Beginner Skills

Avoid common mistakes with these tips and tricks for planning, hiking, and camping, and make your first—or next—trek problem-free.

How to make it more bonding than battle zone.

Use these tips and trips to find backcountry peace and quiet, no matter where you live.

Finding adventure inside and outside will keep the kids entertained all season long.

For versatility and affordability, nothing beats a tarp. With an 8-by-10-foot piece of nylon, some paracord, stakes, a trekking pole, and a little ingenuity, you can make a shelter to withstand any weather.

Are mother and son ready to trade the crib for a tent?

Turn a day at the beach into a trip to the magical world of ocean life.

You don't have to sacrifice the dessert to fit a trip's worth of food.

You don’t have to be a planner to start a thru-hike, but you’ll turn into one if you want to finish.

Don’t stay inside just because the trail is a mess. But you can make cleanup easier with these simple tips.

Make the most of every outing by knowing what your kids can and can’t do.

If you want a great family camping vacation in summer, better make reservations in winter.

Turn snowy hikes into (responsible) treasure hunts by learning to recognize wildlife prints

How to find the right camp for your kids—and how to know if they're ready.

Gear up for the United States' toughest long path with these expert picks.

First of all, should you?

Yes, hiking is wonderful and nature is grand. But when you’re walking for months at a time, you will eventually get bored. Our thru-hiker explains how to deal with trail fatigue.

Thru-hiking a long trail is hard enough without constantly second-guessing yourself along the way. Our writer shares her strategies for banishing worries before and during your hike.

Bringing the wrong kind of clothes or food is a quick ticket to a hefty pack—but don’t go too far.

A hiker's conservation sin leaves him lost.

We've created a plan to help you upgrade your trail time in all the ways that matter: bigger views, more solitude, easier miles, and more. Don't hang up your boots until you've mastered this definitive list of 10 skills and life-altering experiences.

You can do it! Here’s how—with tips from Scott and Jenny (and Raven and Evergreen) Jurek.

The backcountry doesn't close when its cold outside. Make the most of the snowy season with our help.

You spend your weekends in the wilderness. For these professionals, it's a living.