Which Outdoors Activity Do You Need Help With?
Thinking about taking your kids car camping for the first time? Want to know the most efficient way to layer clothes for cold weather? Looking for some trip guides for your next hiking adventure? How to (avoid or) treat for poison ivy? Look no further than My Open Country, where our in-house experts give their advice on all the above and more.
From camping, backpacking, hiking, health & hygiene, clothing, environment & safety, navigation, food & water, family adventures, fitness, trail entertainment or survival techniques. Just pick your topic below to get started!
Recent Posts
Best Double Camping Cot: Our 7 Favorite Double Camping Cots for Couples & Families
Believe it or not, it is possible to enjoy a fantastic night’s sleep in your tent! Ditch that all-too-slender sleeping pad and check out these 7 awesome camping cots for at-home comfort in the great outdoors.
Best Lightweight Rain Jacket for Hiking and Backpacking: Our Top 11 Picks
Weather looking questionable? Never fear! In this buying guide, we introduce you to 11 awesome lightweight rain jackets that will let you hit the trails no matter what the weather’s doing!
Best Flashlight for Camping: 9 Handy (and Reliable!) Campsite Illuminators
Think all flashlights are the same? Think again! In this guide, we walk you through key differences to consider when choosing a flashlight for camping and share our top 9 picks!
Best Backpacking Fishing Pole: Spinning Rods, Casting Rods, and Fly Rods
How does fresh fish for dinner sound? In this guide, we’ll take you through some of the ultimate backpacking fishing rods available. From beginners to pros, we’ve got something for every angler!
Best Hiking Gloves for Winter Wanders
In this buyer’s guide, we introduce you to 9 awesome, extra-cozy winter hiking gloves that are sure to keep your hands warm no matter how low the mercury drops.
Best Cold-Weather Sleeping Bags of 2022
Keen to carry on camping through the cold season? Check out our buying guide and reviews of this year’s top sleeping bags for camping in cold weather.
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What is My Open Country?
My Open Country is a campaign to try and get more people excited about the outdoors and wilderness. We believe life wasn’t meant to be lived behind a computer screen so we’ve pulled together as much information as we can into one site, so you can spend less time planning and more time doing.
Improve your wilderness adventures with our in-depth articles on hiking, camping and backpacking skills, inspirational trip guides and awesome gear reviews.
Hiking Guides
Hiking for Beginners: Start Hiking with Confidence
Any new endeavor can seem intimidating, but don’t worry. We’ve put together our Hiking for Beginners guide so you won’t make the same mistakes we did.
Average Hiking Speed—How to Calculate It & Why It’s Important
Knowing how long it will take to get from A-to-B is almost as important as how you get there. Knowing your average hiking speed helps you plan, pack & hike better. Find out why below!
Hiking with Dogs (Bringing your best friend on the trail)
Our ultimate guide to Hiking with Dogs leads you through how to prepare for a fun trip for both of you, and which pitfalls to avoid, and how.
Hiking Gear
Best Hydration Bladder for Hiking & Backpacking [2022 Edition]
Choosing the best hydration bladder for you doesn’t have to be complicated – To help we’ve reviewed 11 of the top hydration bladders on the market.
Best Water Purification Tablets of 2022
Drinking from a stream can be risky, so we’ve reviewed the best water purification tablets on the market to help keep your gut healthy.
Best Hiking Watch for the Trail Less Travelled [2022 Edition]
Deciding how smart your next hiking watch needs to be doesn’t have to leave you dumbfounded. How did the best hiking watches fare in our in-depth review?
Best Compass for Hiking: 2022 Update
An essential for the outdoors, picking the best compass for hiking is simple with our hands-on reviews of the top models.
Best Dog Harness for Hiking Reviewed [2022 Update]
The best dog harness for hiking will make your next adventure with your dog safer and more enjoyable. Check out our reviews to find out who won.
Best Hiking GPS For Outdoor Adventures [2022 Edition]
With many options available picking the best hiking GPS can be a tough choice – we break down what’s important & give our views in this handheld GPS review.
Backpacking Guides
Backpacking Checklist: 3 Season Gear List
Never leave anything important behind again, with our comprehensive Backpacking Checklist. We give you the lowdown on what you absolutely need, what we would recommend and what is either optional or pointless in our editable/downloadable & printable checklist.
How to Pack a Backpack – Are You Doing it Right?
How to Pack a Backpack is almost as important as choosing which backpack to purchase. If you load up incorrectly, you may be in for days of hassle and back pain. We’ve drawn up this easy guide to show you how to pack the right way. Every time.
The Best Biodegradable Soap: The Responsible Way To Stay Clean Outdoors
Venturing outside can be a messy endeavor. However, it is important to understand the environmental impacts that using soap outdoors will entail. Check out our guide on the best biodegradable soap, why you should be using one & how to keep clean & LNT compliant.
Backpacking Gear
Best Sleeping Bag Liner of 2022
Our list of this year’s top liners has it all, from ultralight models for backpacking trips to luxurious and crazily cozy winter warmers.
Best Camping Knife for Wilderness Adventures [2022 Edition]
Benefits and Features of Camping Knives What Are Camping Knives Used For? Anyone who has watched too many survivor TV shows might have the false impression that knives are necessary…
Best Backpacking Saw: Cutting through the Competition [2022 Edition]
Needs a new backpacking saw? We discuss the various types, pros/cons and give our recommendations for the best backpacking saw for your needs.
Camping Guides
How To Pitch A Tent In Any Terrain
Pitching a tent may seem simple to a beginner, but learning how to pitch you tent on different terrains requires different techniques. We show you how.
Camping for Beginners: Tips & Advice for Your First Time Camping
A little bit of know how can be the difference between ok and an awesome trip. Read our guide to camping for beginners to jump start your outdoor adventures
12 Essential Camping Knots to Master for Campers & Backpackers
Learning how to tie a few basic knots is a useful skill and may get you out of a bind the next time you go camping. We show you how to tie 12 of the most important camping knots and when to use them.
Camping Gear
Best 4-Person Tent For Comfortable Camping
Improve your next camping trip with the Best 4-Person Tent to suit your needs – we break down some of the top models to help you choose the best fit for you.
Best 10 Person Tent: 10 Top Picks of 2022
For those memorable extended family camping trips, you need a bit tent – we’ve reviewed the best 10 person tents to help you find the perfect option for you.
Best 8 Person Tent For Group Camping Outdoors
Camping in a large group requires a special kinda tent. We’ve run the rule over 5 of the Best 8-Person Tents on the market to help you choose the perfect one for your needs.
Best Cabin Tents For The Ultimate Group Camping Experience
Few tents provide the roomy interior quite as well as the best cabin tents – we test drive several of the top models to help you pick your favored tent.
The Top 5 Best Truck Tents for Mobile Camping
Combining mobility and shelter, the best truck tents have been put through their paces in our in-depth review – find out which suits you.
Best Tent Brands (and Shelters) of 2022
If you overnight in the wilderness, you’ll need shelter. We’ve reviewed some of the Best Tent Brands and their latest models to help you pick a favorite.
Outdoor Apparel Guides
How to Layer Clothes in Cold Weather
Most folks assume that throwing on as many layers as possible is the best way to defeat the cold. However, a 3-Layer system is actually more efficient at preventing the chills. Learn how to layer clothes like the pros to stay warm when your outdoors this winter with our straightforward guide.
Hiking in the Rain: How to Stay Dry and Still Have Fun
Wet weather doesn’t have to put a damper on your hiking or backpacking trip! If you know how to plan, what to pack and bring the right attitude you can have a fantastic time. Learn how with My Open Country.
What to Wear Hiking: The Foolproof Guide
Giving some serious consideration to what to wear hiking, and with some basic prep you’ll likely find your trip that much enjoyable. Find out how …
Outdoor Apparel Gear
Best Rain Pants for Hiking & Backpacking [2022 Edition]
Packing a pair of waterproof pants may not always be necessary, but you can’t always predict when Mother Nature will throw a downpour your way. We run you through what to look for & give our recommendations for the best rain pants on the market today.
Best Hiking Leggings for on the Trail Comfort [2022 Update]
A carefully curated list of the top 9 hiking leggings for summer hikes, winter hikes, easy trails, tough trails, and everything in between.
Best Camp Shoes for Taking the Load Off [2022 Update]
Do your trail-wearied feet a favor with a pair of these super-comfy camp shoes for post-hike R&R and lazy days around the campsite.
Best 3-in-1 Jacket for Outdoor Adventure [2022 Edition]
If you like a little versatility in your mid & shell layers, then consider our top pick for the title of the Best 3-in-1 Jacket.
Best Hiking Hat for Rain & UV Protection [2022 Edition]
Choosing the Best Sun Hats for Hiking has never been easier with My Open Country’s buyers guide – find out the best hat on the market.
Best Thin Winter Gloves of 2022
If you need some dexterity along with protection from the elements, then we recommend you check out our guide to the best thin winter gloves.
Trails & Campsites Inspiration
Congaree National Park Hiking: A Wildlife-Lover’s Paradise
Discover one of the world’s tallest temperate forests in our guide to one of the US’s most (unfairly!) underrated national parks – South Carolina’s Congaree National Park.
Best Hikes in Cuyahoga Valley National Park
Looking for great hiking within easy driving distance of Cleveland? If so, it’s time to explore 9 of the Buckeye State’s top hiking trails in the idyllic Cuyahoga Valley National Park.
Best Hiking Near San Antonio, Texas for Any Skill Level
Our guide to the Alamo city’s top 10 hiking trails has something for everyone, from mellow, family-friendly hikes to all-day adventures – all within 1.5 hours of downtown.
Best Hikes in Washington: The Evergreen State’s Greatest Trails
Traveling to Washington, but not sure what trails to check out? In this guide, we introduce you to the Evergreen State’s 14 most unmissable and memorable hikes.
Buckskin Gulch & Paria Canyon Hiking Guides
Paria Canyon straddling the Utah/Arizona border is considered one of the longest slot canyons in the world. If you are considering backpacking this 30+ mile long route then we’ll take you through everything you need to know to have a hassle-free trip.
Best Camping in Texas: Our Top 10 Spots to Camp
Everything is bigger in Texas, and that includes the camping possibilities – check out our guide to the 10 Best Places to Camp, Texas Edition. You’ll find something for everyone…