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For many people, the idea of camping conjures up images of serene landscapes, crackling campfires, and star-filled skies. However, the reality of planning and packing for a camping trip can be overwhelming, especially when it comes to planning meals. The thought of figuring out what to eat, how to keep everything fresh and cooking outdoors can be enough to deter even the most adventurous souls. If meal prep is what’s holding you back from your next outdoor adventure, fear not! I’ll help you navigate the ins and outs of planning and prepping meals for your Arkansas camping trip with a printable camping menu planner so you can spend more time enjoying nature and less time stressing about your next meal.
I’m the kind of girl who overdoes everything, especially when it comes to food, and I make no exceptions when I’m camping. Eating well means living well, and I don’t want to compromise just because we’re camping. But since becoming a mom, I’ve learned to bend a little and make things easier for myself because, ultimately, everyone is happier.
Make a Meal Plan
When it comes to selecting meals, keep it simple and choose meals that are easy to prepare and don’t require a ton of ingredients. Ingredients that can do double duty are even better (i.e., cook extra bacon at breakfast and use the leftovers for BLT sandwiches later in the day, or use half a package of tortillas for chicken fajitas and make breakfast tacos with the remaining.)
Here’s a quick example to get you started:
- Breakfast: Banana Muffins, Yogurt, Fruit
- Lunch: Cheese and Crackers, Watermelon Slices
- Dinner: Chicken Fajitas
- Snacks: S’mores
Prep at Home
Do as much prep work at home as you can. Trust me, you’ll thank yourself when you’re at camp. Chop vegetables, marinate meat, and measure out ingredients like pancake mix ahead of time. Store everything in labeled bags or reusable containers to keep things organized.
Keep It Cool
A good cooler is essential for keeping your food fresh. Pack it with plenty of ice packs to keep everything at a safe temperature. Store your cooler in the shade and avoid opening it too often to keep the cold air in. We usually keep a separate cooler for food and drinks since the drink cooler gets opened more often.
A pro tip is to freeze some of your meals or ingredients ahead of time. They’ll help keep the cooler cold and will be thawed and ready to cook by the time you need them. For example, freeze a batch of chili or marinated chicken for fajitas. By the time you’re ready to cook dinner, they’ll be perfectly thawed and ready to go.
Campfire Cooking
Cooking over a campfire can be fun and adds a special flavor to your meals. If you’re new to campfire cooking, start with simple recipes like hot dogs, burgers, or foil packets.
Foil packet meals are a camping favorite for good reason. Just toss some protein (like chicken or fish), veggies, and seasonings into a piece of foil, wrap it up, and place it over the fire. In about 20-30 minutes, you’ve got a delicious, no-fuss meal.
Pack a camp stove or griddle for cooking if you prefer something that’s a little easier to control and usable in all weather. Portable grills made by PK Grills in Little Rock are worth their weight in gold and pair well with charcoal from Royal Oaks Enterprises in Huntsville.
Snacks and Extras
Hiking, swimming, and exploring will make everyone hungry between meals. Pack plenty of easy-to-grab snacks like trail mix, fruit, and granola bars. No camping trip is complete without s’mores, so be sure to load up on marshmallows, chocolate and graham crackers.
Arkansas Foods
I love supporting Arkansas companies, and my menu plan and cooler includes a ton of Arkansas-made products that I stock up on at Margie’s Market in Bald Knob. Here are my favorites:
- Chocolate Bars – KYYA
- Marshmallows – Loblolly Creamery
- Beer – Lost Forty Brewing
- Cheese – Little Man Jerky’s Smoked Cheese
- Pancake Mix – War Eagle Mill
- Grill Seasoning – Fennel & Fire
- Granola – Aunt Susie’s Granola
- Meat Sticks – Ratchford Farms
- Bacon, Hot Dogs and Smoked Sausage – Petit Jean Meats
The Perfect Camping Recipes
Our resident recipe creator and food photographer Lacie Ring has been cooking her way through “What’s Cookin’ at First Security Vol. 2” and has made several camping-friendly recipes such as:
- Arkansas Campfire Dip
- Baked Beans
- New Red Potato Salad
- Honey Ham Tortilla Rolls with Honey Dip
- Razorback Dip
- Greek Pasta Salad
- Macaroni Salad
- Trail Mix
There are over 800 recipes in the “What’s Cookin’ at First Security Vol. 2,” all submitted by employees and customers. Proceeds from the sales go to the Arkansas Hunger Relief Alliance to help feed people across the state. You can purchase the cookbooks for $20 at any First Security Bank location.
Other recipes to try:
Local Restaurants
When all else fails, plan to visit some local restaurants in the towns surrounding your favorite campground. When we camp for a full week, we usually get dinner out one night, visit the local snow cone stand, and grab breakfast on our final morning.
Printable Camping Meal Planner
I love using a meal planner to keep everything all together. I can make a meal plan and shopping list, organize my favorite camping recipes, and keep them as a reference for years to come. I put together this fun printable for you to use for your next camping trip. It’s free and includes camp kitchen and essential food checklists, a menu planner and shopping list, blank recipe pages and several camping recipes from “What’s Cookin’ at First Security Vol. 2.” Click here to download now.
Finally, remember that camping is all about enjoying the experience. Don’t stress too much about the perfect meal plan or cooking the fanciest food. The most important thing is to relax and enjoy your time outdoors with family and friends. With these tips and meal planning printable, you’ll be well on your way to a delicious and stress-free camping trip.
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