Are you prepared to fully immerse yourself in the outdoors? To be in complete unity with nature? Envision a journey where it’s just you, your friend, your tent, and the vast wilderness. Take the leap and venture beyond the campground and parking attendant. Depend on your own abilities to endure and adapt to whatever challenges nature presents you with.
- Fresh air
- Forests
- Mountains and amazing geology
- Clear rivers and lakes
- Vast oceans and coastlines
- Open spaces
- Night skies like you’ve never seen
- Natural sounds like you’ve never heard
- Wilderness
- Wildlife viewing
What to Expect
When you venture into the backcountry, you enter a world filled with challenge, solitude, and excitement, and many people thrive off of this experience. Yet, backcountry camping isn’t for everyone; the comforts of everyday life are gone. Here’s what you can expect.
- Check ahead of time about any necessary permits and park regulations.
- Decide where you are going and how long you’ll be camping. Include each origin and destination.
- Make a list of the gear you’ll need to take with you.
- Figure out how far you’ll travel, both in total and each day. Account for changes in elevation.
- Try to anticipate the physical and mental condition of you and others in your party, as well as any environmental factors you might face.
- Pull together emergency contact information of everyone in your party (names, phone numbers, email, insurance information, etc.) just in case.
- Document any vehicle, vessel, or bicycle information such as year, make, model, color, and license plate info you will be taking and using on your trip.
- Most importantly, you need to share a detailed itinerary with someone at home in the event of an emergency. It’s also a good idea to leave a copy in your vehicle for Rangers to find in case of emergency.
Spots We Recommend
White Mountain National Forest
White Mountain National Forest, located in New Hampshire, is considered one of the top camping destinations in the American Northeast. It provides the option for backcountry camping, also known as primitive camping, but has certain rules in place to ensure the preservation of both the campers and the environment. Detailed instructions and guidelines can be accessed on the internet. The mountains in this forest appear to stretch endlessly and even cross over slightly into Maine. Additionally, this vast and picturesque forest is home to a significant portion of the renowned Appalachian Trail and has a rich historical background.
Olympic National Park
An experienced backpacker who has explored Olympic National Park extensively would suggest hiking to Enchanted Valley, Royal Basin, or Quinault. However, it may be impossible to fully experience all the diverse wilderness areas of this remarkable west coast wonderland, no matter how much effort one puts in. Olympic National Park offers an abundance of attractions and activities. Whether you are interested in exploring the beaches, rainforest, or the surroundings of a pristine alpine lake, all of it is achievable within this singular park. To ensure both the safety of visitors and to avoid overcrowding in specific areas, adventurers are required to obtain a permit before entering Olympic National Park.
Sawtooth Mountains
The Sawtooth Mountains in Idaho can be found near Stanley, and the region is reminiscent of Switzerland rather than the United States. The mountains have tall, jagged peaks that entice exploration, as they contain picturesque viewpoints and many beautiful alpine lakes, where you can fish or swim. The journey to Saddleback Lakes is stunning and offers a primitive camping experience in a peaceful and scenic environment. Continuing to Imogene Lake will bring the same sense of bliss, and the night sky adds an extra touch of beauty.
Badlands National Park
If South Dakota is not on your backpacking radar, it should be because it is home to Badlands National Park which boasts intricate dips and rocky terrain. The park also features visually stunning multihued rock formations and offers thrilling routes for exploration. To ensure safety, the National Park Service highly recommends wearing ankle supporting hiking boots as it is easy to twist or even break an ankle in this rugged environment. Additionally, each hiker should carry a gallon of water per day, since there are minimal sources in the backcountry, if any. The area is quite primitive, isn’t it?
Glacier National Park
The NPS website provides useful recommendations and regulations for planning a trip to Glacier National Park, which offers backpackers the opportunity to enjoy its rivers, forests, and challenging wilderness hikes. The park is divided by the Continental Divide into the more remote and tree-covered western side.
Grand Teton National Park
Access to Grand Teton National Park can be gained from the famous Jackson Hole. During winter, the park transforms into a beautiful snowy wonderland, while in summer, it becomes adorned with fields of colorful wildflowers, thanks to the melting snow. The park is consistently breathtaking. It is recommended by experts to proceed cautiously when navigating the elevated terrain and to use bear canisters approved by the park. Bear encounters are common in this area. Fortunately, the park has compiled a comprehensive webpage containing useful links and information to aid visitors in safely planning their wilderness expedition.
Camping Tips
Before embarking on your backcountry adventure, it is important to test your gear. Ensure that you are familiar with how to use each item, verify that they are functioning correctly, and confirm that you have all the necessary components, such as the appropriate fuel for your stove or batteries for your headlamp. Additionally, take the time to try on your backpack and hiking boots, and go on a practice hike to ensure they fit properly.
Stick to your travel itinerary without making any changes during your trip. In case of any unfortunate event, your emergency contacts can inform park rangers about your planned travel, enabling them to have a better idea of where to search for you. If you come across altered conditions in the wilderness that might necessitate altering your itinerary, it is advisable to turn back and attempt the journey again at a later time when conditions have improved.
Take a companion with you – accidents can happen to even the most experienced backcountry travelers, so it is advisable to travel with others. The key to ensuring a safe and enjoyable trip lies in your ability to make good judgments, avoid unnecessary risks, and take responsibility. Having others accompany you can serve as both an accountability measure and a safety net. Additionally, shared experiences often create the most lasting memories.
In order to practice good stewardship, it is commonly advised to ensure that the area is cleaner when you leave than when you arrived. The reason being that you made the intentional choice to explore the backcountry. By safeguarding the habitat of the plants and animals that reside there, you can preserve the backcountry for others to enjoy. Familiarize yourself with the Leave No Trace principles and put them into practice.
Be prepared for any weather – Weather conditions can quickly change, particularly in mountainous areas. Expect a range of conditions such as extreme temperatures, lightning, and wet or windy weather. Find out more…
It is important to be familiar with the wildlife in the area you are entering as it may consist of various animals. Ensure that you store your food correctly and maintain a safe distance from the wildlife. It is crucial to always refer to and follow the park’s specific rules and regulations regarding interactions with animals.
Step 1: Identify potential hazards – Before embarking on a trail, it is important to acknowledge the possibility of encountering various environmental conditions. By conducting preliminary research, you can determine whether there is a risk of rockfalls, flash floods, avalanches, or other potential hazards. Step 2: Prepare a plan – To ensure your safety during the trip, it is crucial to formulate a detailed plan in case you do come across any of these hazards.
Make sure to practice situational awareness to avoid making poor decisions. Stay alert to your surroundings and stay informed about the weather, the terrain, and the physical abilities of yourself and others to ensure everyone’s safety. While park rangers are trained for search and rescue missions, it is preferable that you never have to rely on their services. Search and rescue teams put their lives at risk to save others, but these operations have a significant impact on park resources, as well as on the friends and family of those involved.
