A good shell protects you from rain, snow, wind, and more. Grab one of these to keep the weather out.

Bed down better in the backcountry by picking one of these comfy bags.

Big or small, your tent is your home in the backcountry. Get the perfect one with these picks from the experts at BACKPACKER.

From fleet-footed trail runners to midcuts that bash through the worst scree with ease, these 12 pairs can handle any conditions nature dreams up.

Snooze like royalty on these backcountry beds.

A lightweight backpack, custom-molded boots, and the best lip balm we've ever tried: meet our favorite gear of the season.

These travel essentials are fit for the trail, the plane, and everywhere in between.

Testers share their all-time favorite packs, bags, tents, and more.

Catch some of the country's first flowers in Oklahoma's Ouachita Mountains. BY ERICA ZAZO

To kick off National Park Week, National Park Service sites across the U.S. will offer free entry on April 21. For many of the 118 NPS sites that aren’t already free, Saturday could be a busy day. Places like the Grand Canyon and Yellowstone, which already get millions of visitors a year, will fill up when the fees drop. To help you skip those crowds, we scoped out 9 great hikes in the least-visited NPS sites where you usually have to pay to play. Get outdoors for a day trip this Saturday, avoid the crowds, and steal a great deal.

The Midwest's best multiday trips, as selected by BACKPACKER Local scout Erica Zazo.

With a bit of luck, you can see nature’s most electric light show.

Can hikers leverage vacation rentals to turn Los Angeles's 67-mile Backbone Trail into a legitimate thru-hike? Will Cockrell investigates.

Get ready for your AT thru-hike with this gear checklist from expert thru-hiker Liz "Snorkel" Thomas.

In these backcountry paradises, rain is part of the adventure.

Headed out on the Pacific Crest Trail? Expert thru-hiker Liz “Snorkel” Thomas breaks down the gear you’ll need.

Ditch summer camp for these five excellent adventures, where young women gain wilderness skills and the confidence to use them from real outdoor role models.

While it’s nice to share, you don’t want to share with a bear.

One option: Skip it entirely.

Want to write about your adventures for a living? Avoid these common mistakes.

There will be times when only a thin layer of fabric protects you from Mother Nature’s fury. Choose the right shell and take care of it.

It’s not just a bag. It’s a lifetime’s worth of beauty sleep. Learn what features you need, shop accordingly, and keep your bag in good repair, and it’ll keep you sleeping soundly.

Get ready for your AT thru-hike with this gear checklist from expert thru-hiker Liz "Snorkel" Thomas.

Home is where you stake it out. Understand the ins and outs, pick the right shelter, and treat it like you would your bedroom.

When temperatures start climbing under a merciless desert sun, you’ve got a whole new set of survival concerns to deal with. Do you have the know-how to make it out alive?

Roger Dannen, 75, slipped 60 feet down a rock face in remote Indian Canyons, near Palm Springs, California, in January 2018. He survived in the desert for three days.

The wilderness can be deadly if you don't know what you're doing. Take our test to rate your survival—and learn a few skills that might save your hide.

Learn to battle your way out of a raging river—and find a safe spot to crawl to shore—with these tips.

Sure you can patch up minor injuries, but will your knowledge be enough if your partner’s life is at stake?

When your spring bounces from t-shirt weather to snow in the space of a day, getting ready for the trail is a challenge.

When you're slipping and sliding, don't let your partners help you. Learn how to climb yourself to safety.

There’s more to rain than falling water. Here are the weirdest wet weather facts you didn’t know.