Food to Bring On Your Camping Trip

Sometimes, the daily grind can get a bit tiring. There's nothing like basking in the peace, calm, and beauty of nature during trying times to destress and relax us. And there's nothing like hanging out on a hammock and watching the world go around you at a slower pace. 

There are several benefits to camping. Depending on your planned activities, camping could provide the following benefits:

• Stress Reduction
• Relationship Building
• Nature Appreciation
• Seeing New Places
• Enhancing Your Passion

Regardless of what kind of activity you planned to do while camping, one very essential part of the itinerary is eating. It is essential to know which foods you should bring that could help elevate your camping experience. 

Camp meals for breakfast, lunch, or dinner can be different from the foods you eat at home. Eating away from your daily kitchen conveniences and cooking over a simple fire or grill could allow you to discover your inner professional chef. Camping is the perfect time to enjoy delicious and healthy foods cooked in the ambiance of nature. 

Without further ado, here are some snacks and foods you should bring on your next camping trip.

14 Foods That You Need to Bring During Their Camping Trip

Camping requires planning. Part of this planning is bringing food to make your camping experience enjoyable and one for the books. There is certainly something that will elevate your camping experience from snacks to leisurely meals and make it more fun and worthwhile.

#1 Trail Mix

Trail mix is an exciting camping snack that consists of a mish-mash of childhood favourites. The mix often includes:

• Chocolate Chips
• Peanuts
• Pretzels
• Almonds
• Dried Fruits
• Granola
• Oats
• Shredded Coconuts

You may want to skip the processed items (chocolate and pretzels) if you want to keep it healthier.  Regardless, digging into your bag of trail mix while heading to your campsite keeps the drowsiness away. Munch through all the goodness of nuts and fruits as you set up your camp. Trail mix is a snack you could eat to avoid getting bored while doing other things.

#2 Instant Noodles

Instant noodles are a simple and savoury camp snack. Just add hot water, wait for a few minutes, and voila! It's a meal on its own and completes a hearty feast paired with meat and other dishes. Instant noodles don't require a lot of fancy equipment like a grill or oven. Its convenience to bring around (so light and small for packing!) and prepare is perfect for its simplicity.

Take your cup noodles to another level by adding your choice of veggies or meat. If there is some fresh produce around, you could add some mushrooms to give it an earthy but hearty kick. Adding meat could improve the flavour profile of your simple instant noodles. Just make sure to boil the noodles and cook the meat well.

#3 Beef Jerky 

Beef jerky is another camping food favourite. This dried meat is handy, easy to eat but is packed with flavours and yummy goodness. It is also rich in protein and could give you an extra energy boost while hiking or setting up camp.

Snacking on beef jerky doesn't require you to get some cutleries, unlike instant noodles. So you could easily munch on these delicious snacks without worrying about spilling anything or making a mess.

#4 Coffee and Tea

Imagine waking up with the soft glows of the early morning just peeking behind the clouds. The temperature is a bit chilly and just perfect for some hot coffee or tea. 

Make sure to bring your favourite coffee beans, ready to steep in your trusty French press. Trust us, the experience of having your favourite coffee beans or tea while watching the sunrise is a life-changing experience.

If you're not into coffee or tea, then you can bring powdered juices. What's important is that you have with you something to drink when you need to quench your thirst. 

#5 Bread

Bread is a convenient and versatile food that you should consider bringing to your next camping trip. Add in some eggs, and it's a perfect breakfast meal. Cook some grilled meat and lather some butter over some bread, and you have yourself a hearty lunch. Stew some mushrooms and beef while you pair it with good bread, and dinner is served.

Bringing bread to your next camping trip will make sure you will never go hungry whatever happens. It could last for several days and is very easy to eat.

#6 Vegetables

Who says you can't bring healthy greens during camping? Vegetables are always a healthy companion of campers, especially if they are vegetarians. They are packed with vitamins and minerals that can keep you healthy even away from home. 

You can grill some fresh vegetables to make them more flavorful. Adding them as a side dish to your barbeque or grilled meat is also an excellent way to eat them. Either way, vegetables can fill your hungry stomach up and keep you fit and healthy while camping.

#7 Bacon

What is breakfast without bacon? A small trusty skillet over a campfire is all you need to cook up this classic breakfast meal. Fry some eggs over bacon fat, pair it with some beans, and you get yourself a heavy breakfast. Bacon is the perfect meal to start your day, especially if you have any energy-consuming activities planned for the day, such as hiking, kayaking, or rock climbing.

#8 Cheese

Cheese is another excellent and very popular meal for campers. It's a delicious partner for your sandwiches, hamburger, pasta, tacos, and many more.

Make your camping trip a bit fancier by arranging a cheese board. Just pack some nuts, an assortment of your favourite cheese, some crackers and fruit and voila! You've got yourself a simple but fancy cheese board. This delectable snack board is a perfect dish to serve if you are glamping and wining out.

#9 Eggs

Like bread, eggs are versatile foods that are very easy to prepare. Just crack them open over a hot skillet, and you are sure to never go hungry on your trip. Prepare them just how you want them: sunny side up, scrambled, or eggs over easy.

The best way to enjoy them, though, is to pair them with other food. Take some precious time preparing your breakfast and make some avocado toast. You can even experiment and try to make some eggs in purgatory. The sky's the limit when it comes to cooking eggs for your camping trip.

#10 Oil or Butter

No camping trip is complete without some fat to sizzle your meat or other kinds of food. Make sure you bring your favourite bottle of olive oil if you are feeling fancy. You could never go wrong with butter, too.

A little splash of olive oil over your favourite bread is enough for a light breakfast as you lounge on your inflatable couch lounger, marvelling at the beauty of nature. Brush some butter over the grill to add some flavour to your grilling. No meal is complete without some of these healthy fats.

#11 S'mores

Camping in Canada and the US is not complete if you don't have s'mores to enjoy. This camping treat commonly consists of toasted marshmallows and chocolates stuffed between two pieces of graham crackers. Marshmallows are the quintessential campfire food. You can eat them as is, but it's more enjoyable to eat them when they're put on a stick and grilled over the fire.

#12 Fruits

Camping is no excuse not to eat healthily. That's why fruits are an essential part of your food basket on your camping trip. You can bring apples and oranges that will keep well for long periods. To make your snacks more fun, you can also prepare some pre-cut assorted fruits like peaches, plum, and watermelons. Throw in some berries and grapes, and you've got yourself a fancy-looking yet straightforward fruit bowl.

#13 Salt, Spices, Pepper, and Herbs

Camping out in nature does not mean you have to suffer through bland food. Make sure you bring your spices with you to give your meals an extra oomph. Mixing some herbs into your butter could make your bread and food more flavorful and fragrant. That is one way to enjoy your camping trip better.

#14 Meat

What is camping without a good old barbeque? Whether you marinate them ahead of time or not, meat is more special when prepared over the campfire and shared with your friends or family. Pair it with your favourite wine or beer while you rest your weary body on a hammock or a lounger. There is nothing better than good food savoured at a slow pace while basking in the majestic views of nature.

No camping trip is complete without scrumptious food prepared and cooked strictly for outdoor trips. Camp foods are not just delicious. They are also essential nutrients you need to power up for your hiking, kayaking, or even rock climbing.

Bring an assortment of simple snacks, essential food ingredients, and spices to make sure no one would get hungry on your trip. Grilling some meat and veggies are a certain way to fill you up with yummy but healthy food. Don't forget to indulge in sweets, too. There are fruits to keep yourselves healthy and the prerequisite campfire s'mores to end a perfectly executed camping trip.

Make sure nothing disastrous happens on your next camping trip. Prevent any mishaps from happening by reading our article on the best hacks and tips for solo camping.