In 2016, 40.5 million Americans went camping at least once. Collectively, they logged 587.2 million days of camping!
Going camping is a great way to spend time with family, get some fresh air, explore nature, and get away from the hustle and bustle of daily life.
If you’re going camping for the first time, especially with your little ones, you’ll want to do some research about how to take care of the essentials.
Let’s dive into how to cook while camping, so you can stay well-fed while you relax in the wilderness!
Styles of Camping and How They Affect What to Cook When Camping
What to cook while camping is going to depend on the style of camping you choose.
The term “camping” can envelop everything from walking into the woods with just the shirt on your back all the way to staying in an RV campground with full amenities. Depending on how primitive you want your camping experience to be, this will impact the types of meals you should plan.
If you’re planning a long hike, then camping equipment and food should be very carefully planned out. Every ounce of weight will be carried on your backs, so you don’t want to bring anything frivolous.
If you and your family are driving right up to your campground, then you have a lot more elbow room when it comes to what you bring and how you cook.
When planning your camping trip, consider what style of camping you want to experience with your family.
How to Cook While Camping
If you aren’t hiking into a camping spot, there are quite a few things you want to bring along to make your camping cooking experience top-notch. Here’s what you should pack:
- Cooler
- Lighter and matches
- Foil
- Propane gas and stove
- Spatula
- Two good knives
- Silverware
- Small and large resealable blags
- Paper towels
- Ice packs
- Cleaning wipes, sponge, small dish soap, dishwashing bucket, and dish towels
- Small bowls and plates
- Skillet with lid, pot with lid, saucepan with lid
- Trash bags
- Cups, plastic cups, and mugs
- Bug spray
No matter what you make, food always tastes better while camping. Sandwiches made with deli meat or peanut butter and jelly are great lunch ideas. You’ll also want to have hot dogs and hamburgers at some point, with potato chips on the side.
Bringing a dutch oven can be a great way to make cooking on a camping trip even more special. Check out this dutch oven chili for a filling, easy, and satisfying camping meal.
Camping Is the Quintessential American Pastime
The National Parks System makes up 85 million acres of the US, and that’s not even counting all the state, city, and private campgrounds out there! It’s no wonder that Americans view camping as the perfect summer activity: relaxing, socializing, and getting back in touch with nature.
Eating well while camping is an important part of having the energy to hike around and enjoy your surroundings.
Did you find this article on how to cook while camping helpful? If so, be sure to check out the rest of our blog!