Canoe Camping Food Ideas

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

  1. Pasta and rice

    • Pasta and rice are great foods for wilderness adventures because they are light, provide the energy for physical activity, do not require refrigeration and cook with water. At the end of a long day of paddling, particularly on cold evenings, a warm bowl of pasta can be just the thing. For a simple meal, look for pasta or rice that comes in pre-seasoned packages. More dedicated cooks can bring plain pasta along with spices, sauces or vegetables to create a heartier meal. Remove pasta and rice from bulky cardboard packaging and pack in plastic bags for easy transportation.

    Drinks

    • Proper hydration is important during a canoe camping trip; because sun reflects off the water as you paddle, you are likely to need additional fluids. Pack a variety of drinks, including coffee or tea for the morning, water for the day, and sodas or juices to break the monotony. If you will be going on a long trip, consider bringing reusable water containers and water purification tablets so you can use river or lake water. To erase the taste of the purification, bring powered drink mixes.

    Protein

    • For extra energy and to assist in muscle building after hard paddling, bring protein. Raw meat will not keep well, but you can bring jerky and beans to eat as snacks and to add protein to meals. If weight is a concern, look for dried pinto beans, which can be tossed into cooking pasta or rice for an instant filler. You can also take nuts, which can be eaten as a snack or put in your breakfast cereal. If you will be out for one or two days, bring brats or hot dogs, which will usually keep without being refrigerated.

    Oatmeal

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

    Packaged food

    • Because canoe camping allows you to carry heavier food, you can bring items that would normally be too heavy for backpacking. Look for canned chili, vegetables or stew for a quick and easy dinner. Bring cereals, canned fruit or cookies for dessert. Be sure to bring a trash bag to carry these items out of the wilderness.