News and Events

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.

After years of consideration, Boy Scouts of America has announced it will open its doors a little wider.

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

We want to see how you Live Life. Get Outdoors.™ Share your favorite photo of you enjoying the outdoors!

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.

Early attempts at making earth-friendly equipment came with some unwelcome tradeoffs, but the latest generation of DWR treatments promises to perform.

Rising from $10 to $80

Read the hang tags, know the lasting performance of the gear you are purchasing.

Conservation groups criticize decision, threaten lawsuit.

Follow this "ramblin' man" as he spends 100 days in the great outdoors.

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

We want to hear about your company's efforts to give back.

Don't worry: The bear is fine.

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

The adorable little predators can eat 100 prairie dogs per year—but plague and rodent control almost pushed them into extinction.

Search for alligators, see a play on the trail, or visit a pictograph on these unique treks.

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.

Dream the Possibilities

Sign up for a chance to win a Helinox Chair Zero; the lightest, most packable four-legged camp chair available.

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.

Master map-reading, compass use and more with our Backcountry Navigation online course.

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.

For outdoor adventures and intrigue

Oboz Footwer has put together the Ultimate Adventure Package to give you the freedom to go wherever your feet can take you.

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

The Five Most Innovative Advancements In Sports Optics Packed Into One Lens.

Enter here for your chance to win a crazylight Copper Spur 2 Platinum tent.

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.

Get in free, and then enjoy one of these awesome programs.

There is no better feeling than getting off the trail and realizing you are already home.

Win the perfect outdoor sleep system with Sea to Summit’s “Wake up Inspired” sweepstakes! Enter to win an AWESOME Trek I Sleeping Bag, Comfort Light Self-Inflating Sleeping Mat, and Aeros Ultralight Pillow!

When the sun goes down, the real adventure begins. Enter to win one of 12 PETZL HYBRID HEADLAMP KITS to light up your #PetzlNightLife.

Hey Dreamer - share a picture of you and your buddies on your dream trip for a chance to win a Gregory Paragon 58 or Maven 55, for you and a friend.

Park service offering $1,000 reward for help finding culprits

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.

The new Secretary of the Interior says he'll never sell America's public lands—but his record on wilderness, drilling, and "local control" has many advocates worried.

Authorities are investigating who hid 60 spikes in a North Carolina park.

A trio of riders in Colorado saw their day go from bad to worse when they survived a slide only to be charged by a moose.

Announces move after contentious call with Governor Gary Herbert

Patagonia and other companies quit a tradeshow in the state in protest of Utah's public land policies. But REI and others say they won't go.

Won't return to country's largest outdoor trade show.

A recently introduced bill would strip gray wolves of federal protection in four states. What comes next depends on who you ask.

In Instagram post, sponsor Jason Chaffetz says he'll withdraw bill.

Join Backpacker’s Get Out More all star ambassador Randy Propster for an engaging 75-minute seminar full of trail tested tips, regional trip advice and outdoor gear.

Join Backpacker’s Get Out More all star ambassador Randy Propster for an engaging 75-minute seminar full of trail tested tips, regional trip advice and outdoor gear.

Looking for proof of climate change? Just head up to America’s largest state, where park managers, scientists, and climbers say they’re already dealing with the effects of a warming Earth.

Animal appears to have been searching for food in deep snow.

A new class of autonomous aircraft could make wilderness search and rescue easier and cheaper than ever before.

Usually, the NPS stays out of the political crossfire. Not this week.

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

Some were big. Some were little. A few were celebrities. Meet the furry attendees of the outdoor industry's biggest tradeshow.

Check out lara's author page.

Giant sequoia falls in storm.

In September, we gathered backpackers from around the country for the best hiking party the country had ever seen. And in 2017, we're doing it again.