More families are lacing up their boots than ever before. Outdoor recreation participation in the United States reached a ...

The beautiful thing about backpacking: You don’t need expensive classes or years of experience to do it well. Whether you're into mountaintop views, starry nights, or heart-pumping ascents, all you ...

Considering your first thru-hike? Here’s your guide to the basics of preparing for your trip, from picking a route to making a training plan. Backpacking is a great way to escape the hustle and bustle ...

Most parents in America would agree that monitoring screen time for kids is a big challenge, especially because playing games and getting online is how many teenagers socialize and communicate with ...

Most beginners underestimate hydration, not because they're careless, but because thirst isn't a reliable gauge once you're hiking. By the time you feel thirsty, your body's already playing catch-up.

In a recent podcast interview, I was asked, “What advice or tips do you have for beginner backpackers?” You can imagine the difficulty of encapsulating nearly 20 years of experience into a sound bite, ...

Following a comprehensive guide to backcountry camping is one of the safest ways for a beginner to get from sitting on their couch to backpacking through the wilderness. Otherwise, you risk venturing ...

Every afternoon near the start of my first thru-hike, I knew just where I’d find the hiker named Poncho—and that he’d greet me with advice that would help me finish the Appalachian Trail. A few years ...

Participants in a basics of backpacking class depart for a hike Sunday at Prairie Creek Recreation Area outside Maquoketa, ...