Things You'll Need:
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Step 1
Try to find a friend to go with you. This is the most efficient way to organize your gear. For instance, you’ll need to take a tent, a camp stove and cooking equipment. If you can spread these supplies among several people, it will be much easier than carrying it all yourself.
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Step 2
Choose an airline that allows you to check two or three items. You will need this luggage capacity to carry your gear.
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Step 3
Pick a gateway city that is central to the area that you want to explore. For example, Salt Lake City is convenient to Grand Teton National Park and Yellowstone, and Denver is ideal for seeing Colorado. The city you choose should have an adequate airport with car rental facilities, a large grocery store and a K-Mart or Wal-Mart.
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Step 4
Book a hotel room in your gateway city. You are likely to be tired when you arrive and it is a good idea to rest up before heading out on the road. Use the city as your home base to stock up on food and buy any gear that you couldn’t bring with you.
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Step 5
Pack for your trip. Each person should bring a sleeping bag, clothes and shoes that are appropriate for the weather and activities you’ll be experiencing, toiletries and a camera or similar personal item. If you have room, a pillow and a sleeping pad are also nice to have.
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Step 6
Plan to buy some of your gear at your gateway city. Items like an ice chest, small propane bottles and plastic food storage box are not practical to bring from home. They are relatively inexpensive and can be given away at the end of the journey.
