Planning a backpacking trip can be overwhelming. There are a ton of questions to answer: Where should you go? How far should you hike? What equipment do you need? What kind of food should you bring, and how much? But for many backpackers, planning the trip is almost as fun as the trip itself. This guide, informed by “The Backpacker’s Field Manual” and “Mountaineering: The Freedom of the Hills” is full of invaluable resources for both beginners and veterans. It’ll make planning a backpacking trip easy–or even fun!

Planning a backpacking trip: Decide where to go

The first step in planning a backpacking trip is you’ll need to figure out where you’re going. Where you can go is limited by a few things: the size and ability of your group, and the difficulty of the backpacking routes you have in mind.

Assessing your group

The first thing you need to do is assess your group to figure out what kind of backpacking you CAN do. Here are the the things to think about:

Group Size

Some state or national parks limit group sizes. A larger group creates a wider range of experience levels and physical abilities. Larger groups often require someone to take on more of a leadership role. Knowing who this is beforehand can prevent issues later on.

Physical ability

A group moves as quickly as its slowest member. Make sure the trip is appropriate for all members. If you have a specific trip in mind, make sure all members of the group are physically fit enough to be able to participate. If you’re unsure, err on the low side of miles per hour/per day recommendations below.

Experience Level

Does everyone have the necessary experience? Or, do you have at least one person with the necessary skills to effectively lead and manage the group (keep the ratio of leader-to-follower or experienced-to-inexperienced small, ideally no more than 1:3). Unexpected things happen on the trail, so be conservative if hiking with inexperienced people.

Group Dynamics and Logistics

What are the expectations of each member of the group? How will costs be handled? Transportation? Whose gear is being used? Is there a specific trip leader, or are responsibilities being shared? It’s important to figure these things out beforehand, not at the last minute–and certainly not while people are tired, sore, and hungry after miles on the trail.

Activities

What skills will each member of the group need to have to do the activities on the trip? Do they already have these skills or will they need to be taught? Plan time for teaching new skills–don’t assume members of the group will be able to do certain things. Placing someone in a situation that is beyond their abilities can be dangerous and will affect the entire group. For more on this see “Route Difficulty” section.

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How to estimate route difficulty and travel time

Now that you have some idea of how capable your group is, the next step in planning a backpacking trip is to sort the possible routes by difficulty and travel time to find a good match. Unfortunately, there’s no commonly used rating system for trail difficulty. Mileage alone can’t tell you how hard a route is or how long it will take. Here are some factors to help you estimate a trail’s difficulty and travel time:

• Daily/total mileage
• Elevation changes and steepness of those changes
• Trail conditions (rocky, smooth, etc.)
• Altitude of the trip (and how different it is than the altitude participants are coming from)
• How much weight each participant will have to carry (see below for advice on how to calculate this)

Here’s a helpful formula for estimating travel times:

• Average hiking speed on generally flat ground is ~2 miles per hour (generally 1-3 mph).
• Add 1 hour of total hiking time for every 1,000 feet of elevation gain
• Plan for about 5-15 minutes of rest for every hour of hiking. With a larger group, expect more breaks.

With all those considerations, use this equation to figure out a rough estimate:

(Miles to travel ÷ 2[mph]) + (Elevation gain ÷ 1,000) + ((miles to travel ⨉ 5 (minutes per hour break)) ÷ 60 [to put the figure back in hours]) = travel time in hours

For example, let’s say we were doing a 60 mile hike with 5,000 feet of elevation gain.

(60 ÷ 2) + (5,000 ÷ 1,000) + ((60 x 5) ÷ 60) = 40 hours

This estimate doesn’t include longer stops for lunch, picture-taking, or especially slow group members. Keep track of how fast you’re moving each day to get a better idea for future days.

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Planning a backpacking trip: How to plan your route

Effectively planning a route takes time and practice and is an important part of planning a backpacking trip. In general, start with popular and well-traveled trails and areas that have lots of available information. Here are some other considerations when planning your route:

Research the location

An integral part of planning a backpacking trip is researching the area(s) where you want to go:

• Find guidebooks and maps, perhaps reach out to rangers or local experts.
• What permits do you need to get before you go?
• What are the trail conditions of the area?
• Are there safety hazards (seasonal or otherwise) might you encounter?
• Where is camping allowed and not allowed?
• Are fires allowed?
• Are there any unique Leave No Trace guidelines for the area?
• Is there water available and does it need to be purified?
• What’s the expected weather? Look for average highs and lows for the area as well as how many hours of daylight you’ll have, as this could limit your hiking hours.

Travel logistics

Look at the logistics of getting to and from your trip. Where are the starting and ending points? How is everyone getting to the trailhead? Is there available parking? Is your route a loop or do you need to shuttle a vehicle or arrange for a pickup? Figuring this out beforehand can save you a lot of headache while you are planning a backpacking trip.

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Guidebooks

A good guidebook can do a lot of the work of planning a backpacking trip for you. Many guidebooks even have specific trips pre-planned with all pertinent information listed including mileage, elevation changes, places to camp, things to see, hazards, etc. Be aware that conditions could have changed since your guidebook was published so it’s always good to do research online or ask local experts. Some of our favorite guidebooks come from Wilderness Press, like the Pacific Crest Trail Data Book (5th ed.) and the guide to the Desolation Wilderness.

Choosing Campsites

Most trips should be planned campsite to campsite. It’s important to make sure you have somewhere to sleep each night that’s safe, comfortable, and legal. Here are a few things to look for in a good campsite:

• Water availability: Is there drinkable or treatable water nearby? Is it a reliable water source year round?
• Leave No Trace Camping: Camp on durable surfaces, like dirt and rocks. Look for somewhere that has already been used as a campsite rather than creating a newly impacted area. Respect other visitors campsites.
• Campsite size: Make sure the site is large enough for your group to sleep, cook, and wash. In bear country it’s best to have these areas spread out.
• Campsite location: If you have a pre-planned camping spot, make sure you’ll recognize nearby landmarks as you approach. If you don’t know exactly where you’ll be camping, start looking for a site early on. Err on the side of stopping earlier at a good site rather than continuing on and risking not finding one later in the day.
• Private or restricted land: Don’t camp on private or restricted land unless it’s an emergency. In cases of emergency or injury, most landowners and rangers will be understanding and helpful if you ask. Even then, recognize that you could be breaking the law and be fined or even arrested.

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Time Control Plan

It’s important when planning a backpacking trip to estimate ahead of time how long you expect all activities to take as well as how much daylight you have. Look at expected travel time, meal times, breaks, breaking down and setting up camp, special scenic stops, etc. Add up all of the times for these activities to calculate what time you should get up in the morning, how much wiggle room you have, and maybe if you need to cut certain activities or decrease mileage. As a general safety precaution, we suggest adding a buffer of 10-20%.

Expect the Unexpected

An important part of planning a backpacking trip is being flexible. Bad weather, unexpected trail conditions, equipment failure, and injury are just a few things that could force you to change your plan. Here are two ways to expect the unexpected.

• Vary the distance you’re hiking each day. By having some shorter days planned you can either catch up on mileage or rest. On longer trips, plan entire days where you aren’t moving.
• Have an emergency contact who is not on the trip who knows your planned route and intended end date. Plan on contacting them when you’re done so they know you’re safe. Give them emergency phone numbers to call if they don’t hear from you.

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Planning a backpacking trip: How to pack

For many, packing is half the fun of planning a backpacking trip. We broke down how to pack into three categories: water, food, and equipment. For more information on how to put all of this into your backpack effectively, check out How to pack a backpack.

Water

Staying hydrated during a trip cannot be stressed enough. Dehydration causes fatigue, disorientation, headaches, and irritability. Not fun, and likely dangerous. Here are three things to keep in mind:

• Drink more than you usually do. Here are general guidelines:

Season	Amount/day	Notes
Fall and Spring	2-3 quarts	Average person’s need for temperate weather
Summer	3-4 quarts	In hot and humid weather you lose extra fluid through sweating
Winter	4+quarts	Moisture is lost through evaporation to the dry air and especially through respiration (exhaled air is saturated with moisture)
High-Altitude (any season)	Add 1 quart	At high altitude, regardless of weather, the body loses more fluid.

• How much water you carry at any given time depends on how often you’ll be able to refill. Know possible water sources beforehand and plan your trip accordingly. Pro Tip: have each person bring at least one hard container for water (e.g a Nalgene). A leaking water bladder can quickly ruin a trip.

• There are three main ways to purify water: boiling, chemical treatment (iodine, chlorine, and chlorine dioxide), and filtering. For first time backpackers in most areas, we recommend either using a water filter (we like the MSR Guardian Purifier because its easy to use, super efficient, and has an auto-back flush feature that increases the life of the filter) or chlorine dioxide (we like the Aquamira Water Treatment Drops because its super lightweight, has a long shelf life, and makes the water taste great quickly). While other chemical treatments (iodine and chlorine) are inexpensive and easy, they’re not effective against all known parasites. And boiling, while effective, is time-consuming and requires carrying additional fuel.

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Food

Choosing healthy and delicious food is an important part of planning a backpacking trip. Bringing enough, but not too much, food is a difficult balance. Some consider backcountry cooking an art form, while others prefer easy, minimalist meals. Find the balance you prefer to keep yourself and your group happy, healthy, and well-fed. Here are some guidelines and tips, plus some classic backpacking food ideas.

Activity and Weather	Caloric Requirement/day*	Appx. Food Weight/day
3-season backpacking with moderate exercise	2,400 to 3,200 calories	1.75 – 2 pounds
Cold weather backpacking or strenuous exercise	3,500 to 4,000 calories	2 – 2.25 pounds
Winter backpacking or very strenuous exercise	4,500 to 6,000 calories	2.5+ pounds

*See the “Active” column in this chart for more information on your specific caloric needs

• As a general rule, try to consume your calories in these proportions:
  • Carbohydrates 50-70%
  • Fats 20-30%
  • Proteins 20-30%
• Plan meals as a group, making sure to cover preferences, dietary restrictions, meal timing, etc. Fresh food like fruit, vegetables, meat, and cheese can keep for many days, especially in cooler weather. Though heavy, these foods are easy to eat, nutritious, and a welcome luxury when out on the trail.
• Dehydrated food is lightweight and easy, but often expensive. Dehydrating your own food (while time consuming) can be fun and save you some money.
• Avoid individually packaged items and instead buy and package items in bulk. This cuts down on trash and allows you to measure and bring exactly the amount you need.
• Don’t forget the spices! Salt and pepper are great but more variety can really take your cooking to the next level.
• Pro tip: More accidents happen around 11am and 3pm because people often have low blood sugar and are dehydrated. Plan in snack times between meals to keep everyone happy and safe!

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Food Suggestions

• Breakfast

  • Scrambled eggs, dehydrated hash browns, veggies, and bacon bits (add cheese, salsa, and tortillas for a gourmet option)
  • Granola (with raisins or other dried fruit) along with powdered milk
  • Instant oatmeal (try our favorites from Picky Oats)
  • Muffins or other baked goods
  • Energy bars and dried fruit leather
  • Don’t forget tea, coffee, or hot chocolate!

• Lunch

  • Canned chicken or fish
  • Beef jerky
  • Summer sausage
  • Dry salami
  • Powdered hummus
  • Hard cheeses
  • Bagels, pita bread, or crackers
  • Cookies, chocolate, or candy bars
  • Vegetables (carrots, peppers, etc.)
  • Dried fruit

• Snacks

  • Trail mix (nuts, dried fruit, sunflower seeds, coconut, chocolate, pretzels, sesame sticks, dried green peas, etc. Make your own!)
  • Hard candy
  • Jerky
  • Dried fruit
  • Energy bars
  • Emily’s Citrus Cashew Bliss Balls

• Dinner

  • Pasta: spaghetti, dehydrated sauce, with meat and veggies
  • Burritos: dehydrated beans, veggies, canned chicken, cheese, tortillas, and salsa
  • Pita Pizzas: pitas, dehydrated sauce, pepperoni, veggies, and cheese
  • Curry: Quinoa or rice, veggies, tofu, with curry powder

• Dessert

  • Freeze-dried ice cream
  • Candy bars
  • Instant pudding
  • Brownies
  • Chocolate cheesecake
  • Gummy candies

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Equipment

Backpacking can require extensive equipment, or very little, depending on your needs. In this section, we’ll first review the questions you need to ask yourself about the equipment you should bring. Second is the ten essentials, items that everyone should bring every time they travel in the wilderness. Third is an extensive checklist you can use to make sure you don’t forget anything.

Considerations

Ask yourself and the group these questions while deciding what to bring:

• How long is the trip and how many people are going?
• Are people bringing their own gear, borrowing gear, or renting?
• What gear can be shared (tents, cooking gear, etc.) and who is bringing it?
• What’s the expected weather, altitude, and temperature?
• What are trip activities and what special equipment is needed?

Personal Equipment

These are items that every group member will need, and will probably want to carry in their own pack.

• Clothing: What and how much you bring will largely depend on the weather, activities, and duration of the trip. Bring layers so you can adjust to different temperatures and activities. Prepare to get stinky and bring much less than you think you need!
• Storage: Bringing the right size backpack is a critical part of a successful trip! For more on this, read How to Choose a Backpacking Pack.
• Sleeping: Sleeping bag, sleeping pad, and possibly a pillow. See How to Choose A Sleeping Bag and How to Choose a Sleeping Pad and to make sure you sleep warm, see our 10 Tips for Sleeping Warm Outside.
• Miscellaneous: Toiletries, water bottles, headlamp, eating utensils, etc.

Group Equipment

These are items that not everyone needs to carry, and can be distributed among group members.

• Shelter: What shelter you bring will depend on the size of the group and the anticipated weather conditions. Read more in How to Choose a Tent.
• Cooking: Stove, pots and pans, plates and/or bowls, cups, utensils, etc.
• Hygiene: Water purification, soap, and bathroom kit.
• First Aid: We like the first aid kits from Adventure Medical Kits
• Repair: Prepare for things to break and bring appropriate tools and backup items

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Ten Essentials

Regardless of where you’re going or for how long, when you’re planning a backpacking trip make sure to bring at least one of each of these Ten Essentials:

1. Navigation (map and compass)
2. Sun Protection (hat, sunscreen, sunglasses)
3. Insulation (warm layers)
4. Illumination (flashlight or headlamp with extra batteries)
5. First-Aid supplies
6. Fire source (matches, lighter, etc.)
7. Repair kit and tools
8. Nutrition (emergency food)
9. Hydration (water and purification method)
10. Emergency shelter

Trip Preparation Checklist

Ok, so there’s a lot that goes into planning a backpacking trip. What if you forget something?! Don’t worry, we summarized everything into a short Pre-Trip and Equipment Checklist, which you can download as a PDF here.

Pre-Trip Checklist

• Route planned (guidebook, map, etc.)
• Necessary permits obtained
• Weather checked and accounted for
• Equipment (personal and group) checklist verified
• Food and water planned and packaged
• Emergency contact designated and informed
• Travel logistics to and from trip established

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Equipment Checklist

This is a general equipment checklist designed for a multi-day 3-season backpacking trip (meaning daytime temperatures of ~50°-70° F and nighttime temperatures of ~30°- 50° F). Most people won’t need to bring everything on this list, but some trips might require additional equipment. We’ve included links to our articles, and some directly to our favorite gear.

Clothing

Head

• Warm hat (beanie)
• Sun hat (baseball cap)
• Sunglasses

Upper Body

• T-shirt(s) – cotton or synthetic
• Long-sleeve synthetic shirt
• Fleece/wool jacket or sweater
• Down/synthetic filled jacket
• Windproof layer (can be same as rain jacket)
• Waterproof rain jacket
• Warm gloves
• Buff

Lower Body

• Underwear
• 1 to 2 pairs of shorts
• Synthetic/wool long underwear
• 1 to 2 pairs of long pants (synthetic, not cotton or denim)
• Waterproof rain pants

Feet

• Hiking boots
• Camp shoes (lightweight sneakers, sandals, etc.)
• 2 to 3 pair synthetic liner socks
• 2 to 3 pair wool or synthetic socks
• Gaiters

Travel Gear

• Backpack
• Pack rain cover (or garbage bag)
• Trekking poles

Personal Sleep System

• Sleeping bag (synthetic or down, rated appropriately to weather)
• Sleeping pad
• Liner for your sleeping bag
• Bivy sack

Toiletries

• Toothbrush
• Toothpaste
• Sunscreen
• Lip balm
• Insect repellent
• Biodegradable soap
• Personal medications
• Glasses
• Contact lenses (and solution)

Eating and Drinking

• 2 – 4 1-liter water bottles (at least one non-bladder style)
• Cup for hot drinks
• Bowl or plate
• Spoon or fork

Miscellaneous

• Flashlight or headlamp (and extra batteries)
• Bandanna
• Small Towel
• Knife or multi-tool
• Large garbage bag
• Camera
• Small notebook
• Pen
• Guidebook
• Camp chair
• Whistle

Group Equipment

• Shelter (tent, tarp, etc.)

Cooking

• Stove  (1 per 4 to 5 people)
• Fuel
• Waterproof matches or lighters
• Pots and pans
• Pot gripper
• Spatula
• Mixing spoon
• Biodegradable soap
• Sponge or brush
• Ziploc bags

Hygiene

• Water purification method (filtration, boiling, or chemical)
• Chlorine bleach (backup water purification and dish cleaning)
• Toilet paper
• Trowel
• Hand sanitizer
• Plastic bags for toilet paper/tampons/other waste to pack out

Travel

• Map
• Compass
• GPS

Safety

• First-aid kit
• Satellite phone or other technology
• Rope for bear hang or bear canister

Miscellaneous

• Stove repair parts
• Sleeping pad repair kit
• 30 ft. of fishing line
• Assorted safety pins
• Duct Tape
• 100 ft. of paracord

Planning a backpacking trip

Backpacking can be an intimidating sport, in part due to the perceived difficulty of planning a backpacking trip. But if you plan ahead with our guide you can make sure to stay safe and have fun. Happy trails!

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