When bad weather leaves you stuck in your tent, or you just want to relax under a tree, good outdoor adventure books come in handy.
Whether you like fiction or non-fiction adventure books, you should find something of interest in this list of top adventure books about the outdoors.
Top Outdoor Adventure Books to Read on Rainy Days
A Walk in the Woods by Bill Bryson
A somewhat comedic look at long distance hiking, Bryson chronicles his attempt at hiking the Appalachian Trail with an ill-prepared childhood friend.
A Short Walk in the Hindu Kush by Eric Newby
A 1950s account of a man, tired with modern life, who impulsively takes to mountaineering.
Sailing Alone Around the World by Captain Joshua Slocum
A testament to endurance and the spirit of adventure, this is the true story of a man who rebuilt a ship in the late 1800’s, and sailed the world for over 1,000 days. Fighting fatigue, he navigated perilous seas, and even defended his ship from an unwelcome boarding by an indigenous tribe in South America.
Coming into the Country by John McPhee
Published in 1976, Coming into the Country is a descriptive narrative about McPhee’s travels though Alaska with people from all walks of life, each interpreting the state in their own way. The book details 1970s life in Alaska, both its people and places.
The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn by Mark Twain
One of the most acclaimed pieces of American literature, The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn is a story of outdoor adventure and friendship. Published in the wake of the Civil War, the book is also a criticism of racism in the American south.
Let My People Go Surfing by Yvon Chouinard by Yvon Chouinard
A most unlikely businessman, Yvon Chouinard recounts his life of outdoor adventure and self-reliance. A pioneer in the outdoor industry, he built a company to accommodate his outdoor lifestyle. By staying true to principle, and a desire to effect change, he willed into being a company called Pategonia. His success though unconventional business practices demonstrates that thinking differently can be an enormous competitive advantage, and that achievement can be measured by more than the bottom line.
Endurance: Shackleton’s Incredible Voyage by Alfred Lansing
A tale of survival, which rivals any fictional outdoor adventure. An expedition sets out to traverse the Antarctic continent by dogsled. When their ship becomes lodged in pack ice, the crew must abandon the vessel and brave the most punishing, desolate, environment on planet Earth.
One Man’s Wilderness by Sam Keith
A 51 year old man, exhausted with modern life, built a cabin by hand, in the Alaskan wilderness. He lived there for more than 30 years. If you daydream of going of the grid to live in the woods, this book will give you an idea of what that would actually be like.
Whatever You Do, Don’t Run: True Tales Of A Botswana Safari Guide by Peter Allison
Lions, hippos, elephants and tourists all make an appearance in these misadventures told from the perspective of an African safari guide.
Alone on the Wall by Alex Honnold with David Waters
Written by the subject of the documentary Free Solo, Alone on the Wall provides some insight into the mind and motivations of Alex Honnold. If you haven’t seen the film, you should watch it. Seeing Alex climb without ropes will have your heart racing as fast as if you were enjoying an actual day in the Yosemite Valley.
A Sand County Almanac by Aldo Leopold
Quintessential reading on the subject of conservation and nature’s beauty, this book laid the foundation of an enduring environmental philosophy. Leopolds work has been a major influence on policy makers and the environmental movement in America. While not an outdoor adventure book, it is thought provoking reading for anyone who loves nature.
Hatchet by Gary Paulsen
An outdoor adventure book for young adults, Hatchet is the fictional story of a teenager forced to survive in the wilderness, after a crash landing leaves him stranded with nothing more than his trusty hatchet.
Journey to the Center of the Earth by Jules Verne
While it is science-fiction, this book us an undeniable adventure story about the spirit of discovery and exploration of the natural world. The protagonists descend into an Icelandic volcano, revealing a hidden world of discovery.
My Side of the Mountain by Jean Craighead George
Another young adult novel, which is entertaining enough for adults. A young New Yorker runs away to survive off the land. This is a good story to foster a young adventure’s interest in reading.
Grandma Gatewood’s Walk: The Inspiring Story of the Woman Who Saved the Appalachian Trail by Ben Montgomery
The story of a 67 year old great-grandmother who decided she could use a walk…along the entirety of the Appalachian Trail. She became the first woman to hike the trail alone. She then hiked it two more times!
Into Thin Air: A Personal Account of the Mount Everest Disaster by Jon Krakauer
A journalist’s first hand account of survival on Everest. Originally assigned to write a piece on the increasing commercialization of the mountain, Krakauer finds himself in the midst of one of the deadliest climbing seasons in history.
The Boy Scout Handbook: The First Edition, 1911
This book is fun to read as a piece of history, and contains information still relevant today. It might just come in handy on your next outdoor adventure.
For Whom the Bell Tolls by For Whom the Bell Tolls by Ernest Hemingway
Hemingway is my favorite author, and this was the first of his works that I read. While The Old Man and the Sea is the obvious candidate for a book list about outdoor adventure, For Whom the Bell Tolls is a magnificent adventure story. It does take place outdoors, the main character hides in the mountains with a group of guerrilla fighters. The story also contains several outdoor motifs, namely the association of vulnerable characters with rabbits, and the protagonist’s literal and metaphorical closeness to the land. Hemingway’s insight into the human condition is unrivaled. …Did I mention this guy is my favorite author?
King Solomon’s Mines by H. Rider Haggard
An expedition sets out to find an explorer who went missing while searching Africa for the lost diamond mines of King Solomon. This story served as inspiration for films like Indiana Jones.
A River Runs Through It by Norman Maclean
A coming of age story, taking place in Montana in the early 20th century. The book is about family, human nature and fly fishing.
20,000 Leagues Under the Sea by Jules Verne
An expedition, ostensibly charged with locating and destroying a sea monster, encounters an enigmatic sea captain.
Arctic Dreams by Barry Lopez
Lopez paints a picture of his experiences in the Arctic, including encounters with polar bears, walruses and killer whales.
Deep Survival: Who Lives, Who Dies, and Why by Laurence Gonzales
A survival story which examines how people get into trouble outdoors, and how they get out of it.
Desert Solitaire by Edward Abbey
A park ranger describes his experiences while working at Arches National Park in the late 1950s. The book also delves into philosophical issues on conservation of the American West.
Moby Dick by Herman Melville
Many first encounter the writings of Melville in school. Being forced to examine the symbolism and themes of a book, especially a book like Moby Dick, can take away from the enjoyment of simply reading a true work of art. If that sounds like your experience, I encourage you to give the story another try. The vivid characters of this book will stick with you. Take Captain Ahab’s, almost Shakespearean, last words, “…to the last I grapple with thee; from hell’s heart I stab at thee; for hate’s sake I spit my last breath at thee. Sink all coffins and all hearses to one common pool! and since neither can be mine, let me then tow to pieces, while still chasing thee, though tied to thee, thou damned whale! Thus, I give up the spear!” He is the perfect example of a person obsessed to the point of his own destruction, of a man consumed by rage. Its hard for me to imagine that level of emotion. I feel we should all just relax and enjoy the views.
Treasure of the Sierra Madre by B. Traven
A gripping adventure novel of three men searching for gold in the Sierra Madre mountains.
Walking the Nile by Levison Wood
The story of Levison Wood, a man who set out to walk the entire length of the the Nile, one of the longest, most dangerous, rivers in the world. On his journey he camps, forages and survives life threatening situations, both natural and man made.
Lost in the Wild by Cary J. Griffith
Two stories of people lost in the woods, and the consequences of the decisions they make. It is a captivating story, from which to draw lessons on wilderness survival.
Microadventures: Local Discoveries for Great Escapes by Alistair Humphreys
This book provides inspiration for you to get outside and do something. Adventure can be found in your own backyard, you don’t need weeks to have an enjoyable experience. One of the benefits of taking small adventures often, is that it can seemingly slow the passage of time. Small adventures can also motivate you to go on larger ones.
Miles from Nowhere: A Round the World Bicycle Adventure by Barbara Savage
Two years spent cycling through 25 countries, before the age of smartphones, now that is an adventure!
Survive the Savage Sea by Dougal Robertson
A family’s boat collides with a pod of killer whales. This is the true story of their survival at sea.
The Call of the Wild by Jack London
No outdoor reading list would be complete without a book by Jack London. This story of a kidnapped dog, finding his true nature, is a classic for a reason.
