The hardest part of planning a backpacking trip is planning your meals. There are specialty retailers out there that provide some wonderful options for backpacking food, but those aren’t always convenient when you’re planning a last minute escape. Whether you’re trying to accommodate specific dietary needs or you’re leaving early tomorrow morning, it would be nice to be able to get what you need at your local market. Regular markets can provide an array of options to get you what you need for a trip full of personalized good eatin’. Food should never be the limiting factor for whether you can take off into the wild and nurture your soul.

The Base

We generally like one pot meals backpacking, which are quick to cook and usually limit the amount of dishes to wash at the end of the day. Start with something that will take on whatever flavor you have in mind, and provides you with a lot of energy. Best options for this part of your meal that can be easily found at your local market are:

• Instant mashed potato flakes
• Parboiled rice
• Instant grits or oatmeal
• Quick cooking pastas like ramen, angel hair, couscous, and soba noodles
• Pancake or biscuit mix

The Bulk

All kinds of delicious things can be added into your one pot masterpiece. Build depth and interest with dehydrated or freeze-dried veggies and meats. As these absorb water and sauce, they’ll come right back to normal and melt into your meal:

• Dried mushrooms
• Freeze-dried mixed vegetables
• Sundried tomatoes
• Cured meats and jerky
• Canned tuna and chicken
• Smoked salmon
• Silken tofu

The Flavor

You can go any direction with what you’ve built so far, and the spice department is going to help you get where you want to go. The downside of buying pre-constructed backpacking meals is your inability to customize spice and salt levels in your food. Start slow, and build up to perfection. You can also create a sauce at this point with creamy thickening additions.
Our favorite choices are:

• Bouillon cubes
• Curry pastes
• Soup mixes
• Spice mixes that you buy pre-mixed or make yourself, like our Secret Weapon Spice Rub
• Powdered milk
• Peanut butter powder
• Instant bean flakes

The Toppings

To ensure that you’ll get variation in texture, add some crunchy toppings as a garnish. These can be daytime snacks that serve a dual purpose, or you could keep special toppings aside for a special element to each meal.

• Nuts (crushed smoked almonds)
• Seeds (chia, sunflower, hemp, millet)
• Crushed chips or crackers
• Bacon bits
• Shelf-stable cheese
• Freeze dried fruit
• Chocolate

Here are some of our favorite recipes that rely mainly on finds from our market.

Cheesy Mountain Ramen

Loaded Mashed Potatoes

Oatmeal Pancakes with Dried Fruit Compote

There are so many things to enjoy about the great outdoors – the wildlife, the fresh air, how amazing the night sky looks when there’s no light for miles around. Oh, and the food. Obviously. One of the best things about a camping trip or hiking excursion are the delicious snacks, treats, and cook-ups you get to enjoy along the trail or at the end of a wilderness-packed day. While there are a few campfire classics that aren’t exactly the pinnacle of “healthy” cuisine (cough, smores, cough, beer) we’d never say not to treat yo’ self. But there are tons of camp-friendly options you can throw in the mix that not only taste good, but will keep you feeling good (so you have the energy to enjoy all those birds, stars, and #elevationgains).

Here are our picks for the five healthiest foods to take camping or hiking.

Baked Potatoes

Potatoes sometimes get a bad rap, but we’re not entirely sure why. The inside is a great source of soluble fiber, which helps feed our good gut bacteria, while the skin contains 5 grams of insoluble fiber, which helps keep things “moving along.” One whole baked potato has 7 grams of protein, 46 percent of the recommended daily intake of vitamin B6, 48 percent of vitamin C, 46 percent of potassium, 21 percent of phosphorous and magnesium, and 33 percent of manganese. B6 helps to produce serotonin, a neurotransmitter that regulates mood, sleep, and appetite. Magnesium – a nutrient that’s pretty difficult to get from most foods – can help muscles relax, improve sleep, and reduce stress. Vitamin C is an antioxidant that supports your adrenal glands, which is very important after long days of hiking and strenuous outdoor activities. But perhaps the best part about the potato is how incredibly easy they are to pack and cook. They require no refrigeration, just throw them in your bag. When you’re ready to eat, poke some holes into the skin with a fork, wrap in tin foil, and place on a hot bed of coals or on a rock next to a low fire. They’ll be ready in about half an hour. We recommend slathering with grass-fed butter and sea salt.

Trail Mix

This one might come as no surprise, but have you ever thought about why this snack is so popular amongst trail trekkers? It tastes amazing, true, but, both nutritionally and logistically, trail mix is exactly what you need when heading out into the wild blue yonder. One cup of trail mix can contain anywhere from 500-700 calories, which, in many situations, is not ideal, but when you’re on the trail all day you need a dense source of fuel that’s not going to weigh down your pack or your body. Contained in those calories is more than 20 grams of protein, 40 grams of (healthy) fats, 60 grams of carbs, and nearly a third of your daily value for 14 different vitamins and minerals. Meanwhile, the salt from the nuts and the glucose from the dried fruits help replenish electrolytes and keep you hydrated.

To ensure you get the healthiest mix, go for kinds that include just fruit and nuts. Salted nuts are good, but make sure the fruit doesn’t come coated in extra sugar. We like mixes that include a majority of nuts such as almonds and macadamia nuts (rather than peanuts), dried bananas for potassium, pumpkin seeds for zinc, and dried blueberries for their low sugar and high antioxidant content.

Canned Fish

If you’re thinking “Ew, gross,” you can skip this one, but, before you go, you might be interested to know that canned fish is, hands down, one of the healthiest, most affordable, convenient, camp-friendly foods on the face of the planet. Wild-caught sardines have more calcium and phosphorous than milk, more iron than spinach, more potassium than coconut water, and as much protein as steak. Plus, they pack over 300 mg of omega 3 EPA and 650 mg of omega 3 DHA. If you’re not into sardines (you should try them, they taste just like tuna, we swear!) Try wild-caught salmon. We recommend opting for varieties that include the skin and bones. You can’t taste them, and these are the parts that contain the majority of the vitamins and minerals. Our favorite brands are Wild Plant and Trader Joe’s BPA-free options.

Chili

Chili is the definition of maximum return, minimum investment. Everything you’d want or need to put in chili you can find in a can, it can be modified to suit almost any taste and dietary preference, and it’s incredibly nutrient dense. A simple vegetarian chili made out of beans, veggies, and tomato paste contains 10 grams of protein, a whopping 16 grams of fiber, and only 4 grams of sugar. In addition, you’re also getting a sizeable serving of lycopene – the antioxidant that gives tomatoes their red color and is in our new SmartyPants Men’s Complete. Unlike many antioxidants that are destroyed by heat, lycopene content is actually enhanced by cooking. Add in some grass-fed beef or bison meat for extra protein, vitamin A, iron, and a hefty dose of B vitamins, which will keep you energized on the trail.

Jerky

For camping and hiking aficionados, jerky may be old news – dried meats have been a staple of outdoorsmen (and women) for hundreds of years, as they’re an almost perfect balance between fat and protein, a good source of B vitamins, and zinc. The good news is, jerky is so popular now you can find it almost anywhere, from Whole Foods to the airport gift shop. But all jerkies are not created equal. We recommend opting for brands that are 100% grass-fed – an important thing to look for when buying animal products, as grass-fed products are often more sustainable, raised in a more humane manner, and have been shown to have higher levels of conjugated linoleic acid (CLA) and omega 3 fatty acids.

Grace is a certified Nutritional Therapy Practitioner (NTP) and a graduate of Duke University. She received her nutrition certification from the Nutritional Therapy Association, and her training is based on the work of Dr. Weston A Price, as well as the latest peer-reviewed, scientific research. In addition to managing all things on the SmartyPants blog, Grace has been featured as a regular contributor for Refinery29 Wellness. Grace continues to work with clients as a private nutritional coach, “The Primal Blonde”. You can read more of Grace’s nutrition knowhow, and find out how you can work with her one-on-one, at www.primalblondenutrition.com. To check out what kind of kale-infused, bone broth concoction she’s cooking up, or her latest adventure in the world of fitness, follow Grace on Instagram @theprimalblonde.

If you’re cooking up breakfast for a crowd:

• If you’re cooking for a crowd and you own a dutch oven, this Dutch Oven Breakfast Casserole is a sure hit.

  

• Dust off your old pie iron and make some Campfire Cinnamon Roll Waffles. It’ll work just fine if you have a regular pie iron, but waffle irons are fun if you’re looking for a new camping toy.

  

• Campfire Breakfast Potatoes are perfect with scrambled eggs and bacon.

  

For snacking during the day:

• Make this Spicy Peanut Dip at home and dip carrots, cucumbers and bell peppers in it for a healthy and satisfying snack.

  

• These Spicy Potato Flatbreads are one of my favorite snacks. They’re savory, and totally satisfying even if you eat them at room temperature (i.e. they’ve been sitting in your pack all day)

  

• Sometimes a packaged bar won’t do. Take these Blueberry Coconut Almond Bars along for a day hike.

  

Some of our favorite hearty and easy camping main dishes:

• We’re all about communal eating and a Bruschetta Picnic Potluck is one of our favorite ideas. Lots of little dips and spreads complement each other to create a fun eating experience.



• This Albondigas Soup is warm and filling, yet still feels summery and fresh.

  

• For a simple and delicious meal, Crunchy Skillet Fried Tacos are a crowd-pleaser.

  

Dessert, of course:

• If your trip includes kids, s’mores are a must, but mix it up a little bit and make some Campfire Cones one night.

  

• Impress your friends by making a from scratch caramel sauce at camp. This Toasted Pound Cake with Pineapple and Coconut Rum Caramel recipe is easier than it sounds!

  

Here’s a nice organized list that includes our latest side dish recipes and additional recipes for a complete Thanksgiving menu. Let the cooking begin!

Cocktails

We think a warming beverage is absolutely necessary while you’re prepping Thanksgiving dinner outdoors. Hot chocolate for the kiddos, and for the rest of us:

• Vanilla Cider Cocktail
• Nutella Hot Chocolate (with a splash of whiskey)

Side Dishes

Here is a recap of our recent side dish recipes. Best of all, they can all be made on the campfire.

• Apple Fennel Stuffing
• Campfire Squash Galette with Creamy Cashew Sauce
• Coconut Butternut Squash
• Campfire Miso Scallion Sweet Potatoes

Mains

These recipes are the perfect centers of attention to accompany the side dishes. They bring needed protein and pizazz to the whole meal.

• Grilled Tempeh
• Campfire Roasted Pumpkin Rice

Dessert

We live for Thanksgiving desserts, but are never excited to have to cook more after eating the rest of the meal. These desserts are super simple to prepare, and can be made ahead of time. They are seasonal and a perfect end to a perfect evening under the stars.

• No Bake Apple Bourbon Cobbler
• Red Wine Poached Pears

Eggs can be tricky both car camping and backpacking. They are perishable and fragile. However, they offer so much versatility to camping recipes that they are often worth the effort. They are an excellent source of protein for either a quick or a lavish camping breakfast, and can also be used to bind dishes like baked pastas, or coat things like french toast (recipe coming shortly).

Here are some tips for dealing with them in both contexts:

• REI sells egg holders for carrying whole eggs, but they don’t hold very large ones. I like to use them for holding hard-boiled eggs.
• Another great way to transport eggs is to crack them together into a jar. You can squash the jar into a cooler this way without worrying about breaking them, and just shake the jar when you’re ready to scramble them.
• Backpacking is obviously the most difficult scenario to bring eggs into, unless they are dehydrated. You can buy them dehydrated, or try making your own.

I did a lot of research before attempting my own powdered eggs, and none of it sounded good. Some people dehydrate eggs after already cooking them, and some try raw. Many people have difficulty grinding the eggs into a powder. They complained that the rehydrated texture was grainy, or that the egg clumped up in the food processor from not drying completely or evenly. I had issues with getting the amount of water correct upon rehydration, and they turned out too thick the first time. But since then, I’ve gotten them right. And they are impressive.

I’m including my method for making your own dehydrated powdered eggs here. The recipe I made with the powdered eggs on my last trip is pictured here. I just rehydrated hash browns, eggs, and dehydrated cheese, and scrambled them together in some oil.

Please let us know if you have any of your own great methods for dealing with eggs while camping.

It felt like kayaking in a land that time forgot. Paddling across the Salton Sea, there wasn’t a drop of water out of place, glassy conditions prevailing during our kayaking and bird watching excursion. The only distinct sounds on the water were thousands of American White Pelicans. Feeding, frolicking and preening in the shallows, they were enjoying their winter stopover in this accidental manmade habitat as pink and orange hues swept across the Santa Rosa Mountains to the west.

Depending on your point of view, the Salton Sea can appear like a dismal, lifeless wasteland or a vibrant desert oasis for 400 bird species seeking refuge here each winter. California’s largest lake was created in 1905, when the Colorado River swelled and breached levees and dikes on its way to becoming the Salton Sea. We were paddling 228 feet below sea level in what was once known as the Salton Sink directly above the San Andreas Fault.

Once deemed the next Las Vegas in the 1940s and 50s, the Salton Sea held a resort-like atmosphere. Waterskiing, fishing and boating were favorite pastimes. There was a time when 400,000 boats used the sea each year when more people visited the Salton Sea than Yosemite National Park. But over the decades the Salton Sea has endured more flooding, which thwarted further development. Because there are no outlets for flood waters and the Salton Sea is 25 percent saltier than the Pacific Ocean, over time high salinity levels have induced mass die-offs of fish and birds. There used to be several species of fish living in the sea, but tilapia has proven to be the only fish able to tolerate such high salinity levels. Eventually the 110-mile shoreline lost its luster.

However, the Salton Sea still holds a certain allure, and it remains one of the best birding locales in North America. We paddled and explored its mud-cracked shorelines littered with dead fish, while scattered flocks of Western Sandpipers and Black-necked Stilts foraged in the crunchy brine. Eighty to 90 percent of the entire American White Pelican population winters on the Salton Sea. Statuesque Great Blue Herons and Great Egrets stood motionless in the shallows waiting patiently to skewer a tilapia swimming beneath them.

Soaking in the Salton Sea

Diversity of birdlife is what makes the Salton Sea so attractive to birdwatchers. Kayaking around the entire lake exposed us to throngs of American Wigeon, and Northern Pintail, Long-billed Dowitcher and Least Sandpiper, Herring and Ring-billed Gull. When we camped along its shores we saw Ferruginous Hawk, White-tailed Kite and Red-shouldered Hawk. Burrowing Owls were spotted several times close to our camps.

Busily working around our tents, the desert flora of creosote bush and cholla cactus was alive with Say’s Phoebe, Horned Lark, Verdin, Cactus Wren, Ruby-crowned Kinglet, American Pipit and Yellow-rumped and Orange-crowned Warbler.

Continuing southward, we pushed our kayaks into the silky smooth water just east of the sand dunes between a covey of Long-billed Curlews and American Avocets feeding in the brine-covered rocks. Nearby was an abandoned military test site. It appeared like something out of the apocalypse. A long black point extended far off the site and out to sea. At least a mile offshore it slowly began to move, almost rolling, as the desert played tricks on squinting eyes. Then in a massive flurry of black, thousands of Double-crested Cormorants took flight, running on water, flapping furiously for liftoff all in one direction. We soon discovered that the cormorants were the current keepers of the abandoned navy site.

Established in the 1940s, the test base was involved with the Manhattan Project and for atomic testing. Today it looks like it didn’t survive a nuclear blast, although there are reports of maneuvers in 1991 during the first Gulf War. Guano-covered pilings still stand, now prime nesting and roosting habitat for hordes of cormorants.

Sonny Bono Salton Sea National Wildlife Refuge

Paddling nine miles east, we skirted around Mullet Island, an extinct volcano and the edge of the Sonny Bono Salton Sea National Wildlife Refuge. The refuge winters up to 30,000 Snow, Ross’s, and Canada Geese, and 60,000 ducks from November through February. Endangered species we observed on the refuge included the Southern Bald Eagle, Peregrine Falcon, California Brown Pelican, Yuma Clapper Rail, and Desert Pupfish.

A significant Yuma Clapper Rail population nests on the refuge. Sensitive species utilizing the refuge also include the Fulvous Whistling Duck, Wood Stork, Mountain Plover, Western Snowy Plover, Burrowing Owl, and White-faced Ibis.

Sonny Bono Salton Sea Refuge was designed to reduce waterfowl depredation to adjacent croplands. Management practices benefit the high concentration of waterfowl and shorebird species that flock each winter to the refuge. They include an intensive farming program that involves cooperative farmers growing crops for waterfowl consumption during the winter. The refuge also manipulates water levels in ponds to provide ideal habitat for shorebirds and waterfowl. The refuge extends a couple of miles out to sea, and small aircraft is required to stay clear of the multitude of avian species that hone in on California’s southeastern corner.

More recently, the refuge has become heavily involved with fish and wildlife disease and contaminant issues. The refuge routinely surveys the Salton Sea for dead or dying fish and wildlife. Fish and wildlife are removed from the area in order to prevent the spread of disease and sent to the lab for investigation.

Our last night on the Salton Sea, we camped on a sandy finger where the Alamo River and the Salton Sea converged. We barely had to leave our tents to absorb all the birdlife surrounding us. Flocks of American Avocet and Western Sandpiper tiptoed in front of us. A platoon of American White Pelican flapped their creamy white wings bathing in a fading sunset. Bird activity lasted well into the night, lulling us to sleep during a cool, crisp night on the Colorado Desert.

For more information

The best time to visit the Salton Sea is in the winter when day time temperatures are mild to warm. Evenings can reach freezing temps. Fall through spring is also the best time for bird watching. The Salton Sea is on the Pacific Flyway, and is one of the most important winter stopovers for migratory birds.

The Salton Sea State Recreation Area is located on the northeast shore. This is currently the best, most convenient place to leave your vehicle and begin your paddling trip. Call the park office at (760) 393-3052,www.parks.ca.gov.

Contact the Sonny Bono Salton Sea NWF at (760) 348-5278, www.fws.gov.

Prep at Home

This is my number one tip. Make some meals at home so that when you get to camp, you aren’t tempted to eat junk. Often times we camp in groups and most likely the other people you’re camping with are not going to be thinking about food in the same way you are. If your meals are all ready to go in your cooler, then you can heat them up as soon as you’re hungry and the chances of you chowing on your friend’s Chili Dogs are greatly reduced.

Here are some more specific ideas:

• How about freezing some homemade pasta sauce and serving it on top of this fantastic protein and fiber packed red lentil pasta?
• This Date and Chickpea Stew, but substitute quinoa for the couscous.



• A pot of soup is always satisfying, especially if you’re going somewhere that gets cool in the evenings.  This Spicy Korean Lentil Soup is warming, healthy and filling.



• A salad can also be a great meal and if you choose one with a hearty base like kale, you can make it at home and eat it a day or two later. This Kale and Black Eyed Pea Salad is my favorite.
• For breakfast, all those recipes for overnight oats that you see everywhere on Pinterest are perfect camping food. Just pull a jar out of your cooler first thing in the morning and eat it cold, or heat it up on your camp stove.

Use the Campfire

Cooking on the campfire adds so much flavor, and I’m not just talking about burnt hot dogs. On top of that, it’s fun and interactive, especially if you have older kids who you might be able to recruit to help cook the meal.

Foil pouches (aka Hobo Packs) are great, and you can make a DIY setup by setting out veggies, lean meats or tofu, and seasonings next to pieces of foil. Then everyone can assemble their own packet of food and stick it in the fire to cook. Here are some basic assembly instructions for making your foil packets.

Here are some other recipe ideas:

• Grilled Artichokes with Lemon Garlic Aioli (instead of the aioli, you may want to make a simple vinaigrette with olive oil, lemon juice, garlic, salt and pepper)
• Blistered Shishito Peppers can easily be made in a cast iron skillet over the campfire. Substitute edamame if you can’t find shishito peppers



• Trout Tacos are the ultimate campfire health food if you happen to be fishing
• If you’re lucky enough to own a dutch oven, you can make these Dutch Oven Stuffed Peppers (sub lentils for the meat, brown rice for the white rice, omit cheese)
• Campfire Asparagus with Mustard Orange Vinaigrette

Bring Interesting Snacks

You might be able to resist chips and salsa on a regular day at home, but it’s much more difficult when the snacks come out at camp. Make sure you come prepared with plenty of healthy and interesting snacks.
Some of our favorites are:

• Spicy Lemon Herb Popcorn



• Butternut Squash Tahini Spread
• Spicy Peanut Dip
• To satisfy the littles or yourself on a hike, make up a batch of Blueberry Coconut Almond Bars at home.

Don’t Forget Dessert

Desserts are essential if you ask me, and not as hard as you might think to keep healthy:

• At this time of year and in the coming months, take advantage of all the great fruit that is available. Grill peaches, plums and pineapple on a grate over the campfire. If that’s not sweet enough, drizzle it with a touch of maple syrup.
• Bake up a batch of healthy cookies at home and pass them around by the campfire. I’ve been making these Banana Bread Muffin Tops weekly and they really hit the spot.
• Did you ever make Banana Boats on a campfire as a kid? You take a banana, split it lengthwise, and stuff it with things like chocolate chips, marshmallows, caramels, nuts and peanut butter. If you skip the overly sweet toppings and instead fill it with toasted pecans, dark chocolate, and a drizzle of date caramel that you make at home, you’ve got a healthy and delicious dessert.

Happy Hour

Whether you’re drinking alcohol or not, you may want a drink that feels special while you’re camping. If you’re avoiding alcohol altogether, try making a mocktail with fresh herbs, a splash of juice and some sparkling water. If you do want some alcohol, make your drinks last longer in your glass by using sparkling water as a mixer. Whether it’s gin and soda with a big squeeze of lime or a white wine spritzer, this will slow down your alcohol intake, help you stay a little bit hydrated, and keep your drinks special.

Above all, have fun on your trip and don’t worry too much if you do indulge a little more than usual. Go out for a hike or a trail run and burn a few extra calories if you really don’t want to worry about it.

In both my research and my experiences camping with toddlers, I’ve learned some things I thought I would share-

Talk it up

Talk to kids about the idea of sleeping in a tent so it’s not a surprise. We did this and I think it really helped them get to sleep at night. We also had been taking the kids outside every night before bed to show them the stars and the moon, so when we got to camp they were so excited to see so many stars.

Make sure they nap

If your kids are used to napping, do everything you possibly can to make sure they nap. Ours ran around like crazy when we tried to get them to sleep for a nap, so we finally went for a drive and they were out in minutes. I’m sure that was the only thing that made the afternoons and evenings tolerable.

Prep food at home

Prep most (if not all) of your food at home so that when you get to camp, all you have to do is reheat. The less work you have to do preparing food at camp, the better. If you end up with a child who will not let you put her down, you’ll be able to heat your meal one handed.

Don’t count on campfire cooking exclusively

I made the mistake of planning to cook most of my meals on the campfire, without thinking about the timing of things. It takes time to build a campfire that’s hot enough for cooking, and by the time our fire was ready, the kids were way too hungry. Also, having a campfire around a toddler requires CONSTANT supervision. So if you’re going to start a fire before the kids go to bed, you’ll need at least one adult whose job is to make sure a child doesn’t get too close to the fire.

Bring healthy snacks

This one seems obvious, but I screwed it up so maybe it’s worth mentioning. Junk food will arrive at camp, so focus as much as possible on bringing healthy snacks that your kids love. I was so busy thinking about meals that I forgot about snacks and so the kids ate way too many chips. Some of our favorite snacks I wish I had are string cheese, small apples, and those fruit and veggie puree pouches (which you can freeze and stick in your cooler).

Bring a play tent or play yard

Our car was completely packed, so we didn’t have room for an extra tent or play yard, but if you do, bring one! It’s so nice to have an “indoor” play space that can get dirty. Our kids were constantly in and out of the tent and it was a pain to have to pull their shoes off and back on again whenever they changed their fickle minds about where they wanted to be.

Bring some old and some new toys

Familiar toys and books are a must have, but I kept things exciting by bringing some new things like glow necklaces and new crayons and coloring/sticker books. Camping is a great time to bring out all those art supplies that you might not want to deal with at home for fear of a big mess.

Throw out expectations

Finally, don’t be disappointed if your kids aren’t happy and/or things don’t go as planned. You have to go into this knowing that it could go any way. Even if it’s hard, you’re creating a memorable experience for your kids that will have a lasting positive impact on their lives. The next trip will be easier because they’ll be more used to it. They had new experiences and that will benefit them (and you!) in many ways. And the only real way for the whole family to get good at this stuff (even without toddlers!) is to practice.

Do you have any favorite tips for camping with toddlers?

Step 1: Collect

As you’re grouping things together in your sleeping and kitchen area, you’ll come across the fun stuff. This includes chairs, fire making supplies, lighting, games, and music. Gather all of that together where you plan to have a fire. If there is no fire ring, imagine where a fire would go best in your location. This may just be whatever space is leftover in your campsite, but if you have a choice, look for:

stable ground
clear of brush or low hanging tree branches
shelter from the wind (ideal: a tall boulder to bounce fire light off of)

Do this even if you don’t plan to have a fire.

Step 2: Build Your Campfire (or “Campfire”)

A campfire provides warmth and light in the evening, but it also creates the iconic camping experience that leads to bonding, sharing and true relaxation. Even if you’re camping in an area where you cannot have a fire, you can create the same central experience for your group.

Here’s a link to a cute infographic that makes it easy to remember how to properly start a campfire.

How To Build a Campfire Infographic

It’s shockingly easy to create a similar ambiance to a campfire without the real deal. Truly any light source will do. I often carry LED tea light candles with me backpacking, and I recently fell in love with these ENO Lights. Even a headlamp or two, strapped around a water bottle or simply thrown on the ground (maybe under a white bandana for a softer glow) will do the trick.

Your people may scoff at the idea at first, explaining that it’s just not the same. But once there is a light source to hover around, they’ll find themselves entranced, chairs will form a circle, and the storytelling will begin. Do not skip this.

Step 3: Make it Feel Like Home

Cozy up the place and pull out all the luxury items. Place chairs in a circle. Hang any extra lighting around the outside, such as twinkly lights or a lantern in a nearby tree. If you brought music, set up the speaker in a location where it’s not likely to be knocked over. If possible, direct the music towards your group and away from others. Any games or toys should be gathered in one central location for easy finding whenever the time is right. If you have a spare table, set it up near the games. Some items we like to bring are:

hacky sack
playing cards
tiny instruments to share, like a harmonica, nose flute, jaw harp, and egg shaker
blankets
an extra cooler for drinks

Any little extra will make a big impact if you pull it out at the right time.

Campfire Cooking

Often, you’ll have some intermingling of the cooking and hangout areas if you plan to use the campfire to cook. Make sure to leave a clear path between the kitchen area and the fire, for ease of rushing back and forth. If you plan to make dessert over the fire, prepare it while you prepare dinner so you can move seamlessly to it when you’re ready. Set up the cleaning space close to the campfire if possible. This will encourage helpers without seemingly banishing them from the fun or warmth during their shift. As night falls, cold and tiredness set in, making everything more of an effort as it gets later, but it’s still very important to do a thorough job of buttoning camp up before bed.

Here are a few of our favorite one pot meals, and these ones have just five main ingredients! It doesn’t have to be complicated to be delicious and satisfying.

Quick Note: We didn’t include salt, pepper, oil, or water when counting to five ingredients for these meals. We know they technically count, but we’re going to assume these are already in your backcountry kitchen, and the five main ingredients are items you’ll likely have to shop for.

Skillet Tamale Pie

Tamales take a lot of prep time, so if you’re not ready for it, try this deconstructed version in your skillet or dutch oven.

1 pound ground beef
2 15-ounce cans pinto beans, drained
1 16-ounce jar salsa
1 1-pound tube polenta, sliced into ½ inch thick rounds
2 cups (about 8 ounces) shredded sharp cheddar
2 tablespoons vegetable oil
salt and pepper, to taste

In a large, deep skillet, brown the ground beef over medium-high heat until cooked through. Add the beans and salsa and stir to combine. Season to taste with salt and pepper. Reduce heat to low and layer the polenta slices over the beef mixture. Top with cheese. Cover and cook until cheese is melted and polenta is heated through.

One Pot Tomato Basil Pasta

This pasta recipe cooks altogether and creates a sauce as it cooks so there’s no wasted water or straining to do. Get creative and add any herbs and veggies that you like. For some extra protein, try adding a drained can of white beans.

1 pound spaghetti
1 pound cherry tomatoes, halved
6 cloves of garlic, thinly sliced
¼ cup extra virgin olive oil
2 teaspoons salt
pepper, to taste
a few handfuls of basil

In a large pot, combine the spaghetti, tomatoes, garlic, olive oil, and salt, along with 5 cups of water. Bring to a boil over high heat and continue cooking, stirring often, until the pasta is al dente. Stir in torn pieces of basil and season to taste with pepper.

Channa Masala

This dish is usually ingredient-intensive, but here is a perfect camping version that will still impress your taste buds.

2 cans chickpeas, drained and rinsed
1 yellow onion, chopped
1 tablespoon vegetable oil
1-inch piece of ginger, peeled and finely chopped
28-ounce can of crushed tomatoes
2 tablespoons garam masala
salt, to taste

In a large pot, heat 1 tablespoon of oil and add chopped onions, ginger and 1 tablespoon of garam masala. Cook for 5-7 minutes on medium heat, stirring occasionally until onions are softened and translucent.

Add tomatoes and their juice to the pot and stir well. Add remaining garam masala and bring mixture to a simmer for 5 minutes. Season to taste with salt.

Add chickpeas and gently simmer for 10-15 minutes to let flavors develop. Optional – serve with rice and garnish with cilantro and chili flakes.

Many homemade backpacking meals are five ingredients or less. Here are a couple from our archives:

Broccoli Cheese Orzo

Chili Mac with Bacon

Post in partnership with REI and Emily is an employee. All opinions shared here are our own.