Meet the Thru-Hiking Brewers Who Started a Beer Business in a Backpack
When Alexa Tubbs met Matt Leef on the CDT, he was brewing beer in a soda bottle. Now, the two own Open Space Brewing, a hub for hikers and beer-lovers.
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Deal of the Week: Grab This 10-Ounce Ultralight Shelter for Less Than $100
The MSR Thru-Hiker Mesh House 1 is one of the lightest solutions for keeping out bugs, no-see-ums, and water seepage from the ground.
How To Thru-Hike One Of The Most Rugged Coastlines In America
Hike the Lost Coast Trail safely with this complete guide to permits, tides, gear, and a three-day itinerary through coastal wilderness.
Pacific Crest Trail Closed in Washington as Police Search for Man Accused of Murdering Daughters
The Enchantments and a stretch of the PCT north of Stehekin are off-limits to visitors as authorities hunt for Travis Decker, who faces murder charges for allegedly killing his three young daughters.
California’s “Golden Mountain” Features Forests, Coastal Bluffs—and Some of the Best Wildflowers You’ll Ever Sees
Montaña de Oro is one of California’s biggest state parks, but it receives a fraction of Yosemite National Park’s visitation.
Trail Crews Nationwide Relied on AmeriCorps Funding. Here’s How They’re Faring Without It.
Conservation corps members are increasingly important to fixing America’s trails. Thanks to federal funding cuts, their jobs are now in jeopardy.
Listen: How Two Friends Fended Off a Grizzly Attack
For Bear Month, we teamed up with the Tooth and Claw Podcast to bring you this story of daring determination in the face of a grizzly attack.
Second Hiker Confirmed Dead on Mount Katahdin
Baxter State Park officials have confirmed that searchers located the bodies of Tim and Esther Keiderling, a father and daughter who went missing during a hike up Katahdin on Sunday.
The Fascinating, Life-Saving Science of Bear Spray
Learn the history of bear spray and how it "shuts off" bears' ability to perceive the world around them in this interview with bear biologist and podcast host Wes Larson.
The 5 Best Men’s Hiking Pants and Shorts of 2025
Thirteen testers hiked, scrambled, and power-napped to find the very best pants and shorts for hiking and backpacking.
National Trails Day 2025
Falling on the first Saturday in June, National Trails Day is a holiday for hikers of all stripes to get out on their local trails while volunteering to make them better. This year, we're celebrating it all month by sharing our favorite trips for the season and tips to help you and your loved ones get outside.
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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