Community Overview
About r/backpacking
A subreddit for traveling backpacking and wilderness backpacking, not restricted to one or the other. All posts must be flaired "Travel" or "Wilderness"
The community at a glance
r/backpacking is a Subreddit for Travelers, Outdoors, and Hikers with roughly 5.5M members. It uses a forum format for communication. On the Hive Index it ranks #4 in the Hiking communities list and #8 in the Outdoors communities list. It is the 2nd largest community in the Travel topic page.
Roughly 75K members have joined in the past year. Popular discussion topics include Backpacking, Gear, and Trip. Common discussion themes are Advice Requests and Solution Requests. Product recommendations often mention hiking boots, backpack, and sleeping bag.
On Reddit
5.5M Members
Community Topics
- Travel, 67 communities, 699 views per month including community pages
Travel
67 communities for Travelers
699 / mo - Outdoors, 49 communities, 414 views per month including community pages
Outdoors
#849 communities
414 / mo - Hiking, 36 communities, 200 views per month including community pages
Hiking
#436 communities for Hikers
200 / mo
Community Features
This community has a forum
Subreddit Analysis
via GummySearchYearly: +75K members
Growth: +1.4% / year
Member growth over time
All time (yearly)
- 2013: 16K members
- 2014: 20K members
- 2015: 18K members
- 2016: 18K members
- 2017: 198K members
- 2018: 512K members
- 2019: 791K members
- 2020: 645K members
- 2023: 1.8M members
- 2024: 1.2M members
- 2025: 238K members
- 2026: 56K members
2013
+16K new
2014
+20K new
2015
+18K new
2016
+18K new
2017
+198K new
2018
+512K new
2019
+791K new
2020
+645K new
2023
+1.8M new
2024
+1.2M new
2025
+238K new
2026
+56K new
Past year (monthly)
- Jul: 0 members
- Aug: 56 members
- Sep: 0 members
- Oct: 414 members
- Nov: 9K members
- Dec: 9K members
- Jan: 9K members
- Feb: 9K members
- Mar: 10K members
- Apr: 9K members
- May: 10K members
- Jun: 11K members
July 2025
+0 new
August 2025
+56 new
September 2025
+0 new
October 2025
+414 new
November 2025
+9K new
December 2025
+9K new
January 2026
+9K new
February 2026
+9K new
March 2026
+10K new
April 2026
+9K new
May 2026
+10K new
June 2026
+11K new
Themes
- Advice Requests14 posts in the past month
- I’m planning a small backpacking trip in Texas soon and just curious how ppl get water in areas like the south where alligators are a concern.
- Arc Dome Wilderness
- ISO Silverware Suggestions - Can’t stand the feel of the brushed metal!
#114Advice RequestsI’m planning a small backpacking trip in Texas soon and just curious how ppl get water in areas like the south where alligators are a concern. · Arc Dome Wilderness · ISO Silverware Suggestions - Can’t stand the feel of the brushed metal! - Solution Requests6 posts in the past month
- Help me decide on a pack
- Help me lighten my pack weight please
- Best pocket camera for travel that survives backpacking trips instead of becoming dead weight
#26Solution RequestsHelp me decide on a pack · Help me lighten my pack weight please · Best pocket camera for travel that survives backpacking trips instead of becoming dead weight - Pain & Anger2 posts in the past month
- Bad Back from Military Service--Sleeping comfortably on the trail
- Has anyone else gone from loving solo travel to feeling burnt out?
#32Pain & AngerBad Back from Military Service--Sleeping comfortably on the trail · Has anyone else gone from loving solo travel to feeling burnt out? - Money Talk1 post in the past month
- How much would It cost to pack pack Europe for 3-4 weeks?
#41Money TalkHow much would It cost to pack pack Europe for 3-4 weeks?
Topics
- Backpacking167 posts in the past month
- I went on my first backpacking trip!
- Successful backpacking trip with my son!
- My first backpacking trip in 2024 - The Rae lakes Loop
#1167BackpackingI went on my first backpacking trip! · Successful backpacking trip with my son! · My first backpacking trip in 2024 - The Rae lakes Loop - Gear77 posts in the past month
- Gear list suggestions.
- Gear help! Looking for first tent recommendations.
- What do you do with your old gear?
#277GearGear list suggestions. · Gear help! Looking for first tent recommendations. · What do you do with your old gear? - Trip63 posts in the past month
- An overnight backpacking trip up Convict Canyon (Eastern Sierra)
- So exited for this season in the woods! What big trips are you doing this summer?
- West coast of Ireland road trip - Cork to the top off Croagh Patrick 🇮🇪
#363TripAn overnight backpacking trip up Convict Canyon (Eastern Sierra) · So exited for this season in the woods! What big trips are you doing this summer? · West coast of Ireland road trip - Cork to the top off Croagh Patrick 🇮🇪 - Hiking59 posts in the past month
- Jeez, I'm finding a lot of ticks on my dog while hiking, I wonder how many I'm missing
- Hiking and backpacking through Stanley, ID
#459HikingJeez, I'm finding a lot of ticks on my dog while hiking, I wonder how many I'm missing · Hiking and backpacking through Stanley, ID - Travel55 posts in the past month
- Travelling Europe: Seeking budget recommendations?
#555TravelTravelling Europe: Seeking budget recommendations?
Flair
- Wilderness105 posts in the past month
- What is your biggest mistake in campsite selection?
- I went on my first backpacking trip!
- Jeez, I'm finding a lot of ticks on my dog while hiking, I wonder how many I'm missing
#1105WildernessWhat is your biggest mistake in campsite selection? · I went on my first backpacking trip! · Jeez, I'm finding a lot of ticks on my dog while hiking, I wonder how many I'm missing - Travel95 posts in the past month
- Europe’s anti-tourism backlash spreads beyond Spain
- Patagonia Argentina
- My Balkans backpacking trip report
#295TravelEurope’s anti-tourism backlash spreads beyond Spain · Patagonia Argentina · My Balkans backpacking trip report
Product recommendations
- hiking boots5 posts in the past month
- Best hiking shoes for long backpacking trip? 🥾
- Recommended shoes/ boots for Grand Teton National Park.
- Can anyone recommend some hiking boots for a guy with wide feet?
#15hiking bootsBest hiking shoes for long backpacking trip? 🥾 · Recommended shoes/ boots for Grand Teton National Park. · Can anyone recommend some hiking boots for a guy with wide feet? - backpack4 posts in the past month
- What size backpack (in liters) is best for 3 weeks backpacking Europe? (hostels, trains, etc.)
- Recommend first backpack for hiking ?
- Anyone recommend this backpack? - Mountain Warehouse Voyager 50L Wheelie
#24backpackWhat size backpack (in liters) is best for 3 weeks backpacking Europe? (hostels, trains, etc.) · Recommend first backpack for hiking ? · Anyone recommend this backpack? - Mountain Warehouse Voyager 50L Wheelie - sleeping bag3 posts in the past month
- Which would be the best sleeping bag choice?
- Sleeping Bag Recs
- Sleeping bag + tent recs? Durable, versatile & cheap for casual use
#33sleeping bagWhich would be the best sleeping bag choice? · Sleeping Bag Recs · Sleeping bag + tent recs? Durable, versatile & cheap for casual use - tent2 posts in the past month
- Tent recs for 3 tall dudes.
- Sleeping bag + tent recs? Durable, versatile & cheap for casual use
#42tentTent recs for 3 tall dudes. · Sleeping bag + tent recs? Durable, versatile & cheap for casual use
View full analysis on GummySearchSynced 6/23/2026
Community Reviews
Frequently asked questions
- Who is r/backpacking for?
- Best for Travelers and Outdoors and Hikers enthusiasts looking for a Reddit-based community with forum discussion.
- Is r/backpacking free to join?
- This listing is not marked as paid-only. Access rules and any fees are decided by the community.
- How many members does r/backpacking have?
- Roughly 5.5M members, based on figures reported by the community or its host. Member counts are approximate and change over time.
- What platform is r/backpacking on?
- r/backpacking runs on Reddit. Reddit communities (or "subreddits") are forum-based groups on the popular social news aggregation, web content rating, and discussion website Reddit. Reddit is commonly known as "the front page of the internet". Users submit content to the site such as links, text posts, and images, which are then voted up or down and discussed by other members. From investing Reddit communities, to professional ones, to ones just for laughs, you're likely to find a community for you on Reddit.
- What topics does r/backpacking cover?
- On the Hive Index, r/backpacking is organized under Travelers, Outdoors, Hikers.
- How do I join r/backpacking?
- You can join r/backpacking by clicking this link, or pressing the "Go to community" button above.
- What are the Travel communities like?
- Communities for travelers planning trips, sharing itineraries, and swapping tips on everything from budget backpacking to luxury travel. You will find subreddits for specific regions and travel styles, Discord servers for nomads and expats, and Facebook groups for niches like solo female travel and budget flights. Active communities for both trip planning and general inspiration.
Monthly Stats
- 6
- Views
- 5
- Visitors
- 2
- Referrals
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