There are few things in life better than being out in the wilderness. For us, backpacking with our kids tops the list! There’s just something about disconnecting from our devices and spending time together out in the backcountry.
Attempting a trip of this nature can be daunting for first timers – but we’re sharing our top eight tips on everything you need to know before you head out for an overnighter with your littles.
1. Make a Plan
Every backpacking trip should start with a fair bit of planning. Hiking your family miles into the wilderness overnight with only what you can carry is no minor endeavor. There are several risks involved and there is potential for real danger, but proper planning can help you avoid many of them and can also significantly improve your chances of having a good time.
One of the single greatest factors that will impact the success of your trip is the route you choose. There are many well-established, family-friendly backpacking trips out there. Don’t feel the need to create your own or start with the premise that you are just bringing your kids along on the backpacking trip YOU want to do. This trip is not about YOU. It’s about the tiny humans in your care and making sure they have a positive experience that leaves the door open to more epic family adventures as they grow.
Our family prefers high elevation loop hikes with plenty of trees, water, and scenery. The potential for wildlife sightings is also a bonus! However, when planning a family backpacking trip, distance, elevation gain, and trail conditions should always take precedence when selecting a trail that is appropriate for your family.
We recommend starting easy – with one to two nights max. Ideally your family has a few day hikes under its belt, and you have a pretty good idea of what kind of mileage your children are capable of. Choose a daily mileage that they can achieve comfortably. A good rule of thumb is to keep the daily mileage under half of the age of the youngest member of your family. If your youngest child is eight years old, four miles per day should be your maximum.
Do not overlook elevation gain! A three-mile hike may be nothing for your family on a day hike but throw in 1,500 feet of elevation gain and 60-pound backpacks and you are in for a suffer fest! Limit your elevation gain to no more that 200 feet per mile.
Once you have identified a potential trail, be sure to check on the expected trail conditions for the time of year you plan to do your hike. Do your best to avoid excessive daytime temperatures, and nighttime temperatures below 40 degrees, especially with young children. It’s also a good idea to check trip reports from previous years to help you identify any seasonal conditions that may impact your trip.
2. Prepare for Your Trip
Once you have chosen a trail that is appropriate for your family, you’ll need to start preparing for your trip. First, you’ll need to decide on a date that works with your family’s schedule and has the best chance of avoiding unfavorable trail conditions. If you are planning a Spring hike, be mindful of cold nighttime temperatures, snow on the trail, and stream crossings that can be made dangerous by heavy spring runoff. Lower elevation hikes tend to be a better bet in Spring. In Summer, avoid excessive heat and be mindful of mosquitos and wildfires. Summer is a great time to tackle high elevation hikes, just be mindful of the amount of elevation gain you are taking on and be alert to early signs of altitude sickness.
Once you settle on a date, you’ll need to research local regulations and make sure you secure a backpacking permit if one is required. Many popular backpacking trips are now subject to quotas that limit the number of backpackers that can depart from any given trailhead each day, and competition for permits can be fierce. Some of the most popular trailheads fill up minutes after permits are made available, so be sure to secure your permit as soon as you know your dates.
If you have never been backpacking before,you’ll need to gather all the gear you need for your first family backpacking trip. You’ll also want to be sure to test out all new gear, and any old gear that you haven’t used in a while. Nothing is more frustrating than hiking miles into camp only to discover that your sleeping pad has a leak or that your water filter isn’t working properly.
Backpacking tents (especially trekking pole supported tents) require some practice to set up quickly and correctly. We highly recommend practicing setting up your tent in the backyard prior to your trip. If you find yourself in inclement weather, you don’t want to be fiddling around with the directions and cursing at the sky while your family huddles under a tree watching on.
Involve the kids in the planning process at a level that is appropriate to their age and backcountry experience. For younger kids, this may mean showing them a map of the area you plan to hike, as well as helping them identify and mark your route. You can also mark your desired camp spot with an X and let them carry the map and help navigate for added fun. Kids love maps!
Depending on your hike, and the age of your children it may be fun to set a mission for your trip. It may be to swim in an alpine lake, catch a specific fish, or snap a photo of a particular animal.
This is also a good time to download offline maps for the trailhead area in case you can’t locate it and find yourself without service. Print all trail maps and download your route if you will be using an app to guide you.
3. Get Your Gear in Order
If you have never been backpacking before, selecting all the necessary gear can be intimidating. One could easily dedicate an entire book to this topic, and many have. Andrew Skurka’s Ultimate Hiker’s Gear Guide is the best resource we have come across on this topic, and we would highly recommend it for anyone seriously interested in dialing in their backpacking gear and systems. Most of what you will read below is covered in his book in much greater detail but will serve as good starting point for those looking for a general overview of what’s needed for a successful family backpacking trip.
A Backpacking Gear Checklist for Families:
- 58-Liter Backpacks (the minimum size) for the adults
- A lightweight tent that fits everyone comfortably
- Sleeping bags
- Sleeping pad(s)
- Backpacking Stove, Fuel & Lighter
- Cookware & Utensils
- Water Filtration System
- Water Bottle(s)
- First Aid Kit
- Gear Repair Kit
- Toiletry Kit (Including a small trowel to dig a cathole and a sealable bag to pack your toilet paper all out)
- Navigation Device/Printed Map
- Headlamp
- Portable battery bank/charging cords
- Bear canister or bear bag
- Trekking poles
- Lightweight, Moisture-Wicking Clothing (No Cotton) & Rain/Down Jackets
Optional Items:
- Camera
- Field guides
- Book/reading materials
- Card games or dice
- Binoculars
- Two-way radios
- Lightweight hammock
- Waterproof bags/cases for phone, camera, and other electronics.
4. Keep Your Packs Light
When we backpack with our two young sons, we end up carrying the bulk of the load. This includes most of the items listed above. Kids should carry between 10%-20% of their body weight. There should be no more than 10% in a pack not specifically designed for backpacking. Also, be prepared to carry their pack if needed. (This will likely happen!)
For our kids, we let them pack in the items that will keep them entertained, like books and card games, in addition to snacks and their sleeping bags/down blankets. Pro tip: an appropriately sized stuffed animal can double as a pillow!
5. Pack Plenty of Food
This isn’t the time to decide that your kids need to start eating healthy. Pack chocolate, gummy candies, marshmallows, chips, snack bars – whatever you know they will eat without complaint. We mix in healthier snacks as well, but only ones that the kids eat regularly in the front county. Mac & Cheese is an easy backcountry meal, and one that they are likely already accustomed to.
For our first night, we usually bring a frozen meal like ravioli, which will thaw out by the time it’s dinner. We’ve also taken frozen bacon and pancake mix for a delicious breakfast the next morning! We also pack freeze-dried meals from Backpacker’s Pantry or Mountain House.
6. Have a First Aid Kit
We always take a first aid kit with us on every backpacking trip. You don’t need anything fancy — just a baggy with bandaids, Neosporin, antiseptic wipes, non-adherent gauze pads, a Swiss Army knife, Leukotape, eyedrops, Advil, Tylenol, Benadryl and anti-diarrhea pills. There are also emergency kits out on the market that are already prepared, like North Star Survival. These have all the necessities you’d need for 72 hours in case something goes wrong.
7. Get Out There & Have Fun
Now it’s time to get out there and enjoy your backpacking trip! Take the time to stop and explore the things your kids find interesting. A random bug, scat or odd-shaped rock is as good an excuse as any to break up your hike.
If you have more than one adult in your party, it’s usually a good idea to have one in the lead and one in the rear with kids in the middle. Don’t be afraid to pair off when necessary to split up children who aren’t getting along or need to be separated to avoid negative feedback loops.
Expect complaining but model a positive attitude. If they complain of pain and discomfort, be sure to assess the situation. Blisters can be a real problem! Our family likes to talk about the kids’ favorite topics, make up fun games, discuss the history of the area and find new plants, insects or wildlife along the trail.
This is also a great opportunity to teach your children some basic backcountry skills. Teach them to set up a tent, use a camp stove, collect firewood, build a fire, help make dinner, catch a fish, administer basic first aid, and discuss what to do in case of an emergency in the backcountry. Teach them how to poop in the woods and practice proper backcountry hygiene.
8. Leave No Trace
With any time outdoors, please look up follow the Leave No Trace principles – and share why that’s important with your kiddos. It’s your duty to protect Mother Earth. Make sure to pack out any and all garbage with you before you leave.
Kids need to spend time outdoors. Backpacking is a great way to help them appreciate all the beauty and adventure that nature offers – and bond as a family. We hope these tips help you prepare for your first family backpacking trip!
