Plan Your Activity

• 1). Research and decide what type of activity you want to be the focal point of your backcountry adventure. This will lead you to consider things such as location and time of year. Most wilderness areas prohibit mechanized transport of any sort, such as ATVs or even bicycles, so if you want to a mountain biking backcountry overnight trip, you will need to find areas that allow it.
  
  
• 2). Pick the season for your trip. Backcountry trips are not just about summer hiking. For instance, in Colorado you can take backcountry hut trips that involve skiing to well-stocked huts in beautiful wilderness settings. Spring trips can be about climbing Denali in Alaska, boating the Colorado River, getting eaten alive by black flies in the northeast while hiking in mild temperatures or about beautiful hiking weather in the south. Summer can offer excellent opportunities for boating, fishing, climbing and hiking in almost all locations, but fall offers cooler weather, no bugs and trees that look like a kaleidoscope of color.
  
  
• 3). Go online and look at the various national parks, national forests and Bureau of Land Management areas near where you want to go. In many of these locations, multiple forms of recreation are possible, so you can experience a variety of adventures on your backcountry journey.
  
  
• 4). Get permits if they are required well before your trip. For instance, if you want to raft or kayak the Grand Canyon, you may have to wait several years for a permit. Many states require permits or licenses for fishing and hunting as well.
  
  
• 5). Plan your trip thoroughly, listing what gear you will need and what type of menu you want. This will depend on what type of backcountry trip you want to do. For instance, at the huts available for backcountry ski trips in Colorado, a stove is provided, so all you need to do is bring in food. The stoves also allow much more flexibility in terms of menu planning than a simple backpacking or expedition stove will allow. If you are camping off trail, factor in the weight of the tent, sleeping bag and pad, stove, food and clothing, and spread it out among your party.
  
  
• 6). Take a first aid class before you go. Backcountry adventures can provide memories for a lifetime, but if you get hurt in the backcountry, rescue can be hours away, so knowing basic first aid and carrying a kit can mean the difference between life and death.