The Best Snacks to Bring Hiking

If you are going on an outdoor trip, snacks for camping and hiking are a non-negotiable must-have. Especially if you are like me and you have kids. Actually, who am I kidding? I want and need the snacks just as much as they do, if not more.

I’m always looking for new hiking snack ideas to bring on our next trail walk. That’s why today I want to share with some snack ideas for camping and hiking in case you are like me and looking for some fresh ideas.

Our family enjoys both camping and hiking. I love how they are great activities for all ages to do. We’ve been doing both since our kids were just babies. We were always impressed with how far they could walk on a hike, but I think it’s because they’ve been doing them for years.

That being said, they are still JUST kids, which means that we have to pick trail walks that they are able to do. If you expect more than they are able to give it will just end up in tears – probably for both of you!

I’m not going to lie, sometimes it’s frustrating. We might be on our bikes and want to go somewhere that is a little more challenging, and four out of five of us are super excited and able to do it. But the youngest can’t keep up. And so, you tend to tailor your activities to what the youngest can do. But, just give it time because one day the youngest will be able to outpace you!

But, the one thing that encourages and excites kids to go hiking and camping is food. So pack some amazing snacks and everyone will be excited for the next trip you take them on!

Other great posts you might like:

The Best Snacks to Bring Hiking

This post contains affiliate links. Please see our full disclosure policy HERE.

Granola Bars

This is one of my favorite. I love to be able to pull out a granola bar whenever and wherever I am. You can make your own (which are often healthier) or you can opt for store bought which are super easy to just toss in your backpack on your next trip.

Apples

I know I said granola bars are pretty easy to grab, but really, is there anything easier to grab then the apple? It will keep you going, it’s healthy, and there is absolutely NO prep work before tossing it in your bag and bringing it on your next hike (though a good wash isn’t a bad idea.)

Beef Jerky

Full of protein to keep you going on your long hike, or to enjoy on a camping trip, you’ll want to make sure to add some beef jerky to your hiking snack list. I love how compact it is as well. Beef jerky tends to make you feel like you’ve had something substantial.

Energy Balls

Energy balls are easy to make, healthy, and depending on the recipe are usually full of protein to keep your energy levels up. This is the perfect snack to sustain you on your trip. I love ones made with peanut butter personally. Check out these various energy ball recipes.

Trail mix

Nuts, seeds, and dried fruit are another option that will fill you and give you plenty of energy. Can you see a pattern here? You want snacks that are going to keep your energy up so you can enjoy your time out in nature to the fullest.

Baby carrots and hummus

I always struggle to eat enough baby carrots to feel full – that is, until I add hummus to them. This is one of my favorite snacks whether I’m home or on a camping or hiking trip.

It’s that mid-day pick-me-up that doesn’t cause a sugar crash. Pack some carrots and hummus in a little veggie and dip container like this one to make it easier to transport. Try this hummus recipe.

Dried fruit

Things like raisins, Craisins, dried apple slices, or dried mango slices give you the benefit of fruit without the bulkiness. Dried fruit won’t take up much space in your bag either.

Fruit leather

This is similar to dried fruit, but is usually a combination of fruits to make the fruit leather. Think fruit roll ups but without all the added sugar. For instructions on how to make fruit leather at home, check out this tutorial.

Hard-boiled eggs

This one takes some pre-planning, but it’s still an easy snack to whip up. Boil some eggs and toss them into a container to bring with you. If you want to make it even easier for when you are out on your excursion, peel the eggs before you toss them into the container.

Pepperoni sticks

These are right up there with the beef jerky. Pretty tasty, easy to pack, and full of protein.

Cheese strings

These pair well with the pepperoni sticks and the kind of cheese you want is up to you! We prefer the cheddar cheese strings.

So, to recap, the best snacks for camping and hiking that you might want to bring on your next trip are as follows:

Granola bars
Apples
Beef jerky
Energy balls
Trail mix
Baby carrots and hummus
Dried fruit
Fruit leather
Hard-boiled eggs
Pepperoni sticks
Cheese strings

Try these Hiking Snack Ideas, but Don’t Forget the Water Either

Also, don’t forget to pack your water bottle with you. There’s nothing worse then heading out on your hike and finding yourself extremely thirsty, only to discover you forgot your water bottle. You can pack a simple one like this one in your hiking bag, or go a little fancier and get a CamelBak hydration pack. Those ones are great if you are a hardcore hiker.

If you are like me and you go on trips with your kids, you will find that everyone is a little happier if they’ve had enough snacks and drinks on their excursion. If everyone starts getting a little hangry it can really put a damper on the whole trip. So pack some snacks for camping and hiking and get outdoors.

The Best Snacks to Bring Hiking