Outdoor Adventure Directories

When “outdoor adventure” is mentioned, it evokes different things to different people. For some, it means high-risk, high-adrenaline activities, like kayaking over waterfalls or climbing remote mountain peaks. For others, it conjures up milder images – swimming with dolphins or enjoying a guided horseback ride through the aspens. Depending on their interests and capabilities, nearly everyone is attracted to some kind of outdoor adventure.

While true adventurers usually choose to “rough it” out in the wilds, most of us want to return from our outdoor experiences to a good meal, a hot shower and a snuggly bed. Many yuppies, baby boomers and empty nesters have the ways and means to enjoy both vigorous physical activity and creature comforts. So don’t assume that enthusiasts visiting your area won’t want to stay with you.

There are outdoor adventures to be found near every lodging property. By getting your accommodations listed in appropriate places, you may attract those who want to enjoy nature by day and a comfortable room by night. Here are some suggestions:

Adventure Travel Tips – The Global Adventure Community
URL: http://www.adventuretraveltips.com/
To submit a listing: http://www.adventuretraveltips.com/cgi-bin/add.cgi
Free – requires reciprocal link
Google Page Rank is 6 of 10

This is a fact-filled site with an abundance of valuable information all in one place. Savvy travelers will return to it again and again for U.S. State Department travel warnings, World Health Organization health alerts, and unusual travel tips, such as breastfeeding customs in different countries.

It also provides links to hundreds and hundreds of related sites about all types of adventure travel, from whitewater rafting to trekking in Nepal. They also have unexpected categories, covering softer adventures, such as whale watching, guest/dude ranches, fishing, dolphin swimming, wine-tasting, garden tours, bird watching, and motorcycle tours. So, no matter what outdoor activities your area offers, you may find a niche here that suits you.

The Away Network
The Away Network calls themselves “the leading online provider of information and inspiration about active travel and the outdoor lifestyle.  Our websites Away.com, GORP.com, and Outside Online offer over 100,000 pages of the Web’s best travel content. More than 2.6 million travelers visit the websites each month to research, plan, and book active vacation.”

Away.com: This is a travel portal. It allows visitors to research travel options and make travel arrangements online. They have a bed and breakfast section, as well as camping, vacation rental and hotel information.
URL: http://www.away.com/
Google Page Rank 7 of 10

OutsideOnline.com: This is the online version of a very popular outdoor magazine, offering informational articles, gear reviews, travelogues, etc.
URL: http://www.gorp.com/
Google Page Rank 7 of 10

GORP.com:  This is site offering comprehensive attraction and travel information about our National Parks.
URL: http://www.gorp.com/
Google Page Rank is 7 of 10
Each of these sites is good alone. Together, they synergize with abundant, topical cross linking. Rates for advertising are $13.00 per 1000 impressions. At 10,000 impressions, it drops to $11 per thousand.

Gone Awol.com
URL: www.goneawol.com
Google Page Rank 6 of 10
To submit a listing:  https://www.goneawol.com/addyoursite.asp
This site claims to be one of the largest and most comprehensive travel sites on the internet and boasts of over 8,000 world-wide adventures to choose from. It also offers travel information, such as currency exchange rates and maps. You can list your website here for a one-time fee of $100. It includes a link and the privilege of listing in additional categories for $10 each.

Adventure Directory.com
URL:  http://www.adventuredirectory.com/
To submit a listing:   http://www.adventuredirectory.com/pubed.cfm
Google Page Rank 5 of 10
Adventure Directory is an easy-to-use, searchable website, with links from all over the globe. Basic listings are editable, include a link, and are free!

There are also a multitude of sport-specific and regional directories on the internet. If you are located in an area that is well-known for a particular activity, you may find good placement on a website aimed at that market. Some examples are:

DirtWorld.com – The Mountain Bike Guide
URL: www.dirtworld.com
To add a listing: http://www.dirtworld.com/resources/addresource.asp  
Google Page Rank is 6 of 10
This online magazine covers gear, teams, manufacturers, trails, tours, lodging, etc. and offers abundant linking to related sites. A basic listing is free.

West Virginia Climbing.com
URL: http://www.wvclimbing.com
To submit a listing, ask nicely at: climbing@wvclimbing.com  
Google Page Rank is 4 of 10
This website specializes in the world-renowned climbing area of West Virginia’s North Fork Valley, which contains Seneca Rocks and the Nelson Rocks Preserve. It contains maps, links, directions, area information and lodging.

I Play Outside.com
http://www.iplayoutside.com/Home/
To submit a listing: http://www.iplayoutside.com/Info/links/submit_link.html
Google Page Rank 5 of 10
iPlayOutside covers regional outdoor, human-powered participation sports events that are open to the public – primarily running, cycling, snow sports, and water sports races and contests in West Virginia, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Maryland, Virginia and Kentucky. Participants in this type of event are counting on a good night’s rest before they compete and are definitely looking for a comfortable place to sleep and prepare. Why not make it your place? A listing is free with a reciprocal link.

Another strategy for attracting adventurers is to partner up with local guide services, outfitters, clubs and sports retailers. Your guests are looking for things to do. Their customers are often looking for a place to stay. You can both benefit by trading links and listings on each other’s websites. If you look, you’ll find businesses in your area similar to these:

Housatonic River Outfitters
URL:  www.dryflies.com
With two locations, serving the Northwest corner of Connecticut and Massachusetts, this busy outfitter specializes in selling fishing, hiking and camping gear, and offers fishing guide services for the rivers, lakes and ponds in the area. Their website offers deals on gear, river reports, guide services, directions, attractions and lodging information.

Adventure Outpost
http://www.adventureoutpost.net/index.html
In their website’s words, “Based in the heart of North Florida’s famous spring country, the Adventure Outpost outfits and guides kayak and canoe tours on over 30 waterways throughout the region. We also offer sales and rentals of canoes, kayaks and camping equipment.”  
Adventure Outpost also offers links to lodging in their area. Don’t you have guests who would enjoy an outdoor adventure like this?

 

Categories: Travel Marketing.
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