Explore Smarter
- Team Backcountry
- Jun 11
- 3 min read
If you need an app in nature, start here.
Whether you're birdwatching along the Backcountry Wilderness Area trails, identifying wildflowers, tracking weather, or simply enjoying the night sky, there's an app for just about everything these days. While few things can replace an uniterrupted, quiet experience, a few well-chosen tools can help deepen your understanding of the natural world and improve safety during your adventures.
Here are some of our favorite apps for exploring the Backcountry Wilderness Area, and which upcoming programs to try them out on:
Merlin Bird ID
If you've ever heard a bird singing and wondered, "What made that sound?" Merlin Bird ID is your new best friend. Developed by the Cornell Lab of Ornithology, Merlin can identify birds by sight, sound, or a few simple questions. The Sound ID feature is especially impressive—it listens to bird songs in real time and identifies the species around you.
Try it: Birdwatching (in Adult & Family Programs)
NestWatch
Another excellent Cornell Lab project, NestWatch allows citizen scientists to monitor nesting birds and contribute valuable data to bird conservation efforts. It's a great way to get involved with local bluebird monitoring and learn more about bird behavior throughout the nesting season.
Try it: Golden Eagle Viewing (in Adult & Family Programs)
iNaturalist
One of the most powerful nature apps available, iNaturalist helps identify virtually any living thing using AI and a community of experts. Take a photo of a plant, insect, bird, fungus, or animal, and the app will suggest an identification. Your observations also contribute to biodiversity research around the world. Try it: Nature Walk (in Adult & Family Programs)
Seek by iNaturalist
Designed for beginners and families, Seek offers instant species identification without requiring you to create observations or share data. It's a fun way to learn about the plants and animals you encounter on the trail.
PictureThis
PictureThis is a popular plant identification app with a sleek interface and extensive plant database. While the app works well, many of its best features require a paid subscription, so your experience may be somewhat limited with the free version.
Rock Identifier
Ever wondered what type of rock you're looking at? Rock Identifier uses your phone's camera to identify minerals, rocks, and gemstones, making it a fun companion for geology enthusiasts.
Night Sky
The Backcountry Wilderness Area offers excellent opportunities to enjoy the night sky. Night Sky allows you to point your phone at the stars and instantly identify constellations, planets, satellites, and other celestial objects. It's a fun way to connect with the cosmos during evening walks or special night-sky events.
Watch Duty
Originally developed to track wildfires, Watch Duty has become an essential safety tool throughout the West. It provides real-time wildfire information, evacuation updates, and incident reports that can help outdoor enthusiasts stay informed.
Try it: Anytime you are exploring outdoors.
MyRadar
This easy-to-use weather radar app provides real-time weather information, precipitation tracking, and storm monitoring. It's a great way to keep an eye on changing conditions before and during your hike.
Try it: When you are on a guided adventure or out of your own, know the weather forecast and get alerts when weather changes.
Technology as a Tool, Not a Distraction
The best outdoor app is still your own curiosity. These tools can help answer questions, improve safety, and deepen your understanding of the natural world, but they work best when they complement—not replace—the experience of being outdoors.
So next time you're exploring the Backcountry Wilderness Area, consider downloading one or two of these apps and see what new discoveries await. You might identify a bird you've never noticed before, learn the name of a wildflower, spot a distant wildfire, or simply gain a greater appreciation for the incredible biodiversity that surrounds us.
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