PNW Adventure Packing List (By an Outdoor Guide!)

Looking for the ultimate packing list for your PNW outdoor adventure trip? I’ve got you covered; here’s everything you need to have a great PNW adventure!

why this blog? hi there! My name is Maddy and I’m an adventure guide and guidebook writer committed to helping people explore the outdoors, with a focus on Midwest adventurer. Last year, I spent 8 months living and working as a guide in Washington State. I’ve decided not to create any eBooks on hiking & paddling within Washington, at least for the foreseeable future, and instead have created a number of detailed, totally free resources linked throughout this blog post! I’m stoked to show you around!

oh hey there! This blog uses affiliate links. That means if you choose to make a purchase I make a small kickback at no additional cost to you.

canoeing near Glacier National Park, Montana

Quick & Minimal packing list for your PNW Outdoor Adventure:

Travelling and hiking in Pacific Northwest you’re likely to experience cold, sun, heat, rain, and just about everything in-between! Here’s a few quick essentials to make your PNW Trip easy:

• 2 lightweight, long hiking pants. I wear a size 8 and am short, and find the REI trailmade to be super flattering as well as the Kuhl freeflex.
• A pair of shorts, and yoga pants with pockets 
• A fleece. Any fleece will do, but I really love my Patagonia Synchilla
• Wool baselayers. Five years of heavy paddling and my Smartwool baselayers are the only wool baselayers I’ve had that have really stood the test of time. For a seven day trip, pack about four baselayer tops. 
• Study hiking boots. I like my Bridger Mids. Working in outdoor retail I literally never had anyone try on these shoes and not buy them. Pair with Darn Tough hiking socks and pack at least five pairs. In the alpine areas, trekking poles are also a great choice!
• hiking sandal and quick dry shots: I like Patagonia Baggies
• A puffy jacket. It can be cool even in the summer near the lakeshore, especially evenings. My partner Andy (also a wilderness guide) swears by the Patagonia Nano Puff. I like my Helly Hansen Liftloft. 
• If camping, a tent, packable sleeping bag (Nemo Disco) and pad (comfortable sleeping pad): Read my budget tent recommendations here!
• A day hiking pack: I love my Perimeter 35L. I was gifted this pack a few years back and it’s still my go-to day pack; a savvy packer can easily pack for a seven day hiking trip in this bag. 
• A raincoat. I love the Moss Raincoat from Helly Hansen; It’s affordable, cute, and super durable.
• Maps: Mount Rainier National Park, Olympic National Park, Mt. Baker Trails Map
• A Northwest Forest Pass (National Forest), Discover Pass (State Parks), and National Parks Pass (also covers national forest use)

left: sea kayaking the fjords of British Columbia. right: hiking near Mt. Baker

Day packs for your PNW Adventure Hiking Trip:

Choosing a day hiking pack for your PNW hiking adventure can be an important choice! Consider how far you like to hike, what you will need to carry with you on day hikes, and what backpack will be most comfortable on your body. 

For shorter day hikes where I don’t need to carry much, I like the Cotopaxi 18L Luzon Del Dia. For longer day hikes (or even short backpacking trips!) I like the Granite Gear Perimeter 35L.

Andy (pictured above), also an outdoor guide, prefers the Gregory Citro 30 as a roomy hiking day pack.

Waterproof Duffle for Travel in the PNW:

One of the best ways to pack for travel in the PNW and beyond is out of a 40L waterproof duffle, the perfect size to pack as a carry on and convert to a backpack. 

Personally, I recommend the Black Hole bag from Patagonia; I’ve had mine for six years now and it’s been everywhere from coastal kayaking trips to Armenia.

Camping Gear for Car Camping in the PNW:

One of the best ways to see the Pacific Northwest is car camping! You don’t need much for car camping— the best gear is the gear you’ve got with you! Keep in mind too that you can often rent gear from REI!

Check out the ultimate guide to car camping!

What to pack for backpacking in the PNW:

Backpacking in the Pacific Northwest is much like backpacking anywhere else in the world! You’ll want to be sure to pack the backpacking essentials. Trekking poles are extra useful if backpacking in the North Cascades, and come prepared for potential rain!

check out a beginner’s guide to your first backpacking trip, what to pack, how to pack, and planning tips!

How to manage bugs in the PNW:

Bugs can be bad in the Pacific Northwest, particularly in the mountains and alpine area! In general, bugs by the coast are pretty mild, particularly in the San Juan Islands area. 

Plan for gnats, mosquitos, and bugs in the mountains from the time it’s snow-free until first frost. Treat your clothes with Permethrin, and check out Ben’s bug spray for one of the most effective sprays.

Simple Hiker’s First Aid Kit:

One thing you definitely need to pack for your Pacific Northwest Trip is a simple day hiker’s first aid kit. Here are the the things I make sure to have in my first aid kit after six years of working as an outdoor guide:

• KT tape for blister prevention. KT tape works wonders for preventing blisters before they happen, and preventative care is the best care. 
• Second Skin for blister and burn treatment
• Band-aids of multiple sizes, gauze, ankle wrap
• Benadryl and Benadryl cream to manage allergic reactions
• Ibuprofen and Tylenol 
• A whistle and signaling mirror to call for help if needed
• Pads and Tampons, and an ankle wrap can be used to treat large bleeding wounds in a pinch

left: hiking near mount baker. middle: sea kayak camping the san juan islands. right: hiking glacier national park

How to prevent blisters while hiking in the PNW:

One of the biggest concerns for hikers in the PNW is blisters! Blisters are especially common for hikers jumping up significantly in milage or tackling elevation changes without first training for them—

This is because blisters are caused by sheering force on your foot; hiking longer distances while on vacation or hiking routes with longer uphill or downhill than you’re used to makes you more susceptible to blisters.

Here are a few quick tips to help you manage blisters before they start on your PNW trip:

• Blisters are made worse by moisture and sweat! Opt for a lighter-weight sock if you think your feet are likely to sweat
• In a pinch, consider wearing your sock inside out so the smoother side is facing inward toward you. 
• Tape your feet in advance for hotspots (the red spot before a blister forms) with KT tape
• Once a blister starts to form, consider putting a blister patch (or second skin) over the top then taping over that entire patch with KT tape to minimize rubbing.

How much will it rain in the PNW?

The PNW has a reputation for being one of the rainiest places to visit in the US, but in general this tends to only really be true in the winter and in areas on the ocean-side of mountains. 

While the PNW, gets lots of rain in general throughout the year, places like the San Juan Islands experience days on end of sun throughout the summer. 

Still, I recommend packing a rain jacket for your PNW visit!

Planning your PNW adventure? Check out these spots…

• Looking for some of the best mountain hiking in the PNW? Here’s a guide to the best hikes on the Mount Baker Highway!
• Did you know the Salish Sea is one of the best places to see Orca whales👀? Check out this guide to visiting the San Juan Islands!
• Visit Olympic National Park (a budget guide!!)
• Plan a hiking and nature trip to the Northern Oregon Coast

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