Nature

Is quicksand as big of a threat as Hollywood tells us it is? Zion's chief park ranger gave us the truth (and tips on escaping quicksand...just in case).

Though microbursts are rare and usually fairly short-lived, these vertical hurricanes can cause extensive damage.

Hike into the epicenter of a cataclysmic explosion in New Mexico's Valles Caldera.

The science behind the sky's natural fireworks display–and how to see it.

From the northern lights to glacial crevasses, science meets spectacle in these fascinating features.

From the world-famous Old Faithful to Iceland's original Geysir, geysers have a way of captivating people's imaginations with their geothermal torrents. Here's everything you ever wanted to know about the science and safety of them.

Need a break from the world? Sit back and catch the aurora borealis live from Churchill, Manitoba.

For a professional forager, the woods offer peace and sustenance.

Even when you're stuck indoors, you can get a taste of the wild with one of these video feeds. Pick your favorite and embrace the chillout.

Trees are remarkable. Wow your hiking partners with these fun facts.

Nature is wild. Wow your hiking partners with these fun facts.

In November, Colorado will make history when it lets voters decide whether to reintroduce gray wolves. But the discovery of the state’s first confirmed pack in nearly a century is casting an old debate in a new light.

In a remote corner of Montana, backpackers and wildlife advocates clash over the future of a bear population hanging on for dear life.

Kermode bears, British Columbia's famous white bears, may be in decline as salmon populations drop. What do we lose if one of the world’s most striking animals disappears?

Get away from it all with this live nature cam.

From a hermit’s three-decade sojourn in the wilderness to a geographer’s dive into the racial history of the outdoors, these titles bring a new perspective to the adventure canon.

Turn off the light for a trek you'll never forget.

In an age where noise pollution is omnipresent, Global Oneness Project’s new film urges viewers to learn how to listen again.

The internet is in a panic over a huge invasive plant that can cause severe burns and temporary blindness. Here's what hikers should keep in mind.

There are many kinds of bears in the world. Which matches your personality? Take our quiz and find out.

In the Polar Bear Capital of the World, where encounters between animals and people are a fact of life, a 50-year-old program keeps both safe.

Killer grizzlies and cuddly teddies make for good movie fodder, but are they accurate? Our scout goes on a cinematic journey to find out.

New science seeks to quantify how wild spaces can treat widespread mental health issues. In the wake of a personal struggle, writer Annette McGivney gets a firsthand look.

Looking to curl up with a good read? We've got you covered with these essential outdoor books from the editors of BACKPACKER.

Bear rehabber Kathleen Ramsay has rehabilitated hundreds of bears—orphaned, sick, hit by cars. Under her care, they get another shot at growing up.

A warming climate is transforming grizzlies' diets. Will it endanger their future?

Though certain places are more famous for fall foliage, you can find fiery color all over the Lower 48. Use this map to see when each region typically peaks and what leaves you can expect.

A fight is brewing over the country's most endangered bruin.

When you’re swallowed by night, the celestial show begins.

You don’t need to be an English major to make poetry part of your next hike.

Education and recreation meet on these campuses, with thriving outdoor programs and nearby trails and mountains.

A personal perspective on camping in all 50 U.S. states

The Department of the Interior wants to update a successful conservation model for the modern era.

For millions of visitors each year, the national parks are a playground and a sanctuary. For a few, they’re a final stop.

Make plans to be in the backcountry for these awe-inspiring night sky events this season.

From Rialto Beach to the Roan Highlands of North Carolina, our readers captured these stunning sunrises and sunsets.

Help us decide the winner of the next photo contest

It's true that bears love their berries and fish. Find them, and you've found a great place to catch a glimpse of them.

These are some of our favorite wildlife photos you've submitted to the Reader Photo Contest.

Paula Patterson learns how to share the trail–but not her tent–with the wildlife.

Take a look at the world around you in a whole new way.

With 25+ years of nature photography experience, Paul Rezendes has amassed quite a few fall foliage photos. Here are BACKPACKER's favorites.

Feeling inspired by your hike? Here's how to protect more land.

A for and against look at heli-hiking

Welcome to Yosemite, iconic American landscape, hikers' paradise, and all-you-can-eat home of the wiliest bruins on earth.

In a strange way, music and wilderness go hand in hand.