Camping at Crater Lake National Park
I took a quick summer trip to Crater Lake for a few days of camping, hiking, and sightseeing with my sister.
Your Guide to Hiking, Backpacking & Camping in the Pacific Northwest
Review: REI Flash Air 1 Backpacking Tent
The REI Flash Air 1 tent is a good option for those looking for a lightweight one-person tent that doesn’t break the bank.
Snowgrass Flat Backpacking Trip – Goat Rocks Wilderness
This trip was shortened due to my getting heat exhaustion, but Goat Rocks was still a beautiful place to spend a couple of nights.
Review: Cressida FX Carbon AS Trekking Poles
The Leki Cressida FX Carbon AS poles for women feature a lightweight folding design, ergonomic cork grips, and built-in anti-shock — making them well-suited for long days on the trail.
Review: REI Traverse 35 Pack
Spacious, comfortable, and built to last, the REI Traverse 35 is a versatile pack designed for all-day adventures. Thoughtful features make gear access easy, while excellent padding ensures a comfortable carry.
Review: Mountain House Backpacking Meals
Mountain House is a go-to for backpackers, yet I’d never tried their meals, so I recently sampled multiple options – including three new flavors. From creamy comfort food to some misses, here’s what I thought about each.
Review: Backpacker’s Pantry Backpacking Meals
Backpacker’s Pantry offers a solid lineup of freeze-dried meals that strike a good balance between taste, convenience, and price.
Review: Gomoku Freeze-dried Mixed Rice
Gomoku Mixed Rice is a freeze-dried rice meal with vegetables and subtle Japanese flavors — a unique backpacking option that stands out from typical trail fare, especially when paired with extra protein.
Review: Outdoor Vitals Altitude Sun Hoodie
The Altitude Sun Hoodie from Outdoor Vitals is one of the lightest top layer options available – both in weight and in breathability. Made from a moisture-wicking mesh-like fabric, this is my top choice for hiking in hot weather.
Burnt Lake, East Zigzag Mountain & Cast Lake Backpacking Trip – Mount Hood
On this two night backpacking trip, we hiked in to Burnt Lake to setup camp and day hiked to East Zigzag Mountain and Cast Lake.
Beginner Backpacking Trips in Oregon & Washington
These nine backpacking trips are suitable for beginners, with short distances to campsites and minimal elevation gain. Locations range from low elevation forests to the Olympic Coastline in Washington, to the Central Oregon Cascades.
Backpacking Trips Featuring Pacific Northwest Rivers & Creeks
The Pacific Northwest is teeming with scenic rivers and creeks. These backpacking trips feature some of the best destinations for backcountry camping with the sound of rushing water to lull you to sleep.
North Fork Skokomish River Backpacking Trip – Olympic National Park
Located in the Olympic National Park, the North Fork Skokomish River Trail is a great low elevation trip for the spring when water levels are running high in the cascading river and the lush forest is filled with many shades of green.
North Fork Skokomish River Backpacking Trip – Olympic National Park
A low-elevation early summer adventure in Olympic National Park: vibrant forest, cascading river, high bridges, and quiet campsites along the North Fork Skokomish River Trail.
Packwood Lake Backpacking Trip – Goat Rocks Wilderness
A great early-season backpacking destination, Packwood Lake is surrounded by old-growth forest and the ridges of Goat Rocks Wilderness.
Best Day Hikes in the Columbia River Gorge
The Columbia River Gorge is famous for its waterfalls, lush forests, and wildflowers – and a vast trail network for hikers to explore this diverse landscape.
Netarts Spit Hike – Oregon Coast
Located on the Oregon Coast’s Three Capes Scenic Loop, Netarts Spit is accessed via Cape Lookout State Park. The spit is a 5-mile long narrow section of beach that separates Netarts Bay from the ocean.
Review: MSR Hubba Hubba LT 1 Backpacking Tent
The MSR Hubba Hubba LT 1P is a lightweight, freestanding backpacking tent that combines thoughtful design and premium materials – perfect for solo adventurers who value quality.
Cape Lookout State Park campground
The campground at Cape Lookout State Park provides access to an undeveloped 7-mile section of sandy beach – perfect for beach walks, kite flying, and sunset viewing.
Harris Beach State Park campground
Camping at Harris Beach State Park in Brookings provides access to one of the most scenic sections of the Oregon Coast, including Harris Beach and the Samuel Boardman Scenic Corridor.
Ohanapecosh campground at Mount Rainier
The Ohanapecosh campground, in the southeast corner of Mount Rainier National Park, is surrounded by lush old-growth forest with the scenic Ohanapecosh River running through the campground.
Redwoods National Park – Elk Prairie campground
Elk Prairie campground, located in the Prairie Creek Redwoods State & National Park near the coast in northern California, provides access to a large number of hiking trails in the redwoods.
Sunset Bay State Park campground
The campground at Sunset Bay State Park provides access to a stunning section of the Oregon Coast, including Shore Acres and Cape Arago. Camp here and walk to scenic viewpoints via a network of coastline trails.
Sutton Campground
Located north of Florence, Oregon, Sutton Campground provides great access to the Oregon Dunes for hiking and exploring.