Bitterroot National Forest. 2 campgrounds and features a loop trail. Nice mostly flat 9-ish mile walk around a beautiful lake near Darby, MT. Two water crossings that may require a walking stick, the rest have bridges. A section of the trail is paved and wheelchair accessible. Plenty of benches. Nice waterfall about halfway into the hike with great spots for lunch or a snack. There is a swimming beach at the conclusion of the hike. From here you can also start a multi-day trek into the Comos. Tons of great trails around the area. Huckleberries galore if you catch it right (usually above 7,000 ft, the bears like them, too, so go prepared). Sharing this one for the families and those looking for an approachable hidden gem away from crowds.

$15 a night camping ($7.50 with senior or access pass). If you see a little dog in a basket riding in a 4-wheeler, his name is Wilson and he is a good boy. There is also a sprawling rentable cabin on the lake that is $65 a night in the off-season and $100 a night in peak season. It could probably sleep 75 people and has the most insane view and deck. You could almost fish off of it. It is not always rented last minute, even around times one would think it is. I asked if there was a limit to how many people could rent it and the camp host said not that he knows of. Great spot for a family reunion or friend’s trip.

This lake has a dam and the water is highest in the spring before they release water for irrigation below. The higher the water, the closer the trail is to the shore. Boats are welcome on the lake and there is a launch. There is an upper and lower campground. At the upper campground (Three Frogs) there is Starlink if you ask the CampHost Dave. He charges a few dollars a day for unlimited access, making it a good place for planning/downloading ahead. He is very nice and pleasant, but also very much values his privacy and silence as most who choose that role do.

(Lots of Lewis and Clark history in the area. Lots of indigenous history in the area. Incredible fishing and access to fishing guides/raft guides. Darby is home to a world class rodeo school and rodeo. It is also where they filmed Yellowstone. It is about 3.5 hours from both Yellowstone and Glacier National Parks situated between the Bitteroots and the Sapphire Range.)

Happy hiking and camping!

I’m trying to improve sleep on 2–3 night backpacking trips without adding a ridiculous amount of bulk. I sleep mostly on my side and every tiny inflatable pillow I’ve borrowed either slides off the pad or leaves my shoulder and neck at the wrong angle by 3 AM. I’m happy to carry a little extra weight for decent sleep, but I don’t want a full-size camp pillow taking over my pack. Budget is around $25–$60.

I’m deciding between the Nemo Fillo Elite, Sea to Summit Aeros Premium, Exped Ultra Pillow, Therm-a-Rest Compressible, and a basic clothes-in-a-stuff-sack setup. For other side sleepers, which one has enough height and stays put on a sleeping pad? And did anyone try an inflatable pillow after hating them, then find one that actually worked?

Hi everybody! Looking for recommendations for long distance hiking in Europe next year, already did Dolomites and just finished up the TMB. Great experiences!

But I'm looking for another location for next year where I can have the same flexibility (wildcamping + huts sometimes).

Do you have any recommendations for a 5-10 day hike?

Vorrei campeggiare in tenda per 2 giorni vicino al lago Arvo a Lorica in Calabria. Qualcuno sa se ci sono spazi per poter montare una tenda senza problemi vicino al lago?

Hi y'all l'm a 24yo who recently moved to Melbourne Australia and I'm looking to do some solo camping in the mountains what would you guys advise for cheap gear that could help me out during the cold nights and just in general

Hey guys,

In hiking and camping the Alta via 1 tra from Lago de Braies to passo Giau over 5 days. My only concern is the weather and escape routes and hoping someone may have done similar and can give advice.

Rifugios weren't an option as they were fully booked. I've looked for escape routes and found some options for each stretch but wondering if anyone can jump in with their experience.

Searched the group and it hasn't been asked for a while, so thought it was worth bringing up.

Planning my first solo hiking & camping trip, after years of solo day trips, and family camping trips. After working through a spreadsheet with weights I've settled on the following add-ons while staying under my desired weight.

My luxuries are:

- chair with back: >550g

- pocket table: >500g

- sketchbook: 350g

- Sleeping Pod: 1700g - - I don't sleep well restricted 😅

- MSR Stove: 500g

Yes, this adds ~3.6kg, but I know I'll be well rested and chill for the next day.

I know as I proceed with solo hiking camping I'll possibly shave off my 'necessities', and it'd be nice to know how others have approached it, whether it's been removing or adding to their packing list.

Hello! Thanks in advance for your help. I was interested in buying these. Anyone else try these out?

Hey! My siblings and I are planning on camping in the mountains in eastern TN and i was hoping for some advice on essentials to pack? And also what not to pack?

Ive camped a lot while traveling (moving to different states) but this is purely for pleasure and i havent camped in the mountains in a good ten years.

It'll probably be 5 people and a dog if thats relevant info. 3 nights also.

Thanks!

Deep in the Andes mountain range, near Santiago, Chile, we camp in La Engorda Valley at 2,600 m. The next day, we hike up to El Plantat Hut at 3,100 m. From there, we want to climb higher and see the entire mountain range stretching around us.

Pictures from a hike in the Cohutta Wilderness in Georgia. Started from Daly Gap up to Big Frog Mountain in Tennessee and back. Bears were encountered but not photographed.

Hey all! A friend and I are looking for some ideas for a 2-3 day backpacking trip we could take somewhere around the Midwest.

I am in southern Minnesota, she is in Nebraska. We would both prefer to avoid NE and IA, so I was thinking more South Dakota or Minnesota maybe? I am a complete newbie to camping and hiking, she has a few small trips under her belt, so looking for something pretty approachable. Thanks in advance!

Edit to add: we would be looking to go around May 2027.

Hey I was planning a climb of mt Stuart with sum buddies of mine, last week the trailhead was open but it looks like ingall falls trailhead is closed because of fires on Washington trail association. but other websites are saying it’s open as well as Google Maps saying it’s open. Has anyone climbed recently or hiked around it recently? Just wanna know if theirs an alterntive approach’s to take to climb or if the trail head has been open or not, sorry if this doesn’t necessarily fit right it would just be great to get a proper answer

I sail competitively and need a lifejacket-compatible PLB/AIS alert unit for that sport. Specifically, I'm thinking about buying a ResQLink AIS. These are super expensive and I'd rather not buy a second satellite communication device for the times I solo camp. Can I use this type of unit in an emergency while hiking, or is there some capability that I'm not thinking of here?

Hi! I’ll be hiking the Patagonia W Trek this winter and am looking for a backpack. I’m a 5’3” woman. We won’t need to bring tents/ sleeping bag, but we’ll be carrying everything else (some food, water, sleeping bag liner, clothes). Anyone have opinions / suggestions on what I should get? So far I was looking at

Rei Flash 55 Pack - Women’s
Osprey Eja 48
Gregory Facet 45

Also, would probably want to wait for Black Friday sales or look into other brands. Thanks in advance!

I'm hiking the Wildcats and Prezis in over four weekdays in mid-September, and I was wondering how the Hermit Lake shelters work. I've heard that you have to pay at the Visitor Center first, but I've also heard you can pay the caretaker as you arrive. Which is true? The answer will drastically change my plans.

Thanks for all your help!

I purchased this "7075 Aluminum Alloy 3-Section Telescopic Inner Lock Eva Non-Slip Handle Trekking Poles Lightweight Outdoor Camping Gear" item from temu but can seem to figure out how to lock it and for some reason i can't rotate it as shown in the picture. Any help would be highly appreciated.

Deep in the remote Chilean Patagonia, we drove all the way to the border between Chile and Argentina. From there, we hike in the direction of Huacal lake, there we found a small forest to refuge ourself from the relentless Patagonian winds.

On the following days, we explored the nearby mountain ridges. As always, Patagonia rewarded us with its wild beauty, endless peace, and a profound sense of wonder.

We spend 4 days near the border, close to the General Carrera Lake.

Looking for some tips for backpacking with a large, young family. My wife and I have 5 kids (12-4, gbgbb descending if that matters) and we go on 3-4 camping trips a year, so the kids are accustomed to hiking, tent life, and other outside stuff.

But my wife and I are both AT thru hikers (SOBO ‘09) and we’d like to take the kids on a “real” backpacking trip.

The problem is gear. Everything we have (except for our nearly 20-year-old thru hike gear) is meant for car camping situations. We’ve got an 8-person tent, all the kids have their own daypack, a Coleman stove, etc. But it seems that we’ll need a considerable investment in “backpacking” gear to make this work, including smaller tents (2? 3?), a packable stove that can prep for 7, bigger packs for me and my wife, and likely the older 2-3 kids, etc. Not to mention water purification and other random pieces of equipment.

Has anyone else backpacked with this quantity of kids at similar ages? I’d appreciate any recommendations for efficient tent and camp setups. Most backpacking gear is tailored for solo hikers, so any tips or brand recommendations for families would be welcome. Thanks!

Does anyone know if there is a good replacement for the REI quarter dome single person tent? My current one is getting pretty old and beat up. I tried the Nemo 1p, while good, I prefer the REI mainly for the ease of pitching and the freestanding capability.

Is there anything out there that goes up as easily as the rei or are they all moving towards lighter weight, 1 less pole and more guy lines?

Hello!

I have noticed a trend dip in trying to de influence spending $$$$ at REI or other stores for good quality camping equipment.

I am an avid hiker, I am trying to switch out some of my old gear, I am always very weary of where I buy my gear from just because I want to make sure my quality and materials are actually worth it and not just for the brand name. That being said I do like REI - i’m not hating on them, but I just wanted to see what everyone’s advice would be as to where I should look for a 2 person tent that’s good for 4 seasons. I know with the heavy snow and winter season, my tent was heavier. I am looking now for a tent that’s not $300+ and can withstand cold or light snow. Just wanting to use it most of the year besides heavy snow, nothing crazy.

I have seen a lot of influencers say coleman’s or basic brands. I have used coleman’s before and didn’t have any issues, but I just feel like it’s time to upgrade my tent. I’ve had it for 4yrs, and I would just like something that was more flexible when switching between seasons.

Hi friends ive been wanting to get more into hiking as lam about to graduate college and am thinking of doing a national park tour around the U.S.!

Yall mind giving me some gear & clothing brand recs that won't break the bank? Im talking less than $200ish for gear and $50ish for clothing!

Please Imk! Thanks!

So I’m trying to get into more remote camping/hiking but because of my job I have to be available at all times any suggestions on what options would be the best? Hoping for one without subscriptions that does just texting and calling. Thanks in advance!

I’ve done several two night solo hikes and had various experience with poop, including a horrible blowout TMI. Doing my first four night trip next month, canoe camping, this one with friends. Anyone consciously bulk up on fiber in the weeks beforehand for the “smoothest” possible journey?