Law enforcement and rescue personnel in Palm Springs are asking hikers to make sure they know their limits after a series of deaths and rescues on the area's trails.
A few small tweaks to your schedule can make all the difference.
Humans have been starting fires without matches longer than with them. Can our modern man measure up?
A site with images that date back 8,000 years was spray-painted with racist slurs and symbols, among other graffiti
After Covid's long-term side effects left her unable to chase the physical adventures she had treasured before, Dani Mortell found herself negotiating a new outdoor experience.
Waterfalls aren't summer-only destinations—these cascades are even cooler when frozen in the winter.
After hunters killed a record 23 resident wolves, commissioners voted unanimously to end the hunt early near the park.
Get ready to trek around Washington's most iconic mountain, through some of the best scenery in the lower 48.
A hiker starts experiencing coughing fits and chest pain on the trail. Is it just the aftereffects of a long day, or something more serious?
From the heart of the Ozarks to the edge of the Ouachita National Forest, Amber Straughn—one of the minds behind the James Webb Space Telescope—reflects on her explorations along Arkansas’ best local trails.
These eight products are versatile companions for every adventure.
In the backcountry, a rolled ankle can spell trouble. Learn how to tell minor sprains from major injuries and what to do if you’re hurt.
Like many other subcultures, long-distance hiking has its own language.
Looking to climb some glaciated peaks this winter? These snow anchors will keep your rope team secure above drops or high-angled slopes.
Make the most of your precious weekend freedom. These hikes deliver epic views and fun to all types of time-crunched hikers.
A 21-year-old hiker is the latest of several to pass away from a fall while trying to snap pictures in high places.
The move may kill a controversial copper-nickel mining project located close to the protected wilderness
Four more parks have begun or expanded their ticketing systems, and many have renewed what was already in place
Save packing space and weight—but still keep warm—with these minimalist sleeping bags.
Why wait until you get back to town to enjoy a hot, gooey cinnamon roll? Bake 'em in camp with this easy recipe.
Hikers need to stop trampling trailside flora in pursuit of “the shot.”
The fate of the mostly-complete Mountain Valley Pipeline is up in the air after a federal appeals court threw out a key permit that would have allowed it to cross Jefferson National Forest.
We've partnered with travel outfitter Modern Adventure to create four epic trips for Outside+ members at discounted rates. Better yet, an Outside editor will join you on each inaugural journey.
This nutrient- and protein-packed dish rivals what you can get at your favorite Vietnamese noodle restaurant back home.
Gear keeps getting lighter and better—but there are some products we refuse to give up. Three hikers explain why.
Only one rib-sticking potato mash took top marks.
Looking for a great dayhike, weekend trip, or multiday expedition near Seattle? We've got you covered.
Explore a geothermal wonderland with the help of Backpacker's experts.
The backers of a new series of national park-themed NFTs view them as a membership card to an exclusive outdoor club. Is the environmental impact worth it?
The Narrows at Zion National Park offers an incredible adventure in America's most amazing slot canyons. Here's how to safely explore them.
Keep your toes warm this winter with these ultra-insulated loungers.
Will a shock from a taser stop a bear from attacking you? Unsurprisingly, someone has tried it.
More people than ever are venturing to the parks. Can the system adapt?
A winter trip through Crater Lake National Park nets a once-in-a-lifetime photo.
From Gouda to good old string cheese, we tested 20 types to find the trail-worthiest.
A fatal avalanche near Hoosier Pass, Colorado is a reminder that dangerous slides can occur on gentle terrain
Gauge your cardiovascular fitness to hone in on your training goals.
Stay safe and move efficiently on loose, steep terrain with these tips.
Q: How much time does it take for the body to absorb water into the system after drinking it?
Thru-hikers hoping to stop or resupply at Tuolumne Meadows may need to come up with another plan.
Like a seed pushing through the hard spring soil in search of the sun, so too must you push through adversity to the glorious ultralight of backpacking.
Fire up a backcountry meal to remember with these camp-friendly cookers.
On Washington's west coast, you can backpack through any landscape you can dream of—and you can do it all on the same trip.
A hiker pulls confidence from an unsolicited gear critique in the Catskills.
Activists launch The Outdoorist Oath to promote social justice on the trail.
Winter backpacking requires an entirely different strategy than hiking in the summer. Get ready for it with these five expert picks, including a tent, a stove, a sleeping bag, and more.
Many of the skills involved with long hiking also lend themselves to going faster on trails.
Through thick and thin, health and injury, long slogs and zero days, your trail family will be there for you.
Start planning a far-flung adventure with these 10 classic and soon-to-be-classic hikes.
Seasoned backcountry skier Jake Urban shares his kit for touring.
From climate change to drilling and mining, various threats promise to wipe out what’s best about America’s 12 most endangered trails. Hike them now to admire ancient glacial ice, hear howling wolves, splash at pristine beaches, and admire ancient art galleries.
Two thru-hikers find unexpected trail magic on one of America's lesser-known thru-hikes.
No workout can mimic the challenge of a thru-hike, but you can minimize initial soreness—and the risk of injury—by smart training. Start a fitness program at least eight weeks before your hike.
It’s not all in the legs. Strengthen your upper body to boost your balance and better control your poles and pack on rough terrain.
Whether you want gas station-fast or cafe-gourmet, there's a way to do it right.
Bear bells are still common sights in Yellowstone and other bruin-heavy parks—but the science behind them is spotty. Our resident bruin answers all your questions in in Ask a Bear.
'Marking your territory' to keep bears away from your tent may seem like a smart idea. The reality: It does more harm than good.
Negative 30-degree temperatures plus a plate of noodles make one surprising photo op.
If you feel knee pain while hiking, don't ignore it. With these tips from a physical therapist, you can remedy and prevent injury.
Serious snowpack and swollen rivers could make trekking the PCT a more hazardous affair this year—but the full effect of this season's record-setting precip remain to be seen.
Burning fuel in confined spaces can lead to lethal carbon monoxide poisoning.
Goats are the perfect pack animals: agile, compliant, and low-impact beasts of burden. Right?
A nighttime fly fishing adventure goes awry.
With plenty of good food and drinks, events, and nightlife, there’s a lot more to Reno-Tahoe than its phenomenal skiing
A cougar encounter in California ended in an unusual standoff.
Confronted by a mountain lion, a California hiker doesn't just stand his ground—he bluff charges the animal.
Sure, snowshoes make hiking in snow easy. But are you the kind of person who takes the easy way out? Yeah, that's what we thought.
A heart-stopping bolt hits one hiker and levels a group of his friends who then fight to resuscitate him.
This tempo workout strengthens your tendons and ligaments while creating long-lasting muscle endurance for injury-free hiking in season.
Hear the story of the youngest adventurers ever to complete the Triple Crown in a calendar year, straight from the source.
Winter is the perfect time to learn how to track animals. Get started with these tips.
Stunning and easy-to-access vistas to bookmark for your next road trip
When tourists carve graffiti over Native rock art, archeologists do everything they can to remove it. But some of the damage is permanent.
Don't let your water bottle turn into ice on the trail. Keep it flowing with these tips.
An expert personal trainer shares tips on a post-hike recovery regimen that'll keep your trail legs strong.
Yellowstone superintendent asked Montana governor to halt hunt.
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Tasty enough for food bloggers, but portable enough for the trail: These homemade hiking snacks will quickly replace any pre-packaged bars from the store.
We collected all of your burning questions and consulted our field experts on everything from winter gear to screaming barfies to hibernation.
Overcrowding is destroying our parks. Timed entry systems can save them.