Why I Love the Outdoors

By Kate Corddry

There’s something about Idaho’s outdoors that just gets me. Maybe it’s the way the pine trees smell after a summer rain, or the absolute silence you can find on a trail just a few miles outside of town. Whatever it is, I know this for sure: I love Idaho’s public lands with the kind of loyalty that comes from countless hours spent hiking, camping, fishing, and connecting with nature that consistently reminds me why I will always call Idaho home.

One of my favorite things about living in Idaho is how easy it is to access the outdoors. It doesn’t matter if you’re headed up to the Sawtooths for a backpacking trip, floating the Boise River, or just escaping to the foothills for a quick sunset walk there’s always somewhere beautiful and wild within reach. That kind of access is rare, and we’re lucky to have it.

Public lands are the reason we can drop everything and head into nature without asking for permission. They belong to all of us, and that’s a powerful thing. Having access to these lands is a privilege.

But public lands aren’t just good for the soul, they’re essential for conservation. These landscapes are home to countless species of plants and wildlife, many of which you won’t find anywhere else. Protecting public lands means protecting clean water, healthy forests, and open space for future generations. It’s not just about preserving a pretty view, it’s about making sure we’re doing right by the planet.

What I love most, though, is that these lands bring people together. Some of my favorite memories have been with my family and friends river rafting down the Middle Fork of the Salmon river. Late night campfires, sleeping under the ponderosa pines, and hikes in the Frank Church Wilderness have been some of the happiest moments of my life. Every person can find joy in the wilderness, and that is what is so beautiful about having these moments be accessible for all. There’s a shared respect and an unspoken understanding among people who spend time on public lands. We all know how important they are, and we all want to keep them wild, open, and accessible.

So yeah, I love Idaho’s public lands. Not in a generic, postcard kind of way, but in the way you love a place that has shaped who you are. They’ve given me adventure, perspective, and peace. And I want to make sure they’re still here for the next generation to fall in love with, too.

Kate Corddry is a native Idahoan and passionate advocate for public lands and the environment. She is currently earning her bachelor’s degree in Strategic Communications at the University of Vermont.