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In a category that’s innovation-averse, Cumulus Outdoor Equipment has the competitive edge.

Saufley, who passed away after a battle with brain cancer earlier this month, spent decades hosting hikers at her home in the desert of Southern California—and touched thousands of lives along the way.

A draft plan would introduce 3 to 7 bears per year into the North Cascades over the next decade.

The rise of social media has created a new breed of influencers who tackle the world's longest trails with their audiences in tow. But success isn't guaranteed on a thru-hike—and bailing with thousands of eyes on you is more complicated than it looks.

Every hiker needs a reliable, trail-ready button-up. From cozy fleeces to high-tech sun shirts, these are five of our reviewer's favorites.

In a new social media post, the National Park Service said the trend threatens to harm California condors, one of the rarest birds in the United States.

Dr. Rae Wynn-Grant's harrowing encounter with an elephant offers a unique perspective on the real dangers she faces.

Signed into law earlier this week, Assembly Bill 618 aims to make it easier for campers to snag a site—and will allow the state to punish visitors who don’t call to cancel.

Our testers put 15 cold-weather rucksacks through the wringer—and crowned six champions

Just finding their way to their journey's starting point is a challenge that few new thru-hikers think about until they have to do it. But there are resources—and generous people—to help them.

An outbreak of norovirus on the Pacific Crest Trail proves that hikers’ hygiene routines need an upgrade.

Meet the pack sleek enough to turn our backpacking princess into an ultralight convert.

After Oregon agreed to provide wolves to Colorado, state officials say they will be ready to begin releasing the animals between late 2023 and early 2024.

Six testers tried 75 bomber products, and these were the ones that rose above the rest

Stay safe in the backcountry with these six items

California's Channel Islands are a wonderland of biodiversity just an hour or two from Los Angeles.

Officials found the victims on Saturday morning and euthanized a bear that exhibited aggressive behavior

Starting on October 2 week, 12 of Alaska’s chubbiest bruins will face off in a bracket for the title of Fat Bear Week Champion. Here’s what you need to know about the history of the competition, the science behind bears’ fall feasting, and the tournament’s undisputed GOAT.

The annular eclipse is in the morning, so how else should you spend the rest of the day? By hiking, obviously.

Hike a long trail without spending a night in a tent or lean-to? It may sound silly. But a veteran thru-hiker says it’s more than doable—if you know where to look.

Can you educate other hikers without being a mansplainer? Our ethics columnist weighs in.

Enjoy an easy-to-make spin on a classic campfire treat—no kindling necessary.

This vegetarian campfire dessert comes together with two convenience-store ingredients.

Have you seen the viral video of this near-miss? Here's how to survive if you find yourself caught by rockfall, too.

A long spoon, two ultralight staples, and a pair of gloves from Home Depot: Here's the gear we used to inaugurate autumn.

Veteran hikers call it the “Middle Blues.” You have already hiked an impossibly long distance, and somehow still have an impossibly long distance to go.

A bizarre rescue in Michigan has eerie similarities to a 2022 incident in Washington State

Psychology plays a large role in survival. Here's how to leverage it to your advantage.

This month, nonprofit The Conservation Fund announced it had acquired 300 acres of land on Colorado’s popular Mt. Democrat, permanently opening it to hikers after a series of closures. But the future of its neighboring mountains is anything but certain.

In this episode of Out Alive, join friends Dan and Jim as a routine glissading in the Tetons swiftly turns perilous, plunging one into the concealed depths of a hidden ice cave.

The Whisper splits the difference between tarp and tent.

It’s back to the basics with these tried-and-true brews

Our list includes a pair of doughnut thieves in Alaska, a selfie taker in Colorado, and the tripod of Orlando

To celebrate National Public Lands Day on September 23, the Secretary of the Interior reminds readers why protecting public lands is so important

Nick Fowler averaged 50-mile days through unfavorable conditions in an already complicated year for PCT thru-hikers.

She was tormented by homophobia—her own, and society’s. Then she took a fateful step at the top of a cascade in the Smokies.

"When you have a very fat 400-pound bear, it will take it ages to starve to death. That’s a horrific way to die, decaying from the inside out."

Our Pacific Crest Trail correspondent has finally reached the northern terminus. Here are his final thoughts from his time on the trail.

The top nonprofits win a customized Land Rover Defender 130 and a pile of cash. Cast your vote starting on September 15 to help choose this year’s winners.

Late season snow damaged trails and delayed start to the season, pushing hikers into hotter summer conditions

It's the ultimate Leave No Trace dilemma for a backpacker: What will become of your mortal remains, once you reach trail’s end?

We sat down with this year’s PCT correspondent to learn about the highlights (and lowlights) of his hiking season.

As rutting season begins, officials warn hikers to take extra caution around the wildlife.

During a summer of unnerving animal encounters making headlines, we dive in with bear experts Dr. Tom Smith and Wes Larson and explore this wild narrative.

Nothing powers me up the trail like the promise of lunch with a view.

Dr. Hitesh Tolani created Gays of National Parks to create community, but it’s become so much more than that.

From choosing the right water filter to evaluating your gear list, AT hiker Michael Perry shares his advice for getting trail-ready

These week-long backpacking trips are the perfect length to squeeze into a vacation.

Find adventure out your own back door. Here are 10 urban hiking trails—each under 2 miles—worth exploring.

In July, Colorado’s popular Decalibron Loop, a 7.5-mile trail that crosses private property to tag multiple Fourteeners, reopened to hikers after a months-long closure over liability concerns. Last week, someone got their pickup truck stuck on it.

Usually, viewers on Explore.org's Katmai National Park live streams expect to see giant grizzlies and wide-open natural views. But on September 5, a wet and cold-looking hiker walked up to the camera and appeared to mouth "help."

The budget ultralight brand's shelters beat their competitors on price—but what about performance? We tested the Lanshan 2 Pro to see how it stacks up.

Authorities used DNA analysis and "other characteristics" to identify the bruin after the incident.

Heavy precipitation left some of the park’s key roads in tatters.

While heavy snow and closures forced most PCT hikers to flip-flop this year, a small, dedicated group is still trying for a continuous, end-to-end hike as the season hits its final stretch.

On a winter thru-hike of the Ozark Highlands Trail, Jeff Garmire contended with snowstorms, swam a river, and bushwhacked paths overgrown with bramble—and discovered the rugged heart of one of America’s lesser-known long trails.

Social media and hiking can mix—as long as you're intentional about your usage.

Three locals are adamant that Germany’s mountains, coastlines, and forests are an outdoor adventurer’s paradise. Spoiler: They’re right.

Footage from the 2015 earthquake on Mt. Everest, the deadliest disaster its history, and what to do if you get caught in an avalanche, too.

I gave up having a career and a family in favor of seasonal work and the freedom to hit the trail any time. Do I regret the sacrifice? No, but I’d be lying if I said I don’t think about it.

All newcomers to the outdoors make mistakes. But if you need to be told “don’t sprint full speed at a mother bear,” we’re sorry, but you are beyond help.

Last year, Yosemite hosted 3.7 million visitors, with 75 percent between May and October. Don't fight crowds when you can have the same views minutes away.

From a bulletproof pair of rain pants to a sunscreen stick that helped us stay scorch-free, this was the gear we depended on in summer's final stretch.

In the remote expanse of the Wind River Mountains, an ultra runner's routine training turns into the ultimate test of his endurance after a devastating mishap with his trekking pole.

Despite record snowpack and extreme heat, the ultrarunning dentist shaved over five days off the previous record.

It doesn't matter if you're hypermobile or move within the normal range of motion. After these exercises, everyone will feel more stable in their body.

Heavy rainfall led to flash flooding in Bryce Canyon National Park and a canyon northeast of Moab, with disastrous consequences for hikers.

Call him crazy, but our hiking columnist loves climbing hills. A fifth of the way into the epic Continental Divide Trail, he’s got some ways to improve your form, function, and mental performance on the ascents.

Use this series of squats, leg bridges, planks, and calf raises to keep track of your training and you'll have trail-proof full-body strength in no time.

Alpacka’s newest lightweight boat is the best choice for most backpackers.

What word better describes the perfect camping meal than "instant?"

Our national forests are brilliant, underappreciated, and uncrowded compared to most national parks. Here’s the intel on where to hike in these stunning landscapes.

Making your own camp stove out of a cat food or soda can used to be a rite of passage for backpackers. But with canister stoves getting lighter and cheaper—and fire bans getting more and more common—one Backpacker editor argues their time has come. (Plus: Another editor dissents.)

As the remnants of Hilary moved inland, floods trapped visitors and boosted flood risk across the southwestern US.

Could an AI chatbot be a weekend adventurer's new best friend?

When soreness crosses over into genuine pain, it can turn the most pleasant hikes into teeth-gritting tests of endurance. Fight back with expert advice and exercises for tackling 8 different types of ache.

You're out of water and far from a reliable source. Stay alive with survival instructor Jessie Krebs's backcountry-tested advice.

These smokeless fire pits let you light a blaze without wallowing in smoke—and right now, they're on sale for 33% off or more.