29 Publications Paying for Writing on the Outdoors, Hiking, Fishing, Hunting, Etc...

A wide variety of publications paying for writing on the outdoors. Many paying $0.50 to $1.00 per word.

Here’s our latest research on publications that pay writers.

These publications are focused on the outdoors, in a variety of forms. This includes hiking, outdoor sports, hunting, fishing, backpacking, and more.

We’ve researched payment rates and contact information for these publishers, so you can easily contact the right editor.

If you’re new to pitching magazines and publications, the best way to get started is to spend time reading the publications you’d like to get published in. Learn their styles of writing, how they’re organized, and the types of content they publish.

Once you’re familiar with the niche you’d like to publish in, you can brainstorm ideas, and then carefully craft a short pitch to the appropriate editor at the publication. (For paid subscribers, feel free to send me a draft pitch, and I’ll give you my feedback.)

If you’re looking for even more opportunities to get published,you should also check out this list of 100 publications that pay freelance writers. You can also browse the many lists we’ve published so far on this site.

1. Outside Magazine is a monthly publication that covers "the people, sports and activities, politics, art, literature, and hardware of the outdoors." Rates start from $0.50 per word, and go up depending on the complexity of the reported article. To learn more, read their pitching guidelines.

2. Paddling Magazine publishes existing adventures based on ‘people, politics, expeditions, art, and boats and gear of paddlesports for kayakers, canoeists, whitewater boaters and standup paddleboarding enthusiasts.’ Word count for features is 1,500 to 3,000 words and for other articles  (400 – 1000 words). According to an old payment report, they paid $0.20 per word. For more details, check out their submission guidelines.

3. Audubon is the National Audubon Society’s official magazine. They cover news related to the natural world with particular emphasis on birds. They are interested in short pieces that are fewer than 1,200 words for both quarterly print magazine and website, while their longer pieces run between 1,500 words to 4,000 words. For online news articles, explainers, Q&As less than 1,200 words, they pay $.50/word, long essays pay $1/word, and for features they pay $1.50/word. To learn more, read their submission guidelines.

4. Trails is a quarterly, print-only magazine for “backpackers and people who sleep in the dirt.” The focus of the magazine is on “backpacking and other human/naturally-powered means of sleeping outdoors: bikepacking, canoe camping, even things like rafting or mountaineering are fair game.” The main emphasis of the magazine is on North American destinations. They’re always looking for story ideas from writers, photographers, etc. They pay writers at least $0.50 per word, plus $35 to $400 per photo. For more information, refer to this page.

5. The Surfer’s Journal is a bi-monthly, reader-supported surf publication. They are always seeking writers, photographers, artists, and surfers to introduce them to new areas of interest. Payment reports indicate that they pay up to $0.60 per word. To learn more, visit this page.