How to Get Into Backpacking — Plus 3 Bay Area Beginner Backpacking Trails Near You

After completing the 2,500-mile Pacific Crest Trail in 2019, I’d now consider myself an experienced backpacker.

But I always make sure to tell people that this five-month-long adventure was actually only my third-ever backpacking trip — not to grandstand, but to make clear just how fast even a beginner can get the hang of things.

So if you like hiking or camping but have never made the leap to carrying everything you need on your back for a day or two, there are a few basics any first-time backpacker should know. Keep reading for how to plan your inaugural backpacking trip, with advice from experts and pro tips for having as much fun as possible — plus three achievable itineraries for a beginner’s backpacking adventure right here in the Bay Area.

Jump straight to:

• Three Bay Area trails for your first backpacking trip
• What you might not expect about backpacking gear

Seven things to know about your first backpacking trip 

Know that backpacking doesn’t have to mean a long, hard trip …

Any time you spend at least one night sleeping outdoors, and you’re carrying the gear you need to do that? That counts as backpacking — no matter how far you walk.

Not every trip has to be at high elevations, either. Your first trip could be a one-mile hike to a picturesque lake or viewpoint or an easy stroll along a creek, for just one night. And if you’re itching to get out there for more than one night, consider setting up camp at one spot for multiple nights and exploring from there.

Richard Bothwell, owner of San Francisco-based guiding company Outdoor Adventure Club, recommends you start your backpacking career “on a really easy trip”: “A single-night trip where you can get a backpack on.”

There’s a saying in backpacking: “Hike your own hike.” That is, don’t be swayed by your friends who want to attempt a long trail at high elevation for their first trip, when you were planning to keep it simple. Any night spent on the trail is bound to be an adventure, so make a plan that feels comfortable to you and make the most of it as a learning opportunity. And don’t judge others, either.

Don’t head out solo — at least not at first

It’s that simple: Backpacking is better — and safer — with friends. Having other people to help motivate you when the walking gets tough and to be a second set of eyes on navigation and decision-making (not to mention a source of support in case of emergency) is critical for any backpacker, not just first-timers.

And if you prefer a solo challenge, don’t worry: Once you get the basics down, there are plenty of trails out there that will be ideal for exploring alone, both near and far.

Leave no trace

Before heading out, be sure to review the seven principles of Leave No Trace: a framework for safely enjoying the outdoors while minimizing your impact as a traveler in wild places. The guidelines include traveling only on established trails, properly disposing of waste, leaving natural objects as you found them and practicing safe fire use and wildlife observation.

Be sure to check the rules of any wilderness area you plan to enter. Many do not allow dogs, campfires or camping outside of designated campsite areas, and following the rules means these areas can remain open to future backpackers.

Have a plan for water and navigation

Knowing where you’re going is important, because this will also help you establish what water sources — often lakes, streams or spigots — that you can rely on in the backcountry.

Download maps and water information onto your phone: for paid apps, try AllTrails or Gaia GPS, or free options like Google Maps’ download function and online PDFs provided by wilderness areas. I recommend you also bring along backup physical maps and carry a fully charged backup phone battery.

• Jump to: Three Bay Area trails for your first backpacking trip

Share your plans with someone at home

Even if you’re heading out in a big group, it’s important that someone back home knows where you plan to go, in case of an emergency.

I tend to share the route map I’ll be using with that person, give them my anticipated hiking schedule and promise to check in when I leave the wilderness and get back into cell phone range. That way, if they haven’t heard from me by that designated time, they know to check in — and to consider notifying authorities if I don’t reply.

Be realistic about the challenge … 

The more fitness you have, the better, said Bothwell. Being comfortable sleeping outside in a tent helps too, he said, well, noting that many people aren’t used to all the “sights, sounds and smells” of the woods — or new experiences like going more than a day without access to a real bathroom.

Bothwell doesn’t sugar-coat it: “It is hard work to throw a bunch of weight on your back and then go hiking through the woods and hike up hills and down hills and across streams,” he said. “And [to] carry your kitchen and all your food and all of your bedroom with you.”

But what first-timers sometimes don’t realize, Bothwell said, is that backpacking is hard work for everyone — even experienced hikers and campers. The big difference is that those experienced backpackers already know that indescribably satisfying feeling of arriving at camp, putting your pack down and enjoying being truly immersed in the outdoors — the feeling you’ll get to discover for yourself.

“Even for the people who are smiling, it’s not easy for them,” he said. “They just know that they’re going to get through it.”

… but don’t be intimidated 

If this all sounds like a lot to process, take a step back for a moment and think about why you want to embark on your first trip.

Is it for the adventure? The peace of the outdoors? A new challenge? You’ll find all of these things on your first trip, and you’ll also find that backpacking is really just walking with a few extra steps.

In short, do what you can to show up prepared, but remember: You’ve got this.

3 backpacking trip ideas for beginners — right here in the Bay Area

Beginner backpacking idea 1: Henry Coe State Park

Henry Coe State Park is ideal for beginners, being accessible from most of the Bay Area — especially the South Bay — and offering many trails to choose from. Plus, professionals like John Verhoeven, a state park peace officer/ranger stationed at the park, are there to help with planning a trip that feels manageable for all experience levels.

“They just need to be flexible,” Verhoeven said. “We’ll find a place for them.” So don’t be shy about asking rangers what routes they recommend, either by calling ahead to their main line at (408) 779-2728 or stopping by the Visitor Center on your way in.

Verhoeven’s top suggestion for first-timers is heading to Frog Lake, a 4.3-mile mostly shaded round trip from the Coe Ranch Entrance/Visitor Center in Morgan Hill. You can find a detailed, downloadable PDF full of information about the route — perfect to bring with you on your trip, either on your phone or printed.

You’ll need a backpacking permit, but they’re easy to get at Coe (either online at ReserveCalifornia, by calling or walking up day-of) and don’t require advanced reservations — another reason Coe is perfect for beginners.

Be advised that Coe can get very hot in the summer, so Verhoeven advised that this area is best enjoyed in spring, fall or winter, when daytime temperatures are relatively low. If you do go in the summer, plan to bring more water than you think — heat exhaustion can be common.

“People bring way too little water,” he said.

Some routes in Coe are quite long and steep, so make sure you know the elevation gain and mileage of the route you plan to take before you leave.

Coe’s extremely thorough website makes planning your first backpacking trip here easy, with links to trail conditions, plenty of trip recommendations and information about fees and permits. Backpacking is $5 per person per night plus entrance fees, which are either $8 or $6 per vehicle, depending on the entrance.

Coe isn’t just great for beginners — it’s a unique experience for anyone looking to immerse themselves in the sights and sounds of the Bay Area’s natural landscape. With miles of open space surrounding the park and no cows allowed, it’s unusually peaceful and quiet given its proximity to urban areas of the Bay. From mountain lions to acorn woodpeckers to newts, wildlife is plentiful here.

“The sounds change throughout the year,” Verhoeven said. “Spring is extra quiet because the grass and oaks have not dried up yet. Because you’re in a place that’s really quiet, you can hear sounds that you normally can’t. They are usually drowned out.”

Beginner backpacking idea 2: Castle Rock State Park

If you’re looking for a hideaway in the redwood forests of the Santa Cruz Mountains, Castle Rock State Park might be for you.

Hiking to the Castle Rock Trail Camp is the best bet for a beginner’s backpacking trip, only a 2.7-mile hike from the main parking lot via the Saratoga Gap Trail. Another bonus: Each campsite has a picnic table and drinking water, with vault toilets are situated nearby. Plus, if the weather gets unexpectedly dicey, there’s also a camp shelter.

As for making a reservation, ample backcountry sites are available to book via a handy online form and some are also available on a first-come, first-served basis. The state park also has a calendar to help you pick a weekend best for you, and reservations are paid for over the phone — a great time to ask any questions you may have, as well as getting a water and trail conditions report.

One thing to keep in mind: Unlike at Henry Coe, no dispersed camping is allowed at Castle Rock — you must camp at designated camp spots only.

Beginner backpacking idea 3: Point Reyes National Seashore

Bothwell’s recommendation — and mine — is Point Reyes. Not only is this stunning stretch of coastline a Bay Area must-visit generally, its ample and interconnected trails make it easy to build a backpacking route that’s right for your fitness and comfort levels. The catch: Camping reservations, which also serve as your backpacking and parking permit, can be tough to snag. Your best bet is to log onto Recreation.gov before 7 a.m. exactly two weeks before your trip to try for a slot. If you strike out, keep trying — people do cancel last-minute.

Call or stop by the Bear Valley Visitor Center before you start your trip to get the most up-to-date information on trail conditions and suggested routes to your campsite.

Campsites in Point Reyes are $30 per night and include parking. Just like at Castle Rock, you’ll have to camp in designated areas only, but campsite amenities include water faucets with drinkable water and vault toilets. Bothwell said that, along with the achievable hikes-in, these campsite amenities are a big reason he recommends Point Reyes to beginners. “It’s a great way to remove the variable of, hey, can I carry my gear? And can I sleep in the woods without having to deal with things like peeing and pooping and water and food storage?” he said. You’ll also find more information about camping in this area on Point Reyes’ website.

Be aware: There are black bears at Point Reyes, so make sure you’re following basic bear safety advice, including storing your food in the lockers available at the campsite. That includes any toothpaste and hygiene products, plus utensils or other gear that has any scent.

What gear should I bring backpacking?

You can find many checklists for backpacking gear online — like this Backpacking Gear List from REI or Backpacker Magazine’s own list. But remember: every item you bring, you have to carry, so don’t overdo it.

For the stuff you don’t already own, consider renting or borrowing for your first time out. It’s worth getting used to the gear and deciding if you even like backpacking before spending money on your own kit. “Allow yourself to have the mindset of a learner,” advised Bothwell.

Some beyond-the-basics packing tips that you might not have anticipated:

Test-drive key items at home

Load up your backpack itself with gear before you head out on your first trip to get used to the weight and how to pack it (remember, the heaviest items should go closest to your spine). If you’re using a new tent, make sure you do a test-run setting it up before your trip, so you’re not frantically searching for cell service to pull up a YouTube demo on your phone.

The heavier your pack, the sturdier the shoes you need

For rockier terrain, you may want to use hiking boots, but make sure you’ve walked in them before. For trips on smoother trails or where you might be crossing creeks, well-cushioned running or athletic walking shoes will suffice.

Make sure your sleeping bag is rated well below the expected overnight temperatures

The way gear companies fix their ratings has changed over the years, and the last thing you want on your first overnight trip is to find out your bag isn’t as warm as you thought. So if the overnight lows are around 45 degrees, stay on the safe side and grab a 20-degree bag.

Read up on the water filter and storage system you choose

Any kind of filtration will work, but make sure you read the fine print, as purification systems like Aquatabs and iodine can take more than an hour to work. This is why I choose filters that squeeze water through tiny tubes to eliminate bacteria and pathogens. It’s also not a bad idea to throw a few purification tabs in your bag as a backup if your filter fails. Water filters cannot sustain below-freezing temperatures and will break, so if it’s a cold night, store your filter with you in your sleeping bag.

Bring a book or headphones

Time really slows down when you’re out backpacking. For your first time, you may find yourself fully immersed in the sounds and sights of nature and your hiking companions. But after the sun sets, I like to have a book or audiobook on hand to bring a sense of peace and normalcy to the trip and help me fall asleep. Plus, music can help me stay motivated on particularly strenuous uphill treks.