The outdoors is open. 

Photo: Blue Ridge Appalachian Mountain Peaks and Spring Rhododendron Flowers Blooming along the Appalachian Trail in Western NC – courtesy of Getty Images

That’s the phrase we heard in March, as the novel coronavirus began its march across the country. It reminded people that, while school, hugs, and public spaces were suddenly ticking time bombs, there was still peace—and adventure—to be found in the great outdoors. 

But as the pandemic worsened, the phrase no longer held true. Trails shut down, campgrounds closed, national, state, and local parks locked their gates, and for the first time in recent memory, the outdoors wasn’t open any longer.

Two months later, the outdoors is opening again—with precautions.

“Our shop has been closed since March 20,” says James Revercomb of Roanoke Mountain Adventures, a full service outfitter offering rentals, shuttles and guided trips for mountain biking, road biking, paddleboarding, kayaking and