Listing of Day-Hiking Essentials
Hiking through the day is a fun way to discover the outdoors with loved ones or even on your own. There are plenty of options, whether you want to venture far into the mountains or stay closer to town. National forest land and several state and national parks each have extensive trail networks.
Consider how far you want to hike, how remote the place is, and what the weather prediction says you should pack for a day hike when deciding what to pack. Generally speaking, you’ll need additional clothes, gear, food, and water for longer, more remote hikes and more severe weather. Before you go, make sure you read our post on Hiking for Beginners if you’re new to day hiking.
WHAT TO BRING DAY HIKING
These items should be on your hiking checklist:
- Hiking backpack
- Weather-appropriate clothing (think moisture-wicking and layers)
- Hiking boots or shoes
- Plenty of food
- Plenty of water
- Navigation tools such as a map and compass
- First-aid kit
- Knife or multi-tool
- The rest of the Ten Essentials as appropriate for your hike
HOW TO USE THIS DAY HIKING CHECKLIST
While you’re packing, use this handy day hiking checklist to make sure you don’t forget anything important. Here are some notes on how to best use this list:
- The Ten Essentials: Items that are part of the Ten Essentials are marked by an asterisk (*). The exact items you take can be tailored to your trip based on considerations such as weather, difficulty, duration and distance from help. To learn more, see our article on the Ten Essentials.
- This checklist is deliberately comprehensive and intended for day hikes in the backcountry where being self-sufficient is important to your well-being. It includes many more items than you’re likely to need for short treks in or near developed areas, like city parks, though you can adapt it to your needs for these trips.
- Printer-friendly PDF: Print out the PDF version for easy use at home.
CLOTHING & FOOTWEAR
Check the forecast and make sure to dress for the conditions. To be prepared for changing weather or an unplanned night out, pack extra clothes beyond those required for the trip. It’s also important to consider how much protection your clothing provides against the sun’s ultraviolet rays. For footwear, determine what to wear based on the terrain. On gentle hikes on smooth trails, hiking shoes or trail runners are sufficient. For treks on rocky, rugged trails, boots will provide more support. Learn more about choosing hiking clothing and footwear.
FOOD & WATER
Pack snacks like energy bars, jerky and nuts that you can eat easily on the trail. Some people like to bring a sandwich for lunch, too. For water, you can usually start with about two liters per person for the day, but adjust the amount depending on length and intensity of the hike, weather conditions, your age, sweat rate and body type. Learn more about choosing energy food and how much to drink.
NAVIGATION
Navigation is one of the Ten Essentials. The type of trip you’re taking and your personal preferences will determine exactly which items you’ll bring.
EMERGENCY & FIRST AID
- First-aid kit or first-aid supplies *(see First-Aid Checklist)
- Lighter/matches and firestarter *
- Emergency shelter *
- Whistle
- Two itineraries: 1 left with friend + 1 under car seat
HEALTH & HYGIENE
- Hand sanitizer
- Menstrual products
- Prescription medications
Sun protection:
- Sunscreen *
- Sunglasses * (+ sunglasses straps)
- Sun hat *
- SPF-rated lip balm *
Optional:
- Insect repellent *
- Toilet paper
- Urinary products
- Sanitation trowel (if no toilets)
- Baby wipes
- Alcohol or antiseptic wipes
- Blister treatments
TOOLS & REPAIR ITEMS
- Knife or multi-tool *
- Small gear-repair kit * (duct tape, zip ties, etc)
DAY HIKING EXTRAS
- Headlamp or flashlight * (with extra batteries)
- Camera
- Interpretive field guide(s)
- Outdoor journal with pen/pencil
- Binoculars
- Two-way radios
PERSONAL ITEMS
- Credit card and/or cash
- ID
- Cellphone
