What is backpacking?

Backpacking is traveling only by foot to a camping area, and carrying all of your gear in a backpack. Being restricted by your backpack is a liberating way to explore nature. Although it requires a more thoughtful approach, it offers fewer distractions than other camping styles. Depending on where you go you may need permits or reservations, or none of the above.

Backpacking typically requires some training and preparation, even for experienced backpackers. Things like rucking (carrying a weighted pack) on a local trail, establishing a stretching routine, and working on your cardio are important for any potential elevation changes, altitude changes, rough terrain, and gear you’ll be carrying on your trip. It’s also important to test out your boots, backpack and other gear prior to your tip, helping to break them in so you’re less prone to discomfort or injury on the trail.

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Why Try backpacking?

• Unique opportunities: Backpacking can (often, but not always) provide more opportunities for solitude, wildlife viewing, and awe-inspiring landscapes
• Unique access: There are plenty of backpacking routes that don’t require coveted permits and lottery-system luck – lots to explore
• The challenge: Whether 1 mile or 50, backpacking is a fun and challenging endeavor that tests your wits and builds character
• Inspiration and goal setting: Any number of activities can be a major accomplishment and challenge for someone, and going on a backpacking trip is another such activity that can really inspire you to change your attitude, relationships, and life.

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Who Should backpack?

• Anyone seeking more solitude or depth when camping
• Anyone seeking a good, healthy challenge
• Families or friends looking for a great bonding experience
• Anyone at all who enjoys camping

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Where You Can Backpack

Where Backpacking is allowed

National Parks

• National Parks have thousands of miles of trails and backcountry access that make for great backpacking trips.
• All overnight trips in National Parks require a permit. Some are free, and some require a fee. Depending on your destination there might be a quota or limit on how many permits are available.

National Forests And Grasslands

• With one of the largest trail systems in the country, National Forests often have more chances for solitude when backpacking.
• Many overnight trips in National Forests do not require a permit. But similar to National Parks, your desired trail and destination might require a permit, which may have a quota or limit.

Wilderness Areas

• Backpacking is the only type of camping allowed in Wilderness Areas (no motor vehicles or animals, foot travel only). This is also why they have some of the best backpacking opportunities available to campers with chances to see rich ecosystems and wildlife.
• All overnight trips in Wilderness Areas require a permit. Because Wilderness can be managed by any of the public land agencies (NPS, USFS, BLM, USFWS), you will need to follow their specific permitting process. Some are free, and some require a fee. Depending on your destination there might be a quota or limit on how may permits are available.

BLM Land

• With the largest amount of public land available, and some of the fewest restrictions, the BLM offers a seemingly infinite playground for backpackers.
• Each BLM area has different regulations and fees, with some requiring an overnight backpacking permit, while others do not. Depending on your destination there might be a quota or limit on how may permits are available.

National Wildlife Refuges (USFWS)

• Capturing a huge variety of ecosystems and landscapes, National Wildlife Refuges offer some extensive backpacking trips for both beginners and experts.
• Each refuge has different regulations and fees, with some requiring an overnight backpacking permit, while others do not. Depending on your destination there might be a quota or limit on how may permits are available.

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Where You Camp While Backpacking

Dispersed camping

Also known as backcountry camping or wild camping, this is camping on any public land without any developed campgrounds, facilities, or amenities. You establish your own campsite, or find one already established by previous campers. Depending on where you go, dispersed camping may not be allowed like in certain National Parks. This is one of the more risky but rewarding ways to go backpacking.

Primitive Campgrounds

A designated camping area with little to no amenities or facilities, usually just a place to set up your tent. You may get lucky with a fire ring, but these campgrounds are mainly to provide safe areas for people to camp in more remote places and to help protect the landscape and wildlife by preventing excessive dispersed camping. Many backpacking trips have destinations to primitive campgrounds deep in the wilderness.

Developed Campgrounds

A designated camping area with basic amenities and facilities usually including fire rings, vault toilets (no water or flushing), tent platforms, potable water spigots, firewood for sale, and picnic tables. Oftentimes a campground host will be present to answer questions and collect fees. Amenities and facilities will vary depending on the campground. It is less common for backpacking trips to end at a developed campground, but by no means is it off the table.

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basic Gear For Backpacking

Essentials for car camping (not a comprehensive list):

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Skills & Safety For Backpacking

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Stewardship & Etiquette For Backpacking

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What To Expect When Backpacking

Camping is not always as glamorous as instagram makes it out to be. And it shouldn’t be. A couple of key things to understand when you’re camping:

• It always requires some hard work.
• There will be bugs.
• There will be bad weather.
• There will be spooky sounds.
• You will get dirty and smell.
• You will forget something.
• Your feet, back, and shoulders may be sore.
• It can feel a little scary at first.
• Weather exposure and falling tree branches are way more of a threat than animal encounters.
• You will have a lot of fun.

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How to Plan a backpacking Trip

General step-by-step plan:

1. Pick a destination (NPS, USFS, BLM, etc.)
2. Check local fire restrictions
3. Check local road and access restrictions
4. Check the weather (snow, rain, wildfire watch)
5. Confirm the trail(s) and route you will be backpacking
6. Confirm how and where you will camp
   • Developed campground
   • Primitive campground
   • Dispersed camping
7. Complete any permits or reservations needed
8. Plan out your meals
9. Test out your gear
10. Fit your backpack
11. Learn rules/etiquette of where you are camping
12. Make sure your car is ready (oil, gas, fluids)
13. Let people know where you’re going
14. Enjoy the journey

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Backpacking tips for Beginners

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Other Camping Guides

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Glossary

Click to expand

• Car camping – Driving up to a camping area and packing your gear in a car. This can be at a designated campground, primitive campground, or on your own as “dispersed camping” (see below). Ultimately, anywhere you camp with your car is “car camping.”
• Developed campgrounds – A designated campground with basic amenities and facilities including fire rings, vault toilets, tent platforms, potable water spigots, firewood for sale, and picnic tables. Oftentimes a campground host will be present to answer questions and collect fees. Amenities and facilities will vary depending on the campground. Many times these campgrounds will have electric sites and hookups for RV’s and trailers.
• Primitive campgrounds – A designated camping area with little to no amenities or facilities, usually just a place to set up your tent. You may get lucky with a fire ring, but these campgrounds are mainly to provide safe areas for people to camp in less accessible areas, and to help protect the landscape by preventing excessive dispersed camping.
• The Bureau of Land Management (BLM): The BLM oversees the largest portion of public land with about 250 million access. BLM lands are very accessible, and typically have fewer restrictions than you’d find on other public lands, which attracts a large variety of adventure seekers and campers. This includes (but is not limited) to places like Wilderness Areas and National Conservation Lands.
• The U.S. Forest Service: The USFS manages almost 200 million acres of land and provides some of the best places to camp among majestic forests, mountains, and a great way to escape the crowds. This includes (but is not limited) to places like National Forests and National Grasslands.
• The National Park Service: The NPS manages 85 million acres and over 425+ units, including some of the most scenic parts of the country like Olympic National Park and Zion National Park, as well as National Monuments and other gems. Everything from designated camping, backpacking, and car camping can be had in public lands managed by the National Park Service. This includes (but is not limited) to places like National Parks, National Rivers, and Wilderness Areas.
• Wilderness Areas: Each agency manages Federal Wilderness Areas with over 111 million acres and 806+ units, Wilderness Areas are the highest level of protection and designation public land can receive. Only accessible by foot traffic (no cars, bikes, or pets) it certainly offers the chance to see some of the most remote and pristine wilderness in the country, and is excellent for wildlife and natural ecosystems. However, the subject of management and the notion of “untouched” wilderness has received some criticism over the years as potentially not the healthiest way to manage wild lands.
• The US Fish and Wildlife Service: The US Fish and Wildlife Service manages 95 million acres on land, and over 755 million acres on water across all 50 US States, which is mostly composed of units called National Wildlife Refuges. The agency’s main goal is to protect and restore wildlife species and ecosystems. Everything from developed campgrounds, backpacking, and car camping can be found in National Wildlife Refuge Units and Wilderness Areas managed by the USFWS.