Five distress calls in seven days prompted the local search and rescue team to warm visitors to hike with caution
We need to rebrand the outdoor activity, which is ideal for families, cheaper than buying new gear, and often more accessible than traditional camping
Just a girl, her strappy sandals, and what we can only assume are the strongest ankles on the planet
Officials have reminded the public that summer conditions can quickly become dangerously cold and windy atop the 6,288-foot peak
Since a massive storm ravaged the AT in September 2024, hikers have worried the iconic trail may be unusable in 2025. To find out, we sent a veteran thru-hiker to do its worst-hit miles.
Search and rescue teams believe the mission to save the stricken hikers resulted in the highest helicopter medevac in state history
At home, hiker Jen Murphy is usually the one pushing the pace. But these treks in Europe taught her to slow down and embrace the local hospitality.
A medevac crew in southern Colorado completed a helicopter rescue on the 14,055-foot mountain, which was recently reopened to hikers
Search and rescue teams recently conducted 13 helicopter rescues over a seven-day span. A SAR leader blames the uptick on a detour to a vital hiking route.
How can a backpacker make the most of a night in town? Residents share their best tips
From expert-level kneading to mindful companionship, cats prove they’re more than just cough potatoes—they’re unsung heroes in runners’ lives
These hiking trails prove that there’s way more to see in Nebraska than prairie
Federal cutbacks will leave our favorite pathways without vital resources and maintenance this year. Our hiking columnist explains how you can grab a chainsaw and a shovel and get involved.
“My goal is to make it clear that you can be an average Joe and still take on those big races”
Charitable foundations that raise funds and organizer volunteers for the Grand Canyon, Yosemite, and other U.S. National Parks have seen an uptick in donations and manpower
The kids of the Mountaineers Adventure Club are tackling serious peaks—all between classes and homework
Fall back in love with hiking with this new trend from Montana's American Prairie.
The writer explains how he was foiled by Internet trickery during a monthlong running contest to win free Chipotle
Some are blooming now, and others don't reach their peak until early fall
Interior Secretary Douglas Burgum recently ordered National Park sites to remain fully open. Proponents say it will speed up hiring, but critics worry it will increase danger.
The Appalachian Trail Conservancy—the nonprofit that supports the United States’ most iconic footpath—turns 100 this year. To celebrate, AT thru-hikers Mary Beth "Mouse" Skylis and Grayson Haver Currin pick the 100 best miles of trail, spread out over 19 bite-size sections.
Prevent a costly vet bill by identifying hazards before your pup gets a foxtail up her nose or cactus spine in her paw
Plenty of gear companies have tried to sell the cause for animal conservation to the rest of the world. Sitka Studio is now changing that game—for the better—with this high-tech jacket.
First step: Accept that mud is inevitable on any trail
Last year, legendary thru-hiker Jack “Quadzilla” Jones attempted to hike the AT for a grand. Here’s how he fared—and the lessons he can share.
With the park left severely shorthanded due to staff cuts, officials have closed the Fiery Furnace hike until further notice
Two hikers are lucky to be alive after one of them plummeted down a cliff along Northern California’a famed trekking route
When electrolyte levels drop too low, performance can suffer. Avoid that dip by dialing in your nutrient intake.
This basic piece of gear can make or break your hiking experience
Three-time finisher John Kelly made it the farthest with a "fun run" before tapping himself out
Fend off fatigue by eating enough of the essential macronutrient
Practice these for hanging gear, tensioning guylines, and joining ropes
Federal budget cuts force the PCTA to scale back trail maintenance, leaving key projects delayed and hikers facing tougher conditions
A nonprofit is tallying up how many NPS employees have been let go from each park. A key asset has been social media posts from terminated employees.
Trail veterans often jerry-rig the popular Sawyer Squeeze water filter onto a bomb-proof Vecto bladder. Now, the two products come together as a unit.
The National Park Service faces a staffing crisis after losing 1,000 employees. We spoke to experts and laid-off rangers to understand what visitors can expect.
From nutrition myths to getting protein, our experts break down how to stay fueled and feeling good on your next big hiking trip
Researchers analyzed 710 runners and monitored their injuries. They found that one shoe type has a higher running-related injury correlation.
Strong legs make for easy miles. Get yours ready for your next big trip with this advice.
Dammit, Ben Stiller, there you go making me use my brain during my relaxing TV time
Consumption of ultra-processed foods has been linked to a multitude of health concerns—does that mean we should swap out gels and chews for all-natural sports nutrition?
Montana-based Sitka Gear is reimagining the rubber boot
Aligning your training cycle with your menstrual cycle could have performance benefits. A sports physiology researcher weighs in.
With a sprinter van and a passion for shoes, Aaron Olbur is inspiring others to take their first steps toward better health
In a statement on Monday, the Canada Border Services Agency noted that the U.S. prohibits southbound PCT thru hikers from crossing into Washington from British Columbia
Backpacking in the snowy season doesn’t need to be an ordeal. We polled our colleagues to find out their best gear tips for packing for snowy adventures.
Not bringing ice cleats or crampons on an icy hike can be frustrating at best, and deadly at worst. Here’s how to know what you need—and some staff-tested recommendations fo what to buy.
Park Service officials are seeking public help to catch a driver who damaged the Eureka Valley Sand Dunes shortly after Christmas
Here’s to a new year of adventure. Fill your 2025 calendar with day trips and thru-hikes to summit peaks, remote forests, and urban escapes with our picks for the best destinations of the year.
Our hiking columnist inadvertently deviated from the route while descending a peak. The accident prompted him to investigate the harm caused by switchback cutting.
Tina Lewis was enjoying a “trip of a lifetime” before she was detained at an airport in India. Her crime: traveling with a satellite communication device.
Our hiking columnist didn’t love the 1,200-mile Ice Age Trail, which cuts across Wisconsin. But he adored the affable people he met along the way.
The best way to find your next pair of running shoes is to shop locally
Nick Fowler and Georgia Porter set FKTs on the trail by wildly different methods
Christmas is less than a week away. If you’re like me, you may have forgotten a gift for your siblings’ kids.
With winter right around the corner, it’s time to ensure your expensive gear performs like new
Think of these as telepathic weight lifting
After years of waiting for other people to care for my favorite trails, I finally bought a foldable saw and took care of it myself
If you want to up-level your running, here’s how to get a jump on the new year
Focusing on moving differently and improving overall athleticism can be a great way to play and come out of the off-season a more durable triathlete
The xTx trail will cover 1,500 miles in the Lone Star State
A hybrid between breathable midlayer and lofted insulation pieces, the Sitka Ambient 200 Jacket packs a ton of warmth into an adaptable piece you’ll never need to remove
The X-Mid trekking pole tent and other groundbreaking ultralight designs have earned Durston an unmatched fan base, with a 14,000-person Facebook group and in-jokes about stickers and sage at the center of it
The Oklahoma thru-hiker overcame nausea, sleep deprivation, and debilitating foot pain to set the fastest ever time on the 800-mile trail
What do you get for the person who won't stop buying themselves the coolest toys?
Stop running from the cold and revel in it instead
You only need three pieces of gear to prep your muscles for springtime peaks
Employees from PACT Outdoors installed WAG bags on a popular peak, and asked hikers to tell the truth about their backcountry poop habits. Here’s what they discovered.
When Linda “Nana” Vanderloop set out to thru-hike the AT, she had no idea she was on her way to becoming the oldest woman on record to complete the feat
What you need to know before you give up your weight-lifting routine
After SAR rescued two heavily-laden, inexperienced hikers from the lower 48’s highest peak, they had some strong advice to share with anyone thinking of following in their footsteps
Camp chairs have gotten small enough and light enough that it’s easy to bring one backpacking. But should you?
From visibility concerns to navigating uneven terrain, running in the dark poses real challenges—but we have solutions
Authorities have charged two Coloradans for allegedly stealing historic artifacts from Canyonlands National Park in March