Backpacking Food Ideas:
Pack lightweight, high-energy foods for backpacking trips. Opt for dehydrated meals, trail mix, and energy bars.
Backpacking requires food that is easy to carry, nutritious, and quick to prepare. Lightweight options like dehydrated meals save space and weight in your pack. Trail mix, made with nuts, seeds, and dried fruits, offers a great balance of proteins, fats, and carbs.
Energy bars are convenient and provide a quick boost during long hikes. Consider including items like instant oatmeal, jerky, and powdered drink mixes. These choices ensure you stay fueled without adding unnecessary bulk. Planning your meals carefully can make your backpacking experience more enjoyable and efficient.
I remember during our trek through the Grampians, Sam and I underestimated how hungry hiking would make us. By Day 2, we were rationing peanut butter and realizing how essential calorie-dense snacks are. We now swear by our homemade trail mix—almonds, dried mango, and a few dark chocolate chips. It’s our mid-hike morale booster.
Energy bars are convenient and provide a quick boost during long hikes. We often reach for them on steep ascents when stopping for a full meal isn’t an option. One time, I stashed a bar in every pocket of my jacket—and yes, they saved me more than once.
Consider including items like instant oatmeal, jerky, and powdered drink mixes. These choices ensure you stay fueled without adding unnecessary bulk. Planning your meals carefully can make your backpacking experience more enjoyable and efficient.
We’ve learned a lot from our time on the trail, and I’ll be sharing our journey with you—along with some tried-and-true tips to help you put together backpacking meals that actually work.
Credit: www.the-hungry-hiker.com
What Are the Best Foods to Bring on a Backpacking Trip?
Last summer, my best friend Sam and I decided to embark on a week-long backpacking adventure through the Rocky Mountain National Park in Colorado. We had been planning this trip for months—poring over maps, testing gear, and, most importantly, figuring out what food to bring. After all, good meals can make or break a backpacking trip.
Planning Our Meals: Lightweight, Nutritious, and Delicious:
Since we’d be carrying everything on our backs, we needed food that was:
✅ Lightweight & Compact – No heavy cans or bulky packaging.
✅ High in Calories – Hiking 10+ miles a day burns a ton of energy.
✅ Easy to Prepare – Minimal cooking time, since we’d be exhausted by dusk.
Our Go-To Backpacking Foods:
1. Breakfast: Instant Oatmeal & Coffee:
Mornings in the Rockies were chilly, so we started each day with instant oatmeal packets (just add hot water) and instant coffee. Sam brought some dehydrated fruit to mix in, which made it feel like a real treat.
2. Lunch: Tortillas with Nut Butter & Jerky:
We avoided bread (too bulky and squishy) and instead packed whole wheat tortillas with peanut butter and beef jerky. Sometimes we added honey packets for extra energy.
- Dinner: Dehydrated Meals & Instant Rice:
Our favorite dinners were freeze-dried backpacking meals (like Mountain House or Backpacker’s Pantry). Just boil water, pour it in, and wait 10 minutes—voilà, a hot meal! We also brought instant rice and dehydrated beans for variety.
4. Snacks: Trail Mix, Energy Bars & Dark Chocolate
Snacks kept us going between meals:
– Homemade trail mix (nuts, dried fruit, M&Ms)
– Clif Bars or RX Bars
– Dark chocolate (because morale matters!)
- Hydration: Electrolytes & Tea
We carried a water filter to refill from streams, but we also brought electrolyte tablets (like Nuun) to prevent cramps. At night, herbal tea was a comforting way to unwind.
A Memorable Meal on the Trail
One evening, after a grueling hike up to Sky Pond, we set up camp near the alpine lake. Exhausted but exhilarated, we cooked a beef stroganoff freeze-dried meal and shared a bar of dark chocolate while watching the sunset over the peaks. It was simple, but after a long day, it tasted like a gourmet feast.
My Suggestion to You:
– Pack more calories than you think you need – Hiking burns way more energy than expected.
– Variety is key – Eating the same thing every day gets old fast.
– Repackage food – Ditch bulky packaging to save space.
How to make Your Backpacking Plan
After my week-long trip with Sam through Rocky Mountain National Park, I learned that meal planning is crucial for energy and morale. Here’s exactly what we ate each day—balanced, lightweight, and easy to prepare.
Day | Breakfast | Lunch | Dinner | Snacks |
Day 1 | Instant oatmeal + peanut butter + dried blueberries | Tortilla with almond butter, honey, and beef jerky | Mountain House Beef Stroganoff + instant mashed potatoes | Trail mix, Clif Bar, dark chocolate (1 square) |
Day 2 | Granola with powdered milk + instant coffee | Tuna packet + crackers + cheese (hard, like Babybel) | Backpacker’s Pantry Pad Thai + freeze-dried veggies | RX Bar, mixed nuts, dried mango |
Day 3 | Peanut butter & banana chips on a tortilla | Instant ramen (with added jerky for protein) | Idahoan instant mashed potatoes + dehydrated chili | Beef sticks, gummy bears (for quick sugar), electrolyte drink |
Day 4 | Probar meal bar + instant coffee | Peanut butter & jelly tortilla + trail mix | Good To-Go Herbed Mushroom Risotto | Dark chocolate, cashews, energy chews |
Day 5 | Oatmeal + chia seeds + cinnamon | Summer sausage + cheese + crackers | Mountain House Chicken & Dumplings | Almonds, dried apricots, Clif Bloks |
Day 6 | Breakfast skillet (instant potatoes + bacon bits + cheese) | Hummus (single-serve packet) + tortilla | Knorr pasta side + tuna packet | Peanut M&M’s, jerky, herbal tea |
Day 7 | Pop-Tarts (easy, no-cook option) | Leftover snacks (finish everything!) | (Post-hike celebration meal in town—burgers!) |
Key Tips from Our Trip:
- ✔ Repackage food – Remove bulky packaging to save space.
- ✔ Balance carbs, protein & fats – Prevents energy crashes.
- ✔ Bring extra snacks – Always pack 1-2 more meals than you think you’ll need.
This plan kept us energized and fueled for a week in the backcountry! What’s your go-to backpacking meal?
Credit: www.coltercousa.com
Hydration Tips: The Day the Creek Ran Dry
Somewhere along the dusty ridge trail, Sam dropped to his knees. “Water,” he croaked, dramatically. We were only halfway through the hike.
1. Double Purification = Double Survival
What went wrong: Our Lifestraw clogged, and the backup was… nonexistent.
Fix: We now pack a Sawyer Squeeze plus Aquatabs. Always carry two ways to make water drinkable.
2. Electrolytes Aren’t Optional
Sam’s heroic comeback? A pouch of lemon-lime electrolyte powder I’d forgotten in my jacket.
Pro Tip: Pre-mix electrolyte packets into Ziplocks — easier to dump into bottles on the go.
3. Hot Drinks, High Spirits
Chamomile tea under the stars? Surprisingly powerful.
Why it matters: Keeps you warm, relaxed, and hydrated. Ginger or peppermint is gold.
Cooking Equipment: Spaghetti Spill & Stove Redemption
Night 2, our dinner slid off the edge of the rock into the dirt. Sam stared at the mess like he’d lost a loved one.
1. Best Stove Combo
- Jetboil MiniMo: Boils water in under 2 minutes, simmer control = win.
- Backup Alcohol Stove: Lightweight, reliable, emergency hero.
2. Titanium Pot = Game Changer
Doubles as a mug, bowl, and pan.
Pro Tip: Bring a lid — cuts cooking time and keeps bugs out.
3. Spice Kit, Big Flavor
Tiny bags of salt, cumin, garlic powder, and chili flakes.
Why it matters: Even rehydrated lentils can slap with the right seasoning.
Packing & Storage: The 2 AM Bear Bag Scramble
A loud crack in the bushes snapped us awake. Sam’s granola stash? Hanging just low enough for a curious raccoon.
1. Bear-Proof Like a Pro
- BearVault for essentials, hang the rest.
- Every scented item — yes, even sunscreen — goes in the canister.
2. Color-Coded Bag System
- Green = breakfast
- Blue = dinner
- Red = snacks
No more rummaging in the dark for that one tortilla.
3. Forgotten Spoon = Improvised Tool Time
Sam used his multitool like a fork. I used a clean-ish tent peg.
Fix: Now we tape a spork to our pack straps. Always visible. Never forgotten.
Final Trail Takeaways
- Hydration: Always bring two purification options. Add electrolytes, carry herbal tea.
- Cooking: Simmer-ready stove + spice kit = morale boost in a pot.
Packing: Bear-proof smart, label everything, and never forget your spoon.
Because out here, you’re only as strong as your gear… and your ability to laugh when dinner falls in the dirt.
Backpacking meals don’t have to be bland or bulky. With a bit of planning and a few personal favorites—like our homemade trail mix and trusty freeze-dried dinners—you can stay fueled and happy on the trail. From that beef stroganoff at Sky Pond to the lemon-lime electrolyte rescue, every bite (and sip) became part of the adventure. Just remember: lightweight, calorie-dense, and comforting food goes a long way out there. Happy hiking and eat well!