Backcountry campsites are kept more natural and only have room for a very small number of campers. They lack public facilities like restrooms and showers, but those willing to do the work to reach ...

A High Sierras backpacking guide selects his favorite trail gear for heading out into the backcountry—from beanie to shoes. As an overnight backpacking guide in Yosemite, I’ve learned the difference ...

When you’re backpacking, you need to carry only the necessities — but since you’ll be trekking out into nature, far from all of the comforts of home, you need to make sure you’re carrying items that ...

Big rucksacks need to tick many boxes to perform well. Our experts explain what these 'must-haves' are and recommend our ...

Each year about 4,000 backpackers attempt thru-hikes on the nation’s big three footpaths: the Appalachian, Pacific Crest, and Continental Divide Trails. Each is a massive commitment, with gear bills ...

While America’s long-distance treks top adventure bucket lists, months-long stints on the Appalachian, Continental Divide, or Pacific Crest trails may not go over well with your day job. That’s where ...

One of my favorite parts of a backpacking trip is the food: It just hits different after a full day of hiking. As a previous backpacking guide who cooked for up to ten guests at a time, I love making ...

We editors at BACKPACKER all have strong opinions on gear, sometimes bordering on the fanatic. (Give me a reservoir and a hose to drink from, or give me death.) But you know whose obsessiveness often ...