Luke Nichols
| Stage Name / Nickname: | Outdoor Boys |
| Date of Birth: | 1978 (Age 47) |
| Place of Birth: | Anchorage, Alaska, USA |
| Nationality: | American |
| Education: | Brigham Young University; Juris Doctor, George Mason University |
| Marital Status: | Married |
| Spouse: | Rebecca Nichols |
| Children: | Tommy, Nathan, Jacob |
| Known For: | Outdoor Boys YouTube channel camping, bushcraft, survival with family |
Early Life & Background
Luke Nichols grew up in Anchorage, Alaska, where he developed an early love for nature and outdoor life. He served a mission in Japan for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter‑Day Saints, then studied political science at Brigham Young University before earning a Juris Doctor from George Mason University. He practiced criminal defense in Virginia prior to his YouTube journey.
YouTube Career & Channel Evolution
Luke began his online career in 2013 with Catfish & Carp, focusing on fishing. In May 2015, he launched Outdoor Boys, featuring family wilderness adventures with his wife Rebecca and their three sons. Known for cinematic, wholesome bushcraft, camping, fishing, and survival content, the channel struck a chord worldwide.
By mid‑2025, Outdoor Boys reached approximately 15.8 million subscribers and 2.6 billion views, with 12 million new subscribers in the prior 18 months a rapid growth that led to overwhelming attention. Luke decided to step down to protect his family’s privacy and support his son Tommy’s channel.
Family & Personal Life
Luke is married to Rebecca Nichols, and together they have three sons: Tommy, Nathan, and Jacob. The family spends time between Alaska and Virginia. Tommy has since launched his own channel, Outdoor Tom, continuing the family legacy.
Channel Hiatus & Community Response
In May 2025, Luke posted a video titled “Goodbye”, announcing a hiatus. He described the burden of public attention and how it affected his family’s well-being. Despite fans’ sadness, many including fellow creators like MrBeast—praised his decision as admirable and courageous.
Social Media & Online Presence
- 📸 Instagram – Nearly 1 million followers
- 👍 Facebook – Community hub
- ▶️ YouTube – Outdoor Boys
Luke does not maintain a public Twitter or IMDb profile.
Trivia & Impact
- The Outdoor Boys channel is celebrated for authentic educational outdoor experiences.
- On Reddit, fans shared that overexposure and invasions of privacy were the main reasons behind Luke’s departure.
- Known for hands-on skills knife forging, shelter building, and survival tactics.
Philanthropy & Values
Luke emphasizes family, self-reliance, and nature education. He advocates for privacy-conscious content creation and supports emerging creators especially his sons while choosing balance over fame.
Future Plans & Legacy
While new uploads are unlikely, Luke hinted at possibly releasing archived outdoor adventures later in the year. He plans to help his sons grow their channels and focus on “helping others” beyond content creation.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who is behind Outdoor Boys?
Luke Nichols is the creator of Outdoor Boys, a family‑centered outdoor adventure channel featuring bushcraft, camping, and survival.
How many subscribers does Outdoor Boys have?
As of mid‑2025, the channel has about 15.8 million subscribers and over 2.6 billion views.
Why did Luke step back from posting?
In May 2025, he announced a pause to protect family privacy and support his eldest son's channel, citing overwhelming attention.
Who are featured on Outdoor Boys?
Luke’s wife Rebecca and their sons Tommy, Nathan, and Jacob are featured; Tommy now runs his own channel, Outdoor Tom.
What is Luke’s background?
Born in Alaska, he served an LDS mission in Japan, studied at BYU and George Mason University, and worked as a criminal defense attorney before YouTube.