Welcome to Camping and Hiking
The outdoors are for everyone. Here’s our best advice on how and where to go camping, hiking, and backpacking if you’re just getting started.
Camping
If you can get past the lack of creature comforts, spending a night outside might be one of the most rewarding things you do
Where should you go, and how do you make it fun? Our resident dog camping expert is here to help.
We found the best places to pitch your tent in all 50 states, so you don’t have to.
From finding an open site to tracking the weather, these apps will up your camping game
With everything in one storage bin, you'll have little excuse not to get outside
A growing body of research suggests that it’s no longer sustainable to bury our waste in the wilderness
From the delicious, to the palatable, to the borderline inedible
There’s a lot to know before parking your van or pitching a tent on public lands. Here’s how to do it right.
Hiking
If you're just getting started on the trails, don't be overwhelmed. This 101 guide breaks down where to go, what to wear, and everything you need to know to stay safe and have fun out there.
All the essentials for crushing long days on the trail
All across the country, major cities are making it easier to access nature with vibrant greenways
And other things you should remember when you meet a plus-size hiker on the trail
We asked the experts—and this is the one trail you can't miss in each of the 61 U.S. national parks
Alpine scrambles and beachfront strolls; multi-day singletrack adventures and quick urban escapes; soaring trees and rolling sand dunes—every state in the country has something to offer intrepid hikers. So we rounded up a bucket-list-worthy, best-of-the-best guide.
There’s nothing better than a cold drink with friends after a long hike. From a classic western brewery in Colorado to a mountain tavern in North Carolina, toast your accomplishment at one of these trailside drinking establishments across the country.
Ancient European pilgrimages. Coastal treks along jungle isles. Surprising Rocky Mountain summits. Checking off any of these bucket-list hikes is sure to be the experience of a lifetime.
A slow walk through the woods has psychological and physiological benefits—and it could teach you a few things about hiking, too.
Public lands have become more trodden and restrictive, but the pandemic-era craziness might not last
Backpacking
Heading out on your first overnight? Use this handy list as your guide to packing for a three-season backpacking trip.
Follow these steps to spend less time stressing over the details and more time on the trail
Tips for being a backpacking beginner and a woman adventuring alone
Our Gear Guy's inexpensive hacks for backcountry travel
Some of our favorite gear is garbage. And that's why we love it so much
The PCT traces the west coast of the U.S. over almost 2,700 miles. Our expert trail columnist reveals everything you need to know about what to pack, eat, and read, plus where to sleep and how to have the most fun on this scenic long trail.
More than 3,000 people attempt to walk the entire Appalachian Trail every year. Only about a quarter of them succeed. This intel from an AT thru-hiker provides key information to help you tackle and complete the 2,193-mile trek from Georgia to Maine.
Cory McDonald's main goal was to restore his health on the Pacific Crest Trail. Becoming a YouTube star, getting stalked, and meeting the perfect girl were just exhilarating extras.