14 Outdoor Business Ideas for the Active Entrepreneur

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Nowadays, it seems impossible to find a job that doesn’t require you to spend most of your time indoors, staring at a screen in a zombie-like haze.

But if you’d much rather be outside soaking up some sunshine (and who wouldn’t?), these outdoor business ideas are for you.

Don’t worry – you can still be your own boss while working outdoors, and there are plenty of opportunities for recreation and adventure while earning cash.

Those of you who want to make money outside — ideally, doing something you love — read on to find out how.

Become a hiking and backpacking guide

From the Swiss Alps to the steppes of Patagonia, hiking and backpacking guides are in demand all over the world.

Though you can guide with a company, you can also start your own guiding service with some references and marketing help from your old friend, social media.

Of course, there’s a little more to it than getting your hands on the best backpacking gear and frolicking up and down trails.

Successful guides should at least have a Wilderness First Aid or a Wilderness First Responder certification, and a customer-service mindset to ensure clients have just as much fun as they do.

Teach ski, snowboard, or surfing lessons

As a former ski instructor, I can confirm that teaching skiing and snowboarding can be a hugely rewarding outdoor career.

After all, sharing your favorite sport with someone is already exciting enough – but getting paid to do so?

With the potential for tips?

Yes, please!

Before you get too excited, I will say that starting your own teaching business may be logistically tricky.

But with a little creativity, you could teach the basics at a local sledding hill.

In the summer, consider offering surfing or kayaking lessons on public waters.

Lead outdoor fitness classes

Personal trainers, physical therapists, and exercise gurus: this one’s for you.

Leading group or private workout classes can be a great way to earn cash, and moving everything outside to a park (or your backyard) avoids overhead expenses like a studio or gym space.

Some finagling may be required to find a good location and buy equipment.

On top of that, you might want to look into certifications and degrees to boost your reputation.

But in the end, all that time outdoors will maximize health benefits for both you and your students.

Start an adventure tour company

Adventure tours can cover a wide range of different activities, from paddle boarding excursions to ziplining, guided ski trips to creek tubing.

All of this goes to say that, no, you don’t need to be based in the Tetons or the Dolomites to found an adventure tour company.

Take a look around you – what destinations await right outside your door?

How can you get others involved?

With some research, marketing, and itinerary planning, you could soon make money sharing your favorite outdoor adventures with like-minded travelers.

Become an outdoor photographer

After snapping the shot of a lifetime, you might think you’ll need to edit indoors.

But with the right laptop and power bank, you can do it all outside.

My sister co-owns an outdoor photography company and handles even her admin work from her deck on the Nantahala River.

First, decide whether you want to work on contracts or whether you want to strike out on your own.

Of course, the latter might have a lower paycheck, but it does offer more freedom.

You can sell your shots online to stock photography sites or directly to customers.

Open a food truck

Traditional restaurants have become notoriously risky endeavors, but if you’ve been daydreaming about starting your own outdoor eatery, look at food trucks.

They allow for greater flexibility and lower overhead costs, leading to higher profit margins.

Still, this one will require a good amount of investment beforehand, including the truck, licensing, food, and staffing.

And, yes, you’ll still need to spend at least some time inside the truck.

But just think of where you could park it—at trailheads or ski resorts, perhaps?

Rent out a farmers market stall

Even if you don’t have farm-fresh produce on hand, a farmers market stall could easily become your new outdoor side hustle or even full-time gig.

Your options go far beyond fruits and veggies – handmade crafts, baked goods, jewelry, antiques, you name it.

Certain farmers markets charge a pretty penny for booth space, so research different locations to find the best rent-profit tradeoff.

And if your local market only takes place once or twice a week, hit the road with your goodies to see where and what else you can sell.

Start a landscaping and gardening company

For those who aren’t afraid to get their hands dirty, providing landscaping and gardening services can turn some sizable profits.

Bonus points if you love plants, have some great landscape design ideas, or possess your fair share of horticultural know-how.

Up front, you’ll have to invest in equipment and build up a reputation through references.

Some online marketing would also help.

But landscaping is similar to house-sitting in that once you secure your first good reviews, your business can easily pick up steam.

Become a professional dog walker

No matter how much we love our furry friends, sometimes, we just don’t have time for their daily walks.

That’s where you might step in – as long as you have a strong sense of responsibility and good physical stamina, since you might need to deal with larger pooches.

Aside from startup costs, like marketing, business licensing, and liability insurance, dog walking requires little overhead (bulk purchases of dog poop bags notwithstanding).

It’s a fun way to get some steps in and can even earn you a sizable salary in the right place.

Start a pet cleanup business

Speaking of dog poop bags, someone has to clean up after Fido at home, too.

And if pet owners can’t do so themselves — for mobility or personal reasons — you can profit.

It may sound a bit icky, but don’t knock it ‘til you try it; pet cleanup can translate to a decent income.

As with any business, thoroughly research your intended market (your neighborhood, city, etc.) to determine which services will make the most money.

You could even deodorize lawns or clean pet waste stains, keeping you outdoors longer and earning you more cash.

Run a plant nursery

Plant nurseries usually bring to mind sprawling stores filled with every seedling imaginable.

But you can start your own boutique nursery right in your backyard or apartment patio with little investment besides a few seeds, soil, and maybe a handful of planting pots.

One caveat: starting a nursery might not call for much capital, but it will require lots of time, especially if you’re making this your main income.

You can sell on Craigslist or to passersby, and the more you sell, the more time you’ll have outside with your plants.

Rent out an outdoor event venue

Now, unless you have acres to spare, we’re not talking about something the size of the Empire Polo Club—think more along the lines of small weddings or family reunions.

Even these will allow you to spend time outdoors, keeping the place in shape and setting up equipment.

Sites like Peerspace make it easy to market your venue (once you’ve obtained all the necessary permits, licensing, and insurance, of course).

Check out other venues nearby to determine your price points, and the potential for passive income will likely take off quickly.

Open a campground or RV park

Like an event venue, you don’t need acres upon acres to start a campground or RV park – just a few sites will do.

Sure, you’ll have to invest in amenities like bathrooms, tent pads, and RV infrastructure, but from there, you can turn this into a strong passive income stream.

Speaking from experience, it’s easy to sign up for a HipCamp account and post your place.

Once you bag those first good reviews, more will follow, and you can work outdoors tending to your campground.

Top-earning sites on HipCamp can pull in thousands of dollars every month.

Start your own winery

Does running a winery call for a sizable amount of cash?

Yes. But, as we’ve mentioned with the above business ideas, your winery doesn’t have to be all that big.

If you’re passionate about grapes and the good stuff, you can start a small operation on as little as an acre.

As any vintner will tell you, you’ll face governmental regulations in addition to typical business pressures.

On the bright side, though, your winery could also be used as an event venue to increase income, and you’d get plenty of time outdoors to perfect your product.

Ready to start your outdoor business?

Gardening, hiking, cooking, pet care – no matter where your interests lie, these outdoor business ideas can help just about anyone earn a living outside.

Or, maybe you’ve been inspired to try out a totally different idea we didn’t have room to cover here.

The point is, it’s not as hard as it may seem to make money while working outdoors.

Besides gaining opportunities for adventure and recreation, you can enjoy the many health benefits of spending time outside.

So, say goodbye to all that indoor screen time – you won’t miss it.