If you are a camping enthusiast like we are, you’ve certainly experienced moments where a common snack that you carry did not live up to the camping goal. But should you really worry about picking up the snacks recommended by outdoor lovers, not just any random snacks?
Do you know dinner is the main meal that you eagerly wait for while you are camping outdoors? Most day just passes by, eating light food or snacks.
Having the right snacks that actually contribute to your food craving and provide the needed energy matters.
Of course, not all campers are alike; some just go for family camping for a day or overnight in some cases. And backpacks have to take snacks accordingly. Camping is not just a fun activity but can be a very tiring experience. This is true if you go with a lack of planning or inexperience.
Related: Best Hiking Snacks
Over the years of camping experience, we know how important snacks play a role in killing your hunger while still being healthy and tasty.
You burn more calories while camping, so relying solely on main meals is a bad idea. You must get your body’s energy refueled now and then.
Based on our years of camping experience and other campers reviews we have created the list of he best camping snacks that not only satisfy your cravings but also provide the nutrition needed to fuel your adventures.
Best Camping Snacks
Nuts and Seeds
Nuts are healthy and dense in protein, fiber, and healthy fats. Therefore, they provide more calories, too, helping to keep the body energetic when you burn more calories outdoors. Because of their portability, shelf life, and packability, nuts are popular among outdoor enthusiasts.
We always remain mindful of selecting and mixing nuts and seeds, which not only we like but also help us eat less food for dinner and lunch.
There are plenty of options available online, but we suggest taking a mix of everything, and you won’t get bored. If you can buy them separately and then mix and pack them at home, this is best. Common options, as we listed below, are almonds, Cashews, walnuts, sunflower seeds, trail mix, and pumpkin seeds.
Some of the yummiest nuts and seeds to consider are:
- Almonds
- Cashews
- Pumpkin seeds
- Trail mix (customizable ingredients)
Whole Grain Snacks
Now, we talk about snacks made from whole grains: they are a better source of energy that lasts longer because they have complex carbohydrates and fiber. Take snacks that are made from whole-grain, rice cakes or popcorn-like crackers.
You can also make homemade granola bars at home before heading for the camping. It is simple to make with ingredients like oats, honey, and nut butter and is a clean and healthy option. In addition to snacks, we often use them for breakfast- a quick and easy way to get over with breakfast and enjoy nature.
Some of the whole-grain options include:
- Granola bars
- Whole grain crackers
- Popcorn
Fresh Options
Fresh fruits and vegetables might not be your first idea for camping snacks. However, they hold many advantages: such as being hydrating, high in vitamins, and a refreshing option after a hard day outdoors. It is necessary to bring them prepared for immediate consumption (cleaned, dried and peeled).
Think about strong choices like apples, oranges, and carrots; these do not require to be kept in the fridge. If you worry about keeping them fresh, put the vegetables into a cooler filled with ice packs; this way is very effective. Cold storage ensures crispness.
If you are camping for a few days and plan to keep snacks for longer, fresh fruits are not a good choice. They are perishable, so you need to consume them early unless you carry a camping cooler.
The options for fresh camping snacks can be very wide. You can opt for:
- Fresh fruit (apples, oranges, bananas, berries)
- Vegetables (carrot sticks, cucumber slices, corns)
- Hummus or dip for veggie pairing
- Grapes
- Avocados
Classic Campfire Treats
No camping journey is finished without tasting some old-fashioned campfire treats. Yes, true. If you are a campfire person, these snacks (mentioned below) are simple to make and give a nostalgic feeling to any camping time. Here are some of the best campfire snacks that you should try:
- S’mores
- Roasted marshmallows
- Hot dogs
- Campfire nachos
Portable Protein
As we mentioned before, you burn more calories while camping. You need food that gives you enough energy to stay full for a long time. Protein is one of them. On top of that, you won’t gain the weight. Anyway, you don’t gain weight(at least me) while you explore outdoors. So we suggest including some quality protein in your snacks as well.
One rule of thumb is to bring easy-to-carry protein items. That way, you can move around easily. And you don’t need cold storage. Following are the best options if you can bring them.
- Jerky (beef, turkey, or plant-based)
- Hard-boiled eggs
- Protein bars
Tasty Easy-to-Pack Options
You cannot eat the same snacks again and again. In addition to being healthy, take some easy-to-pack camping snacks that are tasty. Foods that are not heavy don’t mold fast and are simple to carry are needed. These choices do not use much space in your bag, yet they offer the energy and satiety you desire:
- Pretzels
- Dried fruit
- Cheese sticks
- Cheese crisps or cheese sticks
- Crackers with nut butter or cheese packets
Sweet Snacks
Make your sweet tooth happy without losing the goodness of your body. Seek out healthy camping treats that are naturally sweet, such as dried fruit and granola bars, to give you the energy needed for long walks or staying up late by the campfire.
You can opt for store-bought camping snacks or make them yourself. Here are a few ideas:
- Granola bars (variety of flavors)
- Dried fruit (apricots, mango, banana chips)
- Dark chocolate bars or bites
- Energy balls (homemade)
Group-Friendly Snacks
Camping with friends or family? These snacks for camping trips are perfect for sharing. For large groups, if, for example, one person is arranging snacks, he can consider the following options.
For family, we recommend making it at home, especially if you are camping with the kids. This makes sure that they stay healthy while eating healthy snacks with custom ingredients suitable for everyone. So here is a quick list to give you an idea of what to make:
- Veggie trays
- a
- Chex mix
- Tortilla chips and salsa
Bonfire Favorites
Nothing is better than a small fire for sitting by, and these foods go really well with the heat of the flames. They are simple to make while sitting by the fire and give a full-body, tasty mouthful after spending a day outside having fun.
- Fruit skewers
- Roasted chestnuts
- Baked potatoes
- Campfire stew
- Foil packet meals
Packing and Storage Tips
Containers for Snacks
Choose reusable, airtight container that can keep your snacks fresh while reducing waste. Think about silicone bags or strong plastic containers with close-sealing lids to guard your snacks from wetness and bugs. You can wrap your snacks in freezer backs or cling wraps to make them more secure and then pack them in a box.
How to Keep Snacks Fresh
To keep food fresh that needs to be kept cold, put them in coolers with ice packs. For dry snacks, store them in containers that are airtight.
You can put different kinds of snacks in separate containers. This way, when you are hungry and need to find something quickly, your needed snacks will be easily accessible.
Organizing Snacks
When you want to plan your snack times, organize your snacks based on how often you need them. Keep everyday things like trail mix or granola bars at the very top in your bag for quick reach, and put the bigger items that you use less toward the bottom.
How to Choose Camping Snacks
When you plan a camping trip, picking snacks that are easy to carry, good for your health, and tasty can be challenging. Here’s a helpful guide to show you how to choose the best snack foods for your camping.
Nutritional Needs
When you go camping, especially when you are hiking or doing hard work, it’s very important to eat a mix of carbohydrates, proteins, and fats. Carbohydrates give energy to help you continue. Proteins and fats help your muscles to fix themselves and make feel satiated for long time.
Also, remember to drink lots of water. Think about eating snacks that keep your body’s salts in balance, such as dried fruit or jerky. They have sodium and potassium in them. You can also takes electrolytes water along to maintain your blood pressure and to retain the electrolytes that are lost from excessive sweating.
Based on my firsthand experience, on a demanding camping trip, I often find that a single serving for most of the brands is not enough to fully satisfy my hunger. For this reason, I recommend paying close attention to choosing camping snacks that are high in calorie count. That way, even with a small quantity, you will be stratified for a long duration.
Weight and Portability
When your snacks are light, it is better. Choose small, full-of-nutrient foods that do not make your backpack heavy.
Nut butter, dried meat called jerky, and crackers made from whole grain are all excellent choices. They offer a lot of good nutrition in small amounts. Different campers have different nutritional needs. You need a proper balance between nutrition and how much you can take.
Car and RV campers have the luxury of taking extra stuff. They usually carry portable grills, coolers and even gourmet cooking equipment. They can take heavier snacks with even fewer calories. However, for those who carry everything they need on their backs, they have to be mindful.
Shelf Life
Always remember to choose snacks that do not go bad, even if the heat changes. Make sure you note when they expire and keep them in the right places to stop them from getting spoiled.
Snacks like jerky, dried fruit, and nuts will keep well, even on longer trips. Fresh fruits are not great when it comes to shelf life. But they are a refreshing option. I suggest taking them and consuming them for the first few days of your camping trip.
Apple can survive easily in reasonable weather for a few days. In fact, you can take dehydrated fruits as snacks. They also provide similar nutritional benefits and have a good shelf life.
Ease of Preparation
Some snacks are ready to be eaten, while others need more work. Snacks in packages are good for simple and fast use, but you should not worry about bringing campfire snacks that can be made with very little stuff.
Think campfire nachos or foil packet meals. Give priority to no-cook camping snacks to avoid hassle during the camping.
Dietary Restrictions
If there are people in your group who have food limitations, make plans for this. Give a range of snack choices to fit allergies or likes. For example:
- Nut-free: Seed-based snacks like pumpkin seeds or sunflower butter.
- Gluten-free: Rice cakes or gluten-free protein bars.
- Vegan or vegetarian: Dried fruits, nuts, hummus, or veggie sticks.
Flavor Variety
To make sure things stay fun, bring different kinds of tastes—there’s sweet, salty, savory, and also hot flavors. You might get bored with eating the same thing every day, so try changing it with snacks like fiery jerky, sweet-dried fruit, or crispy cheese.
Summary
Picking the correct snacks for camping is very important to maintain your strength and fully enjoy the adventure in nature. We have discussed nuts and seeds to give you an instant energy boost, and fruits and vegetables for hydration that you can easily carry. If you bring a range of delicious, healthy, easy-to-carry snacks, your energy will stay balanced and you’ll feel good whether hiking or resting near the campfire. Preparing to make your next camping food list? Please tell us what treats you will try on your upcoming journey!
