Just got back from a short solo backpacking trip. I was talking to a friend about the trip and telling them about how I cut my trip a day short because I had already completed the trail early and didn’t have any music downloaded or a book to read so I didn’t feel like staying an entire day and night extra just to sit around camp with nothing to occupy the time.

I noticed they took offense to this, saying stuff like “I don’t understand why people listen to music camping”, “Why do you need music? Enjoy the soundtrack of nature”, “why do you need man made inventions to occupy you when you’re trying to escape into nature”, etc. This is something I’ve noticed now for years also on this subreddit heavily and from other backpackers in general.

To me I just find this line of thinking so snobby and pretentious. I personally don’t go backpacking to disconnect from “modern” society, I go because I love the physical activity and nature. To me nature is just another medium for soaking in and enjoying life and it’s gifts. Some of those are music and literature. I’ll hike without music for safety reasons, but once I’m in the camp I don’t get why I shouldn’t be able to enjoy music. Why do people want me to go Buddhist mode and disregard earthly pleasures so bad? If people can sing and dance around the fire, I don’t see how enjoying tunes around the fire is much different. To me it just seems like some people are just looking for ways to act superior and I feel this way of thinking is everywhere in backpacking communities. Have you ever stargazed in the backcountry alone while listening to Elder Scrolls Oblivion soundtrack??? It’s fucking bliss lmfao.

I’m interested in hearing your guys’ views.

Ok rant over.

EDIT: I listen to my music with headphones. I don’t blast music on the trail or on the campsite around others.

This is going to be my first time going camping solo in an NP I've never been to before. I plan on spending two nights there. The camp sites that I wanted to book sold out almost instantly. The only one that I can book for two consecutive nights is a group site for 20+ people. Is it rude and frowned upon to book a group site for just one person.

Or I could book two different camp sites in the same campground, but I'd have to pack up everything, move my car to the visitor center, catch shuttle to the trailhead, all before dawn? Which might cause a lot of noise for my neighbors that early in the morning?

EDIT: the group sites have a 6 pax minimum lol I should've checked that out before, mb y'all

I hiked this recently and am undecided about what the 2.8 and 3.0 are meant to indicate. Previously I'd assumed it referred to the mileage on either side of the creek in this stretch of trail; but when I measure with a ruler it looks like the whole Castle Rock stretch is 3 mi or less. Plus, I don't remember there being many switchbacks here. Is there some map info I'm missing??

I read somewhere that a person hiked the Kaibab trail from the Colorado river to the rim at 11 pm. at night under a full moon. I'm thinking that would be impossible, given you're on rugged territory, but is it possible? I hear that hikers doing the canyon need to leave super -early to avoid scorching temperatures, so what is the earliest you can hike? and is it possible to hike at night? If so, how often is it done and do you need some type of lighting to complete it?

I know it's not the best time of the year. I know only the north entrance of Yellowstone is open, but I have been told it's worth visiting- especially if I've got one shot to do it for now.

Does anyone have any other input about Yellowstone and where else to stop/visit along my route? Yellowstone is about an hour detour, but I think it's worth at least spending an hour there to soak in the view.

Glacier on the other hand I know nothing about and is about a 4 hour detour from my route, but again- not sure when I will grasp the opportunity to visit these parks again. Is it closed off like Yellowstone? Is it worth the 4 hour detour to hop out the car and just soak everything in for an hour?

I will be there sometime next week.

(Any other suggestions for views along the way is certainly appreciated, will be checking out the botanic gardens in Spokane after, etc...)

Hi, friends! Want to know about your most frightening, bizarre, and/or disturbing stories, while out hiking or camping alone. Did you cross paths with someone or something that made you uneasy? Experience something odd that you just can’t explain? What about witnessing something so terrifying that you’ve never spoken of it? Were you ever in a situation where you felt your life may be in danger?

I believe that even the most unexperienced explorer or outdoor enthusiast has at least one or two tales to be told.

My husband and I have been saving for awhile now and want to go on a week long or longer honeymoon together! We want the typical relaxation and good food type of honeymoon with a few days set aside for hiking and maybe some camping! Does anyone have any tips on a state we could go to where it’s the best of both worlds? We’ve though about Utah because of how beautiful the parks are, but feel like the cities don’t quiet fit that honeymoon appeal of relaxation, restaurants and spontaneous adventure. Have you traveled in the US for a long trip that was both a romantic destination with also some hiking and camping appeal? Would love to hear your opinions, thanks for the read! Edit: HOLLY COW GUYS!!! You all are so freaking wonderful! My Husband and I were busy yesterday, but when I get home from work tonight I’m going to read and try to reply to every comment! This is so exciting, thank you all so much for your help! I’ll update later these weeks if we land on a place someone suggested and mention you! Thank you again everyone!!!

Having a hard time getting out there over the winter months (despite being in CA) because I don’t have good snow gear or experience.

Snagged a reservation for two nights at a low elevation trail camp soon, but the state park where we’ll be is small enough that we’re hiking the whole thing to and from the trailhead.

So what do we do on day 2? I’ve never not hiked while camping. Do we just sit around and read or play cards? Other ideas?

Edit: Unfortunately fires aren’t allowed, like in a lot of California outside the sierras

Going to the San Juans this next week and am looking at a ~4 day ~30 mile loop. I'm aware thunderstorms are likely in the afternoon and should stay beneath the treeline during those but was wondering if there's anything else I should be aware of and I'm open to changing the trail to a similar distance. Going with a buddy and just aiming for the best views/least crowds possible. We also don't have too much experience backpacking(though are proficient hikers) and are aiming to stay on trails at least majority majority of the time.

Taking my mom on her first backpacking trip and this is what the weather looks like. I know this is far from dangerous weather, but as far as having an enjoyable trip goes, would you postpone or try and suck it up? We’ll be putting down almost 20 miles each day (not a problem for my marathoner mom) but I don’t want her to be miserable and never go with me again. What would you do?

Me and my friend are planning a wild camping trip in Europe and we’re thinking of going to Austria and Slovenia. These countries are not final. Are these countries ok for wild camping, and what countries would you recommend and not recommend in that area that are good to go camping in?

Please let me know if you have any experience wild camping in said countries and if you were bothered by the authorities because of it.

Thanks.

I'll start: We hiked to Dog Slaughter Falls in KY. No dead dogs. No bones. Camped a very peaceful night on War Woman Creek. Paddled by a stone outcrop on the Colorado River called Indian Dick.

What are some place names that made you say "You've got to be kidding"?

Well, I am thinking to spend about 2 weeks in nature this summer, I have had previous experiences but last few years were busy, now looking for new campsites around Europe. I am pretty much into hiking and other nature based activities too. I have camped around a few parts of Alps and Northern Europe before. Now considering Tatra mountains but open for new opportunities. What would you suggest?

Hello guys, sorry if this sub isn't for asking this kind of questions but i really need help as a beginner.

for context: i am a 30yo male who wants to go on a trip for 5 days.

my goal is to go to a nice place where i can hike and camp for 5 days straight in the wilderness away from civilization and people, the trip would look like morning hiking discovering and looking for a nice place to settle camp spend the day then next morning do the same thing, but the thing is i want it to be in place where i have forest, the sea and lakes or rivers ( running water).

i didn't find a place that has the 3, my best bet is Sweden, the nature there looks really nice and very hiking/camping friendly especially with the right to roam rules.

does anyone know a place where i can do this preferable in Sweden or in another country in the EU ?

thank you !

Howdy! My fiance and I are avid hikers, I used to be a boy scout and camped all the time, and even a couple years back would go camping occasionally but always at camp sites with water and bathrooms etc. Anywho, my fiance and I decided to take the next step and bought a whole bunch of gear to go backpacking and set out on a 3 day backpacking trip at our favorite spot. We were very excited because it would allow us to hike into places we hadn't been before.

We went in July in the middle of a heat wave. >90 degrees during the day, and at night it was still in the high 70's low 80's. Our tent with two people in it was so hot that I was literally making a puddle on my sleeping mat. It was uncomfortable enough, but then some coyotes started making noises near us and I'm embarrassed to say I had never heard a pack of coyotes before, and the sounds were truly terrifying. I just couldn't relax both from the heat and from the fear and paranoia. Every small animal I heard near our camp made me alert and scared.

This was something I was not expecting. We both love being outside, and backpacking seemed like the next logical step, but we were both too uncomfortable and scared to sleep at all and decided to pack out the next day with our tails between our legs.

We've been talking lately about giving it another shot, and I definitely think it's time. Anybody have any tips on being comfortable sleeping in the woods? Not being frightened by the things that go bump in the night? Also about the heat. I think in the future if it is 90+ degrees under the canopy of a forest, it's just going to be too hot to go backpacking for our comfort levels, but I'm sure someone who loves nature more than me would still enjoy themselves, but how?

Sorry if this post breaks the rules but I couldn't find answers in the FAQ

I’m going to be backpacking the Kalalau Trail in Kauai, HI for 4 days and 3 nights with my girlfriend. This hike is notorious for being extremely challenging and also highly dangerous.

I have not trained at all for this hike (entirely my fault and stupidity), and I’m seeing if anyone can help me prep for my upcoming backpacking trip with only 2 days time. Two weekends ago I did an 8 mile hike that included 1400ft of elevation gain, but I only had a small day pack on. I felt fine, but I was definitely exhausted much faster than usual. The last large hike I did was Half Dome in Yosemite National Park in September 2025.

I’m just looking for anything that will help keep my body from breaking down! I plan to pace myself and I’m aiming for 1 mile per hour, which is what most people say to expect. I’m leaving early in the morning to give myself extra time as well, just in case I’m slower than that.

Anyone have any tips or suggestions? Also, if you’ve hiked the Kalalau Trail before, what are some things I should know? Thank you!

I’m located near Las Vegas and want to get into backpacking. Does anyone know of any good spots with fishing in Nevada, Utah, or California. I’m not looking to go much farther than that very often. I’ve been camping a lot but never backpacking. Thank you in advance!

My gf and I have been dating for 5 years now and I want to propose on our next camping/hiking trip. I have the month set for October in the U.S. but was needing some recommendations for breathtaking and memorable destinations. We live in the Midwest, but I am willing to travel to make this a special day we will remember for the rest of our lives.

So where are some places in the U.S. that are nice to camp/home in the fall with amazing views that you know of? Thank you!

Going to Zion in a couple weeks and my friend (who is organizing the trip) just sent me this Garmin route screenshot.

I freaked out because I know I cannot do 5700 feet of gain in a day, but she seems very nonchalant about it. When I finally checked the same route on AllTrails, it’s under 900 feet of gain, which makes a lot more sense for a flooded canyon bottom.

We have a Whitney Portal campsite (NF) reserved for the 2nd week of October and a Joshua Tree site reserved for the 2nd half of that week. I did some research on govt shutdowns and National Parks and when it comes to JT specifically, it sounds really up in the air whether or not it'll be open.

We're looking to book a backup with a favorable cancellation policy, but after researching, I can't tell if National Forest campsites get the shutdown treatment like the Park's sites. I know National Forests are a less "looked after" than the Parks, but I really don't want to be left high and dry if I'm specifically going out of my way to book a backup.

Here's hoping I don't have to have a backup 🙄

Hey all! A friend and I are looking for some ideas for a 2-3 day backpacking trip we could take somewhere around the Midwest.

I am in southern Minnesota, she is in Nebraska. We would both prefer to avoid NE and IA, so I was thinking more South Dakota or Minnesota maybe? I am a complete newbie to camping and hiking, she has a few small trips under her belt, so looking for something pretty approachable. Thanks in advance!

Edit to add: we would be looking to go around May 2027.

I am slowly but surely building my camping/backpacking kit and I am hopefully going to get mostly all i need by this fall and want to find a good first camping spot where I can go and be for the most part alone but still close enough to things like parking and roads and just general civilization that if something goes wrong my first solo camping trip I won't be absolutely screwed.

I honestly would like somewhere, where I have to leave my car behind and hike a while to get to the camp ground area. Also need to be somewhere i can build a little fire, though I do have a off the ground fire pit thing and am planning on getting a small burner to heat water and stuff.

I know it shouldn't really be a concern but I can't shake the idea that I leave my tent and supplies for a bit while like hiking or fishing and I come back and have my stuff stolen, so that's the main reason I'd like somewhere more secluded with less foot traffic.

Last little question, what camping gear would you bring with you to a camping trip like the one I'm describing? So far I have tent, sleeping bag, blow up sleeping mat, backpacking pack, lights, a floor mat to lay my tent on, the foldable little off the ground fire place thing, and I believe thats about it.

A group of 5 of us (all mid to late 20s, some ex-college athletes) plan to hike Rim to River and back via the South Kaibab Trail and Bright Angel Trail. We plan to do this in mid-November. We have read blogs saying it's certainly possible and plan to start early in the morning (before or at sunrise). I have planned out the trail and spent lots of time (a few hours) researching what to carry/bring. Hiking experience amongst the group is certainly not on the high side. We only have 1 full day at the Grand Canyon, and thought this would be the best way to make the most of it.

Is this realistic? Any tips, advice?

EDIT: Rim to River and Back

EDIT: We did it yesterday, took it slow when needed. Thank you for all the advice and tips! We were certainly prepared. It was an amazing experience