One of the many simple joys of experiencing the great outdoors is simply looking around. That might be staring up into the sky at night, searching for star constellations, or trying to identify a species of bird in the distance. 

One of the best tools to use for these activities is your smartphone. There are countless travel apps for wildlife viewing, stargazing, and more that provide a useful way to connect with nature.

Get away from the city lights for a weekend and visit the Rankin Ranch in California. We offer peaceful experiences unique to each season throughout the year. So come to California and enjoy the peaceful country atmosphere in our little mountain valley.

Best Travel Apps For An Outdoor Adventure

Before you head to the ranch, download one or two of these apps to your smartphone. These are some of the best outdoor exploration apps on the marketplace.

• Merlin Bird ID: This popular app is for both new and seasoned birdwatchers. It uses AI to identify birds from photos and sounds. All of this is done in real time, too.
• Seek by iNaturalist: If you are looking for an all-in-one app, this one might be it. Seek uses image recognition to identify plants, animals, bugs, amphibians, and fungi. Collect badges for the more plants and critters you identify.
• Sky Tonight: Stare up into the sky at night and easily identify stars and constellations with this free app. The app uses real-time data, making it easy to know what stars and more are above you at night.
• Stellarium Mobile: This popular and accurate app can identify much of what you see in the night sky. The app will help you identify stars, constellations, planets, comets, and satellites in real time. You can also plan observation sessions ahead of time, so you will know when a satellite or comet is visible at what time.
• Shroomify: For people who are into mushrooms, this app is a must download. This app is packed with information about fungi, including which mushrooms are edible, and what the most popular mushrooms are that naturally grow near you.

Keep Your Digital Travel Guide Handy

There’s little doubt that one of these travel apps will come in handy for you on your adventure throughout Rankin Ranch. It might be learning about a new mushroom or spotting a comet late at night. There are plenty of ways to build new memories and learn something new about the world around you. 

We are the oldest and largest family-owned dude ranch in California. For six generations, the Rankin family has managed the vast 31,000-acre cattle ranch. Book now by visiting our website or calling us directly at 1-661-867-2511.