Important Backpacking Tips for Beginners

If you are planning your first backpacking trip or you’re looking for some new advice, these backpacking tips for beginners are for you.

Heading out on a first backpacking trip can feel a little overwhelming – but it doesn’t need to feel that way!

At its core, backpacking doesn’t actually require much. A desire to spend time in the wilderness with everything you need on your back. Knowledge of how to backpack safely. Some hiking and backpacking prep. And not a lot of “things.”

But you do need to know what you’re doing before taking that first backpacking trip.

These backpacking tips for beginners will help you feel confident to have an amazing time in nature.

I have been on quite a few backpacking trips. From my first one in Great Smoky Mountains National Park to beautiful epic 1 night trips in Colorado to 5 days in Patagonia…. I love it. So much.

I actually started this blog because I wanted more people to go backpacking. It’s so refreshing to get away from real life. Really truly in the backcountry away from your problems, your phone, traffic. It’s just the best.

** I’ve linked to a few items that I use while backpacking that may earn me a small commission if you purchase them — at no cost to you. Thanks for supporting my blog! **

What is Backpacking?

Backpacking is camping that requires you to hike to your campsite for the night. You fit everything you need into your pack, you wear it on your back, and you hike. You hike into the wilderness. You hike into the mountains. You hike until the noise of the real world is stripped away and you can just be in nature.

Backpacking allows you to explore places that you have to work for. That fewer people get the chance to see. It’s primitive. It’s wonderful. It’s one of the greatest things you can do in life.

Here are the backpacking tips for beginners. So you can experience the joy of backpacking.

Start with Just One Night.

It will feel A LOT less daunting if you know you’re only spending one night in the wilderness. You’ll have less stuff to carry, which equals a lighter pack. You can take your time hiking in and hiking out. But you’ll still have the backpacking experience.

I have done plenty of one night backpacking trips, and they are so rejuvenating and wonderful.

Find a Friend to Go Backpacking with You.

Backpacking is easier with someone else. You can split the stuff – one person carries the food, one person carries the tent, etc. You aren’t alone in the wilderness. Hopefully they’re cool, so backpacking is also more fun. And if you can find someone who has been backpacking before, that’s a bonus!

If you truly can’t find someone to backpack with you, you absolutely can do it alone. Just make sure you’re prepared.

This was a one night backpacking trip – super beautiful

Choose an Easy Destination.

Use Alltrails.com or google “backpacking trips near… ” and go from there. It’s best if you can find actual resources on the backpacking trail you choose – a blogger who backpacked there, a map with designated campsites where you’re going, etc.

Let’s talk about what an easy destination looks like.

Pick a short distance without a lot of elevation.

Backpacking is so much harder than hiking without a pack. So.Much.Harder.

The first time I went backpacking I was astonished by how often I had to take breaks and how incredibly difficult it was.

So don’t ruin your first backpacking trips by trying to hike too far or too uphill.

Find a backpacking trail that requires 8 miles or less of hiking. I promise that’s enough.

Some campgrounds offer “walk-in” campsites. You park and then have to walk a mile or less to your site. This can be a great option for a first backpacking trip. You’ll have campground amenities nearby if you need them, but you’ll still get to hike in and have some seclusion.

My husband and I did this at Split Rock Lighthouse State Park in Minnesota. We had a GORGEOUS campsite, we felt totally alone, but we were only a mile or so from the campground.

Verify that there’s water available near camp.

Read up on where you’re backpacking before you go, and ensure that there will be water available. If there is not, you will have to pack A LOT of water. If there is water available, bring a way to filter it and purify it.

Pick a time/place with pleasant weather.

Don’t try winter camping for a while. Pick a time that doesn’t get too hot during the day or too cold at night. And if you check the weather ahead of your trip and it’s supposed to rain the entire time, consider rescheduling your trip.

Buy, Rent, or Borrow All Your Gear

Backpacking requires different gear than regular camping.

There are some expensive essential items. The big 3 are your tent, your sleeping bag/pad, and your pack. If you can rent or borrow gear for your first backpacking trip, do that. What if you hate it and never go again? (Honestly can’t imagine this – I was HOOKED after my first backpacking trip.) Renting or borrowing from a friend lets you test out the gear first.

The heavier your pack is, the harder your hiking will be. So by all means, bring everything you need. But don’t overpack.

Also, don’t go crazy – especially at the beginning – and buy a bunch of new stuff. You can use things you already have at home. As you backpack and learn what works for you, then buy new stuff.

I have a Packing List for Backpackers post (+ a printable checklist!) that thoroughly goes over everything you need for backpacking. But I’ll list what you need here too.

Camping Gear

• Tent, Poles, and Footprint– a “3 season” tent should work unless you plan on doing cold, winter camping – then you would need a “4 season” one. A footprint helps protect the bottom of your tent and is also important for keeping you dry when it rains.
• Backpack and Rain Cover – Try this on (with weight in it) before you buy one, and practice hiking with it on before your trek. Pick a size that will fit all your gear inside.
• Sleeping Bag – pick one that fits with the type of backpacking you want to do; if it will all be warm weather, don’t spend the money on a sleeping bag for 15 degrees. Down sleeping bags are lighter, but synthetic ones are less expensive.
• Sleeping Pad and repair supplies – inflate this before your trip to make sure it doesn’t have any leaks; it’s easier to repair at home than in the wilderness.
• Inflatable Pillow
• Headlamp

Kitchen

• Camp “Stove”
• Fuel – if you are flying to your backpacking destination, you’ll have to buy this when you arrive. You can’t take it on planes.
• Pot, Plate, Bowl, Mug, Utensils – You can buy a cooking kit that includes everything.
• Matches and/or Lighter
• Biodegradable Camping Soap
• Pocket Knife

Food & Water

• Water Bottle/Reservoir – adjust depending on how long your trek is and whether or not you can gather water on your hike. I usually bring my camelbak bladder and a Nalgene.
• Water Purifier
• Meals
• Snacks for Hiking
• Extra Day of Food – if there’s ANY chance you could get stuck in the wilderness

Clothing & Footwear

I will list clothing items you need, but please adjust the amount depending on how many days you will be backpacking and what the weather will be like. Plan to re-wear pants and shirts, ideally only bringing 2 outfits (yes, it’s gross, but it’s part of backpacking). Bring a new pair of underwear and socks for each day.

You don’t need special clothes. Try to bring quick drying, moisture-wicking bottom layers if you have them. Think lightweight and layers.

• Underwear
• Hiking socks – ones that go above your boot; bring sock liners so you can re-wear your wool hiking socks.
• Sports Bras
• Long Sleeve Shirt
• Short Sleeve Shirts or Tanks
• Pairs of Leggings/Hiking Pants
• Shorts
• Down Puffer Jacket
• Rain Jacket
• Rain Pants – THESE ARE A GODSEND. If you do not own rain pants yet, please go buy some. They have saved me from hiking in soaking wet, freezing leggings. They’re also a great extra layer for when you’re sitting on the ground to cook your camping meal. AND they keep mosquitoes from eating your legs.
• Hiking Boots – make sure you wear them in and know they’re comfortable
• Warm Clothes
• Camp Shoes (optional) – I have recently become obsessed with Chacos. I like that you can let your feet breathe after a day of hiking boots, but you can also wear them with socks if it’s chilly (buy the ones without the toe loop).
• Swimsuit (optional) – I just always want to be prepared if the right time to swim arises.

Navigation & Safety

Have a plan for this. If it’s a super easy hike with no way to get lost, your cell might be fine. If there is still snow accumulation from winter, making it easy to get lost, have a map and GPS. Talk to park rangers prior to your hike if you can. Always be safe.

• Map
• Compass
• GPS and/or Cellphone
• Extra Batteries
• Phone
• Leave your Itinerary with someone

Health & Hygiene

This section definitely varies from person to person and time of year. Adjust your checklist to your needs. Bring the bare minimum because this stuff can get heavy.

• First Aid Stuff
• Toothbrush and Toothpaste
• Toilet Paper and a ziplock to pack it out
• Trowel/Shovel
• Baby Wipes and/or Face Wipes (optional)
• Hand Sanitizer
• Menstrual products
• Sunscreen
• Prescription Medications
• Lip Balm (optional)
• Deodorant (optional)
• Bug Repellent (optional)
• Glasses and/or Contacts

Miscellaneous/Optional Items

• Trekking Poles
• Sunglasses
• Buff, Hat, or Bandana
• Bear Spray
• Bear Canister or Bag with Rope
• Camera
• Journal or Book
• Cards or a small Travel Game
• Binoculars

You will be miles from regular life. Which is awesome. But you can’t stop at Walgreens if you forget anything.

Be meticulous about your packing. Gather everything you need and then go through it one or two more times to make sure every item is vital. Check and double check your list before you leave for your backpacking trip.

Read Next: The Best Backpacking Trips in Colorado or Backpack the Tour du Mont Blanc (11 days in Italy, Switzerland, and France.)

Plan Your Meals, Snacks, and Water

Write out each day of backpacking and plan out your meals. If you want the lightest weight meals, buy dehydrated meals from a camp store like REI. If you bring other groceries to cook with, make sure they’re packed in ziplocks or lightweight bags.

If there is ANY chance you will be stuck in the wilderness for an extra day, bring an extra day’s worth of food.

My favorite things to eat on backpacking trips are: Oatmeal, Cliff or Lara Bars, pita bread and cheese, trail mix, peanut butter and jelly, and whatever backpacker meal at the store looks good.

Fill your water ahead of time if you know there won’t be places to get water along the way. Yes, your pack will be heavier, but you never want to run out of water. You should bring 1-2 gallons per day for drinking and 0.5-1 gallon per day for cooking.

If you will be filling up your water from streams/lakes along the way, bring a way to purify it. You can get little iodine tabs or a water filter/UV filter. If your water filter breaks or you forget it, boil water for a full minute – 3 minutes if you’re in high altitude above 6,500 ft.

This is a great article on what to do to make sure your water is safe to drink.

Keep snacks in an easy to grab place on your pack. You will need fuel. I promise you will get cranky and have a worse time if you don’t eat enough. If your pack has little front pockets, stick a cliff bar or two in there.

You should be snacking every 60-90 minutes while hiking.

The Pohono Trail in Yosemite – the BEST way to experience this National Park

Backpacking Tips for Beginners – Do Some Prep

Physically Prep

The best way to prep for a backpacking trip is to do lots of hiking with a full pack on.

You can also do a stair master or treadmill with incline with a full pack on.

The fitter you are, the easier the hiking part of backpacking will be.

Gear Prep

Try out your backpacking items before heading out into the wilderness. Cook a meal with your new camp stove, set up your tent in your front yard, and do a trial of filling your pack and hiking with it.

Mentally Prep

It’s a strange feeling to be miles away from civilization. I always have these sort of panicky worst case scenario thoughts before I go backpacking. (I won’t share these absurd, unrealistic thoughts.)

But mentally prep for the remoteness of backpacking.

Safety Prep

Consider Taking a Wilderness Safety Course. Learn how to navigate in the woods. Read up on the trail you’re doing and make sure you’re prepared. Talk to a park ranger about the trail ahead of time.

Learn the Leave No Trace Principles

Go to the Leave No Trace Site and read about each of the following principles before your first backpacking trip. Respect nature and the other people who will be in the wilderness in the future.

1. Plan ahead and prepare
2. Travel and camp on durable surfaces
3. Dispose of waste properly
4. Leave what you find
5. Minimize campfire impacts
6. Respect wildlife
7. Be considerate of others

Know What to Do if Backpacking in Bear Country

Backpacking in bear country adds an extra element of difficulty.

First, figure out if you will be hiking in an area that bears call home.

Second, figure out if the wilderness area requires bear canisters (you can often rent these), bear hangs, etc. Bring whatever you need.

Third, hike safely. Make a lot of human noise while hiking – Yell HELLO BEARS, talk loudly with your fellow hikers, clap, etc. Avoid hiking at dawn and dusk. Hike in a group. Bring bear spray if you’re in grizzly country.

Fourth, be mindful of your smelly items. Never leave food out or keep it in your tent. Never. Always keep your smelly items in the bear canister away from camp or hung on a line. Your camp kitchen should be away from your tent as well (at least 100 yards away).

These tips are for your safety AND the bear’s. If a bear learns to go into campsites to get food, it will continue to do so. It then becomes a threat to humans and may need to be killed.

Learn How to Poop in the Woods

Pooping in the woods might be necessary during your backpacking trip. Familiarize yourself with how to do it prior to your trip. I have an in-depth guide here.

1. Gather supplies: Trowel, TP/wipes, ziploc to put TP in, hand sanitizer, a waste bag if required
2. Find an appropriate spot to go: 200 ft from any campsites, trails, or water sources
3. Dig a hole: 4 inches wide and 6-8 inches deep
4. Squat and poop *Pro Tip: Just remove your bottoms completely so you can get into a deep squat on all fours.*
5. Wipe and pack out your wipes
6. Fill the hole back in
7. Sanitize and/or wash your hands

Hygiene Backpacking Tips for Beginners

It’s up to you how clean you want to be while backpacking. You can bring some extra things to feel more comfortable and clean. Or you can decide to not add the extra weight/items and just rough it.

Some hygiene backpacking tips for beginners:

• Any smelly items must go in a bear canister if you’re in bear country.
• Always pack out any garbage or wipes that you use.
• Biodegradable Soap is multipurpose. You can use it to wash dishes, wash your hands, and to do a little bathing. Always use it away from water sources.
• Face wipes and Body wipes can make you feel a lot better without requiring you to carry much.
• Clean yourself once you’ve set up camp for the night. Use a body wipe then put on your “clean” night time clothes. You’ll feel better crawling into your sleeping bag at night if you’re not feeling disgusting.
• Bring a clean pair of underwear for each day. And always clean down there before putting them on.
• Your hair is going to be dirty. I recommend headbands/buffs.
• If you are going on a multiday backpacking trip, you are going to smell. There’s no avoiding it. You’re going to re-wear clothes, you’re going to sweat, and you’re not going to get a real shower. Try to accept it.

The Tour du Mont Blanc – Italy, Switzerland, and France. Epic backpacking.

Leave Trip Details with Someone

Send your trip details to someone you trust. Give them an itinerary, let them know when you’ll contact them when you’re done hiking, and tell them when to notify authorities if they haven’t heard from you. Make sure they have exact details of where you’ll be hiking/camping.

How to Find Your Campsite

It is helpful to find a well-traveled backpacking trail for your first backpacking trip. Pick one that either has a map of the designated sites or one that you know you’ll be able to spot sites pretty easily.

Your site should be at least 200 ft / 70 steps from the trail.

Try to pick a level spot.

If you find a spot that looks like it’s been used by other campers for their tent, set up your tent there too. It’s better for nature to re-use spots than to make new tent sites.

Do the Camp Chores before You’re Too Tired

I always arrive at the campsite, throw down my pack, and want to just REST.

Butttt you have some camp chores you have to do before you can settle in and rest for the night. I recommend doing them before you’re all cozy.

Camp chores always take longer than you think, so eat a snack before starting them if you’re at all hungry. And exchange your boots for camp shoes – chacos or moccasins.

If you’re backpacking with a buddy, designate one person to start cooking and one person to set up the tent and sleep stuff.

Here are your chores:

1. Gather enough water for the evening and the next morning. Filter/purify it.
2. Figure out where you’ll go to the bathroom and where you’ll cook.
3. Cook. Allow time for dehydrated meals to rehydrate. Do your dishes right after you’re done cooking and eating.
4. Set up your tent.
5. Set up the inside of your tent. Blow up your pad and lay out your sleeping bag and pillow. If you’re in bear country, make sure nothing smelly makes it into your tent.
6. Get out your headlamp and/or lanterns.
7. RELAX. Play cards, tell stories, etc.
8. Right before bed, make sure all your smelly items are in a bear canister away from your tent.

Enjoy It.

Backpacking is truly one of life’s greatest joys. Enjoy the extraordinary moments — the sunrise, the epic views along the way, the sounds of nature.

Backpacking Tips for Beginners

Wellllll what did I miss? I’ll happily add extra backpacking tips for beginners if you share some in the comments. This is all about helping others get outdoors.

More on Backpacking:

• The Best Backpacking Trips in Colorado. 17 trails!
• Backpack Cracker Lake in Glacier National Park. This would be an amazing first backpacking trip!
• The W Trek in Patagonia. Seriously, the most astounding place.

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