Float a Swedish River on a Huck-Finn-Style Log Raft
A trip down the Klarälven River is a journey back in time.
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Map: 16 Backyard Epics That Prove Everywhere is Hiking Country
You don't always need to go far to go big. Case in point: these stunning hikes, all within a day trip of a major metropolitan area.
Mammut Kento HS Hooded Jacket
Do-it-all shell
Salewa Wildfire Edge
Secure shoe
Outdoor Companies Join Relief Efforts for Hurricane Dorian Victims
A handful of brands are donating product, money, and time to survivors in the Bahamas.
How to Care for Your Backpacking Gear
Keep your gear going season after season with these tips from Boulder Mountain Repair technicians Sam Goodhue and Matt Wintston to prevent little problems from becoming big (and expensive) ones.
4 Edible Plants for Beginner Foragers
Chow down on these edible plants, all found across the U.S. Briana Wiles, author of Mountain States Foraging and owner of Rooted Apothecary, and Kat Mackinnon, RH (AHG), Botany Program Director at the Colorado School of Clinical Herbalism, give you the goods.
Pass/Fail: SUP Into Camp
It’s just like backpacking, but with a paddleboard instead of boots. Right?
Sleepwalking Into the Wilderness
In October 2018, Rob Lundgren, 66, woke from a dream to find himself in a nightmare—lost in Idaho’s Frank Church-River of No Return Wilderness
Hike the Living Desert in Ironwood National Monument, Arizona
The Ironwood Forest is a true redemption story. Home to arroyos, plains, foothills, and mountains, the monument’s coarse and well-aerated soil allows roots to dig deep. The result: The world’s densest stands of ironwoods, low-growing shrubby trees that enrich the earth, enable the Ironwood Forest’s species diversity, and burst with purple-pink flowers in late spring.
Do Denali Right
Deepest Denali is big, bold, and sublime—for those willing to pay the price of admission.
Hike of the Month: Trekking Italy's Gran Paradiso
See heavenly sights—and get them to yourself—in the mountains of Italy.
The 3 Biggest Mistakes Hikers With Dogs Make
Backpacking with your dogs? Make sure you both stay happy and healthy with this advice from a professional trainer.
Editor's Note: The Best Weekend on the CDT
The 3,000-mile long trail has plenty of alpine highlights, and this one in northern Colorado is my new favorite.
Gear of the Week: MSR Pika Teapot
This handy piece of cookware makes pouring hot water a breeze.
Trail by Design results – An Open Letter from Backpacker and Merrell
BACKPACKER and Merrell teamed up with eight artists to inspire others by sharing what the trail means to them, through their own unique vision and design.
The 7 Best Ultralight Packs
Hike long, not heavy, with these weight-saving haulers.
3 Vegetarian Recipes to Fuel You on the Trail
Going meatless shouldn’t mean going hungry. These protein-packed vegan recipes will satisfy any hiker.
The 3 Best Hikes for Gem Hunters
Search for buried treasure on one of these gem-studded dayhikes, where gathering rocks is legal.
Opinion: Hunters Pay for Conservation. Hikers Should Too.
Hunters fund conservation through taxes and tag fees. As their numbers decline, it’s time for hikers to step up.
The 3 Best Self-Inflating Camping Pads
Skip the pump, and the huffing-and-puffing, with these three trail-tested self-inflating pads.
Smartwool Merino Sport 150 Briefs
Best boxers
Duckworth Polaris Crew
Best warm top
Mountain Khakis Men’s Original Trail Pant
Most durable pant
Fjällräven Ovik Re-Wool Shirt
Best flannel
Hydro Flask Crushable Hat
Best hat
The North Face North Dome Pullover Hoodie
Best sun shirt
KÜHL Silencr Kargo Short
Best short
adidas Outdoor Agravic Parley Tee
Best t-shirt
September Member Gear Discount
This month's exclusive discount brought to you by Sierra Designs
Deal of the Month: Granite Gear Crown VC 60
An ultralight pack that doesn't carry like one.
What We're Testing Now: Big Agnes Soul Kitchen Camp Table
Elevate your car camping meals with this collapsible table.
How to Prime a White Gas Stove
Prep your stove to run smoothly so you can cook up a backcountry feast.
Careful Out There: Falling Trees, Helicopter Rescues, and a Continuing Search
Your accident and survival report for the week of August 26th to September 3rd
Facebook Live: Minimalist multiday pack testing, Part 2
Our gear editor previews the new Mountainsmith Zerk 40
Facebook Live: Minimalist multiday pack testing, Part 1
Our gear editor previews the new Mountainsmith Zerk 40
Gear of the Week: Hart Outdoor First Aid Kits
These kits make finding what you need simple.
The Best Dayhikes in Death Valley National Park
Explore the desert with our favorite hikes, short and long.
Hiking is for the Birds
Birding adds a new dimension to every hike.
Careful Out There: Waterfalls, Cliff-Jumpers, and a Night on the Mountain
Your survival and accident report for the week of August 19th to August 26th
How to Pick the Perfect Hike for Kids of All Ages: Babies and Toddlers
Find trail bliss with expert advice from Hike It Baby's Jessica Carrillo Allatorre
REI Co-op Kingdom 6
Palatial Tent
Eureka! Ignite
Supercharged Stove
Stanley Adventure Full Kitchen Base Camp Cook Set
Comprehensive Cookware
LonoLife Thai Curry Beef Bone Broth
Restorative elixir
OtterBox Venture 65
Classy Cooler
NEMO Stargaze Recliner Luxury Chair
Serene Seat
The Best Car-Camping Gear for Families
These auto- and boat-friendly luxuries are your ticket to outdoor family fun.
JR Stockwell is the King of the Mountains
If there was a championship of local hiking, New Hampshire native JR Stockwell would be a lock for first place—except he never tells anyone about his singular adventures in the White Mountains.
Mountain Lion Attacks Child in Colorado
Cougar encounter is second in two weeks, third of the year for the state.
Environmental Groups Sue Trump Administration Over Endangered Species Act Changes
The plaintiffs claim the new regulations are an "attack" on the decades-old conservation law
Basecamp Membership Photo Contest
Enter your best backpacking or nature inspired photo for a chance to win!
Growing Up on the PCT
When a father-daughter team tackles the Pacific Crest Trail over the course of seven summers, they learn something about long-distance hiking—and each other.
Alpine Fitness: Strengthen Your Knees
Exercises to get your joints trail-ready
The Best Shoulder Season Sleeping Pads
Create the perfect sleep system for cooler autumn nights by putting the right insulated mat under your sleeping bag.
Exped MegaMat Duo 10 LW
Luxurious Pad
NEMO Tensor Alpine
Best warmth to weight
Exped SynMat TT 9 M
Warmest
Klymit Insulated Static V Luxe SL
Most luxurious
Alpine Fitness: Recovery for Hikers
Recovery tips from Connie Sciolino of the Alpine Training Center
Alpine Fitness: Strengthen Your Ankles
Get fit with these ankle-strengthening exercises
Alpine Fitness: Core Strength for Backpackers
Get strong with this workout from the Alpine Training Center
Alpine Fitness: Make Miles Easier
Get your whole body fit to crush your hiking goals
Alpine Fitness: Train for Peakbagging
Strengthen your legs for summit pushes
Alpine Fitness: Train for Big Dayhikes
Crush your hiking goals with this training routine
How to Pick the Perfect Hike for Kids of All Ages: Elementary School-Aged Kids
Choose the right challenge with expert advice from Family Channel editor, Lisa Jhung
How to Pick the Perfect Hike for Kids of All Ages
Expert advice on choosing trails for families with babies to teenagers, and all ages in between.
How to Pick the Perfect Hike for Kids of All Ages: Pre-Teens and Teens
Get your teens psyched on hiking with expert advice from BACKPACKER Editor-in-Chief, Dennis Lewon
Careful Out There: Fallen Trees, Wolves, and a Crevasse
Your survival and accident report for the week of August 12th to 19th
Gear of the Week: Columbia F.K.T. II Short Sleeve Shirt
Beat the heat with this top's cooling tech.
Facebook Live: Multifunctional hydration reservoir
Gear editor Eli Bernstein discusses a versatile new product.
Wolf Attacks Family in Banff National Park
Officials still trying to explain what led the lone animal to injure a man.
Hiking the Elwha River, Olympic National Park
See dense forest and prehistoric ferns on this 45.2-mile jaunt.
White House Cuts Back Protections for Endangered Species
New rules allow government to share economic impacts of listing, eliminates protections for threatened species.
You're Doing it Wrong: 100 Ways to Improve Your Backpacking Skills
Experience begets skill—and blind spots, ruts, and inefficient routines. Just because you’ve taken to doing something one way doesn’t mean it’s the right way. From crossing a river to leading a group, there’s a better way.
45 Quick Fixes to Make Your Next Backpacking Trip Better
Unlearn your bad hiking habits today with these simple, instant changes to your routine.
You’re Doing it Wrong: Social Situations
Plan your trips better and enjoy yourself more.
You’re Doing it Wrong: Health and Hygiene
Battle blisters and learn to pack a sensible first aid kit.