12 Backpacking Tips Everyone Should Know
To make your backpacking trip as smooth as possible, we’ve compiled a guide based on expert advice for new and experienced backpackers alike. Our tips cover everything you need to know about backcountry camping and tips and tricks about food, packing, checklists, and must-haves.
We’ve designed this list for a typical long weekend trip, between 2–4 days, so adjust accordingly based on your timeline. Remember, the weather and climate in the area will also affect what you should bring.
How to Start Backpacking
Experienced backpackers probably have tens of backpacking tips and tricks up their sleeves. If you’re just starting out, you may need more help.
Think about the type of backpacking and camping you want to do. Do you want to go to a campsite or camp in the backcountry? Do you need to access amenities or be close to your car?
These are all considerations to keep in mind as you plan your trip. If this is all new to you, you may want to start with car camping and day hiking before heading out on an overnight backpacking trip.
Many of the following tips can be applied to camping, hiking, as well as hitting the trail on a backcountry adventure.
1. Stay on Top of Current Trail Conditions
It’s important to stay on top of current trail conditions and if there are any imminent threats or poor conditions. Ask your fellow hikers you see on the trail for any relevant trail information. They can let you know if they’ve run into any difficulty, unexpected conditions, or aggressive wildlife.
Parks will usually have a ranger station and they can give you a heads-up on the current trail situation. Don’t get caught off guard and find yourself in a precarious situation because you aren't informed.
Be Prepared for Any Weather Conditions
Similar to our first tip, one of the most important backpacking tips is to always have a way to be prepared for any weather conditions that may pop up.
This is especially relevant for locations that see drastic temperature changes from day to night, like in a desert climate. Temperatures and conditions may also be finicky during season changes when the weather may be more unpredictable.
Bring appropriate clothing with the ability to layer based on need including rain gear or shells to block wind, rain, or snow.
Be sure to have a tent or shelter system that you have experience setting up in case you need to deploy it quickly when the weather is turning fast. In good weather, you'll have more time to enjoy your campsite.
Don't forget to have a sleeping system appropriate for the coldest temperature you may experience. This will usually include a sleeping bag, a sleeping bag liner, and a sleeping pad.
2. Learn How to Layer Clothes
We briefly touched on this above. Layering clothes correctly will make hiking and backpacking easier and help optimize your body temperature when hiking or resting.
Fabric technology has come a long way in recent decades. There is no shortage of available and affordable clothing options for the base, mid, and outer layers.
For most seasons, and often all seasons, we recommend the following:
- Base Layer: light and breathable performance fabric with wicking properties
- Mid Layer: light insulating pieces like fleece or puffy jackets
- Outer Layer: waterproof shell/jacket and pants
The key is bringing options that are lightweight and packable and can be mixed and matched depending on the temperature and conditions.
3. Bring a First Aid Kit
First aid kits should always be a priority whether you're backpacking or car camping. Refer to our Backpacking Checklist for supplies. Important items to bring in your kit include:
- Bandages and wraps
- Triple biotic ointments
- Antiseptic wipes
- OTC medications including pain and allergy meds
- Sunscreen and bug spray
- Tweezers and scissors
- Prescription medications
Visit the Red Cross site for a comprehensive guide.
4. Know How to Fix Your Gear
Knowing how to fix gear is an invaluable aspect of backpacking. You’ll want to know how to fix tent poles, deal with torn backpacks, and any other unforeseen circumstances that may pop up. Know how to keep your shelter dry in case of leaks or bad weather.
You don’t need to become an expert in fixing gear, but you do want to be prepared for common gear fixes. For example, duct tape can be a helpful resource when you need to fix leaks, torn items, and broken tent poles.
Knowing how to repair camping and backpacking gear on the trail is important.
5. Always Have Maps and Navigation
When you have no cellphone service or GPS capabilities, offline maps can be a lifesaver when keeping track of where you are. AllTrails lets you download maps to your phone or device and allows you to customize your hike into a downloadable map.
We recommend bringing physical maps and a compass in addition to digital maps. Understanding how to use a compass is a fun and valuable life skill.
6. Keep Your Gear Dry
A list of essential backpacking tips wouldn’t be complete without knowing how to keep your gear dry. Dry gear, clothes, and shelter are crucial.
Staying completely dry isn’t always possible due to weather conditions or if you’ll be crossing streams and rivers. Be ready to switch out wet clothing and footwear when you can.
Bring a rain cover that fits your backpack and dry bags to keep your most important gear dry.
Finally, make sure your tent is rainproof. Leaky tents will lead to long sleepless nights. A little preparation is good insurance.
When your tent is dry, sleeping in drizzle or light rain can be peaceful and relaxing.
7. Understand How to Successfully Start a Fire in Various Conditions
Learning how to start a fire is an invaluable skill from cooking to staying warm. It’s one of the most useful backpacking tips you’ll want to learn.
Educate yourself on current wind and fire conditions beforehand. Some areas may not allow fires due to dry and hot temperatures. Other locations may not allow fires regardless of current conditions.
A backpacking stove can often be used in ‘No Fire Zones’ and let you cook meals and warm drinks.
8. Pack Your Backpack in the Right Order
Packing your backpack in the right order can help you out when you need to access something easily or quickly.
Check out our guide on how to pack a backpack to learn the ins and outs of an organized packing system.
Tips include keeping your pack light, knowing what’s easy to access, and keeping the heaviest items along the back panel.
9. Animal Proof Your Food
Animal proofing your food is a key element of backpacking. Look into local rules and regulations in your area to know exactly what’s required.
Some general proofing backpacking tips are to bring bear canisters, put food away, and leave no trace or trash behind.
When you don’t use these best practices, this can affect how bears and other animals interact with humans.
Study up on how to camp in bear country and always seek information on bear and wildlife activity in the area where you will be backpacking.
10. Bring Calorie-Dense and Nutritional Foods
Backpackers burn through calories and energy quickly. When you’re hiking you’ll need to consistently take in calories to keep your energy up. Common energy-packed backpacking food ideas include:
- Jerky
- Trail mix
- Dried fruit and fruit leather.
- Peanut butter and other nut butters
- Protein bars
Use these camping food hacks to inspire your next hiking snack and check out our backpacking recipes for other breakfast, lunch, and dinner meals ideal for cooking on the trail or at camp.
11. Follow the ‘Leave No Trace’ Camping Golden Rule
The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service works to protect and conserve wildlife environments. They’ve created the Leave No Trace Principles when you camp. These 7 principles include:
- Plan ahead and prepare.
- Travel and camp on durable surfaces.
- Dispose of waste properly.
- Leave what you find.
- Minimize campfire impacts.
- Respect wildlife.
- Be considerate of other visitors.
It’s essential to leave nature as you’ve found it so as to not disturb the natural ecological system. That way we can continue to enjoy the outdoors for as long as possible. For a more in-depth look at these principles, visit the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service site.
Take this list of backpacking tips and tricks and hit the trails!
12. Never Stop Learning
Backpacking is a journey. Even the most experienced backpackers continue to evolve their skills and knowledge.
Here are some additional recommended resources to help you on your next adventure.
Ulltralight Backpacking Guide - A checklist to help you pack for any backpacking trip.
Backpacking Tent Guide - Tips on selecting the right tent for your backpacking trips.
10 Epic Backpacking Trips in the U.S. - Some of our favorite backpacking trips for inspiration.