Great Food Ideas For Canoe Camping

Canoe camping is a fun summer activity for families, individuals and groups. One of the many challenges of canoe camping is packing food: even though additional space allows for more flexibility when compared to a backpacking trip, food must provide energy for canoeing, pack very easily and stay fresh without ice or refrigeration.


Rice and pasta are amazing foods for wilderness adventures because they're light, give you the energy for physical activity, usually do not require refrigeration and cook with water. Right at the end of a long day of paddling, particularly on cold nights, a hot bowl of pasta might be a perfect thing. For any simple meal, look for rice or pasta that will come in pre-seasoned packages. More dedicated cooks can bring plain pasta together with spices, sauces or vegetables to brew a heartier meal. Remove rice and pasta from large cardboard packaging and pack in plastic bags for simple carry.

Proper hydration is critical throughout a canoe camping trip; because sun reflects off the water as you paddle, you'll probably need additional fluids. Pack a variety of beverages, including coffee or tea for the early morning, water during the day, and sodas or juices to break the monotony. If you are going on a long trip, think about taking recyclable water containers and water purification supplements so you're able to use river or lake water. To erase the flavors of the purification, take powered drink mixes.

For additional energy and also to assist in muscle mass building after hard paddling, bring protein. Raw meat is not going to keep well, but you should bring jerky and beans to enjoy as snacks and to add protein to meals. If weight is a concern, try to find dried pinto beans, which can be tossed into cooking rice or pasta to have an instant filler. You can also take nuts, which may be eaten as a snack or place in your breakfast cereal. If you will be out for one or 2 days, bring brats or hotdogs, that may usually keep without having to be refrigerated.

On cold mornings, a hot bowl of oatmeal can warm you up and provide you with the energy you'll need for a day of canoeing. You can take individual packets of flavored oatmeal or, to save space and packaging, take a plastic bag filled with dried oats to cook within a pot. Be sure to bring raisins, brown sugar, cinnamon, dried fruits, or other add-ins to cook your oatmeal more bulky and filling.

Due to the fact canoe camping allows you to carry heavier food, it is possible to bring goods that would normally be too heavy for backpacking. Look for canned chili, vegetables or stew for a simple and fast dinner. Bring cereal products, canned fruit or cookies for treat. Make sure to bring a trash bag to carry this stuff from the wilderness.