I used to think nature journaling had to be this quiet, solitary thing you do sitting cross-legged in a meadow for hours. But once I started planning creative nature journaling excursions—intentional outings where the journaling was part of the adventure—everything changed. These trips helped me stay inspired, notice more details, and actually fill up my sketchbooks instead of abandoning them halfway through.
What I’ve come to love most is how easily nature journaling can be blended into my other travels. Whether I’m out hiking for the day, backpacking through a national park, or even just sitting in a quiet patch of green behind a hotel when I’m feeling restless, there’s almost always an opportunity to slow down and pull something beautiful out of the moment.
I’ve journaled while waiting for delayed flights, during slow mornings on road trips, and on layovers in towns I wasn’t expecting to stop in. It’s a way to stay connected to the place I’m in—even when the exciting parts of the trip are on pause.
Creative nature journaling excursions don’t have to be complicated or far from home—they just need a bit of intention. One of the things I love most is how easily journaling overlaps with other kinds of slow, intentional travel—like ecotourism or visiting wildlife destinations. I’ve brought my sketchbook along on African safaris, surf trips chasing longboard waves, and while following the tracks of wild cats through different landscapes. Some of my favorite pages came from those quiet gaps in the trip—during the midday heat, on rest days, or when nothing else was happening.
Those in-between moments are often when journaling feels the most grounding and rewarding. They can stretch a simple walk into a meaningful experience, or give you something to look forward to on a day that’s otherwise kind of a wash. I’ve found that even a 15-minute journaling session in a place I didn’t plan to be can completely shift my mindset. This guide is all about how to create those kinds of experiences on purpose.
If you’re looking for foundational info first, check out my nature journaling basics guide or dive into these nature journaling prompts to spark ideas.
Key Points
- Keep your kit simple and mobile – A lightweight journaling bag and a few essential tools are better than overpacking and getting overwhelmed.
- Make the outing the focus – Let curiosity guide your pace. Walk slower, stay longer. The journal should reflect the experience, not replace it.
- Plan with flexibility – Have a loose route or theme in mind, but allow room for detours and surprises.
How I Plan Creative Nature Journaling Excursions
Before I grab my sketchbook and hit the trail, I like to set an intention for the outing. That doesn’t mean scripting everything. It just helps frame the excursion. Some days I focus on plants, other days I’m drawn to bird behavior or cloud forms.
Choose a location that fits your mood
Sometimes I want stillness, so I pick a nearby botanical garden or a quiet forest trail. Other times I crave movement and sound—so I go to a coastal bluff or a riverside path. I wrote about journaling in Australia during a recent trip and how the environment changed the way I sketched.
If you’re short on time, don’t underestimate the power of a backyard or city park. It’s all about how you approach it. And if you're traveling, look around—there’s often a patch of grass, a shady bench, or a rooftop view just waiting to become your makeshift studio. One of my favorite pages came from an impromptu session on a hotel balcony when I didn’t feel like doing anything else.
Set a theme (or don’t)
Themes help me narrow my focus, especially when I'm feeling scattered or overstimulated. I’ve had outings where I only recorded shadows, or only used watercolor. Other times I’ve challenged myself to focus only on sounds or to draw things I normally overlook, like plant stems or beetles. It gives me a kind of structure that encourages deeper attention. But I also like letting the environment surprise me. Some of my favorite sketches came from ditching the theme entirely and just responding to whatever caught my eye in the moment. If I’m feeling indecisive, I sometimes pull a random idea from this list of nature journaling ideas before I head out.
Check the weather and daylight
This sounds obvious, but forgetting to check sunset time has rushed more than one journaling trip. I’ve learned to always build in a little buffer—both for getting set up and for slowing down at the end. It’s also worth checking for wind if you’re planning to use watercolors. Overcast days are actually my favorite—they bring out subtle colors, reduce harsh shadows, and give me a gentler palette to work with.
What I Bring With Me
My kit changes slightly depending on where I’m going, but the basics stay the same. I always aim to travel light. If I overpack, I don’t use half of it.
Here’s what’s usually in my nature journaling bag:
- One sketchbook, usually A5
- Pencil and eraser
- Black pen (waterproof)
- Small watercolor palette
- Water brush
- Resealable water container
- Rag or cloth
- Foldable stool or mat (if I plan to sit for long)
If you're curious about materials, I have a full post on nature journaling supplies.
Making the Most of the Excursion
Once I’m out there, I try not to let the journal dominate the experience. The goal is to observe, experience, and document—it’s not about making pretty pages. I remind myself that the journal is a tool for connection, not performance. If all I do is sit and notice something I hadn't seen before, that’s a win.
Start with a warmup sketch
If I’m feeling rusty or self-conscious, I start with a quick contour sketch or a color swatch of the environment. This gets me into the flow. Sometimes I do a quick blind contour of a leaf or rock just to loosen up. It doesn’t matter if it looks good—it’s like stretching before a run.
Write before drawing (or vice versa)
Sometimes I write first—little notes about what I see, hear, smell. It could be as simple as “ants carrying petals uphill” or “wind suddenly cooler.” Other times I sketch first, then write reflections in the margins. Both approaches work, and switching it up keeps it fresh. I’ve even done voice memos on my phone mid-walk and written them out later into my journal.
For examples of how others approach this, you might like these nature journaling examples.
Don’t try to record everything
The most meaningful entries I’ve made often focus on one or two things—a crow’s behavior, the color of a lichen, the shape of a pine cone. Trying to capture everything just makes me anxious. If I feel overwhelmed, I stop and ask myself, “What’s pulling my attention right now?” and follow that. I’ve had full pages about just one bird call or the shifting light on tree bark.
Going Beyond the Solo Sketch
While many of my excursions are solo, I’ve started joining group workshops too—and it’s a totally different energy. There’s something powerful about sketching in silence near other people doing the same thing. I’ve met folks of all experience levels, from total beginners to lifelong artists, and there’s always something to learn just by observing how someone else approaches the page. You don’t even have to talk much—just being surrounded by others quietly noticing the world shifts the whole mood.
If you’ve never tried a group outing, consider one of these nature journaling workshops in the wild. Some are structured with prompts and discussions, others are more open-ended, like a roaming sketch club.
You can also plug into broader seasonal or global events, like International Nature Journaling Week. It’s a great excuse to try a new theme, or simply commit to a daily page for a week. And if you’re the type who loves sharing what you know, there’s nothing more rewarding than teaching others to journal—whether informally or using this guide to teaching nature journaling. Passing it on deepens your own practice too.
Using the Excursion to Grow Your Practice
Each trip gives me ideas for future pages. Sometimes I take extra photos or notes to revisit later at home. Other times I leave things unfinished on purpose—it gives me a reason to return.
Here are some ways I continue the momentum:
- Turn field sketches into more detailed studies later
- Revisit the same spot across seasons
- Try a different medium (like watercolor) or prompt
- Reflect on the emotional experience of the excursion
If you’re curious about journaling as an adult habit, this post on nature journaling for adults might resonate.
FAQ
What is a nature journaling excursion?
A nature journaling excursion is an intentional outing—whether it's a walk in a local park or a weekend hike—where you bring your sketchbook and tools with the goal of observing and documenting the natural world through drawing and writing.
Do I need to be good at drawing?
Not at all. The focus is on observation and curiosity, not making polished art. Even scribbles and notes count. The more you practice, the more natural it feels.
How long should an excursion be?
There’s no rule. I’ve done 20-minute sketch stops and 4-hour wandering days. What matters is your level of presence and attention.
Can I do this with kids or a group?
Definitely. Nature journaling can be adapted for all ages. I've got a full guide on nature journaling activities if you're planning something interactive.
How do I find ideas when I feel uninspired?
Try a new location, switch materials, or pull a prompt from the field guide to nature journaling. Sometimes limiting yourself (like only using two colors) opens up new possibilities.