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During summer it may be smart to avoid hiking in the heat-of-the-day, but with proper planning you can still enjoy your weekly hikes! Here are some tips on staying safe when hiking in the heat.

Do you want to spend more time outside, but you’re not sure how to get started? Step outside with confidence and learn everything you need to know about hiking. Read our Quick Start Hiking Guide for beginners now!

Want to find a reliable workout that will bring you the same results as the gym? What about results that go beyond what you can achieve at the gym?

Enter the outdoors: your personal playground. This nature-made fitness center is devoid of doors and walls and full of wonder and adventure. 

The outdoors is your new, next-level exercise outlet, and it’s even better than the gym.

Read on to find out why you should cancel your gym membership and subscribe to the great outdoors.

Are you being a responsible hiker during your 52 Hike Challenge? And what does it mean to recreate responsibly while on-trail? Find out how to practice hiking etiquette. Discover the 7 Leave No Trace (LNT) Principles. Get hiking tips to stay safe during Covid-19, and more. Learn how to #RecreateResponsibly right now.

Are you just starting your #52HikeChallenge and need a little help finding trails and/ or planning your hikes?

Planning your hikes may seem challenging when you first begin the 52 Hike Challenge, but we're here to help.

Since you’re going to be getting outside a lot, we would like to guide you through how to plan your hikes and set goals to help you succeed on your 52 Hike Challenge journey.

Read on to start planning your hikes now!

Do you know what to do if you encounter an aggressive animal on the trail? What about if your hiking partner shows signs of dehydration or heat stroke? What if a thunderstorm or wildfire comes out of nowhere?

While hiking is usually a pleasant experience full of great views and bonding time with your hiking buddies, the unexpected can happen at any time.

When you practice hiking safety, you reduce your risk of…

• Dehydration
• Heatstroke
• An animal attack
• Getting stuck in inclement weather 
• Getting lost in the wilderness

And much, much more.

 Of course, most of these hiking mishaps are out of your control. That’s why knowing how to react to hiking emergencies is not only important - it’s essential.

We want you to have fun and enjoy nature, but we also want you to be safe on the trails. 

Keep reading to learn…

• What to carry with you on ALL your hikes
• How to avoid dehydration, heat stroke and injuries
• What to do if you see a bear, mountain lion or rattlesnake
• How to plan for and react to extreme weather
• What to do if you get lost in the wilderness

And much more.

We were humbled to see our name on Fox40 not too long ago, and we're so excited about our new partnership with Camp California! It's great to see that our hiking challenge is making a difference in the community. Read on to find trail recommendations from Camp California, and sign up for your 52 Hike Challenge 2020 now!

Havasupai Indian Reservation, surrounded Grand Canyon National Park, is known for its cascading waterfalls with crystal clear bright blue water. ...

Are you a hiker?

Do you know what the 7 Leave No Trace Principles are?

If you're taking on the 52 Hike Challenge, you should know these important guidelines. Think of the Leave No Trace Principles as a way to help you and your hiking buddies minimize your impact on wild spaces and protect the great outdoors. That way, we can all continue to enjoy nature for many years to come.

Guest Blogger: Kaitlin Musser I live full time in a Thomas short school bus that is a roomy 18 feet in length and less the 100 square feet of livin...

Thank you for joining us this year for #OptOutside! Since the new Opt to Act initiative was such a success, now we are encouraging you to continue the effort into the new year and all year long! Join us and REI as we continue to Opt to Act into the new year. In this blog, you will discover the first of 52 action steps to help you Opt to Act all year! Clean up the trails, go on stewardship hikes, and give back to nature when you pursue your 52 Hike Challenge 2020. Read the blog to get started right now.

Discover the best Bay Area hikes from a local! Find the best hiking trails in the Bay Area at California state parks and natural areas. Learn where you can find redwoods, ocean views, wildlife sightings, and much more.