Hiking and Backpacking

Latest Stories

Training & Performance

4 Core Exercises That Make Hiking With a Heavy Pack Easier

Build up your abs for better balance and all-day comfort on the trail when you're carrying a heavy pack and need more stability.

Meg AtteberryAugust 21, 2026

Hiking

The Alaska Long Trail Was Just a Draft on a Map. Then Bradford Bartels Hiked It.

Bradford "Rafiki" Bartels proved the proposed 500-mile route from Seward to Fairbanks can actually be done—unmapped gaps, unceremonious finishes, and all.

Ryleigh NorgroveAugust 10, 2026

Environment

Firefighters Are Racing to Protect Mount Hood’s Most Famous Landmarks

Wildfires burning across Oregon have forced evacuations, closed ski areas near Mount Hood and sections of the Pacific Crest Trail, and now threaten the historic Timberline Lodge, a landmark at the heart of outdoor recreation. The blaze threatens more than just acreage—it jeopardizes the heart of Pacific Northwest outdoor culture.

Kristy HamiltonAugust 5, 2026

Training & Performance

How to Prepare Your Body for a Bucket List Hike

Physical therapists and hiking experts share their best advice for crushing your next multi-day hike and staying motivated as you train.

Rena BeharJuly 29, 2026

Gear News

Why You Should Wait Until 2027 to Make Any Major Backpacking Purchases

Next year will be a banner year for ultralight and affordable gear.

Benjamin TeplerJuly 22, 20261

Exploration & Survival

A Legendary Grand Canyon Explorer Vanished in 2012. Authorities Just Found His Remains.

A renowned hiker and Colorado River runner, Ott was the first person to complete a north-side traverse of the Grand Canyon. Fourteen years after he vanished while searching for ancient rock art, authorities have finally confirmed his location.

Madison DapcevichJuly 22, 20263

Hiking

When Vandals Smashed a Historic Hut Overlooking Mount Rainier, Hikers Stepped In to Save It

After an attack shattered years of meticulous work at Washington's 5,685-foot High Rock Lookout, a community of dedicated volunteers is heading back up the trail to rebuild.

Kristy HamiltonJuly 14, 2026

Hiking

Everything I Wish I Knew Before Hiking Into the Grand Canyon's Havasu Falls

The Havasupai Tribe completely overhauled its permit system earlier this year. If you scored a spot, here are some of my favorite hiking hacks to survive the 20-mile desert trek.

Madison DapcevichJuly 11, 20261

Hiking

This Science-Backed “Head Dunk” Hack Could Save Your Dog’s Life This Summer

New canine physiology research reveals a faster, safer way to prevent heatstroke on the trail.

Madison DapcevichJuly 13, 2026

Camping

We Test So Much Gear We're Immune to Hype. These 15 Pieces Cut Through the Marketing Noise.

Outside's editors and testers spent months pressure-testing hundreds of products in the field before naming this summer's best gear.

The EditorsJuly 9, 20262

Exploration & Survival

A Misstep in Glacier National Park Led to a High-Stakes Helicopter Rescue. Here's How SAR Saved Two Hikers.

After a summit success turned into a terrifying fall and severe injury, the helicopter crew tells Outside how they executed a precision high-altitude rescue on one of Glacier’s most unforgiving mountains.

Madison DapcevichJuly 9, 2026

Exploration & Survival

How an Off-Duty Colorado Firefighter Survived Being Crushed by a 400-Pound Boulder

Climbing North Apostle Mountain, an off-duty first responder freed their own fractured leg from a massive dislodged rock before an intricate iPhone-facilitated Black Hawk rescue took flight.

Madison DapcevichJuly 8, 20262

Tools & Tech

Our Favorite Backpacking Knife Ever Just Got Better

The Benchmade Bugout Vapyr is lighter, stronger, and more ergonomic than the original.

Justin La VigneJuly 6, 20262

Hiking

This $12 Cooling Hack Kept Me Safe During a Deadly Heat Wave in the Grand Canyon

After a string of heat-related fatalities in the canyon, we had to rethink our entire backpacking strategy. Here is the protocol we used to survive a 40-mile trek in triple-digit temps.

Madison DapcevichJuly 3, 20261

Environment

Heavy Flooding Forces Mass Evacuations and Major Road Closures in Glacier National Park

A prolonged, historic rainstorm has triggered evacuations at Many Glacier Hotel and shut down massive sections of Going-to-the-Sun Road. Here is how to navigate the closures and salvage your trip.

Madison DapcevichJune 30, 20261

Hiking

Colorado Just Suffered Its First Bear Attack of 2026 After a Hiker Was Stalked for 30 Minutes

A black bear trailed a hiker in Golden, Colorado, for half an hour. She did everything right and was still attacked, marking the state's first attack of 2026.

Owen ClarkeJune 23, 2026

Exploration & Survival

A Man Is Lucky to Be Alive After Falling into a Vault Toilet While Trying to Save His Sunglasses

A rescue at California’s Camp Edison is a stark reminder that when it comes to the campground vault toilets, no pair of sunglasses is worth a rescue mission. Vault toilets can be deadly—here's what to do if you drop your valuables.

Madison DapcevichJune 23, 20262

Hiking

I’m an Outside Editor from Alaska. Here’s How I Survive Mosquito Season.

Don’t let a swarm ruin your summer. From Alaska-proven gear tricks to fast itch relief, here is how outdoor pros stay bite-free.

Madison DapcevichJune 21, 20262

Environment

The Most Joyful Nature Walk in America Involves Full Drag, Field Biology, and PG-13 Bird Jokes

Led by two drag performers who double as environmental scientists, this low-impact hiking club swaps traditional trail grit for high camp, high heels, and rigorous ecology.

Madison DapcevichJune 20, 2026

Environment

Yes, You Should Put Bug Spray on Your Dog—But the Wrong Kind Can Be Deadly

Mosquitoes, ticks, and fleas can ruin a good trail day, but reaching for your own bug spray could land your dog in the ER. Here’s how to safely shield your four-legged hiking buddy.

Madison DapcevichJune 19, 20261

Hiking and Backpacking

Latest Stories

4 Core Exercises That Make Hiking With a Heavy Pack Easier

The Alaska Long Trail Was Just a Draft on a Map. Then Bradford Bartels Hiked It.

Firefighters Are Racing to Protect Mount Hood’s Most Famous Landmarks

How to Prepare Your Body for a Bucket List Hike

Why You Should Wait Until 2027 to Make Any Major Backpacking Purchases

A Legendary Grand Canyon Explorer Vanished in 2012. Authorities Just Found His Remains.

When Vandals Smashed a Historic Hut Overlooking Mount Rainier, Hikers Stepped In to Save It

Everything I Wish I Knew Before Hiking Into the Grand Canyon's Havasu Falls

This Science-Backed “Head Dunk” Hack Could Save Your Dog’s Life This Summer

We Test So Much Gear We're Immune to Hype. These 15 Pieces Cut Through the Marketing Noise.

A Misstep in Glacier National Park Led to a High-Stakes Helicopter Rescue. Here's How SAR Saved Two Hikers.

How an Off-Duty Colorado Firefighter Survived Being Crushed by a 400-Pound Boulder

Our Favorite Backpacking Knife Ever Just Got Better

This $12 Cooling Hack Kept Me Safe During a Deadly Heat Wave in the Grand Canyon

Heavy Flooding Forces Mass Evacuations and Major Road Closures in Glacier National Park

Colorado Just Suffered Its First Bear Attack of 2026 After a Hiker Was Stalked for 30 Minutes

A Man Is Lucky to Be Alive After Falling into a Vault Toilet While Trying to Save His Sunglasses

I’m an Outside Editor from Alaska. Here’s How I Survive Mosquito Season.

The Most Joyful Nature Walk in America Involves Full Drag, Field Biology, and PG-13 Bird Jokes

Yes, You Should Put Bug Spray on Your Dog—But the Wrong Kind Can Be Deadly

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