Traditional camp food is hot dogs, beans, and firewood. Many of the things you can make at home can be made at the campground. Only one problem: You must have the right camping equipment.

You can make delicious camping dishes with the right equipment. You have so many choices, but what are you going to need for your camping trips?

The Big List of Essential Camping Cooking Gear

A few essential items are necessary for every camper who plans to cook in the camping kitchen. The first is a camping stove or campfire. First, a camping stove or campfire.

You will also need a place to cook, a place to serve, and a plate on which to put your tasty camping food. And finally, something to eat the grub with.

There are many options for camping cooking gear. A car camper may bring more than an RV camper, backpacker, or RV camper. No matter what type of camping you do, these basic items will help you get started.

• Cooler
• Reusable Ice Pack
• Cast Iron Pot and Pan
• Cooking spatulas
• Knives
• Cutting board
• Plates, bowls, cups
• Eating utensils

Cooking Gear for Car Campers

Car campers have more space for gear to be transported, but this doesn’t mean that you shouldn’t bring the kitchen sink. It’s best to keep it simple and use the same items for every meal.

Over the Fire Grate

Many campgrounds have campfires equipped with grates. However, it isn’t always the case if you’re boondocking. The best part about campground cooking is the over-the-fire grates.

Wooden Spoons

Both for cooking at the campground and home, wooden spoons have become a popular choice. They are great for stir-frying, stirring, spooning, and tasting.

Spatula

Use silicone, nylon, or rubber spatulas to prepare non-stick eggs pans (but don’t scrape the nonstick coating), and a steel spatula to prepare cast iron pans. Spatulas are easy for people to forget. Keep one in your camping gear.

Egg Holder

Yes, many cooking gadgets can be bogus. This also applies to camping cooking gear. But egg holders? They can be very useful. In Campsite Breakfast Recipes, eggs and camping are so well-matched. However, traditional cardboard containers can quickly break in the cooler.

An egg holder is a great upgrade that will keep your eggs safe from breaking in places you don’t want.

Tongs

Although they might not seem like an essential item, tongs are great for cooking with fire. Tongs allow you to grab food while cooking on fire and prevent it from getting burnt.

Can you open it?

Canned goods are often used in conjunction with camping, so losing your can opener could spell doom. While you can MacGyver a lot, having a spare opener for your camping gear makes it so much easier.

Bottle Opener/Corkscrew

Don’t forget to bring your openers! It’s amazing how much-boxed wine has advanced, and some great beers come in cans.

Have you ever been camping and realized the true tragedy of not having a beer/wine opener? It’s always in my camp bin. Always.

Metal Skewers

You can fire roast vegetables, meats, or fruits. We need more!

Hand Coffee Grinder

I admit it, I am a complete coffee snob. There is nothing better than freshly ground coffee beans. They taste different if I grind them before they leave my house.

Javapresse’s hand-grinder saves the day. It is worth it, trust me.

Espresso Maker

Coffee drinkers might also need a high-quality coffee maker. But, it should be easy to use and not require electricity. This French press is the best coffee maker for us, at home and in the outdoors.

Backcountry Campers Need Cooking Gear

For camping gear, you need to follow different rules for backcountry camping. First, you will need light, nesting-style cookware, and durable, long-lasting cookware.

It is also important to have as a few items as possible. You never know where you will be setting up. Lightweight, packable gear is essential.

Backpacking Camp Stove

The PocketRocket 2 Stove, weighing less than 3 oz, is a lightweight backpacking stove that can be used to cook delicious camping meals, even in remote areas. It may be tiny but it is powerful.

Nesting pots and pans

This cooking kit is the ultimate backcountry camper’s kitchen set. No matter if you are backpacking or boondocking you will have access to high-quality nesting cookware. It is lightweight at only 1.8lbs and doubles as a wash set.

Backpacking Utility Cooking Tools

Wooden spoons, spatulas, and knives can get quite cumbersome. An easy-to-pack cooking utensil collection, such as this, can be very handy.

Consuming Utensils

We mean this:

• Plates
• Bowls
• Cups
• Forks
• Spoons
• Knives

There have been many occasions when I’ve just eaten directly from the pan without using my fingers. However, it is much more enjoyable to use actual utensils. Sea to Summit provides a variety of lightweight, collapsible plates, bowls, and nesting cups as well as eating utensils.

Spice containers

I don’t know about you but bland, boring food is something I cannot stand. I love to cook with spices and add flavor to every meal, even camping meals. This spice container is a brilliant idea. It’s small, lightweight, and waterproof.

Backcountry Water Filter system

You will need a water filter system if you are backcountry camping. There are several ways to do this. The first is to use a tab that dissolves in water. For example, aqua tabs.

This eliminates harmful bacteria and viruses, making the water safe for drinking. Another option is to filter the water via a portable system. You can either pour it into a reusable container or drink it straight from the filter. You should consider the Sawyer Squeeze Water Filter System.

Cooking Gear for RV Campers

An RV camper will usually have a stove to cook on, as well as cabinets, counter space, and an Oven. The RV cooks can prepare the same meals as at home. Because RV camping is heavy, you should have lightweight, compact, stackable camping kitchen gear.

You can also use RV campers’ car camping gear. You can create a functional and practical camping kitchen with these additional items.

3-in-1 Multifunction Breakfast Deluxe Center

This 500-watt multi-functional kitchen appliance has more to offer than just a tool. It can also be used as a toaster oven or griddle and a coffeemaker.

This store Collapsible Boils

These Thinstore Collapsible bowls are great for storing leftovers in an RV fridge.

Sink & Stove Covers

You can add extra space to your stove or sink for meal prep. Add these bamboo cutting boards covers to create the counter space you need.

Nesting Kitchen Cookware Set

It is essential to cook delicious camp meals using your RV stove. Nesting sets are a great choice because they take up very little space and can be used in tight spaces.

Collapsible Measurement Cups

It’s not worth having oven access if you don’t have the right tools to create delicious treats. Collapsible measuring cups are light and portable, but take up little space.

The result is not only the food that you want to eat but an unforgettable experience. Take your time, do your research and make your choices wisely.

Camping cooking is like anything else, the roots start with the right choice of tools, so you have an amazing camping cooking experience.

As they say, heaven is under our feet as well as over our heads. Getting nature’s exposure is believed to drastically improve our mental and physical health.

Although fleeing from the office desk into nature gest may seem hard at first, but not anymore as we have sorted out a list of Best Colorado Hiking Trails near you after interviewing many locals, talking with tourists, and pondering visitors’ experiences online.

Colorado since long has been a hiker’s dream come true. Encompassing vast grassy plains to the rocky mountains and verdant valleys with awe-inspiring landscapes makes up the vicinity of Colorado with plenty of spring hiking trails and camping/hiking options near Denver.

These trails are of various lengths ranging from a day hike to over a day, talking about the difficulty levels; there are preferably short, appealing treks with low-moderate levels, whereas for adventure seekers, there are moderate to hard:

longer, and challenging trails that take you through the absolute wilderness to test your capabilities to extremes- in short, Colorado has everything for everyone.

1 Rocky Mountain National Park, Colorado

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 Rocky Mountain undoubtedly is one of the famous national parks of the United States, with over 04 million people flooding annually to find comfort in the mighty peaks over 12,000 feet, rugged pathways, alpinist lakes with mind blogging views.

The Park is situated between the towns of Grand Lake to the west and Estes Park to the east. The Rocky Mountain National Park can be reached 76miles (122 km) away from Denver International Airport, from where you can either drive northwest to Estes Park or take the Estes Park Shuttle to reach the Park.

The Rocky Mountain National Park occupies a hiking area of over 355 miles in the wilderness away from human intervention and excellent chances to see wildlife, i.e., Moose, Deer, Bighorn sheep, Elk, and over 370 bird species.

The open hiking trail and easily accessible one is the Wild Basin Trail, which lies in the easy to moderate category depending on how far you go or what type of adventure suits you.

If you’re not fond of walking and want things to go smooth like a rejuvenating walk in nature, then the one-mile Copeland Fall suits you, and if you like, you can advance further to Calypso Cascades for approx 4 miles round trip.

However, if you have family and kids accompanying you, you’d certainly be more interested in fun, engaging, yet not so demanding trails. Well, there’s no better option than Bear Lake Loop.

It’s a brief and flat tour around the lake which offers wildlife sightings along with vistas of Flattop Mountain and Hallett Peak.

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For a bit more challenge, you can opt for Pear Lake (9 miles round trip) and Bluebird Lake (12 miles round trip) to witness the yogi still subalpine lakes and encamp under open skies near one of these for a delightful outdoor vacation. There you’ll retreat for multiple-day backpacking adventures, fish multiple species of trout.

2 Four Pass Loop, White River National Forest

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The Four Pass Loop is a classic 28 miles loop trail that is a part of the Maroon Bells-Snowmass Wilderness Area in Central Colorado. The course takes you through in-depth insights of wondrous and high-reaching passes (West Maroon, Frigid Air, Trail Rider, Buckskin) through rocky pathways of the Elk Mountains.

Venturing your way through scenic meadows with blooming wildflowers up to alpinist lakes and thick forests is what White River National Forest is all about.

White River National Forest lies in close proximity to Denver, a 90 minutes drive (61miles) that will take you to the Park. To access the trail at Maroon Bells Area, you’re advised to enter before 08 am or after 5 pm to gain access with your vehicle. However, a shuttle service is also provided for visitors arriving in between.

The Four Pass Loop can be completed within 03-04 days depending on your pace, but let me assure you that it is physically demanding, which will make your heart beat faster as you ascend closer and closer to the Trail Rider Pass at 12,000 feet to finally be awe-inspired with the 360° panoramic views of national forests wilderness.

For ease & reliving experience, you can also opt for sidetracks of Geneva Lake and Willow Pass to explore nature at your own pace.

Along with that, tourists who have been to White River National Forest exclaim that Snowmass Lake is one of the most enjoyed places throughout the trek with incredible photography spots, clean campsites under open skies, with great fly fishing opportunities.

You’re recommended to follow the loop in a clockwise manner. The steepness is gradual throughout the West Maroon Valley, making it easier to carry the backpack in anticipation of tremendous mountainous vistas.

The best time to visit the Four Pass Loop is Mid-Summers; however, dealing with the irritating mosquitoes is at your consent.

3 Garden of the Gods Loop, Colorado Springs

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The Garden of the Gods Loop is a 06 miles moderately crowded loop in Colorado Springs. The loop is famous for its prominent red rock formations, well-maintained trails, variety of stopping points, family, pet, and beginner-friendly loop.

The loop can be approached 06 miles northwest of downtown Colorado Springs. Though access to the Park is free, finding parking can hold you back. Come early or come late to find a parking spot to roll on. There’s also a free shuttle service available to all visitors too.

Starting on the Perkins Central Garden Trail, the loop ascends through scenic vistas of primeval forest and towering rock formations. The tracks are pretty good where even strollers can be moved. However, it’s only until the rain when things get muddy, and walking can get burdensome.

Rest assured, it is a great retreat with family, and beginners can enjoy the gentle trails giving them more and more time to admire the exposure and learn from what the Park has to offer.

Venturing through the loop, you’ll see the famous rock formation on the west that resembles two camels kissing each other. It is also the most photographed place on the trail.

On your east, you can find a sidetrack, Sleeping Giant Trail. This is a short, dirt trail that leads to the bottom of Sleeping Giant rock formation and follows the Cathedral Spire and Three Spires to reconnect with Perkins Central Garden Trail.

In the Garden of the Gods Loop, there are no fewer options to explore the geological formations. Choose your trek away from the crowd into the obscure and less traveled routes without fearing getting lost because the rock formations are always visible, and you can stumble back anytime you feel like you had enough.

Keep your phones charged for adventurous Instagram clicks, stories of yourself, or the captivating sunrise, sunset from Colorado Springs. Lastly, with all great fun opportunities, there can come a little spider web on your face. You got to watch ya.

4 Lost Lake Trail

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Our fourth contender for the best Colorado Hiking Trails is the Lost Lake Trail, a 04 miles moderately trafficked trail to a pristine lake surrounded by the Indian Peaks. As they say, it’s not too long nor too much but a complete all-around hike.

Go through Boulder Creek through blooming wild fauna into the lush meadows to reach a set of tumbling waterfalls. In winter, relish cross country skiing and snowshoeing for an experience like never before!

The Lost Lake Trail is one hour northwest of Denver and is located outside the Indian Peak Wilderness Area near the small town of Nederland.

Drive past the settlement of Eldora through the rocky road and a run-off stream past beyond the trail sign to park your vehicle at a better spot. This will also save a mile to start off from a better place.

It’s a beginner-friendly trail that can be traveled with the family that passes through ancient woods, offering insights into nature’s liar to reach sublime lakes.

These lakes are also rich in trout, so considering a fishing rod with you wouldn’t be a bad idea at all, especially at South Mesa Lake.

The trail begins at 9000 feet moving westwards in a thin shade of aspen which eases the start of the track until a swept valley and mountain in a distinct background starts to appear.

Ascend through the rocky terrain as far into the wilderness until you get to hear the rushing middle boulder creek. Stop, relax, have some snacks, or make a coffee for a bit of warmth to continue towards the lake.

Continue on the Devil’s Thumb Trail to reach the long-awaited Lost Lake, which is now not far enough, along with the nearby Woodland Lake and King Lake. There are around 08 campgrounds for families and first-time backpackers. Pitch in your tents, and if there’s more time in the day, you’ll not regret exploring the surrounding area on your own.

5 Chautauqua Park

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 Chautauqua Park trail is a highly crowded trail for locals and tourists alike; it boasts around 5.5 miles round trip that introduces visitors to the summit of Green Mountains with captivating sights of nearby boulders, Flatirons suburbs, and Chautauqua meadows.

The Park is situated on a 45-minute drive from Denver, offering countless hiking options into the Flatirons through deceiving canyons and expensive sightseeing of iconic Rocky mountains. The main trail takes you towards the Green Mountains and backs, whereas Enchanted Mesa Loop offers an easy hike through diverse terrain like pine forests.

Upon continuing the Mesa Trail, it’ll link itself to Bluebell Road Trail, walking shortly; you’ll reach a historic stone structure called Blue Bell Shelter, which is not only reputed to be the Chautauqua landmark but also a great picnic spot which can be opted for reservations for special occasions with your family and friends.

Head northwards until the hidden meadows begin to unveil themselves, from where you can hike flatirons on First and Second Flatirons Hike Trails.

You’ll also get along the Ski Jump Trail, which was operational in WW2, stop by to read the history and significance, or move onto the finishing Gregory Canyon Trailhead that is another 2-3 hours moderate difficulty trail encompassing several loops with good views of the Rocky Mountains, summit views, and jungle flora and fauna. The Baseline trail will head you back on the trailhead.

The Park provides access to Open Space Mountain Park Trails, a secluded trek meant for families and kids to spend more time with nature, so their wandering thoughts go adrift. Children love this part of the area as it gives them the freedom to explore and playfully experience the wild.

The Park is a must-look place on early morning lights when the sun approaches the mountains from the foreground, making it a great spectacle to watch. Many photographers wait in the early morning to capture in time moment of the first light awakening the sleeping meadows and wildlife alike.

Conclusion:

Nature is an excellent remedy to all work-related stress and boredom, therefore going on a hiking or camping trip can be a great idea to spend quality time with your loved ones.

The rankings are based on the personal preferences of people with different tastes, likes, and backgrounds.

So it is always advisable to choose what suits you best regarding distance from your home, your vacation tenure, your hiking preferences (short, long hike), off-track opportunities, children or pets friendly trails, camping, lodging options, and jeep or RV parking facilities. Your next adventure awaits you!

One of the best camping activities without any doubt is storytelling. If you have ever spent a night in the woods with friends then you are, by all means, familiar with that warm feeling when, in the attempt to escape cold and dark, people encircle fire and start telling stories.

By the way, we highly recommend bringing some snacks. Usually, the stories that are told are scary and related to local legends bond for the area in which you are camping. But as time passes, the spooky remakes of fairy tales become more and more popular.

Below you will read about a few of the best ways to avoid the cliche of urban legends and give your friends the creeps they deserve.

Camp Storytelling – Spooky Remake of Fairy Tales

We all know what happened to Little Prince. He was bit by a snake so he could depart from his body and reach his home planet so he could reunite with his beloved flower. But when camping, that story can be modified. Instead of departing, his soul could remain trapped and doomed to roam this world for eternity.

Or, you could say that upon his return on the home planet, he arrived in the heart of terror for his world was not what it used to be. However, sometimes when you are tired after a long day of walk it can be hard to be imaginative. It is why the original versions of brother Grimm fairy tales are a perfect choice.

Brother Grimm Original Fairy Tales

The original versions of brother Grimm fairy tales are dark and brutal. For example, Cinderella is far different than it is the case in the Disney cartoons we all watched. When the glass shoes arrived in both sisters cut their feet. The mother persuaded them to do so because the one that becomes a princess will never have to walk again.

It is only when the blood starts pouring out of the shoe that the prince acknowledges it is a fraud and goes back to check for other ladies in the house. After cinderella’s foot proves to be the perfect fit the sisters get what they deserve.

Heavenly doves come and gouge their eyes with their beaks. And there is no glass shoe actually. In the original version of Cinderella, the shoes are made from squirrel fur.

Greek Mythology – Kronos

The most brutal and ferocious stories come from Greek mythology. The story of Kronos, the child eater is without any doubt, one of the darkest stories of them all. And it is very suitable for camping if the sky is clear. This is due to the fact that it can start with pointing a finger in the direction of Saturn.

The planet looks like a bright star and is very popular in astrology but holds some dark history. Saturn is the Roman version of Greek titan Kronos.

And Kronos was born to father Uranus the ruler of the universe and mother Gaia. Uranus was killing some of Gaia’s kids which enraged the mother who gave Kronos a sickle that the son used to castrate his father.

He threw his father’s testicles into the sea. The foam appeared and from the foam, Afrodita was born. But Kronos was also the one to eat his kids.

After dealing with his father Kronos and his sister Rhea ruled as king and queen. The time period of Kronos’s rule was called the golden age. It is because there were no rules and states ass all the living people did only the right things.

However, after hearing that he was destined to be overthrown by his children, Kronos started eating his kids. When Zeus came to this world Rhea tricked Kronos and gave him a swaddling stone instead of a god-infant.

When Zeus grew up, as it was foretold, he was the one to kill his father and become the new ruler of the earth. In addition, Zeus made Kronos vomit both the stone and all five kids he ate before him.

Conspiracy Theories

Another ever-lasting topic that can be used to evade the cliche of urban legends is conspiracy theories. From infant eaters to plans for mass murdering of humanity, you name it. And each and every one of these theories has multiple versions. One of the most popular ones is the Golden Billion conspiracy theory.

The Illuminati plan to kill 5 billion people so one billion can remain. Rich will elevate to the level of gods and live in beautiful cities above the earth while to poor will live trapped in the little cities with big walls that will prevent them from escape.

They will work to survive and fuel the needs of the wealthy ones but they will also be used for harvesting organs and so on and so forth…

Arrival Of The Beast

The arrival of the antichrist is kind of a classic. And literally, every century has its own apocalyptic prediction about the arrival of the beast. One of the most popular is related to the number 666 and the new Lucifer that will be born on the far east, wield supernatural powers, and bring seven years of peace before the world descends into complete darkness…

Halloween Special

If you are by chance camping on Halloween then you must tell a story of Stingy Jack. It is an old Irish folk tale about the man who managed to trick the devil himself. Stingy Jack was a drunkard with incredible deception abilities and was capable of talking his way out of anything.

It is how he never paid a bill for his beverages in taverns he visited. When the word of malevolent soul reached the devil he came from the underworld to collect it. When he confronted the drunkard Jack asked for the last wish to drink one more bear.

However, after finishing, he said he would like to pay at least once but didn’t have any money. The devil turned himself into a coin which Jack put in his pocket with a crucifix. The devil was unable to change his form and remained trapped. He had to forget he will leave Jack alone for the next ten years.

But time passed and in a decade the Devil appeared again. This time Jack asked to eat his last apple from the three but said he could not climb due to his old age and spine problems. The devil climbed but while he was picking the apple Jack encircled the tree with crucifixes and the devil was trapped once again.

This time the prince of darkness had to promise he was going to leave Jack for good and never pull him to hell. And so it was.

When Jack died he went to the gates of heaven but Saint Peter didn’t want to let him in. Having nowhere else to go he went to hell. But the devil couldn’t break his word and let him in.

Yet he felt pity for Jack and gave him the little ember so he could light his way in the between world. To preserve the ember Jack carved the top of the turnip he had in his pocket. It is how the custom of carving turnips that were later switched for pumpkins came to be.