Wilderness Survival Tips for Beginners: Before You Go

Most rescues start with small planning mistakes. This guide is about what to do before and during a hike so you never need the “lost” steps. If something does go wrong, read Essential Wilderness Survival Skills.

Pack the Ten Essentials

The National Park Service (NPS) asks every hiker to carry ten types of gear. Weight and size can change with the trip, but each category should be in your pack.

Essential	What to carry
Navigation	Map, compass, GPS. Carry a paper map and a spare phone battery.
Sun protection	Sunglasses, sunscreen, hat
Extra clothing	Jacket, hat, gloves, rain shell. Bright colors help rescuers see you.
Illumination	Headlamp or flashlight with spare batteries
First aid supplies	A premade kit plus your own medicines. Check expiration dates.
Fire	Waterproof matches or a lighter, plus fire starters
Repair kit and tools	Duct tape, knife or multi-tool, scissors
Nutrition	At least one extra day of no-cook food
Hydration	Water plus a way to treat more
Emergency shelter	Space blanket, tarp, bivy or tent

The NPS also suggests a whistle, a signal mirror and bright clothing.

How much water to carry

Water needs depend on heat, distance and your body. Two NPS parks give useful starting points:

• Theodore Roosevelt National Park advises at least one gallon (3.8 L) per person per day.
• White Sands National Park says two liters per person is the minimum for a hike.
• White Sands also advises turning back when half your water is gone.

Drink before you start, and drink often on the trail. The NPS says to drink before you feel thirsty.

Leave a trip plan

The NPS asks you to fill out a trip plan and leave it with a trusted contact who is not on the trip. Parks will not hold your trip plan for you.

Your plan should include:

1. Where you’re going, including trailhead and route
2. Who is in your group
3. What you’re wearing and carrying
4. When you expect to be back
5. When your contact should call for help, and which number to call

Tell your contact if your plans change. Check in with them as soon as you finish.

Check the weather

The NPS advises checking the forecast before every trip and asking a ranger about current conditions. Have a backup plan if the weather turns.

Thunderstorms are a common risk. The National Weather Service says, “When thunder roars, go indoors.” Stay inside a building or hard-topped vehicle until 30 minutes after the last thunder. If storms are forecast, consider postponing your hike.

Dress for the worst weather you could see, not the best. The NPS at Theodore Roosevelt National Park advises “No cotton.” Wool and polypropylene dry faster and keep you warmer when wet.

Know your limits

The NPS says to be honest about your skills, fitness and medical conditions before choosing a hike. Many rescues happen when people overestimate their ability or underestimate the terrain.

For your first hikes:

• Pick a well-marked trail of a few miles.
• Hike with a partner. NPS parks advise against hiking alone.
• Start early, rested, with plenty of daylight left.
• Read trail descriptions for distance and elevation gain.

Set turnaround rules

A turnaround time is the clock time when you turn back, even if you haven’t reached your goal. Pick it before you start and stick to it.

Base your turnaround on these NPS rules:

• Daylight: Plan to be off the trail by sunset. Count back from sunset, allowing as much time for the return as for the hike out.
• Water: Turn back when half your water is gone.
• Trail markers: If you can’t see the next marker, turn back.
• Gut check: The NPS says if something doesn’t feel right, turn back and visit another day.

Phone and battery tips

The NPS is clear: “Your cell phone is not a substitute for any of the 10 essentials.” You may have no service, and your battery may not last.

Make your phone last longer:

• Start with a full charge, and carry a portable charger.
• Use airplane mode while you hike.
• Download offline maps before you leave. The NPS app offers park maps for offline use.
• Dim the screen and close apps you don’t need.

Carry a paper map anyway. In an emergency, call 911 and give your location.

Day hike packing checklist

• Paper map and compass
• Charged phone and power bank
• Water and a treatment method
• Snacks plus one extra day of no-cook food
• Rain jacket and a warm layer (no cotton)
• Hat, sunglasses and sunscreen
• Headlamp with spare batteries
• First aid kit and personal medicines
• Lighter or waterproof matches and fire starters
• Knife or multi-tool and duct tape
• Space blanket or emergency bivy
• Whistle and signal mirror
• Trip plan left with a trusted contact

Common beginner mistakes

The NPS lists these mistakes in its trip planning guide:

• Changing your route without telling your trusted contact
• Relying on your phone instead of the Ten Essentials
• Not testing gear before the trip
• Having no backup plan for full parking lots or closed areas
• Not checking park conditions when you arrive
• Leaving marked trails
• Getting too close to wildlife. Keep at least 50 yards from most animals and 100 yards from bears and bison.

Starting late is another common error. Theodore Roosevelt National Park advises arriving early and rested, not late and tired.

Build your skills one at a time with Top 10 Basic Survival Skills. For gear details, see 10 Must-Have Items for Your Basic Survival Kit.

Related guides

• Lost or Stranded in the Wild: What to Do, Step by Step
• Top 10 Basic Survival Skills and How to Practice Each One
• Best Navigation Tools for Survival: Map, Compass, GPS, PLB

Sources

• Ten Essentials — National Park Service
• Trip Planning Guide (PDF) — National Park Service
• Outdoor Emergency Plan (PDF) — National Park Service
• Hiking Safety Tips, White Sands National Park — National Park Service
• Trail and Hiking Safety, Theodore Roosevelt National Park — National Park Service
• Lightning Safety Overview — National Weather Service
• Lightning Safety for You and Your Family (PDF) — National Weather Service
• FCC/FEMA Tips for Communicating During an Emergency (archived) — FCC and FEMA