{"id":190316,"date":"2025-07-28T06:53:30","date_gmt":"2025-07-28T11:53:30","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.artofmanliness.com\/?p=190316"},"modified":"2025-07-28T09:42:36","modified_gmt":"2025-07-28T14:42:36","slug":"kids-backpacking","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/beta.artofmanliness.com\/skills\/survival\/kids-backpacking\/","title":{"rendered":"Backpacking With Kids: Tips for a Fun, Successful, and Rewarding Trip"},"content":{"rendered":"

\"An<\/p>\n

Last year, we wrote a guide to how to take your first backpacking trip<\/a>, offering a complete primer for getting out there, even if you\u2019re a little intimidated by the idea.<\/p>\n

If going backpacking seems daunting when it will just be adults, the thought of bringing kids along can make it feel doubly so.<\/p>\n

How far are the kids capable of hiking?<\/p>\n

Are they just going to whine and ask \u201cHow much further?\u201d the entire time?<\/p>\n

How do you pack in a bunch of gear for humans who might not be able to carry their own stuff?<\/p>\n

To get the lowdown on how to successfully execute a family backpacking trip with the smaller set in tow, I talked to our friend McKenzie Smith. McKenzie and her husband take their six kids \u2014 who currently range in age from 5 to 14 \u2014 on half a dozen backpacking trips a year. They\u2019ve successfully executed a 40-mile backpacking trip with all their kids with nary a complaint. McKenzie has even taken all six of her children backpacking by herself, including when her youngest was two and her oldest was eleven. To say that she\u2019s a pro at backpacking with kids is an understatement.<\/p>\n

If you\u2019ve ever wanted to try backpacking with your children \u2014 or have tried but it felt chaotic or overwhelming \u2014 this guide will walk you through what to know before the hike, with advice straight from a seasoned trail parent who\u2019s logged hundreds of family miles.<\/p>\n

Why Take Your Kids Backpacking?<\/strong><\/h2>\n

Modern parenting tends to err on the side of bubble-wrapped safety and optimized schedules. But deep in the backcountry, both parents and kids discover qualities in themselves they wouldn\u2019t otherwise get acquainted with.<\/p>\n

\u201cI just really believe in it,\u201d McKenzie said of backpacking. \u201cBackpacking really builds character. We\u2019ve been on some very challenging trips, and our kids reference them whenever they\u2019re doing something really hard. They\u2019ll say, \u2018We did that 40-miler, Mom. We can do this!\u2019 It\u2019s such a confidence-builder for them.\u201d<\/p>\n

Beyond building strength and character, McKenzie sees backpacking as one of the most powerful ways to connect as a family.<\/p>\n

\u201cSome of our very best memories have come from backpacking. The kids remember these trips more than anything else we do.\u201d<\/p>\n

When to Start<\/strong><\/h2>\n

McKenzie advocates for not putting your outdoor adventures on hold while your kids are babies, and the Smiths have taken all of their kids hiking while they were still infants. \u201cOur youngest went on his first trip at four months,\u201d she related. \u201cWe used the Osprey Poco Plus.<\/a> It\u2019s a baby carrier that has storage space so you can pack some gear. We just carried him. It was simple.\u201d (If you\u2019re looking for advice on backpacking with a baby, check out this guide.<\/a>)<\/p>\n

That said, it\u2019s understandable that many might find the idea of taking a baby backpacking intimidating. In which case, wait to take your children along until the youngest can walk most of the way or until the age they seem ready, realizing that it might be a lot earlier than you\u2019d think.<\/p>\n

Something McKenzie emphasized is that kids can hike longer than you\u2019d expect.<\/p>\n

\u201cOur four-year-old hiked 40 miles the year I turned 40,\u201d she said. \u201cKids are so much more capable than we give them credit for.\u201d<\/p>\n

If you\u2019re nervous about sleeping on the ground with your little kids, McKenzie suggests easing into it. \u201cThere are places out West with hike-in cabins and fire lookouts. You still carry your gear, but you get four walls and a roof. It\u2019s a great way to start.\u201d<\/p>\n

From my experience, if you\u2019re new to backpacking yourselves, it\u2019s best for Mom and Dad to get a few trips under their own belts, before they bring their kids along. There\u2019s a learning curve to backpacking, and you don\u2019t want to be figuring it out while the complexities are compounded by your children. Gain some confidence in your own backpacking skills first, and then have your kids join you.<\/p>\n

Choosing the Right Trail<\/strong><\/h2>\n

If it\u2019s your first time going backpacking with your kids, McKenzie suggests being thoughtful about the trail you pick.<\/p>\n

A first backpacking route in the 3\u20135 mile range is a sweet spot. \u201cYou want it to be a challenge,\u201d she said. \u201cEnough that they feel like they accomplished something.\u201d<\/p>\n

You can scale things up or down, depending on how old your kids are. We took our kids on their first backpacking trip when they were eight and eleven and did an 8-mile trail \u2014 hiking in 4 miles, camping overnight, and hiking out 4 miles in the morning \u2014 and it was very doable and just the right amount to get their feet wet.<\/p>\n

When choosing a trail, McKenzie notes, elevation is a bigger factor than mileage. \u201cA five-mile trail with 4,000 feet of gain? That\u2019s brutal for anyone, let alone a kid.\u201d<\/p>\n

Flat or rolling terrain, shaded sections, and trails with a destination \u2014 a lake, a waterfall, a lookout \u2014 go a long way in keeping kids motivated.<\/p>\n

Here\u2019s McKenzie\u2019s quick checklist for picking a kid-friendly route:<\/p>\n