Your first backpacking trip comes with a lot of questions.
How much is my pack going to weigh? What if it rains? What if I can’t keep up? What am I supposed to eat? What if I don’t know how to set up my tent? And, perhaps most importantly, what have I gotten myself into?
The good news? You don’t need to have everything figured out before you hit the trail.
Backpacking is a learning experience, and some of what you’ll learn isn’t on a packing list. With the right preparation, an appropriate route and a willingness to learn as you go, backpacking can be one of the most rewarding ways to experience the outdoors.
So before you lace up your boots and head into the wilderness, here are 10 things we wish every first-time backpacker knew.
What Should You Know Before Your First Backpacking Trip?
If you’ve never spent a night in the wilderness, backpacking can feel intimidating. You’re carrying everything you need, traveling farther from roads and cell service, and navigating conditions that can change throughout the day.
But you don’t need to become an expert before your first trip.
Start by choosing a trip that’s appropriate for your experience level, learn the basics, prepare for the conditions you’ll encounter, and give yourself permission to learn along the way.
Here are 10 things that can make your first backpacking experience a whole lot better.
1. You Don’t Need to Be an Expert Hiker
You don’t have to be an ultramarathoner, a lifelong backpacker, or someone who spends every weekend summiting mountains to enjoy a backpacking trip.
What matters more is choosing a route that’s appropriate for your experience, showing up prepared, and being willing to take things at your own pace.
Many first-time backpackers are surprised by just how much they can accomplish once they’re actually out on the trail.
That doesn’t mean you should sign up for the hardest trip you can find on your first attempt. Distance, elevation gain, terrain, weather and pack weight all affect how difficult a backpacking trip will feel.
Instead, choose an adventure that gives you room to learn.
You don’t have to be “a backpacker” before you go backpacking.
That’s how you become one.
2. Your Backpack Doesn’t Need to Be Ridiculously Heavy
There’s a common misconception that backpacking means carrying half your house into the wilderness.
It doesn’t.
A well-planned pack should contain everything you need to stay safe and comfortable without bringing every item you own.
Your shelter, sleeping system, clothing, food, water, first-aid supplies and other essentials all add weight, so thoughtful packing can make a significant difference. Before your trip, take a look at what you’re bringing and ask yourself whether each item is something you actually need.
And don’t feel like you need to buy an entirely new gear closet before your first trip.
If you’re joining a Lasting Adventures guided trip, gear is provided, including the essential equipment you’ll need for your adventure. That means you can experience backpacking before investing hundreds or thousands of dollars in equipment.
You may discover that you love sleeping under the stars before deciding whether you really need that $400 sleeping pad.
→ Check out our guide-approved backpacking gear
3. Weather Can Change Quickly
Mountain (and coastal!) weather has a personality of its own.
A sunny morning can turn into an afternoon rainstorm. Temperatures can drop quickly after sunset. Wind can pick up unexpectedly. And conditions at higher elevations can be completely different from what you experienced at the trailhead.
That’s why checking the weather is only part of preparing for a backpacking trip.
Look at the forecast for the entire area you’ll be traveling through, pay attention to elevation and understand what conditions are possible during your trip. Check trail and road conditions before you leave, too.
Your clothing and gear should be appropriate for the conditions you might encounter, not just the conditions you hope to get.
That means layers, adequate rain protection, sun protection, and a warm enough sleeping system for overnight temperatures.
The takeaway: Pack for the weather you might get, not just the weather you hope for.
And yes, bring the rain jacket.
4. Blisters Are Not a Badge of Honor
Your feet are doing a lot of work out there. Treat them accordingly.
Comfortable footwear is one of the most important pieces of equipment you’ll bring on a backpacking trip. Whatever shoes or boots you choose, make sure you’ve spent time wearing them before your trip.
Pay attention to hot spots, or areas where your skin is beginning to rub or feel irritated. A hot spot that’s easy to address early can become a much bigger problem if you ignore it for several more miles.
Good socks can help, too. Keep your feet as dry as possible, and don’t be afraid to stop and make adjustments if something doesn’t feel right.
One of the best backpacking skills you can develop is simply paying attention to your body.
A little prevention can save you a whole lot of discomfort down the trail.
5. You Will Probably Eat More Than You Expect
Hiking all day tends to make food taste exceptionally good.
Your body is working harder than it does on a typical day, so fueling along the trail is an important part of keeping your energy up.
Don’t wait until you’re completely exhausted before you eat. Regular snacks throughout the day can help you maintain your energy, especially on longer or more challenging hiking days.
Carbohydrates can be particularly useful for providing readily available energy, while protein and fats can help make meals and snacks more satisfying.
And then there’s the psychological benefit of trail food.
That dinner you’ve been thinking about since mile three?
It will probably taste even better when you’ve carried it into the wilderness yourself.
Pro tip: If you’re feeling sluggish, thirsty or unusually tired, take a break, drink some water and have a snack before deciding you can’t go any farther.
6. Going Slower Is Often Better
Backpacking isn’t a race.
The goal isn’t necessarily to reach camp as quickly as possible. A sustainable pace gives you time to enjoy the scenery, take breaks, drink water, eat snacks and actually notice where you are.
You’ll also have more energy when you arrive at camp, which is a pretty nice bonus.
Pay attention to how you’re feeling rather than comparing your pace to the person in front of you. Everyone carries a different pack, has different hiking experience and responds differently to elevation and terrain.
And remember that you’re not just traveling from Point A to Point B.
You’re there to experience the landscape in between.
Slow down. Look around. You’re here for a reason.
7. Your Guide Isn’t Just There to Navigate
A good backpacking guide does a lot more than point at a trail and say, “This way.”
Guides help with navigation, route decisions, weather awareness, group management, wilderness skills and emergency preparedness. They can teach you how to travel responsibly through the environment you’re exploring and help you make good decisions when conditions change.
They’re also there to answer the questions you might not even know you should be asking.
Why are we taking this route? What’s that plant? How do you know where to camp? What happens if the weather changes? How do you read this map?
A guided trip can be a chance to learn by doing rather than trying to absorb everything from a checklist before you leave home.
At Lasting Adventures, our guides bring extensive wilderness experience and training to the trail, but they’re also educators, problem-solvers, storytellers and sometimes the people who convince you that you absolutely can go one more mile.
That’s one of the biggest benefits of a guided trip:
You get to learn while you’re doing.
8. Leave No Trace Is Everyone’s Responsibility
The wilderness isn’t a theme park.
We’re visitors.
That means learning how to minimize our impact, from properly managing waste and food to respecting wildlife, staying on designated trails and leaving natural objects where we found them.
The Leave No Trace principles provide a framework for making responsible decisions outdoors, whether you’re spending a few hours on a local trail or several days in the backcountry.
And responsible recreation isn’t just about protecting the landscape. It’s also about respecting the people and wildlife who share it.
At Lasting Adventures, environmental stewardship and responsible recreation are part of every adventure. Our guides teach Leave No Trace principles and help participants understand how their choices affect the places they’re exploring.
The goal is simple:
Leave the wilderness as wild as you found it.
9. The Hardest Part Can Be Getting Out of Your Comfort Zone
There’s a moment on almost every first backpacking trip when you think:
“Okay… I don’t know if I can do this.”
Maybe it’s sleeping outside for the first time.
Maybe it’s hiking farther than you’ve ever hiked.
Maybe it’s being away from cell service.
Maybe it’s figuring out how to make yourself comfortable in a tent while the wind is doing something strange outside.
And then something happens.
You realize you can do it.
That’s one of the things we love most about backpacking. The trail has a funny way of showing you that your comfort zone is considerably larger than you thought.
You don’t have to feel completely comfortable to be capable.
Sometimes the most rewarding part of an adventure is realizing that something that seemed intimidating before the trip is now something you know you can handle.
10. The First Night Outside Might Be the Most Memorable
Your first night sleeping in the wilderness can feel a little strange.
There’s no hum of traffic. No refrigerator running in the background. No familiar bedroom around you.
Instead, there are trees moving in the wind, stars overhead, the sounds of the wilderness settling in for the night and the feeling that you’re somewhere genuinely removed from everyday life.
Maybe you spend a few minutes sitting outside your tent after dinner.
Maybe you look up and realize just how many stars you can see.
Maybe you wake up before sunrise because you’re too excited to sleep.
And once you unzip your tent the next morning and see where you are?
That’s when it starts to make sense.
How Do You Prepare for Your First Backpacking Trip?
You don’t need to train like you’re preparing for an expedition, but some preparation can make your first trip much more enjoyable.
A few things that can help:
Practice hiking. Build up your time on your feet before your trip, especially if you’re going somewhere with significant elevation gain.
Take a few walks with your loaded pack. This gives you a chance to adjust the fit and discover whether something rubs or feels uncomfortable before you’re miles from the trailhead.
Break in your footwear. Never make your first long hike in brand-new footwear.
Practice with your gear. Set up your tent, learn how your stove works and become familiar with your sleeping system before you need to use everything at camp.
Know your route. Understand the distance, elevation gain, terrain, expected conditions and where you’ll be camping.
Prepare for the unexpected. Weather changes, minor injuries, navigation challenges and other surprises are all possibilities in the backcountry. Know what your plan is if something doesn’t go as expected.
Most importantly, choose a trip that matches your current experience and fitness level. There’s plenty of time to work your way toward bigger adventures.
What Should You Bring on Your First Backpacking Trip?
Your exact gear list will depend on the destination, season and length of your trip, but most backpacking trips require some version of:
- Backpack
- Tent or other shelter
- Sleeping bag or quilt
- Sleeping pad
- Appropriate hiking footwear
- Layers and weather protection
- Food and snacks
- Water and a way to treat or filter it
- Navigation tools
- Headlamp
- First-aid supplies
- Sun protection
- Personal medications and essentials
- Emergency and communication equipment appropriate for your trip
Don’t let that list intimidate you.
If you’re going on a guided trip, your outfitter should provide a detailed packing list and let you know which equipment is provided and what you’ll need to bring yourself.
→ See Lasting Adventures’ guide-approved backpacking gear
Frequently Asked Questions About Backpacking for Beginners
Is backpacking hard for beginners?
It can be challenging, but your first backpacking trip doesn’t have to be extreme. Distance, elevation gain, terrain, weather, pack weight and altitude can all affect difficulty. Choosing an appropriate route and preparing ahead of time can make a big difference.
How far should a beginner backpack in one day?
There’s no universal mileage that works for every beginner. A five-mile hike with significant elevation gain can feel much harder than a longer hike on relatively flat terrain. Consider distance alongside elevation, terrain, pack weight and your own experience when choosing a trip.
What should I eat on a backpacking trip?
Bring foods that provide enough energy for your activity level and that you’ll actually enjoy eating. Many backpackers rely on a combination of meals and easy-to-eat snacks throughout the day. Carbohydrates can provide quick energy, while protein and fats can help make meals more filling.
Should I go backpacking with a guide for my first trip?
A guided trip can be a great way to learn the basics without having to figure out every aspect of backcountry travel on your own. A knowledgeable guide can help with navigation, route decisions, wilderness skills, logistics, safety and Leave No Trace practices while you gain experience on the trail.
Do I need to buy all my backpacking gear before my first trip?
Not necessarily. Renting or borrowing equipment can be a good way to figure out what you like before investing in your own gear. Many guided trips also provide essential equipment, which can make getting started much easier.
Ready for Your First Backpacking Adventure?
You don’t have to figure it all out on your own.
From permits and gear to meals, navigation, wilderness education and everything in between, Lasting Adventures’ guided backpacking trips are designed to help you experience the wilderness while learning along the way.
Whether you’re spending your first night in the backcountry or you’re ready to take your backpacking skills to the next level, we’ll help you get there.
You don’t have to be a backpacker before you go backpacking.
You just have to start.