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Megan and Michael wearing their backpacking gear with mountains in the distance

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Backpacking 101

Backpacking is the ultimate way to disconnect and immerse yourself in nature. Browse our resources to help you get out on the trail, from gear reviews and checklists, awesome recipes and backpacking meal ideas, and trip inspiration to help you plan your next adventure.

Backpacking Gear & Tips

Woman hiking in the Cascade Mountains with fall foliage

Complete Backpacking Checklist {Packing List & Backpacking Essentials}

Megan crouched on a log with the Katadyn BeFree filter cap and bottle

The Best Backpacking Water Filters and Purifiers of 2024

Woman cooking a meal on a backpacking stove.

The 7 Best Backpacking Stoves of 2024

Megan is sitting on the ground and is reaching into a bear barrel

Everything You Need to Know About Bear Canisters for Backpacking

Backpacking Cooking

Dehydrated risotto in a backpacking pot. A man is lifting up the lid.

Backpacking Cooking Gear Guide

Megan is sitting on the ground outdoors placing the lid on a backpacking pot that is in a cozy

How to Make an Insulated Cozy for Backpacking

Michael sitting with his backpacking cooking kit and the Cascade mountains in the background

63 Easy Backpacking Food Ideas

Megan is sitting on a rock next to a campfire stirring a pot of food

11 One Pot Backpacking Meals to Make Trailside Cooking Easy

Colorful dehydrated fruit and vegetables with fresh fruit around

The Ultimate Guide to Dehydrating Food

Michael holding a backpacking pot filled with ramen with mountains in the distance

33 DIY Backpacking Recipes – Lightweight & Calorie Dense

A backpacking tent with a mountain in the background

The Ultimate Guide to Vegan Backpacking Food

Man cooking a backpacking meal with mountains in the background.

The Ultimate Guide to Gluten Free Backpacking Food

All Backpacking Food

Michael sitting with his backpacking cooking kit and the Cascade mountains in the background

63 Easy Backpacking Food Ideas

A person holds an open green snack pouch labeled "LivBar" with a small portion of a cherry matcha bar visible, standing on a dirt trail.

27 Backpacking Snacks to Stay Fueled on the Trail

Pasta with pesto sauce, pine nuts, and sun dried tomatoes in a bowl.

Creamy Pesto Pasta (Backpacking Meal)

Ramen noodles with peanut sauce in a backpacking bowl on a rock.

Chili Lime Peanut Noodles (Backpacking Meal)

Overhead view of a bowl of mushroom stroganoff

Backpacking Mushroom Stroganoff

Paella in a backpacking pan

Dehydrated Seafood Paella

Ingredients for cowboy caviar in a container

Cold Soak Cowboy Caviar

Close up of yogurt, granola, and fruit in a blue bowl

Backpacking Yogurt Parfait

Megan is sitting on a rock next to a campfire stirring a pot of food

11 One Pot Backpacking Meals to Make Trailside Cooking Easy

Five fruit rolls stacked

Apple Ginger Fruit Leather Recipe

Hand holding a pot with beef stroganoff

Dehydrated Beef Stroganoff

A backpacking pot filled with a burrito bowl backpacking meal

Backpacking Quinoa Burrito Bowl

Megan holding a plastic container full of pasta salad. She's picking up a spoonful.

Cold Soaked Pasta Salad

Megan holding a pot and using a spoon to scoop up chili mac.

Dehydrated Chili Mac

Man cooking a backpacking meal with mountains in the background.

The Ultimate Guide to Gluten Free Backpacking Food

A backpacking tent with a mountain in the background

The Ultimate Guide to Vegan Backpacking Food

Megan dipping a cracker into a bowl of hummus

Dehydrated Roasted Pepper Hummus

Michael holding a backpacking pot filled with ramen with mountains in the distance

33 DIY Backpacking Recipes – Lightweight & Calorie Dense

Colorful dehydrated fruit and vegetables with fresh fruit around

The Ultimate Guide to Dehydrating Food

Minestrone in a grey backpacking pot with a purple spoon

Dehydrated Minestrone Soup

Megan holding fried rice in a backpacking pot

Backpacking Fried Rice

A pot of risotto on a log

Dehydrated Risotto with Vegetables

Megan holding a handful of homemade granola

Maple Glazed Trail Mix

Sriracha trail mix on a wooden surface

Sweet and Spicy Sriracha Trail Mix

Megan holding a blue bowl of dehydrated tortilla soup

Dehydrated Tortilla Soup

Michael holding a backpacking pot filled with pasta

Dehydrated Backpacking Pasta Primavera

Overhead view of Megan holding a green backpacking bowl full of apple quinoa porridge

Dehydrated Apple Cinnamon Quinoa Porridge

Red lentil marinara and pasta in a backpacking pot with a blue spoon

Dehydrated Red Lentil Marinara

Strawberries and cream quinoa porridge in a bowl on a rock

Dehydrated Strawberries & Cream Quinoa Porridge

A blue bowl of sweet potato stew on a natural background

Backpacking Sweet Potato & Peanut Stew

Megan and Michael holding bowls full of mashed potatoes, stuffing, and chicken and gravy.

Backpacker’s Thanksgiving Feast

Blueberry coconut oatmeal in a backpacking pot set on a natural background.

Blueberry Coconut Oatmeal

Coconut chocolate granola dotted with raspberries in a green bowl

Coconut Chocolate Granola

Woman holding a cashew chicken salad wrap

Sweet & Spicy Cashew Chicken Salad Wrap

Man holding a green backpacking bowl full of apricot ginger oatmeal

Apricot Ginger Oatmeal

Woman holding a blue bowl full of raspberry quinoa porridge.

Raspberry Coconut Quinoa Porridge

Fruit leathers rolled up and stacked in a tupperware container.

Tropical Fruit Leathers

Side view of teriyaki beef jerky stacked on a napkin.

Teriyaki Beef Jerky

Lentil chili in a backpacking pot with two spoons

Red Lentil Chili

Hummus in a green backpacking bowl on a rock

Backpacker’s Hummus Bowl

Woman holding a green bowl of Thai red curry rice

Thai Red Curry Rice with Peanut Coconut Sauce

Megan picking up a spoonful of apple crisp

Apple Crisp Backpacking Dessert

A close-up of vibrant, homemade fruit leather rolls in red and dark purple colors, suggesting a tasty and natural snack option.

How to Make Fruit Leathers

A backpacking pot of couscous, chicken, and dried apricot pieces. A hand is reaching in with a spoon.

Backpacker’s Moroccan Chicken Couscous

A backpacking pot of chili and a spoon resting in the grass.

Quinoa Chili

20+ Simple Backpacking Meal Ideas using items from Trader Joe's

22 Simple Backpacking Meal Ideas from Trader Joe’s

Assorted instant coffee packets on a camp table next to a red mug

10 Instant Coffees for Backpacking

Blueberries topped with granola in a skillet with two hands and spoons reaching in

Backpacker’s Blueberry Crisp

Angel hair pasta and bacon jerky in a backpacking pot

Backcountry Carbonara

An assortment of backpacking food from Trader Joe's displayed next to a bear barrel

The Best Backpacking Food from Trader Joe’s

Megan holding a pot of jambalaya and scooping up a spoonful

Spicy One Pot Jambalaya (Backpacking Recipe)

Megan with a spoonful of granola next to a bag of granola

Pecan and Maple Granola in a Bag

Ramen noodles, vegetables, and broth in a backpacking pot. A hand and spoon are reaching in.

Revamped Backpacking Ramen

A pot with couscous, chicken, and green olives

Backpacker’s Chicken Marbella

Scrambled eggs and red peppers on a plate

Backpacking Breakfast Scramble with Spinach and Sun Dried Peppers

Megan holding a granola bar wrapped in white parchment paper

Chewy Chocolate Goji Granola Bars

Peanut butter noodles in a backpacking pot

Vegan Saucy Peanut Noodles

To backpacking tents set up at Cathedral Lake

Vegetarian Weekend Backpacking Menu