News and Events

One hiker falls to his death, two more struck by lightning

Our editor-in-chief's picks for the finest writing in this magazine's history.

How the last green glint in a dying wolf's eyes changed a man--and ultimately changed our country.

Read this classic from August/September 1981 issue of BACKPACKER.

This classic roundup appeared in the June 2003 issue of BACKPACKER

Northwest editor Michael Lanza meditates on the pains and price of living the hardcore outdoor lifestyle into middle age

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

Enter your photo into the Canon Photography in the Parks Photo Contest.

Bear Head Lake State Park in Minnesota captures title in Coca-Cola-sponsored competition for most popular park

Why does a certain photo win Backpacker's Photo Contest? Check out the winner and the almost-winners to find out why we liked them. Bonus: Watch a slideshow of the competition.

Check out Katie Herrel's author page.

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

Sometimes it's hard to capture a photo of exactly the right moment in time. Get the best shot, by shooting on continuous mode. Keep reading to learn how.

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

Northwest Editor Michael Lanza refutes a recent NYT opinion column decrying safety hazards of federal wilderness areas

Crazy fun for the crazy crazy.

Do tourist-packed helicopters have a place in the Big Ditch's soundscape?

Team BACKPACKER does it all on Merrell’s Oyster Racing Series in Denver

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

Danny Boyle's adaptation of Aron Ralston story shows glimpses of beautiful deserts, high adventure, and that famous rock

A whitebark pine shortage has rangers worried about increased grizzly-human interactions

Brazilian officials create 31-square-mile wilderness zone around sole surviving member of uncontacted tribe

One of the best ways to improve your photography skills is to look at photography that's creative and inspiring. Think about what makes the photo attractive and why you like looking at it. Then try to do similiar things in your own photos.

Our new, free Print & Go planners make your weekend adventure easy

Suspicious ranger in Apache-Sitgreaves National Forest sics swat team on alleged murderers on the lam

'Into The Wild' fan from Switzerland swept into Teklanika River while attempting to reach McCandless's death place

College Humor sends up Park Service with maps marking rocky, uneven ground unsuitable for camping, babies, and deceivingly difficult portions of trail

Professors raft Glen Canyon to conduct research into brainpower and the outdoors

In his final OR dispatch, Senior Editor Shannon Davis discovers enchanted running recovery suits and permethrin potions to stop bugs from attacking, well, everything

The popular survivalist's new Discovery show follows him as he learns survival techniques from indigenous tribes

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

Police capture one of three fugitives just outside Yellowstone, but "Bonnie & Clyde" may be headed toward Glacier

Check out Katie Herrel's author page.

The drama-filled wolf management saga continues...

Minnesota hiker gets struck by lightning on Colorado's Longs Peak, spends a night on the mountain, and can't remember any of it

Version 1.1 introduced iOS4 compatibility, faster GPS locks, and multitasking

There's a new tent company in town and it caters to the hard core.

Meet our fourth outdoor adventurer, Tyler Bounds. Check out how he landed a spot on our gear testing team, and tell us what you want to see him test out!

Senior Editor Shannon Davis reports from OR iwth a gigantic knife and a spent fuel canister crusher from JetBoil

A teaser of the movie showcases beautiful slot canyon scenery and plenty of bloodshed.

At Outdoor Retailer, Senior Editor Shannon Davis finds everything you need for a backcountry Happy Hour—salsa and beer mug included

Saturday marked the 500th climb for one man and Washington's mountain gem

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

Enjoy a hot shower and a comfy bed anywhere with these two products.

Senior Editor Shannon Davis reports from Outdoor Retailer in Salt Lake City with the best in new ultralight gear. Included: packs, trekking poles, and argon-filled sleeping pads.

Ingenious spoof trailer recalls early digital foray into frontier wilderness

17-year-old Washington boy takes a mighty spill off a seaside cliff

Florida national park joins Glacier and Madagascar's rain forests on list of threatened UNESCO World Heritage sites

Fall 2010 Backpacker Photography Internship

British student uses GPS to meticulously map his campus, and the result is awesome

Ontario woman survives by playing dead during rampage by grizzly sow and three cubs

Wildlife educator/celebrity practices what he preaches in a close encounter Saturday at Glacier National Park

California man kept slides from Adams' early career worth $200 million under his pool table

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

Camera traps capture an ocelot in Arizona for the first time, 200 miles north of their present range

This week we introduce you to Mike Smoke.

Luke Hopkin was one of the first Gear Sweeps winners, scoring a Kelty Lakota pack. He liked it so much he sent us pictures of his pack out on the trail.

Rangers stage a daring helicopter rescue off the Grand after lightning strikes 17 climbers, killing one

Alaska's former governor and VP candidate sparks Twitter flame war over trumped-up adventure on Denali

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

Follow Jonathan Dorn as he Summits For Someone on Sierra Fourteener Mt. Langley

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

Check out The Backpacker Editors's author page.

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.

Check out Katie Herrel's author page.

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.