Camping Food Planning Guide
Running out of food mid-trip or hauling unnecessary weight are both easy mistakes when camping. A quick calculation based on group size, days, and activity level helps you pack just right.
The average adult burns 20–30% more calories when hiking and camping compared to daily life. Plan on roughly 2,500–3,500 calories per person per day for moderate activity. For a lightweight trip, freeze-dried meals and instant options keep pack weight down without sacrificing nutrition.
For water, the minimum is 2 liters per person per day for drinking alone. Add 1–1.5 liters for cooking, coffee, and cleanup. In summer heat or with heavy exertion, plan 4–5 liters per person daily.
Frequently Asked Questions
Children under 10 typically eat 50–70% of an adult serving. You can count younger kids as 0.5 adults when calculating food quantities, but keep their water intake close to adult levels, especially in warm weather.
Freeze-dried meals, instant rice, oatmeal, nut butters, jerky, and hard cheeses are all excellent for multi-day trips — lightweight, calorie-dense, and long-lasting. Save perishables like fresh meat for the first day or two.
Use a bear canister or hang food in a bag away from your tent in bear country. Keep perishables in a cooler packed with ice, and use separate bags for raw meat to prevent cross-contamination.