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Grizzly bear Grizz 399 stands on two legs in a meadow, surrounded by her four cubs.
Gaia GPSOut and Back Podcast

Meet Grizzly Bear 399, the Most Famous Bears in the World

by Mary Cochenour
written by Mary Cochenour

The Queen of the Tetons has emerged from hibernation—with a cub! At 27 years old, Grizzly Bear 399 now holds the record for oldest bear to reproduce, and she’s the oldest mother bear in the greater Yellowstone ecosystem.

Every year, hundreds of fans stake out in Grand Teton National Park awaiting her return from her winter slumber. She had last been spotted in mid September. That left many of her fans worried. So when Griz 399 and her cub emerged on the evening of May 16, onlookers including Jill Hall cried, the Jackson Hole News & Guide reports.

The cub in tow this week is Griz 399’s 18th, over the course of eight litters. For more than a decade, Griz 399 has been living her best bear life in the front country of Wyoming’s Grand Teton National Park. Thousands of tourists, wildlife watchers, and photographers flock to the park’s Pilgrim Creek area to catch a glimpse of Griz 399 and her cubs feeding on an elk carcass, scrounging for berries, and taking naps in the sun, all before the public’s eye.

Griz 399’s fame exploded in 2020 when she crawled out of her winter den with four tiny cubs in tow. Wildlife watcher Maureen Matsen has been scouting wildlife in Grand Teton National Park for 40 years. Viewing animals in their natural habitat helps Matsen de-stress from her high-stakes job as an ICU nurse. She says the feeling when Griz 399 comes into view is palpable.

“The adrenaline is super high; the excitement is super high,” Matsen says on episode 16 of the Out and Back podcast

. “And the minute she appears or one of those cubs pokes up its head, you just hear the ‘click, click, click, click, click, click, click’ of all the cameras going off. It’s just such a funny thing. I almost thought I’d just start filming these photographers because of the joy on their faces.”

Grizz 399 and her four cubs walk down the side of the road away from the camera in Grand Teton National Park.
Griz 399 on high alert as she shepherds her four cubs down the side of the road in Grand Teton National Park. Photo credit: Maureen Matsen

For many, Griz 399 embodies resilience and hope. Matsen is among them.

“It’s just giving people a lot of hope during a year where we’ve all dealt with a lot of really hard things,” Matsen says. “I think it’s been just this uplifting good news that this bear exists and that you have a chance of seeing her if you go up there.”

Griz 399 and her four cubs making their way through the sagebrush. Photo credit: Tom Mangelsen

Wildlife photographer and conservationist Thomas Mangelsen has been documenting Griz 399’s life for almost 15 years. Tune into episode 16 of the Out and Back podcast, in which he sheds light on how this majestic and wild bear mastered navigating crowds of tourists who come to the park just to see her.

“She will outfox most of us,” Mangelsen says. “We’ll be looking down the road, but she’ll just go through the willows and say ‘I don’t want to go through the crowd. I’ll just take the kids across the road down by the creek.’ We just laugh at it, because she’s so damn smart.”

Tom Mangelsen looks towards the camera as he sits in a field with his long-lens camera set up on a tripod. Snowy Tetons loom into the cloudy sky in the distance.
Mangelsen waits for wildlife to appear in Grand Teton National Park. Photo credit: Tom Mangelsen

Mangelsen says Griz 399 is a special bear because she appeals to human emotion. He recalls Griz 399 mourning her cub after it was hit by a car and killed. Mangelsen saw the distraught Griz 399 “sobbing” on the roadside near the body of her cub, grieving much like a human mother would.

But as cuddly and adorable as Griz 399 and her cubs appear, they are not domesticated animals. Grand Teton and its neighboring Yellowstone National Park are not zoos by any stretch of the imagination. These parks are home to wild animals that can attack if provoked. Park officials remind wildlife watchers to keep a safe distance of 100 yards or more, watch animals from the safety of a vehicle, and use binoculars to view animals from far away. Never approach wildlife.

Grizzly bears can be dangerous if people get too close for comfort. That’s what happened in 2007, when Dennis Van Denbos unknowingly walked into Griz 399’s space during an early morning outing at the Jackson Lake Lodge. The bear charged at Van Denbos. He hit the deck and suffered several bites from 399 and her three yearling cubs before people intervened.

“They’re just going to eat me,” Van Denbos thought. “There’s nothing I could do. There’s no way I could fight off four grizzlies.”

In this episode of Out and Back, Van Denbos gives a blow-by-blow account of the encounter. Though his injuries took months to heal, he explains that he felt no animosity for the mother bear and was relieved that wildlife officials spared her life following the attack.

Montana based journalist Todd Wilkinson says this decision to let Griz 399 and her cubs live proved to be a pivotal moment in grizzly bear recovery in the Greater Yellowstone ecosystem. Since then, Griz 399 has expanded her ever-growing family tree, producing multiple sets of healthy and vibrant cubs.

Todd Wilkinson smiles for the camera while sitting in a sunny field at the base of the Tetons.
Wilkinson enjoys a sunny day in the Tetons.

“She’s been this amazingly fertile bear, and the cub production comes from a mother that’s getting good nutrition,” Wilkinson told us in 2020. “The number that’s been used is seven litters, including three sets of triplets, plus one quadruplet.”

At 27 years old, Griz 399 has become a grandmother bear many times over. Everyone was surprised when she woke from hibernation in 2020 with four cubs — a highly unusual event in bear reproduction. Now that she’s long in the tooth, her fans are wondering how long she’ll live.

Don’t miss this episode as Wilkinson and Mangelsen discuss the many dangers grizzly bears face in the lower 48. They dive into Griz 399’s ability to adapt, crediting her intelligence for her long life and survival against the odds. Tune in to hear the details of why Griz 399 sticks so close to the road, what kind of mother she has become, and how you may or may not see this famous bruin if you visit the park.

Learn more about Griz 399 by visiting her Instagram page. Read her Wikipedia page and Mangelsen and Wilkinson’s glossy-paged book: Grizzlies of Pilgrim Creek. See Mangelsen’s photography by visiting his gallery in Jackson, Wyoming, or follow him on Instagram. Read Wilkinson’s non-profit Mountain Journal to discover public interest issues facing the Greater Yellowstone ecosystem and for a greater understanding of the inter-relationships between people and nature in the American West. Follow Maureen’s beautiful wildlife and landscape photography on Instagram.

Special thanks to Maureen Matsen, Dennis VanDenbos, Thomas Mangelsen and Todd Wilkinson for contributing to this show.

The cover of "Grizzlies of Pilgrim Creek: An Intimate Portrait of 399" shoes Grizz with three of her cubs walking down a beach.
Cover of “Grizzlies of Pilgrim Creek.” Photo credit: Tom Mangelsen

Episode Highlights

4:00: Wildlife watcher and amateur photographer Maureen Matsen grew up looking for wildlife when she was on long road to Grand Teton National Park. To keep them entertained, Maureen’s dad would pay her and her siblings cash if they spotted an animal.
5:15: Maureen seeks out wildlife as a way to download the stress of her job an an ICU nurse.
5:45: Maureen seeks out all kinds of wildlife in the park but bears, because they are not an every day sighting, are the piece de resistance.
6:10: Grizzly Bear 399 has very distinct markings: a heart-shaped face with blonde coloring down her snout.
7:05: Grizzly Bear 399 lives along the roadside in the Pilgrim Creek area of Grand Teton National Park.
7:20: Hundreds of people line the roads just to get a glimpse of 399. But on Maureen’s first outing this year, she missed the chance to see 399 and her cubs.
8:30: The pandemic has been heavy and these animals have brought so much hope and joy in such trying times.
9:20: Maureen went back a few weeks later and Grizzly Bear 399 popped out of the sagebrush trailing four little cubs behind her. And the crowd goes wild.
11:28: This bear is being stalked by hundreds of tourists and professional photographers just trying to get a glimpse of 399’s glory. The joy when she appears is palpable.
12:50: Professional Wildlife Photographer Tom Mangelsen describes the return of grizzly bears to Grand Teton National Park. A grizzly bear showed up on his back porch in 2006. That was his introduction to Grizzly Bear 399.
14:30: Tom recalls that last year, Grizzly Bear 399 was fatter than ever before. He speculated she would have triplets.
14:45: Griz 399 surprised everyone when she came out of hibernation with four tiny cubs.
16:50: Todd Wilkinson has written about Grizzly Bear 399 for National Geographic magazine and then collaborated with Tom Mangelsen to publish a book: Grizzlies of Pilgrim Creek.
17:25: Grizzly Bear 399’s life has been more dramatic to watch as the years go on.
18:00: Bears are not fearsome creatures; they only want to protect her young.
18:50: 399 lives along the road because it’s safer for her babies, and she does all of her bear business with a grandstand of people around her.
20:20: The front country has turned out to be the perfect habitat for Griz 399, who has raised seven litters along the roadside over the years.
21:43: Griz 399 has exuded amazing tolerance for human beings; she can navigate cars and hundreds of people without “losing her cool.” Tom says Grizzly Bear 399 has become a master at navigating crowds.
23:45: But not so fast. Grizzly bears are dangerous and wildlife officials advise to keep your distance, stay in your car, and never feed a bear.
25:00: Dennis Van Denbos was at the wrong place at the wrong time in 2007. He was mauled by Grizzly Bear 399 and her then yearling triplets. He lived to tell us about it.
28:21: Griz 399 jumped out of the bushes about 20 feet away and charged at Dennis. Three “teddy bear shapes” stood in the background.
29:25: Dennis saw this striking image with the sun shining on her — a sight Dennis will never forget. Dennis started to back away but stumbled off the road.
31:10: Dennis is face-to-face, eye level with Griz 399. And she charges.
31:50: Dennis hits the deck and Griz 399 and her three cubs bite him in the back and backside.
32:50: “They’re just going to eat me.” Dennis contemplates the end of his life.
33:00: People intervened and Dennis survived. Dennis understood why she attacked, she was feeding on a carcass and was stressed. He would have been very disappointed if the park had decide to kill Griz 399 because of the attack.
37:30: The decision to let Grizzly Bear 399 live after the mauling of Dennis turns out to be a pivotal moment in Grizzly Bear recovery in the Greater Yellowstone ecosystem. Griz 399 went on to have multiple sets of cubs.
38:40: Grizzly Bear 399 displays emotions humans can relate to.
40:00: After the death of her cub “Snowy,” Grizzly Bear 399 “balled” and grieved her baby’s death. Tom describes how distraught the bear was.
41:00: Grizzly Bear 399 is 24 years old, and that makes her a grandmother bear who isn’t expected to live much longer.
41:50: Todd explains how grizzly bears face many dangers in the world: human encounters and traffic.
42:00: We have this homegrown nature safari in the Yellowstone ecosystem.
42: 15: Todd describes how the story of Griz 399 brings us all together.

Next Episode: The Year of the Fastest Known Time with Buzz Burrell

The pandemic canceled nearly all the running races this year, but that only fueled the fire for pent-up athletes to take down the “fastest known times” on many classic and iconic routes around the world. Next time on the Out and Back podcast, Shanty and Mary catch up with Buzz Burrell, well-known “father of the fastest known time,” about everything FKT. Buzz takes us through the rise of the FKT objective, what makes a solid FKT route, and how his popular Website fastestknowntime.com documents new records. With a 30 percent increase over last year’s records, Buzz describes the allure of the solitary push for a fastest known time.

Buzz Burrell runs down a snowfield on Mt. Rainier in a white-out. He's carrying an ice axe and shouldering a cord of rope.
Buzz Burrell runs down Mount Rainier.

Buzz has championed many FKT’s of his own, including the first John Muir Trail and Colorado Trail speed records. He set records on Yosemite’s signature and scary Half Dome route, the 100km “O” Circuit in Chile’s Torres Del Paine National Park, and Zion’s Angel’s Landing. A trail running legend, Buzz was the visionary of some of the most sought after and iconic lines in Colorado, including the L.A. Freeway and Milner to Berthoud Pass, sometimes known as the “Pfiffner Traverse.“

In this episode, 68-year-old Buzz breaks down the realities of aging, reminding us that no one can stop the clock. Buzz implores us to keep moving even as the years creep up. You won’t want to miss this down-to-earth chat as Buzz delivers his tips to keep moving and gives us this year’s round-up of robust FKT activity. Plus, you’ll never guess what indoor activity Burrell has mastered.

Learn more about FKT at fastestknowntime.com. Listen every Friday to the Fastest Known Time podcast with host Buzz Burrell and featuring some of the fastest athletes on the planet.

Last Episode: Trails, Trials, and The Trek with Zach “Badger” Davis

In case you missed it, check out the last episode of Out and Back where Shanty and the Real Hiking Viking team up to interview Viking’s good friend and hiking legend Zach “Badger” Davis. Thru-hikers may know Badger as the founder of the popular backpacking resource, The Trek. Badger has also written Appalachian Trials and Pacific Crest Trials, psychological guides to tackling the Appalachian and Pacific Crest Trails.

In this episode, Badger reveals the path from thru-hiker to the creation of community on the Trek and his popular podcast Backpacker Radio. Shanty, Viking, and Badger rifle through the different skillsets needed to thru-hike the AT, PCT, and CDT. They discuss how thru-hiking has evolved over the past decade. And all three of them share how the trail serves as therapy, including the inexplicable catharsis of accomplishing the seemingly impossible. Listen through to the end to learn Badger’s favorite off-the-beaten-path backpacking trip. Seasoned and aspiring thru-hikers alike won’t want to miss this episode to learn how to find the light at the end of the dark, green tunnel.

Learn more about Badger on theTrek.co. Follow Badger’s adventures on Instagram, and tune into his podcast, Backpacker Radio. You can also hear more hilarity from Viking on his first Out and Back appearance from earlier this season.

Meet the Hosts

the host of the podcast Andrew Baldwin wearing an orange hat and blue jacket with a frosty beard, smiling

Andrew “Shanty” Baldwin

In 2019, host Andrew Baldwin completed a southbound thru-hike of the Appalachian Trail. After five months on the trail, Baldwin returned home to pursue a career in voice acting. A friend of the Gaia GPS company, Baldwin was a natural choice for hosting the Out and Back podcast.

In each Out and Back episode, Shanty strives to bring you conversations with people who spend an extraordinary amount of time outdoors. Listen in as Shanty taps into each backcountry expert’s superpower so that you can take their knowledge and experience with you on your next adventure.

Mary smiles while lying down and resting her head on a rock. She's wearing a purple jacket, gloves, and a black buff around her ears.

Mary Cochenour

Mary is the Out and Back podcast producer and a writer and editor at Gaia GPS. Before joining Gaia GPS, Mary worked as a lawyer, newspaper journalist, ski patroller, Grand Canyon river guide, and USFS wilderness ranger. Mary holds degrees in journalism and business as well as a Juris Doctor degree from the University of Montana. Mary is licensed to practice law in Montana and Nevada.

When she is not in the office, Mary works as a guide for Andrew Skurka Adventures in wild places around the west, like Rocky Mountain National Park, Yosemite, and the Brooks Range in Alaska. Learn more about Mary on Instagram. Also, read her tips on how to plan your first solo backpacking trip.

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Joshua Tree National Park at sunset
AdventuresGaia GPSHikes

Discover the Ultimate Winter Getaway with These Ten National Parks

by Mary Cochenour
written by Mary Cochenour

Some of America’s national parks are best visited in the winter. The off-season brings the possibility of more solitude, dramatic snow-dusted scenery, and cooler, more comfortable temperatures in areas with extreme summer climates, like the Everglades and Death Valley. Whether you’re craving a warm, summer-like hike in the depths of winter or looking for a snowy adventure far away from the crowds, explore these 10 national parks for a variety of winter-season adventures.

Two sets of footprints cross a sand dune in Death Valley with blue skies overhead.

Desert Adventures

1. Death Valley National Park

Winter brings cooler temperatures and fewer visitors to Death Valley — the hottest place on earth. Located on the California and Nevada border, Death Valley commonly surpasses the 120-degree Fahrenheit mark during the months of July and August. This sweltering summer heat makes outside activities like hiking, biking, and even sightseeing uncomfortable and downright dangerous.

In winter months, you’ll find the less extreme side of Death Valley. From December through February, temperatures cool to the 60s to 70s F in the daytime, making it possible to get out of air-conditioned cars and explore the park’s sand dunes, colorful geological formations, and sunbaked playas, including Badwater Basin, the lowest point in the U.S. at 282 feet below sea level.

Recommended Hikes:

  1. Darwin Falls, 2 miles, 376 elevation gain 
  2. Zabriskie Point Loop 6.8 miles, 827 elevation gain
  3. Sidewinder Canyon, 1.8 miles, 505 feet elevation gain

Winter Tip: Wildrose Peak (9,064 feet) and Telescope Peak (11,049 feet) may be covered in snow, so stick to the lower elevation trails.

2. Joshua Tree National Park

The most unique of all the desert landscapes, Joshua Tree National Park hosts the fuzzy Cholla cactus, interesting rock outcroppings, and the region’s trademark Joshua Tree — a spiky member of the Yucca family found in no other place in the world. The park’s diversity is owed to its varied elevation, ranging between 1,000 and 5,500 feet and spreading across two of California’s deserts, the Mojave and the Colorado.

Even though Joshua Tree sits above sea level, midsummer temperatures swelter around the 100-degree F mark. You can count on spring and fall bringing mild weather and a lot of visitors. Winter, with its chilly daytime highs in the 60s F, attracts fewer crowds but is still comfortable enough to enjoy hiking and rock climbing in this one-of-a-kind desert wilderness. 

Recommended Hikes:

  1. Skull Rock Loop, 1.8 miles, 121 feet elevation gain
  2. 49 Palms Oasis, 3 miles, 349 feet elevation gain
  3. The Maze Loop, 6.2 miles, 393 feet elevation gain

Winter Tip: Expect wild temperature swings from day to night and don’t be surprised by the occasional snow storm in mid-winter season. 

A desert canyon, with steep rock walls and a calm river flowing through the bottom of the canyon.

3. Big Bend National Park 

With over 150 miles of trails, Big Bend National Park presents a winter hiking paradise with balmy daytime temperatures averaging in the 60s F and the chance of snow slim to none. Located in a remote area of southwest Texas along the border of Mexico, Big Bend’s enormous landscape offers a variety of desert terrain that stretches from the banks of the Wild and Scenic Rio Grande at 1,850 feet to the 7,832-foot Emory Peak in the Chisos Mountains. In between the summit and the river, explore desert slot canyons, dry washes, and barren landscapes. 

As a general rule, count on a 20-degree F temperature variance between the highest and lowest points in the park. This variety in temperature makes it easy to select a hike with a comfortable climate no matter what the forecast. Hike the trails near the river for warmer weather and head high into Chisos Mountains for cooler temperatures. Because of this varied elevation, Big Bend is home to a diverse ecosystem, with over 1,200 species of plants, 450 bird species, and 75 mammal species, including mule deer, black bears, and coyotes. 

Recommended Hikes:

  1. Saint Elena Canyon, 1.4 miles, 564 feet elevation gain
  2. Boquillas Canyon, 1.3 miles, 98 feet elevation gain
  3. Emory Peak, 4.6 miles, 2,402 feet elevation gain

Winter Tip: Avoid Big Bend during the Christmas and New Year holiday season, one of the most popular times of the year to visit the park.

Snowy Mountain Adventures

Wide open snow field with steam rising from geothermal pools, under a blue sky.

4. Yellowstone National Park

With packs of wolves, herds of Bison, roiling geothermal pools, and steaming geysers, Yellowstone National Park offers one of the wildest experiences of any national park. But add a layer of winter into the mix and you’ve just upped the ante. In early November, four of the five roads leading into Yellowstone’s main attractions close to vehicle traffic, turning the park into a snowbound wilderness that is remote, untamed, and uncrowded — a feeling not easily achieved in the summer months when this popular park is crawling with tourists. 

To get to the park’s popular destinations, like the Old Faithful Geyser and the Grand Canyon of the Yellowstone, book a ride on a snow coach, take a guided snowmobile tour, or use your own snowmobile to participate in the park’s non-commercial snowmobile program. Once within the park’s interior, you can explore by ski, snowshoe or snowmobile, visiting steaming hot geothermal pools and exploding geysers. Or you can spend the day watching wildlife — bison, wolves, deer, elk, antelope, and eagles — endure the brutal cold season. Don’t expect to see any Grizzly bears though; they are sleeping the winter away and set to stir sometime in late March.

Recommended Ski and Snowshoe Trails:

  1. Canyon Rim Ski Trail, 4.5 miles
  2. Lone Star Geyser Ski Trail, 9 miles
  3. Observation Point Snowshoe Trail, 2 miles

Winter Tips: If you missed out on reservations for a snow coach or snowmobile ride, take a drive through Lamar Valley, accessible from the park’s north entrance in Gardiner, Montana. This road is plowed and open all year long, but in the winter it dead ends in Cooke City, Montana, a backcountry skiing and snowmobiling destination. The two-lane road travels through Yellowstone National Park’s famed Lamar Valley, where bison and packs of wolves live. Check the park’s webpage here for a list of available winter services. 

Snowy Mount Rainier pokes above the clouds with a colorful, pastel sunset of orange and soft pink hues int he background.

5. Mount Rainier National Park

Mount Rainier National Park, just a two-hour drive from Seattle, averages more than 53 feet of snowfall per year, making it the perfect place to play in the snow for almost six month out of the year. Only the hardiest of mountaineers attempt to summit the 14,411-foot peak in the winter months, but the lower elevations around Paradise and Longmire, offer plenty of opportunities for backcountry and cross country skiing, snowshoeing, winter hiking, and sledding. Hone your winter camping skills in the Paradise area. Be sure to pick up a backcountry camping permit at the Longmire Museum or the Paradise Visitor Center on the day of your arrival.

Recommended Winter Activities:

  1. Longmire Winter Trails
  2. Paradise Winter Snowplay

Winter Tip: Most roads in the park close for the winter, but visitors can access the park from the Nisqually Entrance to Longmire, which is open year-round except in extreme winter weather conditions. Check with the park’s road status page for updates on winter road conditions. The road from Longmire to Paradise opens at 9 am and closes for the night at 5 pm depending on weather, so time your visit accordingly. Never walk, ski, or snowshoe on the road to Paradise because road crews are operating snow plows and heavy equipment even when the road is closed.  

Mountain scenery with blue skies and tall rock face in the background and snow dusted evergreen trees on a field of snow in the foreground.

6. Rocky Mountain National Park

Rocky Mountain National Park, just outside of Denver Colorado, offers all kinds of snow-filled fun, including winter hiking, cross country and backcountry skiing, sledding, snowshoeing, and ice climbing. Before you go, you’ll have to decide whether to visit the east or west side of the park because Trail Ridge Road, which climbs to 12,183 feet and connects the two sides, closes to traffic in the winter months.  

Besides Trail Ridge Road, most of the park’s roads are open to travel, providing access to trails that are popular for hiking in the summer. If there is fresh now, you’ll want some sort of floatation to keep you on top of the snow pack, like skis or snowshoes. Chances are good though, that in popular areas, the trail will already be packed in from other hikers and suitable for walking in boots. Bring traction devices and trekking poles if the trails seem slippery with ice. Rocky Mountain National Park is truly a wilderness adventure, especially in the winter, so be cautious of avalanche danger when traveling within the backcountry of the park. Learn more about winter safety here. Check the park’s trail conditions page here to get updates on conditions for winter hiking or snowshoeing.

Recommended Hikes:

  1. Ouzel Falls 5.5 miles, 905 feet elevation gain
  2. Dream Lake, 1.8 miles, 735 feet elevation gain
  3. Fern Lake, 3.7 miles, 1,391 feet elevation gain

Winter Tip: The east side of the park attracts more visitors in winter months than the west side. The west side of the park gets more snow and offers more solitude.  

Snowy river rocks backdropped by snow covered El Capitan, Yosemite Valley's most prominent monolith.

7. Yosemite National Park

Yosemite’s 3,000-foot granite monoliths and giant pine trees dusted with snow make for a magical winter visit and well worth the 170-mile drive from San Francisco. What’s even more magical about Yosemite in winter is its lack of crowds. Anyone who has ever been to Yosemite in the peak seasons of late spring and summer will appreciate viewing the iconic rock faces of El Capitan and Half Dome in relative solitude. 

The elevation of Yosemite Valley is close to 4,000 feet. Snow can accumulate on the valley floor but usually not enough for snowshoeing or cross country skiing. Trails that ascend from the valley can be snow packed and icy. In addition to hiking, try ice skating at the Curry Village Ice Rink, snowshoeing to Dewey Point, or cross country skiing to Glacier Point. Yosemite also offers downhill skiing, snowboarding, and tubing at the Badger Pass Ski Area.

Recommended Hikes:

  1. Mirror Lake, 2.2 miles, 100 feet elevation gain
  2. Mist Trail, 1.5 miles, 1,217 feet elevation gain
  3. Dewey Point, 4.6 miles, 3,018 feet elevation gain

Winter Tip: Yosemite’s Tioga Pass is closed in winter, making Tuolumne Meadows inaccessible to everyone but backcountry skiers who are interested in a long skin up into the park. A 10-bunk ski hut is available in Tuolumne Meadows on a first-come, first-served basis, firewood included. Wilderness permits are required for overnight visits to the backcountry. 

A frozen waterfall creates an ice column in the forest of Smoky Mountain National Park.

8. Great Smoky Mountains National Park

Straddling the border of North Carolina and Tennessee, Great Smoky Mountains National Park is the most visited park in the nation with more than 11 million visitors annually. Winter is your chance to ditch the crowds. But the price you pay for a lonely, offseason visit will be cool temperatures in the 50s F and the possibility of hiking on snow-covered trails.

The trails in Smoky Mountain National Park wind through old growth forest, along a creek bed, and sometimes lead to a waterfall. If you’re lucky enough to visit after a cold snap, you might get the chance to see interesting ice formations and frozen waterfalls. Expect high temperatures in the 50s and 60s F in the lower elevations of the park with near freezing temperatures at higher elevations.

Recommended Hikes:

  1. Laurel Falls, 1.3 miles, 366 feet elevation gain 
  2. Alum Cave, 2.3 miles, 1,260 feet elevation gain
  3. Andrews Bald, 1.8 miles, 584 feet elevation gain

Winter Tip: Hike in the park’s lower elevations, where light snow falls just a handful of times each year.

Tropical Adventures

Black rocks along the ocean coast line view of Hawai'i Volcanoes National Park.

9. Hawai’i Volcanoes National Park

With year-round temperatures in the 80s F, Hawai’i Volcanoes National Park is your best bet for summer-like hiking in the middle of winter. Better yet, the Big Island’s sunniest days occur in December and January when there is only a 40-percent chance of cloud cover on average. So get out your shorts and sunglasses, and check out the park’s Mauna Loa volcano, considered the largest volcano in the world by both mass and volume, and the Kilauea volcano, the Big Island’s youngest and most active volcano. 

In 2018, the Kilauea volcano erupted. Lava flows gushed into residential areas, destroying hundreds of homes and much of the park’s infrastructure. At the same time, the park experienced thousands of earthquakes that collapsed the Kilauea caldera. Kilauea’s active lava flows are no longer present, and according to the park’s website, there is no molten lava to be seen anywhere in or out of the park. Even so, the park offers an impressive volcanic landscape of old lava flows, steam vents, and craters. 

Recommended Hikes:

  1. Puʻu Loa Petroglyphs, 1.2 miles, 33 feet elevation gain
  2. Waldron Ledge Loop, 2.9 miles, 463 feet elevation gain
  3. Mauna Loa, 13 miles, 2,641 feet elevation gain

Winter Tip: Believe it or not, winter weather can pummel the summit of Mauna Loa volcano which rises 13,678 feet above sea level. Temperatures at the top of Hawai’i’s volcanoes are often 20 degrees F cooler than at the park entrance. If you’re planning to tag the summit, wear layers and check in with the Visitor Center about weather conditions before going up top.  

An aerial view of green coastal lowlands surrounded by water in Everglades National Park.

10. Everglades National Park

Moderate temperatures, low humidity, and a lack of mosquitoes, make December through March the perfect time to visit south Florida’s Everglades National Park. At 1.5 million acres, the park’s considerable size includes coastal lowlands, pine forests, and freshwater slough ecosystems. Considered the largest subtropical wilderness in the U.S., Everglades is home to a wide variety of species, including an abundance of alligators, dolphins, manatees, panthers, and turtles. Wildlife viewing is at its best in the winter season. 

Pick your mode of travel: hike, bike, or kayak through the park. Pine Island and Flamingo trails, near the park’s main entrance in Homestead, Florida, offer a number of short, interpretive walks. Though it doesn’t sound inviting, Shark Valley offers the best bike trail along with an excellent chance to view alligators in the wild. Take a seven-day kayak or canoe trip on the 99-mile Wilderness Waterway, accessing some of Florida’s most remote coastline. 

Recommended Hike, Bike, and Kayak Trails:

  1. Shark Valley Loop, 14.7 miles, 24 feet elevation gain
  2. Pine Island and Flamingo Trails, interpretive trails
  3. Wilderness Waterway, canoe and kayak route 

Winter Tip: Winter is Florida’s dry season, making the park’s water holes the best chance to view wildlife. 

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AdventuresGaia GPSHikes

The Best National Parks to Visit in October, Plus Top Recommended Hikes

by Julien Friedland
written by Julien Friedland

Once a year, fleeting reds, yellows, and oranges light up national parks across the country. Hikers favor fall for its crisp cool air, stunning scenery and fewer crowds that make the trails more enjoyable. So, if you’re looking to take in the foliage from the trail, how do you choose which parks to visit of the 61 in the U.S.? Learn about the best national parks to visit in October, top hikes for fall foliage, and helpful tips for the trail.

Waterfall in Cuyahoga National Park covered in fall leaves.

1. Cuyahoga Valley National Park – Ohio

Explore 125 miles of hiking trails bursting with bright yellow birches and deep red oaks each October. You might not know the name, but Cuyahoga Valley National Park harbors exceptional fall colors, rivaling the best in the country. Just 30 minutes outside of Cleveland and less crowded than many other parks, Cuyahoga Valley National Park makes for a convenient and beautiful adventure in the fall.

Recommended Hikes:
Wildlife, plant diversity and rock formations fill the mellow, low elevation trails of Cuyahoga Valley National Park. Visit the Ledges Trail for a seven-mile view of the valley and the 65 foot Brandywine Falls.

  • Ledges Trail
    • Rating: Difficult
    • Length: 6 miles
    • Along the trail: valley views, rock formations, caves
  • Brandywine Falls
    • Rating: Easy
    • Length: 4.8 miles
    • Along the trail: boardwalk access, Brandywine gorge, 65-foot Brandywine Falls
  • Meadowedge Pond Loop
    • Rating: Easy
    • Length: 4.7
    • Along the trial: creek crossings, pond views, dense forest

Before You Go: Entrance to the park is free and dogs are allowed. Brandywine Falls is best visited early in the morning or later in the afternoon due to its popularity.

Browse Hikes in Cuyahoga NP
Moss-covered trees in Olympic National Park temperate rainforest surrounded by fall leaves on the ground.
Photo courtesy of Gaia GPS

2. Olympic National Park – Washington

Experience temperate rainforests popping with color, elks bulging, and chanterelle mushrooms growing in the forest in Olympic National Park. Rainy season on the peninsula coincides with mystical changes in the park. Vibrant highlights of crimson maples and lemon yellow cottonwoods speckle the hanging beards of moss in the Hoh Rain Forest. Explore glacial peaks to coastal trails that span almost a million acres – then warm up at the Sol Duc Hot Springs or another natural hot spring in the park.

Recommended Hikes:
Trails range from easy to difficult and span a bevy of wildly varying climates. Hike along the 73 miles of coastal beaches, backpack through one of four separate rainforests in the park, slosh into salmon-filled rivers or bag a peak in the Olympic Mountain Range.

  • North Fork Skokomish River:
    • Rating: Easy
    • Length: 2.2 miles
    • Along the trail: low elevation, salmon swimming upstream during the fall
  • Hurricane Ridge:
    • Rating: Easy
    • Length: 2.1 miles
    • Along the trail: panoramic Olympic Mountain Range views, sunset
  • Bogachiel Peak Loop
    • Rating: Difficult
    • Length: 17.9 miles
    • Along the trail: dense forests, creeks, alpine lakes, Mt. Olympus views

Before You Go: Temperatures vary from 10-20 degrees even in the summer. Expect snow as early as September in high elevations. Prepare accordingly with warm and waterproof layers.

Browse Hikes in Olympic NP
Scenic overlook of ridge lines covered by fall foliage in Shenandoah National Park
Photo courtesy of NPS / Neal Lewis

3. Shenandoah National Park – Virginia

Wander through purple dogwoods, golden beech trees, and fiery red oaks in the Blue Ridge Mountains. Wherever you hike in the park, overlooks of the Shenandoah Valley burst with a mix of reds, oranges, and yellows. If your legs need a rest, drive down the Skyline Drive National Scenic Byway which runs north to south through the park. 75 scenic overlooks offer many opportunities to step out of the car and take in the crisp autumn air.

Recommended Hikes: Power through an out and back that packs a punch to the summit or spend a few days brushing shoulders with thru-hikers on the Appalachian Trail. With over 500 miles of hiking trails ranging from easy to difficult, every hiker can find a trail with a length and view that suits them.

  • Old Rag Mountain Loop
    • Rating: Difficult
    • Length: 9 miles
    • Along the trail: boulder scrambling, forest paths, summit views
  • Mary’s Rock
    • Rating: Easy
    • Length: 1.5
    • Along the trial: challenging steep terrain, summit views of the Shenandoah Valley
  • White Oak Falls
    • Rating: Difficult
    • Length: 5.4
    • Along the trail: creeks, small waterfalls, dense forest

Before You Go: Shenandoah National Park sees a spike in visits during fall so make advanced arrangements before visiting the park.

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Overlook of Maine's Atlantic coast with fall foliage in the foreground
Photo courtesy of NPS / Victoria Stauffenberg

4. Acadia National Park – Maine

Visit the gem of the northeast along Maine’s Atlantic Coast. Hikers flock to Acadia National Park in the fall for its diversity of hardwoods and coniferous forests spread over 49,000 acres. The blazing red maples, golden birches, and shimmery aspens against the waters of the Atlantic will satisfy even the most discerning leaf peepers.

Recommended Hikes: Acadia’s 160 trails run through and alongside forests, summits, lakes, and coastal lines. From leisurely, low elevation strolls to 1,000 foot peak summits, the park accommodates a variety of hikers looking to enjoy Maine’s coast.

  • Bubble Trail
    • Rating: Easy
    • Length: 2.3 miles
    • Along the trail: rocky ascents, views of Jordan Pond and teetering boulder
  • Jordan Pond
    • Rating: Easy
    • Length: 3.4 miles
    • Along the trail: sprawling pond views, wooden footbridges, views of North/South Bubbles
  • Sargent Mountain Loop
    • Rating: Difficult
    • Length: 6 miles
    • Along the trail: summit views of the Atlantic

Before You Go: Read up on entrance fees and road and trail closures, which include nesting peregrine falcons, construction, and weather.

Browse Hikes in Acadia NP
Rocky river surrounded by golden fall foliage in Great Smoky Mountains National Park
Photo Courtesy of NPS

5. Great Smoky Mountains National Park – North Carolina/Tennessee

Bordering North Carolina and Tennessee and teeming with over 100 species of trees, Great Smoky Mountains National Park boasts awe-inspiring landscapes in the fall. Traverse the spiny ridge-line of the park for a flood of fall color unique to this region. Located in the heart of Appalachia, the Smokys offer the quintessential fall experience including corn mazes, pumpkin patches, and apple-picking. Venture into nearby Gatlinburg or Pigeon Forge after you’ve worked up an appetite on the trails.

Recommended Hikes: 850 trails crisscross the ridges of Great Smoky Mountains National Park, including 70 miles of the Appalachian Trail. Hikers can enjoy a short and sweet taste of the AT or take on a strenuous summit hike with a sack-lunch and plenty of water. Hikers will find picturesque views on trails rated easy to difficult.

  • Ramsey Cascades
    • Rating: Difficult
    • Length: 7.9 miles
    • Along the trail: largest old growth forest in the Smokys, footbridges, cascades
  • Chimney Tops
    • Rating: Difficult
    • Length: 3.9 miles
    • Along the trail: rocky, steep trail, panoramic views, creek crossings
  • Cigman’s Dome Loop
    • Rating: Easy
    • Length: 3.7
    • Along the trail: highest point in Tennessee, 100-mile views, 360-degree views of the Smokys

Before you Go: Go early or arrive late to avoid crowds when visiting the park. Cades Cove and Newfound Gap Rd. see the most traffic.

Browse Hikes in Great Smoky Mountains NP
Close-up of red dogwood tree leaves with sequoia in the background
Photo courtesy of NPS / Emily Fedorko

6. Sequoia and Kings Canyon National Park – California

Note: these two parks are currently closed due to wildfires. Please check in with the NPS before making plans to visit.

Experience the magic of the world’s largest trees accented by fall colors. Stare up at Sequoia National Park’s “living giants,” made perhaps grander by the highlights of red dogwoods in the backdrop. Sequoia and Kings Canyon National Park’s unique vegetation between the foothills and high alpine offers oaks, perennials, and pines among many other tree species. Visiting in the fall provides a break from the heat and crowds at the park, making October the ideal time to visit.

Recommended Hikes: From the worlds largest tree to the tallest mountain in the contiguous United States, these parks have a wide variety of terrain for exploration. Get off the beaten path and discover canyons, granite cliffs, and wildlife. For the best fall colors, visit the less-traveled and lower elevation foothills to see the blue oaks, gold fern fields, and dogwoods.

  • General Sherman
    • Rating: Easy
    • Length: 1.6
    • Along the trail: world’s largest tree, monarch sequoias
  • Marble Falls
    • Rating: Easy
    • Length: 1.6
    • Along the trail: foothills vegetation, oaks, waterfall
  • The Watchtower
    • Rating: Difficult
    • Length: 5.1
    • Along the trail: Heather Lake views, alpine hiking, exposed rock faces

Before You Go: Fees are required to enter the park. Read up on them here.

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Browse Hikes in Sequoia NP
Zion Canyon with cottonwood foliage in the foreground
Photo courtesy of NPS

7. Zion National Park – Utah

Dramatic red rocks and canyons, and blue bodies of water put Zion National Park on the map. Coupled with autumn colors, those striking visuals only intensify in the fall. Plus, the crowds and temperature remain lower and more manageable during this season. Like other parks located in the west, the contrast of dark green conifers and bright yellows create distinct bursts of color.

Recommended Hikes: Wind through a slot canyon, ramble on an out and back or backpack into the wilderness. Zion Canyon has the most popular trails in the park but visitors can also find less frequented but equally stunning hikes in Kolob Canyons and Zion Wilderness.

  • Angel’s Landing
    • Rating: Difficult
    • Length: 6.5 miles
    • Along the trail: Emerald Pools, panoramic canyon views, climb along chains
  • Observation Point
    • Rating: Easy
    • Length: 3 miles
    • Along the trail: views atop East Rim of Zion Canyon, Watchman peak crag
  • Riverside Walk
    • Rating: Easy
    • Length: 2 miles
    • Along the trail: river access, weeping walls, cliff wall views

Before You Go: Backpacking and canyoneering require permits, including popular routes in the Narrows. Make sure to check the weather, as flash-floods and hypothermia can be extremely dangerous.

Browse Hikes in Zion NP
Foggy red, yellow and green foliage in Vermont's Green Mountain National Forest

8. Green Mountain National Forest – Vermont

Cider donuts, a cool morning on the trail and Vermont’s scarlet red maples bursting in the valley— what more could you ask for? This National Forest made the list for it’s famed fall foliage in New England. Home to several 4,000 footers, Green Mountain National Forest makes for big grins and tired legs in the fall. Try your legs on one of these peaks for views of the crimson reds, bright yellows and burnt oranges that set the landscape on fire. If you can’t make it till later in the season, be prepared for “snowliage” when a coat of white snow makes for extra pop against the foliage.

Recommended Hikes: Green Mountain National Forest contains over 900 miles of trails including Vermont’s Long Trail which overlaps with the Appalachian Trail. Hike a portion of these renowned trails or pick your way up a rooty, rocky gap trail. Shorter loops also offer terrain better suited for kids and families.

  • Gap to Gap
    • Rating: Difficult
    • Length: 10.1 miles
    • Along the trail: two 4,000 footers, Lake Champlain views, dense forest
  • Little Killington
    • Rating: Easy
    • Length: 2.7 miles
    • Along the trail: summit views
  • Ice Bed Trail
    • Rating: Easy
    • Length: 1 mile
    • Along the trail: multiple lookouts, talus piles, ice beds year-round,

Before You Go: Check foliage reports here. Because this is a National Forest, dogs are allowed as long as they are leashed.

Browse Hikes in Green Mountains NF

Can’t make it to one of these parks? Search your local area to find a park/hike near you..

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Phone screenshot of new NPS POIs in Gaia Topo.
Gaia GPSNew Features

15,000 New National Park Points of Interest Added to Gaia Topo

by Abby Levene
written by Abby Levene

From canoeing the Rio Grande in Big Bend to finding the perfect lunch spot in Yellowstone, you can find all the amenities for your next national park trip right in the newly updated Gaia Topo. We’ve added 14,633 National Park Service points of interest to the map so you can easily take advantage of all of the opportunities these natural playgrounds have to offer.

Whether you’re looking for the visitor’s center, a designated campsite to pitch your tent, or a historical site to explore, you can find these points of interest and many more right in our flagship map you know and love.

Find Food Lockers, Remote Trailheads, Campsites, and more

From finding the fee station at the start of your trip all the way to snapping a family photo by a scenic overlook, Gaia Topo is here to guide you through your journey. We’ve added 1,745 trailheads to the map so you can get off the beaten path.

Get a conditions report at the ranger’s station or visitor’s center. We’ve added 345 rangers stations and 590 visitor’s centers so you can always find the closest one. You’ll also see an additional 214 canoe launch spots and 363 food lockers around the country. You can even find the best place to camp. Discover an additional 2,155 campsites, clearly labeled with the tent “camping” symbol.

If you’re backpacking through bear country, see where to store your food in the 363 food lockers added to the map. Exploring the park by bus? Find the nearest bus stop thanks to the addition of 246 stops. Add an educational dimension to your family trip; explore 703 more historic sites now on the map. Or enjoy park ranger interpretive talks and presentations at the amphitheaters now in Gaia Topo.

Skip the Paper Maps

Two iPhone screenshots show NPS Visitor Maps layer in Gaia GPS.

No need to stop at the kiosk for the paper park map. Get the NPS Visitor Map right on your phone instead. Sourced from the National Park Service, the NPS Visitor maps highlight all of the features you’ll want to have on hand when sightseeing and exploring national parks. Pick out where to stop along your route with labels for amenities, trails, roads, and natural features. Use the black square icons to identify campgrounds, picnic areas, restrooms, boat launches, ranger stations, and more. Pair the NPS Visitor Map with Gaia Topo to navigate the park with ease.

For even more detailed national parks maps, check out our extensive list of National Geographic Trails Illustrated titles. NatGeo Trails Illustrated maps are crafted in conjunction with local land managers and undergo rigorous review and enhancement. They include detailed topographic information, clearly marked trails, recreational points of interest, and navigational aids.

Both the NPS Visitor and NatGeo Trails Illustrated maps are available with a Gaia GPS Premium membership.

And finally, learn more about the place you’re visiting with the Native Land Territories map. Created by the Canadian non-profit Native Land Digital, this map marks traditional Indigenous territories across the Americas and beyond. Many outdoor recreation areas, including national parks and wilderness areas, exist on lands where Indigenous tribes were forcefully removed. The Native Land Territories map provides a starting point for deepening understanding of those Indigenous nations’ people, history, and culture.

Screenshot of Native Land Territories map on gaiagps.com.

Gaia Topo is Available to Everyone

Access Gaia Topo on the web at www.gaiagps.com/map/ and in the Gaia GPS app on both Android and iOS. With Gaia Topo you can search for hikes in your area, record tracks in the field, and create a custom route on the map for free. Create a free account to save your routes and tracks so you can revisit them later.

Get a premium membership to download Gaia Topo and take the map offline with you in areas without cell service. A Premium Membership also gives you access to Gaia GPS’s entire map catalog. Download hundreds of maps, including National Geographic Trails Illustrated, high-resolution satellite maps, weather overlays, and government-issued topo maps like USFS topo, all the USGS quad maps, and MVUMs.

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A backcountry skier skis up a skin track towards a cabin. Jagged peaks rise up in the distance.
Gaia GPS

Gift a Memorable Outdoor Experience This Holiday Season

by Abby Levene
written by Abby Levene

Let’s face it, outdoor lovers love to be outdoors. Cut to the chase and give a gift that lets someone do what they love. From travel, to education, to safety, there are numerous (COVID-friendly) experience gifts that can help a loved one have fun outside. Plus, gifting an experience means you don’t have to deal with the hassle of fighting crowded shops and schlepping packages to UPS.

With these considerations in mind, here are some of the best experience gifts this year for outdoor lovers and adventurers.

National Parks Pass, $80

The big walls of Yosemite loom out of red and green trees in the valley below.

Give the gift of unlimited access to America’s public lands with a national parks pass. The “America the Beautiful — the National Parks and Federal Recreational Lands Pass” unlocks the door to over 2,000 federal recreation sites. The pass covers entrances fees to national parks and national wildlife refuges, plus day use fees at national forests and grasslands, and lands managed by the Bureau of Land Management, Bureau of Reclamation and U.S. Army Corps of Engineers.

Purchase a national parks pass through the USGS website or REI. This pass is valid for a full year from the month of purchase. It covers a car full of people (the pass owner and three accompanying adults). If you’re gifting a parks pass to a senior, you’re in luck! Seniors can get an annual pass for $20, or a lifetime pass for $80. There is no entry fee to any of these places for children ages 15 and under.

Alternatively, encourage local exploration through gifting a State Parks Pass. Many states offer a pass that covers entry fees to state parks. These passes quickly pay for themselves after just a few visits. Note that in Hawaii, Illinois, Iowa, Missouri, Pennsylvania and Tennessee, entrance to state parks is free.

Safer & Stress-free Backcountry Skiing, $350 – $600

A backcountry skier skins up a track. Snow-covered plains sprawl out behind her.

This winter is shaping up to be a crazy season in the backcountry. Get out there safely and learn how it’s done at this one-of-a-kind backcountry ski resort. Bluebird Backcountry is a Colorado ski area without chairlifts. The backcountry ski area allows skiers and splitboarders to enjoy all the perks of uphill travel: no lift lines, powder caches, and a quality workout — but with much less risk than a typical backcountry environment. And they don’t have to stress about finding a safe backcountry zone. The resort operates on Bear Mountain, on the Continental Divide near Rabbits Ears Pass and Steamboat Springs, Colorado.

The cost of your day pass includes the safety net of having ski patrol available for emergencies, enjoying fresh tracks on avalanche controlled slopes, and a base lodge and warming hut with food and beverages services inside. Guests will delight over ample parking and have the option of camping on site. With over 1,200 acres of avalanche-evaluated terrain, skiers have plenty of space to explore and score coveted first tracks. Plus, skiers get access to 3,000 additional acres of backcountry skiing if they hire a guide. Avalanche courses are also available.

If you want to go all in, you can gift a season’s pass. If that’s too committing, Bluebird offers single day, 4-pack and 10-pack day pass packages. They also offer rental gear. Check out the options here.

Snowshoe Tour, $50+

Two pairs of feet in snow shoes lying on the snow, with a lake and snow-capped peaks in the distance.

Consider a snowshoe tour for the person who wants to make the most of winter wonderland without getting on skis. Snowshoe tours are available pretty much anywhere snow falls. Many involve hot beverages, and sometimes even a gourmet meal. Destinations like Yellowstone National Park offer a multi-day snowshoe traverse. Check other national parks near you for interpretive tours offered on snowshoes.

Avalanche Safety Training Course, $600 – $700

What gift says “I care about you” quite like the gift of safety? An avalanche safety training course is essential for anyone who wants to get into the backcountry this winter. Skiers, splitboarders, snowmobilers, snowshoers, winter hikers, and climbers will appreciate learning about how to stay safer in the snow. And, let’s be honest, this gift is equally about giving you some peace of mind when your loved one heads for the snowy backcountry this winter season.

A course from AIARE, the leading avalanche safety education organization, will help teach you how to make better decisions in avalanche terrain. You’ll also learn how to prepare and carry out a backcountry trip, understand basic decision making while in the field, and learn the avalanche rescue techniques required to dig up someone buried under snow. Find an AIARE course near you.

Call for Help from Anywhere on Earth: Satellite Communicator, $200 – $350

Okay, this gift is cheating slightly — it involves a physical object. But by keeping you connected to the outside world and only one button away from a rescue, the true gift is one of safety and communication. Never worry about cell service in the backcountry again when you have a satellite device on hand. Brands like ZOLEO pair with an app on your smart phone to let you send and receive messages anywhere on earth. Most importantly, the SOS button puts you in touch with the GEOS International Emergency Response Coordination Center within a matter of seconds, who will coordinate a rescue if necessary.

If the someone you have in mind already owns a satellite device, you can gift the service fee for a month, a year, or as long as you wish. Check out our satellite communication device guide here, complete with a price comparison, and cash in on a special offer from ZOLEO offered through the end of 2020.

Wilderness Course, $75+

Andrew Skurka teaches backcountry navigation with map and compass in Rocky Mountain national Park. He stands in a meadow facing a group of people sitting on the ground.
Andrew Skurka teaches backcountry navigation with map and compass in Rocky Mountain national Park.

Acknowledge and support someone’s goals with a navigation class, ultralight backpacking course, or a wilderness first aid class.

Navigation classes teach you how to confidently move through the wilderness. Learn how to route find, use a compass and topographical maps, read an altimeter, and enhance your terrain awareness. If you want to lighten your pack load, go further and faster, or simply minimize backpacking stress, an ultralight backpacking course may be for you. Take a wilderness first aid class and have more fun outside by learning how to take care of scrapes and sprains before they turn into something much worse.

Many organizations offer these classes. A few tried and true courses include Andrew Skurka’s Planning Course and guided instructional ultralight backpacking trips, REI’s Wilderness Safety Training with NOLS, NOLS courses, Wilderness Medical Associates’ wilderness first aid classes, and YAMNUSKA courses in the Canadian Rockies.

You can even gift a virtual class for a hassle-free, socially distant, and convenient way to learn. Active Interest Media offers a host of courses with experts in the field.

Backcountry Meal Planning, $25+

A closeup of a bowl of pesto pasta with sundried tomatoes.

For the person in your life who loves to camp or backpack but comes home complaining about how poorly they ate on the trail, Backcountry Foodie offers recipe and meal planning services that give the gift of health, energy, and joy in the backcountry.

Enhance your nutrition and culinary satisfaction, save precious pack weight, and take the stress out of planning with Backcountry Foodie’s recipes and meal plans. She offers three tiers of help to choose from: recipes; recipes plus meal planning; and custom meal planning.

Night Photography Class, $200

Three tents sit in the snow, surrounded by snow-covered trees and a sky full of stars overhead.

Learn how to capture the wonder of a glittering star-strewn sky with a night photography class. There are numerous in-person and online classes, including ones from Active Interest Media and Dave Morrow.

The Perfect Camp Site, $5+

Feet poke out of a tent. Pine trees and the ocean are visible in the distance.

Snag that prime camp spot now, and your loved one will thank you this spring when it’s sold out. Not sure where you want to go? Many states sell gift cards that can be used to purchase camping reservations at state parks. You can find camping and wilderness permit reservations on recreation.gov, ReserveAmerica.com and campnab.com. You can also find camping spots, RV sites, and even glamping gems on HipCamp.

(Rent a) Home on Wheels, $200+

A yellow camper bus drives down a desert road towards red-walled rock towers.

Explore new places via the open road! A van or camper rental is the perfect gift for someone with wonderlust during a harder time to travel. Pack all of your food in advance, and enjoy a week of solitude and limited social interaction.

Find campervans, trailers, RVs, Sprinters to rent via Outdoorsy. You can also find local companies in your area.

A Donation in Their Name

A group of snowshoers smile for the camera on a snow-covered trail. Someone in the middle is holding a sign with the Outdoor Afro logo.

For the person who thinks even an experiential gift is too much. If you’re looking for ideas, you can join us in supporting some of these organizations working to make the outdoors more inclusive and accessible to all.

Gift of Adventure: Gaia GPS Membership, $59.90+

Perhaps there is no better gift than the gift of exploration. Give the gift of a Gaia GPS membership to the person in your life who is excited about exploring their backyard and beyond.

A Gaia GPS membership lets you plan a route from the comfort of your couch and upload that route for use in the backcountry so you stay found and safe. You can also use Gaia GPS to explore popular trails and routes, and to make the most of your next trip to a national park. Plus, you can download any of Gaia GPS’s hundreds of maps for offline use outside the range of cell service. Thanks to maps ranging from the whole suit of National Geographic Trails Illustrated to USFS Roads and Trails, Gaia GPS enhances the experience of everyone from the avid backpacker to the casual day hiker. Browse the whole map catalog here.

Go the extra mile and pair this gift with even evening of stargazing, a backpacking or backcountry ski weekend, or an overlanding trip — you map out and plan the route, and they savor it too.

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Scott Turner smiles over his shoulder while standing on a rocky overlook. A desert valley with surrounding mountains sprawls out behind him. He's loaded down with his hiking backpack and apparel.
Gaia GPSOut and Back Podcast

Get the Most out of Your National Park Trip with Guide Book Author Scott Turner

by Abby Levene
written by Abby Levene

How to listen: iTunes | Google Play | Spotify | Stitcher | Pocket Casts | RadioPublic | Breaker | Castbox

Get up to 50% off
Gaia GPS

This week on the Out and Back podcast, we’re joined by hiker, guidebook author, and licensed therapist Scott Turner. Turner has written guide books to five national parks, plus his home of San Diego county, CA. He shares insight on how to get the most out of a one-day visit to a national park, including insider tips for beating the crowds, and ways to get off the beaten path at Sequoia, Zion, Bryce, Kings Canyon, and Joshua Tree National Parks.

Growing up, Turner’s family took road trips to national parks. He loved hiking and reading the glossy guidebooks. Turner rekindled his passions for both hiking and guidebooks as an adult when he visited his girlfriend in San Diego. Looking for something to do, the guidebook Afoot and Afield on his girlfriend’s shelf caught his eye. Turner started hiking the suggested routes, and was intrigued by the book’s take on hiking safely. He’s hiked over 1,000 miles each year since. It didn’t take long for Turner to combine his passions for hiking and writing. Turner began writing trail guides for the popular hiking website Modern Hiker, and wrote a revised edition to Afoot and Afield shortly after that.

Scott sits on a rock with his arms folded on his knees. He's holding a sunhat. Canyon walls loom behind him.

Turner shares what it takes to write trail descriptions and entire guidebooks to places. You won’t want to miss this episode to get insider secrets on the best off-the-beaten-path hikes in several national parks, and the best times of year to go. Turner outlines the importance of planning to make the most of a one-day visit to a National Park:

“The more time and effort you put into your preparation, the more successful your experience is going to be.”

He explains why dropping into the visitor’s center is worth those few minutes, and why you should focus on hiking within one area of the park rather than wasting precious minutes driving aimlessly to landmarks. Turner does our first podcast day-trip pack shakedown. He runs through everything he brings in his day-hiking pack, and everything you should bring to have fun and stay safe on a day hike. He talks about two forms of navigation, at least two liters of water, and advises to bring more food than you think you need. Turner breaks down the “10 essentials” to pack in case you need to survive an unplanned night outside.

Turner lays out his case for why really early morning wake-ups are worth it to maximize your adventure. And he explains why he almost always hikes in trail running shoes instead of hiking boots. You’ll also hear about Turner’s favorite National Park, and how hiking helps him be better at his day job as a family and marriage therapist. Last but not least, Shanty and Turner break down the best hiking Pop-Tarts flavors.

You can learn more about Turner and find his guidebooks on his website. Follow Turner’s adventures on Instagram, and connect with him on Facebook.

Three of Scott's national parks guidebooks lie on the floor: Zion and Bryce; Joshua Tree; and Sequoia and Kinds Canyon.

Episode Highlights

3:20: Scott has written hundreds of trail descriptions.
3:45: Scott’s upbringing planted the seeds for his hiking and writing passions.
5:50: How a book sitting on his girlfriend’s shelf inspired him to learn how to hike safely.
8:00: Scott starts exploring the diverse landscapes of San Diego county.
12:00: Scott starts writing for LA-based Modern Hiker in 2014. He’s written 300 articles since.
13:30: Scott revises Afoot and Afield, which entailed hiking all 250 hikes, plus another 250 hikes.
15:30: How to write a trail description.
19:00: Scott works with Mountaineers Books to write pocket-sized guidebooks to national parks.
20:40: Scott’s guidebooks contain itineraries for people visiting national parks for one to several days.
21:25: How to get the most out of your one-day visit to a national park. (Prep and planning are key!)
22:10: Why to get to the park early.
22:50: Pick an area within the park, and hike to the best spots in that area.
23:15: Scott’s one-day itinerary for Sequoia National Park.
24:30: Scott’s one-day itinerary for Kings Canyon National Park.
27:00: The benefits of an interpretive hike, and why stopping in the visitor’s center is worthwhile.
28:00: Scott’s favorite hike in Zion National Park.
30:00: Scott’s tips on how to enjoy Joshua Tree National Park.
33:25: Why Scott starts hiking really early.
35:00: Scott’s books contain the deep cuts, less busy trails that you may have never heard of.
36:35: Scott shakes down his pack, laying out everything he brings on a day hike.
38:30: Why Scott avoids wearing cotton.
39:25: Scott’s favorite snack to take hiking.
40:15: Why Scott almost always prefers trail running shoes to hiking boots.
41:25: The “10 essentials” you need to survive an unplanned night outside.
42:45: Scott’s books also contain activities for people who don’t hike.
43:53: Scott shares an insider secret about where to hike in the fall.
45:00: Scott is enduring a record fire season in California.
46:25: Scott divulges his next guidebook.
48:10: How hiking helps Scott at his day job as a marriage and family therapist.
50:30: Scott’s favorite national park.
51:10: Scott’s favorite place to go hiking that isn’t a national park.
53:00: Scott and Shanty break down the best Pop-Tarts flavor for hiking.

Next week: The Real Hiking Viking Joins Shanty to Interview The Trek Founder Zach “Badger” Davis

Zach "Badger" Davis smiles for the camera. He's wearing a baseball cap and a backpack, and is standing in a field.

Next week, backpacking superstar the Real Hiking Viking joins Shanty to chat with Zach “Badger” Davis. Badger is a thru-hiking legend and founder of the top backpacking resource theTrek.co. Davis also hosts the informative, funny, and popular Backpacker Radio podcast.

Badger delves into how he essentially went straight from not hiking at all to thru-hiking the Appalachian Trail. Those six months turned out to be the most formative time in his life. Everything went wrong on that first thru-hike, including contracting West Nile virus. But Badger’s stubbornness carried him to the finish. He shares how his puzzlement over the “Virginia Blues” led him to write Appalachian Trials. Badger and Viking dig into the unlikely start to their friendship, and unearth some wild stories from their joint PCT thru-hike.

Seasoned and aspiring thru-hikers alike won’t want to miss this episode. The three men delve into how trails provide therapy, the inexplicable catharsis of overcoming seemingly impossible feats, and they share a lot of laughs. Also, learn more about the Real Hiking Viking on episode two of the Out and Back podcast.

Learn more about Badger on theTreck.co. Follow his adventures on Instagram, and tune into his podcast, Backpacker Radio.

Last Episode: Her Odyssey

Fidgit and Neon smile for the camera while carrying their backpacking packs and trekking poles. They are standing in front of a forest.

Last week, we caught up with world adventurers Bethany “Fidgit” Hughes and Lauren “Neon” Reed for an update on “Her Odyssey,” their journey across the Americas. Hughes and Reed have spent the last five years hiking, biking, and paddling their way across South and Central America, Mexico, and the United States on their non-motorized tour of the American continents. The long-distance hikers are now hunkered down in the States waiting for Covid to subside before finishing off their adventure in the northern most part of North America.

Tune in to learn how Hughes and Reed traveled through the wilderness in foreign countries, their incredible and heartwarming interactions with locals they met along the way, and some tips for treading lightly through indigenous regions and cultures. We also get the inside scoop on what it takes to dream up a massive project like this, their safety plans, and how their contrasting personalities serve their expedition mission in unique ways. Don’t miss this episode if you want to learn about getting off the tourist path in South and Central America.

Learn more about Hughes, Reed, and Her Odyssey on their website. Follow them on Instagram and Facebook. Support their mission, or just simply buy them a meal, on Patreon.

Meet the Hosts

the host of the podcast Andrew Baldwin wearing an orange hat and blue jacket with a frosty beard, smiling

Andrew “Shanty” Baldwin

In 2019, host Andrew Baldwin completed a southbound thru-hike of the Appalachian Trail. After five months on the trail, Baldwin returned home to pursue a career in voice acting. A friend of the Gaia GPS company, Baldwin was a natural choice for hosting the Out and Back podcast.

In each Out and Back episode, Shanty strives to bring you conversations with people who spend an extraordinary amount of time outdoors. Listen in as Shanty taps into each backcountry expert’s superpower so that you can take their knowledge and experience with you on your next adventure.

Mary smiles while lying down and resting her head on a rock. She's wearing a purple jacket, gloves, and a black buff around her ears.

Mary Cochenour

Mary is the Out and Back podcast producer and a writer and editor at Gaia GPS. Before joining Gaia GPS, Mary worked as a lawyer, newspaper journalist, ski patroller, Grand Canyon river guide, and USFS wilderness ranger. Mary holds degrees in journalism and business as well as a Juris Doctor degree from the University of Montana. Mary is licensed to practice law in Montana and Nevada.

When she is not in the office, Mary works as a guide for Andrew Skurka Adventures in wild places around the west, like Rocky Mountain National Park, Yosemite, and the Brooks Range in Alaska. Learn more about Mary on Instagram. Also, read her tips on how to plan your first solo backpacking trip.

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Fidgit and Neon smile for the camera outside of a turquoise building in Mexico. Their bikes are leaning against the wall and are laden down with gear.
Gaia GPSOut and Back Podcast

Her Odyssey: An Adventure Across the Americas

by Mary Cochenour
written by Mary Cochenour

How to listen: iTunes | Google Play | Spotify | Stitcher | Pocket Casts | RadioPublic | Breaker | Castbox

Get up to 50% off
Gaia GPS

This week, we catch up with world adventurers Bethany “Fidgit” Hughes and Lauren “Neon” Reed for an update on their journey across the Americas. Hughes and Reed have spent the last five years backpacking, biking, and paddling their way across South and Central America, Mexico, and the United States on their non-motorized tour of the American continents. The long-distance hikers are now hunkered down in the States waiting for Covid to subside before finishing off their adventure in the northernmost part of North America.

Fidgit (left) and Neon (right) smile for the camera with their backpacking gear. They're standing in front of a forest.
Hughes (left) and Reed (right). Photo credit: Fede Cabrera.

Hughes and Reed met during their Pacific Crest Trail thru-hike in 2010, where they earned their trail names Fidgit and Neon, respectively. After Hughes completed her PCT thru-hike, she took a stab at conventional city life. She lived in a house, got a car, and landed a management position in an accounting office. But the pull of adventure tugged hard at her heartstrings.

While sitting in a traffic jam, she became inspired by the book Born to Run by Christopher McDougall. From that, Hughes imagined “a human-powered traverse of the Americas, connecting the stories of the land and its inhabitants.” She dubbed the adventure “Her Odyssey.”

A map of the Her Odyssey route to date shows the path Fidgit and Neon took to backpack, bike-pack, and kayak across South and Central America and the US.
A map of the route to date. Red: backpacking. Orange: bike-packing. Blue: kayaking.

Hughes enlisted Reed to join on the trek, acknowledging that their different personalities complement one another. Reed agrees and describes their personalities with a Venn diagram.

“I usually lean towards the logical side,” Reed says. “And Fidgit is usually leaning towards the emotional side. We pull each other towards the center in a lot of ways.”

In this episode, Hughes and Reed discuss how they traveled through the wilderness in foreign countries, their incredible and heartwarming interactions with locals they met along the way, and some tips for treading lightly through indigenous regions and cultures. We also hear about their safety plans and how their contrasting personalities serve their expedition mission in unique ways. Don’t miss this episode if you want to learn about getting off the tourist path in South and Central America.

Learn more about Hughes, Reed, and Her Odyssey on their website. Follow them on Instagram and Facebook. Support their mission, or just simply buy them a meal, on Patreon.

Fidgit, laded down with her backpacking gear, interviews two Quechua women.
Hughes interviews two Quechua women.

1:00: Fidgit and Neon started their journey over five years ago.
5:25: The duo met on the PCT in 2010.
8:25: The idea for Her Odyssey came to Fidgit on a drive home from work in Kansas City.
10:50: Fidgit’s belief system led to her reach out to Neon to be her travel partner.
14:30: Fidgit and Neon pull each other towards the center of emotion and logic.
19:50: Fidgit spent three years planning this trip.
22:30: Accepting that they didn’t know what they were doing proved essential.
23:30: Neon uses her power of observation to help them navigate.
25:00: Fidgit and Neon tell an illuminating story about getting lost.
27:00: How sharing knowledge about routes and trails differs in Latin America and the US.
30:00: Learning some of the local language is an important display of good will and respect.
34:00: Fidgit and Neon share pointers for interacting with locals and being respectful of local culture.
41:40: Gaging threats and avoiding dangerous situations internationally.
45:35: Self-defense strategies for staying safe overseas.
52:00: Women’s bodies were found cut up in bags while they were in South America.
59:50: How Fidgit and Neon dealt with drinking water in South America. (Their strategy didn’t always work!)
1:05:50: Fidgit and Neon go separate ways for part of their journey.
1:12:00: When a region got too “murdery,” they moved on.
1:21:10: How COVID has impacted their travels.
1:29:30: Fidgit and Neon are currently focusing on the storytelling and community building components of their journey.
1:30:20: The ultimate goal of their trip is to reach the Arctic Ocean within the next two years.
1:33:00: How they balance structure and letting the journey unfold.
1:33:30: Advice to those looking to go on their own odyssey.
1:36:30: The grossest things Fidgit and Neon have eaten on their trip.
1:43:00: The one luxury item Fidgit and Neon can’t travel without. (You will never guess!)
1:49:00: How Neon and Fidgit got their trail names.

Next Episode: Get the Most out of Your National Park Trip with Guide Book Author Scott Turner

Scott Turner smiles for the camera while sitting on a rock with his arms crossed on his knees. Red and gold canyons loom in the background.

Next week, Shanty and Mary sit down with hiker, guidebook author and licensed therapist Scott Turner. Turner has written guide books to five national parks, as well as his home of San Diego county. He shares insight on how to get the most out of a one-day visit to a national park, including insider tips for getting off the beaten path at Sequoia, Zion, and Joshua Tree National Parks.

Turner explains why he believes early morning wake-ups are worth it to maximize your adventure. And he runs through what you should pack for a day hike to ensure you have fun and stay safe. Turner almost always hikes in trail running shoes, and he shares why he prefers them to hiking boots, plus why he brings the “10 essentials” you need to survive an unplanned night outside. You’ll also hear about Turner’s favorite National Park, and how hiking helps him be better at his day job as a therapist. Last but not least, Shanty and Turner break down the best hiking Pop Tart flavors.

You can learn more about Turner and find his guidebooks his website. Follow Turner’s adventures on Instagram, and connect with him on Facebook.

Last Episode: Solo Backpacking with a Stalker

Mary smiles for the camera while backpacking through the alpine.

When Mary Cochenour became a wilderness ranger, she was forced to conquer her fear of solo backpacking. It took some time but with a lot of practice, Mary eventually grew comfortable camping alone in the woods. That is, until she realized she wasn’t alone after all. A man had been stalking Mary even in the farthest corners of the wilderness.

Tune in last week’s episode of the Out and Back podcast as Mary tells a thrilling tale about her early days as a wilderness ranger in Desolation Wilderness in the Lake Tahoe Basin. Hear about her first night spent alone in the wilderness and what happened months later when she discovered that a man had been following her around the backcountry.

Mary reveals how this sketchy incident inspired her to keep backpacking solo and how she drew on this experience when working with victims as a violent crimes prosecutor in Montana. This story, although gripping at times, reminds us that sometimes you have to face your fears head on to finally overcome them.

We are excited to introduce you to Mary because she is the Out and Back podcast producer and a writer and editor at Gaia GPS. When she is not in the office, Mary works as a guide for Andrew Skurka Adventures in wild places around the west, like Rocky Mountain National Park, Yosemite, and the Brooks Range in Alaska.

Learn more about Mary on Instagram. Read Mary’s bio on Gaia GPS’s team page and view her hiking credentials on Andrew Skurka’s guide roster. Also, read her tips on how to plan your first solo backpacking trip.

Tell Us Your Story: Have You Ever Been Lost?

Two people pour over a paper map in the backcountry.

Have a great story about getting lost in the woods? Shoot us an email at media@gaiagps.com for a chance to be featured on the Out and Back podcast.

Tell us in 500 words or less how and where you got lost and what you did to get yourself out of trouble. Bonus points for humorous narratives and tales with surprise endings.

In addition to a podcast interview, the winner will receive Gaia GPS swag and a free Gaia GPS membership to help keep them from getting lost on the next adventure.

Meet the Hosts

the host of the podcast Andrew Baldwin wearing an orange hat and blue jacket with a frosty beard, smiling

Andrew “Shanty” Baldwin

In 2019, host Andrew Baldwin completed a southbound thru-hike of the Appalachian Trail. After five months on the trail, Baldwin returned home to pursue a career in voice acting. A friend of the Gaia GPS company, Baldwin was a natural choice for hosting the Out and Back podcast.

In each Out and Back episode, Shanty strives to bring you conversations with people who spend an extraordinary amount of time outdoors. Listen in as Shanty taps into each backcountry expert’s superpower so that you can take their knowledge and experience with you on your next adventure.

Mary smiles while lying down and resting her head on a rock. She's wearing a purple jacket, gloves, and a black buff around her ears.

Mary Cochenour

Mary is the Out and Back podcast producer and a writer and editor at Gaia GPS. Before joining Gaia GPS, Mary worked as a lawyer, newspaper journalist, ski patroller, Grand Canyon river guide, and USFS wilderness ranger. Mary holds degrees in journalism and business as well as a Juris Doctor degree from the University of Montana. Mary is licensed to practice law in Montana and Nevada.

When she is not in the office, Mary works as a guide for Andrew Skurka Adventures in wild places around the west, like Rocky Mountain National Park, Yosemite, and the Brooks Range in Alaska. Learn more about Mary on Instagram. Also, read her tips on how to plan your first solo backpacking trip.

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Gaia GPSNew Maps

Access 45 Updated National Park Service Maps

by Julien Friedland
written by Julien Friedland

Gaia GPS offers an expansive collection of National Park Service maps for 45 national parks and recreation areas throughout the United States. Skip the paper map at the park entrance and view all park amenities, trailheads, and must-see stops right on your phone.

What’s Included on the NPS Visitor Maps

Sourced from the National Park Service, the NPS Visitor maps highlight all of the features you’ll want to have on hand when sightseeing and exploring national parks. Pick out where to stop along your route with labels for amenities, trails, roads, and natural features. Use the black square icons to identify campgrounds, picnic areas, restrooms, boat launches, ranger stations, and more.

Avoid issues that might disrupt your visit by scouring the map for details, like seasonal road closures and water availability. Zoom closer on the map to see inserts with expanded information on main attractions. That way, you never miss a geyser, waterfall, or scenic overlook.

Two iPhones displaying NPS Visitor map of Grand Teton National Park

About National Park Service Maps

The NPS Visitor maps are for general reference, orientation, and route-finding only. If you plan to travel into the backcountry, waterways, or other remote areas in the park, use supplemental maps. The NPS recommends US Geological Survey (USGS) topographic maps, available on Gaia GPS, for more serious travel. Also, reference Gaia GPS’s recommended maps for hiking, backpacking, and offroading.

Access NPS Visitor Maps

These new maps are available to Gaia GPS users with a Premium subscription. To access them, open up the Gaia GPS app or website, click or tap the layers menu and select “Add Map Layers.” Select “United States” and then NPS Visitor. Try adding the layer to Gaia Topo for added information for exploration between parks. To find a specific park, type the name into the search bar on the main map.

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