Maybe you’re someone who loves hiking and every year can’t wait for your annual friends’ camping trip… which might fall off the calendar if it weren’t for your committed planning. Maybe you love following along with AT/CDT/PCT hikers on social media and find yourself wondering if that could ever be you. 

Whatever has brought you to want to start backpacking, welcome. Backpacking is a humbling yet empowering hobby and something you can enjoy for the whole length of your life. I can emphatically say that my first backpacking trip altered the course of my life and I am better off for it.

My first backpacking trip was with a guiding company. After the trip, I was dying to get back on trail but I didn’t know anyone who wanted to get out there as often as I did. I was still a beginner, and was not (still, am not) confident enough to go out alone. But I felt this incessant desire to spend as many nights outside as possible. Living in NYC, I was certainly in a minority. 

I spent two years feeling hindered and restrained by how often my few outdoorsy friends would go backpacking with me. I was frustrated knowing that I needed to spend more nights out there to gain experience and confidence. If this is your goal and you’re in a similar boat, here are some ideas to help you get out on trail on a more regular basis, without going totally solo.

Make sure to review a Backpacking Guide before pursuing any of these options!

1. Book “Walk-Up” Campsites through recreation.gov

Many federally owned full-service campgrounds will have walk-up sites in addition to your general car camping spots. These are a great way to practice backpacking while remaining a short distance from your car and other campers. 

On Recreation.gov, use the “Walk/Hike To” filter to identify these sites. Then, click on an available site and scroll down to the “Allowable Vehicle / Driveway Details” for more information as to how far form your car you will walk to reach the site. If it isn’t detailed there, read the “Need to Know”. At some of the campgrounds, the walk-to sites will be merely 40 feet from your car. Others this will be several miles, with everything in between. Read the amenities and reviews to find something comfortable at your experience level.  

Use the short walk options to build comfort with your gear and supplying everything you’ll need for a night out on your back. Then build up to the further campgrounds!

2. Attend a Highlander Adventure – a “Hands-Off” and Low-Cost Guided Backpacking Option

If you’re willing to spend a little for a group backpacking experience, check out Highlander Adventure. Started in Croatia, and with trips all over Europe, Highlander is now hosting several trips a year in Big Bear, California. The company’s stated purpose is “to make multi-day hiking accessible, simple, and fun for everyone.” And I just think that’s freaking awesome. 

On a Highlander Adventure, a large group of people will all hike the same route at their own pace and camp together at night. Highlander provides the route, permits, fuel and food. You show up with your gear and do the hiking. Every night you’ll have a full schedule of events to enjoy at camp, including yoga, movie premieres, expert presentations and physical therapy sessions. 

Highlander trips are much more affordable than your regular guided backpacking trip. I think I paid roughly $550 USD and I feel like I got back what I invested tenfold. Note that you will NOT have a guide with you. You will absolutely have the opportunity to make friends to hike with, or the choice to hike alone if you prefer.

I attended a Highlander trip in Kalispell, Montana in 2023 and haven’t shut up about it since. I met some incredibly accomplished outdoors-people and left feeling so inspired to keep learning and growing as a backpacker. You can read all about it in my post, My Experience Hiking with Highlander Adventure USA.

3. Utilize Meet Up and Facebook to find Backpacking Clubs

This one may feel uncomfortable and a little risky. It certainly did to me, and I didn’t pursue backpacking clubs online for the first two years after my backpacking trip. I ultimately got to the point where I wasn’t going to let any stigma keep me from what I wanted – and I’m so glad I got over it. There are so many people out there like me (and you!) that want to go backpacking and don’t necessarily have friends in their immediate circle that are interested in it. 

I was able to find backpacking groups in my area that regularly plan trips for 5-6 club members. Joining one of these clubs allowed me to get outside on a consistent basis and meet other passionate hikers. I’ve met some very knowledgeable and experienced backpackers by attending trips with clubs on Meet Up, which has only increased my confidence. 

Of course, use your intuition and caution when meeting up with people you meet online. Make sure the group is well established, the organizers are legitimate and experienced, and search for past events and reviews if available. 

Anything you would add to this list for new backpackers? Let me know in the comments!