Our Favorite Outdoor Quotes (And What They Mean to Us)

Some words stick with you—just like the best trails, the best campsites, and the best stories told around a campfire. The outdoors has a way of inspiring people, and over the years, adventurers, writers, and explorers have put that inspiration into words.

Some quotes make you want to pack a bag and head for the mountains. Others remind you why you keep pushing when the trail gets tough. And some just perfectly capture the feeling of being outside—where the world feels bigger, and your worries feel smaller.

Here are a few of our favorite outdoor quotes, and why they resonate with us.

1. “The mountains are calling, and I must go.” – John Muir

Classic. Simple. And 100% true.

We get it. Sometimes, you just feel the pull—the need to escape the noise, to get lost in the trees, to trade emails and traffic for silence and fresh air. Whether it’s the mountains, the lakes, or just the open road, when the wild calls, you answer.

2. “A bad day camping is still better than a good day at work.” – Unknown

Ever spent a night shivering in a tent because you didn’t bring the right sleeping bag? Or woken up to a leaky canoe because you forgot to flip it over before the storm?

Yeah, us too.

But even when things don’t go perfectly, there’s still something amazing about being out there. The worst night camping beats the best night in front of a screen—because even if you’re tired, wet, or sore, you’re still living the story.

3. “Not all who wander are lost.” – J.R.R. Tolkien

If you’ve ever gone exploring just to see what’s out there, you get this one.

Sometimes, the best adventures are unplanned—the detour that leads to the best view, the trail you stumble onto by accident, the random road trip that turns into a lifelong memory. Wandering isn’t about being lost—it’s about being open to where the journey takes you.

4. “Look deep into nature, and then you will understand everything better.” – Albert Einstein

Ever notice how the best ideas come when you’re outside—not when you’re staring at a computer screen?

There’s something about nature that clears the mind. The sound of water, the feel of the wind, the quiet of a mountain ridge—it reminds you of what’s important. It makes you slow down, breathe, and see things differently.

5. “Climb the mountains and get their good tidings.” – John Muir

Muir makes the list twice because, well, the guy just got it.

This isn’t just about climbing mountains—it’s about letting nature fill you up. Whether you’re paddling through still waters, hiking deep into the woods, or biking a trail that makes your legs burn, there’s something in the wild that refreshes your soul.

We live for those moments—the ones where you feel completely free, completely alive, and completely connected to the world around you.

What’s Your Favorite Outdoor Quote?

These are some of ours—but we know there are plenty more. What’s the quote that sticks with you? The one you’ve written in a journal, stuck on your gear, or just find yourself thinking about when you're outside?

Drop a comment and let us know—we’d love to hear it.

And if you want to carry some of that outdoor inspiration with you, check out our latest sticker designs.