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Warm summer nights were made for grilling. Ditch the backyard for the backcountry with this gear and advice.

When we're burned out on sugary bars and jonesing for some quick calories to help us replenish our stores and re-up our motivation, we reach for one food above all others. Get your daily allotment with Backpacker's favorite cheesy recipes for everything from breakfast through dessert.

This pad saves ounces without skimping on comfort.

This double-wall tent feels downright palatial—and right now, it's available at a cut-rate price.

These disease-ridden creepy crawlies are everywhere these days. Fortunately, there are ways to avoid ticks—and prevent adverse side effects if you do get bitten.

Head from sea level to a ridgeline stretch of the Pacific Crest Trail on the best hikes near San Diego.

Hike some of the East Coast's wildest wilderness on the AT.

Save even more on this already affordable—and praiseworthy—device.

The state laid criminal charges against two snowboarders for causing an avalanche that destroyed an expensive avalanche mitigation system. The parties have reached a plea agreement—but is the damage already done?

Firefighters are still monitoring the East Mountain Fire, which is the state’s biggest since 1999.

From growing your own food on the trail (really) to cutting down your headlamp’s weight, these are some of our favorite ultralight hacks.

An overnight effort by first-responders brought every member of the party down safely.

Spending too much time in a seated position (hello, desk job) can tighten your hip flexors and lengthen your glutes, robbing them of their power. A weak butt is bad for your performance on the trail and even worse for your ankles, knees, and back. Do this ass-kicking workout from Pete McCall once a week, along with your cardio and strength routine, to train all three glute muscles.

This pair from Fjällräven won't fall apart even under harsh trail conditions.

These silent stalkers are the stuff of solo hikers' nightmares—but you need not worry.

Wind through a chain of alpine lakes with spectacular views of Mts. Baker and Shuksan on this easy 6.5-mile overnight.

Our writer reconciles her family and her future on the path to Harding Icefield.

Jackson Hole has world-class summer adventures waiting for every adventurer!

In the 1970s, crews finished carving a tribute to the Confederacy into Stone Mountain. Fifty years later, it's time to scrape it off.

You won’t want to forget your Leatherman on your next trip to the backcountry

Hiking is for everyone—but as Kara Richardson Whitely, a.k.a. Mama Kubwa, discovered, not everyone has gotten the memo.

Here are the products that help Zoe Gates mow down the miles.

Go big with this packable, multifunctional towel.

Irresponsible campers put forests, people, and hiking seasons at risk. Do your part by making sure your blaze is dead out.

No one likes getting belly troubles from drinking dirty water. Ward them off with these simple strategies.

These four offer different takes on a humble, yet essential, piece of gear.

After a pandemic pause, AT hikers will be able to register their thru-hikes again starting this week.

Trees are remarkable. Wow your hiking partners with these fun facts.

When a flash flood raged through Havasupai in 2008, it would change the canyon forever—and their lives.

Periodical cicada hatches like this year’s are an underrated wildlife experience. See the swarm up close—and maybe eat a few of them—on these hikes.

Utahraptor State Park is home to Utah’s official state dinosaur—as well as a World War II site with an ugly history.

The OCT might not have the wilderness solitude of other long trails. But lean into its unique charm and you'll find a thru-hike experience unlike any other.

Backcountry meals can be boring. Spice them up—literally—with these handy add-ins.

You might not know this about lightning—don't put yourself at risk.

A solo hiking or backpacking trip can either be a freeing or terrifying experience. Learn how to prepare and tame your imagination in the backcountry.

Covid and the resulting surge of new outdoor enthusiasts has led some of the country’s most popular destinations to require advance reservations.

World-class fishing, celebrated mountain biking, and epic canoe-access camping, and so much more in this gem of the North.

Washington man facing federal misdemeanor charges after allegedly organizing gigantic group hike.

Keep your pack—and your sanity—in order with these gear organizers.

Nobody knows hiking boots like Backpacker. We sent testers around the world with the latest boots and shoes to see how they perform in varied conditions. These 10 rose to the top.

A pilgrim seeking peace and purpose on Spain’s famed Camino de Santiago finds much more.

Go green—and save some green—on this eco-friendly sleeping bag.

In June of 2020, Courtney Henderson and Gavin Caruso fell more than 50 feet down a mountainside. They were trapped, bleeding, and a storm was raging overhead. But help was on the way.

Crews discovered a giant sequoia still smoking in a burned-over area.

Before you head out on a thru-hike, set expectations at home and at work, and make sure that everyone knows what to do when trouble arises.

Get the electrolytes you need without overpowering your tastebuds.

After a fire destroyed the Montezuma Valley Market, hikers are rallying to help the owners rebuild.

These two companies are going green in their quest to shave weight.

What do outdoorsy moms want? The same thing all hikers want: Quality gear that will make their next hike more comfortable and fun. From neat camp lighting to an ultra-flexible boot, here are our favorite gifts of the year.

A footbridge on this San Diego Trail would prevent more hikers from befalling a similar fate, and honor their son.

Nature is wild. Wow your hiking partners with these fun facts.

Wildlife officials are investigating after the death of a 39-year-old woman in Durango.

The 53-mile Lost Coast Trail heads through some of California's last pristine beaches.

If passed, S. 1211 will allow the state to hire private contractors to hunt its 1,500 wolves down to just 150.

Stay comfier and feel better with these trail-ready pieces.

A new survey from the Outdoor Industry Association shows that newcomers to the outdoors during the pandemic boom were younger, more female, and more racially diverse than in the past.

Treat your feet or dip them into a new hobby with this month's editors' picks.

Get an insider price on this classic light.

Bear spray is a weapon, created to fend off one of the planet’s biggest predators. So you’d be surprised how many people think that they're supposed to spray it on themselves.

Matt Dyer thought he would be lucky to see a polar bear on his trip to Canada's Torngat Mountains National Park. As it turned out, he did see one—from closer than he ever expected.

Don’t let a little rain ruin your hike. These waterproof packs will keep your gear safe and dry, mile after mile.

This 7.2-mile round-trip hike to the Dutch Doctor lean-to in Harriman State Park takes you right into the wilderness, only an hour outside NYC.

Bureau of Land Management offering $10,000 reward for information on culprits.

Bag, can, or locker? Here's what you'll need to use to keep your food safe from bears.

Strange noises outside your tent keeping you up at night? Learn to cope with your fear of bears.

Forget Yellowstone or Yosemite: One of the highest concentrations of bears in the U.S. lives right here in the Appalachians.

Researchers tracking bears resettling in the southeast watch and learn their habits to help humans adjust to their new neighbors.

As a small-town newspaper reporter, I’ve had a front-row seat to what happens when people’s and bears’ paths cross.

There are hundreds of thousands of black bears in America, and we know precious little about what they do with their time. The researchers of the #BearsEyeView project are trying to change that.

Georgia’s most infamous bruin—and the true-crime saga around him—is getting the Hollywood treatment in a new Elizabeth Banks-produced film. But the real tale is almost too wild to believe.

Bear attacks on humans are exceedingly rare—but they do happen.

Can you eat a bear? Well, there's "can," and there's "should."

Sometimes, there's a lesson in tragedy. There certainly is here.

These products help keep him safe and comfortable in the white mountains.

Check out Backpacker Contributors's author page.

James Jordan will be be confined indefinitely at a psychiatric facility.

This breathable baselayer is designed for performance in every season.