Thru-Hiker Food Mailing Services
[Content updated March 2025]
Whether you are hiking the Appalachian Trail (AT), Pacific Crest Trail (PCT), Continental Divide (CDT), Colorado Trail (CT), John Muir Trail (JMT), Arizona Trail (AZT), or another trail, we can supply you with backpacking food. We have extensive experience working with long-distance hikers from all over the world as a trusted partner in getting resupply packages shipped to you.
Planning & Ordering Your Food
Depending on the situation and route, hikers use several methods for planning their resupply. Each technique requires thoughtful planning to ensure a steady and satisfying food supply throughout the hike.
1. Order food while you hike
You can place orders from our website while hiking and have them shipped to your resupply stop. You can create and store all of your shipping addresses ahead of time on our website. You will need to create a login to do this. Select the shipping destination from your saved address list when placing the order. Once you figure out your pace while hiking, it will get easier to gauge your resupply needs/stops to plan your orders. This method offers the most flexibility, and you will not be stuck with extra food if you don't finish your hike. Plus, it can be more cost-effective because you'll take advantage of our discounted commercial shipping rates. Keep in mind that you will need cell coverage to order, which is unreliable on most trails other than the AT. Cell service is available in most trail towns in the US.
2. Order food before your hike
You can place a large, single food order from our website before hiking and organize your resupply boxes at home. You can group items from various retailers in pre-addressed boxes ready to ship as needed. While requiring the most planning and expense upfront, this method allows you to add other essential items, such as snacks, socks, and toiletries. Just keep in mind that shipping individual resupply boxes yourself will be more expensive if you must pay USPS retail rates. You'll also need a trusted helper to ship the boxes according to your schedule.
Another option is to place multiple orders ahead of your hike for each resupply stop. We'll hold your order and ship according to your schedule. Ordering ahead will require placing separate orders for each shipping destination with your expected ETA (add this in the comments field when you place the order). We'll use your ETA to schedule your order to make sure it arrives at your destination when you need it. If you are traveling by plane from another country, we can ship to your hotel so that you'll have food ready when you arrive for your hike. International hikers: we can hold your order up to 8 months ahead of your US travel or ETA. This works out if 1) you need a reliable person to ship orders to you or 2) you do not live in the United States. Your food will be fresher since it is not sitting in storage. This also saves money since we pass our discounted commercial shipping rates to you.
General Resupply Information
Resupply points change as businesses move, close, or no longer hold hiker boxes. Before mailing your resupply, always check with companies along the trail to ensure they are open and accept package holds. Outdoor Herbivore does not maintain a list of resupply locations; however, we have compiled some excellent sources for this information to help plan your hike. We also track where most of our resupplies are mailed.
Pacific Crest Trail (PCT) Resupply
The PCTA is an excellent starting point for researching the PCT.
Halfmile’s PCT website contains up-to-date maps, resupply options, and notes along the PCT.
List of the most common locations where Outdoor Herbivore mails resupply locations on the PCT.
Postholer has maps of the various long distance trails, resupply points, and other extensive information.
Pacific Crest Trail (reddit.com) is useful for asking questions and researching.
John Muir Trail (JMT) Resupply
The PCTA is an excellent starting point for researching the JMT and showing places along the JMT that will hold your resupply packages.
List of the most common locations where Outdoor Herbivore mails resupply buckets/boxes on the JMT.
John Muir Trail (reddit.com) is useful for asking questions and researching.
Appalachian Trail (AT) Resupply
WhiteBlaze.net is an excellent resource for planning your resupply points along the Appalachian Trail.
List of the most common locations where Outdoor Herbivore mails resupply locations on the AT.
List of Post Offices near the AT
The Appalachian Trail (reddit.com) is useful for asking questions and researching.
Continental Divide Trail (CDT) Resupply
List of the most common locations where Outdoor Herbivore mails resupply locations on the CDT.
List of Post Office and Resupply Locations near the CDT
Interactive CDT map with maildrop locations and the official app map of the CDT.
A quick and dirty guide for planning a hike on the CDT
Continental Divide Trail (reddit.com) is useful for asking questions and researching.
Arizona Trail (AZT) Resupply
AZT.org is a good starting point for researching the trail, and Guthook app (Atlas Guides) for maps and conditions.
Arizona Trail (reddit.com) is useful for asking questions and researching.
Colorado Trail (CT) Resupply
List of the most common locations where Outdoor Herbivore mails resupply locations on the CT.
Exploring Wild and The Trek offer good starting points for researching the trail and for a resupply strategy.
ColoradoTrail (reddit.com) is useful for asking questions and researching.
Common Questions About Mailing Food to Thru Hikers
What food should I pack?
Our 5/7/10 day combos are ideal for most thru hikers. Also see our Backpacking Food Planning Guide. Please call or email if you need assistance with planning your food menu or purchasing a large order on behalf of an outdoor organization.
How do I address packages for pick-up at a post office, motel, outfitter, etc?
For more information about how to send General Delivery orders or have an order shipped to a thru-hiker, see the section on shipping food to thru-hikers.
What should I do if I need to cancel my thru-hike?
Plans may change due to unforeseen circumstances like trail conditions and personal challenges. If you placed an order for hold and are unable to finish your hike, please let us know. We'll cancel and refund any unshipped orders. Please note that we cannot refund orders that have already shipped.
What can I expect from Outdoor Herbivore's Resupply?
Timely Shipments.
We will store and ship your orders according to your schedule. Let us know when you expect to pick up your order in the order checkout comments. Outdoor Herbivore ships to participating hostels/motels, post offices, outdoor stores, and other locations that accept mail. We do not charge a fee to hold your orders, although some trail outfitters/lodges will charge you a collection fee.
Healthy, High-Calorie Meals Made By Backpackers.
As vegetarian backpackers, we understand the challenges in consuming enough calories to meet energy needs. Our food contains a good portion of healthy fats coming from nuts, seeds, and olive oils that are sure to satisfy your hunger and replenish your energy so you won't feel dull and sluggish.
Fast Meal Preparation.
We've reduced weight and volume by combining freeze-dried and dehydrated ingredients. Meals are prepared by adding boiling or cold water to the pouch, sealing it, and allowing it to hydrate for a few minutes. All meals are ready to eat in 10 minutes or less. Once the food is soaked (reconstituted), the portions are 1-3X their dried size. You can find the dry meal weight listed on the product details page.
Varied Flavors—Because everyone's tastes are different.
Instead of the standard salt and pepper seasoning, we use various spices and herbs to impart tasty, distinct flavors. Our food won't bore you!
Eco-Friendlier Packaging.
We use compact packaging that is safe for boiling water. We also have high-temp storage and rehydration pouches if you make your own backpacking food.
Outdoor Herbivore specializes in shipping food to Thru Hikers
If the thought of consuming processed rice and noodle meals, sugary snacks, energy bars, and other junk foods for your outdoor trip concerns you, then you have come to the right place. Outdoor Herbivore is your alternative to commercial, chemically processed trail foods. Each dish we offer is perfected on the trail by long-distance backpackers passionate about food, health, animal welfare, and the environment. Let us supply your meals for your next long-distance hiking trip! Please call or email if you need assistance.