5 More Wilderness Myths You Shouldn’t Believe
Rid yourself of these backcountry fictions to stay safer on the trail.
Rid yourself of these backcountry fictions to stay safer on the trail.
Check out Madison Perrins and Aidan Lynn-Klimenko's author page.
Check out Madison Perrins and Aidan Lynn-Klimenko's author page.
It took Leslie Hsu Oh years to appreciate what her mother saw in bad weather.
Or, don’t, if that’s not your thing.
Check out Madison Perrins and Aidan Lynn-Klimenko's author page.
Camp on the tip of this peninsula on a quick overnight in the Charles C. Deam Wilderness. BY STUART PECK
While Great Smoky Mountains might be the most visited park in the system, Cataloochee is far from the crowds—with a bit of luck, you can see as many elk as people.
Explore the moonscape of Idaho—lava tubes, cinder cones, caves, and tunnels— on this weekend trip.
Follow the white blazes at the symbolic halfway point of the Appalachian Trail and soak in some history.
Test out one of the most notoriously difficult trails in New Hampshire's White Mountains.
Hike, climb, and scramble your way up the final five miles of the Appalachian Trail and be rewarded with the best views in Maine.
Check out ilivenow's author page.
Strengthen your hip flexors to get ready for big loads and steep terrain.
Don’t add to chaos, add to its resolution.
Lone ranger or social butterfly, you can still thrive.
Sometimes all the moleskin in the world doesn’t work, and you still have to walk. Grit your teeth and focus on these tips.
Yes, we should all learn from our mistakes. But on an ill-fated mission in Montana’s Beartooth Mountains, Mark Jenkins discovers that’s only the start.
Check out Madison Perrins and Aidan Lynn-Klimenko's author page.
Check out Madison Perrins and Aidan Lynn-Klimenko's author page.
Learn to control your mind, explore the Gates of the Arctic, survive with tent poles, and more in this issue.
Planning the trip of a lifetime? We want to help.
Check out aroyaimmedia-com's author page.
Swimming holes, waterfalls, petroglyphs, and an idyllic campsite—all just a few miles deep in Dinosaur National Monument. BY ROSE CONRY
Notch the prettiest section of the Ozark Trail on this overnight along the Eleven Point River. BY SAVANNAH WASZCZUK
In honor of National Parks Week
Are your plans bigger than your pockets? These grants could help fund your next big effort.
A group of determined Alaskans hopes to create an 800-mile trail that will trace the state’s famous pipeline from Arctic Sea to Pacific tidewater.
Sea to Summit has put together the ultimate backcountry sleep system, guaranteed to deliver the best night’s sleep you’ve experienced while camping.
East Coast Alps, White Mountain National Forest, New Hampshire
Not everything you learned about nature is true. Go ahead and forget these eight misconceptions.
Permitting delays forced one of the trail's institutions to take a break.
Take this wilderness first aid quiz to assess your level of know-how.
Shake off the New York hustle and bustle for this soul-cleansing weekend out-and-back.
Get to know the rare plants of the Mojave Desert in one packed weekend from Los Angeles.
Call in sick if you can for this long weekend jaunt from Seattle to two of the Cascades’ prettiest lakes.
Three parks, two state, one weekend: You’ll accomplish a lot in this Charlotte-based weekend mission.
Sand Ridge State Forest looks like a slice of Arizona – but it’s only a short drive from Chicago.
Trade snowy trails for sunny rock on three day adventure from Denver.
Just two hours north of Minneapolis, this trekker’s paradise is a good bet for early-season miles.
Forget downclimbing—slightly wet spring snow is perfect for sliding. Glissade safely with these tips from Colorado Mountain Club instructor Rick Casey.
Check out jsrashkin's author page.
This jacket never wets out. Period.
Say goodbye to the gap with the best couples' sleeping pad for backpackers.
Say goodbye to the gap with the best couples' sleeping pad for backpackers.
This pack tames the biggest loads.
Class up your camp toasts.
These tough trousers go everywhere.
Wearing is believing: This is the lightest sunshirt we've ever tested.
It's a technical layer disguised as a stylish sweater.
Foodies will dig this flavorful dish.
Serious about backpacking and photography? You'll love this camera-ready pack.
This could be the last water filter you'll ever buy.
One of our all-time favorite boots is back.
Alone and distraught, a canyoneer fights to survive until help arrives.
19 testers, 28 brands, 74 skis, 600 laps: It took a lot of work to find our favorite ski gear of the season. Take a look inside Backpacker's 2016 test to learn how we did it
Save a few bucks but, more importantly, earn bragging rights by making your own gear.
Can a no-name imitation work as well as pricier outdoor gear? Our tester heads to Amazon to find out.
One hiker’s house cleaning is another hiker’s shopping spree.
Don’t dismiss the mass-market chains: Careful shoppers can find great deals on basic items.
Meticulous research, computer-generated effects, and a skilled stunt team were behind one of the most memorable animal encounters in cinema’s history.
Explore the best jobs in the outdoors, hike Dominica, learn to make your own jerky, and more in our March issue.
Is ice-bikepacking the cutting edge of adventure? Probably not. But being first is always worth the effort.
Mountain biking, Arizona style [Sponsored]
Search for energy sources, or help land managers understand what's right below their feet.
Join the clean energy revolution.
Because their work week is better than your vacation.
Guides get paid to make people's vacations. Here's how you can join their ranks
Life on the fire line isn't for everyone. Could it be for you?
Make a career out of cleaning up the world.
Make tree climbing your career with a little on-the-job training.
Gather clues about how ancient peoples lived, and enjoy backcountry solitude in the bargain.
Love biology, but don't have the time or money to get a PhD? No worries.
Save the world—and get to swim on the job.
Crampons vs. Snowshoes vs. Microspikes vs. the Field
Our field scout explores Orange Beach, Alabama.
Think map-making is an obsolete skill? Think again.
Want to wear the hat? Here's how to better your chances.
After losing the trail, can this wayward hiker find her way back?