Just getting started?

We have a few recommendations for your first backpacking trip. In general, we think you should aim for someplace that doesn't involved massive miles (five miles or less to the campsite is ideal) with a nice lake or river as the final destination. And it helps to go somewhere that isn't too isolated, just in case you need a little advice or a forgotten piece of gear.

And yes, we have a few recommendations:

https://www.backpackthesierra.com/great-starter-hikes

Some of these have been impacted by fires over the years, sadly.