Fresh from the trail
50 guides
How to Navigate With a Map and Compass
Learn how to use a map and compass to navigate trails confidently. This beginner's guide covers compass parts, topo maps, taking a bearing, and declination.
July 4, 2026
How to Sleep Comfortably While Camping
Learn how to sleep while camping with tips on sleeping pads, bag ratings, staying warm, blocking noise, and building a pre-bed routine that works.
July 4, 2026
How to Plan a Weekend Camping Trip
Learn how to plan a camping trip step by step: pick a campground, make reservations, pack smart, plan meals, and check weather before you go.
July 3, 2026
How to Rent Camping Gear Before You Buy
Find out where to rent camping gear, what's worth renting vs buying, and how trying gear first saves you money and bad purchases.
July 3, 2026
How to Know When to Turn Back on a Hike
Learn when to turn back hiking with a practical turnaround checklist, warning signs to watch for, and tips for making smart group safety decisions.
July 2, 2026
How to Start Hiking: A Complete Beginner's Guide
Ready to hit the trail? This beginner hiking guide covers footwear, gear, pacing, trail etiquette, and how to build distance safely from your very first hike.
July 2, 2026
How to Handle Water and Dishes at Camp
Learn the three-basin dishwashing method, how much water to bring camping, and Leave No Trace rules for cleaning up at a campsite.
July 1, 2026
How to Hike With Kids and Keep It Fun
Practical family hiking tips for picking the right trail, packing smart, keeping kids engaged, and staying safe on the trail with toddlers and young children.
July 1, 2026
How to Cook While Camping: A Beginner's Guide
Learn camp cooking for beginners: gear, fire vs stove, food safety, simple meal plans, and cleanup. Everything you need for your first campsite kitchen.
June 30, 2026
Your First Overnight Backpacking Trip: How to Prepare
Planning your first backpacking trip? This beginner guide covers route selection, gear, food, water, permits, and what to expect on your first night out.
June 30, 2026
The Ten Essentials Every Hiker Should Carry
Learn the ten essentials hiking system with beginner examples, a quick checklist, and tips on what each item actually does for your safety on trail.
June 29, 2026
How to Choose a Backpack for Hiking and Backpacking
Learn how to choose a backpack for hiking and backpacking: pack volume by trip length, frame types, fit tips, and what features actually matter for beginners.
June 28, 2026
Leave No Trace: How to Camp Responsibly
Learn the seven Leave No Trace principles in plain terms, with practical examples for beginner campers who want to protect wild places.
June 28, 2026
Hiking vs. Backpacking vs. Camping: What's the Difference?
Hiking, backpacking, and camping overlap but each has a different commitment level. Here's what sets them apart and which one to start with.
June 27, 2026
How to Set Up a Tent: A Step-by-Step Guide
Learn how to set up a tent with this step-by-step guide for beginners. Covers site selection, poles, staking, rainfly, guy lines, and packing down.
June 27, 2026
Camp Coffee: How to Make Coffee While Camping
Learn how to make coffee while camping with six methods compared side by side, plus cleanup tips and Leave No Trace ground disposal.
June 26, 2026
How to Treat Blisters and Pack a Hiking First-Aid Kit
Learn what goes in a hiking first aid kit, how to prevent blisters on the trail, and when a small problem means it's time to turn back.
June 26, 2026
Essential Camping Gear for Beginners (and What to Skip)
A practical beginner camping gear guide covering what to buy, what to borrow, and what to skip entirely on your first few trips.
June 25, 2026
How to Store Food Safely at a Campsite
Learn how to store food while camping so it stays safe from bears, rodents, and spoilage. Covers coolers, bear canisters, hangs, and Leave No Trace.
June 25, 2026
How to Pick a Beginner-Friendly Hiking Trail
Learn how to choose a hiking trail as a beginner: distance, elevation, difficulty ratings, useful apps, and how to match a trail to your fitness.
June 24, 2026
How to Set Up Camp: Organizing Your Campsite
Learn how to set up camp efficiently with this beginner guide to campsite layout, tent placement, kitchen zones, food storage, and Leave No Trace basics.
June 24, 2026
How to Dress for Camping: Layering for Any Weather
Learn what to wear camping with a simple three-layer system. Choose the right fabrics, dress for cold or warm nights, and stay comfortable at any campsite.
June 23, 2026
How to Start Camping: A Complete Beginner's Guide
Learn how to start camping with this beginner's guide: choosing your first trip, essential gear, booking a campsite, camp cooking, and what to expect.
June 23, 2026
How to Choose a Headlamp for Camping and Hiking
Pick the right headlamp for camping and hiking as a beginner. Learn what lumens you actually need, how beam modes work, and what to spend.
June 22, 2026
What Food to Bring Camping (and How to Plan Meals)
Build a practical camping food list for any trip length. Covers meal planning, food storage, what packs well, and beginner-friendly meal ideas.
June 21, 2026
Wildlife Safety: Bears, Snakes, and Bugs for Beginners
Learn wildlife safety hiking basics: how to handle bear encounters, avoid snake bites, and protect yourself from ticks and bugs on the trail.
June 21, 2026
How to Pace Yourself and Build Hiking Endurance
Learn how to pace yourself on trail and build hiking endurance as a beginner with practical tips on effort, training, and smart trail choices.
June 20, 2026
How Much Does Camping Cost to Get Started?
A realistic look at camping costs for beginners: gear tiers, campsite fees, and how to start for under $100 if you borrow smart.
June 19, 2026
How to Keep Your Tent Dry in the Rain
Practical rainy camping tips for beginners: site selection, tent setup, tarps, and seam sealing to keep your gear dry all night.
June 19, 2026
Do You Need Trekking Poles? A Beginner's Guide
Trekking poles reduce knee strain, improve balance, and help with stream crossings. Here's when they're worth it and how to choose your first pair.
June 18, 2026
How to Choose a Camp Stove
A practical guide to picking your first camp stove: stove types, fuel options, and how to match the right setup to how you actually camp.
June 17, 2026
What to Pack for Camping: A Beginner's Checklist
A printable-style beginner camping checklist covering shelter, food, clothing, safety, and the items most first-timers forget.
June 17, 2026
How to Read the Weather Before a Trip
Learn how to check the forecast, understand mountain weather, and recognize signs in the sky so you can make safe go/no-go calls on the trail.
June 16, 2026
How to Read a Trail: Difficulty, Distance, and Elevation
Learn how to read a trail map, understand difficulty ratings, and estimate hiking time so you can pick the right trail for your fitness level.
June 15, 2026
How to Keep Food Cold While Camping
Learn how to keep food cold camping with practical cooler tips: pre-chilling, block ice, two-cooler setup, packing order, and food-safety temperatures.
June 14, 2026
How to Stay Warm While Camping
Learn how to stay warm camping with proven tips on insulation, layering, sleep clothing, and what to eat before bed so you wake up comfortable.
June 14, 2026
Do You Need a Sleeping Pad? A Beginner's Guide
Yes, you need a sleeping pad for camping. Learn why it's about warmth, not just comfort, plus how to choose by R-value, type, and season.
June 13, 2026
How to Find and Book a Campsite
Learn how to find and book a campsite online, read listings like a pro, and secure a spot before they sell out — a practical guide for first-time campers.
June 12, 2026
What to Do If You Get Lost While Hiking
Lost on the trail? Follow the STOP framework, learn when to stay put vs. backtrack, and find out how to signal for help safely.
June 12, 2026
How to Choose Hiking Boots and Shoes
A beginner's plain-English guide to picking the right hiking footwear: boots vs trail runners, waterproofing tradeoffs, fit tips, and break-in basics.
June 11, 2026
How to Build a Campfire (and Put It Out Safely)
A beginner's step-by-step guide to building a campfire safely, choosing the right wood, and putting it out completely before you sleep or leave camp.
June 10, 2026
How to Cook Over a Campfire
Learn how to cook over a campfire safely and successfully. From building the right fire to using cast iron and foil packets, here's what beginners need to know.
June 10, 2026
Sleeping Bags Explained: How to Pick the Right One
Learn how to choose a sleeping bag based on temperature rating, insulation type, shape, and fit. A practical beginner's guide to camping sleep systems.
June 9, 2026
Tent, Cabin, or RV? Types of Camping Explained for Beginners
A plain-English guide to tent, cabin, RV, and backcountry camping, so you can pick the right type for your own first trip with confidence.
June 8, 2026
How to Use Your Phone for Hiking Navigation
Learn how to use hiking navigation apps, download offline maps, save battery in the backcountry, and why your phone shouldn't replace a paper map.
June 7, 2026
What to Bring on a Day Hike: The Ten Essentials
A practical day hike packing list built around the Ten Essentials. Know what to carry, why each item matters, and how to scale your kit by trip length.
June 7, 2026
Easy Camping Meals for Beginners
Simple, beginner-friendly camping meals that actually taste good. Breakfast burritos, no-cook lunches, foil packet dinners, and more.
June 6, 2026
How to Choose a Tent for Camping
A practical tent buying guide for beginners: capacity, seasonality, weight, and key features explained so you buy right the first time.
June 5, 2026
How to Choose the Perfect Campsite Spot
Learn how to choose a campsite with confidence: flat ground, drainage, wind and shade, safe distances, and Leave No Trace principles for beginners.
June 5, 2026
Your First Camping Trip: A Step-by-Step Plan
A practical step-by-step plan for your first camping trip: what to book, what to pack, how to set up camp, and how to pack out cleanly.
June 4, 2026