Quick answer: A 1–2 week backpacking trip costs $300–$800 per person with existing gear, including food, permits, and travel to the trailhead. First-timers buying gear spend $1,200–$2,500 for the full trip. This article covers the trip itself — not gear acquisition (see the backpacking gear and backpacking cost articles for gear details).
Why Backpacking Trip Costs Are Hard to Generalize
A backpacking trip to a local USFS wilderness area costs almost nothing beyond food and gas. A backpacking trip to the John Muir Trail requires a permit ($15), resupply packages shipped to post offices along the route, and possibly gear rentals (bear canisters are required in most of the Sierra). A backpacking trip in the Canadian Rockies requires backcountry camping permits (CAD $10–$12/person/night) and potentially bear spray rental or purchase ($35–$55).
Cost of a 7-Night Backpacking Trip: Scenario Comparison
| Expense | Local USFS (NorCal) | JMT Section (Sierra) | Canadian Rockies (Banff BC) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Permit fees | $0 | $15/person | CAD $70–$84/person (7 nights) |
| Food (7 nights) | $70–$130 | $70–$140 | $70–$140 |
| Transportation | $20–$60 (gas) | $80–$200 (shuttle + gas) | $200–$400 (flights or long drive) |
| Gear rental (bear canister, etc.) | $0–$20 | $30–$60 | $35–$80 |
| Pre/post lodging | $0 | $0–$120 | $80–$200 |
| Miscellaneous | $10–$30 | $20–$50 | $30–$70 |
| Trip total (with gear) | $100–$240 | $215–$585 | $485–$974 |
Resupply Costs on Longer Trips
Trips longer than 5–6 days typically require resupply: mailing food packages to post offices, outfitters, or lodges along the route. USPS Priority Mail flat-rate boxes cost $9–$22 per box. A 10-day resupply package weighing 8–12 lbs sent to a JMT resupply point costs $15–$30 in postage plus $3–$8 in packaging. Most thru-hikers on the JMT use 2–3 resupply boxes per trip, adding $50–$120 in shipping costs.
Methodology and Sources
Permit fees from Recreation.gov and Parks Canada backcountry permit scheduling system. Food cost estimates from backpacking food planning guides (PCT Association, ATC) and Mountain House retail pricing. Transportation costs from IRS mileage rate and Google Flights median fares. Canadian permit rates in CAD from Parks Canada camping reservation system (2024).
Food Budget: The Biggest Variable on a Backpacking Trip
Backpacking food cost depends almost entirely on the choice between grocery store DIY and commercial freeze-dried meals. DIY backpacking food — instant oatmeal, jerky, tortillas, nut butter, instant rice and beans, ramen — costs approximately $8–$15 per day per person. Commercial freeze-dried meals (Mountain House, Backpacker’s Pantry, Good To-Go) cost $10–$18 per individual meal, meaning $20–$36 per day if used for dinner and one other meal. A 7-night trip on a strict grocery-store food budget costs $56–$105 in food. The same trip with commercial freeze-dried meals for all dinners and lunches costs $140–$250. Most experienced backpackers use a hybrid approach: grocery staples for breakfast and lunch, commercial meals for dinner convenience, totaling $90–$160 per week.
Permit Costs: What Has Changed Since 2020
Permit systems for popular backcountry routes have become significantly more competitive and more expensive since the COVID-era participation surge. The John Muir Trail permit requires a lottery-based application through Recreation.gov with a $10 non-refundable application fee plus a $15 permit fee on acceptance. Permit fees at Rocky Mountain, Glacier, and Mount Rainier have increased under NPS fee authority in recent years. The most significant development is the expansion of lottery-based systems to previously walk-up areas: the Enchantments in Washington, Angels Landing in Zion, and The Wave in Arizona all require competitive permit applications with $6–$15 fees per application attempt, regardless of outcome. Budget-conscious backpackers should factor in application fees for multiple permit attempts when planning popular routes.
Transportation to the Trailhead: The Underestimated Cost
Transportation to and from the trailhead is frequently the largest single cost on a backpacking trip, yet it often goes unaccounted in trip budget estimates. Driving to a remote trailhead at the IRS standard mileage rate of $0.67/mile (2024) makes a 300-mile round trip cost $201 in vehicle cost alone — before fuel. Point-to-point trails (JMT, Wonderland Trail) require shuttles or two-car logistics. A commercial shuttle from Bishop, CA to the JMT southern terminus costs approximately $50–$100 per person. Backpacking trips that require flights to a gateway city — Alaska, Patagonia, Canadian Rockies — add $300–$700 in air travel that must be factored into the real trip budget.