I was recently invited to attend a media tour of the brand new Public Lands store in Columbus, Ohio. It’s owned by DICK’S Sporting Goods and is a newcomer to the market — so new that the Columbus store is only the 2nd location in the country (the other is right outside of Pittsburgh).

The store itself is huge (60,000 square feet) and beautiful. If you like shopping for anything outdoors-y, you’ll be in heaven. There are also a ton of lifestyle-focused products for those of us who aren’t into extreme outdoor activities including apparel and accessories for men, women, and kids. When I first walked into the store, the front display was all purple athleisure wear so yeah, I bought a few things.

This post was sponsored by Public Lands/DICK’S Sporting Goods, but of course, all opinions are my own.

Don’t Miss It: Public Lands is a brand new store at Polaris in Columbus that sells outdoor adventure gear and apparel from brands you know and love like Patagonia, YETI, The North Face, Carhartt, Columbia, Traeger, and much more!

Public Lands At A Glance

Public Lands is a new outdoor and adventure retailer that’s dedicated to getting more people outside and protecting the country’s 640 million acres of public lands. Its mission includes conservation, access and equity, and sustainability.

That commitment is so strong that the company is donating 1% of all sales to the Public Lands Fund, which helps out both local and national organizations with the goal of protecting and preserving public lands and ensuring everyone has access to and feels comfortable in public lands around the country.

Read More: National Public Lands Day

Types of Activities

Public Lands sells all sorts of outdoor and adventure gear for many different activities as well as “lifestyle” products. You don’t need to be a hardcore athlete/camper/fisher/runner/hiker/climber etc. to find some great stuff at the store!

I was really impressed with the breadth of products they had for lots of different types of activities:

• Hiking
• Biking/Cycling
• Rock Climbing
• Running
• Fishing
• Paddleboarding
• Kayaking
• Skiing and snowboarding
• Urban exploration and travel
• Camping
• Outdoor living (grills, hammocks, fire pits, coolers, etc)
• Men’s, women’s, and children’s apparel

If you need gear or accessories for any type of outdoor activity, adventure, or trip, chances are good you’ll find what you’re looking for at Public Lands (I just wish the store was open when I was shopping for my safari in Africa). The only thing I didn’t find that I was hoping for was scuba gear.

Don’t Miss It: There’s also a small section of the store that carries some locally made products like coffee, tea, and honey.

Public Lands Store Services, Classes, and Events

In addition to being an outdoor and adventure activity retailer, Public Lands also offers various services, events, and classes. Here’s a rundown of the store’s offerings.

Public Lands Columbus Classes and Events

There will be classes and events held at the Columbus location of Public Lands soon. Click here to get an idea of what you can expect.

Public Lands Services

Gear Rentals: Sometimes you need special gear for a trip, but you don’t need to own said equipment. Thankfully, you can rent lots of different types of gear from Public Lands including bikes, kayaks, paddleboards, sleeping bags, tents, and even YETI coolers.

Bike Services: In addition to being able to purchase a bike at Public Lands, you can also have it serviced in the store.

Fishing Services: Shop for all of your fishing gear, and even get your fishing license at Public Lands.

Pack Fitting Services: If you want to go backpacking or hiking but have no clue what you need to bring or how to pack, let one of the Public Lands Guides help you out with expert advice for your specific trip and needs.

Shoe Fitting Services: Whether you’re shopping for hiking boots, running shoes, or even sandals, make sure your footwear fits properly before your adventures.

Gear Consults: Sign up for a personal shopping appointment with a Public Lands Guide for expert guidance and advice on outdoor gear needs.

Public Lands Climbing Wall

One of the coolest parts of the new Public Lands store in Columbus is the 30-foot rock-climbing wall. This large climbing wall is located in the back of the store and offers opportunities to practice your skills or try out climbing for the first time. You can sign up for climbing times of up to 1 hour.

Don’t Miss It: Pair some time at the Public Lands climbing wall with dinner afterward for a fun and unique Columbus date night!

Final Thoughts

The Public Lands store in Columbus is a definite must if you’re planning any sort of outdoor activity whether that’s a backyard BBQ, backpacking trip, or anything in between.

If you need some outdoor adventure inspiration, check out these posts:

• Hiking in Cuyahoga Valley National Park (Ohio)
• Hiking in Hocking Hills State Park (Ohio)
• Hiking in Scottsdale (Arizona)
• Hiking Red Rocks in Denver (Colorado)
• Hiking in Boulder (Colorado)