Meal Planning For Group Camping
Few things compare to visiting a place like the Yukon for the first time with the ones you love. There is something deeply bonding about the wilderness, from the deep conversations around the fire at night to the belly-aching laughter that happens on the trail. Planning meals for the camping trip is all a part of the process, but it does not feel near as exciting as planning your adventure itinerary. It can be difficult to think about how to feed a group while camping. Cooking for multiple people over a fire isn't easy.
The Yukon has only one city and seven towns, so it is extremely remote. For this reason, it’s crucial to arrive prepared. There is limited brand selection and higher prices in remote communities, as well a minimal number of grocery stores. The following best practices can be used to plan meals for a group camping trip in the Yukon.
1. Draft a Meal Plan and Shopping List
To stay well fed on your group camping trip, it’s important to plan ahead. Communicate with your travel party before your trip to plan some meals that coincide with everyone’s health and nutrition needs. Download our free meal planning template and print it out to plan meals in advance for each day on the road. Ensure to select ingredients that preserve well and can be made using the cooking supplies provided in your Overland Yukon vehicle.
Download our free meal planner here.
Equipped with a dual burner stove, electric cooler, cookware, and utensils, Overland Yukon vehicles make preparing food in the wilderness easy and enjoyable for all. Relieve the stress of having to cook over a fire for multiple people by preparing meals with your portable dual burner stove. Following a long hike, all members of your groups will be ravenous. When you get back to your campsite you will appreciate having a fully functional kitchen to easily prepare a delicious and satisfying meal. We also offers the option to add adventure equipment such as packrafts, mountain bikes, bike racks, pillows, and sleeping bags to make your suitcase a little bit lighter.
Equipment Included: 4FT Folding Table, 45 L Cooler, Dual Burner Stove, Jet Boil, Folding Camp Chairs X 4, Pots X 2 (2.2 L and 1.2 L), Frying Pan (7.5"), Kettle (800 ml), Spatula, Spoon and Tongs, Mixing Bowls X 3, Plates X 4, Bowls X 4, Thermal Mugs X 4, Cutlery Sets (Fork, Knife, Spoon) X 4, Kitchen Knives & Cutting Board, Coffee Press, Portable Sink, Large Microfiber Towel, Hammock, Lanterns X 2, Water Jug (5 G), Axe, Garmin InReach
Optional Add-Ons: Bike Rack & Mountain Bikes, Packrafts (inflatable boats), Sleeping Bags & Pillows
2. Think Minimally
Choose meals that don't require tons of ingredients to make and are easy to prepare. By incorporating meals like cereal, sandwiches, and charcuterie boards, you can even plan so that you don’t have to cook at all - but that gets pretty boring if you’re going on a multiple day camping trip. All in all, a rule of thumb is to avoid recipes with messiness and complexity. When you’re camping, everything tastes better, so you don’t need to make a gourmet meal to be satisfied. Consider our tropical breakfast bar recipe for an easy to prepare morning snack.
Related: Tropical Breakfast Bars To Bring On Your Next Hike
Some other quick and satisfying road trip meals we love:
Campfire Nachos: Tortilla chips, canned beans, canned salsa, processed cheese, whatever extra toppings you have in your Overland Yukon cooler
Easy Trail Mix: Nuts, dried fruit, granola. Great for keeping you fueled along your hikes in Kluane National Park and Reserve.
Hard Boiled Eggs, Bacon, and Toast: An oldie but a goodie. Bacon preserves well and also cooks much faster than other meats. This protein filled breakfast can easily be made on your portable camping stove.
Vegan Breakfast Burrito: The perfect grab and go breakfast when you’re trying to get a jump on the day. One pound extra firm tofu, desired spices, flour tortilla, desired veggies, and olive oil.
Vegan Peanut Butter, Jelly, and Banana Overnight Oats: Overnight oats are so easy – basically, you mix equal amounts of oats with your favorite milk and whatever else you’d like in there. Refrigerate for a few hours and voila! Instant breakfast. Peanut butter, jelly, bananas, overnight oats, and milk of your choice.
3. Leftovers
As you plan your Overland Yukon road trip meal plan with your team, choose meals you can prepare once and eat as leftovers later on the trip. You'll be buying items in bulk to prepare larger portions, so this is a great way to save on grocery costs. Add tupperware to your grocery list so you have somewhere to store the food. If you save this extra money, you can spend it on experiences that will enhance your adventure. Take a flight through Kluane National Park and Reserve, or enjoy a dinner at an eclectic restaurant in Dawson City. Yukon offers a range of unique and cultural experiences that can accommodate any traveler's interests.
4. Eat The Perishable Foods First
You should consume the perishable foods you purchase earlier on in the trip. You don’t want to have to throw groceries away because your group didn't eat certain items in time. Use your planner to determine exactly what days each meal will be enjoyed, and include an in depth summary of what ingredients you’ll be using on each day. Be sure to take into account the pain points you might experience along the way and how you plan to handle them.
How To Keep Your Food Cold
How are you going to keep your food cold? A common pain point campers commonly face is when an entire ice bag turns to slush. Luckily, your Overland Yukon portable cooler is here to help you avoid this. However, you also need to be aware of how to pack your cooler so that it stays cold. Here are some tips:
Use two coolers to separate drinks and food
Don’t open your cooler often so warm air doesn’t go in
Make sure there’s no space in your cooler
Organize food in your cooler in layers
Get thermal or dry ice packs
Freeze your food
5. Pack Out What You Bring In
Be mindful and respectful of the campsites you’re staying at while visiting the Yukon. Purchase your own biodegradable garbage bags with separate bags for organizing trash, recycling, and compost. Follow the campground's garbage disposal guidelines - there are many animals in these surroundings, so it's important to maintain a clean environment.
Related: 5 Awe-Inspiring Waterfront Campgrounds in The Yukon
Leave No Trace is a set of outdoor ethics created by the Leave No Trace Center of Outdoor Ethics promoting conservation in the outdoors. These seven principles are excellent resource to guide you through an eco-conscious trip in the Yukon.
The 7 Principles of Leave No Trace
Plan Ahead and Prepare
Travel and Camp on Durable Surfaces
Dispose of Waste Properly
Leave What You Find
Minimize Campfire Impact
Respect Wildlife
Be Considerate of Other Visitors
6. Choose Fast-Cooking Proteins
You should choose meats that cook quickly if you intend to cook everything over the fire. Precooked meats and thin-sliced steaks will make for delicious meals and reduce cooking time. Cooking a thick ribeye from beginning to end can take a while. Spend that time exploring Yukon’s beautiful surroundings instead.
Although tofu has a longer cooking time, it serves as an excellent supplement for vegetarian and vegan travelers in your group. If you’re travelling with a lot of people who don’t eat meat, consider supplementing the meats for Beyond Meat or other plant-based vegan meat options. They are equally as tasty, and better for you and for our planet.
7. Take Advantage Of Restaurants In Yukon’s Townships
You'll be eating meals prepared from a campsite for the foreseeable future, so it’s a good idea to have a savory meal before you head into the wilderness. After you arrive at the Overland Yukon headquarters in Whitehorse and pick up your car, you can visit Whitehorse’s charming downtown scene and enjoy a nice meal at a restaurant. While later passing through the historic mining towns of Dawson City and Haines Junction midway through your journey, skip the dishes and enjoy a delicious meal and then stop by a museum for a taste of culture. Some of our Whitehorse favorites include:
Wayfarer Oyster House
Walking distance from anywhere in downtown, this northern coastal dining room provides the Yukon with its fix of fresh Oysters, Yukon, Alaskan, and BC seafood.
Klondike Rib & Salmon
Quaint eatery housed in old buildings featuring down-home BBQ, seafood, steak & other mains.
Baked Cafe & Bakery
This artsy, industrial-chic coffee house provides a venue for trivia nights & live music. *Vegan Friendly*
Smoke & Sow
Smoke & Sow is some of the best BBQ you'll ever eat, made in house with love. Delicious meats that have been smoked for hours, with a selection of delicious plant-based options on the menu for non-meat eaters. *Vegan Friendly*
Meal planning for your Yukon road trip may seem overwhelming at first, but you will be happy you came prepared. You will engage in so much physical activity in the Yukon that proper nutrition is essential to a successful trip. Some of the most memorable camping trip experiences are preparing your meals together. Don't forget to take the time to enjoy these special moments as they will pass too quickly. Using Overland Yukon vehicle(s), you can cater to the food needs of your group while savoring this once-in-a-lifetime experience through some of earth's last remaining wilderness areas.
