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!
Popular Posts
Best Backpacking Sleeping Bags: Trialed & Tested [2023 Edition]
We’ve looked at and comparatively reviewed some of the best sleeping bags on the market, so whatever you’re preferences we can recommend one to suit.
Best Lightweight Rain Jackets: Field-Trialed & Tested [2023 Update]
Weather looking questionable? Never fear! In this buying guide, we introduce you to 12 awesome lightweight rain shells that will let you hit the trails no matter what the weather’s doing!
Best Hiking Sandals: Field-Trialed & Tested [2023 Update]
Our list of this year’s top hiking sandals has something for everyone, from minimalist open-toe sandals to closed-toe models that perform just like scaled-down trail shoes.
Best Pop-Up Tents: Field-Trialed & Tested [2023 Update]
There’s no more convenient way to do your camping than in a pop-up shelter. Find the best model for your needs in this straight-talking review, which features everything from lightweight 1- and 2-person models to palatial 12-person family tents.
Best Camping Hammocks: Trail-Tested & Trialed [2023 Update]
Ready to give hammock camping a try? Great! In this guide, we introduce you to 9 awesome hammocks suitable for different budgets, users, and adventure types.
Best Generator for Camping [2023 Update]
You don’t have to give up on modern conveniences just because you’re camping! In this guide, we’ll show you how to choose the best portable camping generator so you never have to face that dreaded low battery signal.
Best Coolers for Camping: Field-Trialed & Tested [2023 Update]
Our straight-talking buyer’s guide contains a selection of 9 awesome hard-sided and soft-sided coolers for camping adventures of all shapes and sizes.
Best Backpacking Sleeping Pads: Field-Trialed & Tested [2023 Update]
Whether you are looking for lightweight, or for something with a higher R value, we’ve reviewed & rated the best sleeping pads. Find the best fit for you.
Camping Must-Haves: 31 Essential Camping Gear Items
With all the camping gear and gadgets available, it can be hard to know what to pack for your first camping trip. Here is our guide to all the essential items you’ll need!
Best Pop-Up Canopy: Trialed & Tested [2023 Update]
Need some shade and/or wind and bug protection for your days outdoors? Check out our list of this year’s top canopy tents, which includes everything from tailgating and beach canopies to commercial and camping canopies.
Best Portable Toilet for Camping: Field-Trialed & Tested [2023 Update]
Had enough of DIY toilet buckets and bags? Then get your business done like royalty with a camping toilet. Any of these awesome portable models will make a fine choice for your new camping commode.
Best Camping Cots: Trialed & Tested [2023 Update]
Sleeping on the ground isn’t one of the more pleasurable experiences of camping. We run you through the best camping cots currently on the market so you can get a good night’s sleep in the wild.
Best Hiking Boots: Field-Trialed & Tested [2023 Update]
We know how important footwear is to your hiking game. To help ensure you have the best hiking boots for your needs, we’ve put together a list of the top 13 models on the market.
Best Family Tents: Field-Trialed & Tested [2023 Update]
In this buying guide, you’ll find 9 awesome family tents for every budget and adventure. From minimalist backpacking tents to luxury car-camping tents, our list has something for everyone!
Best Down Jackets: Trail-Trialed & Tested [2023 Update]
Take your cold-weather outdoor adventures to the next level with this guide to this year’s best puffy jackets. Whether you’re looking for an ultralight, affordable, or sustainable option, our list of the top 9 down jackets will have what you need!
Best Camping In Colorado: 15 Top Sites For Your Next Trip
Hosting part of the Colorado Plateau, most of the southern Rockies, and a border of the Great Plains you’ll never be short of sensational sites for camping in Colorado. Find out the best of the bunch in our Centennial State campsite guide.
Best Biodegradable Soap for Backpacking & Camping
An adventure into the wilderness can become a messy endeavor. Learn how to keep clean when using soap outdoors while minimizing any environmental impact with our quick guide to the best biodegradable soaps.
Backpacking Food: The Ultimate Guide To Backcountry Eating
In this guide, we cover all you need to know about food for backpacking, including how much to take, what type to take, how to store it, and how to keep weight, bulk, and costs to a minimum.
Best Hikes In Sedona, Arizona: 15 Amazing Trails
Ready to explore a geological wonderland? From family-friendly trails to epic, all-day treks, these 15 Sedona trails are so impressive they’ll knock your hiking boots off your feet!
15 Best Hikes in Los Angeles with Awesome Views!
This guide to the best hikes near Los Angeles includes leisurely walks through lush riparian canyons, challenging treks to snowy summits, and easy strolls with spectacular views of the Pacific Ocean.
The 15 Best Campgrounds in Wisconsin
Head to beautiful Wisconsin and check out the multitude of activities and attractions you’ll find in and around 15 of the best campsites in the state.
Best Daypacks for Hiking: Field-Trialed & Tested [2023 Update]
Our top-ten list includes daypacks for every occasion, from ultralight models for peak-bagging missions and side trips to comfortable all-day carries for longer trips with heavier loads.
Best Camping Tents: Field Trialed & Tested [2023 Update]
Our review of this year’s top 9 camping tents has something for everyone – and a detailed guide offering all the advice you need to make the right choice.
Best Backpacking Backpacks: Field-Tested & Trialed [2023 Update]
Looking for the best backpack for multi-day adventures? Our selection of this year’s top 9 backpacking packs has something for all budgets and adventure types.
Best Lightweight Hiking Shoes: Field-Trialed & Tested [2023 Update]
Looking to lighten the load on your legs on your hiking adventures? We break down 11 of the best hiking shoes at, under, or around the 2 lbs mark to help you find the best option for you.
Recent Posts
Best Solar Charger For Backpacking Adventures
A dead battery on one of your devices when backpacking can have serious consequences. To keep your electronic essentials powered up, solar’s the only way to go. Here, we explain why and introduce you to 8 awesome portable solar power-packers.
Best Dog Backpack Carrier for Hiking: Top 6 Rides
If you think bags for carrying your dog are just for fashion or airplanes, think again! Keep your hiking buddy safe and happy with our top recommendations for dog backpacks.
What To Wear Hiking: The Ultimate Guide
Unsure what hiking outfit will work best for you? Learn how to dress for success in any season of the year in this simple, straight-talking guide.
9 Hammock Camping Tips: Expert Advice To Get You Started
Switching your tent for a hammock may seem challenging at first. But with the right gear and know-how, anyone can enjoy the great outdoors in a hammock. We introduce you to the process in this guide!
How to Stay Warm in a Tent: 21 Game-Changing Tips
Plan to carry on camping through the cold season? These 21 expert tips and hacks will help you stay safe and warm no matter how low the mercury goes!
How To Pack a Backpack – Are You Doing it Right?
If you didn’t already know there is most definetely a right and a wrong way to organize your hiking backpack. 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.
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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.