What should you do if you get lost while hiking?
If you get lost while hiking, stop walking, take a few breaths and try to work out where you are from your map, GPS or landmarks. Retrace your steps only if you're sure of the way back. If you can't find the trail, stay where you are: search teams find people who stay put far more easily. Call 911 if you have signal, use a whistle in sets of three, and keep warm while you wait.
Step by step
01Stop as soon as you feel unsure
The moment the trail stops looking right, stop. Walking on while hoping it'll sort itself out is how a short detour becomes a long night. Sit down, drink some water and eat a snack; a calmer head makes better choices.
02Work out where you are
Check your offline map or GPS app for your position and the nearest trail. Look for landmarks such as a ridge, a stream, a lake or a road you can hear. Think about the last junction or sign you're certain you passed.
03Backtrack only if you're certain
If you can clearly see the way you came and it leads back to known trail, retrace it carefully. If you're not sure, don't wander looking for the trail. The National Park Service's emergency plan says to move only if there's an immediate threat to life, because changing location makes you harder to find.
04Call 911 if you have any signal
Call 911 and give your GPS coordinates from your phone's map or compass app, what you're wearing and your condition. If a call won't connect, try a text to 911; it isn't available everywhere, and you'll get an automatic bounce-back message if it didn't go through. On iPhone 14 or later, Emergency SOS via satellite can reach responders without cell coverage if you have a clear view of the sky.
05Make yourself easy to find
Three of anything is the recognized distress signal, so blow your whistle in sets of three, then pause; it carries farther than your voice for far less effort. Move to the nearest open spot where you're visible from the air, but only if it's close and safe to reach. Put on bright layers and keep your headlamp for signaling after dark.
06Stay warm and save your phone battery
Put on every layer you have before you get cold, and sit on your pack to insulate yourself from the ground. Turn on Low Power Mode and close apps you don't need; check the map only every half hour or so. If you started a Holler live link at the trailhead, your Guardians can already see your last known location, and with a return time set they'll get an overdue alert if you don't check in.
Related questions
What does STOP mean for lost hikers?
It's the U.S. Forest Service's memory aid: Stop, Think, Observe, Plan. Stop moving and stay calm, think about how you got here, observe your surroundings with a compass and map, then plan. If you're not very confident of a route out, the Forest Service says it's better to stay put.
Should I follow a stream downhill?
The Forest Service lists following a drainage downhill only as a last resort, because it's hard going and can lead into cliffs, thick brush and waterfalls. Staying put is usually safer unless you know exactly where the stream leads. Rescuers start from your planned route and last known location.
How will anyone know I'm lost?
Only if someone expects you back. Leave your route and return time with a Guardian before you go; our outing plan tool helps. With a Holler return time, they get an overdue alert five minutes after it passes if you haven't checked in, and they can call 911 with your last known location.
What if I have no signal at all?
Stay put, signal, and stay warm. Your plan with a Guardian becomes your lifeline. Our guide on losing cell service while hiking covers what to set up in advance.
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Sources, checked September 2026: National Park Service: Outdoor Emergency Plan, U.S. Forest Service: If you get lost, Be Ready Utah: Signaling, Apple Support: Use Emergency SOS via satellite on your iPhone, Apple Support: Use Low Power Mode to save battery life on your iPhone, Wikipedia: Text-to-911 (availability, FCC registry, bounce-back messages), NYC Text-to-911: call if you can, text if you can't.
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