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
Hiking Alone: Benefits, Drawbacks, and Safety Tips
Solo hiking is one of the best ways to build confidence while immersing yourself in nature. Our guide features a series of tips and outlines the benefits and drawbacks of solo trail travel!
Camelback Mountain Hike: Cholla Trail and Echo Canyon Trail
Thanks to its convenient location just 20 minutes outside of downtown Phoenix, Camelback Mountain is the perfect day hike. Learn everything you need to know about summiting Camelback in our informative guide.
Best Camping in California: Our 17 Favorite Spots
From ancient redwood forests to epic mountain peaks, California has some of the most exciting camping locations in the country. Discover the best 17 campgrounds in our comprehensive guide and start planning your next adventure today.
Cast-Iron Campfire Cooking: Delicious Recipes and Expert Tips
There’s nothing like cooking over an open fire. Our list of 11 cast iron campfire recipes has something for every meal and for everyone on your camping trip.
Knee Pain After Hiking: 9 Potential Causes and Treatments
Tired of hitting the trail with knee pain? These are the most common causes of hiker’s knee, along with the best ways to treat and prevent it.
Havasu Falls Hike: One of The Best Hikes in the Grand Canyon
From how to get there to tips for securing a hiking permit, here’s everything you need to know to visit the Grand Canyon’s majestic Havasu Falls.
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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
Average Hiking Speed – How to Calculate & Why It’s Important
Knowing your average hiking speed will help you plan, pack & hike better. This guide will take you through how to calculate your speed as well as what this means for your hike.
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.
Hiking Gear
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 Watch For The Trail Less Traveled
Tired of fooling around with paper maps and/or losing your way on the trail? If so, it’s time to invest in a great hiking watch! In this guide, we show you 10 of our favorites.
Best GPS for Hiking and Outdoor Adventures: Our Top 9 Picks
Backcountry navigation is so much simpler with a GPS device. In this straight-talkin’, no-nonsense guide, we’ll be sharing reviews of our favorite GPS devices and helpful tips on how to choose the right model for your tastes and budget.
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.
Backpacking Guides
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Backpacking Gear
Best Camping Knife for Outdoor Adventures
In this guide, we introduce you to seven of our favorite camping knives. From full-tang, fixed-blade knives to pocketable folding knives, our list has something for everyone!
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 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
12 Essential Camping Knots (With Pictures!)
Every good scout knows their basic camping knots! But if you weren’t paying attention we’ve got you covered in our comprehensive guide on how and when to use them.
Camping for Beginners: Your Camping 101 Essential Guide
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
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 Gear
Best 4-Person Tent For Comfortable Camping Trips
Twos company, threes a crowd, fours a party? In our guide to the best 4-person tent find out what models will best suit you and your fellow campers’ camping style and what features to specifically look out for.
Best 10-Person Tent for Family Camping Adventures
For those memorable extended family camping trips, you need a big tent – we’ve reviewed the top 10-person tents to help you find the perfect option for you.
Best Cabin Tents for an Extra-Roomy Camping Experience
We took 7 awesome cabin tents for a test drive to find the cream of the crop. Discover our findings – and the best cabin for your family camping trips – in this detailed buyer’s guide.
Best Truck Tents of 2022: The Ultimate Guide
Ready to kit out your rig for overnight adventures? In this guide, you’ll find a selection of 7 awesome rooftop and truck-bed tents and all the advice you need to pick the perfect model for your needs.
Best 8-Person Tent for Camping with Family and Friends
In this detailed buying guide, you’ll find 7 awesome, oversized tents that truly feel like a “home away from home.” Read on to find the perfect tent for your camping trips with friends and family!
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
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.
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.
Outdoor Apparel Gear
Best Camp Shoes For Taking The Load Off in 2022
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 Hiking Leggings: Our Top 9 Picks for 2022
Buying advice and a carefully curated list of the top 9 hiking leggings for summer hikes, winter hikes, easy trails, tough trails, and everything in between.
Best Hiking Hat: The Best for Outdoor Adventure
In this post, we introduce you to 11 of our favorite hiking hats and caps, all of which are blessed with hiker-friendly features and are especially designed for life on the trail.
Best Rain Pants for Hiking & Backpacking in 2022
You can’t always predict when Mother Nature will throw a downpour your way, but you can prepare! In our guide we recommend our favorite waterproof pants and also what features to keep an eye out for in the best rain pants.
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 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
Camelback Mountain Hike: Cholla Trail and Echo Canyon Trail
Thanks to its convenient location just 20 minutes outside of downtown Phoenix, Camelback Mountain is the perfect day hike. Learn everything you need to know about summiting Camelback in our informative guide.
Best Camping in California: Our 17 Favorite Spots
From ancient redwood forests to epic mountain peaks, California has some of the most exciting camping locations in the country. Discover the best 17 campgrounds in our comprehensive guide and start planning your next adventure today.
Havasu Falls Hike: One of The Best Hikes in the Grand Canyon
From how to get there to tips for securing a hiking permit, here’s everything you need to know to visit the Grand Canyon’s majestic Havasu Falls.
Best Hikes in Red Rock Canyon, Nevada
Ready to explore the most scenic trails in Nevada’s Red Rock Canyon? From red-banded canyons to towering peaks and ancient petroglyphs, this little hiker’s heaven offers some of the best scenery anywhere!
Best Winter Hikes in the USA: 19 Trails for the Holiday Season
If you’re keen to carry on hiking through the cold season, this is the place to be! In this guide, we introduce you to 19 awesome winter wanders across the US for hikers of all ability levels.
Best Hikes Near Seattle: 17 Unmissable Seattle Hiking Trails
Come see why the Pacific Northwest is a hiker’s paradise! This list of the best trails near Seattle will introduce you to 17 of the area’s most unmissable hikes.