Latest
Hiker Found Dead on Longs Peak After 4-Day Search
Authorities believe Lucas Macaj, 23, took a "significant fall."
How to Level Up Your Next Camp Cookout
Kick off hiking season right by acing your Memorial Day camp BBQ.
This Ultralight Wind Shell Might Replace Your Rain Jacket
Mountain Equipment’s Katam handles a downpour better than any six ounce layer we’ve ever met.
Man Leaps Off Cliff and—Shocker—Needs Rescue
A hiker decided to leap the 5-foot gap from a clifftop to a hoodoo near Moab, Utah. It didn’t end well.
The Best Hardshell and Softshell Jackets for Women
45 jackets hit the trail. Only these nine made it to the winners’ circle.
The Best Hardshell and Softshell Jackets for Men
29 testers put 40 shells to the test this past summer and fall. These are their favorites.
Proposal to Charge Lawbreaking Hikers Fails in Hawaii Legislature
The bills would have instructed the state to seek reimbursement when hikers needed rescue from a closed trail, but faced opposition from emergency personnel.
5 Ways Nebraska Will Surprise You
Here’s a little-known secret: the Cornhusker State is full of untapped adventure
This Hardshell Is the Most Affordable Quiver-Killer We’ve Ever Tested
Here’s why we still reach for the Outdoor Research Foray II hike after hike.
The Lightest Canister Stove on the Market Costs Just $16
At less than an ounce, the BRS 3000T is definitely ultralight. But does it work?
Wildlife
The Cocaine Bear Trailer Is Wild. The Real Story Is Weirder and Sadder.
Cocaine Bear's first trailer shows a bloodthirsty, intoxicated bruin rampaging through the forest. But how much of the based-on-a-true-story movie is real?
Fitness
The Best Hiking Workouts for Every Fitness Level
Reality check: Hitting the gym is the quickest way to hike farther, easier, faster, and pain-free. Get into a routine—or take yours to the next level—with these smart workouts for three different levels.
The Best Hikes
The Best Hikes in Joshua Tree National Park
Full of rock scrambles, cactus clusters, and desert views for days, Joshua Tree National Park is the southwest at its finest.
Backpacking Skills
Why You Should Use Trekking Poles
Ending too many hikes with sore, wobbly legs? Trekking poles can help you make it that extra mile.
Gear Round-Ups
The Ultimate Smokeless Fire Pit Showdown
Which of these popular aprés accessories burns brighter?
Trail Guides
The Ultimate Guide to Hiking the Zion Narrows
The Narrows at Zion National Park offers an incredible adventure in America's most amazing slot canyons. Here's how to safely explore them.
Survival Skills
How to Remove and Treat Thorns, Splinters, and Other Prick Wounds
Nature can be brutal. Learn how to to deal with wounds from all kinds of thorns, spines, splinters, shards, quills, needles, and anything else that might get under your skin when you’re on the trail.
Classic Destinations
Hike Mauna Kea: The Expert Guide to Hiking Hawaii’s Highest Point
Ready to hike to the highest point in Hawaii? Ascend Mauna Kea's volcanic slopes to a summit high above the clouds. This challenging day hike is among the most spectacular on the planet.
Backpacking Gear
10 Backpacking Gear Tips We Learned the Hard Way
Get the most out of your backpacking equipment with this sage advice.
Long Trails
100 Years Ago, the Appalachian Trail Was One Man’s Dream. Now, It’s Everyone’s.
Benton MacKaye's original proposal for the Appalachian Trail came out 100 years ago. While the trail may have changed, the appeal hasn't.
Listen
Out Alive
Real people who survived the unsurvivable
Listen
Impossible Odds
Two friends, 8,000 trail miles, one year
Featured Story
The Best Places to Hike in 2023
This is the year to dream big. With the world's last destinations finally reopening to visitors, now's the time to plan a life-list hike that you'll never forget. Even better: Backpacker's done the work for you.