Adam Roy

Don’t fall victim to the holiday hibernation: With these simple, outdoor-specific exercises, you can keep or improve your trail fitness for spring.

In a court filing, the Center for Biological Diversity says the government broke the law when it put the pictures of the president and George Washington on the 2026 park passes.

The Appalachian Trail Conservancy's annual survey found hikers' tally of bear encounters rose by 75 percent, while the eastern seaboard remained the biggest source of AT thru-hikers.

From pocket-size accessories to dream tents and packs, we've pulled together the season's most sure-fire gifts for every kind of hiker.

You won't find a lighter mat than the 2.7-ounce Gossamer Gear Thinlight.

The incident is the fourth confirmed case of rabies in the state's southwest this year.

In the two decades, since her murder, police have never identified a suspect in the death of Louise Chaput. Now, they're hoping members of the New Hampshire hiking community could help to change that.

Some of the biggest hazards to your gear’s longevity aren’t on the trail—they’re inside your house. Dodge these traps to keep your sleeping bag, hydration gear, outerwear, and more in working order for next season and years to come.

From blizzard-ready tents to sleeping bags that can handle the coldest nights, this is the gear you can count on this season.

Winter sleeping bags aren't usually affordable—but right now, you can grab the reliable, durable Marmot Mad River 0 for a third off its list price.

There are a lot of great deals for hikers today, but at half-off, Big Agnes's "crazylight" Fly Creek HV 1 Carbon might be the best.

From flashy trail apparel to desert-ready hiking sandals, this is the gear that kept our editors moving this month.

From a beginner-friendly backpack to a tent any ultralighter can appreciate, these are some of our best picks for shopping for a backpacker.

International visitors will pay significantly more to visit some popular national parks next year, while annual passes rise to $250 for non-US residents.

A tent that's not built for the conditions can turn your chill winter camping trip into a disaster. Here's why and how to figure out if your shelter is ready for the challenge.

Authorities said conservation officers were still looking for the animal and urged local residents to avoid the area where the attack occurred.

The Marmot Guides Down Hooded Jacket puts the “puffy” in puffy jacket.

From a coffee upgrade to a perfect coat, these are our editors' personal picks for the best outdoor gifts of the season.

U.S. attorney says people caught with cannabis in national parks and other federal lands will once again face "rigorous" prosecution after DOJ rescinds policy of ignoring low-level offenses.

We break down the federal government's closure of Monument 102, the official southern end of the Arizona Trail.

When firefighters reached the victim, they found he had been punctured by a 4-inch-wide, 15-foot-long tree branch.

The Kelty Wireless 2 is a reliable tent for new or thrifty campers.

Why wait until you get to the trailhead? This deconstructed take on the new viral dessert comes together with just a backpacking stove, so you can sate your darkest culinary urges off in the woods where society can't see you.

The Arizona Trail Association says it expects the terminus's closure, which its executive director called "nothing less than desecration," to be permanent.

Between layoffs, funding cuts, and a government shutdown, it's harder than ever to be a national park ranger. Outside Articles Editor Fred Dreier talked to us about what he learned from investigating the national parks' current crisis.

Cherries flambé, mango sticky rice pudding, dark-'n-stormy s'mores: Enjoy these camp desserts now and apologize to your dentist later.

Enlightened Equipment is offering 20 percent off on its entire lineup through December 1, including its custom Revelation quilts.

The man told rescuers that he had been on the trail since the previous day.

Backpacking is for the people—and so are these dirt-cheap, delicious backcountry recipes that let you eat like a king without spending like one.

Check out Adam Roy's author page.

The MSR Access 3 can stand up to winter storms without requiring you to carry the weight of a mountaineering tent.

For too long, hikers have suffered under the yoke of trails that we have to do twice. I say: enough.

The gear is plentiful. The organization less so. Get a glimpse inside Editor-in-Chief Adam Roy's garage gear loft.

Need to grab a bag for sub-zero nights? Marmot's Lithium is on sale now.

It takes a lot to spook a hiker—but it's not impossible. From widowmakers to Appalachian Trail shelter rodents, these costumes are guaranteed to spark fear in any of our hearts.

Turning your favorite pasta into instant noodles takes just a few hours.

Regularly backflushing your filter will keep it in tip-top shape. Here's how.

The Outside Lab at CU Denver uses sensors, weights, and mannequins to figure out how different backpacks carry loads and how much each can handle.

New restrictions in the New Mexico National Defense Area require hikers to get a permit to access the southern terminus of the Continental Divide Trail—and seems to ban most non-U.S. citizens from it entirely. Here's what we know.

A partner who goes too fast or slow is at the heart of many an on-trail spat.

Tarps are no longer the go-to shelters of most ultralighters. Should they still have a place in your kit? That depends.

Fred Ramsdell was in the Wyoming backcountry when the Nobel Prize committee made its announcement.

The SOL Venture Rechargeable is a solid, lightweight headlamp for less than half the price of its closest competition.

Thanks to our propensity for carrying heavy loads for long distances, hikers are prone to backaches. Heres how to deal with yours.

A black bear attacked and killed a camper in the state's second fatal bear attack since early September.

More teeth equals better grip on the trail, right? Not so fast. We paid a visit to the Outside Lab at CU Denver to learn more about what makes some hiking shoes perform better than others.

The Kelty Cosmic Down 0 can handle frigid winter temperatures, but won't weigh you down on the trail.

The Nahanni is a spectacular northern river with a dark history. Getting there isn't easy—but it's worth the trouble.

An alpaca-wool hoodie, an ultralight and ultra-comfy backpack, and a headlamp that shines in 3 different shades of white: This is the gear that helped our editors live their best lives in September.

A backcountry cocktail kit in a box, a 5-ounce library, and a cornhole set you can fit in a daypack: This is the gear our editors absolutely don't need to pack, but keep bringing anyway.

The Conservation Fund announced this week that it had purchased 480 acres of formerly private land on Mount Bross—including a key portion of one of Colorado's most popular high-alpine trails.

We paid a visit to Colorado's Butterfly Pavilion to learn more about Joro spiders, the AT's newest residents.

Level up with these smart backpacking accessories, all of which cost a Hamilton or less.

Pennsylvania's 501 and Eckville shelters have amenities like solar showers and on-site caretakers and provide a crucial stopping point for hikers on the AT—but they're scheduled for demolition next year.

The Ursack AllMitey is a lightweight alternative to bear canisters that's tested against grizzlies and smaller critters too—and it's on sale right now.

A 29-year-old solo hiker suffered "significant but non-life-threatening" wounds after the attack on the Turbid Lake Trail.

With their easy access to adventure, gorgeous scenery, and electric vibe, mountain towns can feel like an outdoor paradise from the outside. But moving to—and staying in—one can be trickier than it looks.

When hikers get lost in the wilderness, newspaper headlines often credit their survival to subsisting on their own urine. The reality? It’ll just kill you faster.

Check out Adam Roy's author page.

North Carolina's Mount Mitchell State Park had been closed since Hurricane Helene wrecked part of the Blue Ridge Parkway.

Fat Bear Week, the annual contest to find Katmai National Park and Preserve's chunkiest ursine resident, is nearly upon us. Brush up on the highs, lows, and shockers of this battle of the titans.

Move over, duct tape: An outdoor-specific sewing kit—and the know-how to use it—might just be the most useful repair gear you bring.

Baxter State Park officials are asking for the public's help identifying the person or people who defaced the sign at the Appalachian Trail's northern terminus.

In two separate incidents in Arizona and Colorado, police say that three individuals walking dogs assaulted or threatened other hikers after getting into disputes over their pets.

Thanks to its space-age materials, the Editors' Choice-winning Mystery Ranch Radix 57 carries serious weight while coming in at a pound less than similar haulers.

The Anchor Ranch had been at the center of a long-running land dispute involving two of Montana's largest landowners.

A group of hikers had to call for help in New York's Catskills after taking shrooms and losing both themselves and their car keys in the mountains.

Joro spiders’ large size and enormous webs have spurred public concern since the invasive species arrived in the United States in 2013. While they’re harmless to people, they may pose a threat to their new ecosystem.

Think you understand how headlamp brightness works? Get schooled at the Outside Gear Lab.

A comfy sleeping pad, an insulated bottle to keep your drinks chilly, and a pile of fantastic backpacking food: This is the gear that helped our editors make the most of this past month.

There's a beauty (and importance) in the trail's smallest trekkers

From wild animals to dangerous terrain, the outdoors has its fair share of hazards. Test your survival knowledge against a Backpacker editor and see how you fare.

Pistachio, tahini, and crunchy kadayif have proven to be a winning combination as a chocolate bar filling. But how do they work as part of a s'more?

Make a classic backpacking dessert without a campfire using this simple recipe.

The Exped Megamat is a camping pad that sleeps like a full-on mattress.

Prosecutors in Colorado claim that a state park ranger searched for information about abdominal anatomy and injury payouts online before stabbing himself and trying to pass it off as an attack.

In the wake of a fatal snakebite on a Tennessee trail, Editor-in-Chief Adam Roy dives into one of their most common causes.

Give your sleeping bag, puffy, and layers an end-of-summer deep clean without leaving them damaged.

A canyoneer spent some 48 hours nestled in a dark, wet cave behind a raging waterfall before rescuers managed to hoist him out.

Why would a lightweight backpacker willingly add a kettle to their load? Backpacker Editor-in-Chief Adam Roy makes his case for his new favorite swap.