Trail News

Become an official BACKPACKER Map Correspondent and get free gear and an epic trip

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

And the winner of May's mapper contest is...

There's nothing like falling asleep to waves crashing on shore. Our trip expert shares some inside knowledge on the best spots for beach camping. Don't forget your longboard.

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

Park officials investigate self-defense claims against a threatening grizzly bear

Mini reviews of our favorite Olympus lenses—and a tip from Steve Howe.

Check out our blowout May MAps issue, now online and free.

Kick-off Memorial Day weekend with this decadent dessert.

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

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

California kid becomes youngest on Everest, one peak away from youngest atop Seven Summits

Turn a spring hike into a hunt for this gourmet, honeycombed 'shroom.

Iranian government allows 'humanitarian' visit from mothers of three imprisoned American hikers

Tips from the expert: We interviewed Tim Romano to get some tips and tricks for improving flyfishing photos.

Michael Lanza shows you how to plan your perfect mind-blowing hike in Lord of the Rings land.

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

30 years ago, Mount St. Helens erupted, creating one of the largest domestic natural disasters and remaking an ecosystem

Amazing video shows Yosemite Falls and Yosemite Creek filled with bizarre ice floes

Opinion time! Photography is an art. Different people like different things. Here are some examples of similar photos. You get to choose which ones are the best. Narrow down your pictures regularly, showing only the best, and your friends will stay more interested in looking at your photos.

Julia Roberts produces movie about English explorer George Mallory

Yvon Chouinard helps the retail behemoth reinvent itself as a green brand--for free

This innovative device is a light-and-loud way to bring tunes out on the trail.

Always wanted to go to Glacier? Our resident trip planning expert shows you how.

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

America's favorite long trail gets its very own museum

Become an official BACKPACKER Map Correspondent and get free gear and an epic trip

World's largest beaver dam stretches 2,790 feet in remote Canadian park

Park turns 100 this Friday

Our resident trip planning expert drops some beta on planning the perfect Big Ditch vacation for you and your family.

Going against the wisdom of most wildlife experts, one biologist recommends feeding to control nuisance black bears

From digging to climbing to grappling to...digging, this Chinese military does it all

Kashi commercials, whitewater & wine, and real-life trail chefs--just a few of the ways foodie and outdoorsy mesh.

Arizona closes one-third of its 30 parks to cover budget shortfalls

New research shows mosquitoes prefer victims who've been drinking

With her successful ascent of Annapurna, Oh Eun-sun becomes the first woman to successfully summit all 8,000-meter mountains

DNA testing from collected hair samples reveals two-and-a-half times more grizzly bears than expected in Northern Continental Divide ecosystem

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

A hiker's chance encounter with the president and first lady

Want to come home with better trip photos? Make a shot list-we'll show you how.

Does caffeine boost or bonk your trail endurance?

PCT speed-record holder Adam Bradley charts a 500-mile course for a renewable energy power line. Plus, what BP staffers are doing for Earth Day.

It has been a busy week in gear land, as we put the entire 2010 Editors' Choice issue online, and broke a few internet records with a cheeky sleeping bag review.

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

Jordan Romero continues his push to the top--and behaves like a 13-year-old in between

The most famous wolf pack in the world finally dwindles to almost zero, but the bloodline lives on

Watch Obama talk about the importance of our wild lands and his plan to get more Americans outdoors

BACKPACKER cover photographer Ethan Welty shares the tricks and tips that helped him land the cover for our May Maps Issue.

The park loses two more glaciers, prompting speculation that they could all disappear sooner than thought

President hopes to protect wilderness, create jobs, and get Americans outdoors through new program

M&M's or trail mix? Salami or jerky? When it comes to trail energy there are a lot of options.

Designer invents Rescue Balloon to help pinpoint your location in wilderness emergencies

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

Become a fan of this BACKPACKER reader's page, and we'll send him on a hike with Kristin Hostetter

New Hampshire decides to drop $25,000 bill for rescuing a scout on Mt. Washington

What's your favorite celebratory feast?

Photographer Joel Sartore shoots amazing photos of America's endangered species in 'Rare'

Brilliant albino deer haunt the woods near Boulder Junction, Wis.

Technical tie-dye hiking shirt kicks off weekly Gear Reviews

Plan your summer adventures with our new National Parks Center

Jordan Romero leaves for Kathmandu in hopes of becoming the youngest person atop the Seven Summits

Well-known San Francisco Chronicle outdoors writer Tom Stienstra busted in hometown of Weed, Calif. for growing marijuana

Which lens is best for the backcountry? Here’s what our staff thinks. Also, mini reviews of Canon lenses.

Who says you can't enjoy fresh poached eggs in the backcountry?

Salazar waives entrance fees for all national parks during National Parks Week

GU introduces savory flavors, Dairy Queen renames Boundary Waters, and a pregnant woman hopes to climb Everest

Wily wolves keep their canines on this week's wildlife news cycle

A hiker's golf-swing prank atop Canada's Mt. Rundle goes hilariously awry when his stroke connects with his pack

Minnesota bear researcher brings black bears to Today Show; den cams draw 90K+ Facebook fans

U.S. Mint and Dept. of the Interior unveil 'America The Beautiful' quarters

If you are a photo or a design student and are looking for a summer internship, Backpacker has one for you. Keep reading for details.

If you don’t invest in more than one lens for your DSLR, it's almost like you never upgraded from a point and shoot at all: you've still got one camera and only one shooting option. When you can change your lens, suddenly you can get very different perspectives from the same spot. How do you choose the lens that’s best for your needs? Here, three things you need to consider.

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

How any hiker can create inexpensive yet sumptuous meals and snacks

Trail camera captures rare wolf in state; coyote hunter later shoots it

Celebrate the Irish with this wild soup and coffee combo.

Boulder tops a survey of the nation's happiest, healthiest cities

This super lighter won an Editors' Choice Award this year, but has been tough to find—until now

Ardica recalls heating units in several jackets, citing potential for overheating and injury

New report shows human noise—even from hikers—can interfere with wildlife