{"id":21071,"date":"2017-06-04T16:00:08","date_gmt":"2017-06-04T23:00:08","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.rei.com\/blog\/?p=21071"},"modified":"2025-07-24T11:12:12","modified_gmt":"2025-07-24T18:12:12","slug":"yellowstone-national-park-backpacking-gear-list","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.rei.com\/blog\/travel\/yellowstone-national-park-backpacking-gear-list","title":{"rendered":"Yellowstone National Park Backpacking Packing List"},"content":{"rendered":"<span class=\"cb-itemprop\" itemprop=\"reviewBody\"><div class=\"text parbase section\">\n<div class=\"mb10\">\n<p>Yellowstone National Park has more than 900 miles of hiking trails, offering ample opportunity to leave the crowds behind. Backpacking in Yellowstone is a great way to explore the more remote regions of the park and see spectacular wildlife, geysers and gorgeous high-altitude lakes<b>. <\/b>For more information about planning your trip, see our\u00a0<a href=\"\/blog\/travel\/yellowstone-national-park-visitor-guide\">Yellowstone National Park Visitor Guide<\/a>.<\/p>\n<p>The following checklist is designed for a non-guided, non-winter trip in Yellowstone. If you\u2019re part of a guided group, check with the guide company to see what items they provide.\u00a0\u00a0<\/p>\n<p>Included in this list are the Ten Essential Systems you should have on every backcountry trip: navigation; sun protection; insulation; illumination; first-aid supplies; fire starter; repair kit and tools; nutrition; hydration; emergency shelter. To learn more, see our\u00a0<a href=\"https:\/\/www.rei.com\/learn\/expert-advice\/ten-essentials.html\">Ten Essentials article<\/a>.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"text parbase section\">\n<div class=\"mb10\">\n<h3>Equipment<\/h3>\n<ul>\n<li><a href=\"\/c\/backpacking-packs\">Backpack<\/a>\u00a0and\u00a0<a href=\"\/c\/pack-rain-covers\">raincover<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"\/c\/backpacking-tents\">Tent<\/a>\u00a0with guylines and repair sleeve<\/li>\n<li>Tent footprint (optional)<\/li>\n<li><a href=\"\/c\/sleeping-bags\">Sleeping bag<\/a>\u00a0(15\u00b0 &#8211; 29\u00b0)<\/li>\n<li><a href=\"\/c\/sleeping-pads\">Sleeping pad<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"\/c\/whistles\">Whistle<\/a>, plus\u00a0<a href=\"\/c\/signal-mirrors\">signaling mirror<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.rei.com\/c\/altimeter-watches\">Multifunction watch with altimeter<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"\/c\/knives\">Knife<\/a>\u00a0or\u00a0<a href=\"\/c\/multi-tools\">multi-tool<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.rei.com\/c\/compasses\">Compass<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"\/c\/gps\">GPS<\/a>\u00a0(optional)<\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.rei.com\/s\/yellowstone-national-park-books-and-maps\">Map(s) and route description or guidebook<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.rei.com\/c\/trekking-poles-hiking-staffs\">Trekking poles<\/a>\u00a0(optional)<\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.rei.com\/c\/led-headlamps\">LED headlamp<\/a>\u00a0with\u00a0<a href=\"https:\/\/www.rei.com\/c\/batteries\">extra batteries<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.rei.com\/c\/water-treatment\">Water treatment system and backup<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"\/c\/backpacking-stoves\">Stove<\/a>\u00a0and\u00a0<a href=\"https:\/\/www.rei.com\/c\/stove-fuel\">fuel<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.rei.com\/c\/matches\">Matches<\/a>\u00a0or\u00a0<a href=\"https:\/\/www.rei.com\/c\/lighters\">lighter<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.rei.com\/c\/cookware-and-dinnerware\">Cookset, dishes, bowls, utensils, cups<\/a>\u00a0(measuring\/drinking)<\/li>\n<li><a href=\"\/c\/backpacking-stoves\">Stove<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.rei.com\/c\/cords\">Rope<\/a>\u00a0(30 ft.; for hanging food)<\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.rei.com\/c\/gear-repair\">Repair kits for stove, mattress; duct tape strips<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.rei.com\/c\/fire-starters\">Fire starter<\/a>\u00a0(for emergency survival fire)<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"text parbase section\">\n<div class=\"mb10\">\n<h3>Clothing and Footwear<\/h3>\n<ul>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.rei.com\/c\/briefs-and-boxers\">Wicking, quick-drying underwear<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.rei.com\/c\/womens-sports-bras\">Wicking, quick-drying sports bra<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"\/c\/long-underwear\">Wicking, quick-drying long underwear<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"\/blog\/travel\/how-to-hike-the-tour-du-mont-blanc\">Wicking, quick-drying T-shirt and long-sleeve shirt<\/a><\/li>\n<li>Quick-drying\u00a0<a href=\"\/c\/hiking-pants\">pants<\/a>\u00a0(for added tick protection) or\u00a0<a href=\"https:\/\/www.rei.com\/c\/hiking-shorts\">shorts<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"\/c\/fleece-jackets\">Fleece jacket<\/a>\u00a0or\u00a0<a href=\"\/c\/fleece-vests\">vest<\/a>, or\u00a0<a href=\"\/c\/insulated-jackets\">insulated jacket<\/a>\u00a0or\u00a0<a href=\"\/c\/insulated-vests\">vest<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"\/c\/fleece-pants\">Fleece pants<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"\/c\/insulated-jackets\">Midweight down or synthetic jacket<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"\/c\/rain-jackets\">Waterproof\/breathable rain jacket<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.rei.com\/c\/rain-pants\">Waterproof\/breathable rain pants<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"\/c\/bandanas\">Bandana<\/a>\u00a0or Buff<\/li>\n<li><a href=\"\/c\/sun-hats\">Sun-shielding hat<\/a>\u00a0or\u00a0<a href=\"\/c\/ball-caps\">ball cap<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"\/c\/winter-hats\">Winter hat<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"\/c\/gloves-and-mittens\">Gloves or mittens<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"\/c\/hiking-boots\">Hiking boots<\/a>\u00a0or\u00a0<a href=\"\/c\/hiking-shoes\">hiking shoes<\/a>\u00a0suited to terrain<\/li>\n<li><a href=\"\/c\/hiking-socks\">Socks<\/a>\u00a0(synthetic or wool) plus spares<\/li>\n<li><a href=\"\/c\/leg-gaiters\">Gaiters<\/a>\u00a0(for added tick protection)<\/li>\n<li><a href=\"\/c\/sandals\">Sandals<\/a>\u00a0(for fording streams and relaxing in camp)<\/li>\n<li><a href=\"\/c\/swimwear\">Swimwear<\/a>\u00a0(optional)<\/li>\n<li>Change of clothes to leave in car<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"text parbase section\">\n<div class=\"mb10\">\n<h3>Personal Items<b><br \/><\/b><\/h3>\n<ul>\n<li><a href=\"\/c\/sunglasses\">Sunglasses<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"\/c\/water-bottles\">Water bottles<\/a>\u00a0(3) or\u00a0<a href=\"\/c\/hydration-reservoirs\">hydration reservoirs<\/a><\/li>\n<li>Plastic zip-lock bags<\/li>\n<li><a href=\"\/c\/bear-spray\">Bear spray<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.rei.com\/c\/first-aid-kits\">First-aid kit<\/a>\u00a0(see our\u00a0<a href=\"\/learn\/expert-advice\/first-aid-checklist.html\">First-Aid Checklist<\/a>)<\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.rei.com\/c\/camp-towels\">Quick-drying towel<\/a><\/li>\n<li>Camera or\u00a0<a href=\"https:\/\/www.rei.com\/c\/helmet-cameras\">helmet cam<\/a>\u00a0and\u00a0<a href=\"https:\/\/www.rei.com\/c\/memory-cards\">extra memory cards<\/a>\u00a0(all optional)<\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.rei.com\/c\/binoculars\">Binoculars<\/a>\u00a0(optional)<\/li>\n<li>Cell phone in waterproof case (don\u2019t rely on service)<\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.rei.com\/c\/plbs-and-satellite-messengers\">Satellite communicator\u00a0or personal locator beacon<\/a>\u00a0(optional)<\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.rei.com\/c\/nature-viewing-guidebooks\">Field guide(s); star identifier<\/a>\u00a0(optional)<\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.rei.com\/c\/journals\">Outdoor journal<\/a>,\u00a0<a href=\"https:\/\/www.rei.com\/c\/pens\">pen<\/a>, reading material (optional)<\/li>\n<li>Fishing gear and permit (optional)<\/li>\n<li>Large garbage bags to keep items dry (optional; white recommended)<\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.rei.com\/c\/park-passes\">National Parks pass<\/a>\u00a0(yearly pass available from REI.com)<\/li>\n<li>Credit card; small amount of cash<\/li>\n<li>Trip itinerary left with friend and under car seat<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"text parbase section\">\n<div class=\"mb10\">\n<h3>Toiletries<\/h3>\n<p>Many of the following items are optional; tailor the list to suit your personal needs.<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.rei.com\/c\/camp-toothbrushes\">Toothbrush<\/a>\u00a0and toothpaste (travel size)<\/li>\n<li>Toilet paper<\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.rei.com\/c\/camp-shovels\">Sanitation trowel<\/a><\/li>\n<li>Personal wipes<\/li>\n<li>Women\u2019s hygiene items<\/li>\n<li>Hand sanitizer<\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.rei.com\/c\/sunscreen\">Sunscreen<\/a>\u00a0(SPF 30 or higher)<\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.rei.com\/c\/lip-balm\">Lip balm<\/a>\u00a0(SPF 30 or higher)<\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.rei.com\/c\/insect-repellent\">Insect repellent<\/a>\u00a0(effective on ticks, mosquitoes and biting flies)<\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.rei.com\/c\/first-aid-supplies\">Tick-removal tool (optional)<\/a><\/li>\n<li>Biodegradable\u00a0<a href=\"https:\/\/www.rei.com\/c\/camping-soap\">soap<\/a><b><\/b><\/li>\n<li>Deodorant<\/li>\n<li>Dental floss<\/li>\n<li>Spare eyeglasses or contact lenses<\/li>\n<li>Prescription medications<b><\/b><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"text parbase section\">\n<div class=\"mb10\">\n<h3>Food<\/h3>\n<p>Quantity varies depending on activity and length of trip.<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>Breakfast (oatmeal, granola,\u00a0<a href=\"https:\/\/www.rei.com\/c\/freeze-dried-breakfasts\">freeze-dried breakfast<\/a>, etc.)<\/li>\n<li>Lunch (bagels, summer sausage, cheese, smoked salmon, etc.)<\/li>\n<li>Dinner (pasta, couscous, rice,\u00a0<a href=\"https:\/\/www.rei.com\/c\/freeze-dried-dinners\">freeze-dried dinner<\/a>, etc.)<\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.rei.com\/c\/snacks\">Snacks<\/a>\u00a0(cookies, GORP, jerky, candy bars, dried fruit, etc.)<\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.rei.com\/c\/energy-gels\">Energy gels<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.rei.com\/c\/bars\">Energy bars<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.rei.com\/c\/sport-drinks\">Electrolyte replacement drink mix<\/a><\/li>\n<li>Extra day\u2019s supply of food<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"text parbase section\">\n<div class=\"mb10\">\n<h3>Related Articles<\/h3>\n<p><a href=\"\/blog\/travel\/yellowstone-national-park-visitor-guide\">Yellowstone National Park Visitor Guide<\/a><\/p>\n<p><a href=\"\/learn\/expert-advice\/ten-essentials.html\">The Ten Essentials<\/a><\/p>\n<p><a href=\"\/learn\/expert-advice\/backpack.html\">Backpacks: How to Choose<\/a><\/p>\n<p><a href=\"\/learn\/expert-advice\/backpacking-how-to-cross-train.html\">Backpacking: Training Tips and Exercises<\/a><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n<p><\/p>\n<\/span>","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Yellowstone National Park has more than 900 miles of hiking trails, offering ample opportunity to leave the crowds behind. Backpacking in Yellowstone is a great way to explore the more remote regions of the park and see spectacular wildlife, geysers and gorgeous high-altitude lakes. For more information about planning your trip, see our\u00a0Yellowstone National Park [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":40,"featured_media":21173,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paid_content":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[388],"tags":[15,279,254,1540,113,1539,149,1457],"internal-tag":[],"class_list":["post-21071","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-travel","tag-backpacking","tag-idaho","tag-montana","tag-mountain-west","tag-national-park","tag-packing-lists","tag-wyoming","tag-yellowstone"],"parsely":{"version":"1.1.0","canonical_url":"https:\/\/rei.com\/blog\/travel\/yellowstone-national-park-backpacking-gear-list","smart_links":{"inbound":0,"outbound":0},"traffic_boost_suggestions_count":0,"meta":{"@context":"https:\/\/schema.org","@type":"NewsArticle","headline":"Yellowstone National Park Backpacking Packing List","url":"http:\/\/www.rei.com\/blog\/travel\/yellowstone-national-park-backpacking-gear-list","mainEntityOfPage":{"@type":"WebPage","@id":"http:\/\/www.rei.com\/blog\/travel\/yellowstone-national-park-backpacking-gear-list"},"thumbnailUrl":"https:\/\/www.rei.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/4\/2017\/09\/YGH_101016_002_Yellowstone_List_Backpack.jpg?resize=150%2C150","image":{"@type":"ImageObject","url":"https:\/\/www.rei.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/4\/2017\/09\/YGH_101016_002_Yellowstone_List_Backpack.jpg?fit=5184%2C3456"},"articleSection":"Travel","author":[{"@type":"Person","name":"Emily Irelan"}],"creator":["Emily Irelan"],"publisher":{"@type":"Organization","name":"Uncommon Path \u2013 An REI Co-op Publication","logo":""},"keywords":["backpacking","idaho","montana","mountain west","national parks","packing lists","wyoming","yellowstone"],"dateCreated":"2017-06-04T23:00:08Z","datePublished":"2017-06-04T23:00:08Z","dateModified":"2025-07-24T18:12:12Z"},"rendered":"<script type=\"application\/ld+json\" class=\"wp-parsely-metadata\">{\"@context\":\"https:\\\/\\\/schema.org\",\"@type\":\"NewsArticle\",\"headline\":\"Yellowstone National Park Backpacking Packing List\",\"url\":\"http:\\\/\\\/www.rei.com\\\/blog\\\/travel\\\/yellowstone-national-park-backpacking-gear-list\",\"mainEntityOfPage\":{\"@type\":\"WebPage\",\"@id\":\"http:\\\/\\\/www.rei.com\\\/blog\\\/travel\\\/yellowstone-national-park-backpacking-gear-list\"},\"thumbnailUrl\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.rei.com\\\/blog\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/sites\\\/4\\\/2017\\\/09\\\/YGH_101016_002_Yellowstone_List_Backpack.jpg?resize=150%2C150\",\"image\":{\"@type\":\"ImageObject\",\"url\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.rei.com\\\/blog\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/sites\\\/4\\\/2017\\\/09\\\/YGH_101016_002_Yellowstone_List_Backpack.jpg?fit=5184%2C3456\"},\"articleSection\":\"Travel\",\"author\":[{\"@type\":\"Person\",\"name\":\"Emily Irelan\"}],\"creator\":[\"Emily Irelan\"],\"publisher\":{\"@type\":\"Organization\",\"name\":\"Uncommon Path \\u2013 An REI Co-op Publication\",\"logo\":\"\"},\"keywords\":[\"backpacking\",\"idaho\",\"montana\",\"mountain west\",\"national parks\",\"packing lists\",\"wyoming\",\"yellowstone\"],\"dateCreated\":\"2017-06-04T23:00:08Z\",\"datePublished\":\"2017-06-04T23:00:08Z\",\"dateModified\":\"2025-07-24T18:12:12Z\"}<\/script>","tracker_url":"https:\/\/cdn.parsely.com\/keys\/rei.com\/p.js"},"jetpack_featured_media_url":"https:\/\/www.rei.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/4\/2017\/09\/YGH_101016_002_Yellowstone_List_Backpack.jpg?fit=5184%2C3456","jetpack_sharing_enabled":true,"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.rei.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/21071","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.rei.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.rei.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.rei.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/40"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.rei.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=21071"}],"version-history":[{"count":14,"href":"https:\/\/www.rei.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/21071\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":200561,"href":"https:\/\/www.rei.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/21071\/revisions\/200561"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.rei.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/21173"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.rei.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=21071"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.rei.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=21071"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.rei.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=21071"},{"taxonomy":"internal-tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.rei.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/internal-tag?post=21071"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}