How to Notify Someone of Your Hiking Plans Before You Go — Guide

Before you lace up your boots and hit the trail, one of the simplest yet most important safety steps is letting someone know where you're going and when you expect to be back. Whether you're planning a short afternoon walk or a multi-day backcountry trek, sharing your hiking plans can make the difference between a quick rescue and a prolonged emergency. Here's how to do it properly.

Why Notifying Someone Matters

If something goes wrong on the trail—a twisted ankle, sudden weather, a wrong turn—rescuers can only help if they know to look for you. Search and rescue teams consistently emphasize that hikers who left a detailed plan are found far faster than those who didn't. In many cases, a well-prepared "trip plan" narrows the search area dramatically, saving precious hours and resources. Notifying someone isn't about being overly cautious; it's a basic habit of responsible hiking.

What Your Hiking Plan Should Include

A useful trip plan doesn't need to be complicated, but it should be specific enough for someone to act on. Before you leave, make sure your contact has the following details:

  • Your full name and a physical description, including what you'll be wearing
  • The trailhead or starting point, and your intended route or destination
  • Your expected departure and return times, plus a "worry time" when they should call for help
  • Who is going with you (or confirm you're hiking solo)
  • Your vehicle make, model, color, and license plate if you're driving
  • Any relevant gear or medical conditions, such as medications you carry
  • Your phone number and whether you'll have cell coverage or a satellite device

The more precise the route information, the better. Saying "somewhere in the northern range" is far less useful than naming a specific trail and turnaround point.

Choosing the Right Person to Notify

Pick someone who is reliable, easy to reach, and knows what to do if you don't check in. This could be a family member, a friend, or a neighbor. Brief them on what steps to take if your return time passes: how long to wait after your "worry time," who to call, and what information to give responders. A contact who panics or hesitates can delay a rescue, so a short conversation beforehand is worth the effort.

Using Technology to Fill the Gaps

In addition to a human contact, several tools can support your plan. Shared location apps let a trusted person follow your progress in real time when you have cell service. Satellite messengers and personal locator beacons work beyond coverage areas and can send your coordinates with the press of a button. Some national parks and land agencies also offer online trip registration forms for backcountry travelers—check the website of the area you're visiting. Remember, though, that technology is a supplement, not a replacement, for telling an actual person your plans.

Check In When You Return

Notification is a two-way process. When you get back—especially if you're earlier or later than expected—message your contact right away so they can stand down. Failing to check in after a safe hike can trigger an unnecessary search and waste emergency resources. If your plans change mid-trip, such as extending a hike or switching trails, update your contact if you're able to do so.

Make It a Routine

The best safety habits are the ones you never skip. Build trip-plan sharing into your pre-hike checklist alongside water, maps, and layers. Keep a simple template on your phone or a printed card in your pack so filling it out takes only a couple of minutes. Over time, notifying someone of your hiking plans will feel as natural as checking the weather forecast—and it may one day be the reason a bad day on the trail ends safely.

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