News

On April 20, all national parks in the U.S. will offer free admission. Skip the lines with our guide

Fire seasons are getting worse and longer, and humans aren’t the only ones affected. When the forest burns, what happens to its inhabitants?

Acting Secretary Bernhardt has years of experience in government—and longstanding professional ties to the oil industry. As the Senate considers his nomination, we break down his history.

“We never thought it would be explicitly necessary to state that it is illegal to land a helicopter in the middle of the fields and begin hiking off trail. We were wrong."

Lisa Hendy will assume post at Great Smoky Mountains National Park in April.

Conditions in four of the state's ten regions are rated Extreme, a first since forecasting started in 1973, as slides run bigger than they have in years.

Big win for the outdoors

Park says Xuan Wang entered a closed area; incident is currently under investigation.

A National Lakeshore gets a promotion.

But experts say uranium ore is unlikely to harm visitors’ health.

In letter to employees, company says he failed to disclose "personal and consensual relationship" with another outdoor industry figure.

In her first public appearance, the wilderness’s favorite drag queen dreamed of an outdoor community where everyone feels like they belong.

Colorado Department of Parks and Wildlife confirmed the man's story in a tweet.

Trying to prevent forest fires with more logging may only make them worse, fire ecologists say. Will the federal government listen?

National Park Service had said it would shut out visitors while it assessed impact from off-road driving and damage to vegetation.

Cites safety, human waste as factors in decision to close paths amid shutdown.

Overflowing toilets and accumulating garbage are turning Yosemite and other popular destinations into smelly landfills.

Judges quote Lorax, slam Forest Service in ruling questioning project’s impact and safety.

Coming to a coat near you by 2020.

Former congressman, who recommended shrinking national monuments, faced multiple ethics investigations.

In a rebuke to the White House, the company says it will donate its savings from last year’s tax cuts to grassroots non-profits.

Welcome to BACKPACKER’s brand-new family channel.

Because no matter what gear you have, the outdoors are the best gift.

Trails are more crowded than ever—and maintenance budgets aren’t getting any bigger. Wyoming considers a new solution to a growing problem.

Meet the champion chub conqueror of Katmai National Park’s Fat Bear Week 2018.

The closure of one of Zion's most popular trails is a preview of what's in store for U.S. national parks if the public lands funding program isn't renewed.

Wyoming, Idaho would have offered up to 23 bears to hunters.

Wildlife biologist Ben Masters's new short film delves into what's at stake for animals and outdoor lovers.

If confirmed, the death would be state's first recorded mountain lion fatality.

Finishes supported hike in 41 days, 7 hours, and 39 minutes.

Demands big-box chain stops using company's images and logo

Faces criminal charges along with two other visitors after incident in Katmai National Park and Preserve.

A year-old organization seeks to give some of NYC's most underprivileged girls a way to experience the wild.

Hunters will be able to kill a total of 22 bears.

For almost 100 years, Penn State's Outing Club has led students on backpacking and paddling trips. Now, the university says its trips pose an "unacceptable level of risk."

Scouts BSA will begin to accept girls in 2019.

With snow totals in the western US bleak, seasonal water sources are drying out—and that’s bad news for the backpackers who rely on them.

Getting up in the morning is hard. Getting up in April is harder.

Interior Secretary Ryan Zinke and the president have a plan to tackle the National Park Service's $11.7 billion maintenance shortfall. But it could come at the expense of other public lands.

Hopes to reduce goat population by 90 percent

Zion, Grand Canyon, and others recorded highest-ever visitor counts.

Made up 2% of GDP, more than mining, oil, and gas

Faced with rising visitation and shrinking resources, the National Park Service is weighing the idea of requiring reservations at its most popular spots.

Opponents of the Mountain Valley Pipeline, which would run near the AT for almost 100 miles and be visible from its most famed lookouts, are headed to court to attempt to stop it. But with construction slated to begin soon, that may not be enough.

Dan Bell's Lord of the Rings-inspired maps chart Yellowstone and parks around the UK.

Paul Daniel Smith was reprimanded for pressuring subordinates to let Daniel Snyder sidestep agency rules.

The Department of the Interior's plan to open up more of America's waters for drilling has conservation groups worried, but the government agency in charge says their concern is misplaced. What does the future hold for coastal parks?

Sensitive and hazardous areas would likely close.

Utah representative Rob Bishop got his way on Bears Ears and Grand Staircase-Escalante. Now, he has his sights set on a bigger target: taking apart the law that created them.

Eight percent of employees reported sexual harassment in new survey.

President Trump has announced sweeping cuts to Bears Ears—and some of its most important lands are on the chopping block.

Will announce plans for Bears Ears and Grand Staircase, as five tribes pledge to sue.

Would more than double prime-time entrance costs, as administration seeks to cut National Park Service's budget.

Otis the bear is one glorious half-ton of fur and blubber, and for the second year in a row, he's the winner of Katmai National Park's Fat Bear Championship.

Christian "Buddy Backpacker" Thomas finished his hike of the CDT this month—making him the youngest person to finish America's three most famous long trails.

In leaked document, Zinke proposes shrinking Grand Staircase-Escalante, Cascade-Siskiyou, and others.

The Land and Water Conservation Fund has bought land for national parks and long trails, and doesn't cost taxpayers a thing. So why does the White House want to cut it?

Dayhikers stuck overnight after blaze cut off route to trailhead.

But won't recommend that president revoke designations.

Lawyer-lobbyist with ties to bottled water manufacturer was confirmed as deputy interior secretary in July.

Vets, local leaders fighting for Southern New Mexico reserve ahead of August 24 deadline.

Malfunctioning SPOT device complicating confirmation

Geoffrey Glassner captured the experience on video.

Reintroducing the big bear to northern Washington makes more than just ecological sense: We should be freaked out in the woods sometimes.

Rising from $10 to $80

Conservation groups criticize decision, threaten lawsuit.

Submit your photo below for a chance to be on the BACKPACKER cover!

We all know that being in the backcountry is soothing for the soul. Author Florence Williams decided to find out why.

Don't worry: The bear is fine.

Secretary of the Interior recommends cutting down preserve, focusing on archeological sites over recreation in report.

We hope no one went to prom with this clown.

Rescued after trying to hike 9,301-foot peak in shorts and tank top during snowstorm.

When the owner of the Mount Washington Cog Railway announced plans to build a hotel near the summit of the Northeast’s highest peak, local hiking groups went to war.

The comment period for the Department of the Interior's review of Bears Ears and other national monuments is open—and the result could change America's public lands in a big way.

Executive order could be first step to undoing protections for Bears Ears, other sites.

Mexican gray wolves and other rare wildlife depend on a porous border for their long-term survival. Your dreams of seeing them may too.

California's monster blizzards were good news for skiers—but thru-hikers will need to be on their toes.

As attorney general of Oklahoma, Scott Pruitt sued the EPA over its rules. Now he’s in charge of the agency, and America’s national parks will likely have smoggier views and dirtier rivers to show for it.

The Mountain Valley Pipeline would run along the Appalachian Trail for almost 100 miles. Trail advocates say it’s a disaster in the making.

At Glacier and other national parks, tourist flights are drowning out the silence that some hikers look for. A 17-year-old law could change that—if it weren’t trapped in a bureaucratic spat.