Anyone have feedback on what’s a good age to take a child backpacking for the first time? My daughter turned 2 in July and I’d like to think I will be able to take her for her first overnight backpacking trip in the spring. Does this seem realistic? I appreciate your comments.
Ozone
It might be feasible if you are a very patient, sacrificing parent, but I wouldn’t recommend it at such a young age. Most two year olds are better left at home then taken on a long distance trek. Or better yet, take her for a day hike. (Be prepared to carry her most of the way.)
You don’t mention if you’re planning on sleeping in a shelter or just pitching a tent. Please, I beg you to reconsider if you are considering a shelter. Consider the needs of others who may not be particularly fond of children.
If you just want to introduce your child to the outdoor camping experience, why not stay overnight at a state park or private campground? At least there are some amenities - like running water and swing sets and a quick escape should things not work out (ie, the kid gets sick or hurt or just ornery as two year olds can be.)
I’d say an overnight “backpacking” trip should not be attempted with children under the age of eight. But don’t despair - you can have lots of fun in the great outdoors with your daughter, as long as you remember to scale the adventure down to her size. There are some good books out there that describe ways to introduce your passion for hiking to your daughter. Might be worth checking out. I successfully raised a son who loves the outdoors and hiking, so I know of what I speak!
Long Haul Sally
It might be feasible if you are a very patient, sacrificing parent, but I wouldn’t recommend it at such a young age. Most two year olds are better left at home then taken on a long distance trek. Or better yet, take her for a day hike. (Be prepared to carry her most of the way.)
You don’t mention if you’re planning on sleeping in a shelter or just pitching a tent. Please, I beg you to reconsider if you are considering a shelter. Consider the needs of others who may not be particularly fond of children.
If you just want to introduce your child to the outdoor camping experience, why not stay overnight at a state park or private campground? At least there are some amenities - like running water and swing sets and a quick escape should things not work out (ie, the kid gets sick or hurt or just ornery as two year olds can be.)
I’d say an overnight “backpacking” trip should not be attempted with children under the age of eight. But don’t despair - you can have lots of fun in the great outdoors with your daughter, as long as you remember to scale the adventure down to her size. There are some good books out there that describe ways to introduce your passion for hiking to your daughter. Might be worth checking out. I successfully raised a son who loves the outdoors and hiking, so I know of what I speak!
Long Haul Sally
I started my daughter out at 18 months or so going on weekend camping trips. The key to her enjoyment from 18 months until she was about 5 or 6 was the ability to bring LOTS of things along to keep her busy. (push toys, ride toys, colors, her favorite stuffed animals etc)not to mention having fresh milk and fruit for her to eat. That’s hard to do when backpacking. I agree with Long Haul Sally that you should stick with campgrouds where you can day hike (carry) your child. My daughter is 16 now and can backpack with the best of them. You have to ease into that though, and not start to early or risk turning them off to the idea. I was in luck in that my kid was a natural born hiker/camper and loves it as much as I do. But all kids don’t… I took a friends 9 year old daughter camping last weekend. We went on a very pleasant day hike for less than 2 hours (including a snack break time). When we got home later that day thinking it had been a successful weekend, she said something to the effect of “I’ll never go back there again- someone might make you walk or climb a mountain”. The trail was a wide, cleared, level path. Wheel chair accessable even. It was not difficult in the slightest and there were beautiful sights and views. And she hated it. She loved being outside, sleeping in a tent and playing in the river but she hated hiking. It just wasn’t fun for her, while us adults were thoroughly enjoying our walk. So do try and see the adventure from her perspective. And most importantly. Have FUN! :lol
Aufgahoban
I prefer to day hike with my younger kids - and even up to nine or ten years old for that matter. In the late spring this year I day hiked Katahdin and the knife edge with my older sons and eight year old grandson. It was a tough day but with plenty of support from us all, he made it - a hike he’ll never forget.
Later in the season I day hiked sections of the 100 mile wilderness with him. (You have to know the logging roads and have four wheel drive - but there are lots of ways to access the AT in the 100 mile wilderness). Again some real wild expereinces but without the need to overnight and make hiking day after day seem like something too unpleasant for a youngster to endure
Fly By Mike
When you feel comfortable, by all means take the kids! 
There is such an awesome feeling falling asleep next to your kid in a tent.
I started my son hiking in a front carrier soon after he was born. I had a Kelty he rode in for a couple years on my back, and if allowed, in his jogger stroller. He was hiking on his own by 3 1/2. By 4 1/2 he was dayhiking 10 mile days.
I trained him to wear a pack from young. At 9 he thinks backpacking is normal. He has been backpacking around 40 times I would guess.
As for kids needing extra junk on trips: that only happens if you think you need all that extra junk. A kid can be just happy with a babbling brook, some rocks, and a stick. They can be just happy eating the same food you eat.
Diapers are an issue, but are handable. Always take 1-2 extra sets of clothing. Sleepers are good for little ones, as they wiggle. Down jackets work great as a mini-sleeping bag.
My only other advice is don’t solo with a really young child. Always have another adult (well, safety aside, you are carrying a lot of weight! So sharing is good.) And start with low miles and elevation.
And have fun!
sarbar
I went on a two week camping trip this summer in Glacier and Yellowstone with my wife and 9 month old little girl. We did mostly car camping but did long day hikes everyday. We used a Kelty pathfinder and it worked great. (they cost about 140 bucks, have rain hood, optional bug net and ability to carry about 500 cc of gear, diapers, apple juice, baby food etc…) She was just starting to walk at this point so she was easy to keep an eye on while we stopped. We brought an extra blanket that we let her play on while we rested She would scoot off of it but we were right there to make sure she didn’t eat any stones, bugs or get into any plants etc… We also took her on a one nighter, 16 mile round trip on the Jordan Rive trail by Traverse City, MI when she was 7 months old. Now she is 11 months old and really walking around. I suspect it would be more difficult at this age because of her mobility. I would say a good age to take them the first time would be 6-9 months old on an overnighter. In Glacier we met a couple while day hiking who were backpacking with a 3 month old, so it’s not impossible to start earlier.
don koller