To start hiking, pick an easier trail that everyone in your group can finish, tell someone at home where you are going, carry the Ten Essentials and set a time to turn around. That is the core of the National Park Service’s Hike Smart guidance. NPS also says you won’t miss out on views, wildlife or a connection with nature by choosing an easier trail, and warns against overestimating your abilities.

This guide walks through a first day hike in order: choosing the trail, getting the basic gear, planning before you leave, what to do on the trail, and what to do if something goes wrong. It links to the site’s gear comparisons where a purchase decision comes up.

Step 1: Choose your first trail

Before you pick a trail, NPS suggests asking yourself a few questions:

  • How much hiking experience do I have, and is this my first time on a trail?
  • How much weight (equipment, food and water) can I comfortably carry, and for how long?
  • Have I practiced hiking up and down steep hills, or am I more comfortable on flat, paved paths?
  • Have I hiked in this kind of environment before? NPS notes that temperature and humidity take time to get used to.
  • Will I be at higher elevation? NPS says more effort is needed at altitude and that at 8,000 feet you are at risk of altitude illness. If you don’t know whether that applies to you, it says to ask your healthcare provider.
  • Am I hiking alone? NPS says it is safer to hike with a companion, and the Forest Service says not to hike alone.

Then pick a trail that everyone in your group can finish and enjoy. NPS says to check the park’s website or ask a ranger about trail difficulty, and that rangers can recommend trails. In national forests, the Forest Service suggests getting a trail map from the ranger district office, its online maps or the National Forest Store and planning the route around your ability, available time and interest.

Learn how the trail is marked before you go. Paint blazes don’t have one universal meaning, so the site’s trail blaze color guide explains how to read them against the land manager’s map.

Plan the time, not just the distance. NPS reminds hikers that total time includes the walk back to the start, and says to plan for any uphill section to take at least double the time it took to go downhill. Know when you set out, and set a turnaround time you will stick to so you don’t get caught outside in the dark.

Step 2: Get the basic gear

You don’t need much to start, but NPS says to always pack the Ten Essentials: navigation, sun protection, extra clothing, illumination, first-aid supplies, fire, a repair kit and tools, nutrition, hydration and emergency shelter. The site’s day hike packing list explains each one and has a printable checklist. These are the purchases most beginners face first:

What you need What the guidance says Compare options
Footwear NPS: sturdy, rubber-soled boots with ankle support for dirt and gravel; not heels or flip-flops Boots and shoes
Socks NPS: thick wool or synthetic socks that wick moisture on longer hikes Hiking socks
Rain layer NPS: have rain equipment packed and ready Rain jackets
Pack Forest Service: extra weight wears you down, so pack as light as possible Daypacks
Headlamp NPS lists illumination as a Ten Essential and recommends headlamps Headlamps
First aid kit NPS: start with a pre-made kit and adapt it to your trip Day-hike first aid kits
Hiking poles Forest Service: consider a pole for balance in unlevel or hazardous areas Trekking poles

Two details matter for comfort. The Forest Service says boots should be broken in and comfortable before a hike. It also notes that the temperature often drops three to five degrees for every 1,000 feet of elevation gain, so carry an extra layer even on a warm morning at the trailhead.

Step 3: Plan before you leave

  • Leave a trip plan. NPS says to give a trusted friend or family member who isn’t coming the details of where you will hike, your contact information, when you plan to arrive and return, and who is with you. The Forest Service adds the vehicle you are driving and where you plan to park, and says to check in with that person when you get back.
  • Check the weather and alerts. NPS says to check the forecast and park alerts for trail closures, wildland fire risk and other hazards, and to have a Plan B. Its lightning guidance notes that summer thunderstorms usually develop in the early afternoon, so it suggests leaving early in the morning.
  • Plan your water and food. NPS says some hikes have reliable water sources and others don’t, so you may need to carry extra water or treat it, and to pack no-cook food plus an extra day’s supply. The site’s water planning worksheet works out how much to carry.
  • Have a way to call for help. NPS says not to rely on your cell phone because a park may have no coverage. If you carry one, keep it fully charged; searching for a signal drains the battery, so NPS suggests turning it off or switching to airplane mode until you need it. NPS also suggests considering a personal locator beacon; the site compares satellite messengers for hikers , including one beacon.
  • Agree on an emergency plan. NPS says to decide what to do if someone gets lost or hurt, and to consider learning CPR and basic wilderness first aid. The Forest Service suggests giving children whistles with the instruction to “stop and blow” if they become lost.

Step 4: On the trail

Keep an easy pace. NPS says to put the slowest hiker near the front so the group stays together, and offers a simple test: if you can talk while you walk, you are going at the right speed. Take breaks often, and the Forest Service suggests frequent rests or varying your pace to keep your energy up.

Eat and drink as you go. NPS says to drink water often and before you feel thirsty, especially in hot weather, and to snack on foods such as trail mix, nuts and granola bars. The Forest Service says to drink plenty of water even on cool, wet days and never to drink your whole supply between refills.

Watch your footing and stay back from water. NPS says to stick to dry paths and solid rock with good footing, to stay away from rapid water and slippery slopes, and not to cross streams in icy or flood conditions or whenever you can’t be certain of the water depth.

Check for ticks. NPS says repellent, netting, long pants and long sleeves are the best ways to prevent insect bites, and to check your clothing and body for ticks during and after the hike. See the site’s bug spray picks and tick-removal kit guide .

Follow trail etiquette. NPS says to yield to uphill hikers by stepping carefully to the side. Its Leave No Trace summary adds:

  • Be courteous and yield to other trail users, and step to the downhill side of the trail for pack stock.
  • Walk single file in the middle of the trail, even when it is wet or muddy.
  • Pack out all trash and leftover food.
  • Use toilets where you can. Otherwise, dig a cathole 6 to 8 inches deep at least 200 feet from water, camp and trails, and pack out toilet paper.
  • Leave rocks, plants and other natural objects as you find them.
  • Watch wildlife from a distance, never feed animals, and avoid loud voices and noises.

If something goes wrong

If you think you are lost, the Forest Service says to stop, stay calm and stay put. Go over how you got there and which landmarks you should see, and don’t move until you have a specific reason to take a step. If you are on a trail, stay on it. If you are not very confident in the route, it says staying put is better, and if it is nightfall, you are injured or you are near exhaustion, stay in place.

If you hear thunder, NPS says you are close enough to be struck by lightning and that no place outside is safe during a thunderstorm. Move toward an enclosed building right away, or, if you can’t reach one, an enclosed vehicle with a hard top and the windows rolled up; picnic shelters, open vehicles and tents don’t protect you. If you are caught outside, NPS says to keep moving toward shelter, avoid isolated tall trees, open fields, ridge tops, rocky outcrops, bodies of water and metal objects, don’t lie flat on the ground, and spread your group out. Wait at least 30 minutes after the last thunder or lightning before you carry on.

If someone is hurt, the site’s guide to using a first aid kit on the trail walks through checking the scene, calling for help and giving care within your training.

Your first hike, in short

  1. Pick an easier trail that everyone can finish, and check its difficulty with the park or forest.
  2. Plan the time out and back, and set a turnaround time.
  3. Pack the Ten Essentials and wear broken-in footwear.
  4. Leave a trip plan with someone at home and check the forecast and alerts.
  5. Walk at a pace where you can talk, drink and eat as you go, and yield to uphill hikers.
  6. If you get lost, stop and stay put; if you hear thunder, head for shelter.

Sources and limits

This guide follows current National Park Service and Forest Service guidance, checked October 9, 2026. Parks and forests set their own rules on fires, waste, pets and permits, so check the page for the place you are hiking or ask a ranger. It is a planning aid and does not replace training in navigation or first aid.