2022
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Yellowstone Bison Gore Second Visitor in Three Days
The encounter, which sent a 71-year-old visitor to the hospital, follows another injury near Giant Geyser on Monday.
Do the Trail a Favor: Wear a Weirder Hat
When hiking becomes cool, it loses something sacred.
Finding Life on the Edge of Death
Andrew Devers survived 9 days near the Pratt River Trail in Washington by drinking stream water and eating berries. But the biggest threat to his own survival and only hope turned out to be himself.
A Reality Show’s Cast Went Hiking in Triple-Digit Heat. Three Ended Up in the Hospital.
More than 100 rescuers responded up to successfully rescue the stricken hikers.
I Meticulously Planned My First Thru-Hike. On My Second, I’m Just Vibing.
Is it really an adventure if you have it planned to the mile? Patricia "Blackpacker" Cameron explains why she's playing it loose on the Pacific Crest Trail.
Patagonia Will Pay Bail for Employees Arrested in Abortion Protests
And the apparel manufacturer joins a growing number of companies that have pledged to cover travel costs for employees who must go to a different state to seek abortion care.
I Dehydrated A Week of Leftovers. Here’s How it Turned Out.
One hiker combines her loves of cooking and backpacking.
Black Bear Dies in Tennessee After Becoming Trapped in Hot Car
Wildlife agency warns residents not to leave food in cars.
The Forest Service May Extend Max Patch’s Camping Ban
A two-year ban bars campers from overnighting on the famous peak—and officials may push it even further.
How to Visit Yellowstone After the Flood
The world’s first national park will reopen this week after the devastating floods. Here's what you can expect.
Hiker Dies of Hypothermia in Storm Near Mt. Washington
Rescue teams endured 80-mile-per-hour gusts and snow to reach the injured hiker, who was attempting a Presidential Traverse.
Miracle on Mt. Hood Part 2
In 2013, Mary Grimm got lost amid whiteout conditions on Mt. Hood. She spent six days alone before anyone found her.
Hot Jell-O Drink: Classic Backpacking Recipe or Boiled Nightmare?
We dug up an old recipe from our archives and gave it another try. Here's which flavors stood the test of time, and which you should leave on the shelves.
Numb Feet While Hiking? Here’s How To Fix It
If your feet ever become numb while hiking, don't worry. This common hiking ailment has a few potential causes and easy fixes.
The BLM Made the Largest Public Lands Purchase in Wyoming History, Unlocking Previously Inaccessible Acres
Almost 9.5 million acres in 13 western states are permanently inaccessible to the general public because they're surrounded by private land. BLM director Tracy Stone-Manning wants to keep chipping away at them, acre by acre.
Black Bear Euthanized After Injuring 3-Year-Old and Mother in Smokies
Incident comes days after US Forest Service warned campers about food-conditioned bears.
How Chuck Sams Plans to Fix Our National Parks
It's been six months since the first NPS director in five years stepped into office facing $22 billion in deferred maintenance. This is what he's accomplished so far—and what's still coming.
Why I’ve Given Up on Lottery-Based Permits
From the Wonderland Trail to the Wave, many of the most spectacular places in the United States are only available to people willing to go through a permit lottery. For Maggie Slepian, it’s just not worth the hassle.
The Ethics of Thru-Hiking with Kids
Each year, more families seem to earn attention by taking to long trails with small children. What are their motivations, and is it bad for the kids?
Navigating in Zero Visibility Is Tough. Learn to Do it Right.
Leapfrogging, following benchmarks, and more.
Every Hiking Dog Owner Should Know These First Aid Tricks
Dogs can get hurt on the trail just like you. Here's how to treat 5 common problems.
Miracle on Mt. Hood Part 1
In 2013, Mary Grimm got lost amid whiteout conditions on Mt. Hood. She spent six days alone before anyone found her.
Why You Should Hike With a Native Guide
On a hike in New Mexico, an outdoor writer gets a new perspective on a trail and the legacy of the people who made it.
Yes, Ultralight External Frame Packs Are a Thing
These four load-haulers are bringing the retro design into the modern era.
Watch: Floods Destroy Roads, Force Evacuations in Yellowstone National Park
The park will remain closed to incoming visitors through at least Wednesday.
Someone Spray-Painted Graffiti on One of Yosemite’s Most Popular Trails
Tags along Yosemite Falls Trail prompt National Park Service to ask for help identifying suspects.
Meet First Peoples Mountain: Yellowstone’s Mount Doane Gets a New Name
A mountain named for a U.S. Army officer who led a massacre against local tribes has received a new moniker.
Grand Teton Hands Visitor 5-Year Ban, $17,600 Fine Over False Report in Missing Hiker Case
Mother calls report "extremely upsetting" but calls on hikers and mountaineers to continue search.
The Best Dehydrated Macaroni and Cheese
Think all cheese delivery services taste the same? Not a chance.
Interior Department to Phase Out Single-Use Plastic on Federal Lands by 2032
A new order from Interior Secretary Deb Haaland reverses a Trump-era policy that prevented national parks from banning plastic bottles.
The Best Sunscreen Sticks for Any Outdoor Activity
Perfect for the on-the-go adventurer, these portable sticks make sunscreen application—and reapplication—easy
Their Plane Went Down in the Sea
A routine flight turns into a fight for life.
Forest Service Warns Hikers About Rising Bear Encounters in North Carolina
Hikers in the Pisgah and Nantahala National Forest Asked to keep a lookout for bold bruins.
Temps at Southwestern Parks Are Approaching Record Highs—With Deadly Consequences
With Death Valley and the Grand Canyon expecting a sweltering heat wave, hikers will need to take precautions.
Marmots Keep Sneaking Into Hikers’ Cars With Hilarious (and Expensive) Results
Attracted by the smell of engine components and fluids, marmots regularly crawl under car hoods in search of something to nibble. Sometimes, they're still there when the cars leave.
A Wilderness Doctor’s Advice to Keep Your Child Safe on the Trail This Summer
Snakes and heat shouldn't keep your little one locked inside all summer. Here's how to keep them safe in the backcountry.
For Me, Starting the Pacific Crest Trail Was Half the Battle
Patricia “Blackpacker” Cameron has a family and a job running an outdoor-equity-focused nonprofit, so taking three months off for the hike of a lifetime was anything but simple. She explains how she did it.
Sneaker Waves Killed a Hiker on the Lost Coast Trail Last Week. Here’s What You Need to Know About Them
Waves swept two hikers out to sea on the Northern California coast last week.
The Gear That Backpacker’s Editors Loved in May 2022
Waterproof bags, lightweight tees, and spring shells: These are the products that helped us adventure over the past month.
Tips and Tricks for Visiting a National Park Without a Reservation
If you haven’t snagged a reservation to the growing list of timed-entry parks, it might seem like a trip there this summer is out of the cards. But fret not—we found some legal ways to visit.
Your Next Ultralight Trail Shoe Might Just Be a Boot
For years, trail runners have been the footwear of choice for gram-counters. New boot designs aim to change that.
The Hardest Part About Being a Deaf Hiker? Everyone Else.
Deaf people look for community on the trail, just like all backpackers. But some hearing hikers don’t know how—or don’t care enough—to bridge the gap.
Appalachian Trail Hiker Dies After Falling from McAfee Knob
Paul “Grandmaster” Classen suffered severe injuries in plunge; cause of incident still unclear.
National Trails Day is June 4. Here’s How You Can Celebrate.
Hit the trail, clean it up, or just party.
What Are “Trail Legs” and How Do I Get Them?
Hiking big miles every day can make your legs tired and crispy. Not if you've prepared. Here's how to develop invincible trail legs.
How to Be the Slowest Hiker on the Trail (and Own It)
You don’t need to “get in shape” to enjoy hiking season. Here’s how to savor it from the start.
Is a Budget Car Camping Pad As Good as the Top-Of-The-Line Model?
REI and Exped’s ultra-cush foam sleeping mats go head-to-head.
How to Wash a Backpack
And what to do when you get athlete’s foot on your pack.
Fires Have Closed the CDT in New Mexico—and the Reopening Could Be More Than a Month Away
A wildfire season that took off weeks earlier than normal has left hikers limited options to leap ahead or re-route
How to Protect Your Dog From Rattlesnake Bites
Rattlesnakes bite 150,000 pets each year in the U.S. These innovative rattlesnake training courses could save you and your canine companion.
The Appalachian High Route Is a New Way to See the Mountains
Tag 50 of Appalachia’s highest peaks on this 343-mile route.
How to Photograph a Glowing Tent at Night
Bring home dreamy after-dark photos of your starlit camp.
The Unsolved 1996 Murders Still Haunting Women and Queer Communities
Kathryn Miles’s new book, ‘Trailed,’ investigates the killings of Julie Williams and Lollie Winans in Shenandoah National Park 25 years ago—and asks difficult questions about safety in nature
First All-Black Expedition Summits Mount Everest
Seven climbers from the Full Circle Everest team reached the peak on Thursday
We Put Walmart’s Low-Cost Backpacking Gear to the Test. Here’s How It Fared.
Think top-shelf gear is a must in the backcountry? We put some budget items to the test to find out.
Tourists Who Took Selfies With Katmai Bears Sentenced to Fines, Prison Time
The three men are also banned from entering the national parks for one year.
The Best Hikes in Colorado
Lace up your boots for a hiking destination that includes Rocky Mountain vistas, alpine lakes, wind-swept sand dunes, and memorable urban parks.
Growing Up as a Park Service Kid Was the Best Education I Ever Got
Takeaways from a thoughtful life spent outdoors.
Five Ultralight Backpacking Habits That Will Save You Time and Weight
Gram-counters can seem obsessive, but these quirks are rooted in practicality.
5-Minute Backpacking Meals: Delectable Desserts
Four mouthwatering recipes for people with a sweet tooth
5-Minute Meals: Protein-Packed Dinners
Add four low-carb recipes to your trail cookbook
Ask a Bear: How Smart Are You?
Our resident bruin answers all your questions in 'Ask A Bear.'
A Guide to Gear Closet Spring Cleaning
Ditching the baggage and streamlining your life can be easier said than done.
5-Minute Backpacking Meals: Quick-Prep Pasta
You really want more granola? Get your carbs in a tasty, new way.
U.S. Soldier Dies from Injuries After Bear Attack in Alaska
Second soldier injured in encounter; wildlife officials searching for bear.
No Tent? No Problem: Survive By Building an Emergency Shelter
Night is falling, and you’re far from the trailhead without a tent. Time to build your own all-natural Airbnb.
Cut Your Pack Weight, Not Your Calories, With Cold-Soaked Trail Meals
Pare down your kit by leaving your stove and fuel at home.
In Defense of the Instagram-Famous Hike
Backpackers often turn their noses up at the Havasu Falls and Horseshoe Bends of the world. But that’s elitist, and it ignores one important fact besides: these places are gorgeous.
Who Cut a 200-Million-Year-Old Fossil Out of the Rock in Capitol Reef National Park?
The theft took place between 2017 and 2018, but the park didn't realize it had happened until a social media follower recently spotted it.
This Is the Best Backpacking Food Money Can Buy
Stowaway Gourmet has changed the calculus for what a dehydrated meal can taste like.
Wyoming Grizzly Bear Relocated to the Yellowstone Area After Attacking Cattle
Bear not a threat to people, wildlife authorities say.
How to Treat an Infected Cut in the Backcountry
Don't let a small scrape send you off trail in the hut for some antibiotics. You can prevent getting an infected cut with these tips.
We Finally Learned the Location of Forrest Fenn’s Treasure
An affidavit filed as part of an ongoing lawsuit has revealed that the treasure was apparently found in Yellowstone—and park officials are fighting to keep the exact location a secret
This Book Will Fuel Your Hiking Wanderlust
You Are Here inspires hikes from your local hill to the Himalaya.
Glacier National Park: Backpacker’s All-Time Favorite Hikes
Whether you have a day, a weekend, or a whole week, there's a hike for you in Glacier National Park.
5 Amazing Bear Safety Tips That Definitely Won’t Get You Killed
Staying safe in bear country is important, but you know what’s more important? Looking cool in front of your friends.
Explore the World’s Best Hikes With Backpacker
We're partnering with Modern Adventure to take you to the best trails anywhere, from Everest to Alaska to the French Alps.
How Long Does It Take To Hike 5 Miles?
Short answer: It depends. Here’s everything that goes into your regular hiking pace.
Could One of These Be Our Next National Park?
Our national parks are overcrowded, especially in summer. One solution is to create more of them. Here are the regions that get our votes.
13 Myths About Bears That No One Should Believe
Should you climb a tree to get away from a bruin? Do bear bells really attract bears? We tackle these questions and more.
The Fine Art of Quitting Your Thru-Hike
Most people who start a long trail won’t finish it. But when you’ve built your identity around perseverance, what does it mean to throw in the towel?
Why Every Hiker Should Take a Wilderness First Responder Course
Yes, it's time-consuming and expensive. But you don't want to be unprepared when a wilderness emergency strikes.
Elevate Your Desert Hiking Experience With This New Gear
Don’t visit Canyonlands without it.
The 7 Best Via Ferrata Routes in the US
Get the summits on these "iron ways", no climbing experience necessary.
Best Backpacking Tents of 2022
Find shelter from the storm with these excellent backpacking tents.
The Best Hikes in Oregon, From the Mountains to the Sea
Take a walk on the wild side in the Pacific Northwest, exploring endless dayhikes and backpacking trips across Oregon.
The Ultimate Roommate Compatibility Test: Backpacking the Oregon Coast Trail
If you can get along in a two-person tent, you can get along anywhere.
How To Break Up With Your Hiking Partner
Sometimes you're compatible as friends, but not hiking partners. These tips will preserve your relationship and keep it off the trails, for good.
How To Save Your Hiking Career After A Joint Replacement
No, you don't have to hang up your pack for good. Recovery is possible, but here's what you have to prioritize before hitting the trails.
The 4 Ways to Feed Yourself on a Thru-Hike: Gas Stations, Mail Drops, Dehydrators, and Dealer’s Choice
Whether you're a Mountain House fanatic or dehydrate your entire menu yourself—here's how to keep your energy levels stable on trail.
Pouch Wars: The Best Dehydrated Backpacking Curry
Nine international spicy stews go head to head.
The Adventure Gear Our Editors Loved in April 2022
From an ultralight, ultrapackable drybag to a calf-saving compression sleeve, this gear kept our editors happy, healthy, and out on the trail.
Rare Tick-Borne Disease Kills Maine Man
Hikers heading into tick territory on the East Coast are most at risk of the uncommon Powassan virus.
Ask a Thru-Hiker: How to Hitchhike Safely
We've been warned against hitchhiking our entire lives—but on a long trail, sometimes it's the best option.
A Woman Fell Into a Trailhead Pit Toilet in Washington, and We Officially Have a New Nightmare
The visitor took a tumble into a latrine while trying to retrieve her cell phone.
A World of Bears: 8 Hikes to See Bruins Around the Globe
Bears don't just call North America home. Branch out and hike their homes in Asia, South America, the Arctic, and beyond.
The 12 Best Backpacking Backpacks of 2022
A comfortable carry comes down to finding your perfect rucksack.
Cut Yourself in the Backcountry? This Is the Key to Avoiding Infection.
Irrigation is the most important step you can take to prevent a cut from going south.
A New Uber-Strong Recycled Fabric Is Taking the Ultralight World by Storm
Cottage gear-makers are flocking to yet another cutting-edge fabric designed for boat sails.
Fixing the AT’s Overcrowding Crisis
A group of dedicated trail lovers are working to protect America’s favorite wilderness footpath from the hordes of people who walk it each year
Ask a Thru-Hiker: What Do I Need to Know About Leave No Trace?
Most thru-hikers are careful about LNT rules—but a few scofflaws can make us all look bad.
Leave No Trace Confessional: Hikers (Anonymously) Admit Their Worst Outdoor Sins
Several hikes share a confession, and we're here to dole out penance—and advice.
5 Pieces of Gear to Make Leaving No Trace Easier Than Ever
Gear is no good without the knowledge to use it. But with a little practice, these products can still help you limit your impact.
Don’t Make These 5 Common Leave No Trace Mistakes
Forgetting to plan ahead, leaving social trails, and 3 more ways errors backpackers make.
Yes, You Can Hike Off-Trail Without Wrecking the Environment
We talked to Leave No Trace about the best ways to bushwhack.
Ask A Bear: How Do You Communicate?
We may not have iPhones or Tinder, but bears have plenty of ways of letting each other know what's up.
Ask A Bear: Can You Be Domesticated?
Looking for a furry friend? A tame bear is definitely not it.
Ask A Bear: Can Wasp Spray Repel You?
Wasp spray: great for wasps, not so great for bears.
What the World’s Most Bumbling Park Ranger Taught Me About Bear Safety
At age 8, I went to a junior ranger camp that did everything wrong. Ten years later, the lessons they taught me paid off.
Ask A Bear: Is Submerged Food Safe?
Got a burning ursine question? Ask our resident bruin expert in our 'Ask A Bear' column.
I Moved to ‘Bear Island.’ Here’s What I Learned.
Someone on the plane told me I could die in my new home of Kodiak, Alaska, home to one of the world's largest bear subspecies. Instead, I adapted.
Yes: Bear Spray Still Works in the Wind and the Cold. This Study Proved It.
Can the most common bear deterrent work in heavy wind and sub-zero temperatures? A group of researchers set out to test it.
Stop Wrestling With Your Tent: Here’s What Beginners Need to Know About Setting Up Camp
Perfect your camping setup with these tips.
Treat a Backpacking Mom to These 10 Hiking Gifts
Surprise her with thoughtful pieces of gear for her adventures.
This Easy, Cheesy Fondue Is Your New Backpacking Splurge Meal
Prep for this no-mess treat is more complicated than boiling water—barely.
Rainbows 101: A Guide to the Sky’s Most Colorful Show
Get to know your rainbows from your double rainbows from your moonbows.
The Pacific Northwest Trail Is a Tour of One of America’s Most Gorgeous Regions
Get to know one of the most spectacular long trails in the U.S. with the creators of THRU | The Pacific Northwest.
What We’re Testing Now: Four Winter Layers for Guaranteed Warmth
Take a sneak peek at what might become your favorite piece of apparel next season.
9 Incredible Night Sky Hikes to Do This Year
At these dark-sky destinations, the stars are out of this world.
Phenomenon: Crevasses Are Glaciers’ Hidden Hazards
These gaping glacier cracks are dramatic—and deadly. Here's how they form, plus three safe places to see crevasses up close.
Phenomenon: Quicksand Is a Cartoon Danger You Can Find in Real Life
Is quicksand as big of a threat as Hollywood tells us it is? Zion's chief park ranger gave us the truth (and tips on escaping quicksand...just in case).
Phenomenon: Microbursts Are Miniature Storms That Come Out of Nowhere
Though microbursts are rare and usually fairly short-lived, these vertical hurricanes can cause extensive damage.
Phenomenon: Valles Caldera Is a Peaceful Valley With an Explosive History
Hike into the epicenter of a cataclysmic explosion in New Mexico's Valles Caldera.
Phenomenon: The Northern Lights Are a Spectacular Show from Space
The science behind the sky's natural fireworks display–and how to see it.
Phenomenon: Sky Islands Are Biodiverse Paradises in the Desert
To see how animals stay cool in a hot climate, just look up.
Natural Phenomena: Nature’s 6 Greatest Shows and How They Work
From the northern lights to glacial crevasses, science meets spectacle in these fascinating features.
Magma, Eruptions, and Third-Degree Burns: A Beginner’s Guide to Geysers
From the world-famous Old Faithful to Iceland's original Geysir, geysers have a way of captivating people's imaginations with their geothermal torrents. Here's everything you ever wanted to know about the science and safety of them.
Sleeping Bags: How to Buy, Repair, and Maintain Them
It’s not just a bag. It’s a lifetime’s worth of beauty sleep. Learn what features you need, shop accordingly, and keep your bag in good repair, and it’ll keep you sleeping soundly.
Backpacking Tents: How to Pick the Perfect One for You
Home is where you stake it out. Understand the ins and outs, pick the right shelter, and treat it like you would your bedroom.
Backpacks: An Owner’s Manual
Understanding suspension and construction is key to finding the right fit—and proper maintenance and repair will ensure your load-hauler lasts thousands of miles.
Hiking Boots and Shoes: How to Buy, Fit, and Repair Them
Footwear tech is more complicated than it looks. Maximize your mileage by learning how to pick the right boots and make them last.
Stop Tossing and Turning: Use Science to Sleep Like a Rock in the Backcountry
Can science—and a fine-tuned gear setup—help you sleep better? Let's give it a try.
How to Choose Your First Campsite
Find the perfect spot to pitch your tent with these tips.
6 Trails to Make Someone Love Hiking For the Rest of Their Life
The miles are low and the rewards are sky-high on these perfect first hikes.
10 Handy Gear Tips We Learned the Hard Way
Get the most out of your backpacking equipment with this sage advice.
The Best First Backpacking Trips in the US
Take your first steps into the world of backpacking with these one-night trips, full of mountain views, wildlife, and even glaciers.
How to Make Hiking Fun When Hiking Sucks
Bad weather, horrendous blisters, endless hills—it’s all fun if you look at it the right way.
6 Things to Take Out of Your Pack and Never Carry Again
The easiest way to lighten your pack isn’t to buy new gear, but to leave a few things you already have behind.
15 Things We Wish Someone Had Told Us Before Our First Overnight Hike
You don’t have to learn the hard way, because we already did.
How to Prepare Your Mind for Your First Solo Backpacking Trip
Being alone in the wilderness doesn't have to be frightening. With these tips, you can fine-tune your mind for an empowering solo journey.
10 Foolproof Tips For Camping With Kids
Camping with kids can be unpredictable and messy. But, with a lot of love (and sometimes, a little blackmail), it can be a lot more fun.
The Long Trail’s Home Forest Is Getting a Little Bigger
Green Mountain National Forest will acquire more than 2,000 acres to provide a buffer around the United States’ oldest continuously-used footpath.
One Couple. 12 Miles. Zero Trails.
Can a novice navigator make the leap to confident cross-country hiker?
How to Train for Hiking When You Hate Working Out
Kickstarting a workout habit starts with reexamining your motivations.
The Best Hikes in Colorado Springs
Colorado Springs makes for an unforgettable gateway into the Rocky Mountains’ Front Range.
Bee Stings, Concussions, and More: How to Treat Common Hiking Injuries
For how dangerous the backcountry can be, it's sometimes the smallest accidents that become the biggest injuries. Stay safe with these tips.
How to Avoid Mosquito Bites
Stay itch-free this summer with these guide-tested tips.
Hiker Dead in Suspected Grizzly Attack Near Yellowstone National Park
A 40-year-old hiker passed away after an apparent encounter with a bear in the Absaroka Mountains.
Bear Hibernation: The Science of Our Furry Neighbors’ Winter Naps
For many bears, winter means hibernate or die. Here's what they do to survive. Plus: how climate change puts newborn cubs in danger.
For My Family, Hiking History Is Black History
Over a 30-mile hike through the High Sierra, a father and son reflect on belonging in the wilderness.
Isle Royale National Park: Hiking Lake Superior’s Island Wilderness
Michigan’s idyllic national park promises rocky shorelines, aromatic pine forests, beautiful lighthouses, and more moose than humans.
Grand Canyon Rim-to-Rim Hike—The Ultimate Guide
Ready to cross one of the most scenic canyons on Earth? We've got you covered.
Knees Are a Hiker’s Weak Link. Here’s How to Strengthen Yours.
Creaky joints? Learn how to strengthen your knees with these supine leg lifts, best performed with 3- to 5-pound ankle weights.
Ask a Bear: Do Bear Bells Really Work?
Bear bells are still common sights in Yellowstone and other bruin-heavy parks—but the science behind them is spotty. Our resident bruin answers all your questions in in Ask a Bear.
Through Love and Heartbreak, My Favorite Trail Was Always There
Through two breakups, career changes, and more, the Beaten Path has been a welcome constant—and a yardstick for just how much everything else has shifted.
Pouch Wars: The Best Dehydrated Backpacking Chili
Only one smoky bean bowl earned top marks.
Nothing to Prove
On a trip up Mt. Rainier's Disappointment Cleaver route, Cherlyn Eliza remembers that only your skills and your heart matter to the mountain.
Want to Have a Better Hike? Plan Less.
Plot out a long hike too much, and it starts to feel like work. But there’s a better way.
Being a Disabled Hiker Isn’t Always Easy. In Mt. Rainier’s Paradise, I Found My Flow.
At one of the most beautiful parks in the northwest, this hiker went outside on their own terms.
This Hiker Hero Cleaned Up Literally All of the Trash on One of LA’s Most Popular Trails
When Edgar McGregor decided to clean up Eaton Canyon, he started a quest that spanned 2 years and thousands of pounds of trash.
Going Ultralight? Make Sure Your Gear Can Survive the Trip.
Featherweight gear takes a lot of the pain out of carrying a load. But when it breaks in the middle of a long hike, it puts that pain right back in again.
A Friendly Reminder: Wild Animals Will Still Mess You Up
Despite warnings, rules, and common sense, tourists in Yellowstone keep approaching bears and bison.
14 Amazing Tree Facts to Impress Your Hiking Partners
Trees are remarkable. Wow your hiking partners with these fun facts.
Pro Tip: Bear Spray Goes on the Bear, Not on You
Bear spray is a weapon, created to fend off one of the planet’s biggest predators. So you’d be surprised how many people think that they're supposed to spray it on themselves.
Cocaine Bear: The True Story Behind the Ultimate Party Animal
Georgia’s most infamous bruin—and the true-crime saga around him—is getting the Hollywood treatment in a new Elizabeth Banks-produced film. But the real tale is almost too wild to believe.
Ask a Bear: What’s the Deadliest Kind of Bear?
Bear attacks on humans are exceedingly rare—but they do happen.
Speed Hiking for Science
What does hiking 800 miles in less than two weeks do to your body? Ultrarunner and FKT holder Joe McConaughy hit the Arizona Trail to find out.
The West May Have Bigger Mountains, But the East Has My Heart
I grew up hiking in the White Mountains. But I never fully appreciated them until I moved away.
Wolves Won’t Wait
In November, Colorado will make history when it lets voters decide whether to reintroduce gray wolves. But the discovery of the state’s first confirmed pack in nearly a century is casting an old debate in a new light.
A Crowd of Campers Trashed Max Patch
After campers left garbage strewn across one of the Appalachian Trail's most popular sites, guides, educators, and social media influencers ponder how we can do better.
The Pacific Northwest Trail is Pitting Hikers Against Grizzly Bear Activists
In a remote corner of Montana, backpackers and wildlife advocates clash over the future of a bear population hanging on for dear life.
7 Forest Hikes to Beat the Heat
Take off for one of these forested hikes to find some respite from the summer heat beneath the trees.
The Perfect Weekend Backpacking Trip: 21 Tips for a Better Hike
Work! Altitude! Traffic! Sometimes it seems like the universe is conspiring against your hiking plans. Here's how to subdue those hazards and 18 other trip killers to keep your weekends sacred.
Spirit Bears Capture Hikers’ Imagination—But They May Be Getting Rarer
Kermode bears, British Columbia's famous white bears, may be in decline as salmon populations drop. What do we lose if one of the world’s most striking animals disappears?
Navigate Like a Pro
Navigation tips from an Appalachian Trail pro.
The 10 Most Dangerous Hikes in America
Like your life and limbs intact? Then you'd better get skilled before visiting these trails.
Cook Your Camp Meal Inside a Fruit or Vegetable, No Pot Necessary
Turn up the fun factor with stuffed fruits and veggies. Best part? No dishes required.
10 Things to Shout at a Bear That Aren’t "Hey Bear!"
Mix up your bear calls with our expert suggestions.
9 Bear Safety Tips From a Bear Biologist
Learn how to stay safe in bear country from myth-busting scientist Tom Smith.
Fast Food: A Backpacker’s Guide To Grocery
A soup-to-nuts guide that'll get you through the supermarket and on the trail faster than you can say "express lane."
COLLECTIONs
The 2022 Summer Gear Guide
341 field-tested favorites for summer adventure
Leave No Trace: The Hiker’s Guide
We could all tread a little lighter on the trail. Learn what to do—and what not to do—in this round-up of Leave No Trace tips, tricks, and stories.
Hiking 101
We all start somewhere. In Hiking 101, you'll get a leg up with beginner advice, skills, trips, and more from Backpacker's experts. Start strong—or just brush up on the basics.
Bearpacker
Bears: They're big, they're out there, and for hikers, they're equal parts terrifying and fascinating. Get to know the North American wilderness's undisputed royalty with Bearpacker, our annual guide to bear science, safety, and sightseeing.