Ted Alvarez

Should you climb a tree to get away from a bruin? Do bear bells really attract bears? We tackle these questions and more.

Humans have been starting fires without matches longer than with them. Can our modern man measure up?

Grizzlies vanished from North Cascades National Park five decades ago. Or did they?

Deep in the wilds of Northern British Columbia's Spatsizi Wilderness Provincial Park, our scout proves there’s no joy like misery.

This 11-mile out-and-back climbs to two high-altitude lakes in New Mexico's Carson National Forest.

This easy loop hops islands and sand dunes beside Lake Michigan.

No one knows the ins and outs of the trail like professional guides. Learn a few of their secrets to take your trips to the next level.

On Canada's west coast, countless animals—and the occasional kayaker—thrive.

The best way to ensure survival in the wild? Learn how to live like a hunter-gatherer.

Some months, Ted Alvarez spends more night in a tent than beneath a roof, but his mom had never backpacked. A mother-and-son road trip through all five of Utah’s national parks in one week would be the perfect way to make up for lost time—or court disaster.

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.

Forget higher—go deeper. The greatest adventure in Asia is a real-life Lost World hidden inside Son Doong, the planet’s largest cave.

A holiday in the Grand Canyon requires planning, sweat, and maybe some food sacrifices. But one Arizona family discovers the memories are worth all the turkey in the world.

Learn how to stay safe in bear country from myth-busting scientist Tom Smith.

14 incredible trails every hiker needs to try.

Popo Agie Wilderness, Wyoming

Long Trail State Forest, Vermont

On this 6-mile loop in Point Mugu State Park, you can climb to the tallest point in the Santa Monica Mountains and relax by the shores of Zuma Beach.

White Mountain National Forest, New Hampshire

Red River Gorge, Kentucky

Sylvan Runkel State Preserve, Iowa

Petit Jean State Park, Arkansas

Coconino National Forest, Arizona

Grayson Highlands State Park, Virginia

Palo Duro Canyon State Park, Texas

Fall Creek Falls State Park, Tennessee

Mt. Greylock State Reservation, Massachusetts

Mt. Abraham Ecological Reserve, Maine

Gallatin National Forest, Montana

Konza Prairie Preserve, Kansas

Caesars Head and Jones Gap State Parks, South Carolina

Colton Point State Park, Pennsylvania

San Rafael Swell, Utah

Columbia River Gorge National Scenic Area, Oregon

Shining Rock Wilderness, North Carolina

Wichita Mountains National Wildlife Refuge, Oklahoma

Slide Mountain Wilderness, New York

Red Rock Canyon National Conservation Area, Nevada

Tettegouche State Park, Minnesota

Starved Rock State Park, Illinois

Koke’e State Park, Hawaii

Salmon-Challis National Forest, Idaho

Cloudland Canyon State Park, Georgia

Caladesi Island State Park, Florida

California’s oldest state park hides champion old-growth redwoods in tight gorges and steep, mossy canyons threaded with waterfalls.

Indian Peaks Wilderness, Colorado

Chugach National Forest, Alaska

Skyline Wildlife Management Area, Alabama

Mt. Baker Wilderness, Washington

Monongahela National Forest, West Virginia

Leave it to the pros to have the outdoor world figured out. These tips are what turn hikers into guides—and guides into heroes. Learn from their experiences with gear, skills, and people.

What if urban parks are better than distant wilds at turning city kids onto nature? Ted Alvarez heads to Baltimore to investigate a new movement in the effort to connect kids to the land—and save the city’s soul.

Putting one foot in front of the other isn’t the most extreme activity, but damn if the original outdoor pursuit isn’t the sexiest.

Few blazes, fewer trail angels: Canada’s Great Divide Trail offers a rare chance to go back in time and experience the birth of a thru-hike.

The Trans-Alaska Trail would be America’s wildest path—if a determined group of Alaskans can make it happen.

We delight in revealing your favorite trail, lake, or campsite—and your hidden place is better off for it.

Mountain lions are notoriously elusive. Can our scout successfully stalk the king of stalkers?

Park visitors should better represent our country's population. Four experts weigh in on how we can break down the barriers.

Don't let the manicured paths trick you: Workers in Washington state's mountains wage an endless war to keep the trails open.

A group of determined Alaskans hopes to create an 800-mile trail that will trace the state’s famous pipeline from Arctic Sea to Pacific tidewater.

When the snow starts falling, teamwork is the only way to roll.

Is hiking without a headlamp a midsummer night’s dream—or a nightmare?

Is hiking without a headlamp a midsummer night’s dream—or a nightmare?

Are outdoors workouts the key to fun fitness for hikers? Our man tries a new fitness philosophy in an effort to ditch the gym forever.

Can a needle newbie sew a DIY backpack that promises to save weight and money?

Deep in the wilds of Northern British Columbia's Spatsizi Wilderness Provincial Park, our scout proves there’s no joy like misery.

Forgive me, Smokey, for I have sinned.

Weeds usually end up in the compost bin, but this one can be used a salve for bug bites and blisters.

With just some bungee cord, some small steel chain, and a pair of needlenose pliers, you can build your own custom-fit traction devices for under $10.

The Walking Dead returns Sunday, and our man picks the tools you'll need to survive the zombie apocalypse.

Everyone's a critic, it seems—especially when it comes to national parks. Our man scoured Yelp to find out what some Americans really think about America's Best Idea.

The tech giant's new operating system evokes the outdoors.

Not even apex predators can resist a good crawfish Étouffée

A (hilarious) cautionary tale for us all.

See exclusive photos of our man's trip to this exotic island off the coast of Canada.

Who are the biggest jerks in the woods? Pine beetles, that's who.

We've all been there.

Not bad for a first attempt!

A hidden camera reveals a wildlife superhighway.

Or maybe it's just a big malamute...?