Planning a Backpacking Vacation: Finding the Perfect Destination

It is the perfect time to choose your backpacking trips for the coming spring and summer. There are hiking trails and campsites in National Parks, National Forests, and other wilderness areas where you have never been, or where you cannot wait to return to. Reservations are required for most of the prime wilderness sites so get them in early. Choosing the right destination and route to get there can be as much fun as actually taking the trip.

There are factors to consider.

Time. Just how long will your boss let you have for vacation, or are you lucky enough to be your own boss? The number of vacation days will have to be split between travel to the trail head, backpacking in and out, and the trip back home.

Lucky for us the internet is rife with information about backpacking trails all over the world. Most of them have been hiked by someone who wrote about it and even posted pictures of their trip. You can read about their experiences, what they saw, and the difficulties they faced on their chosen route. Your first inkling of a destination can be found this way.

Be honest about your, and your hiking companions skill and physical conditioning levels. You do not want your backpacking trip to be a torture session. That twenty mile hike might lead to a pristine wilderness untouched by other travelers, but you have to get their first; then you have to be able to enjoy it. Overtired, grouchy hikers do not make for good companions.

What month you are going is important. It will determine what the terrain conditions (snow, mud, etc.) will be, what types of animals you might encounter, what plants will be blooming, and how many other hikers might be on the same trails.

Research the destinations and available routes before making a final decision. The internet can be of great value here, but do not forget the power of a simple phone call, too. Locate a topographical map of the area you want to hike in to, or Google Earth it and see the terrain for yourself. Using a topographic map can show you how much elevation gain you will encounter per mile traveled. This is the perfect time to learn how to read a map if you do not already know how. You can order a map of your chosen area from USGS or other online resources. Local outfitter stores like REI also sell these maps.

Rules for wilderness backpacking are different depending on the area you are going in to. It is important to know and follow them because Park Rangers roam these places and they will ticket you for infractions. Camping in the wrong place can result in a ticket costing hundreds of dollars that can be avoided with a little research.

The National Park Service has a website that is a great place to begin. It will link you to National Parks in your chosen state and to the rules and fees that will apply.

National Forests are overseen by the U. S. Forest Service. They have a comprehensive list of all National Forest campgrounds.

Here is where the telephone becomes a excellent resource. Call the Ranger station nearest your possible destinations. Ask for information about the areas. Terrain, weather, flora, fauna, and level of use are known to the Rangers and they will gladly fill you in. Sometimes they can surprise you with a suggestion of destinations you had not thought of. One our favorite backpacking destination was given by a Park Ranger in Rocky Mountain National Park.

Once you have chosen your destination it will time to check your gear and plan your meals so that they pack well and taste delicious. Read up on the flora and fauna you might find. Plan to bring a good camera, pair of binoculars, and a notebook to record your experiences. Backpacking journeys are more fun when you are prepared and have some ahead knowledge of the area.