Is It Ever OK to Trundle Rocks?
Think before you throw.
How Do You Solve a Problem Like Litterbugs?
Despite some progress, the boom in single-use plastic and an influx of new hikers are testing anti-littering efforts. Can making cleanliness personal help solve our garbage problem?
What Does a Biden Presidency Mean for the Outdoors?
After four years of Trump, U.S. environmental policymakers are about to get new marching orders. Are we in for a seismic shift, or just a course correction?
What Backpacking Lost in the California Fires
California's catastrophic wildfire season left some of the state's most vaunted hiking areas charred and impassible. With the climate changing and wildfires continuing to intensify, it may be a taste of what's to come.
State Parks Are in Danger of Becoming Victims of 2020
Hit hard by coronavirus and historic wildfires, California needs visitors to ensure its state parks recover.
Get Out More: Become a BACKPACKER Basecamp Member
Get the tools you need to get outside. Join Basecamp for access to an exclusive video skills library, gear deals, special guides, giveaways, a members-only community, insider tips, and more!
The 6 Best Insulated Hiking Jackets of Winter 2020
Stay warm and cozy with these perfect puffies.
The 4 Best Packs of Winter 2020
Winter activities can take a lot of gear, from avalanche equipment to heavy sleeping bags. But that doesn't mean you have to weigh yourself down. These four bags keep it light while still leaving you enough room to carry your necessities.
The 10 Best Tents of 2020 for Backpacking
Find the perfect shelter to match the perfect spot.
The Best Winter Camping Gear for Sleeping in the Snow
Want to get outside this season? These 7 products can help you do it more comfortably and safely than ever before.
The 6 Best Hiking Boots of Winter 2020
Bust through snow, crust, and slush with this warm, toothy footwear.
Editors' Choice: The Best Gear of Fall and Winter 2020
Make the most of the cold with six perfect picks, from jackets to tents to skis.
The 8 Best Face Masks for Hiking
Protect yourself and your fellow hikers with these comfortable, trail-ready masks.
Find Gear Reviews By Popular Brands
Wilderness First Aid Basics
Don't venture out without knowing how to take care of yourself in the woods.
Backcountry Navigation
Even in today’s high-tech world, your smartphone will only get you so far.
Thru-Hiking 101
This six-week online class covers everything you need to know to plan and finish the long-distance hike of your dreams.
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Desert Treasure
Spend the weekend on Coyote Gulch Trail, Glen Canyon National Recreation Area, UT
Get Above It in Tennessee's Big Frog Wilderness
In the winter, the mountains and ridges of Tennessee transform.
Explore a Frosted World on Roan Mountain, North Carolina
Winter on the Appalachian Trail is blessedly crowd-free. Enjoy it on this classic day hike.
Meet the (Scaly, Feathery, Furry) Neighbors in Everglades National Park
A weeklong paddle through Florida’s Everglades National Park is chock-full of wildlife encounters.
Editor's Pick: North Cascades Weekend
Destinations Editor Kristin Smith loves this shoulder-season overnight on East Bank Ross Lake Trail in Washington's North Cascades National Park.
Ditch the Car for Public Transport on These All-Time Dayhikes
Ride the train or the bus all the way to the trailhead on these short adventures.
Find Your Backcountry Hideout at Robber's Cave State Park, Oklahoma
Nature and Old West history meet.
Go on a Coastal Getaway in the Siuslaw National Forest, Oregon
Get to know the northwestern rainforest—and its salamanders—on this overnight route.
A Family Thru-Hike in the Year of Covid
Hiking the Appalachian Trail with four kids is tough; figuring out how to do it safely and legally in a pandemic year might seem insurmountably so. But for Olen and Danae Netteburg, two physicians who have spent the last decade working in Chad, it was just another challenge.
Shattered on the Pacific Crest Trail
When they wake up broke, broken, and far from home, how do thru-hikers find the will to go another mile?
It's Time to Stop Managing Our Wildlands for Hunters First
Why do we still run our public lands like it’s 1920?
George Atiyeh Was the Hero the Forest Needed
The 72-year-old activist, who passed away last month, used mining claims, scenic flights, hiking trails, and occasionally outright confrontation to protect the Opal Creek Wilderness.
Editor’s Note: Take a Hike to the Polls
The results of this fall’s election could change the outdoors for a long time. Make a plan and make your voice heard.
Wolves Won't Wait
In November, Colorado will make history when it lets voters decide whether to reintroduce gray wolves. But the discovery of the state’s first confirmed pack in nearly a century is casting an old debate in a new light.
How a Jogging Stroller Saved My Outdoor Life
Being a new parent is hard, but being able to share your favorite thing with your baby makes it a little easier.
Ask a Thru-Hiker: How Do I Deal With My Post-Hike Depression?
Getting back to "real life" after a long hike can be rough. But if you feel low after coming home, you're not alone.
Recipe: Garlic Noodles
Elevate your standard Ramen with this savory sauce that comes together in minutes.
Keep Your Fingers and Toes Warm on Winter Hikes
Cold fingers and toes cause quick misery in the backcountry. The key to feeling as warm as possible is keeping your digits toasty. Take care of your hands and feet and you’ll have a much more pleasant winter camping experience.
How to Camp in Comfort This Winter
The fourth season’s rewards—unparalleled solitude and otherwordly views—don’t come easy. Use this advice from Colorado ski guide Mia Tucholke to handle the cold and witness the season’s splendor.
Can a Warm-Weather Backpacker Learn to Love Winter?
Two fair-weather enthusiasts tear down their fear of the fourth season.
3 Perfect Exercises to Keep You Pain-Free and Pack-Ready
Whether it’s a moderate overnight load or 45 pounds of expedition gear, the moment you put on a pack your body must acclimate to additional pressure on your joints, muscles, and spine. Add these exercises to your workout routine to feel like a champ no matter how much you're carrying.
How to Care for Your Adventure Dog
The only thing better than hiking in the fall? Hiking through gorgeous autumn foliage with your best friend.
Enjoy the Outdoors All Winter Long With This Traction
With new EXOspikes, Kahtoola completes the ultimate trilogy of winter traction.
The Mystery on Mount Washington
Pam Bales’ solo hike in October 2010 turned into a daring rescue of a fellow hiker. But she was left with more questions than answers.
I Survived a Lightning Strike
Minko Nikolov, 32, suffered a near-fatal lightning strike while scouting a bouldering objective in Rocky Mountain National Park in August 2019.
8 Rules for Staying Safe in the Backcountry
From bear encounters to first aid, these safety tips will help you manage the unexpected in the backcountry.
Out Alive: Fall From a Cliff
When Shaina Maytum was 21, a slip in the desert left her broken, alone, and unable to move.
Here's What it's Really Like to Work in Polar Bear Country
Polar Bears International's Geoff York has been studying Arctic wildlife for more than 20 years. In that time he's had some magical moments—and a few close shaves.
PODCAST: How to Stay Safe Around Bears
Are bears dangerous? Not if you plan ahead. Learn to stay safe in bear country with these tips from researcher Tom Smith.