In Spring of 1981, the first issue of Explore Magazine went up for sale on newsstands around Canada.
Forty years later, explore is still on newsstands coast-to-coast; we’ve expanded to create a unique subscription box, popular podcast and a trusted online magazine, drawing in readers from around the world.
In 2021, we are excited to celebrate 40 years of publishing!
To commemorate explore’s 40th anniversary, we’ve compiled 40 of our best, most controversial, epic, interesting and well-respected outdoor adventure articles from our digital archives.
Happy reading!
P.S. Bookmark this page so you can come back to it again when you’re searching for your next adventure.
P.P.S. Don’t forget to pick up your free e-book copy of the Top 40 Hiking Trails in Canada.
Hiking
20 of the Best Hikes near Vancouver
These 20 hiking trails near Vancouver lead up expansive mountains, to stunning waterfalls and end in panoramic city views.
Read More >
10 of the Best Hikes near Toronto
Lace up your boots and hit these hiking trails in the Toronto area
Read More >
10 Amazing Hikes near Montreal
Escape the city for a tranquil trek on these 10 trails near Montreal
Read More >
10 of the Best Hikes near Canmore, Alberta
Blogger Kristin Warkentin treats us to her top 10 hikes around Canmore
Read More >
Quebec’s 21 Best Hikes
Incredibly scenic trails we can’t resist in la belle province
Read More >
The Five Best Hikes near Las Vegas
Sin City is best known for its shows, bars and casinos. But for those keen to escape Las Vegas on an unforgettable outdoors adventure, these five natural areas do not disappoint.
Read More >
35 of Canada’s best hikes
All new! We scoured Canada from the West Coast, to the Maritimes, to the remote Arctic, and uncovered Canada’s 35 Greatest Hikes
Read More >
Camping
Credit: unsplash
34 Free Campsites in Alberta
Because there’s truly no better price than free.
Read More >
50 Free Places To Camp In Ontario
Free and wild: the best of Ontario’s most affordable campsites
Read More >
50 Free Campsites in British Columbia
Arm yourself with a sense of adventure (and possibly a 4×4) to explore these awesome, free campsites in BC.
Read More >
30 Places to Camp for Free in Manitoba
Pitch a tent in these free camping spots across Manitoba
Read More >
20 Free Places to Camp in Nova Scotia
Camp for free in these rugged wilderness areas across Nova Scotia.
Read More >
10 Incredible Camping Yurts in Ontario
Here are 10 yurts to rent for around $100 or less per night in Ontario
Read More >
15 Camping Hacks That Will Make You a Campsite Pro
Get equipped. Make some plans. Reserve those campsites. And read on for 15 camping hacks that will make you a campsite pro this summer:
Read More >
The Top 25 Campsites in Canada
Park yourself at one of Canada’s 25 best campsites for the perfect summer escape. The ultimate Canadian Campsite guide!
Read More >
Gear
Credit: unsplash
10 Unusual Items That Will Make Your Campsite Awesome
Looking to spruce up your campsite? Look to these unusual, but awesome, items you likely don’t (yet) own:
Read More >
10 Items of Gear Every Outdoors-Person Needs to Own
Let’s look at 10 items every outdoors enthusiast needs to own—no matter what adventure activities get you stoked.
Read More >
Hiking Gear That You Probably Haven’t Even Heard Of
These four gear items by Avventura Outdoors are innovative pieces for hikes big and small.
Read More >
Gear for Plus Size Adventurers: Hiking and Backpacking Must-Haves
Must-have gear items for fat or plus size hikers going on their next (or first!) backpacking trip
Read More >
Essential Hiking Gear Checklist
Are you headed out on a day-hike? This is your essential checklist of the gear you’ll need for a safe and successful hiking trip.
Read More >
Popular & DIY
Credit: unsplash
74 DIY Paracord Bracelet Tutorials
A piece of survival gear might not be part of your everyday wardrobe – but maybe it should be. And it doesn’t have to look like gear either. Paracord bracelets are a tidy way to carry 3.5+ metres of cordage…
Read More >
8 Homemade Firestarters
Making free firestarters at home using dryer lint or cotton balls
Read More >
25 Incredible Ontario Canoe Routes You Need to Paddle
Is there anything more ‘Canadian’ than paddling a heritage river in Ontario?
Read More >
18 Epic Multi-Day Backpacking Trips in Canada
Epic trips take time to plan. So start your next summer getaway today—and plan to escape into one of these 18 backpacking trips:
Read More >
Canada’s Most Dangerous Predators
Canada’s most dangerous predators: Take a look at some of the predators you may encounter during an outdoor adventure.
Read More >
First-Person Narratives
Credit: unsplash
Gadd’s Truth: Five Fitness Commandments to Live By
The truth about aging and fitness: Five fitness commandments to live by.
Read More >
The Happy Camper: Paddling Around Algonquin’s Opeongo Lake
Kevin Callan spent a week paddling around one of Algonquin’s most majestic lakes—though one wrought with harrowing stories…
Read More >
Sleeping with Wolves at Parc Omega in Outaouais, Quebec
Get up close and personal with one of the animal kingdom’s most social predators, and experience the thrill of visiting and sleeping with wolves at Parc Omega in Outaouais, Quebec.
Read More >
An Ode to Mammoth Lakes: The Best-Kept Secret Mountain Town in California
Hot springs, hiking trails, cozy village vibes and the longest ski season in the USA
Read More >
Go Here: Hiking the Triple Crown of the Blue Ridge Mountains in Virginia
Why climb one awesome peak when you can just as easily (or not so easily) tackle three? Our writer hikes to the summits of Virginia’s McAfee Knob, Tinker Cliffs and Dragon’s Tooth, the triple crown of the majestic Blue…
Read More >
Diversity Outdoors: 8 Inspiring BIPOC Adventurers Share Their Stories
From a surf pro to a padding poet, these outdoor adventurers prove that there’s diversity in the outdoor adventure space.
Read More >
Click here for subscription options
