In this post, we break out some paleo camping tips and recipes for your next hike out.
Staying away from the standard CLIF bar lunch or leftover-pizza-in-a-bag dinner can be difficult, especially when you are trying to stay paleo. First and foremost, you’ll need the right gear. Check out the tips below as well as some suggested recipes.
What to Pack
If you are nowhere near a water source you can filter out, bring extra water for boiling and cleaning in MSR bags.
Fresh vegetables, meat, and other food should stay cool so its best you invest in a good method to do this. Hiking into a campsite makes this difficult and uncomfortable. Camping from a drive-in site or a camper allows you to bring a larger cooler, but if you are carrying everything in on your back we suggest you check out an IceMule backpacking cooler or some other DIY option.
A camping stove is critical. You cannot really go wrong with a Jetboil kit. We’ve used it for years. Its lightweight heats up fast and comes with a nifty surface cooking option attachment so you don’t have to use the finned cup. (Don’t forget to bring a lighter!)
Bring at least two lightweight pans: one skillet and another pot. You can sometimes buy these as a set. We’ve had a great experience with the SeatoSummit pan that collapses.
Don’t make the mistake of not bringing a camp spatula! We’ve made the mistake before of saying “our utensils will do the job.” A small spatula will make life a lot easier for you.
Baby food jars with coconut oil or ghee for greasing the pans and saute. These are also great for garnishing or spices.
Eating utensils are user preference. We love this titanium spork because it reaches into a jet boil.
Lightweight mugs. Don’t bring cups as they only good for cold drinks.
Lightweight cutting board. We normally pre-chop everything or–in a pinch–just use a clean flat surface, but having a lightweight cutting board on hand was clutch and now a staple. This one costs $6.00.
Trash bag. Always do your part to keep the environment clean.
In addition to the above, it is a good idea to pre-make any meals you plan on taking into the field. While some paleo campers prefer small on-the-go meals or snack bars, there’s no reason why you can’t get a great mean in while enjoying your natural kitchen!
Looking for more packing tips for a day hike? Also be sure to check out our day hike checklist.
Recipes
Breakfast
Lunch
- Spic Sausage Stew (pre-packaged)
- Sweet Potato Buns (pre-made)
- Paleo Jar Salad
Dinner
- Pepper Steak (put in a freezer bag)
- Paleo Pizza Stew
- Sesame Glazed Chicken (freezer bag)
Snacks
- Paleo Granola Bars
- Avocados
- Homemade Beef Jerky
Disclaimer: We receive compensation from some of the companies whose products are linked in this post. This allows us to point you toward the best gear and products for the job. We test and use each product and will give high marks to only the best. Field Athlete is independently owned and the opinions expressed here are our own.
