outdoor events create opportunities to build community—through cleanups, group hikes, gardening projects, or simple neighborhood picnics. Shared experiences in natural settings foster unity, empathy, and respect across differences.

4. Economic and Educational Power

The outdoor recreation economy contributes more than $1 trillion to the U.S. economy and supports over 5 million jobs. But beyond economics, the outdoors is a classroom—teaching resilience, environmental responsibility, and cultural history.

Events That Celebrate the Outdoors

Throughout June, organizations, schools, and communities across the U.S. host events that bring the outdoors to life. A few highlights:

• National Trails Day (First Saturday in June): Encourages trail clean-ups and hikes to promote conservation and access.

• National Get Outdoors Day (Second Saturday in June): Offers free access to public parks and forests with family-friendly activities.

• National Fishing and Boating Week: Introduces people of all ages to water-based recreation and conservation ethics.

• The Great American Campout: An initiative encouraging families to spend a night under the stars, whether in a state park or a backyard.

How You Can Participate

1. Explore Local Nature

You don’t need to climb mountains. Take a walk at your local greenbelt, visit a community garden, or sit under a tree with your journal. Nature is closer than you think.

2. Try Something New

Step out of your routine. Go birdwatching. Rent a kayak. Plant something. Try a sunrise hike. The goal isn’t perfection—it’s participation.

3. Volunteer or Give Back

Many parks and green spaces need helping hands. Whether it’s removing invasive species, cleaning up trash, or helping organize an event, your time makes a lasting difference.

4. Organize a Community Gathering

Plan a nature walk, outdoor movie night, or scavenger hunt. Invite neighbors or youth groups. Use the outdoors as a tool to connect and uplift.

5. Share Your Story

Let others know what you’re doing. Use hashtags like #NationalGreatOutdoorsMonth and #EscapeTheIndoors. Your voice could inspire someone else to step outside.

Final Reflections: Beyond a Month

National Great Outdoors Month reminds us that nature isn’t just something we visit—it’s something we are part of. In a time when disconnection, anxiety, and digital fatigue are at an all-time high, the outdoors offers what we need most: peace, movement, clarity, and community.

So whether it’s a hike, a garden, a stargazing night, or simply reading a book under a tree, know this: the outdoors welcomes you just as you are. And it may just be the place you rediscover your purpose.

Join the Movement

➡ What are your favorite ways to get outdoors?

➡ Have you seen a change in your mood or mindset after spending time in nature?

➡ Tag us on social or send us your story. Let’s inspire each other to make outside the new default.

#GetOutside #NationalGreatOutdoorsMonth #EscapeTheIndoors #IMPACTtruth