Heat Kills Hikers. Here’s How to Survive.
Deaths from extreme heat are climbing—and hikers are especially vulnerable. Here's what you need to know about keeping yourself safe during the hottest months of the year.
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The Best Pots and Pans for Backcountry Cooking
Whether you're after a caffeinated alpine start or a lazy brunch, we’ve found the best cookware for your wild culinary adventures.
Funding Cuts Delayed Pacific Crest Trail Maintenance. Now, Hikers Are Facing the Consequences.
Staffing cuts at federal agencies and slashed budgets are slowing down maintenance efforts on the long-distance trail.
Sponsored Content
Your Adventure Dog Benefits from a Healthy Diet and Exercise, Just Like You
Maximize your dog’s active years with advice from veterinarians and high-quality nutrition
Sponsored Content
America’s First National Park City
The outdoors is never far away in Chattanooga
The 5 Best Stoves for Speedy Boil Times and Backcountry Feasts
From all-in-one systems to pocket-sized powerhouses, these are the best burners for whipping up a meal in the wilderness
What Kind of Bear Are You? Take Our Quiz and Find Out.
Answer a few quick questions and let Backpacker tell you which of the world's bear species most closely matches your personality.
Meet the Educator Bringing Backpacking to Rural Virginia Students
Lisa Benish found her calling introducing kids in Virginia’s rural coal country to the joys of backpacking and nature.
Hate Hiking in Hot Weather? Wear Linen.
It might not be a “technical fabric,” but linen is the best choice for scorching, dry climates.
Why Did a Bear Kill 12 People—and What Can We Learn From it?
In 1957, a sloth bear in Mysore, India caused the deaths of at least 12 people and injured 24 more. In this Bear Month podcast, the hosts of Tooth and Claw delve into why—and discuss what it and similar incidents can teach us about one of the world’s lesser-known bear species.
Want to Help Fix Your Local Hiking Trails? Now There’s an App for That
Trailfunds aims to get hikers more involved with the nonprofits that stweard the trails they love.
Wildlife
The Cocaine Bear Trailer Is Wild. The Real Story Is Weirder and Sadder.
Cocaine Bear's first trailer shows a bloodthirsty, intoxicated bruin rampaging through the forest. But how much of the based-on-a-true-story movie is real?
Fitness
The Best Hiking Workouts for Every Fitness Level
Reality check: Hitting the gym is the quickest way to hike farther, easier, faster, and pain-free. Get into a routine—or take yours to the next level—with these smart workouts for three different levels.
The Best Hikes
The Best Hikes in Joshua Tree National Park
Full of rock scrambles, cactus clusters, and desert views for days, Joshua Tree National Park is the southwest at its finest.
Backpacking Skills
Why You Should Use Trekking Poles
Ending too many hikes with sore, wobbly legs? Trekking poles can help you make it that extra mile.
Gear Round-Ups
Trail Guides
The Ultimate Guide to Hiking the Zion Narrows
The Narrows at Zion National Park offers an incredible adventure in America's most amazing slot canyons. Here's how to safely explore them.
Survival Skills
How to Remove and Treat Thorns, Splinters, and Other Prick Wounds
Nature can be brutal. Learn how to to deal with wounds from all kinds of thorns, spines, splinters, shards, quills, needles, and anything else that might get under your skin when you’re on the trail.
Classic Destinations
Hike Mauna Kea: The Expert Guide to Hiking Hawaii’s Highest Point
Ready to hike to the highest point in Hawaii? Ascend Mauna Kea's volcanic slopes to a summit high above the clouds. This challenging day hike is among the most spectacular on the planet.
Backpacking Gear
10 Backpacking Gear Tips We Learned the Hard Way
Get the most out of your backpacking equipment with this sage advice.
Long Trails
100 Years Ago, the Appalachian Trail Was One Man’s Dream. Now, It’s Everyone’s.
Benton MacKaye's original proposal for the Appalachian Trail came out 100 years ago. While the trail may have changed, the appeal hasn't.
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Out Alive
Real people who survived the unsurvivable
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Impossible Odds
Two friends, 8,000 trail miles, one year
Featured Story
The Best Places to Hike in 2023
This is the year to dream big. With the world's last destinations finally reopening to visitors, now's the time to plan a life-list hike that you'll never forget. Even better: Backpacker's done the work for you.
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