Planning your trip:

  1. Go on day hikes first, then overnight hikes.Before you set out for a multi-day trip, try a couple of day hikes through various kinds of terrain and weather to find out how it suits you. It's a good idea to make sure you enjoy hoofing around out in the woods before you find yourself out in the middle of a 14 mile loop in the wilderness.

    • Try a few hikes without any gear, but plenty of water, light snacks, a map of the area, and the right boots. Go out for a mile or two with some friends and have fun.
    • If you like that, try going on a longer hike, for several miles of somewhat rougher terrain. If you like that, take your bag with you and see how you enjoy it. Gradually build up to a series trip.

  2. Pick a general destination for your backpacking trip.Are you interested in the mountains? The grasslands? The great lakes? Depending on where you live, the backcountry may be close by, or you may want to venture out farther for a serious hiking experience. In most areas, you shouldn't need to travel more than a half a day by car to find a good National or State Park in which you can hike and camp.

    • Pick an appropriate time of year for that destination, as well. Some destinations are very crowded at certain times of year, or around holidays, while others are inappropriate for backpacking at certain times of the year. It'd be bad to head out to the desert in the middle of the summer if you're a first-timer.
    • It's also usually good to avoid areas with bears during bear-heavy seasons, which will vary from region to region.

  3. Pick a specific park or wilderness area.Want to hike the Cumberland Gap? Explore Yosemite? Pitch a tent in the Grand Tetons? Once you've settled on a particular region of the country you'd like to explore, pick an area that's appropriate for backcountry camping. Within the US, here are some of the best destinations for serious camping:

    • Yosemite National Park, CA
    • Joshua Tree, CA
    • Denali National Park, AK
    • White Mountaint National Forest, NH
    • Olympic National Park, UT
    • Zion National Park, UT
    • Glacier National park, MT
    • Big Bend National Park, TX
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