Plan and Prepare
Day Hiking Checklist
Use this handy day hiking checklist to make sure you don’t forget anything important on your next day hike.

ESSENTIAL SKILLS
- Backcountry bathroom skills
- Backcountry handwashing skills
- Preventing the spread of COVID-19 and other illnesses
- Avoiding crowded hiking destinations
- Reporting incidents and positive COVID-19 cases
- Following local regulations or closures

CLOTHING
- Multiple reusable masks/face coverings
- Comfortable clothes you can get dirty
- Insulating layer
- Rain jacket or poncho
- Active footwear
- Hiking boots/shoes


EQUIPMENT
- First aid kit – including disposable face masks and nitrile gloves
- Daypack
- Map/compass/trail guide
- Water bottles or bladder
- Emergency Whistle
- Water treatment system
- Lighter
- Head lamp
- Trowel and unscented hand sanitizer
- Toiletries – including hand washing kit

OPTIONAL
- Rain pants/skirt
- Sunscreen/sun hat
- Bug spray
- Hiking poles
- Gaiters
- Bandanas
- Buff/neck gaiter
- Pocket knife
- Binoculars
- Nature guidebooks
- Satellite communication device


FOOD
Consider COVID-19 transmission risks when planning meal spots
- Calorie-dense, lightweight food
- Trash bag
Download a PDF version of this checklist