News

UPDATE: Authorities confirm the teen took a social trail to position himself for a better view near the cliff

Memories and laughter await after sunset when you and your campmates try out these lightpainting techniques. Grab your headlamp, set the shutter speed to ultra-slow, and get started!

Engrossing video profiles the potentially deadly crumbling of Yosemite's infamous granitic cliffs

A 66-year-old New Mexico man scares off a bear at the Philmont Scout Ranch

Forest Service urges us to "Get Our Smokey On" to prevent wildfires

Our resident bruin expert answers all in our weekly feature, 'Ask A Bear.'

How much time do you spend looking at your iPhone, Blackberry, computer screen or iPad? Set it up with a beautiful photo as your wallpaper and you'll be inspired to get out on the trail more every time you glance at the screen.

Gear editor Kristin Hostetter scores big against reality TV contestant Carla Hall

BACKPACKER is sending our readers out and into the field. Meet our newest gear testers, and find out if this year's gear was made to last, or whether it ought to hit the high trails home.

Who said gluten-free can't be delicious?

Our resident bruin expert answers all your questions in our weekly feature, 'Ask A Bear.'

Focus carefully and simplify your photos. Here's why and how.

On Saturday July 3, BACKPACKER's gear editor will show of some great summer camping gear on the Today Show.

Kick off the 4th with this easy, delicious dessert.

Make sure you've got the skills for your first national park trip. Here's what you need to know.

Posting your photos online is dangerous. You never know who's going to come along and claim it as their own. Here's how to keep your photo connected with you as the creator.

Dip into a tasty, "no utensils to clean" meal.

Our resident bruin expert answers all your questions in our weekly feature, 'Ask A Bear.'

Rescuers find Denver woman barefoot, hypothermic, and possibly stalked by a bear

California's mining legacy leaves arsenic, lead, and asbestos in thousands of trails

BACKPACKER recently selected a group of readers to help with our dirty work. Meet them, then suggest some gear they should test.

Let's face it. Some sports are dangerous. Our Trip Doctor lays out some options for getting insured on the trail.

German-Canadian filmmaker captures amazing bear footage—and adds 60s-style Disney narration

Our resident bruin expert answers all your questions in our weekly feature, 'Ask A Bear.'

U.S. Fish and Wildlife officers shoot and positively identify the responsible bear

Sometimes only a freshly baked cookie or pizza pie will do.

Check out these pictures of the Grand Canyon!

National guard helicopter crash lands en route to rescue teen climber after fall

Both governments plan to move forward, but security woes dog the project

Our resident bruin expert answers all your questions in our weekly feature, 'Ask A Bear.'

Want to see bears, moose, and everything in between? Our trip doctor has the hikes for you.

Big Parade hopes to get Los Angeles out and urban hiking

Just how many calories did you burn on that hike?

The perfect Grand Tetons hike is at your feet thanks to our trusty Trip Doctor.

Become an official BACKPACKER Map Correspondent and get free gear and an epic trip

Our resident bruin expert answers all your questions in our weekly feature, 'Ask A Bear.'

And the winner of May's mapper contest is...

There's nothing like falling asleep to waves crashing on shore. Our trip expert shares some inside knowledge on the best spots for beach camping. Don't forget your longboard.

Our resident bruin expert answers all your questions in our weekly feature, 'Ask A Bear.'

Park officials investigate self-defense claims against a threatening grizzly bear

Mini reviews of our favorite Olympus lenses—and a tip from Steve Howe.

Check out our blowout May MAps issue, now online and free.

Kick-off Memorial Day weekend with this decadent dessert.

Our resident bruin expert answers all your questions in our weekly feature, 'Ask A Bear.'

Our resident trip planning expert shares where to camp, how to plan, and other tips for the John Muir Trail.

California kid becomes youngest on Everest, one peak away from youngest atop Seven Summits

Turn a spring hike into a hunt for this gourmet, honeycombed 'shroom.

See it on Google Earth

Iranian government allows 'humanitarian' visit from mothers of three imprisoned American hikers

Tips from the expert: We interviewed Tim Romano to get some tips and tricks for improving flyfishing photos.

Michael Lanza shows you how to plan your perfect mind-blowing hike in Lord of the Rings land.

Our resident bruin expert answers all your questions in our weekly feature, 'Ask A Bear.'

30 years ago, Mount St. Helens erupted, creating one of the largest domestic natural disasters and remaking an ecosystem

Amazing video shows Yosemite Falls and Yosemite Creek filled with bizarre ice floes

Opinion time! Photography is an art. Different people like different things. Here are some examples of similar photos. You get to choose which ones are the best. Narrow down your pictures regularly, showing only the best, and your friends will stay more interested in looking at your photos.

Julia Roberts produces movie about English explorer George Mallory

Yvon Chouinard helps the retail behemoth reinvent itself as a green brand--for free

This innovative device is a light-and-loud way to bring tunes out on the trail.

Always wanted to go to Glacier? Our resident trip planning expert shows you how.

Our resident bruin expert answers all your questions in our weekly feature, 'Ask A Bear.'

America's favorite long trail gets its very own museum

BP tribe member goes for the Big E, and a shout-out for Montana shuttle drivers

Become an official BACKPACKER Map Correspondent and get free gear and an epic trip

World's largest beaver dam stretches 2,790 feet in remote Canadian park

Park turns 100 this Friday

Our resident trip planning expert drops some beta on planning the perfect Big Ditch vacation for you and your family.

Going against the wisdom of most wildlife experts, one biologist recommends feeding to control nuisance black bears

Video from my recent Wilderness First Responder course

From digging to climbing to grappling to...digging, this Chinese military does it all

Kashi commercials, whitewater & wine, and real-life trail chefs--just a few of the ways foodie and outdoorsy mesh.

Arizona closes one-third of its 30 parks to cover budget shortfalls

New research shows mosquitoes prefer victims who've been drinking

With her successful ascent of Annapurna, Oh Eun-sun becomes the first woman to successfully summit all 8,000-meter mountains

DNA testing from collected hair samples reveals two-and-a-half times more grizzly bears than expected in Northern Continental Divide ecosystem

Our resident bruin expert answers all your questions in our weekly feature, 'Ask A Bear.'

get it on your cell phone and help protect wildlife

A hiker's chance encounter with the president and first lady

new directions route you out of traffic, away from big hills

Want to come home with better trip photos? Make a shot list-we'll show you how.

Does caffeine boost or bonk your trail endurance?