How to Plan a Backcountry Trip With Friends
A backpacking trip with friends is one of the best ways to experience the backcountry. You get to share the trail, the views, and the quiet moments that make time outside so meaningful. But turning a good idea into a smooth, successful trip takes more than choosing a trail and packing a bag.
Whether you’re heading out for a weekend loop or a multi-day traverse through alpine terrain, group trips are easier when everyone is clear on the route, the goals, and the responsibilities. This guide walks through how to plan a group backpacking trip from start to finish, including the tools and strategies that keep your team aligned and prepared from the first map to the final mile.
Start with a Clear, Shared Plan
Every group trip starts with energy. Someone shares a trail idea, another person suggests a campsite, and a third checks the weather. Pretty soon, the plan is scattered across text threads and links, with no clear version to follow. Before you dive into logistics, choose one place to build the full plan.
As you begin researching trails, make sure to check permit requirements early. Some areas, especially national parks or popular wilderness zones, require reservations well in advance. Confirm if you need a group permit, campsite bookings, or trailhead quotas. Knowing this up front can shape where and when you go.
onX Backcountry supports this stage by giving you one central folder for your trip. You can map out Routes, drop Waypoints for campsites and water sources, and keep track of notes in a single space your whole group can access.
Build a Route That Matches the Group
Choosing the right trail is part research and part realistic self-assessment. A good group route should match your team’s experience level, available time, and fitness. Think about daily mileage, elevation gain, and weather patterns for your destination and season. Some groups are ready for long alpine passes, while others will have more fun with lower-mileage loops and relaxed camps.
Once you’ve picked a route, break it into manageable days. Identify likely campsite and known water source. Include one or two backup options in case of weather delays, injury, or changed conditions on the ground.
Using a digital map tool helps bring the plan to life. In onX Backcountry, you can create a custom Route and see topo, slope, and land boundaries as you build. Add key Waypoints, such as trailheads, water, and campsites, so the whole route is visible and easy to follow.
Build the Plan Together
The more your group contributes to the planning process, the stronger the trip will be.
With onX Backcountry, everyone can contribute to the same trip folder. People can add ideas, suggest alternate camps, or flag swimming holes along the way. It keeps the plan visible and collaborative without relying on text threads or spreadsheets.
View Everything Offline
Even the best plan will not help much if you lose access to it. Many backcountry areas have limited or no cell coverage, which means maps and notes can disappear right when you need them most.
Before the trip, make sure everyone in your group has downloaded the full area for offline use. That way, each person is equipped to navigate and make decisions independently, even without service.
onX Backcountry lets you download Offline Maps that include your saved Routes, Tracks, and Waypoints. Everyone in the shared folder can access the same plan on-trail, with or without coverage.
Plan Smarter, Travel Better
A successful group backpacking trip is built on preparation and shared decision-making. The clearer your plan is at the start, the more space you create for thoroughly enjoying your trip.
onX Backcountry supports every step of that process. With shared planning tools, offline access, and accurate map data, it helps turn your ideas into a trip you can count on.
Start planning your next trip with onX Backcountry.