For years, backpackers hung their food to keep hungry bruins at bay. But with trails getting more crowded—and bears wising up to our tricks—many experts say it's time to ditch the bear hang once and for all.
Our readers have a personal question for our bear columnist: What's that hump on your back for?
Every winter, bears tuck into their dens for their annual beauty sleep. But what happens if they wake up early?
An ultralight kettle, backcountry ski tech, and one very versatile pair of trail runners: This is the gear that Backpacker's editors used to ring in the spring season.
Versatility meets inclusive sizing meets next-level support in this new pack series
Completing a winter journey on the Appalachian Trail convinced the fun-loving thru-hiker that he can accomplish whatever he dreams up
The mountains are still melting out and the east is still muddy, but spring is prime time for desert hiking. Get out your sun hat, put on your gaiters, and hit the trail on one of these dryland hikes. But hurry: Spring, and those moderate temperatures, will be gone before you know it.
This International Dark Sky Park has some of the best astral views in the country. Here's where to find them.
Our sunburn-prone editor stays protected in the Outdoor Research Echo sunhoody.
Libby DeLana never misses a day outdoors. Here’s what she’s learned—and here are the shoes that keep her going.
Think you need to head deep into the wild to have an outdoor adventure? Think again. Explore urban nature in these six cities, each home to outdoor community organizations, diverse history and culture, and wildlife.
From tracking scents to navigating treacherous terrain, we'll learn about the rigorous training and specialized skills of SAR dogs and the incredible bond that forms between handler and canine.
Ruth Woroniecki, 40, slipped on an ice-plated trail in December of 2022. She fell more than 200 feet, tearing ligaments and cracking three vertebrae in her neck.
Your tent will withstand anything with these tips.
Backpackers carry ultralight tents, backpacks, and quilts. Is it really so weird to hike with an ultralight dog?
Make great boots. Inspire people to use them. Here’s how.
Erratic, joy-filled exercise could make you a fitter—and happier—athlete.
You hate oatmeal? We don't blame you. It may be the easiest trail breakfast, but more often than not, it also ends up as a tasteless, textureless goop that hikers have to choke down. But suffer no more: These 10 trail-tested oat recipes are easy to make (just mix the ingredients in) and will satisfy even the pickiest eater.
A new crop of brands are creating specialized ultralight gear for hunters—and they’re making inroads with backpackers too.
As multiuse trails get more crowded, we can all do our part to avoid conflict.
One of the world’s largest Joshua tree forests is now federally protected
Americans live in one of the most individualistic nations on Earth—and it can be one of the most isolating, too. Could hiking be a way for us to find our way back to community?
Are you in good shape but still struggling with steep hikes? The culprit could be how you're breathing.
Jeffrey Johnson received two years probation, must pay restitution and fines, and will serve a two-year ban from the Buffalo National River.
Why is our editor so in love with the Guyot Designs Squishy Bowls? They're easy to pack, insulating, and—best of all—indestructible.
Heavy rains in the western U.S. caused a deluge that killed two hikers and forced the rescue of 10 others.
A climber in the right place at the right time leads a daring rescue of a BASE jumper stranded high on a cliff.
Vest-style straps can make frameless packs carry better than ever.
If a new bipartisan bill passes, the desert rock formations and forests of Chiricahua National Monument could become America's newest national park.
Our hiking columnist has spent more than a quarter of the past four years on trail. Every morning out there, without fail, he eats another perfect packet of Pop-Tarts.
To keep trekking when you have the trots, feed your body the right fuel.
Parts of California have received double their average snowfall this season—and that’s a big deal for anyone planning a thru-hike on the PCT.
Record-setting thru-hiker Jeff Garmire suffered for years before discovering he had exercise-induced asthma—but the struggle taught him a thing or two about sticking with it.
Discover a paradise where nature, art, and history come together on Florida’s Gulf Coast
Local first responders oppose the bill, saying it might deter hikers from asking for help.
After state legislators voted down a bill that would have blocked hikers from suing private landowners over injuries, the owner of two of Colorado’s most popular summits says he’ll close the trail to the top.
A double dose of chocolate and spice will keep your taste buds hopping this winter.
National park visitation continued its overall climb toward pre-pandemic levels in 2022, but not every park saw visitor numbers increase.
Hikers love to share their opinions. That doesn’t mean it’s always useful.
Don't let your own ambitions put you in danger: Knowing when to take a risk and when to run away is an essential skill for every hiker.
With California in the midst of one of its snowiest winters on record, a local search and rescue group is urging early-season thru-hikers not to risk crossing the San Jacinto Mountains.
In or on the water, get a closer look at Florida’s marine ecosystem
Hit the trails and float the rivers in Ocala and Marion County
In defense of the hiking world’s black sheep.
Elizabeth Banks’s new film is the latest in a long line of films to turn bears into deeply inaccurate movie monsters. But that’s kind of the point.
The daffodil flats of Linville Gorge are beautiful—but hikers trying to reach them are getting lost and injured on the rugged trails there, local search and rescue groups say.
Olivia Mendoza was sure she wasn't the only one who wanted lasting, adventurous friendships during Covid-19. So she created a forum for it.
An extremely fancy jacket, a free app, and a rock-solid waterproof box make the list of our editors' favorite gear this month.
For one hiker, the secret to recovering from a chronic overuse injury was falling in love with hiking in the muck.
Think you can’t get bitten by a tick in the winter? As one surprise discovery this month shows, they’re waking up—and biting—earlier and earlier.
Does your back feel beaten-up after a long day toting a pack? These simple tactics from trainer and guide Jason Antin can help fight the pain.
"I felt no threat, only outrage and indignation, so I took off after them into the woods."
Nearly 50 years after a rancher abandoned a herd of cattle in the Gila National Forest, the U.S. Forest Service will attempt to "lethally remove" the animals' descendants.
Caught between a goat and a hard place? Don't move.
Learn how to battle the aches and pains of hiking with an expert's tips for staying healthy.
One-way hiking means never seeing the same spot twice, but you need to have your car shuttle logistics dialed. Follow these 10 tips to shuttle like a pro.
Silnylon has been the affordable waterproof tent fabric of choice for decades, but a new competitor is shaking things up.
There's a lot of outdoor misinformation out there, and we're on a quest to quash it.
Competitor Ashly Winchester packed an ultralight sleeping bag, multiple lights, and KT tape to keep herself going.
Philip Powers argued that the wildfire he set in 2018 was necessary to save his life. But a court found that he was so unprepared, he created his own emergency.
Backpacker's editors and testers have best testing the best gear on the market for decades—and these are our all-time faves.
No one likes having to jump through a bunch of hoops just to hike a popular trail or visit a national park. But with more and more areas reaching their carrying capacity, it’s time to consider our options.
Florida gets stereotyped as a land of beaches and snowbirds. Reality check: It's also home to the largest wilderness east of the Mississippi River, the Everglades, and some of the best paddling and wildlife-watching opportunities in the U.S.
Located off the coast of the Everglades, the Sandfly Island Loop is an intro to sea kayaking that even beginners can do.
The frameless Mustang Survival Highwater 22L is the best of frameless backpacks and drybags in one slick package.
They’re big, scaly, and have a massive set of jaws. But as long as they take a few easy precautions, hikers and kayakers can coexist peacefully with gators.
Want a national park to visit while the weather is yucky everywhere else? This is your place. Download this playlist for maximum vibes.
A new agreement between the federal government and the New Mexico State Land Office will make it easier for hikers to travel the southernmost section of the CDT.
From a gadget that’s a fork on one end and a spoon on the other to a titanium utensil that will survive the apocalypse, there are dozens of different sporks on the market. But which is the best?
Explore mossy gorge trails, ancient sandstone caves, and morel-filled forests in this unexpected hiking paradise.
A double helicopter rescue on Telescope Peak and a lost hiker on Wildrose illustrate that winter can be as hazardous as summer in this legendarily broiling park.
Nothing says “I love you” like charcuterie and mountain views.
Pushing your limits will yield more views, better fitness, confidence, and, perhaps, perspective.
Getting lost on the trail after dark is a nuisance. As two dayhikers in Big Sur discovered this month, doing it without a headlamp can become an emergency.
During 2019’s superbloom, visitors to Walker Canyon near Lake Elsinore behaved so badly that city officials decided to completely shut down hiking trails rather than risk a repeat.
Why even bag it if you’re not going to carry it out?
Data of Sasquatch sightings in a new preprint finds a strong correlation with bear population density
Want to really impress your hiking partners? Drop a few of these terms around the campfire.
Just as cozy with remarkable technology? Consider me a convert.