The Outside Guide to Backpacking
Trail Guide
Where to plan your next adventure
Ditch the crowds as you hike, camp, and revel in the most stunning backcountry landscapes in the U.S. They don't call one circuit Wonderland for nothing.
These weeklong backpacking trips are the perfect length to squeeze into a vacation
Don't have time to thru-hike? That's OK! These trails can be done in a few days or weeks so you can test your endurance without using up all your vacation days.
The Appalachian Trail Conservancy—the nonprofit that supports the United States’ most iconic footpath—turns 100 this year. To celebrate, AT thru-hikers Mary Beth "Mouse" Skylis and Grayson Haver Currin pick the 100 best miles of trail, spread out over 19 bite-size sections.
Most of us don’t have time to leave work and life behind for months of trekking. These backpacking trails will give you a glimpse into thru-hiking life, alongside some of the most stunning scenery in the nation.
Gear Essentials
What to pack for the trail
We’re using STEM and custom-built machinery to find the breaking point of the most popular backpacking gear.
Some of our favorite gear is garbage. And that's why we love it so much
Trailblazers and trendsetters from the past five decades
Startup CampCrate will mail you everything you need to go camping
Inspiration
Learn from the pros
Follow these steps to spend less time stressing over the details and more time on the trail
Our trail columnist spent the summer hiking with novice backpackers to come up with this key advice for beginners
We’ve crossed deserts, mountains, and swamps together. But nothing prepared me for what my first solo backpacking trek would feel like.
