Best Camping Food

The best camping food runs the gamut from the practical to the nostalgic. Some people think of the food they need to face a grueling camping excursion while others just want to have some fun around the campfire. The following list provides a mix of high-performance camping gear for the serious backpacker or hiker and favorites you'll remember fondly from family camping trips and nights at sleep-away camp.

1.

 With everything from chowder to stroganoff, Enertia Trails' products are among the best camping food available. Several items from the company were featured in a 2003 list of "Top 10 New Foods" from Backpacker magazine.

2.

 BackpackGearTest.org tested several Backpacker's Pantry products in the field with positive results. The foods were easy to make and required minimal prep work and clean-up, although taste varied and some testers complained about portion size.

3.

 Granola bars and energy bars are portable and quick and easy to eat. They're equally useful as nourishment during a grueling hike and for providing a healthy snack for kids.

4.

 Trail mix is portable, and as its name suggests, perfect for eating by the handful while hiking the trails. Make your own or buy ready-made pouches for energy and a hint of sweetness.

5.

 You can find tuna, salmon, and chicken pouches from popular brands like Bumble Bee and Starkist in most grocery stores, making it a more practical choice than specialty dehydrated foods from camping supply stores. In addition to not requiring a can opener, pouches weigh less and are more compact than cans. If you're feeling creative, you can use the meat as the base for a recipe, or you can eat your tuna or chicken straight out of the pouch.

6.

 While technically a beverage, it's an essential camping companion. No matter what outdoor activities you plan to participate in, it's important to stay hydrated.

7.

 There's no nutritional value, they're messy and goopy, and the kids will be up all night from the sugar high. However, a camping trip wouldn't be a camping trip without at least one evening spent roasting s'mores by the fire.

8.

 Much like s'mores, you just can't beat a hot dog roasted on a stick over an open fire. If you're feeling health-conscious, look for turkey or veggie dogs.

9.

 Pie irons are another unique campfire-cooking experience. Pizzas, grilled cheese, and fruit pies are common recipes.

10.

 Mystery soup is the best camping food for a large group, such as a scouting campout. Each camper is asked to bring a can of soup with the label removed. The meal provides a lesson in sharing and combining efforts to do more than a single person (represented by a single can) can accomplish. It's also an adventure because you never know who's going to bring the cream of mushroom soup.

Related LoveToKnow Site

• LoveToKnow Camping