Hiking and Backpacking Costs

Day hiking costs $0–$15 out of pocket on a local trail. Destination hiking at national parks runs $50–$130 per person per day. Gear startup is $260–$600. Here is the full cost breakdown.

A 1–2 week backpacking trip costs $400–$1,200 with existing gear. Starting from scratch, expect $1,500–$3,500. Here is every cost broken down — gear, food, permits, and travel.

A PCT, AT, or CDT thru-hike costs $5,000–$10,000 on-trail for 5 months, plus $1,000–$3,000 in gear. Including foregone income, the true cost can reach $25,000–$35,000.

Backpacking gear is expensive because premium materials like Dyneema and 850-fill down cost 5–10x standard alternatives, and small production runs eliminate the economies of scale that keep consumer goods cheap.

Beyond permit fees and gear, active hikers spend $200–$800/year on hidden costs: shuttles, parking violations, failed permit lotteries, gear replacement cycles, and injury-related medical expenses.