Backpacking takes you beyond crowded campgrounds and into wilder places, but it also means relying on your own planning and skills. The National Park Service describes backcountry camping as an experience filled with challenge, solitude and excitement, while also making clear that the comforts of everyday life are gone. A safe, enjoyable trip starts long before you shoulder your pack.

Before you go: Make a plan the whole group agrees on, check permits and park rules, try your gear at home, pack the Ten Essentials and leave a detailed itinerary with someone at home.

Plan Like a Park Ranger

According to the National Park Service, spending time developing a comprehensive plan is critical for a safe backcountry experience. The agency recommends that everyone in your group agree to the plan and that you honestly assess your limits and experience level so you choose the right trip.

Several basic planning steps can make the difference between a smooth adventure and a difficult one. The National Park Service advises checking ahead for necessary permits and park regulations, deciding where you are going and how long you will be camping, and including each origin and destination. You should also figure out how far you will travel each day and account for changes in elevation. The National Park Service suggests trying to anticipate the physical and mental condition of everyone in your party, as well as any environmental factors you might face.

Before you leave, pull together emergency contact information for everyone in your group, including names, phone numbers, email and insurance details. Document any vehicle you will leave at the trailhead, noting the year, make, model, color and license plate number. Most importantly, the National Park Service says you need to share a detailed itinerary with someone at home. It is also a good idea to leave a copy in your vehicle for rangers to find. Once your trip ends, let your emergency contacts know you are safe, and if the park has a checkout policy, inform the rangers.

Planning Step What to Decide
Permits and regulations Check park website for required permits, group size limits and food storage rules
Route and duration Choose origin, destination, daily distances and total days
Gear list Identify essential tools and supplies for the setting, season and difficulty
Emergency contacts Collect names, phone numbers and insurance info for everyone in the party
Itinerary sharing Leave a copy with someone at home and one in your vehicle

Try Your Gear Before the Trip

The National Park Service recommends trying your equipment before you head into the backcountry. Make sure you know how to use everything, that it works properly and that you have the right components, such as the correct fuel for your stove or batteries for your headlamp. Try on your backpack and hiking boots and go on a practice hike to confirm they fit correctly. For first-time backpackers, the agency specifically says to take the pack on a trial run fully loaded before the trip. If you have never camped before, the National Park Service suggests a backyard camping trial to give you and your family a low-stakes practice session.

Pack the Ten Essentials

The National Park Service points to a system developed by The Mountaineers called the Ten Essentials, a collection of items that can help during minor injuries, sudden weather changes or unexpected emergencies. These are organized into ten categories.

  • Navigation: Map, compass and GPS system. The National Park Service says to know how to use a topographical map and compass before you go and to bring a physical map as a backup.
  • Sun protection: Sunglasses, sunscreen and a hat to protect skin and eyes against harsh UV rays.
  • Extra clothing: A jacket, hat, gloves, rain shell and other layers reflecting the most extreme conditions you could encounter. Bright clothing can make you easier to spot if search and rescue needs to look for you.
  • Illumination: A flashlight or headlamp, with extra batteries. Headlamps are recommended because they leave your hands free.
  • First-aid supplies: A kit modified to fit your trip and medical needs. Check expiration dates and include any personal medications.
  • Fire: Waterproof matches or a lighter and fire starters. Familiarize yourself with local fire regulations before heading out.
  • Repair kit and tools: Duct tape, a knife, a multi-tool and scissors, plus any tools specific to your activity.
  • Nutrition: An extra day’s supply of food, preferably no-cook items with good nutritional value such as trail mix, nuts and granola bars.
  • Hydration: Water and water treatment supplies. The National Park Service stresses that staying hydrated is of utmost importance and that you should drink water often and before you feel thirsty.
  • Emergency shelter: A tent, space blanket, tarp or bivy sack to protect you from severe weather and exposure.

Food: Keep It Light, Dry and Safe

Backpack weight is often top of mind, and the National Park Service suggests focusing on dry foods like rice and pasta to save space and weight while also reducing cooking odors, an important consideration in bear country. The agency recommends packing foods that come in packages you can flatten, such as plastic bags or boxes, rather than jars and cans. If you repackage items into sealable plastic bags, you can later reuse the bags as waste bags that seal in smells.

The USDA Food Safety and Inspection Service advises that for trips longer than a day, you can bring cold foods for the first day but will need shelf-stable items after that. Examples of lightweight, shelf-stable foods the agency lists include pre-packaged meals, peanut butter in plastic jars, canned tuna or chicken, dried noodles and soups, beef jerky, dehydrated foods, whole or dried fruits, nuts, and powdered milk. Carry dried pasta, rice and baking mixes in plastic bags and take only the amount you will need.

The USDA also emphasizes keeping everything clean. Bacteria present on raw meat and poultry can spread to other foods through juices, hands or utensils. Double-wrap raw meat packages in plastic bags, wash hands before and after handling food, and do not use the same platter and utensils for raw and cooked items. If running water is not available, bring hand sanitizer that contains at least 60% alcohol or use disposable alcohol-based wipes.

Water: Filter, Treat or Boil

Water from a lake or stream can contain germs that make you sick, even if it looks clear. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention states that drinking water straight from a clear mountain stream is generally not safe. The National Park Service says backcountry campers will need to filter or purify the water they drink and use for food preparation, and lists three options: a water filter, water purification tablets or boiling.

The CDC says boiling kills all types of germs. To kill all types of germs, including viruses, bacteria and parasites, bring clear water to a rolling boil for 1 minute. At elevations above 6,500 feet, boil for 3 minutes. Allow the water to cool before using it.

Most portable water filters will remove parasites but not viruses or bacteria, according to the CDC. A filter with an absolute pore size of 1 micron or smaller, or one certified for NSF standards 53 or 58 for cyst reduction, will remove parasites. A filter with an absolute pore size of 0.3 micron or smaller will remove bacteria and parasites but not viruses. Reverse osmosis filters remove parasites, bacteria and viruses, as well as salt.

Chemical disinfectants such as unscented household chlorine bleach, iodine or chlorine dioxide tablets kill viruses and bacteria but may not kill parasites. The CDC recommends filtering water before disinfecting it. Chlorine dioxide tablets can kill the parasite Giardia and are somewhat effective against Cryptosporidium, but filtering first is still the safest approach. The CDC also notes that people who are pregnant, have thyroid problems or have a hypersensitivity to iodine should avoid water disinfected with iodine, and no one should drink it for more than a few weeks at a time.

Storing Food in the Backcountry

The National Park Service says backcountry camping requires storing food in a sack hung by a rope above the ground and away from a tree trunk. Some designated backcountry campgrounds provide bear boxes, cables or poles for hanging food. According to the agency’s cooking guide, in bear country food should be stored 100 yards away from your tent. Food should also be prepared in a designated food preparation area or, if none exists, a spot that is 100 yards away from your tent and 100 yards away from a water source. Always check your specific park’s regulations, because food storage requirements vary.

Choose a Durable Campsite

Leave No Trace guidance explains that durable surfaces include established trails, campsites, rock, gravel, dry grasses and snow. The organization recommends camping at least 200 feet (70 to 80 adult steps) from lakes and streams to protect riparian areas and allow access routes for wildlife. In popular areas, concentrate use on existing campsites and keep sites small, focusing activity where vegetation is already absent. In undisturbed remote areas, spread out tents, avoid repetitive traffic routes and move camp every night to minimize the number of times any part of the site is trampled.

When breaking camp in a pristine area, Leave No Trace suggests naturalizing the site by covering scuffed areas with natural materials such as pine needles, brushing out footprints and raking matted grassy areas with a stick. This helps the site recover and makes it less obvious to other travelers.

Handle Waste Properly

The CDC advises that if you are in a remote area without toilets, you should bury your poop to keep it from getting into water. Aim to bury it deep in the soil, at least 8 inches, and at least 200 feet away from lakes, rivers and other natural waters. Bury it downstream from where you or others collect water. The CDC also stresses washing hands before handling food, before eating and after using the toilet. If soap and water are not available, use a hand sanitizer with at least 60% alcohol.

Stick to Your Itinerary

The National Park Service advises against changing plans midway through a trip. If something goes wrong, your emergency contacts will be able to share your travel plan with rangers, who will have better knowledge of where to look for you. If you encounter conditions that may require a change, the agency suggests considering heading back and trying again another time when conditions improve.

Frequently asked questions

How far should I camp from water?

Leave No Trace recommends camping at least 200 feet (70 to 80 adult steps) away from the water’s edge. This protects riparian areas and leaves access routes for wildlife. The National Park Service also advises preparing food at least 100 yards from a water source in the backcountry.

What is the safest way to treat backcountry water?

According to the CDC, boiling kills all types of germs. Bring clear water to a rolling boil for 1 minute, or 3 minutes at elevations above 6,500 feet. If boiling is not possible, the CDC says to filter first and then disinfect, because filters remove parasites while disinfectants kill viruses and bacteria.

Do I need a permit to backpack in a national park?

The National Park Service says you should check ahead of time about any necessary permits and park regulations. Visit the “Plan Your Visit” section on the specific park’s website to research permit requirements, group size restrictions and food storage rules before your trip.

Ready to explore more trip styles? See our camping by trip type section or read about different types of camping trips to compare backpacking with other adventures.

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