Adam Roy

The Orukayak Beach Explorer bundle comes with everything paddlers need for casual overnight adventures, and folds up small enough to check on a plane.

The Hyperlite Mountain Gear Junction 55 is a trail-tested, reliable ultralight pack, and right now you can snatch it for under retail.

Where's the most memorable place you've ever gone to the bathroom outdoors? From a spider-filled jungle to a mountaintop throne, here's what two Backpacker editors had to say.

Backpacker Editor-in-Chief Adam Roy and former Editor Jon Dorn shared their wildest animal encounters onstage at Outside Festival. From a harrowing mountain lion encounter in Saguaro National Park to a bathroom break interrupted by a bruin, here's what they said.

A new, free service from the USGS hopes to keep Grand Canyon hikers safe by sending essential safety alerts to their satellite devices.

Baxter State Park officials believe Esther Keiderling, one of two hikers found dead near the northern terminus of the Appalachian Trail in early June, likely slipped and slid into a boulder field in snowy conditions.

A pair of hikers were on the phone with SAR when lightning struck them on the summit of Torreys Peak, critically injuring one and kicked off what rescuers believe may be the highest helicopter evacuation in Colorado history.

Is it OK to dig a cathole with your spork? Should we all start hiking barefoot? Is bug spray a scam? Watch Backpacker's editors react to your wildest hiking takes.

The National Park Service says reopenings of closed campgrounds this summer will add around 500 additional sites for visitors.

While the Trump administration has largely been mum on which monuments it would revoke, a government memo suggests Sáttítla Highlands and Chuckwalla could lose their protections.

A single-person, ultralight tent, a packable hammock, and a backpack ready for backpacking with the kids: These are the on-sale gifts that Backpacker's Dad-in-Chief is coveting this year.

Police had shut down parts of the Pacific Crest Trail during the search for Travis Decker, who they suspected of killing his 3 young daughters.

The MSR Thru-Hiker Mesh House 1 is one of the lightest solutions for keeping out bugs, no-see-ums, and water seepage from the ground.

Bear spray is built to stop a charging 1,000-pound griz. So what happens when a backpacker accidentally takes a spritz of it in the face? We asked three unlucky hikers to share their experiences.

Long, sunny days, aimless ambles, the thrill of discovering somewhere new: These hikes pack in our favorite things about the warmer months.

From sculpted desert rock formations to high peaks to the mossy rainforest of the Oregon coast, these three long-trail segments are a treasure trove of gorgeous views—and you can do each of them in a day.

Every hiker has a summit that they can't stop thinking about. In honor of National Trails Day, the Backpacker editors are sharing ours.

An astonishing 43 percent of Backpacker's readers say they would eat a human being if it were the only way to survive in a wilderness situation. Get a few tips on how to do it right in this classic Backpacker video.

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.

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.

Trail runners, a budget bag, and a high-end tent: These are the deals we’re excited about.

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.

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.

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.

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.

If you'd rather tote a little extra weight for a more livable sleeping experience, then the Marmot Limelight 3 may be for you.

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.

CleanTrek founder John McShane wants to clean up America's trails—and he thinks his new invention could help do it.

Black Diamond's Distance series excel on fast-paced missions in tricky terrain—and right now, you can get them at a steep discount.

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.

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.

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.

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.

Weeks after closing the Fiery Furnace due to staffing issues, Arches National Park officials announced that the popular red-rock hiking destination would reopen starting April 15.

Don't let the gram-counting around ultralight gear intimidate you. Slimming down your pack's weight is easier than many beginners think.

Don't waste the late spring and summer warm-up hiking yourself into shape (or rehabbing a fresh injury). Instead, prep for some of the best months of the year with these expert-approved workouts.

The Mountain Hardwear Ghost Whisperer Hooded Jacket is about a half-pound and packs to the size of a water bottle, but feels warmer than that.

If you're thinking about experimenting with a floorless shelter, the Sierra Designs High Route packs down to the size of a Nalgene but punches above its weight in livability.

Small backpacking brands are bracing for rising costs and tough choices as tariffs hit materials and manufacturing, putting consumers on the hook.

Chosen from hundreds of applicants to the Carson City to Canada Quest, Julianne Mahoney and Audrey Payne embrace the challenge of hiking from Nevada to the Canadian border along the Pacific Crest Trail.

The only legal trail to the shoreline of Crater Lake will close after this summer and will stay shuttered for three years, the National Park Service says.

The Garmin inReach Mini 2 is a fixture on trails short and long—and right now, you can save $100 off its full price.

From a trail runner made for the toughest terrain to an app that literally forces you to "touch grass," this is the gear that got the Backpacker editors outside this month.

With its 33-millimeter stack height, the Altra Olympus is a solid choice for rooty, rocky trails.

The steep, 1.2-mile trail to Hanging Lake is a popular dayhike for Coloradans and visitors alike.

Nearly three months after the only road to Olympic National Park's Hoh Rain Forest washed out, Washington has announced it will set aside more than $600,000 from the state's Strategic Reserve to pay for repairs.

If you're an REI member who hasn't used your annual coupons yet, you can get the Therm-a-rest Vesper 20 quilt for nearly half off.

Just weeks after the NPS axed more than 1,000 permanent employees, the White House has reportedly instructed the agency to cut 30% of its payroll.

Everyone has a favorite national park. But when it comes to hiking, some just do it better than others.

With a stable, body-hugging design and enough room for your water, snacks, and layers, the Ultimate Direction Adventure Vest 5.0 is an ideal pack for trail runners and fast-moving hikers alike.

The Jetboil Zip is a stripped-down cousin to the company's larger models.

An ultralight first-aid kit, a cheap pair of gloves, and a luxe sleeping pad: This is the gear that's getting our editors through the tail end of winter.

After the largest layoffs in the history of public lands and with the high season—and fire season—around the corner, park and forest rangers and other federal employees say they’re worried about what comes next.

From nutrition myths to getting protein, our experts break down how to stay fueled and feeling good on your next big hiking trip.

Don't feel like shelling out for a carton of Grade A? These egg-free breakfasts are nutritious, camp-ready, and perfect for powering a day on the trail.

The MSR Hubba Hubba is a lightweight 3-season backpacking tent that's suitable for beginners and seasoned hikers alike—and right now, it's downright cheap.

Taranaki is an ancestor to nearby Maori groups and a popular hiking and skiing destination for visitors. Under a law passed unanimously by New Zealand's parliament, it now owns itself.

By working on your cardiovascular endurance you can up your mileage without hating your life.

New Hampshire Fish and Game said that the two hikers from Massachusetts were experienced and well-equipped, but encountered “unforeseen conditions.”

Strong legs make for easy miles. Get yours ready for your next big trip with this advice.

Testers compared the Hoka One One Speedgoat to a full-suspension 29er mountain bike.

Top-shelf winter layers, perfect backcountry powder skis, and a FOMO-inducing, trip-generating collection of travel inspo: This is the gear that got our editors outside this month.

In a statement on Monday, the Canada Border Services Agency noted that the U.S. prohibits southbound PCT thru hikers from crossing into Washington from British Columbia.

Altadena Mountain Rescue is urging hikers to stay out of closed areas after the wildfires that ravaged Los Angeles—but says it's already preparing to rescue the ones who don't listen.

The Helio LX Pressure Shower is a smart approach to cleaning off people, pets, and dishes on basecamping trips—and right now, you can get it at a steep discount.

Don't waste your half-used hand warmers. Save them for later with this trick instead.

This do-anything mid may just rekindle your love for the category—and it's on sale now.

Backpacking in the snowy season doesn’t need to be an ordeal. We polled our colleagues to find out their best gear tips for packing for snowy adventures.

Not bringing ice cleats or crampons on an icy hike can be frustrating at best, and deadly at worst. Here's how to know what you need—and some staff-tested recommendations fo what to buy.