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Three-Season Backpacking

For hikers carrying everything on their back for 2-5 nights in spring, summer, or fall.

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A starting point for multi-night backcountry trips on maintained trails in mild to cool conditions, for a solo hiker or small group. Assumes you will treat water from natural sources, cook on a stove, and sleep in a tent or tarp. Adapt quantities for trip length, group size, elevation, and bear-country rules; add bug protection in early summer and more insulation in the shoulder seasons.

Check before you go

What's inside

Planning & Permits 6/9

  • Backcountry or wilderness permit (reserve ahead where quotas apply) Check current quota and reservation rules for your trailhead.
  • Trip plan left with a contact: route, trailhead, return time, who to call
  • Paper topo map of the route in a zip bag
  • Compass (and the skill to use it with the map)
  • Weather forecast checked for overnight lows and storms
  • Permits, ID, and car key stored where they stay dry
  • Route notes: water sources, campsites, bailout points
  • Campfire permit if your state requires one for stoves or fires Required in California outside developed sites; check your state and current fire restrictions.
  • Trailhead parking pass or fee Check current trailhead requirements.

Pack, Shelter & Sleep 4/7

  • Backpack (40-70 L) with rain cover or pack liner
  • Tent, tarp, or bivy with stakes and guylines
  • Sleeping bag or quilt rated for the expected lows
  • Sleeping pad (check R-value for cold nights)
  • Tent footprint or groundsheet
  • Inflatable pillow or stuffable pillowcase
  • Tent-pole repair sleeve and pad patch kit

Kitchen & Water 10/12

  • Backpacking stove
  • Fuel for every meal plus a reserve
  • Lighter plus waterproof matches or firestarter
  • Pot with lid and pot grabber
  • Bowl or cup and spoon
  • Food measured per day plus one extra day's worth
  • Bear canister, hang kit, or other approved food storageHard-sided canisters are required in many areas; check current rules for your route.
  • Water bottles or bladder (2-3 L capacity)
  • Water filter or purifier
  • Trash bag to pack out all waste
  • Backup water treatment: chemical tablets or drops
  • Biodegradable soap, small sponge, and gray-water strainerWash 200 ft from water and scatter strained gray water.

Clothing 7/10

  • Hiking boots or trail shoes, broken in
  • Wool or synthetic hiking socks (2-3 pairs)
  • Moisture-wicking shirt and hiking pants or shorts (no cotton)
  • Insulating layer: fleece or puffy jacket
  • Rain jacket (and rain pants in wet climates)
  • Warm hat and lightweight gloves
  • Sun hat and sunglasses
  • Base layers for sleeping
  • Camp shoes or sandals (also for stream crossings)
  • Gaiters

Safety, First Aid & Navigation 6/9

  • First-aid kit with blister care, tape, and personal medications
  • Headlamp with fresh batteries plus spares
  • Whistle
  • Emergency shelter: space blanket or bivy
  • Knife or multi-tool
  • Sunscreen and SPF lip balm
  • Satellite messenger or PLB (register a PLB with NOAA, free)Most routes have no cell coverage.
  • Phone with offline maps, in airplane mode, plus battery bank
  • Insect repellent and/or head net

Hygiene & Waste 3/7

  • Trowel for catholes 6-8 in deep, 200 ft from water, trails, and camp
  • Toilet paper in a zip bag (pack it out where required)
  • Hand sanitizer
  • WAG bags where human waste must be packed outRequired in some high-use and alpine areas; check local rules.
  • Toothbrush and travel toothpaste
  • Quick-dry towel
  • Menstrual products and sealable bag to pack out

Tools & Repair 0/5

  • Duct tape (wrapped around a bottle or trekking pole)
  • Cord (50 ft) for bear hangs, guylines, and repairs
  • Stove repair kit and spare parts
  • Needle and thread, zip ties, safety pins
  • Trekking poles

Extras 0/3

  • Camera, journal, or cards
  • Sit pad or ultralight chair
  • Earplugs

Sources 2026-10-07

Rules, fees and conditions change. Verify with the official source before you go.

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