Contributor Information

[Updated 3/20/24]

Update: For our most up-to-date specific story, photo, and illustration needs, keep an eye on our Trails Discord server here.  

If we’re being completely frank, we don’t get outside enough to be able to write up all the stories filling Trails on our own—we’re too busy actually making the magazine, after all. That’s why we’re always interested in hearing story ideas from writers, photographers, artists, and other creatives like you. 

Interested? The easiest way to get a sense of what the magazine is to read it—we'd always encourage you to start there. But in addition to that, here’s what you need to know to pitch us. 

What do (and don’t) we cover?

Let’s start with the basics. The focus of Trails is on backpacking and other human/naturally-powered means of sleeping outdoors: bikepacking, canoe camping, even things like rafting or mountaineering are fair game (feel free to be creative with those criteria—we covered “skatepacking” in Issue One). 

But remember: Human-powered, and overnight are the important pieces. Activities like RVing, backpacking in the “backpacking around hostels in Europe”-sense, and mountain biking won’t be good fits. We’re also more interested in multi-day trips than short day hikes. Backcountry and wilderness destinations are preferred.

We also primarily focus on North American destinations. Articles that focus specifically or heavily on a destination should be focused within that region. Articles where the geography is really just the setting of a different story (profiles, adventure stories, etc.) have a little more flexibility with place, but North America is still the preference. 

Do the issues have a theme?

We don't "theme" issues like other magazines. Instead, we like to create a "thread" in each issue that, while we might not advertise it on the cover, readers can feel it as they go from story to story. Consequently, these threads are a little more broad and open to interpretation. 

When will drafts be due?

See the chart above for rough due dates. Keep in mind, these are flexible and rough. Exact due dates depend on the writer, the specific story, and other criteria. 

What types of stories are a good fit?

We spent a lot of time during out first year getting the magazine organized into the following rough rubrics. These rubrics are only guidelines—don’t think of them as rules. Have ideas for ideas or tweaks to them, or thoughts on totally new rubrics or columns? Pitch them anyway!

Please do not send completed stories or manuscripts. It's much easier for everyone if you send us a pitch for a story you haven't already written so that we can make it a fit for Trails together. We can not read unsolicited stories. 

Features

Our features are the heart and soul of Trails Magazine and can be pretty much anything you come up with. We’re particularly fans of:

• Thrilling or thought-provoking adventure stories and narratives, either your own or by profiling another person. Conflict or difficulty are important in these, as is a strong sense of adventure. These need to be more than just “here’s a cool thing I did.”
• Profiles of interesting and inspiring people in the backpacking community. People with big goals or resumes, doing important and valuable things, interesting backstories or ideas, etc. are great.  
• Articles exploring provocative ideas and big questions in the backpacking and adventure space, especially those exploring the flaws and problems in our community and hobbies. We’re always excited to hear an important story that involves reportage, research, investigation, or generally informs the backpacking community of issues they should know about. Examinations of backpacking culture are also relevant. 
• Histories or other tales from adventures’ past that are particularly interesting or compelling, especially ones that provide some kind of takeaway or inspiration that we can use today. 
• Environmental and public lands issues and stories particularly relevant to the backpacking community. Our readership is looking for stories that matter to their specific community and as adventurers, there’s not much more relevant than the state of our outdoor world. We’re always interested in stories that explore that, the issues surrounding its protection, and other environmental topics, but the best pitches are particularly and specifically relevant to the backpacking community. 

Features range anywhere from 1,000 to 5,000 words. For all our stories, but especially features, it's very helpful (and makes it more likely that we'll assign a story) if you are prepared with an art or photo plan. Have ideas for the types of photos that might be appropriate for the story you're pitching and if you have any thoughts on photographers or places we might source those photos, that's helpful. 

Blazes

The “Blazes” section is dedicated to short (typically between 300 and 600 words) articles, opinion, current events, profiles, and other quick-hit types of stories. These can also focus on a wide range of topics, but typically avoid personal anecdotes or destination recommendations, how-tos, or topics that would fit better into other rubrics. 

Skills

Our Skills pages can take a variety of forms: Q&A, anecdotal story, post-event analysis, or others. Our goal is to create content that's useful and interesting to both beginners or experienced backpackers. We’re not interested in basic “how-tos,” “tips and tricks,” or other elaborate explainers for skills like navigating using a map and compass, finding the right campsite, or avoiding avalanches. This isn’t the Boy Scout handbook. The best skills pitches have greater depth or offer analysis that transcends backpacking demographics or experience levels. We’re looking to educate readers on topics that are unique or difficult for most people to grasp, or out of the realm of most backpackers’ experiences (but are still relevant). 

The Experiment

Challenge yourself to do something new, and write about it. These 800-word Skills stories focus on a particular unique and out-of-the-box backpacking related "test" (like making a piece of gear yourself, catching all your own food on a backpacking trip, or sleeping in a hammock when you normally sleep in a tent). Try it yourself then come back and write a first-person review of how it went and whether or not it was a success. These stories are typically 800 words, but have room for flexibility. 

Recipe

Each issue features one recipe (or potentially multiple shorter related recipes). The recipe should be a meal that can be cooked with basic backpacking cookware: small single-burner stoves, small and light pots and pans, etc. The more unique the better. We're also open to other food-related stories, either in the Blazes section (400 to 600 words) or elsewhere. Profiles or reviews of backpacking meals from upstart brands, profiles of the food scene in trail towns, food-related essays or opinion, etc. are all great. 

Trip Report

We like to highlight one especially unique, out-of-the-box adventure in an 800-word trip report. Imagine the trip reports you used to read on your favorite hiking forum, but especially well-written, unique, and creative. These should be written in the first person, either by the person who did the adventure, or written in “as-told-to” style by a third-party writer. Trip reports should not cover well-known trails or routes. They are focused on unique experiences in less-than-unique places. They should focus on creatively-planned trips. 

Outhouse Reviews

We’re looking for reviews of unique, interesting backcountry outhouses that shine a light on the larger destination it’s located in. The best ones are both unique as outhouses themselves (great views, unique location, interesting construction, etc.) and are located in captivating, little-known backpacking destinations. These reviews include a roughly 400-word first-person introduction to the location and a selection of “out of 5 star” ratings for various aspects of the outhouse, with short explanations. 

Essay

Essays are 500- to 1000-word articles with no skills value and are instead focused on reflection and creative writing. These can take almost any form and are intended as an outlet for creativity from the writer. Unique, high-quality, and/or creative prose is the focus, here. 

Gear Reviews

We don't have a gear section like traditional outdoor magazines. We do like to publish at least one (typically 400 to 600 words) product review every issue in our Blazes section, but only for very unique, interesting items. We're not interested in reviewing the latest, super-hyped, somewhat-new products from the big brands. Find the small, niche, independent gear manufacturers making interesting and unique products. If you are interested in reviewing something from a well-known brand, the product must be uniquely notable, impressive, or special. Gear reviews require extensive testing and an expert knowledge of the category. 

We're also interested in other gear-related stories like profiles of unique gear makers, explorations of unique gear categories, historical anecdotes or reflections,  or others. These stories typically fit into the Features or Blazes sections, depending on length.  

Opinion

We’re interested in all manner of outdoor-related opinion, especially provocative, unique, or challenging opinions. This is also a great place for humor. Shorter, lighter opinions will often become Blazes, while lengthier (up to 1000 words), more critical, or more heavily reported opinions will end up in a separate Opinion rubric.

Places

We're highlighting a pair of unique backpacking destinations with short (200 word) first person reviews, plus a "Red Tape" box. All Places story start by focusing on a particularly notable or spectacular campsite, then broaden to look at it as part of a particular trip and region. Be specific. We're not looking for reviews of entire National Forests, National Parks, or mountain ranges.  

Book Reviews

NEW We also try to include one Book Review, typically as a Blaze, in each issue. Books should be relatively new (no older than 6 months, at the time of the magazine's publication) and have a strong appeal to the backpacking and outdoor community. The best book reviews have a unique take or style. Book reviews for other publications can often be formulaic. We're not looking for that!  

I’m a photographer. What should I pitch?

Obviously, photography is going to be a huge part of Trails, and that means it needs to be more than just something pretty next to a written article. 

Photography Features

Trails includes features that are photography-first: images drive the narrative, while text or other elements provide context. That said, we hope to go beyond the standard “photo essay” format. What does that look like? We’ll leave that up to you. We’re looking for real creativity, value to our readers, and  stories or commentaries with an interesting hook or plot to keep the reader engaged. When pitching a photo feature, pitch us on the story that your images tell!

Vantage Points

Each magazine includes a selection of photos known as Vantage Points. The photos take up a single or double page and feature a variety of different photographers and styles, but they all feature a different perspective on the “thread” we outlined above. Accompanying each photo is 50- to 100-words of context from the photographer. Don’t just send us photos for Vantage Points—pitch us the story you would like to tell through both the photo and the text, as well as how it relates to our thread. We’re looking for interesting, thought provoking images that tell a story and illustrate humans engaging with the elements or interacting with the landscape.

Cover Photo

Who do I email?

Before sending a pitch, think about what topic it covers, not necessarily what rubric you would like it to fit. Send your pitches directly to the editor responsible for that topic, as closely as you can.

For gear-related stories, stories that center on specific adventures adventurous anecdotes (including Trip Reports or adventure-related features), stories focused on sharing a place or destination (including Outhouse Reviews), as well as opinions, send your pitches to:

Ryan Wichelns, Editor-in-Chief: ryan@trailsmag.net 

For stories centered around people and personalities (including profile features), skills (including the Food and Skills rubrics), as well as essays, send your pitches to:

Stasia Stockwell, Managing Editor: stasia@trailsmag.net

For Photo Features, Vantage Points, or just to receive emails about specific photo needs as they arise, reach out to:

Emily Sullivan, Photo Editor: emily@trailsmag.net

When you’re pitching, the more detail you can provide the better. Give us a sense of what you want to write, why it’s important, how you’re going to write and organize it, and what it will look (and read) like when you’re done. Also, whenever possible, include your thoughts for that story’s art and photography, whether or not you have photos available already, or if you have recommendations for artists or photographers who you think would be a good fit for the story you’re hoping to write. Pitches are always preferred (and are far more likely to be read) compared to manuscripts. 

We promise we read everything and do whatever we can to get back to as many people as possible, but we get a lot of pitches and sometimes things get lost (sorry, in advance). If you haven’t heard from us in two weeks (that’s how often we have our internal pitch meetings), follow back up. 

We only accept pitches via email. We are not responsible for unsolicited artwork, photographs, manuscripts, or any other original materials. 

How much will I get paid?

We pay our writers a minimum of $0.50/word—that climbs based on the story and your experience. Rates for photographers are as follows:

It’s not New York Times Magazine money (or what we assume is NYTM money—we don’t actually know), but as one-time freelancers ourselves, we’re committed to paying our creators fairly, even as a startup, and we hope to treat our creatives even better as time goes on. This is important to us. 

Trails issues payment to contributors shortly after publication. 

I'm a PR professional. Can I pitch stories?

Most of our stories are brought to us by freelance contributors—they are typically the best people to pitch stories to. When reaching out to them, feel free to recommend they bring the story to us, we're always looking for new contributors!

You're also welcome to pitch our editors directly (see above for their email addresses). Please thoroughly read this document to find out about the topics we cover and the types of stories we include (as well as the proper editor for any particular pitch) before sending pitches.