Camping/Road Trip Advice?

Question

My friends and I are going on a road trip from PA to TX and stopping at a national park each night to camp on the way. I've planned most of the trip and searched for checklists and everything online, but I have two main questions left to ask:

1. What is the best/most COMPACT camping food? We'll obviously have our fair share of McDonald's on the road, but I'm thinking dinner around the campfire each night. Something that's easily prepared and won't take up a lot of space in the car.

2. Materials for starting campfires? Obviously we can't haul logs around in my trunk, so any alternatives? Or should we just buy/find wood once we get to each park? I was thinking of bringing charcoal and lighter fluid, but I wasn't sure if that would be very useful unless we had a grill.

LASTLY, any pieces of advice from seasoned road-trippers? One thing NOT to forget or something that will make the whole trip go more smoothly. Any advice would be greatly appreciated!

Answer 1

Stop at a local grocery on the way into the park and buy fresh food for your dinner. Take a small grill with. You can buy charcoal everywhere to cook with. Don't forget pots and pans to cook in;. You can even make breakfast on the grill. A frying pan over hot coals will make bacon and eggs along with coffee. But what you need as you go, rather then trying to plan everything in advance.

Answer 2

Stopping at national parks? first and foremost is getting reservations many national parks get fiiled up way in advance by 6 months or more.



1.Roading every day? why cook at all? pick up fine take out for dinner. Keep breakfasts simple add water oatmeal, drymilk and cereal, fresh fruit.



2. Wood restrictions are in place everywhere now so buy wood wherever you're at. Use a stove to cook on



3. I Repeat make reservations, Use checklists for what to bring, pack in plastic tubs,



http://www.recreation.gov/

http://www.rei.com/learn/expert-advice/family-camping-checklist.html

Answer 3

Assuming you wish for a modest fire, you can find wood anywhere. Keep your eyes open for things the size of a big slug or larger.



Compact camping food? Depends on your tastes. Heck, thanks to the internet you could probably order pizza most places you can park a car. Depends on what you want to eat. Salami and hard cheese travel well without refrigeration. Bring some good bread and as Dr Ruth says "don't forget, always use a condiment".

Answer 4

Be prepared for a camp denial. You need to contact alternates.

Some have posted open hours at the gate station. Those hours

are often earlier than a barman announcing last call at taverns.

Banker hours would be reasonable. I'm usually informed as to

where an abandoned rail trestle or large culvert waits for me.

Answer 5

Don't forget a camera. Food that's up to you I don't know what you like. Wood at State parks from what I remember are only $5 a bundle. So Google or call ahead and find out.

Answer 6

Compact food items for backpacking include: instant brown rice, whole wheat penne pasta, refried beans. From those bases, add vegetables and beef for stir-fry; tomato sauce with pork sausage or hamburger with chopped vegetables for a pasta dish; meat with refried beans, pablano pepper, salsa, black olives, guacamole, and cheese for tacos in shells of burritos in flour wraps. For breakfast, make pancakes with pie filling topping or egg whites in the carton with chopped vegetables, cheese, and your favorite bacon, sausage, or other sandwich meat for scrambled eggs.



REI has many advice articles for campers. Backpacker Magazine also provides tips. YouTube offers many opportunities for camping tips.



Tip: I generally avoid the commercialism of national parks. Try-out national forests and state parks along the way.



In my pockets, I always carry a pocket knife and fire starter, tissues or lint packets, along with several bandages in my wallet. Although reception does not exist in many gulches, I carry a cell phone that usually functions above tree-line.

In my daypack, I have compression sacks that hold my down jacket, heat packs, windbreaker, and down mittens or lighter gloves. I carry a second fire starter and two headlamps with extra batteries. I pack trail snacks, such as cheese, nuts, and rice chips. Attached by carabiner, I have at least two water bottles, sunglasses, reading glasses, and global positioning system. On most hikes, I also carry a water filter.