Every day hike starts with the Ten Essentials. The National Park Service organizes them into ten categories: navigation, sun protection, extra clothing, illumination, first-aid supplies, fire, a repair kit and tools, nutrition, hydration and emergency shelter. NPS describes them as basic items that can help you or others with minor injuries, sudden weather changes or unexpected emergencies, and its hiking safety page calls them the minimum everyone should have when recreating outdoors.

The list is a system of categories, not a shopping list. NPS credits The Mountaineers with developing it, and notes that you may need extra equipment depending on when, where and for how long you hike. It gives bug spray and a two-way satellite messaging device as examples of activity-specific additions.

The Ten Essentials checklist

Essential What NPS lists What it means on a day hike Help choosing
Navigation Map, compass and GPS A physical map as backup, plus a phone or GPS map and a spare phone battery Handheld GPS review ; trail blaze colors
Sun protection Sunglasses, sunscreen and hat Also sun-protective clothing such as pants and long sleeves -
Extra clothing Jacket, hat, gloves, rain shell, other layers One layer for the worst conditions you could meet Rain jackets ; rain suit review
Illumination Flashlight and headlamp A headlamp, which NPS recommends because it is hands-free, plus spare batteries Headlamps ; headlamp comparison
First-aid supplies First aid kit A pre-made kit adjusted for your trip and your own medications Day-hike first aid kits
Fire Matches or lighter and fire starters Waterproof matches or a lighter, plus fire starters Check the park’s fire rules
Repair kit and tools Duct tape, knife, multi-tool, scissors Tape and a knife or multi-tool; NPS adds a trowel and toilet paper Trowel comparison
Nutrition Extra food An extra day’s supply of no-cook food such as trail mix, nuts and granola bars -
Hydration Water and water treatment supplies Enough water for the longest dry stretch, plus a way to treat water if there are sources Water planning worksheet
Emergency shelter Tent, space blanket, tarp or bivy A lightweight option such as an emergency space blanket or bivy sack -

What each essential means for a beginner

NPS says to know how to use a topographic map, compass or GPS unit before you go, to bring a physical map as a backup, and to pack an extra battery for your phone. You can also download a map onto your phone or GPS, or use the NPS app. The point is redundancy: if the phone dies or loses its map, the paper map still works.

Sun protection and extra clothing

NPS lists sunglasses, sunscreen and a hat, and notes that sun-protective clothing such as pants and long-sleeve shirts can help. For extra clothing, it says to pack a layer that reflects the most extreme conditions you could encounter, such as a raincoat, jacket, hat or gloves. It also suggests bright clothing so search and rescue can see you more easily.

Illumination

A hike that runs late ends in the dark. NPS lists flashlights and headlamps, recommends headlamps because they are hands-free, and says to pack extra batteries.

First-aid supplies

NPS suggests starting with a pre-made kit and modifying it for your trip and medical needs, checking expiration dates, adding any personal medications you take regularly, and considering an emergency guide. The site’s first aid kit basics guide and readiness checklist cover this category in depth.

Fire, repair kit and emergency shelter

NPS describes fire as both an emergency signal and a heat source, and says to pack matches, preferably waterproof, or a lighter and fire starters, and to learn the park’s fire regulations first. The repair kit covers duct tape, a knife, scissors or a multi-tool, and NPS adds that a trowel and toilet paper may also be important. For shelter, NPS names a tent, tarp, bivy sack or emergency space blanket as lightweight options.

Nutrition and hydration

NPS recommends an extra day’s supply of food, preferably no-cook items such as trail mix, nuts and granola bars. For water, it says to drink often and before you feel thirsty, especially in hot weather, and to find out before you go whether there are water sources you could treat. How much to carry depends on the route; the water planning worksheet builds the number from the longest stretch without a dependable source.

What else to bring on a day hike

NPS’s hiking safety guidance adds equipment that depends on the route:

  • Footwear and socks. NPS says heels, open-toed shoes and flip-flops are not ideal for hiking, and suggests sturdy, rubber-soled hiking boots with ankle support for dirt and gravel trails and thick wool or synthetic socks that wick moisture on longer hikes. The site’s hiking boots and shoes for beginners compares boots, low shoes and a trail runner. For socks, see hiking socks for beginners .
  • A way to call for help. NPS warns that there may be no cell coverage in a park and suggests considering a personal locator beacon. If you use your phone, keep it fully charged; searching for a signal drains the battery, so NPS suggests airplane mode until you need it. The satellite messenger comparison explains two-way messaging options, and satellite messengers for hikers compares Garmin, ZOLEO and SPOT messengers with a personal locator beacon.
  • Insect repellent. NPS recommends repellent, netting, long pants and sleeves against bites, and checking clothing and body for ticks during and after the hike. See the site’s bug spray picks for hiking .
  • Water treatment. If you will refill from streams or lakes, carry filtration or purification equipment; the Sawyer Squeeze versus Katadyn BeFree comparison covers two common filters. The site’s water filters for hiking compares five options, including a purifier.
  • A pack that carries it all. Lay out the full list before you buy a pack. The site’s daypacks for hiking compares volume and the maker’s recommended load.

Before you leave the trailhead

Packing is half of preparation. If this is your first hike, the site’s guide to how to start hiking covers choosing a trail, pace and trail etiquette. NPS’s hiking safety guidance also asks you to:

  1. Leave a trip plan with a trusted person who is not hiking with you: where you are going, when you plan to start and return, and who is with you.
  2. Check the weather and park alerts for trail closures, fire risk and other hazards, and have a Plan B if conditions are poor.
  3. Pick a trail everyone can finish, and let the slowest hiker set the pace.
  4. Set a turnaround time and stick to it. NPS notes that an uphill section can take at least double the time of the same section downhill, so plan the return accordingly.

Printable day hike checklist

  • Map (paper backup) and phone or GPS with the route downloaded
  • Spare phone battery
  • Sunglasses, sunscreen and hat
  • Extra layer and rain shell, plus hat and gloves if it could turn cold
  • Headlamp and spare batteries
  • First aid kit with personal medications
  • Matches or lighter and fire starter
  • Duct tape and knife or multi-tool; trowel and toilet paper if needed
  • Extra no-cook food
  • Water for the longest dry stretch, plus treatment if you will refill
  • Emergency space blanket or bivy
  • Hiking footwear and moisture-wicking socks
  • Insect repellent if the season calls for it
  • Trip plan left with someone at home

Sources and limits

This checklist follows current National Park Service guidance, checked October 5, 2026. Individual parks and land managers can have their own rules, for example on fires and waste, so check the page for the place you are hiking. The checklist is a planning aid and does not replace training in navigation or first aid.