Dennis Lewon

Join us on a life-list Himalayan trek, and do good for others while enjoying one of the world’s dream trips

Just how much pack weight can one hiker cut? Our editor performs a far-out experiment in minimalism.

Join us on a trek in Nepal, and let’s show how hiking and helping go hand in hand.

Want to do some good on your next big trip? Join us in Nepal in spring 2022. On this special adventure, we'll volunteer on a post-pandemic recovery effort, then go on a life-list trek.

Rushing rivers pose one of the backcountry’s biggest threats. Do you know how to cross safely—or when it’s best to not cross at all?

Tear down the walls: Sleeping without a tent gives a true backcountry experience.

Get inspired by the everyday, every day.

You don’t have to go far to enjoy camping season: If you have a yard or even a balcony, you have a campsite. Here are 8 ways to make the most of very close-to-home camping.

Make sure you’re prepared for your next trip into bear country.

From a gem of the national park system to a do-everything backpack, these five things are the best value for every hiker.

In Mexico’s Copper Canyon, LifeStraw’s give-back program delivers water purifiers to schools in need.

Trek through villages that still have one foot in the past

A trip down the Klarälven River is a journey back in time.

The 3,000-mile long trail has plenty of alpine highlights, and this one in northern Colorado is my new favorite.

The Bight Gear + BACKPACKER test team climbed Mt. Rainier in July. All four of the contest winners made the summit—and added to Bight Gear’s 100 million feet of vertical testing.

Everyone has their own special slice of the backcountry. For BACKPACKER Editor-in-Chief Dennis Lewon, it's a slice of beach in Northern California.

Give kids a chance, and you might be surprised by what they can do.

Last spring, BACKPACKER readers went to Nepal on a unique mission: work on a school-building project, then go on a life-list trek. Turns out, hiking and helping go perfectly together.

You have a whole summer of hiking ahead of you, and we're ready to help you make the most of it.

Spend less, hike more with a system that prioritizes affordability and durability.

See bears or hike the world's longest slot canyon with these group trips.

Nearly four decades after wowing a generation of hikers with his original boot, Randy Merrell went back to the workshop to release a modern version.

The biggest name in outdoor retail turned its employees into testers to improve its house brand—and some of its best pieces are on sale this weekend.

Editor-in-Chief Dennis Lewon reflects on an alpine education.

Venture into the bush to see Africa’s wildlife the wild way.

Some adventures grab hold of you and never let go.

With a bit of luck, you can see nature’s most electric light show.

When we ran a story about the beauty of trail-less hiking, some of our readers objected. BACKPACKER Editor-in-Chief Dennis Lewon responds.

More than 600 million acres. Mountains, forests, and plains. Canyons, coasts, and deserts. It’s the American birthright. And it’s at risk.

As more and more outdoor brands adopt give-back programs, it’s time to wonder: What does my purchase accomplish? Can good gear really do good? On a trip with LifeStraw’s clean-water campaign in Kenya, Dennis Lewon investigates.

When a group of hikers disturb a beehive, things can’t get worse. Until they do.

No oven? No problem. Here’s how to put cookies, muffins, and brownies on the menu.

Your baselayer is your wicking layer. It keeps you comfortable by keeping you dry, moving moisture away from your skin before it robs your body of heat. Combine natural and high-tech materials—plus common sense—to find the right layer.

Got a camp full of hangry hikers? After years of leading teens, BACKPACKER staffers, and his own family, Editor-in-chief Dennis Lewon has fed more than his share. Here are his favorite easy-prep appetizers.

Want to check an epic hike off your life list? Start ticking off these boxes and make it happen.

Have an adventure with a Backpacker editor, and make the world a better place.

Five easy lessons for getting the most out of your time on the trail

Don’t let gusty weather ruin your trip—or your tent.

We’re throwing a backpacking bash in the Rockies and you’re invited.

Join our staff for a Colorado adventure.

Let a 10-year-old be your guide and discover a new kind of fun.

Check out Dennis Lewon's author page.

Free-the-heel fans call it the most elegant way to get down a mountain. Can our man learn to turn?

There’s no surer way to ensure a successful trip than hitting the mountains for charity.

If you want a predictable family trip, go to Disneyland. Who knows what'll happen on a National Park adventure?

Like your favorite neighborhood watering hole, you can count on New York City's best local hikes to deliver exactly what you need, where you need it.

Explore national parks. Travel the country. Share exciting stories. Wish it would never end.

Learn to identify the terrain hazards of glaciers to stay safe in ice country.

Float through winter with tips from Heather Balogh, BACKPACKER’s lead snowshoe tester.

Check out Dennis Lewon's author page.

The only thing you'll regret about taking the brood backpacking is not doing it sooner - and more often.

BACKPACKER readers are climbing 14,180-ft Mt. Shasta in support of Big City Mountaineers! Check out the photos from their summit bid.

No reservations? No problem. You can still have an epic national park adventure this summer.

Join editor-in-chief Dennis Lewon for a hike--and cancer-fighting concert--in the Rockies.

A hair-raising tale of wilderness terror that will haunt your backcountry dreams

Multitasking dads will love this easy-sipping cup.

Get a Denali-size adventure with Lower 48 effort.