Keep Your New Year's Resolutions in Georgia Parks
These nature getaways will help you with your 2018 #fitnessgoals.
All Content
"Outside the Loop" Covers Climbing in Avondale
Follow as WGN radio correspondent tackles a 40-foot wall.
Aspen Skiing Co. Employees Fund Safety Videos, Backcountry Reservations
The group's Environment Foundation awarded grants to the Aspen-Sopris Ranger District and the Colorado Fourteeners Initiative.
The 5 Types of Campfire and When to Use Them
There’s a perfect fire for every situation. Learn to pick the right one.
Tough Jumpers Kick Off 2018 with Polar Plunge
The annual Lake Lanier challenge attracted 41 swimmers.
Rabid Fox Bites Hiker in Oak Creek Canyon
Rabies cases in gray foxes are up statewide.
REI Opens "Adventure Concierge" at Copper Mountain
The new service offers outdoor classes and insider info on area activities.
Fly-Fisherman Leads Charge to Clean Up Santa Cruz Park
Trash in the neglected Sycamore Grove area threatens area waterways.
Sea Stars Slowly Returning After Mysterious Die-off
Washington's sea star numbers are up in the aftermath of a four-year wasting syndrome epidemic.
Recycle Your Christmas Tree at Chicago Parks
24 city parks offer free tree drop-off this year.
NY League of Conservation Voters Releases 2018 Policy Priorities
Food waste, congestion pricing, protection from chemicals, and more top the list this year.
15 Uses for Snow
Use snow to build furniture, survive a storm, or make better pancakes (seriously).
The Hardcore Still Play Outside in this Bitter Cold
Negative temps don't deter these hockey players and sledders across Chicagoland.
Driver Rescued After Getting Stuck in Olympic National Forest
Officials tried three times to tow a motorist out of deep snow on a remote wilderness road.
California Looks to Green Up Legal Pot Industry
New regulations aim to curb the pollution and water abuses of illegal growing operations.
World's Largest Zamboni-Groomed Outdoor Ice Rink is Here in Colorado
Evergreen Lake, less than an hour from Denver, boasts 8.5 groomed acres and 11 hockey rinks.
Growing Elk Herd Raises Worries in Central Washington
Locals fear the 6,500-strong Colockum Herd poses risks to drivers and ranchers.
New Colorado Ski Area Among World's Most Exclusive
Cimarron Mountain Club, opening December 2018, will host just 15 families.
Conservation Groups Buy a Ridgeline in Laurel Canyon
The 17-acre Hollywood Hills parcel will be preserved permanently.
Take a Look Back at Nevada's Top Outdoor Stories of 2017
From record snowpack to the establishment of moose in the state, it's been an interesting year.
Sleep in One of These NorCal Fire Lookouts
Bookings for some of these 8 elevated perches open up in December.
Mt. Rainier Announces Winter Hours
Get the scoop on new visitor center and inn operating hours, plus winter ranger programs.
Thomas Fire Started Twice
Authorities report that the Ventura and Santa Barbara County blaze had two origins.
Coconino National Forest Announces Free Days for 2018
Enjoy forest sites for free on 12 special occasions next year.
Ugly Sweater Day at Mount Sunapee
Check out Backpacker Contributors's author page.
REI Garage Sale
Check out Backpacker Contributors's author page.
New Year's Eve Camp
Check out Backpacker Contributors's author page.
Olympic NP's Mules Run Amok in Sequim
The animals broke free from their winter pasture and trotted through town before police helped round them up.
Don't Trash that Christmas Tree
Recycle it instead! Options include mulching, chipping them into hiking trail surfaces, and more.
Lack of Snow at Resorts Makes Skiing More Dangerous, Expert Says
The SnowSport Safety Foundation argues that resorts should do more to reduce risk during low-snow conditions.
Dunwoody Nature Center Family Program Expanding in 2018
The "First Saturdays" program will feature monthly activities in partnership with Northside Hospital.
Pima Canyon Trailhead Construction Nears End
South Mountain Park's busiest trailhead is undergoing a massive makeover.
State Park "First Day" Events Aim to Start 2018 Off Right
Local state parks will participate in a nationwide program to inspire people to kick off the new year with a hike.
New Hampshire Firefighters Pitch in on Ventura County Blaze
Twenty state firefighters fly to California to aid on the Thomas Fire.
New Year's Celebration in the Whites
Check out Backpacker Contributors's author page.
DuPage County to Finally Finish 2 Regional Trails
$5.1 million in grants will help the forest preserves complete missing trail segments within four years.
Kayaker Who Drowned in Bellingham Bay Identified
The 24-year-old died after falling off his sit-on-top boat.
Questions Remain in Last Year's Gatlinburg Wildfire
Unknowns in the deadly Tennessee blaze from November 2016 include windspeed and the fate of the teens suspected of starting the fire.
Skiing's Popularity Fades at Lake Tahoe
Changing demographics and climate change are behind the decline.
The “No More Parks Act” Could End National Monuments as We Know Them
Utah representative Rob Bishop got his way on Bears Ears and Grand Staircase-Escalante. Now, he has his sights set on a bigger target: taking apart the law that created them.
The Best Gear of Winter 2017-2018: The North Face Ventrix Hoodie
This smart insulated layer vents when you're working and keeps you warm when you're not.
The Best Gear of Winter 2017-2018: The North Face Ventrix Hoodie
This smart insulated layer vents when you're working and keeps you warm when you're not.
The Best Gear of Winter 2017-2018: eNZees Foot Soother
Why did we give an Editors' Choice award to a ball of wool? You'll see.
The Best Gear of Winter 2017-2018: eNZees Foot Soother
Why did we give an Editors' Choice award to a ball of wool? You'll see.
The Best Gear of Winter 2017-2018: Smartwool PhD Outdoor Mountaineer Socks
This sock is the foundation of comfort on long-haul ski tours.
The Best Gear of Winter 2017-2018: Smartwool PhD Outdoor Mountaineer Socks
This sock is the foundation of comfort on long-haul ski tours.
The Best Gear of Winter 2017-2018: Black Diamond Mega Light Tent
Make your winter camping trips more fun with this classic group hangout tent.
The Best Gear of Winter 2017-2018: Black Diamond Mega Light Tent
Make your winter camping trips more fun with this classic group hangout tent.
British Columbia's Spearhead Traverse: The Best Worst Ski Trip Ever
On a four-day traverse through the spectacularly glaciated Coast Mountains, the BACKPACKER team learns—and embraces—the four steps of overcoming adversity.
Marin County Trails and Waterfalls Finally Accessible Again
Bolinas-Fairfax Road reopened for good last week.
Tahoe National Forest Calls for Public Comment on Gold Mine Cleanup
Toxic pollution threatens wildlife at Sierra County's Empire Mine site.
Tonto National Forest Shuts Down Tortilla Campground
Water treatment woes are behind the recent closure.
Severe Drought Returns to Arizona
The current dry spell is the worst in almost 700 years.
SoCal Mountain Bike Group Backs GOP Wilderness Bill
The San Diego Mountain Biking Association supports a Congressional bill to allow bikes in wilderness areas.
Holiday Lights Boston
Check out Backpacker Contributors's author page.
Center for Wildlife's Holiday Bazaar
Check out Backpacker Contributors's author page.
Middlesex Fells StoryWalk: It's Winter
Check out Backpacker Contributors's author page.
The 5 Best Whiskies for Hikers
Tennessee or not, here are our testers’ picks for the best flask-fillers found in most liquor stores.
12-Year-Old Bags all New Hampshire 4,000-Footers
Natalie Sisemore, now 13, hiked all 48 peaks with her dad.
Thomas Fire Now 2nd Largest in State History
The Ventura and Santa Barbara County blaze has burned 270,000-plus acres.
Appalachian Trail Short Film Series Kicks Off Season 2
"A Lasting Legacy" profiles a legendary trail volunteer.
9 Communities Get $14 Million in Great Outdoors Colorado Grants
The funds will go to programs that get kids outdoors statewide.
Coyote Sightings Up in the 'Burbs
Breeding season makes the wild canines more visible.
BACKPACKER Paddles the Whanganui River, New Zealand
Explore New Zealand's North Island with BACKPACKER in this Editors' Choice sneak peek.
BACKPACKER Paddles the Whanganui River, New Zealand
Explore New Zealand's North Island with BACKPACKER in this Editors' Choice sneak peek.
BACKPACKER Hikes Taranaki National Park, New Zealand
Explore New Zealand's North Island with BACKPACKER in this Editors' Choice sneak peek.
Treksta Libero
Grippy low-tops
Outdoor Foundation Names New Leader
The new head comes to the Boulder-based philanthropy organization from the National Park Foundation.
The Best Gear of Winter 2017-2018: G3 Roamr 100 Skis
See our favorite skis of the year in action.
Hike and Snorkel on Hawaii's Puna Coast Trail
On Hawaii, Halape’s secret snorkeling holes, coconut trees, and white-sand beaches stir any hiker’s wanderlust. But the Puna Coast Trail’s rough volcanic terrain keeps the hordes away.
Thomas Fire Would Engulf Many U.S. Cities, Maps Show
See how far Ventura County's monster blaze would stretch in LA, New York, Chicago, and more.
The Best Gear of Winter 2017-2018: Mountain Hub
Trail beta gets a community-oriented app.
The Best Gear of Winter 2017-2018: Mountain Hub
Trail beta gets a community-oriented app.
The 13 Best Last-Minute Holiday Gifts for Hikers
It's not too late: Fill in the gaps on your shopping list with this BACKPACKER-tested gear from $13 to $450.
Demand for National Forest Christmas Trees Growing
Cut-your-own trees are popular this season while tree lots in Flagstaff see a dip in sales.
Trapped on a Mountain in Winter
Soon we both stopped shivering, and neither of us could feel our feet. Matt turned to me. “Tommy, we could die out here.”
New King County Trailhead Shuttle Looking for Riders
The Trailhead Direct shuttle, which serves popular trailheads in the Issaquah area, attracted about 900 hikers in its debut season.
New Bay Area Park Rich in Outlaw Legends
Members of Jesse James's gang allegedly once hid out in the La Honda Creek Open Space Preserve.
The 4 Best Sunrise Hikes to Celebrate Daylight Savings Time
Yes, 'springing forward' means it's dark an hour later. But that just means you've got more time to catch the sunrise from one of these four perfect lookouts.
Opinion: The Outdoors Are Better Without Instagram
Hiking in the Instagram era gives your followers great memories, but can rob you of your own. Our scout takes a break from the social hamster wheel—and likes it.