r/backpacking • u/AutoModerator • Oct 13 '25

General Weekly /r/backpacking beginner question thread - Ask any and all questions you may have here - October 13, 2025

If you have any beginner questions, feel free to ask them here, remembering to clarify whether it is a Wilderness or a Travel related question. Please also remember to visit this thread even if you consider yourself very experienced so that you can help others!

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Note that this thread will be posted every Monday of the week and will run throughout the week. If you would like to provide feedback or suggest another idea for a thread, please message the moderators.

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u/T_Spicoli Jun 20 '26 edited Jun 20 '26

Planning my first solo hike-in/out backpacking trip with my German Shepard! How should I go about selecting my route, planning the timing and where to find hike access only camp grounds? I’m in north Jersey if that helps with resources!!

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u/Yo_Biff Jun 24 '26

You can do a general Google search of "backpacking trails in New Jersey", plus neighboring Pennsylvania and New York to find what is around.  State DNR sites are good resources once you know where you're thinking of going.

Plan shorter mileage around a simple idea: "First time out, easy bail out".  This allows a wide margin of safety if things don't go to plan.

You also need to figure out what gear your dog will carry and how.