With the beginning of spring around the corner, thoughts turn to gardening, walks in nature, trips to parks, and anything that involves enjoying the outside world. As we thaw out from winter — even for those of us in the south who barely recognize such a thing — it makes sense we’ll want to enjoy some sunshine.
For some, technology may seem antithetical to nature, something you want to avoid. Sure, selfies on a cliff ledge may be ill advised, but that doesn’t mean your phone doesn’t have the power to help you make the most of your outdoor plans. Here are some apps to consider when getting outside this spring.
If you want to get control of your garden, whether it is made up of a full spread in your backyard or a couple containers of herbs on your balcony, PictureThis is by far the best plant identification app that exists. Snap a photo and in seconds it tells you what the plant is, identifies if it is healthy, and provides a wealth of information on watering, soil, climate, toxicity for humans and pets, you name it. The paid subscription gives you access to keep a library of stored plants you’ve seen around town or organize what’s in your yard. It’s invaluable when planning a garden.
And if you love the natural world, definitely pick up this free gem of an app from Cornell University. Merlin identifies all manner of bird species through photos, descriptions and, our favorite, sounds. Turn it on and set it by your bird feeder for 15 minutes just to see what it picks up. Take it on a walk and do the same. It’s like Shazam for birds. Plus, it helps Cornell University track migration patters, particularly during the Great Backyard Bird Count each spring. A free subscription also allows you to save your library of birds and their extensive database of species covers the entire world, perfect for when you are on vacation.
The best way to describe this app is not as technology but as a community of nature lovers. Thousands of people share millions of plant and animal identifications using this extensive platform. In addition to a very solid plant identifier, it also will identify all kinds of critters from insects and reptiles to birds and mammals. Plus, it connects you to a massive database of discoveries others have made meaning it is super helpful when you go to the same place as someone else.
If there is a better way to find a hiking trail for beginners or experts, we haven’t found it. The $35/year price tag feels a bit steep if you aren’t an avid hiker, but when you find yourself in the wilderness not exactly sure which way to turn, it is worth it. Hiking enthusiasts have contributed thousands and thousands of trails to the app with details including difficulty, parking options, best times to go, elevation, and detailed maps which work without a phone signal. It’s extremely impressive even at that price tag. You’ll be surprised by how many trails are nearby no matter where you are.
Think of Komoot as Expedia but for nature folk. It’s one of the best ways to plan a hike, a camping trip, a bike ride, or just a day in the woods. You can use it to customize your entire plan from how to get there to whether or not what you want to do is feasible for you. Wildly detailed maps and fantastic notes from experienced travelers give you everything you need to get outside. It is particularly helpful for cyclists both in city and out of town when it comes to finding safe, traversable paths for your bike.
Surfline (only available through AppStore and Google Play store)
If the beach is more your speed, Surfline is a perfect app for catching some waves or just taking a swim. With hundreds of beaches listed, live surf cams, weather, wind, detailed temperature and wave height information, whether you are a surfer or just a beach babe, you’ll know exactly what you are in for before you leave home. To get some of the more advanced features, you’ll need a premium subscription which can run between $70 (served with ads) and $149 (advanced cam tools) per year. If you’re an avid surfer or surf fisherman, it’s probably worth it.
SkyView
Since you’re going to be outside anyway, why not hang around into the evening and then look up. If you are far enough from the light pollution of the city, the night sky reveals a vast and engrossing panoply of stars. There is a free “lite” version, but the relatively cheap $2.99 ($5.99 to bundle with the satellite guide) is really worth it to unlock all the information of what you are seeing just by holding your phone up. It’s a powerful tool for learning more about the universe around us.
When it comes to enjoying state and federal parklands, the official app and website is pretty impressive. Many parks have extensive restrictions, particularly since COVID, when it comes to scheduled arrival times, fees and parking. Sometimes, you need to plan far in advance to guarantee your spot, particularly at the more popular parks. This is the way to do it, from reservations and passes, to information about pretty much every park in the United States, this is your guide.
Technically, you can use Google Lens for identifying almost anything — plants, animals, buildings — but we consider it more of an add-on than a replacement for some of the aforementioned apps because of their specificity. Still, for a free app that 100 years ago might have got you burned at the stake for witchcraft, it is incredibly useful. No matter where you are, point your camera and Google Lens will almost always be able to tell you about your surroundings. What a time to be alive.
For something a little closer to home, Texas Hunt and Fish is a handy digital way to store all your licenses for angling, boating and hunting in the state. Rather than carrying around a bunch of pieces of paper, it’s all on your phone, which is handy when the game warden drops by for a visit. It also has basic info on weather (sunrise/sunset), site reservations and the like in, albeit, a rather clunky format.
Weather Options
Nothing can make or a break a trip outside like the weather and we would be remiss if we didn’t provide a few notable app options for forecasting. If you are in Houston, the obvious choice is Space City Weather. There is nothing more comprehensive and no-nonsense. Everywhere else, here are some options:
WeatherUnderground + Accuweather
We switch back and forth between these two freebies for up-to-the minute weather info and forecasting.
RadarScope
Great weather radar app that pulls from nearby radar stations no matter where you are at the moment.
Windy
Our favorite app for monitoring the wind, onshore, offshore and everywhere in between.
This article appears in Private: Jan 1 – Dec 31, 2026.