Field-tested advice for trip planning, gear, safety, and etiquette. Read these once and refer back as you build your hiking life.
A category-by-category gear list for hikes from 2 to 15 miles — water math, food per hour, layering systems, and the small items most people forget.
Pace, breathing, footcare, weather reading, and the mental tricks that turn a brutal slog into a great day on the trail.
Trip plans, weather windows, lightning protocol, wildlife encounters, river crossings, and what to do when something goes wrong.
The biggest mistake new hikers make is picking trails by name recognition instead of difficulty. Start with our matrix of length, elevation gain, and exposure — then double your time estimate for your first season. A 5-mile trail with 2,000 feet of gain is a completely different day than a 5-mile trail with 200 feet of gain.
At 14,000 feet, the air contains about 60% of the oxygen available at sea level. Plan two acclimatization days at elevation before attempting a 14er. Hydrate aggressively, avoid alcohol the night before, and turn around if you develop a persistent headache, nausea, or confusion — these are early signs of acute mountain sickness.
Most national parks restrict dogs to paved areas and campgrounds — that includes Zion, Yosemite, Rocky Mountain, and the Grand Canyon. National forests, state parks, and BLM land are usually dog-friendly on-leash. Always carry extra water (dogs dehydrate faster than people), check paw temperature on hot rock, and pack out waste.
The most coveted hikes in the US — Half Dome, Angels Landing, The Wave, Havasupai, the Enchantments — all require permits. Most use a preseason lottery (January–March) followed by a smaller day-before window. Always read the specific park's permit system; rules change yearly.
Plan ahead, travel on durable surfaces, dispose of waste properly, leave what you find, minimize campfire impact, respect wildlife, be considerate of others. Cutting switchbacks is the single biggest cause of erosion on US trails — stay on the path even when it's longer.
PNW alpine: late July through September. Sierra Nevada high country: mid-July through mid-October. Desert Southwest: October through April. Rockies above treeline: mid-July through early September (and always off the summit by noon). Northeast 4,000-footers: snow-free June through October. Southern Appalachians: nearly year-round, with peak foliage in mid-October.
Uphill hikers have the right of way (they have less visibility and momentum). Bikers yield to hikers; both yield to equestrians. Step off the trail on the downhill side when yielding to horses, and speak calmly so they hear you're human. On narrow ridges, the larger group yields to the smaller one.
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