After finding two dozen unattended campfires and three human-caused wildfires in the Pike-San Isabel National Forest and Comanche and Cimarron National Grasslands, Forest Service officials are urging campers to extinguish their fires thoroughly.
Kelli Morris was hiking on an unmaintained trail in Alaska when a boulder the weight of a Harley-Davidson pinned him facedown in a creek for three hours.
No deterrent has as good of a record in grizzly country as bear spray. But if you're counting on it to save your life, you need to know how to use it—and most hikers don't.
New York state authorities received a report that a hiker had died in the Adirondacks’ High Peaks. When a ranger showed up, he found one very alive hiker—and his two friends, who were allegedly tripping on psilocybin and having an extremely bad time.
Never-blister socks, a perfect trail tee, and more: This is the gear that Backpacker's editors loved this month.
You’re on the priority list. You just might come after their tent.
Don't wait until you get back to the trailhead to grab your slice. Instead, cook your own backcountry pizza with this advice.
Check out Emma Veidt's author page.
High-protein treats have earned a place in many hikers' packs. But you don't need to wait until your next stop in town to grab a fresh one. Here’s how to make your own protein-rich cookies on the trail.
In a park like this, there's a lot of competition for the 'best trail' title. These are the best hikes in Rocky Mountain National Park.
Finding love on the trail isn’t easy. Here are 19 lines that probably won’t make it any easier.
Sometimes you travel without a rental car, and sometimes trailhead parking lots fill up quick. Whatever the reason, you can access these trails via local public transit.
Authorities are investigating after several people came down with symptoms of norovirus, the highly-contagious, sanitizer-resistant stomach bug that's sickened hikers on the Triple Crown in recent years.
Trail runners, a budget bag, and a high-end tent: These are the deals we’re excited about.
Memorial Day deals? More like Memorial Day steals. Stock up on tents, packs, and more with these Backpacker-approved discounts.
It's time for a showdown as Jeff Larson, co-host of Tooth and Claw podcast, ranks the world's bear species. Which ones are just OK, and which is his number-one, all-time favorite animal?
The Kammok Sunda 2.0 can pitch as a 2-person tent or a backpacking hammock, and REI members can grab it now for nearly 60% off.
Outdoor advocates celebrated the removal of a budgetary measure that would have sold off federal land across Utah and Nevada, even as they expressed concern about other elements that expanded drilling and mining near national parks.
Whether you're after a caffeinated alpine start or a lazy brunch, we’ve found the best cookware for your wild culinary adventures.
Staffing cuts at federal agencies and slashed budgets are slowing down maintenance efforts on the long-distance trail.
Maximize your dog’s active years with advice from veterinarians and high-quality nutrition
The decision, which allows “wild camping” to continue in Dartmoor National Park, puts an end to three years of legal wrangling that pitted hikers against a pair of wealthy landowners.
Established last year, North Dakota’s Three Affiliated Tribes National Park blends culture with history and geographical beauty—and when it comes to hiking, its caretakers have big plans.
The outdoors is never far away in Chattanooga
From all-in-one systems to pocket-sized powerhouses, these are the best burners for whipping up a meal in the wilderness
Deaths from extreme heat are climbing—and hikers are especially vulnerable. Here's what you need to know about keeping yourself safe during the hottest months of the year.
Answer a few quick questions and let Backpacker tell you which of the world's bear species most closely matches your personality.
Lisa Benish found her calling introducing kids in Virginia’s rural coal country to the joys of backpacking and nature.
You won't have to sacrifice beauty for solitude on these crowd-free national park hikes.
It might not be a “technical fabric,” but linen is the best choice for scorching, dry climates.
In 1957, a sloth bear in Mysore, India caused the deaths of at least 12 people and injured 24 more. In this Bear Month podcast, the hosts of Tooth and Claw delve into why—and discuss what it and similar incidents can teach us about one of the world’s lesser-known bear species.
Trailfunds aims to get hikers more involved with the nonprofits that stweard the trails they love.
If you'd rather tote a little extra weight for a more livable sleeping experience, then the Marmot Limelight 3 may be for you.
With the Madison Gulf Trail footbridge in New Hampshire's White Mountains unsafe to use, hikers now face a detour that eliminates 4.3 grueling but beloved miles of the AT—and officials will need to decide whether to make an exception to wilderness rules to allow for it to be replaced.
The grizzly—the first since 2017 to be trapped and killed for safety reasons—repeatedly broke into bear-proof dumpsters to gain access to human food.
After testing 23 bags and quilts, these seven rose to the top of the ranks.
Officials in Aspen recorded nearly twice as many bear encounters as usual this spring. Could it be an early indicator of a busy bear season in the high country?
Bears have some of the strongest stomachs in the animal world. But that doesn't mean they can eat anything with no consequences.
In order to save polar bears and preserve the Arctic, the tourism industry has to change. Here’s how.
For the first half-century after its founding, Glacier National Park didn’t see a single fatal bear attack. On August 12, 1967, that changed when food-conditioned grizzlies killed two campers 10 miles apart. Bear biologist and host of Tooth and Claw podcast Wes Larson reflects on the legacy of the ‘Night of the Grizzlies.'
From now until June 15, we're partnering with Tooth and Claw podcast to bring you the best trail tales, survival stories, and practical advice about our ursine neighbors.
On a journey up the Appalachian Trail, Maggie Slepian learned just how hard it can be to weather other people's judgement—and how difficult it is to stop worrying about it.
Plus more takeaways about this year's NOBO hikers from data gathered at AT Basecamp.
The Outdoor Research Shadow Wind Hoodie finds a sweet spot between weather resistance, comfort, and light weight.
Rescuers in Arizona braved a storm to save a hiker who became stranded after cairns led him astray.
A year after Hurricane Helene knocked down thousands of trees, flooded miles of trail, and heavily damaged some of the Appalachian Trail's most beloved towns, hiker Grayson Haver Currin headed back to see whether it had recovered.
CleanTrek founder John McShane wants to clean up America's trails—and he thinks his new invention could help do it.
Smart updates to the Gregory Paragon/Maven make this previous Editors’ Choice Award Winner comfier than we thought possible.
When should you prioritize your safety over your desire to finish your hike? Always. Six hikers explain how they knew it was time to call it.
Lottery losers can still have a great trip to Zion National Park on these five trails.
The White House released its budget request for 2026, and the plan calls for the Park Service to hand over control of some federal parklands to states
Hike alongside basalt cliffs, through lush meadows, and between tiny towns in this lesser-traveled region of Ireland.
Black Diamond's Distance series excel on fast-paced missions in tricky terrain—and right now, you can get them at a steep discount.
We put the latest, lightest pad pumps to the test.
When you're traveling on firm snow, an ice axe is an essential piece of gear. A certified mountain guide tells us why.
Cinnamon, the black bear, is a known presence around Kings Beach, but had never before broken into Tahoe Time Ice Cream & Coffee Shoppe.
Check out BACKPACKER Contributors and Editors's author page.
Visitors will need reservations beginning on Memorial Day weekend, with bookings opening up on May 6.
Take-anywhere tamales, burly radios for the backcountry, and one great guidebook: Here's the gear we loved this month.
Extreme adjustability and a cushy ride made the Talon/Tempest 33 our favorite day hiking pack of 2025
You'll find wildlife, rugged trail miles, and scenery for days on this remote, point-to-point hike.
When this Backpacker editor joined the magazine's annual trip to Nepal, she was excited about the trail itself. What delighted her more were the high-altitude dance parties, game nights, and the moments of connection between the miles.
Since a massive storm ravaged the AT in September 2024, hikers have worried the iconic trail may be unusable in 2025. To find out, we sent a veteran thru-hiker to do its worst-hit miles.
Whether you're an absolute beginner or a trained artist, the Sketchbook app is a free and easy way to capture your favorite memories on the trail without carrying any extra weight.
Over the years, we've written countless stories about survival. These are a few that we will never forget.
Park officials had written that the campground would close "indefinitely" for unspecified reasons.
How can a backpacker make the most of a night in town? Residents share their best tips.
The kids of the Mountaineers Adventure Club are tackling serious peaks—all between classes and homework.
A $2.4 million grant will go towards maintenance, reconstruction, and stewardship across the state.
When one mom took her family on the nocturnal trail less traveled, could nature help her daughter overcome a fear of the dark?
It may be featherweight, but the Granite Gear Blaze 60L can handle up to 50 pounds of gear comfortably.
Feel like your hikes have gotten too focused on end goals and not enough on enjoying the journey? Montana's vast American Prairie says it has the solution.
This fall, we're going to Nepal twice for service and trekking trips. There are still spots open for you to join us.
Is the versatility worth the weight?
This year, National Park Week runs from April 19 to 27.
On a long trail, you’ll likely want to thumb a ride eventually. Here’s how to do it tactfully and safely.
Vancouver Island's premier coastal trail has a reputation for being tough and rewarding. Take this advice from someone who's hiked it.
A PCT hiker spent an hour "death-gripping" an unstable cliff in southern California before rescue personnel managed to pluck her off.
From bold new long trails to incredible physical feats to the people who make our hikes possible, these are some of the best stories ever to come out of the world's longest trails.
I sort of failed on my quest to hike one of the southwest's less-backpacked parks. Learn from my mistakes.