Boston's Best Local Hikes
We've got your picks for the best after work, day-long, and overnight trips near Beantown, including the White Mountains, Blue Hills, and more.
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New York City's Best Local Hikes
Like your favorite neighborhood watering hole, you can count on New York City's best local hikes to deliver exactly what you need, where you need it.
How to Stay Dry
Yes, spring weather can be wet. No, you shouldn’t stay indoors. Hit the trail with tips from Matt Schonwald, a rainy-day pro at Washington’s Back Country Adventure Guides.
Amateur Hour: First Night of the Season
The early season wilds might be cold, but getting out there is always worth it.
PCT Week One: Desert Misconceptions
The first 60 miles on the Pacific Crest Trail aren't what I imagined.
Field Scout's Final Update on the Appalachian Trail
Our contributor makes the tough decision to step off the Appalachian Trail.
Spokane, WA: Best Wildlife Trails
It might not be Yellowstone, but the Inland Northwest provides plenty of opportunities to view some of the continent’s most majestic wildlife.
Charlotte, NC: RibbonWalk Nature Preserve
Make a quick getaway to a lush forest 10 minutes from Uptown at RibbonWalk Nature Preserve.
Baltimore, MD: Catoctin Mountain Park Loop
Experience the best of what Maryland has to offer in less than 8 miles in Catoctin Mountain Park.
Charlotte, NC: Badin Lake Loop
Enjoy lake views and isolated woods on this easy trail along Badin Lake in Uwharrie National Forest.
La Plata: Colorado's Hidden Treasure
Skip the Front Range crowds and head to Colorado's La Platas for sweet solitude and can't-miss views.
Watch Yellowstone Tourists Run From a Bear
The black bear charged a group of visitors that had stopped to snap photos.
Den Mother: What Should I Do About a Snakebite?
Alone and snakebitten? There are better strategies than panic.
Pass/Fail: Sew Your Own Ultralight Pack
Can a needle newbie sew a DIY backpack that promises to save weight and money?
11 Incredible Outdoor Moms
Moms can do anything. These amazing adventurers prove it.
Kindergarten Can Wait: The Story of Buddy Backpacker
Christian Thomas, a.k.a. "Buddy Backpacker" thru-hiked the AT with his family at the tender age of five, then conquered the PCT. And he's not finished yet.
Kindergarten Can Wait: The Story of Buddy Backpacker
Christian Thomas, a.k.a. "Buddy Backpacker" thru-hiked the AT with his family at the tender age of five, then conquered the PCT. And he's not finished yet.
Catch Me If You Can
In 1863, a legendary Navajo headman evaded the U.S. Army in the desert. David Roberts goes in search of the Southwest's best-kept secret.
Out Alive: Severe Hypothermia
Lost in an Alaskan blizzard, one man struggles to stave off hypothermia.
Forest Survival Techniques You Should Know
Lost in the woods? You’re in luck. These six techniques will keep you so comfy, you may not want to be found.
Light up your tent with mtnGLO™ OFFICIAL RULES
Check out Trent's author page.
10 Amazing Backcountry Picnic Spots
Big mileage days are great and all, but sometimes you just want to stop, smell the roses (er, wildflowers), and picnic with a spectacular view.
Gear Testing in the Rockies
The BACKPACKER test crew just returned from five days in the mountains, where we put next winter's hiking, camping, and skiing gear through a final round of testing.
7 Easy Ingredients To Upgrade Your Backpacking Meals
Add these versatile, lightweight ingredients to your pack to upgrade your backpacking meals.
The Best Apps for Outdoor Photographers
Taking great nature photos is hard. These apps can help.
Lessons from a Pro Photographer
Justin Bailie shares his do's and don'ts about being a pro photographer.
Park Ranger Tasers Man Flying a Drone in Hawai'i Volcanoes National Park
The man was flying a drone over a caldera on Kilauea.
Beautiful Waterfall Photos
These powerful backcountry cascade will having you strapping on your boots and hitting the trail.
11 Deadly Plants You Should Never Eat
Forage away, but whatever you do, don't ingest any of these killer plants.
Scotland's Premier Route
Wander the famed Scottish Highlands by day and enjoy refined, trailside B&Bs by night on the West Highland Way in the British Isles.
6 Key Wildlife Photography Tips
Practice at home, zoom in, and follow these other simple rules to score an intimate shot that captures an animal’s character.
Disaster on Mt. Everest
17 are dead after a deadly avalanche struck the mountain's base camp early Saturday.
Beautiful Mountain Landscape Photos
Sometimes you just need a dose of nature to get you through the day. Let these mountain landscape photos inspire you.
9 Things You Need To Know About National Park Photography Rules
Are your photos legal? Do you need a permit? We talked to lawyers and rangers to get the real scoop on national park photography rules.
Knot School: 8 Essential Knots for Hikers
Knots are a backpacker's best friend. Learn how to tie 8 essential knots with our step-by-step tutorials.
Washington Man Survives 2nd Bear Attack in 4 Years
The man was attacked by a black bear on the same trail in 2011.
Kammok Roo
There are plenty of two-person hammocks out there, but the Roo is the best we’ve found
Celebrating the Art of Adventure
Our planet is an amazing place. These incredible photos, excerpted from the book "The Art of Adventure," celebrate all kinds of ways to enjoy it.
Hidden Montana: Snowshoe Peak
If the scenic, scrappy Cabinets had buffed trails and sat near urban centers, they'd be as busy as New Hampshire's Whites or Colorado's Indian Peaks.
Pacific Crest Trail Gear List
Everything needed for five and a half months on the Pacific Crest Trail.
Boston, MA: Mount Washington via Lion Head Winter Route
Climb the peak with the infamous moniker "Home of the World's Weather" in winter.
Hang In There: The Best Hammocks of 2015
Once you go hammock, you never go back. Or so say fans of these light and comfy rigs. We hammered 18 slings for 10 months to find the right one for every hiker.
Backpacker Magazine May 2015 Table of Contents
The country's best local hikes; America's youngest thru-hiker; hydration packs reviews; and more great content from the May 2015 issue of Backpacker.
Trail Potatoes
Do the hard work at home, then carry this luxurious meal base for a fun, easy first-night treat. We’ve given you four variations, but the trail potatoes possibilities are endless.
Strawberry Almond Cake
This easy, three-ingredient dessert is perfect for a backcountry birthday. Sub in dried cherries or blueberries for a different twist.
The National Park Photos of Ansel Adams
Selected images from Ansel Adams's national park photography series.
Salomon Agile 12 Set
Thanks to a form-hugging fit, the Salomon Agile 12 Set is the next best thing to wearing no pack at all.
CamelBak Pursuit 24 LR
The unique lumbar reservoir spreads water weight low across the hip shelf for improved stability.
Osprey Syncro 15
In hot temps, this pack kept us coolest, thanks to max airflow across the back.
Marmot Aquifer 22
A drybag-style closure makes this pack the most functionally waterproof.
Dakine Drafter 12L
Plentiful pockets will please the most obsessive organizers.
Just Add Water: The Best Hydration Packs of 2015
Hydration packs for every hiker and budget.
Knot School: How To Tie a Girth Hitch
Learn how to tie a girth hitch with our easy step-by-step tutorial.
Knot School: How To Tie a Girth Hitch
Learn how to tie a girth hitch with our easy step-by-step tutorial.
Knot School: Learn How to Tie an Overhand Knot
Learn how to tie an overhand knot with our easy step-by-step tutorial.
Knot School: Learn How to Tie an Overhand Knot
Learn how to tie an overhand knot with our easy step-by-step tutorial.
Knot School: How to Tie a Square Knot
Learn how to tie a square knot with our easy step-by-step tutorial.
Knot School: How to Tie a Square Knot
Learn how to tie a square knot with our easy step-by-step tutorial.
Knot School: How to Tie a Backpacker Hitch
Learn how to tie a backpacker hitch with our easy step-by-step tutorial.
Knot School: How to Tie a Backpacker Hitch
Learn how to tie a backpacker hitch with our easy step-by-step tutorial.
Knot School: How to Tie a Backpacker Hitch
Learn how to tie a backpacker hitch with our easy step-by-step tutorial.
Knot School: How to Tie a Backpacker Hitch
Learn how to tie a backpacker hitch with our easy step-by-step tutorial.
Knot School: How to Tie a Taut Line Hitch
Learn how to tie a taut line hitch with our easy step-by-step tutorial.
Knot School: How to Tie a Taut Line Hitch
Learn how to tie a taut line hitch with our easy step-by-step tutorial.
Knot School: How to Tie a Taut Line Hitch
Learn how to tie a taut line hitch with our easy step-by-step tutorial.
Knot School: How to Tie a Bowline Knot
Learn how to tie a bowline knot with our easy step-by-step tutorial.
Knot School: How to Tie a Bowline Knot
Learn how to tie a bowline knot with our easy step-by-step tutorial.
Knot School: How to Tie a Bowline Knot
Learn how to tie a bowline knot with our easy step-by-step tutorial.
Knot School: How to Tie a Bowline Knot
Learn how to tie a bowline knot with our easy step-by-step tutorial.
Knot School: How to Tie a Sheet Bend Knot
Learn how to tie a sheet bend knot with our easy step-by-step tutorial.
Knot School: How to Tie a Sheet Bend Knot
Learn how to tie a sheet bend knot with our easy step-by-step tutorial.
Knot School: How to Tie a Clove Hitch
Learn how to tie a clove hitch with our easy step-by-step tutorial.
Knot School: How to Tie a Clove Hitch
Learn how to tie a clove hitch with our easy step-by-step tutorial.
The Best Knots for Hammock Camping
Learn these three knots to improve the pace and ease of setup on your hammock camping trips.
Good To-Go Classic Marinara with Penne
Check out Amy Jurries's author page.
Masterpiece Trails
Here are the stories behind 10 of North America’s most impressive trail-building feats—and how to see them yourself.
On the Hunt for Hoskinini
David Roberts ventured into Utah's tortuous canyons to solve the mystery of Hoskinini's escape.
Upgrade Your Gear Closet
Say bye to the days of "I know it's in here somewhere." Because less mess in your gear closet means more hiking.
Gorgeous Wildflower Photos
These backcountry wildflower photos will make you want to go all Sound of Music and romp through these meadows and prairies.
Roam the Petrified Forest on This Free-Form Weekend Trip
Petrified Forest National Park's trailless backcountry is the setting for a trip that will test both your navigation skills and your desert sense.