Everything You Need to Get Started Camping - Fresh Off The Grid

Everything you need to get started

Camping

Camping is one of the best ways to relax outdoors and enjoy a few days with family or friends. We have tons of resources to help you plan your next camping trip, from gear reviews and checklists, awesome recipes and camping meal ideas, and helpful tips & how-tos.

Megan and Michael at a campsite. Megan is sitting in a camp chair watching Michael as he tends to the campfire.

Megan and Michael at a campsite. Megan is sitting in a camp chair watching Michael as he tends to the campfire.

Everything you need to get started

Camping

Camping is one of the best ways to relax outdoors and enjoy a few days with family or friends. We have tons of resources to help you plan your next camping trip, from gear reviews and checklists, awesome recipes and camping meal ideas, and helpful tips & how-tos.

Megan cooking over a camp stove at a campsite

Camp Kitchen Equipment

Build the ultimate camp kitchen with these camp cooking essentials

Megan holding a cup of coffee with a campfire in the background

Best Camping Coffee Makers

Start your morning off right with the perfect cup of camp coffee

Skillet on a camp stove with a camping scene in the background.

The Best Camping Stoves

A great camp stove is your gateway to delicious camp meals

Megan and Michael sit near a campfire with a camping tent in the background

Ultimate Camping Checklist

This car camping checklist will help you make sure that you have everything you need for your next camping adventure! Not only do we cover all the “must-have” camping essentials, but we also offer a printable PDF checklist as well as an interactive digital checklist.

Camping pots and pans on a table

Best Camping Cookware

Looking to stock your camp kitchen? We share all the essential camp cookware you need to make incredible meals on your next camping trip!

Backpacking gear laid out on the ground

Where to Buy Discounted Camping Gear

We know that gear can start to add up when you’re just getting started. We’ve compiled our favorite online gear shops where you can find great deals on camping gear!

Camping Tips & How To

A camping scene with a white cooler next to a picnic table

How to Pack a Cooler for Camping

Learn how to pack your cooler safely with our complete guide

Michael washing a plate in a bucket of soapy water

How to Wash Dishes While Camping

Tips and tricks for dealing with everyone’s least favorite camp chore: doing the dishes!

Dutch oven in a fire pit with embers on the lid

How to Cook with a Dutch Oven

Does Dutch oven cooking seem intimidating? In this guide, we demystify this classic camp cooking method

A child roasting a marshmallow over a firepit.

How to Plan a Camping Trip

Ever get the itch to go camping… Friday afternoon on the commute home? Here are our best tips for spur-of-the-moment camping trips.

A campervan parked with a sunset and the Teton mountains in the background

How to Find Free Camping

There are so many places you can camp for free in the US & Canada–you just need to know how to find them! We’ll teach you everything you need to know.

A girl setting up a tent in the backyard

How to Plan a Backyard Camping Trip

If you can’t travel far from home, here are some great tips to plan a memorable backyard camping trip!

Camping Meal Planning

Grilled chicken pineapple kabobs on a blue camping plate

27 Easy Camping Meals

Banana Bread Pancakes stacked on a yellow plate.

18 Camping Breakfasts

Michael lifting the lid off a Dutch oven

29 Dutch Oven Recipes

Beer brats on a campfire grill

49 Campfire Recipes

Cheese, fruit, salami, nuts, and crackers displayed on a camping table.

Best Camping Snacks

Megan enjoying snacks by a lake

53 Tasty Camping Lunch Ideas

A woman holding a grilled burger in front of a campfire

15 Camping Dinner Ideas

5 different campfire banana boats in foil lined up on a camping table

11 Camping Desserts

Latest Camping Recipes

Grilled corn on the cob stacked on a blue plate.

Perfectly Grilled Corn on the Cob

A blue enamel mug next to a bottle of whiskey

Bourbon Spiked Apple Cider

Pulled pork sliders.

Pulled Pork Sliders

Vanilla ice cream in a bag.

Ice Cream in a Bag

Coleslaw in a yellow dish.

Easy Coleslaw Recipe

Serving vegetarian chili cooked in a Dutch oven on the campfire

21 One Pot Camping Meals

Popcorn in a blue bowl

Campfire Popcorn

BBQ pulled pork in an Instant Pot with a pair of tongs.

Instant Pot Pulled Pork

Three halloumi tacos on a blue camping plate

53 Tasty Camping Lunch Ideas (Quick and Easy to Make!)

Cheese, fruit, salami, nuts, and crackers displayed on a camping table.

The Best Camping Snacks to Enjoy this Summer (Easy to prep!)

49 Mouth-Watering Campfire Recipes To Try On Your Next Camping Trip

Grilled asparagus in foil on a grill grate

Grilled Asparagus in Foil

Michael lifting the lid off of a Dutch oven sitting in a fire pit.

29 Camping Dutch Oven Recipes

Acorn squash halves filled with stuffing on plates with fall foliage in the background

Grilled Stuffed Acorn Squash

An apple cut in half to reveal oat and sugar filling.

Campfire Baked Apples

Dutch oven lasagna on a log

Dutch Oven Lasagna

A jar of apple butter next to an english muffin topped with apple butter.

Apple Butter

Homemade apple cider in a mug.

Homemade Apple Cider

Pumpkin pancakes stacked on a plate. A coffee cup and a bottle of maple syrup are in the background.

Pumpkin Pancakes

Campfire banana splits topped with whipped cream in a serving dish

Campfire Banana Splits

Pumpkin butter in a glass jar.

Pumpkin Butter

A stack of apple pancakes on a plate, topped with chopped apples.

Cinnamon Apple Pancakes

Two sweet potato fritters on a silver plate

Sweet Potato Fritters

Dutch Baby pancake with powdered sugar and berries

Dutch Baby

Cornbread in a skillet over a campfire

Skillet Cornbread

Megan holding a bowl of chili mac

One Pot Chili Mac

A stack of chocolate chip pancakes with strawberries on top

Chocolate Chip Pancakes

Mountain skillet topped with scallions and hot sauce

Mountain Breakfast Skillet

Corn salad with avocado, tomatoes, and cucumber

Grilled Corn Salad

A plate full of grilled shrimp

Grilled Shrimp

Megan sitting on a picnic blanket and Michael is holding a snack box on his lap

Packable Snackable Lunch Boxes

Potato salad in a red serving bowl

Potato Salad

Grilled zucchini in a white enamel dish

Grilled Zucchini (2 Ways!)

A chocolate chip cookie in a cast iron skillet over a campfire

Campfire Chocolate Chunk Cookie

Grilled potatoes in a baking dish garnished with rosemary

Grilled Potatoes in Foil

Foil packet french toast on a campfire grill

Foil Packet French Toast

Ratatouille in a skillet over a campfire

Campfire Skillet Ratatouille

Peach cobbler and whipped cream on a blue plate

Dutch Oven Peach Cobbler

Michael holding a foil packet of nachos over his lap

Foil Packet Grilled Nachos

Megan holding Kielbasa foil packet on a blue plate

Kielbasa & Potato Foil Packets

Mac and cheese in a Dutch oven on a picnic table

Dutch Oven Mac & Cheese

Two grilled peaches topped with yogurt in a blue bowl

Grilled Peaches with Honey Yogurt & Mint

Cinnamon rolls in a dutch oven with a spatula

Dutch Oven Cinnamon Rolls

Megan holding pasta e ceci in an insulated container.

Pasta e Ceci

Blueberry cobbler and whipped cream on a plate

Dutch Oven Blueberry Cobbler

Five fruit rolls stacked

Apple Ginger Fruit Leather Recipe

Dried apple chips in a bowl

How to Dehydrate Apples

Two mugs of hot toddy clinking for a cheers

How to Make a Hot Toddy

Beef jerky stacked on a piece of parchment paper

Simple Beef Jerky Recipe

Two forks dipping strawberries into a bowl of chocolate fondue

Chocolate Fondue

Overhead view of a bowl of acorn squash risotto

Acorn Squash Risotto with Shiitake Mushrooms

Michael standing at a camping table stirring tortellini soup in a pot. A camp scene is in the background

Fall Camping Meals to Keep You Warm & Cozy

Grilled cheese sandwiches stacked on a blue plate

Apple & Brie Grilled Cheese with Baby Greens

Mashed sweet potatoes in a bowl

Foil Packet Mashed Sweet Potatoes

A blue plate with a sweet potato and chili in foil

Foil Wrapped Baked Sweet Potatoes and Chili

Close up of shrimp, corn on the cob, and sausage cooked in a foil packet

Shrimp Boil Foil Packets

Shredded brussels sprouts in a yellow dish with red tongs

Shredded Brussels Sprouts with Bacon

Turkey meatballs on a white enamel platter

Turkey Meatballs with Stuffing & Cranberries

Blondie squares in a Dutch oven

Dutch Oven Blondies

Apple cobbler in an omnia oven

Omnia Oven Apple Cobbler

Overhead view of Megan holding a bowl of tortellini soup

Sausage and Tortellini Soup

Pumpkin french toast on a plate

Pumpkin French Toast

Vegan Paella in a skillet on a wooden table top

Vegan Paella

Apple crisp with whipped cream in a blue bowl

Quick & Easy Campfire Apple Crisp

Beef stroganoff with noodles in a cast iron skillet

One Pot Beef Stroganoff

Four ears of corn with crumbled cheese and cilantro on a blue plate

Grilled Mexican Street Corn

A bowl of grilled corn kernels, crumpled cheese, cilantro, and shredded red cabbage.

Mexican Street Corn Slaw

Michael cooking over a campfire

27 Easy Camping Meals to Make Camp Cooking a Breeze

A BBQ Jackfruit Sandwich on a camping plate

BBQ Jackfruit Sandwich

Three TVP tacos on a white plate

5 Ingredient Vegan Tacos

Michael holding a plate stacked with pancakes

Blueberry Banana Pancakes

Three grilled chicken tacos on a plate with sliced limes

Cilantro & Lime Grilled Chicken Tacos

Four tacos arranged on a plate with grilled corn on the cob and hal an avocado

Chipotle Grilled Chicken Tacos

Nachos in a Dutch oven on a campfire grate

The Easiest Campfire Nachos

Four chewy granola bars on a stump

Homemade Chewy Granola Bars

A piece of French toast in a cast iron skillet

How to Make Perfect French Toast While Camping

Michael sprinkling cheese over a skillet of pasta with a desert scene in the background

52 Incredibly Delicious Camping Food Ideas

Shakshuka in a cast iron skillet with two eggs and bread

Shakshuka

Guacamole in a white and red bowl

Zesty Mango Guacamole

Sliced peaches topped with granola in a skillet

No-Bake Bourbon Peach Cobbler

Pasta in a red and white bowl

Classic One Pot Pasta

Pouring a tea latte from a thermos into a small red cup

New London Fog

Three fish tacos on a blue plate

Baja Style Fish Tacos

Megan with a spoonful of granola next to a bag of granola

Pecan and Maple Granola in a Bag

Megan holding a pot of jambalaya and scooping up a spoonful

Spicy One Pot Jambalaya with Orzo

Multicolored potato salad next to a hot dog in a bun on a blue plate.

4th of July Potato Salad

Megan holding a blue bowl of oatmeal topped with bananas and campfire in the background

Brûléed Banana Oatmeal

Cast Iron Brats with Peppers and Onions

Grilled Chorizo Kebabs with Chimichurri

Three kabobs with sliced eggplant, zucchini, and yellow squash on a grill

Campfire Grilled Ratatouille Kebabs

Chickpea Flour Breakfast Scramble

Campfire Grilled Fish Tacos

Fire Roasted Salsa Fresca

Bacon & Date Campfire Pizza

One Pot Lemon Broccoli Pasta

Udon Noodle Salad With Tofu, Vegetables and Sesame Marinade

¡Canchanchara!

Caprese salad with grilled peaches on a plate

Grilled Peach Caprese Salad

Cornbread in a Dutch oven with a slice taken out

Dutch Oven Cornbread with Green Chiles

Woman holding a bowl of dhal and a piece of roti

Spicy Dhal & Roti

Summer rolls on a plate next to a bowl of almond butter satay sauce

Summer Rolls with Almond Butter Satay

Side view of two sausage and egg sandwiches with runny yolks.

Apple Maple Sausage Breakfast Sandwiches

3 Winter Cocktails in mugs

3 Cozy Winter Cocktails to Keep You Warm this Season

A mug of masala chai on a snowy surface

Spicy + Creamy Masala Chai

Holding a bowl of breakfast quinoa porridge with apples.

Apple Pie Quinoa Porridge

Pasta primavera in a cast iron skillet on a camping stove.

One Pot Pasta Primavera

Chocolate Cherry Energy Bites in a bowl

Cherry Garcia Energy Bites

Negroni cocktail in a mason jar on a table in front of a campfire.

Make Ahead Negroni Cocktail

Four triangle pieces of tempeh on a campfire grill

38 Vegan Camping Food Ideas for Plant-Based Adventurers

Brioche pb&j sandwich stacked on a wooden board

3 Pack & Go Ski Day Meals

Two bowls of Pad thai and a wedge of lime next to a skillet on a wooden surface

Chicken Pad Thai

Breakfast sandwich with avocado, egg, and bacon on a blue camping plate placed on a log

Avocado Toast Breakfast Sandwich

Dipping a chip into a skillet of queso fundido on a campfire.

3 Campfire Inspired Dips

Dark and stormy in a clear glass. A bottle of rum and can of ginger beer are in frame.

3 Camping Cocktails Perfect for Summer

Eggs, salsa, and avocado on top of tortillas on blue camping plates.

Huevos Rancheros Verdes

Grilled buffalo wings on a plate with potato chips

Grilled Buffalo Wings with Honey Blue Cheese Sauce

Fruit leathers rolled up and stacked in a tupperware container.

Tropical Fruit Leathers

Nachos with steak and beer-cheese sauce in a cast iron skillet. Bag of kettle chips and can of beer in frame.

Steak & Blue Cheese Cast Iron Skillet Nachos

Man holding a green backpacking bowl full of apricot ginger oatmeal

Apricot Ginger Oatmeal

Woman holding a cashew chicken salad wrap

Sweet & Spicy Cashew Chicken Salad Wrap

Coconut chocolate granola dotted with raspberries in a green bowl

Coconut Chocolate Granola

Grilled tomatoes and slices of cheese on a baguette

Grilled Caprese Sandwich

A man placing a bun on top of a grilled burger stacked with onions, tomatoes, and lettuce

Grilled Everything Burgers

Overhead shot of pesto pasta in a cast iron skillet on a camping stove topped with cheese and pine nuts.

One Pot Pesto Pasta with Bacon

Overhead horizontal photo of a tofu scramble with spinach on a silver camping plate.

Turmeric Tofu Scramble

Beer brats simmering in beer and sauerkraut in a cast iron skillet

Grilled Beer Brats

A sweet potato black bean burger stacked between two buns, avocado, and spicy mayo on a plate with a natural backdrop.

Sweet Potato Black Bean Burgers

Chicken on a bed of couscous in a cast iron skillet on a camp table

Moroccan Spiced Chicken over Couscous

A banh mi sandwich open faced on a silver camping plate

Grilled Bánh Mì Sandwich

Three tacos filled with grilled halloumi cheese, corn, and avocado on a blue plate

Grilled Halloumi Tacos

Megan holding a plate with grilled cheese and chips. She is holding one of the sandwiches.

Apple & Bacon Grilled Cheese

Two plates of coconut chickpea curry over rice on a camping table.

Easy Chickpea Curry

Apple pie in a Dutch oven with a slice taken out

Dutch Oven Apple Pie

Honey glazed salmon, rice, and vegetables on a blue camping plate.

Honey Soy Glazed Salmon

Chicken and vegetable skewers on a silver camping plate

Tzatziki Chicken Skewers

15 Grilled Kabob Recipes to Make Over Your Campfire

Pie iron pizzas stacked on a blue plate

Pie Iron Pizza Pockets

French Toast Sticks fanned out on a blue plate with a small bowl of syrup.

French Toast Sticks

Mango Strawberry fruit leathers stacked in a container

Tie-Dye Mango Strawberry Fruit Leathers

Prosciutto wrapped asparagus bundles on a plate

Prosciutto Wrapped Asparagus Bundles

Megan holding a handful of homemade granola

Maple Glazed Trail Mix

Trail mix in a blue enamel pan with a white scoop

13 Trail Mix Recipes to Fuel Your Next Adventure

Vegetable stew in a blue and white bowl with grilled bread on the side

Dutch Oven Vegetable Stew

Apple crisp with whipped cream in a blue bowl

11 Camping Desserts to Share Around the Campfire

A Dutch oven filled with steamed clams on a table

Campfire Steamed Clams

A bowl of white chili on a camp table

White Bean Chili

Megan holding a bowl of panzanella bread salad

Panzanella Salad with Tomatoes and Peaches

Michael holding a plate of stuffed french toast topped with strawberries

Stuffed French Toast

A blue bowl filled with Thai green curry on a wooden camping table

Thai Green Curry with Crispy Tofu

Pineapple chicken kabobs on a blue camping plate

Chicken Pineapple Kabobs