9 National Park and Monument Hikes to Beat the Crowds on Fee-Free Day
On April 20, all national parks in the U.S. will offer free admission. Skip the lines with our guide
What Wildfires Mean for Bears
Fire seasons are getting worse and longer, and humans aren’t the only ones affected. When the forest burns, what happens to its inhabitants?
Here's What You Need to Know About David Bernhardt, Nominee for Secretary of the Interior
David Bernhardt has years of experience in government—and longstanding professional ties to the oil industry. As the Senate considers his nomination, we break down his history.
Someone Landed a Helicopter on the California Super Bloom
“We never thought it would be explicitly necessary to state that it is illegal to land a helicopter in the middle of the fields and begin hiking off trail. We were wrong."
The 12 Best Hiking Jackets of 2019
Keep out the wind, rain, and cold with our favorite shells of the season
The 13 Best Backpacks of 2019
Our testers found load haulers for every trip and hiker. Pick yours and enjoy the spoils.
The 5 Best Backpacking Electronics of 2019
This year's top gadgets are designed to keep you safe and comfortable on the trail while staying out of your way.
The 12 Best Tents of 2019 for Backpacking
Find the perfect shelter to match the perfect location.
The 12 Best Hiking Boots and Shoes of 2019
Treat your feet with these trail runners and mid-cuts.
Editors' Choice: The Best Gear of 2019
For five months, we crisscrossed continents, climates, and comfort zones to put the newest outdoor products to the test. Presenting the 12 winners of this year’s Editors’ Choice Awards.
The 9 Best Sleeping Bags of 2019
Sleep well in the backcountry with these down and synthetic models.
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.
Outdoor Photo School
Stop being envious of other people’s great shots and create some of your own.
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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Hike of the Week: Alamere Falls, Point Reyes, CA
The classic Pacific coast waterfall is the destination; the 15-mile round-trip hike through evergreen forests, coastal grassland, and beachside cliffs is the journey.
Hike of the Week: Kings Mountain, OR
Climb through Douglas firs and sword ferns to reach this 3,205-foot summit in Tillamook State Forest.
The 23 Best Hard Hikes in America
Whether it’s big elevation changes, big miles, or big moves, these 23 routes prove that the best hikes are often the hardest.
Hike of the Week: Wa‘ahila Ridge, HI
Climb Wa‘ahila Ridge below Mt. Olympus for some of Honolulu's best views.
Hike of the Week: Bane Canyon, Chino Hills State Park, CA
Find fields of poppies on this spring-perfect hike in the Chino Hills outside Lake Elsinore.
Hike of the Week: Camelback Mountain, Phoenix, AZ
Climb above Phoenix for an aerie-like view over the valley.
Hike of the Week: Whitaker Point Trail, Upper Buffalo Wilderness, AR
Score an aerie overlooking the Buffalo River Valley to yourself when you visit Whitaker Point in the offseason.
Live Like a Local This Winter in Estes Park, Colorado
The crowds in Colorado are growing, but you can still find solitude in this quintessential Rocky Mountain hideaway.
Excerpt: A Wild Encounter on the Appalachian Trail
For early thru-hikers, steep hills and long distances were only part of the challenge.
Why I Take My Colorado-Raised Kids to the Ocean
Growing up at the beach gave me a love for nature, and a desire to protect it. Now, I want to pass that on.
The Challenge: Stay Silent on a Group Hike
Does the peacefulness of solo hiking translate into a social setting?
When the Trekking Trail is the Best Teacher
A month of travel through Nepal proves just as enriching as second grade math, science, English, and history. Maybe more.
The Power of an Outdoor Education Field Trip
Plant a group of kids in cabins in the mountains, and watch them grow.
Thru-Hiker Heather "Anish" Anderson's Big Year
In 2018, Anish became the first woman—and sixth person overall—to hike the Triple Crown in a single calendar year. Doing it would take a lot of sweat, and 8,000 miles on the the trail.
Want to Explore the Wilderness in Winter? Ski It.
Why go high in winter? Because going down is so much fun.
How Nature Encourages Sibling Bonding
Give me some dirt, or snow, or sticks to glue them together.
3 Homemade Breakfast Bar Recipes for Hikers
Prepare the first meal of the day at home and you'll start hiking sooner—and have on-the-go snacks.
Pass/Fail: Backpack With a Baby
Are mother and son ready to trade the crib for a tent?
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.
How to Tidepool with Your Kids
Turn a day at the beach into a trip to the magical world of ocean life.
How to Pack a Bear Canister
You don't have to sacrifice the dessert to fit a trip's worth of food.
Quiz: Test Your Wildlife IQ
How much do you really know about the creatures that you're sharing the wilderness with?
How to Thru-Hike a Long Trail
You don’t have to be a planner to start a thru-hike, but you’ll turn into one if you want to finish.
How to Find the Perfect-Fitting Hiking Boots
Do your shoes actually fit properly? We asked Oboz how to know you’re getting the right fit before you hit the trail with your brand-new hiking boots.
Quiz: Can You Tell Black Bears and Grizzlies Apart?
See if you have the knowledge to ID the lower 48's bruins.
How to Pack a Bear Canister
You don't have to sacrifice the dessert to fit a trip's worth of food.
Ask a Bear: Do Bears Really Love Honey?
Our resident bruin expert answers all your questions in our 'Ask A Bear' column.
How to Keep Your Dog (and Yourself) Safe in Bear Country
Taking a dog on a bear-frequented trail heightens your risks. Stay out of trouble with these 5 tips for hikers with canine companions.
Ask a Bear: How Many Different Kinds of Bears Are There?
Our resident bruin expert answers all your questions in our 'Ask A Bear' column.
Ask a Bear: Where Does the Word "Bear" Come From?
Our resident bruin expert answers all your questions in our 'Ask A Bear' column.
When Family Adventures Turn Scary
When her son experienced a health scare in the mountains, Lisa Jhung had to examine the unknowns of backcountry travel.
Lost In an Ice Cave
In August 2018, Spencer Christiansen, 31, and his wife Jess, 24, spent nearly two days lost in Wyoming’s Darby Ice Caves.
