Backpacking guides
Practical guidance on fitness, permits, gear, water, weather, route selection, and seasonal planning for multi-day backpacking trips.
How to Make a Weather Plan for a Backpacking Trip
Learn how to turn a forecast into hiking decisions using timing, exposure, bail options, and a clear go or no-go plan for changing mountain weather.
How Much Water Should You Carry Backpacking?
A field-tested framework for planning water carries using distance, heat, elevation, source reliability, and treatment time instead of one-size-fits-all advice.
How to Choose a Backpacking Route for Your Actual Fitness
A practical way to match daily mileage, climbing, altitude, and pack weight to your current fitness before committing to a backpacking route.
We Mapped Permit Requirements on 845 US Backpacking Trails. Here's Where It's Hardest to Get In.
28.6% of US backpacking trails require a permit. We analyzed which states are hardest to get into, which trails have lottery systems, and what the data actually shows about permit complexity.
We Analyzed Elevation Gain Per Day on 839 US Backpacking Trails
The metric that actually tells you how hard a trail is — and why total elevation gain is the wrong number to look at.
Best Places for Spring Backpacking in the United States
Discover the top spring backpacking destinations across the US — from Grand Canyon rim-to-river trips to coastal trails and desert canyons at their best.
How to Plan Your First Multi-Day Backpacking Trip
A beginner's guide to planning your first overnight backpacking trip, covering route selection, gear, fitness, food planning, and safety.
Top Backcountry Routes in Washington State
Explore Washington's best backpacking routes, from the Olympic coast to the North Cascades, with trail details, permit info, and planning tips.
Backpacking Gear Checklist for Every Season
A comprehensive, season-by-season backpacking gear checklist covering shelter, sleep, clothing, navigation, and safety essentials.
Best Fall Backpacking Trails in the Sierra Nevada
The Sierra Nevada in fall offers golden aspens, fewer crowds, and ideal temperatures. Here are the best September and October backpacking routes.
Do You Need a Permit? A Complete Guide to Backcountry Permits
Everything backpackers need to know about wilderness permits — which trails require them, how to get them, and tips for navigating lottery systems.
Best 3-Day Backpacking Trips in Colorado
Discover the top 3-day backpacking routes in Colorado, from alpine lakes in the Rockies to wildflower-filled meadows above treeline.
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