November 2025: Ahoy, Autumn!
Pause the holiday music — there's so much of autumn left to enjoy.
In this month’s issue:
Don’t tip the canoe… er, kayak, on November’s recommended adventure
Your new roommate has eight eyes and you’re going to have to make peace with that
Before you feast, know the star of Thanksgiving dinner nearly went extinct
Plus a few other nature notes.
The grayer half of fall is nearly here. While leaf drop is staggering around the country — I still have a few intriguingly green deciduous trees in my neck of the woods — I know that the days of perky, pumpkin spice fall are numbered. After daylight saving time’s end earlier this week, the descent into overcast and darker days of autumn has begun.
I simultaneously love and dread this time of year thanks to a hefty dose of seasonal depression (check out my tips for hanging in there if you’re already feeling a little SAD, too). With leaves down, it’s easier to spot layers of shelf mushrooms that have accumulated on downed trees, and the sound of woodpeckers is no longer dampened, traveling farther. It’s a phenomenal time of year to get outside. And sometimes, going on an adventure to shake off the start of the (almost) winter blues really does help — which is why this month I recommend getting out into a seasonally counterintuitive place: the water.
Autumn on the Water
Kayaking has the reputation of being a summertime activity, but I’m here to tell you that autumn is perhaps the best time to get out on the water. Hear me out:
You won’t overheat from summer’s UV rays on steroids.
There’s less traffic on waterways as most people have docked for the season.
It can feel peacefully calm to just float along as the holiday season ratchets up stress levels.
The snacks you pack won’t melt in the heat (try eating a completely melted KitKat while paddling, it is not great).
However, I’ll be the first to admit that kayaking isn’t one of the most accessible outdoor activities — I know firsthand, considering I have not been able to fund the hefty price tag of two tandem kayaks needed to float my family of four. Yet, late this summer, I had a great experience renting one. If you live near a waterway with public access areas, your fall adventure could be one web search and security deposit away.
The Pros, Cons, and “Mehs” of Kayak Rentals
While traveling through Arkansas this summer, nearly every state park I camped at had a lake with rentable kayaks. In-between digging for diamonds and waltzing around Hot Springs National Park, I daydreamed about getting on the water (because I love kayaking… and because there comes a point on every family vacation where mama needs quiet time).
I decided to spring for an hour-long kayak rental. After downloading an app, signing a bunch of waivers, and picking out my oars and lifejacket, I mustered the strength to unrack a kayak and drag it into the water on my own — sort of a pain at 5’0”, but again… I was alone and it was gloriously quiet. Ultimately, I had a great experience, but before I send you out on the water for your own dose of autumnal solitude, here’s what you should consider about watercraft rentals.
👍🏽 Pros: The biggest win here is not having to purchase a kayak or deal with the details of loading and transporting it. The second biggest perk: renting lets you figure out exactly what you do and don’t like before Sam’s Club convinces you that you really do need that $700 fishing kayak on display near the beer section. I’ve rented both sit-in and sit-on kayaks, and developed a preference so that when I’m ready to one day buy, I know exactly what I want. And, if it turns out that kayaking is just not your thing, you’re not stuck trying to make a sketchy Facebook Marketplace deal.
👎🏽 Cons: On the other hand, kayak rentals aren’t necessarily cheap. Every Arkansas State Parks I visited used a third-party concessionaire for its watercraft rentals, which could explain the high cost of $20 per hour. In comparison, I’ve rented kayaks for years at several Missouri State Parks that cost about $10 per hour, or $25 for the entire day. Since fees are time-based and ya girl was on a budget, I anxiously kept checking my watch. Eventually, I got irritated for not being in the moment and set an alarm with enough time to paddle back to shore before my hour rolled over.
Another downside: not every kayak rental company offers tandem kayaks, so if you have multiple people, those costs are going to multiply. If you have young children who need to be in the same watercraft as you, there’s a possibility you won’t find the gear you need.
👌🏽Just Meh: It’s great to not own and store huge pieces of rec gear, but renting can mean you might encounter equipment you can’t stand. I find that I’m particular about lifejackets and how they wear because I’m a short human with a short torso — and if I don’t bring my own, it’s likely I’ll get stuck with one that’s irritatingly uncomfortable.
I also want to note that if you’ve never kayaked before, doing it entirely on your own for the first time can be intimidating. These self-service stations are great for people who have some kayaking experience. While the service I used in Arkansas did have some information videos to watch during the checkout process, that’s not always the case. I’ve rented kayaks at other places that only required a signed waiver and deposit before I was sent on my way. But if you’re up for the challenge, this fall may be the best time to hit the water.
🕸️ Befriend a house spider and let it hang around for winter. With cooler temperatures here to stay, it’s likely a few eight-legged roommates have moved in. Identify one that lives in your garage or living room corner and let it stay for the winter. It’ll take care of (other) unwanted pests in return.
🍁 Press a leaf (after you ID it, of course). There’s something particularly magical about copper-colored leaves that makes me want to press and keep them. Venture out to find your favorite, and save it within the pages of a beloved book.
🥾Lace up your boots and hit a trail. November 17 marks National Take a Hike Day, perfectly timed with fading leaf-peeping season. Hiking on cooler days can take a little extra motivation. My favorite trick: packing a hot lunch in a thermos or an instant backpacking meal that can be cooked on a pocket stove wherever a restful view presents itself.
🦃 Wild turkeys are beginning to flock together. North America is home to only two species of wild turkeys and during this time of year these jumbo birds become a bit social, creating groups of up to 25 for safety during the frigid months ahead. Turkeys move together into more wooded habitats where they roost in trees at night, out of reach of hungry predators. Today, the U.S. has a hefty population of about 6 to 7 million turkeys, though they were nearly hunted to extinction by the early 20th century. Conservation advocates spent decades protecting and boosting turkey numbers — another reason to be grateful this time of year.
🍄🟫 Fungi are thriving during these fall months. As neither flora nor fauna, mushrooms continue to mystify throughout late fall and into early winter, surviving in conditions other lifeforms couldn’t. This time of year you may spot puffballs, oyster mushrooms (especially after a rain), chicken of the woods, and lion’s mane during your next nature hike. All are edible — just be sure to follow safe mushroom foraging practices when you’re filling your basket.
🐿️ Chipmunks are prepping for their half-hibernation. If you’re in part of the country experiencing dropping temps, you’re likely witnessing squirrels and chipmunks scuttling to finish their pre-winter task list. However, these two species spend winter differently. While squirrels remain active, chipmunks experience torpor, a midpoint between being completely awake and hibernating. Deep in their underground burrows, chipmunks sleep the winter away, popping up every few days to nibble from their food stash before returning to their slumber.
🧺 Persimmons are ripening, though I’ve heard reports from several Midwesterners that their trees got a jump on the season. Here’s my guide for learning to forage persimmons.
Preorder: The Outdoor Humans Nature Journal
Preorders are now opening for the Outdoor Humans 2026 Nature Journal! I created this physical journal with the goal of helping you find your own path through the woods, with prompts that guide your intentional nature connection all year long.
Each month features specialty content separate from what appears in the free Outdoor Humans newsletter. You’ll find:
A monthly calendar with nature-focused holidays and happenings, plus space to record your own daily observations
Season-specific nature notes that encourage you to observe wildlife, get up close with plants and trees, and find tasty foraging treats
Monthly ideas for connecting with the natural world — including indoor activities for those dark and frosty winter days
Journaling spots to recount walks and hikes, critter encounters, and other curiosities witnessed during your outdoor explorations
A simple time tracker that helps you visualize just how much time you’re really spending out there
The Outdoor Humans Nature Journal is meant to help you develop the habit of stepping away from screens and stress, even if just for a few moments each day.
Preordering now means your journal will ship out in early December, making it a great gift to share with the person you want to hike, paddle, or birdwatch with in 2026. It’s also a great gift just for you (that’s what I call self-care).
Unlike many newsletters, Outdoor Humans does not require a paid subscription — and that’s on purpose. I started this tiny publication because I truly enjoy experiencing and writing about nature, and hope it inspires you to see the value of the world around us.
If you’ve ever been interested in supporting the real-life human behind Outdoor Humans, ordering your copy of the 2026 Nature Journal is a fantastic way to do so. Each newsletter is written by me, Nicole Garner Meeker, an actual human who lives in the actual woods.
That’s it for this month’s edition of Outdoor Humans. Keep your wits about you, and go the heck outside.
Nicole Garner Meeker
Art Notes: This month’s feature image comes from “Kayaks of the North Sea,” an article published in the Scottish Geographical Magazine in 1912.
Have a nature question? Your inquiry may be published and answered in a future issue of Outdoor Humans.
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