Backcountry Camping
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From campgrounds that only accept bookings two weeks out to websites with immediate inventory, we’ve got solutions for late planners
No camp stove? You can still whip up a hot meal with these tips.
As her dad, I want to give her the space and privacy she needs, without making her feel like she should be embarrassed
Most backcountry lightning education—including what’s taught by major outdoor organizations—is antiquated. Here’s your overdue expert update.
Follow these steps to give your camp neighbors an unforgettable experience. (Note that we said “unforgettable,” not “good.”)
With a quesadilla, there’s no limit to what’s possible. Is there any stomach one can’t satisfy?
When it comes to packing for a winter camping trip, separating good advice from falsehoods can be difficult
Remember the mustard, learn how to save your batteries, and the best trick for a cold sleeping bag
The Polaris Xpedition UTV has a fully enclosed cab and is built to carry a rooftop tent far into the backcountry. But who will actually buy one?
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.
We destroyed packs from three different price points to help you decide which one to buy
We asked camping and beverage expert Andy Austin for all the tips and tricks so campers everywhere can easily whip up hot drinks to sip on while camping in cold weather.
These shelters will keep you warm and dry—no matter the weather
From temperate rainforests to miles of coastline; from waterfalls and lakes to hiking, backpacking, and camping; from boating to skiing to glacier travel and mountaineering—Olympic has astonishing variety.
Packed with nutrients and flavor, mushrooms are trendy for a reason. We’ve rounded up the best snacks and meals for your next adventure.
From the delicious, to the palatable, to the borderline inedible
Behold, direct satellite-to-phone connectivity “anywhere you can see the sky”
How a satellite communicator helps me tamp down panic in the wilderness
Savory backcountry eats. Camping meals that really impress. Chefs who inspire. And the perfect tools to help you create a mouthwatering feast after a day of adventure.
Now’s the time to stock up on everything you need for wilderness and backyard cooking
Starry nights. Fresh air. Towering trees. Whether you’re car camping or in the backcountry, make the most of your life outside.
Outdoor guides from across the globe told us their favorite fireside tales—prepare to be spooked and inspired
It’s way more expensive and not as comfortable. Our gear director weighs the pros and cons of an über-light kit.
From a creamy pasta main to a chard-corn side, we’ve rounded up some of the best meals to enjoy in the outdoors
We’ve come a long way from the chlorine troughs of yesteryear
A soggy slumber under a roller coaster, a chilly night in the Sierra, a high-altitude headache on Mount Whitney, and other tales of outdoor insomnia
Eight fan favorites. Three head-to-head rounds. Only one winner.
Hit the road prepared for anything, without sacrificing cargo space
Wisdom gained by trying, and sometimes failing, to stay comfortable outdoors
Heading out on your first overnight? Use this handy list as your guide to packing for a three-season backpacking trip.
But is it worth the $700 price tag?
Winter after winter, Outside contributor Kaelyn Lynch had trouble keeping her lower body warm. Until she stumbled onto a pair of puffy pants—then her whole world changed.
Is it possible to add heat to normal tent efficiently and effectively—without starting a fire? I spent the past two years finding out.
Good wine is more adventure ready than ever before
Sometimes paying for camping is necessary, but Gaia Topo helps you find free alternatives that you won’t find with Google
From chopping onions to making a mean espresso, these products will help turn backcountry outings into something slightly more gourmet
The South American pack animal is the perfect companion for getting deep into the wilderness with little ones
Sprays, lotions, wipes, apparel, and devices to keep mosquitoes, ticks, and flies at bay
There’s a lot to know before parking your van or pitching a tent on public lands. Here’s how to do it right.
Those instructions on the brownie box? Feel free to ignore them. This simple technique will get you a chocolatey dessert in just a few minutes.
Challenge yourself, choose your own pace, and embrace nature all by yourself
Alaska’s Kobuk Valley National Park is an overlooked gem. It offers up the great caribou migration, stargazing and miles of solitude, and massive dunes you’d expect to find in the Sahara. This is the 40th stop on our 62 Parks Traveler's quest to visit every national park in the U.S.
I always loved hiking but hated sleeping in a tent. When I stopped using one, I found new joy on the trail.
Gates of the Arctic in northern Alaska is one of the last truly wild national parks. There are no roads or trails, and the park boasts the stunning Brooks Range, six wild and scenic rivers, and gets fewer than 3,000 visitors a year. Our 62 Parks columnist was awestruck by her 39th stop on her quest to visit every national park in the U.S.
You deserve better than freeze-dried stroganoff
All you need is a long weekend to get out, get lost, and find yourself again. From Asheville to Seattle, we’ve researched the best three-day wilderness trips within road-tripping distance from a city.
A shortage of places to camp is hurting the environment and limiting diversity in the outdoors. But there are some innovative solutions on the table.
With cruise traffic set to be at an all-time low this summer, you’ll be able to have the 49th state all to yourself
When you stop resisting the information sharing that causes crowd flocking, you can use it to create advocates who will protect the trails
Every mountaineer knows that getting to the summit isn't a requirement, but it sure is sweet if you do
With more than 200 miles of trails, there's a lot to explore in this iconic Wyoming attraction. It's our 62 Parks Traveler's 25th stop on her journey to visit every U.S. national park.
A tale about two-wheeled island hopping in the midnight sun
An off-trail adventure through perhaps the prettiest chunk of the lower 48
Mountain-bike world-famous slickrock at our 62 Parks Traveler's 14th stop on her journey to visit every U.S. national park in a year
Follow these steps to spend less time stressing over the details and more time on the trail
These innovative technical pieces make wilderness camping more fun and less work
The places we love will outlive us, and isn't that just a little bit wonderful? It's our 62 Parks Traveler's 11th stop on her journey to visit every U.S. national park in a year.
From camp grounds to house blends, these brewers can handle anything
Wander amid 200-million-year-old stone logs in Arizona. It's our 62 Parks Traveler's ninth stop on her journey to visit every U.S. national park in a year.
Trash-compactor sacks are the most inexpensive way to keep your gear dry
If you've done everything in your power to salvage it, and it's still not working like it used to, maybe it's time for something new
It's the ultimate social-distancing tool, getting you outside for some solo relaxation
Light enough for backpacking and bright enough to illuminate an entire campsite, this is exactly what you need when it's safe to get back out there again
Welcome to America's newest national park, with endless and huge sand dunes to explore. It's our 62 Parks Traveler's fifth stop on her journey to visit every U.S. national park in a year.
Exploring the desert and cacti is so awesome and surreal that you'll feel like you're on another planet. It's our 62 Parks Traveler's fourth stop on her journey to visit every U.S. national park in a year.
The gear and knowledge you need to stay comfortable overnight in the snow
An entire mountain range to itself, dramatic stretches of the Rio Grande, and 118 miles of shared border with Mexico are just a few reasons why this 801,163-acre range in southwest Texas is worth a visit