How To Plan A Destination Backpacking Trip

If you know where to look, you can find some amazing backpacking routes within driving distance to your home base. If plans change or something happens that requires you to return home, it’s no big deal. These types of trips are a great place to start and for saving money! But some of the world’s epic backpacking routes require some advanced planning and logistics. International backpacking can mean traveling between cities and hostels, but for the purposes of this article we’ll be referring to more backcountry travel along trails. 

Find A Trail

There are tons of options for barely-trafficked trails, but many of the famous trails (they’re famous for a reason–natural beauty, incredible scenery…) limit the number of overnight hikers allowed to preserve the trail’s integrity, environmental quality and the quality of the experience for everyone hiking. Many of the famous routes in national parks, for example, require permits well in advance. 

Secure Permits and Reservations

So you chose a trail at a destination location and decide to make a trip out of hiking it. You may have specific dates in mind, but before booking any flights, rentals or hotels, priority number one is securing permits and reservations for campsites on the trail. Read regulations and park service websites for detailed information about how to do this. The last thing we want is to fly across the country only to find out all of the campsites on the trial have been reserved for months already! Learn about the specific land management agency’s system for reserving permits and go from there. 

Figure Out an Itinerary

Once you have your dates lined up and permits settled, it’s time to build the rest of your trip itinerary around that. It’s a great idea to build in some extra days at the front or back end of the trip to explore a new area and have some time to do last-minute shopping for the trail, or even hike other trails in the area. 

Book Transportation

Next, figure out the best way to get to your final destination. The app Hopper is great for monitoring airline prices and notifies you of the best predicted times to buy plane tickets. Keep in mind that when flying, you’ll be traveling with a lot of backpacking gear which can get heavy and bulky. Certain items like fuel canisters and bear spray aren’t even allowed on airplanes, so check airline regulations and be careful packing. To save weight, consider buying food and other necessary items for the trail once you land and can run to a grocery store or outdoor retailer near the trailhead. 

Book The Other Stuff

If you fly into an area, you might need a rental car to get to the trailhead. Keep in mind the road conditions around the trailhead and what kind of vehicle you may need to be able to handle rough roads. If you plan on staying a few extra nights on either end of the hiking trip, book hotels or Airbnb’s in the necessary locations. Or, do some research and find some great places to car-camp in the meantime and save some money! 

Packing Time!

While researching the trail and area you plan to hike, it’s a great idea to call a local outfitter or ranger to ask questions about gear. Your standard backpacking kit used in one region of the country may work great, but there could be helpful gear you never thought of for a new area. Things like bear canisters, extra water reservoirs, and ice grippers for shoes are some examples. Buying or renting this stuff ahead of time is a good idea in case availability at the final destination is limited. 

Be Flexible

The best attitude to have when doing anything outdoors-related is one of flexibility! Weather, road closures and wildlife can all impact a trip and be completely out of your control. For peace of mind, research the area and have some backup plans ready just in case to avoid stress and scrambling last minute. Not everything goes according to plan but with some smart planning and research your odds of a fantastic backpacking trip are significantly increased!

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