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Best Ways to Prepare for an Overnight Hike

An overnight hike can be one of the most adventurous and fun hikes.  With limited visibility, an overnight hike will challenge your hiking abilities and make the hike a bit more challenging.  However, without the sun beating on your back and with a brisk, cool wind guiding you forward, overnight hiking can be just as enjoyable as a regular hike.

Before embarking on your next overnight hike, it is best to adequately prepare and know what to expect.  Below, we’re going to review the best ways to prepare for an overnight hike, including describing what exactly is an overnight hike, what items you should bring, and how you should prepare for an overnight hike.

What is an Overnight Hike?

Overnight hiking, as compared to a more traditional day hike, is a hike that is completed once the sun has set.  However, contrary to popular belief, an overnight hike does not need to be done all night.  Rather, an overnight hike simply occurs post sunset and is the act of hiking without sunlight.

For many hikers, a regular day hike may simply transition to an overnight hike due to the setting of the sun.  Similarly, many hikers may opt to continue on their hike even though the sun has set.  Lastly, many hikers may find themselves itching to continue the hike and will continue even past sunset.

However, for many hikers, an overnight hike is an adventure that they will actively seek out.  That is, they will begin their hike once the sun has set and will stop hiking at a predetermined location, when fatigue and exhaustion set in, or when the sun begins to rise again.

Best Ways to Prepare for an Overnight Hike

Why do Hikers Hike Overnight?

There are a number of reasons why hikers may opt to hike overnight.  This includes the thrill of hiking while in relative darkness, the cool air that hiking provides while done overnight, and the need to continue on the trail to reach a predetermined location.

Is Overnight Hiking Dangerous?

Admittedly, hiking overnight is more dangerous than traditional day hikes.  This can be due to a variety of reasons, but most notably overnight hiking is dangerous due to the decreased visibility.  While this can be somewhat overcome by flashlights and headlamps, these tools only increase visibility within the area they are pointed to.

Similarly, overnight hiking can be more dangerous in that a hiker will be less able to determine different clearances, elevations, and depths.  Whether wading through a stream or climbing up a hillside, hiking overnight provides limited assurances and can lead to injuries or even death.

Preparing for an Overnight Hike

Overnight hiking is inherently different from day hiking.  Due to the limited visibility, it is easier to get lost on the trail, to encroach on a wild animal, and to misjudge a clearance, elevation, or depth.  However, there are a few tips you can take into consideration to make your overnight hike more successful.

  • Consult with more experienced hikers – before embarking on an overnight hike, it is helpful and recommended to consult with more experienced hikers, particularly with hikers who have completed overnight hikes and hikers who have completed overnight hikes within the same area.  These hikers will be able to provide you with invaluable advice on what to expect, as well as what items to bring along with you.
  • Pick an Overnight Hiking Trail Close to Home – if this is your first overnight hike, then picking a hiking trail close to home will help you be more aware of your surroundings.  Not only will you be less likely to get lost, but if you do, you will be relatively close to home and other people.
  • Research the Trail Beforehand – ideally, you should visit your target trail during the day to assess the difficulty of the trail and prepare yourself for the overnight hike.  However, if this is not possible, then be sure to map out the hike and read reviews online of other hikers who have hiked at that location.
  • Don’t Overextend Yourself – overnight hiking is inherently more difficult than day hiking.  As such, you should not overextend yourself.  In addition to researching the trail beforehand, you should aim to only complete a few miles of actual hiking.  This will help you to remain on the trail and will reduce your levels of fatigue.
  • Choose a Well-Traveled, Well-Established Trail – if you are looking to complete an overnight hike, then begin with a well-traveled, well-established trail.  These trails will be easier to complete and will ensure you remain on the correct path through your hike.
  • Plan for Warmer Weather – ideally, you should complete your first overnight hike in the warmer months.  This will help you to remain warmer and will help you to avoid hypothermia.
  • Bring Along Your Four-Legged Friend – dogs really are a man’s best friend and bringing along your best bud can help you to not only remain on the trail, but they can act as added security and defense against wild animals and other creatures of the night.  However, be sure to also prepare your dog for the hike and ensure that they are in tip-top shape.
Best Ways to Prepare for an Overnight Hike

What Items to Bring and Pack for an Overnight Hike?

Preparing for an overnight hike is similar to preparing for a day one or a long-term hike, with a few notable additions.  Below, we’ll review what to prepare and what to bring for an overnight hike.

  • Camp Tent – although you will be planning for an overnight hike, you will inevitably need to stop and rest.  Bringing along a sturdy, durable tent will help you get a goodnights rest and will offer you a space to rest and recover.  We recommend the Coleman Dome Tent, particularly for your overnight hiking needs, as it contains dark room technology which blocks out 90% sunlight from entering the tent.
  • Camp Backpack – a dedicated camping backpack will help you to remain prepared for your overnight hike.  Not only will you be able to carry all your necessary items, but you will also be able to bring along bottles of water, food and snacks, and other miscellaneous items to make your overnight hike more enjoyable.
  • Sleeping Bag – a camp tent is only as comfortable as the sleeping bag you sleep in.  Be sure to invest in a high-quality, durable sleeping bag that not only provides adequate levels of warmth, but also allows for proper air circulation.
  • Pocketknife – particularly important for hiking and camping, but especially so while hiking overnight, a pocketknife can be used in a variety of situations and will provide you with added protection and defense against wild animals.
  • Satellite Communication Device – although cellphones have all but killed the satellite communication device industry, they are an important tool to keep in your hiking arsenal.  In the case of emergency, a satellite communication device will help you get out of a bind and will help you reach emergency services.
  • First Aid Kit – although we hope that you’ll never have to use one, carrying a first aid kit is a great way to be prepared.  In addition to carrying bandages, gauze, and pain relief pills, many first aid kits also carry antibacterial ointments, burn creams, and other emergency relief products.
  • Hiking or Trekking Poles – hiking or trekking poles are another great set of tools to bring along on your overnight hike.  Not only will these poles help to provide you with added stability and support, but they can also be used to gauge depth and elevation along your route.
  • Flashlight or Headlamp – while not as necessary during a day hike, carrying a flashlight and wearing a headlamp on your overnight hike are absolutely crucial.  Not only will both items help you to gain more visibility at night, but they will also help you to locate and identify your hiking partners.  We personally recommend the DanForce Headlamp which we’ve found provides superior comfort and maximum lumens to illuminate your path.
  • Download Google Maps Offline – while you may opt to carry around a trail map or guide, downloading a Google Map’s area offline will be much easier to carry and navigate with.  Although you will need to ensure that your phone is charged to access, an offline, downloaded Google Map’s area will provide you with specific information on how to trek across your trail.

Conclusion

Although an overnight hike can be a bit more dangerous than a regular day hike, it can also be a lot of fun.  You’ll experience aspects of hiking which aren’t seen during the day and won’t need to worry about the sweltering heat as much.  However, be sure to properly prepare for an overnight hike before embarking on one.

This includes researching the trail beforehand, purchasing the proper gear and equipment, and mentally and physically preparing yourself for the upcoming hike.  As always, be sure to research your trail before heading out and have fun!