float trip food ideas

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30 Float Trip Food Ideas 2023

Whether you are using a kayak, canoe, raft, or tube to paddle down a river, the exercise is going to do a number on your appetite.

You need to have enough food on hand to sustain you throughout the duration of your floating trip.

However, planning float trip food can leave even the most experienced adventurers feeling confused and overwhelmed.

To help take some of the stress out of prepping for your next trip, I’ve put together some amazing food ideas that will surely hit the spot and help you replenish the energy you burn along the way.

Float Trip Food Ideas

1. baked potatoes.

Source: Pexels

This is a great easy to make meal to take with you on your float trip. It packs well and doesn’t go rancid quickly, so you can save it for lunch or dinner after you have been out exploring the water for hours.

If you have space to pack an oven or you can make arrangements for one when you reach shore, you can take the raw ingredients and cook the meal fresh whenever you are ready to eat.

• Get the recipe

2. Turkey and Cheese Roll-Ups

Source: PotatoRolls

The last thing you want when you are out on the water is to get too hungry that you lose focus because that’s a recipe for things to go awry. This bite-sized snack is the perfect stomach companion to keep you going until mealtime.

All it requires is some bread, turkey, lettuce, tomatoes, cheese slices, or cream cheese and you’re good to go. You can make this protein-packed snack ahead of time and just pop one into your might when the hunger pangs start to hit.

3. Beach Burger with Mango Salsa

Source: Food Network

No matter what time of the day it is, you can never go wrong with this float trip food staple. It’s simple, achingly delicious, and so damn satisfying.

The great thing about burgers is that you can make them at home before heading out for your trip or wait till you set up your campsite, then place a grilling rack over hot coals and cook your beef patties.

4. Sweet Chilli Shrimp Kabobs

Source: Get Inspired Everyday

These spicy grilled skewers are what you need to bring an extra kick to your water adventures. They taste incredible and don’t require a lot of prep work so you’ll be dining and relaxing in minutes.

This meal can work as a simple appetizer or you can pair it with some rice and veggies and transform it into the main course.

5. One-Pot Pesto Pasta

Whether you plan to be out on the water alone or you are making a group or family hang out of it, pesto pasta is one of the best float trip food ideas to keep you full, happy, and satisfied.

To save yourself some cooking time, make the pesto beforehand. You can even take things one step further by buying a jar of pesto.

This way, when mealtime comes around you only have to cook your pasta, add the pesto, toss it all together, and serve. Since it cooks in one pot or pan, cleaning up will be much easier to handle.

6. Breakfast Sandwich

This float trip breakfast sandwich has everything you need to buoy your spirits before or after embarking on your on-the-water adventures for the day. You get the refreshing taste of avocados, tomatoes, bacon, and fried or scrambled eggs perfectly ladies out on toasted bread.

Making breakfast sandwiches doesn’t require a lot of prep or utensils. It can be made in one skillet over a campfire or stove.

7. Sweet and Savory Oatmeal

Source: Oats Everyday

You are probably used to eating oatmeal one way: throw in some sugar, milk, and pieces of fresh or dried fruit and you’re good to go. But what if I told you that you can take oatmeal to a new level by spicing it up with bacon bits, some shredded cheese, and a drizzle of maple syrup?

You have to admit that sounds interesting. Give it a try on your next canoeing , kayaking , or rafting trip, and see what you think about the pairing.

8. Burrito Wraps

This classic Mexican dish contains refried beans, cheese, rice, avocados, peppers, onions, and your favorite proteins packed tightly to make one big, yummy wrap.

The beauty of burritos is they can be customized to suit your specific taste or preferences so feel free to swap out the ingredients you don’t like and throw in the ones you love to ramp up the flavor profile.

Don’t be surprised if you feel yourself drifting asleep after having this tasty and filling meal. Just make sure you are safely tucked away on land before letting your eyelids close.

9. Chilli and Garlic Bread

Source: PhotoDune

This is one of those meals that feel like home in a bowl and it will make a perfect addition to your float trip food menu. It’s incredibly easy to make and doesn’t require a lot of time or effort to put together.

Most of the ingredients for this meal””beans, tomato sauce, veggies, and ground beef or textured vegetable protein””can be dehydrated so they will take up little room in your supplies bag.

If you don’t have a dehydrator you can buy the dehydrated versions and just throw them in a pot when you’re ready to eat. You can also bring along some garlic bread with or pack the bread mixture and make it fresh. It only takes a few minutes.

10. Grilled Chicken Tacos

Tacos are another food idea for your float trip that’s worth trying if you want a lot of flavor without having to do a lot of cooking or prepping. The citrus-based marinade can be made ahead of your trip to add some zing to the taste of the chicken.

All you have to do when you set up camp is break out a grill, throw the chicken on it, assemble the tacos, and let the deliciousness flood your tastebuds.

11. Beans and Vegetable Soup

Source: Fine Cooking

This comforting, one-pot meal is a great way to retire after a long day of paddling across the river and soaking in the scenic surroundings. Don’t let the soup in the name fool you, this can be a very filling meal depending on how you make it.

It’s also very simple to make. All you have to do is throw the beans and whatever vegetables you have on hand into the pot, add some browned ground beef, pour in the broth, mix and let it cook for a while. You can serve it with bread to make it even more filling.

12. Thai Red Curry and Rice

Source: Pixabay

If you’re looking for float trip meals that won’t have you toiling over pots or waiting long hours before you can finally feast, this Thai red curry is the answer to your desires. It is easy to make and super delicious too.

Instead of making your own Thai curry paste, you can simply buy a few small jars of it to mix with the other ingredients. The jars don’t require refrigeration before opening so the Thai curry paste will stay fresh until you’re ready to use it.

Boil some rice and scoop the Thai curry sauce onto it and dig in once the food is ready.

13. Spaghetti in Clam Sauce

Source: Spruce Eats

After a long day on the water, you will probably find yourself craving a hot meal and there’s nothing like a tasty plate of pasta to help you recover from the day’s activities.

The best thing about spaghetti with clam sauce is how easy and quick it is to make””it will be ready to eat in 20 minutes tops.

You don’t have to worry about packing fresh clams, canned clams will work just as well. The juice from the canned clams will give this dish the tasty-briny flavor you’ll love.

14. Albacore Tuna Salad

For an inexpensive and easy to prepare meal option for your float trips, I heavily recommend an albacore tuna salad. All you need is some canned tuna, lemon juice, dill pickles, celery, herbs, and your favorite flavor of mayonnaise to bring this comfort food together.

You don’t need a stove or to build a fire to cook this meal. Just toss and mix all the ingredients together in a bowl and it will be ready to eat.

You can serve your albacore salad with slices of bread or fold it into a tortilla to make a wrap.

15. Quick Skillet Beans with Hot Dogs

One of the best float trip food ideas to plan for after a long, fulfilling day of exploring the outdoors and enjoying fun-filled activities is hot dogs with a generous serving of beans cooked in a cast iron skillet over a grill.

You can grill the hotdogs or cut them up and cook them with the beans in the app. The choice is yours, but either way, you are going to love downing this hearty meal.

• Get the recipe.

16. Lime Butter Grilled Salmon and Veggies

Source: Recipes

I promise you that this float trip food will have you licking your fingers or utensil in delight. It’s incredibly easy to make too.

Just place your salmon and vegetables in a foil then melt butter, mix with lime juice and zest, and pour it over the salmon. Throw in a few lime wedges, fold the foil packet to seal it, place it on the grill, and your mouth-watering lunch or dinner will be ready in a few minutes.

17. Cast Iron Brats with Sauteed Peppers and Onions

Source: Don’t Sweat The Recipe

No matter what time it is or what the season is saying where you are, this meal will make you feel like it’s a warm summer day. There are no special tricks or abilities required to cook up appetite-stimulating food.

You just have to place your cast iron skillet over a fire, add some oil, followed by the onions and peppers, then introduce the bratwurst into the mix and stir occasionally until it’s cooked through.

Once it’s ready, slice a sandwich roll and place the brats, onions, and peppers in the middle, drizzle some mustard on it, and enjoy.

18. Cowboy Caviar with Chips

Source: Tasting Table

This is the perfect snack to accompany you for a day on the river , lake, or ocean. You can choose to prep it before you head out so you can munch on it whenever hunger strikes.

If you want to save some prep time or make the meal while you’re on the go, you can skip making your own chips and just buy some.

The ingredients for the caviar””tomatoes, avocados, sweet corn, black beans, bell peppers, red onions, and spices””don’t require cooking.

Simply add them to a bowl, toss to combine well, grab a pack of chips, and start scooping.

19. Foil Packet Shrimp Scampi

Source: Eatwell101

Whether you are having it on its own, with some cooked rice, a side of bread, or over a bowl of pasta, shrimp scampi is one of the best float trip food ideas you can try.

This foil packet version is easy to assemble and saves you the trouble of having to wash up pots and pans after you’re done cooking.

The shrimp will soak up all the buttery, lemony, and herby goodness of the ingredients to create an aromatic dish that will have you swooning even before it comes off the grill.

20. Sweet and Spicy Snack Mix

Source: Today

It’s always a great idea to pack some tasty snacks to munch on during your float trips so you don’t get lightheaded before you have to stop for food.

This sweet and spicy snack mix will have you licking the inside of the bag to make sure you’ve gotten every last morsel out.

There’s plenty of room for customization when making your snack mix so feel free to use a combination of your favorite crackers, cereal, and nuts in your mix. The star of the show is the sweet and spicy syrup coating that will give your snack mix that addicting flavor.

21. Fish Chowder

Source: Taste

Since you’re out having adventures on the water, eating seafood seems like an unavoidable consequence.

And what better way to enjoy the gifts of the sea than with generous servings of thick and creamy fish chowder.

The combination of fish filler, carrots, peas, potatoes, and sweet corn helps to make this hearty meal quite filling. But you can always grab some crusty bread to go with it if you need a little more weight from your meal.

22. Chickpea Breakfast Hash

Source: FreshOffTheGrid

This breakfast food idea for float trips does away with the traditional potatoes and introduces chickpeas in their place to deliver a truly satisfying meal that is chock-full of proteins.

The cooking process only requires one skillet so cleaning up will be an uncomplicated affair.

Another great thing about the chickpea breakfast hash is its staying power. You won’t find yourself desperately craving an early lunch after eating this, which means you’ll have plenty of time to get into your float trip bucket list before you have to take a break.

23. Grilled Corn on the Cob

If you’re looking for simple food ideas for float trips, corn on the cob is one of the most uncomplicated meals you can make.

It’s also very versatile which means that you can enjoy it as a standalone healthy snack or incorporate it as a side for another meal like chilli or warmed-up baked beans.

For best results, make sure to soak your corn cobs in water for about 30 minutes before grilling them.

24. Avocado Toast with Hard Boiled Egg

Source: Unsplash

You can prepare this meal to have as a snack during your float trip. You just have to boil some eggs, toast a few slices of bread, select a few avocados, and pack them all into your storage bag .

Since avocados go brown quickly after they are cut, it’s best to keep them whole until you’re ready to use them.

When that time comes, simply mash your avocados and spread them over the toasted bread, then slice the hard-boiled eggs and arrange them on top of the toast.

You can sprinkle salt and pepper in the mixture to embolden the taste. If you’re packing raw eggs as well, mark the shells of the boiled eggs with a sharpie so don’t mix them up.

25. Shakshuka

Give this North-African dish a try the next time you go on a float trip. Whether you’re having it for breakfast, lunch, or dinner, Shakshuka is hands-down one of the best and most interesting ways to enjoy eggs.

It’s a simple dish that involves gently poaching eggs in a spicy tomato sauce and adding a sprinkle of crumbled feta cheese at the end.

You can enjoy this heartwarming meal on its own or add some slices of crusty bread to elevate the experience. Feel free to add avocados and microgreens as a garnish and don’t forget to relish every spoonful.

26. Cheesy Garlic Fries

When you’re outdoors having the time of your life, you need a satisfying meal to keep your energy levels up and ensure you make it to the end of your float trip in one piece. Cheesy garlic fries are the perfect quick and easy food option for you.

You don’t need an oven to bring this recipe to life, just throw the seasoned potatoes into a foil packet and cook it over an open flame. Your potatoes will come out looking crispy with that extra smoky flavor to make it even more delicious.

27. Red Lentil Sloppy Joes

Source: Minimalist Baker

Swap out the meats for this plant-based, protein-dense spin on the classic burger. What you need to get your meal cooking is some red lentils, onions, salt, garlic, pepper, mustard, tomato paste, Worcestershire sauce, maple syrup, and apple cider vinegar.

Once the lentils are done cooking, slice a bun in half, heap the tasty sauce, and take a huge bite. I promise it’ll taste even better than you imagine so don’t be surprised if you find yourself whipping up a bash to eat even on days when you’re back home.

28. Mac and Cheese

Few meals provide the comfort and satisfaction that the mac and cheese offer, so it deserves a spot on my list of best float trip food ideas. Whether you’re picking up the mac and cheese from the store or making your own, this meal involves very light prep work.

You can eat it straight from the pack whenever you get hungry or wait till you get to your camp tent and heat it on hot coals until the cheese bubbles and melts.

If you plan on storing your mac and cheese in a cooler, make sure you seal the pans or tubes in a ziplock bag to keep water from getting into them and ruining your perfectly planned meal.

29. Panzanella Salad with Peaches and Tomatoes

If you love croutons, you are going to thoroughly enjoy this nourishing float trip food. The croutons are tossed with tomatoes, peaches, basil, and mozzarella with a healthy drizzle of white wine vinaigrette.

This meal works great as the star of the show or as a quick side act before the main event.

30. Chicken Ramen

After spending the day fishing and basking in the scenic views as you float down the river, a good bowl of chicken ramen soup is just what you need to nourish your body and warm your heart.

It only takes about 30 minutes to cook up this flavorful recipe so you’ll be able to dine in no time.

You no longer have to spend days or weeks wondering what you’re going to eat on your float trip, nor do you have to carry a ton of processed foods with you.

You can still enjoy healthy, amazing meals even while you’re out exploring the waters.

No matter your food preferences or how picky an eater you are, you’re bound to find a couple of float trip food ideas on this list that will help fuel your next outdoor adventure.

Enjoyed 30 Float Trip Food Ideas? Share it with your friends so they too can follow the Kayakhelp journey.

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Peter Salisbury

Pete is the Owner of KayakHelp.com. Born and raised in Cleveland, Ohio, he grew up kayaking, fishing, sailing, and partaking in outdoor adventures around the Great Lakes. When he’s not out on the water, you can find him skiing in the mountains, reading his favorite books, and spending time with his family.

The Ultimate Float Trip Essentials – What to Bring on a Float Trip

Wondering what exactly to pack for your next float trip? You’re in the right place! Float trips  are a wonderful way to get out in nature and have an adventure. We are huge fans of float trips and love to explore the best places to float in every state. It can be quite difficult to pack for a float trip as there are so many different things you need to bring . Since we’ve been on so many float trips, we have made this river trip packing list to help you out. This ‘What to Bring on a Float Trip Guide’ will tell you all the  float trip essentials you will definitely need for any type of float trip!

But First – What Is A Float Trip?

You might be wondering-  exactly what is a float trip?  Float trips can be different depending on what you are looking for but essentially, they are floating down a river in a canoe, kayak, raft, or tube!

Some people like to float down a river just for the day and others enjoy going on a longer float and camping on the banks of the river overnight.

Some people want to have a   float trip party where there are lots of people drinking and having parties on the banks of the river. Others enjoy floating down a quiet river without many people just to enjoy nature. It’s really all up to what you are looking for!

🛶 Need some float trip ideas? 🛶 Learn all about the best float trips in Missouri

Float Trip Packing List Overview

Here is a  quick overview of what to bring on a float trip  so you can begin packing for the ultimate float trip. We have included all of the river floating essentials and float supplies so you don’t have to think twice about what to bring!

• Floating accessories (hat, towels, sunglasses, sunscreen)
• Float trip clothes
• Water shoes
• Float trip equipment

Float Trip Accessories

No what to pack for floating the river list would be complete without these things. Here are a few float trip accessories to add to your floating the river essentials list.

| 1.  Waterproof Phone Pouch  | 2.  Beach Towels  | 3.  Sun Hat  | 4.  Sunglasses | 5.  Drink Koozie | 6.  Dry Bag Backpack  | 7.  Sunscreen  |

• Waterproof Phone Pouch  – This phone pouch is one of the more important river floating necessities you will need thing if you are going on a float trip. Of course, you will want to bring your phone to take pictures but don’t risk it getting wet or dropping it in the river!
• Packable Beach Towel – Bringing a nice beach towel that you can pack easily in your dry bag is another one of our float trip must-haves. Some beach towels can be really bulky and take up too much room in your bag and if you leave it out it will get wet and then there is no point in having a towel!
• Sun Hat  –  Going on a float trip without a good sun hat would be a big mistake. Make sure you have something that will protect your face from the sun as well as keep you cool!
• Sunglasses  – Sunglasses are of course a must for any float trip! We really like polarized sunglasses and also don’t forget a sunglasses strap so you don’t lose them to the river.
• Hands-Free Drink Holder  –  a hands-free drink holder is probably the best invention ever and will totally elevate your float trip experience. Whether you are kayaking or canoeing and need your hands to paddle or you are relaxing in a tube, having your drink securely around your neck is a game changer!
• Dry Bag Backpack  – This dry bag backpack is another one of our favorite river tubing accessories. Having the bag have backpack straps is another great option for being hands-free. And of course, it’s waterproof so you can keep all your gear dry!
• Sunscreen  – Don’t forget the sunscreen! High-quality sunscreen is more important than ever these days and is the number one what to bring on float trip. It’s also important to wear sunscreen that won’t be damaging to the ecosystem of the river.  This  is our favorite sunscreen for both of those things.

Best Coolers For Float Trips

A  floating cooler has got to be on the top of your river trip packing list for our what to take on a float trip checklist. Whether you want to stock it full of beer or lemonade, you will definitely need a way to keep your drinks cold!

People think of everything these days and  these tow-behind coolers are one of the most fun things to bring on a float trip. If you don’t want a tow-behind cooler another great option would be a waterproof, portable  backpack cooler .

• Tow-Behind Floating Cooler   – Having a tow-behind floating cooler is a game-changer for people who have a small kayak or tubes and don’t have room for a huge cooler!
• Backpack Cooler   – Another great option for keeping your drinks cold. A backpack cooler is great for being hands-free when you have to carry your other stuff down to the river.

What To Wear On A Float Trip

A great question for anyone going on a float trip is –  what do you wear to float the river?   Rashguards are great river trip essentials for anyone looking to avoid continuously applying sunscreen. These rashguards are great for swimming and they are cool and breathable! They are one of the most essential things to bring on a float trip to protect yourself from the sun.

Here are our picks for the best float trip shirts:

Women’s Sun Protection Shirt

Men’s Sun Protection Swim Shirt

The Best Float Trip Shoes

When looking for things to bring on a river trip,  waterproof shoes are a must-have.  We absolutely love our Chacos and wear them for all types of adventurous activities.

They are especially great for hiking through streams and rivers, as they dry off quickly. They are super comfortable and also have a great grip which helps with getting in and out of the river or walking around in the river. 

Chaco Women’s Sandal

Chaco Men’s Sandal

The Best Float Trip Speakers

Of all the river floating supplies, you can’t forget to pack a  waterproof speaker ! Speakers are definitely the ultimate floating the river accessories out there and one of the best float trip must-haves.

We are big fans of our  JBL speakers – and a  waterproof one with a clip to attach to a backpack  or secure on your canoe/kayak/raft is a game-changer. 

Best River Floating Equipment

Best Kayak For River Floating

A kayak is most definitely the ultimate river floating equipment out there and the #1 thing we recommend when thinking about what to take on a river float trip.

Kayaking gives you the most control so that you can navigate easily around rapids and go pretty much anywhere you want in the river.

A kayak is a great addition to your float trip supplies and can be used to float rivers all over the country. A lot of people don’t want to splurge on an expensive kayak as it can be quite expensive.

That’s why we’ve put together a  guide to buying the best beginner kayak on a budget.

If you plan to do a lot of float trips in the future, we would highly recommend  investing in your own floating equipment .

Outfitters usually charge $100 per day for a kayak or canoe, which can get expensive if you plan to float a lot! With lots of great budget options out there, it’s definitely worth it to buy your own in the long run!

Best Float Trip Raft

Of all the float trip necessities, having a  reliable float trip raft  has got to be number one on any river floating gear list.

You can most likely rent a raft at any outfitter located along the river, although their prices are normally pretty expensive! Having your own raft to bring floating whenever you want can save you a lot of money in the long run. Here are our picks for the best rafts for river floating:

Budget Option:  Intex 2-Person Inflatable Boat

Pro Option: Intex 5-Person Inflatable Boat

The Best Canoe Accessories

If you like to float rivers in a canoe, you can’t forget canoe accessories! Having a chair with back support and detachable cupholders makes a whole new float trip experience and are 100% canoeing must haves.

Check out our best picks for canoe chairs and cup holders:

Adjustable Canoe Seat

Cup Holder For Canoes & Kayaks

Best Inner Tube For River Floating

The ultimate old-school way to float a river and one of the only river tubing essentials, an inner tube! Using an inner tube for river floating is a great option when the water levels are high and the water is moving fairly fast.

Inner tubes can be a lot of fun when you have a group of people and you can tie them all together and have your inflatable/floating cooler following right behind you. They are the ultimate what to bring to the river gear.

Here is our pick for the best inner tube for a float trip:

One-Person Tube:  Intex River Run Inflatable Tube

Two-Person Inner Tube: 2 Person w/ Cup Holders & Cooler

Float Trip Food Ideas

Don’t forget to add float trip snacks to your float trip list! Here are some  snacks for floating the river :

• Granola bars
• Homemade sandwiches
• Pringles (since they are in a hard container and can’t get squished)
• Fruit (apples, oranges, bananas)
• Cheese & crackers

River Float Trip Checklist

In this section, we have our “Checklist for Float Trip” laid out so you can have a  quick overview of all the floating the river necessities  so you don’t forget anything.

We hope in this ultimate packing for a float trip guide we helped you figure out different things like what to wear to float the river, river floating tips, and what to bring on a river float trip. There are a lot of river trip gear essentials to remember, so make sure you reference this packing list whenever you’re going on a float trip!

🛶 Need some float trip ideas? 🛶 Learn all about the best float trips in Arkansas

You May Also Like:

• Ultimate Guide to Current River Float Trips
• Niangua River Float Trip Guide
• Best Float Trips in Arkansas
• The Ultimate Guide to Buying the Best 4 Person Tent

Jess Drier is co-founder of Unearth The Voyage. She loves outdoor adventures, hiking, camping, going on float trips, and exploring new countries. She has explored more than 20 countries, taught English in South Korea, and visited 28 stunning National Parks while living in her RV. She loves sharing her knowledge here on Unearth The Voyage in detailed guides and helping others discover the great outdoors and their love for travel!

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17 Boat-Friendly Food Ideas | Best Boat Snacks for Adults

We’ve all been there. You’re sitting aboard a boat, floating your way down a tranquil river while a guide points out the beautiful attractions as you pass them by. Suddenly, some guy named Jerry decides it’s lunchtime and whips out the egg sandwiches his wife made for him the previous day. Nausea sweeps through the passengers and crew aboard the boat, while everyone throws disdainful glances at Jerry. Don’t be a Jerry!

For the sake of your fellow passengers and yourself, you need to pack boat-friendly food when traveling by water. There’s just something about the movement of a boat that doesn’t coincide well with certain foods. So I’m here to help you out. What are the good boat snacks? 

Best Boat Friendly Foods

So you’re looking for some of the best boat food to avoid being a Jerry on your next boat trip? Luckily, there are plenty of foods that can go down well onboard, the trick is to know which foods to avoid. Ready to find out about boat-friendly foods both you will love?

Good Boat Food Ideas

Wondering what food to bring on a boat trip? For journeys that last for longer than a few hours, often a meal will be provided. But in instances that you need to bring your own meal, you need to make sure that it’s boat friendly. 

Because boats often rock up and down by nature, you need to make sure that it’s food that won’t rock around too much. It’s also best to have a meal that doesn’t emit a strong odor (for the sake of the other passengers onboard). You never know when someone might have a slightly sensitive stomach. 

1. Pasta salad

There’s nothing that grounds the stomach and fills you up all at once like a good portion of carbs. A cold pasta salad is a great thing to bring on a boat as you won’t need to reheat it before eating, and it’s easy to slip a container into your bag. 

Whether you prefer pesto pasta or a more traditional chicken and mushroom, it’s sure to go down a treat on your boat trip. 

2. Sandwich wraps

Good ol’ sandwiches have never let me down. This is a great meal to pack for yourself if you’re in a hurry to get out the door. It’s quick and easy to make, and easy to unwrap during your trip on the boat. You can also switch it up with a variety of toppings if you happen to be someone who takes frequent boat trips. 

3. Cold fruit

Indulging in some icy cold fruit goes down such a treat while you’re sitting aboard a boat, especially if you are sitting in the sun. Not only does is it aid in cooling you down, and working as a refreshing snack, but there’s something about a cold meal that makes you feel a little more grounded aboard a boat. 

4. Pigs in a blanket

Pigs in blankets are an old classic, and while they may be more popular amongst kids, they do make for a great meal no matter your age. My preference is to pair them with a little tomato sauce, but if you prefer to eat them as is then this meal just got a whole lot easier to pack. 

Best Boat Snacks

Boating snacks are something you’ll need if you’re going on a trip that is longer than an hour. You don’t want to be trapped on the water when your stomach starts to growl. Having a light snack also helps if you start to feel seasick as it makes your tummy feel a little more grounded. Trust me when I say, a snack can come in very handy when you’re out on the water. These are some of the very best snacks for boating. 

5. Trail mix

Trail mix is one of those trusty easy-to-pack and easy-to-eat snacks that always go down well. Not only does trail mix offer a variety of items, it is also very filling for its size. Which is exactly the sort of great boat snacks that everyone needs. 

Muffins, whether home made of store bought, offer a nice boost of energy and taste delicious. They are also fairly small, making it easy to slip one in your bag, negating the need to bring a cooler bag with you. And in my personal experience, having one less thing to carry on a boat trip is something I’ve always been grateful for. 

7. Lemonade fruit popsicles

Lemonade fruit popsicles are incredibly easy to make, and are a refreshing treat when you’re aboard a boat. All it entails is pouring lemonade and a couple of pieces of fruit into a popsicle maker, and popping it into the freezer overnight. For more information on how to make these delicious treats, check out this blog . 

Popcorn is another grounding food, yet it’s still light and doesn’t make you feel over full. Which is something you want to avoid when taking a trip on the ocean or down a river. It’s another easy-to-make food that you’ll be grateful you packed in your bag. 

Boat Party Food Ideas

Are you looking for food to bring on a yacht party? This can be a tricky thing as it has to be light, and it has to suit the tastes of as many of your guests as possible. So whether you’re looking for the best finger food for boating or other good boat party food, these are a few of the best in my opinion. 

9. Frozen grapes

Frozen grapes are another simple delight that are easy to make, and they’re ever so refreshing. The icy crunch you hear when popping them into your mouth is exactly what you need on a warm day, so they make great boat party snacks. 

10. Veggie skewers & dip

When your boat is out on the water, you generally feel like something a little healthy, and light snacks always keep the seasickness away (if you’re prone to feeling a little queasy on the water). Adding a dip like hummus to the mix just makes the snack that much more appealing. If you’re looking for boating snacks for a party, these will be winners. 

11. Chips & salsa

Chips and dip, or chips and salsa are typical party foods, and there’s a reason for that. Everyone loves finger food when they’re at a party so they don’t need to sit down for a full meal, yet they’re still keeping their hungry tummies satisfied. Chips and salsa not only goes down well at land parties, but on yacht parties as well. 

Kabobs are great because they come in such a greta variety, and if you’re making them yourself, you can really get creative with it. While they generally come with a meaty snack, you can throw in some veggies too. And if you have some vegetarian or vegan guests on your boat, they’d love a veggie kabob. 

13. Cookies

Cookies are my guilty pleasure, and it hasn’t taken me long to realize that many people bare this same affliction. There’s nothing better to follow up a savoury snack than a sweet one. So be sure to provide your boat party guests with something to satisfy their sweet tooth as well. A nice chocolate chip cookie is a snack that most people are unable to say no to. 

Food to Take on a Pontoon Boat

Are you heading out on a tour and wondering what food to bring on a pontoon boat? While touring, it’s often best to take snack foods, as well as foods that won’t take too much noise. While your carrots are not likely to scream, the crunch may annoy other tour-goers trying to concentrate on what the tour guide is saying. These are some considerate snack choices for your pontoon boat tour. 

14. Hot dogs

Hot dogs are generally thought of as good snacks for kids. But why? They are delicious and provide both the protein and the carbs to get you through the boat trip. So if you’re heading out on a guided pontoon trip, hot dogs make a great snack as they’re fairly odour free and won’t be distracting to other tour goers. 

15. Walking tacos

Tacos are notoriously delicious, but they are also known to be messy. The messy factor can be negated by getting walking tacos, which are wrapped up nice and snug, so that none of your fillings fall out and become food for seagulls. They can also be kept in your bag for a couple of hours, so you won’t need to take a cooler box to keep this convenient food fresh. 

16. No-bake energy bites

No bake energy bites can be made in a whole variety of ways, but the easiest way is with peanut butter and oats. Roll them up in a tight ball and you’ve got a snack that will provide you with energy throughout the day. The oats will also work to ground your stomach while you are aboard the boat. 

17. Granola bars

It doesn’t get easier that popping a granola bar in your bag before heading to the jetty. This is perfect for travelers that are always on the move, and don’t have time to meal prep before their boat trip. It’s also a tasty treat, so you won’t be complaining that you didn’t plan ahead. 

Wrapping Up Snack Ideas for Boating

Now that you have a better idea of what snacks to bring on a boat, you can enjoy your trip onboard without worrying too much about your food choices. Rest assured that I have picked out only the most convenient foods to eat on the water. 

Enjoy your boat trip!

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Hi, I’m Tyla. I have been working toward gaining freedom from the constraints of the everyday grind since the very start of my career. Working remotely in digital marketing allowed me the freedom to start my own passion projects that center around the adventures I enjoy most.

Having lived near the ocean my entire life, I have an affinity toward spending time on the water, and I want to share that passion with all of you. I hope you enjoy reading about my boat trips as much as I enjoyed taking them!

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What Grub To Bring: Float Trip Food Ideas

One of the top float trip essentials is good food. Having snacks or a small meal handy can definitely settle the hangry monster in your group. Families should plan ahead and save some space in their gear for the necessary fuel up to make float trips more enjoyable.

But the question is, what should you bring with you? Your choice of float trip snacks should be energy-giving, thirst-quenching, and filling all at the same time. Taking that into consideration, any bottled drinks, finger foods or sandwiches not requiring a dish will be great for float trips.

Food For Float Trip Checklist

A river float trip is an intense activity. Usually, float trips last for a whole day, so you should bring food and snacks that can combat fatigue and thirst.

Energy Eats

When we’re talking about energy, the best source is carbohydrates . However, energy can also be gained from protein and fats. Be creative, yet light when deciding what you want to bring with you. Also, make sure that it is tasty as well for everyone to enjoy. Here are simple ideas you can use as a springboard for what to eat during during your float trip.

• Summer Sausage Sandwich

This classic food can be great for breakfast, lunch, or dinner. It can be eaten whether you’re floating on a raft boat or chilling by the side of the river. Float trips are instantly awesome when you have good on the go.

• Hard Boiled Eggs

Eggs are delicious, nutritious, and portable. Eat them whenever you want a quick snack or add them to your meal.

• Bacon And Cheese Sandwich

This sandwich is a great grab snack. You can munch on this while relaxing and floating down the river.

• Crackers, Chips & Cookies

Talk about carbs, fat, and p rotein in one. These easy to handle yummies are a favorite taste among kids and everyone else, plus simple to share. Try choosing the large bag or box to keep down on more litter. Bring plenty because anyone famished from all-day float trips will surely gobble it all up.

Thirst-Quenching

River float trips can be exhilarating, but when you’re out in the sun for an extended period, you’re bound to get thirsty. Fight heat and exhaustion on float trips with a good amount of liquids.

Bring a cooler with you to store all your drinks. A good dry bag is also a good idea to take along with you. You can also rent a cooler tube . This is an inner tube you can use to tow your cooler along on your float trip.

Nothing beats plain water during outdoor adventures and float trips. On a river floating trip, you have water around you to splash in, and don’t forget to bring water to drink and stay hydrated.

• Fruit Juice

Whether you want store-bought to skip making the juice or you don’t mind the prep work in making lemon juice (or any other) and do it yourself, fruit juices are essential. You can bring them and drink them in your boat, cooking by the side of the river, or just relaxing on your float trip.

Of course, don’t forget to bring an ample supply for adults for your river float trips.

Filling Foods

These are dishes you serve when you are not on a raft or kayak. These are proper meals for the hungry. They can be cooked at home, or you can carry them to the campsite in ziplock bags to cook there. Some examples include canned tuna, a salmon dish, or bread.

Enjoy The Great Outdoors With A Full Belly

Float trips are even better when there’s good food for everyone. Bring your essentials with you while on your floating trip to make it a lot more fun and enjoyable. Let us know what your go-to grub is during your float trips!

What to Wear On Your Floating Trip on the Illinois River

Why Is Kayaking Good For You?

5 Tips To Beat The Heat On A Rafting Trip In Tahlequah

Water Level Safety Guidelines For Float Trips On The Illinois River in Tahlequah

Is An Inner Tube Float Trip More Enjoyable Than Rafting?

Different Types of Tubes for River Tubing

Floater's Guide To Illinois River In Tahlequah

Floating Rules and Restrictions On The Illinois River In Tahlequah

Tahlequah Float History

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Float Trip Food Ideas

Float trips are a great way to bond with friends and family while spending time in nature. However, one of the challenges of float trips is menu planning. You need to make sure you have enough food that everyone will be satisfied, but you also need to be mindful of weight and space constraints. Here are some tips for menu planning for your next float trip.

Pre Packaged Snacks

One way to lighten your load is to plan for mostly trail mix type snacks and easy to eat foods. This way you don’t have to worry about packing a lot of plates and utensils, and you can just snack on the go. Nuts, dried fruit, granola bars, and crackers are all great options for this type of trip.

Protein Packed

Another important consideration when planning your menu is to make sure you have enough protein and energy-rich foods. These are especially important if you will be on the river for a long time or doing more strenuous activities, like canoeing or hiking. Good sources of protein include high-protein bars, peanut butter, jerky, and canned tuna.

Fresh Fruits and Veggies

These can be a great way to add some healthy options to your float trip menu. Packing light is key when it comes to float trips and bringing fresh fruits and vegetables can help with that. Some of the best fruits and vegetables to bring on a float trip include:

– Apples: Apples are great for snacking, either whole or sliced. They are also a great source of fiber and nutrients, making them a perfect choice for any float trip.

– Berries: Whether fresh berries or freeze dried berries, these sweet fruits are the ideal addition to any float trip. They are lightweight and pack a punch of flavor, making them perfect for snacking or adding to other dishes.

– carrots: Carrots are another great source of fiber and nutrients. They can be eaten whole or cut up into sticks for dipping.

– celery: Celery is another excellent option for a healthy and filling snack. It can be eaten whole or cut up into sticks.

– grapes: Grapes are a refreshing and healthy snack option for any float trip. They can be eaten whole or in a fruit salad.

– oranges: Oranges are a great source of Vitamin C and make a refreshing snack on a hot day. They can be eaten whole or in a fruit salad.

– watermelon: Watermelon is a refreshing and hydrating fruit that is perfect for any float trip. It can be eaten whole or in a fruit salad.

Sandwiches & Wraps

Sandwiches and wraps are ideal for float trips because they’re easy to make, store, and enjoy on the go. Whether you’re making something simple like a peanut butter and jelly sandwich or preparing a more elaborate wrap filled with fresh veggies and your favorite filling, these portable meals will make your float trip more enjoyable. There’s no need to worry about packing up a lot of separate ingredients or dealing with perishable items – just make your sandwiches and wraps in advance, then pack them up in a cooler and you’re good to go. Plus, they’ll stay fresh all day long so you can enjoy them whenever you’re ready.

Pasta Dishes

Pasta dishes are another great option for a float trip. One great thing about pasta dishes is that they can be made ahead of time. That means you can spend less time cooking on the trip, and more time enjoying the outdoors. Whether you’re making a simple tomato sauce, tossing your pasta in olive oil and garlic, or using it to make some homemade mac and cheese, there are plenty of great options for enjoying pasta on a float trip. Plus, they’re easy to clean up after you’re done eating. Also, pasta is a complex carbohydrate, which means it takes longer for your body to break it down and convert it into energy. That means you’ll have sustained energy levels throughout the day, rather than a quick burst of energy followed by an inevitable crash.

Stay Hydrated and Have a Great Time!

No matter which foods you choose, it’s important to stay hydrated and well-nourished while on your float trip. With these ideas in mind, you can plan a great meal that will keep you fueled and happy as you enjoy the beautiful scenery of your float trip. So get planning and Bon Appetit!

What are your go-to foods to take on a Float Trip? Leave us a comment below!

Author: Bree

Hi I'm Bree! A camping and travel enthusiast, outdoor lifestyle and adventure reviewer, blogger and writer. Married to my entrepreneur husband Travis and a Happy Camping Mama to our two kiddos Bailey and Peyton. I love being in nature and camping with my friends and family. Follow along on my website for tips on where to go camping, what gear to bring and how to make the most of your time outdoors!

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Canoe Camping Meals: 10 Easy Canoe Trip Recipes

After a long day of paddling and portaging, there are few things better than starting a fire and cooking up a nice warm meal. Backcountry cooking is one of my favourite parts of a canoe trip, so I love any opportunity to experience backcountry-adapted gourmet canoe trip meals.

In this post, you’ll find 10 canoe camping recipes to try on your next trip.

For more canoe trip recipes (and a comprehensive guide on how to build the perfect canoe trip menu) check out my eCookbook: The Voyageur’s Backcountry Cookbook .

Canoe Trip Breakfast Ideas

1. breakfast sandwiches.

Another great choice is breakfast sandwiches. If it’s early in the trip, you can bring English muffins. If you want to have this meal later into the trip, you can use wraps, powdered egg and bacon bits or sausage.

Ingredients : wraps or English muffins, powdered eggs, powdered milk, bacon or sausage, ketchup packets, cheese optional: avocado, tomato

Instructions :

• Mix powdered eggs and powdered milk at a 6-to-1 ratio and mix with water until thick and runny. Scramble the eggs.
• If needed, cook the bacon and toast the english muffins.
• Add scrambled eggs, bacon and cheese to english muffin or wrap. Add toppings and ketchup and close.
• Optional: Wrap in tin fold and heat over the fire to keep them warm and toasty while you wait for your coffee to brew.

This post may contain affiliate links. If you make a purchase through one of these links, I may receive a small commission at no extra cost to you. Your support is much appreciated! You can learn more by reading my full disclosure .

2. Cinnamon Buns

Another classic for a rest day is cinnamon buns. They require a Dutch oven and some prep work, and you’ll want to make sure you pack some butter dedicated for this meal because it needs a lot of butter.

Ingredients : baking mix*, flour, brown sugar, cinnamon, butter, optional: nuts, raisins, powdered sugar

• Add equal parts flour and baking mix into a bowl with a little cinnamon; gradually add water and stir. You want a ball of dough that holds, but you don’t want it too sticky.
• On a cutting board with a little flour, roll out the dough so it’s flat and in an oval.
• Spread butter over the surface of the dough, then add a generous amount of brown sugar. Sprinkle cinnamon and nuts / raisins.
• Roll it lengthwise so it looks like a tube. Then, slice the tube so you have a bunch of little cylinders.
• Butter the inside of the Dutch oven. Be generous! Then put your cinnamon rolls (cylinders) into the Dutch oven. Place on the embers of the fire and wait. They will probably need ~20 minutes, but check regularly.
• Once crispy brown, remove and sprinkle some powdered sugar on top.

Tip : To make baking mix, combine 4 cups of flour, 2.5 tbsp of baking powder, 1/4 cup milk powder and 2 tsp of salt in a bag.

Bonus: Oatmeal

Oatmeal is my go-to backcountry camping meal because it’s so easy to make and clean up. Plus, there are a ton of ways to make oatmeal more interesting.

Here are two of my favourite recipes for oatmeal, and I have six other recipes in this blog post.

Sweet & Savoury Oatmeal

This recipe is met with mixed reviews. Cut leftover  bacon  into small pieces (or you could try packaged bacon bits) and top the oatmeal with  shredded cheddar cheese  and  diced apples . A little  nutmeg  and  brown sugar  bring this bowl to life. As I said, this sweet & savoury bowl gets varied feedback – bacon in oatmeal?!? But hey, don’t knock it til you try it. I’m a huge fan now, myself.

Maple Oatmeal

Maple syrup in oatmeal – a Canadian classic, eh? Instead of brown sugar, sweeten this bowl with  maple syrup , adding toppings like  craisins  and  coconut  to create texture. If you’ve got a fresh  banana , a few slices go great with the maple.

Read More : 8 Recipes to Make ~Not Boring~ Oatmeal on Camping Trips

Tip : Don’t make the oatmeal in the pot! Instead, boil water in the pot and put quick oats in everyone’s bowl. Let each person add the amount of hot water they need to get their oatmeal to the desired consistency. I personally, like my oatmeal very dry and hate it when someone makes a single batch. This also makes cleaning up easier because you don’t have to wash a pot.

Canoe Trip Lunch Ideas

I typically eat a lot of wraps for lunch on canoe trips. They’re easy to pack, quick to make and there’s a decent amount of variety you can get with fillings.

3. Burrito Wraps

Burritos are a crowd-pleaser. They require some work the night before but are worth the effort. You can also cook rice and add it to the burrito to make it even more filling. This is also a great opportunity to use sriracha or other hot sauce.

Ingredients : wraps, cheese, onion, peppers, tomato sauce, refried beans

• The night before: If needed, rehydrate refried beans, tomato sauce and veggies by adding them to a saucepan or pot with a small amount of clean water. Stir regularly, adding more water as it is absorbed.
• Once everything is rehydrated, let it cool and then store it in a Nalgene or bag.
• Day of: Spread bean mixture in the centre of the wrap and add cheese. (Don’t use cheese if vegan).
• Fold into a burrito. You can heat the burrito over a stove if you’d like.

4. Hummus Buddha Bowls

This is a high-protein, high-nutrient lunch that you can make reasonably quickly. The only downside is that it does require a dish and utensil. But other than that, this is an easy canoe trip lunch idea!

Ingredients : Cooked quinoa, dehydrated hummus (you can purchase dried hummus or dehydrate your own ), nuts / seeds (I like pine nuts or crushed walnuts), spices, Flax Crackers and / or Vegetable Chips (see below for making your own).

DIY Veggie Chips : Thinly slice easily chip-able vegetables (i.e. sweet potatoes, zucchini, beet, carrot). Toss vegetables in a tiny bit of olive oil and salt. Place on parchment paper-lined baking sheet. Cook on low heat (max 200 F) for at least 45 minutes.

• Pack the dehydrated hummus with the spices and nuts / seeds.
• Cook the quinoa the night before and store it in a plastic bag or sealed container.
• Rehydrate hummus in a bowl by slowly adding water and stirring. You’ll probably need about 1/4 cup of water, but you’ll know you’ve added enough when it’s reached your desired consistency. You can also add a small splash of olive oil, which will give the hummus a nicer texture, but I’m usually too lazy for that.
• Mix the quinoa with the hummus and nuts / seeds.
• Scoop the hummus mixture with your crackers and veggie chips and enjoy!

Note : Most people prefer this without the cup of quinoa, but I just don’t find this meal filling enough without the added grain.

Bonus : Sprinkle some dried kale on top for extra nutrients and additional crunch!

Canoe Trip Dinner Ideas

5. chilli & garlic bread.

This is my favourite camp meal. This is a meal best prepared by two or more people (someone to do the garlic bread and another to do the chilli).

Ingredients :

dehydrated ground beef or textured vegetable protein (TVP), dehydrated beans, dehydrated veggies, dehydrated tomato sauce, spices and bread mixture

• Make the garlic bread according to the instructions on page 42. Make chilli according to the instructions below:
• Add a splash of clean water to the pot and some dehydrated tomato sauce. Stir regularly. As the sauce absorbs water, add a little more.
• Once the sauce is almost rehydrated, add in the vegetables, and ground beef or TVP and big handfuls of dehydrated beans. Continue stirring and adding water if necessary. Add spices.
• Stir regularly. If the chilli looks too thick, add water. If the chilli looks too watery, add either more TVP or put a small handful of potato pearls.
• Let simmer on low heat.

6. Thai Red Curry

This is a super easy but super delicious meal to make. It’s so easy because most of the flavour comes from the red curry paste. You don’t need to refrigerate the paste before you open it, so I’ll buy a few small jars.

Ingredients : rice, coconut milk, jar of red curry paste, cayenne pepper, onion, peppers, mushrooms, zucchini, chickpeas.

• Boil water in a pot. Pour in rice and stir. Go with a water-to-rice ratio of 2:1.
• In a frying pan, rehydrate veggies and chickpeas if necessary. Pour in a can of coconut milk. Add some red curry paste and a pinch of cayenne pepper.
• Once rice is cooked and the sauce is done, scoop rice into bowls and add a big spoonful of sauce onto the rice.
• You can garnish with cilantro and peanuts if you’d like.

Canoe Trips Snacks

7. protein-based snacks.

So much of the food on canoe trips – especially the snacks – is carb-based. This is great for quick energy, but sometimes you need something with more fat and protein to sustain you on those long days.

Dates + Cheese + Pepperoni

This may seem like a weird combo, but it works out to be the perfect salty-sweet snack. Stack a date on a small slice of cheese and wrap in pepperoni. It’s actually very tasty.

This is a tasty, yet filling snack option. You can buy beef jerky in bulk or make your own and eat it after a long portage. The salt will be good after a long period of sweating!

Pepperoni Sticks

Similar to the above, pepperoni sticks are a filling afternoon snack. And if you want to experiment, use those individual packets of cream cheese as a dip. Personally, I love it.

Tuna on Crackers

Another high protein option, you can bring tuna canned or in individual packets (you can even get different flavours). Scoop onto crackers and enjoy!

8. Homemade Fruit Leather

Rather than buying (expensive) store-bought fruit leather, you can easily make your own at home in either a dehydrator or in your oven. Below I’ve outlined the steps that I take to create fruit leather at home.

If you don’t want to make your own, this is my favourite store-bought fruit leather. My only issue with it is that I need two to feel satisfied and they’re pricey – definitely buy in bulk rather than from the grocery store!

Note that I do all my dehydrating in an oven, rather than a dehydrator. If you have a proper dehydrator at home you can still follow this process but you may need to adapt a few steps for your specific dehydrator.

Ingredients : Apple sauce, optional: cinnamon, nutmeg, shredded coconut, chopped nuts.

• Preheat your oven to the lowest temperature setting it has.
• Line a baking sheet with parchment paper. Do not use wax paper!
• In a big bowl, pour in a can of apple sauce.
• This is the creative part: mix in any additional toppings / fillings that when make your fruit leather more fun. I always add cinnamon and nutmeg; I’ve also experimented with shredded coconut. I think chopped nuts could also be really tasty, though I’ve never tried that myself.
• Use a spatula to pour your mixture onto the parchment paper and spread until it’s a consistent thickness across the sheet, no more than 1/2 inch thick.
• Place in the oven.
• Cook time will depend on the thickness of your spread apple sauce and your oven’s lowest temperature, but I’ve found it to take about 6-7 hours in my oven.

Canoe Trip Desserts

9. lazy cheesecake.

This is such a lazy dessert I’m almost embarrassed to include it, but it’s so tasty. And it’s an awesome dessert if you are camping somewhere that has wild blueberries!

Ingredients : cheesecake powder, graham crackers, chocolate chips or fresh or dried blueberries

• In your bowl, add a few spoonfuls of cheesecake powder. Add clean water slowly, stirring until it is a thick liquid.
• Crush graham crackers over your bowl and add either chocolate chips or fresh blueberries. Enjoy!

Note : You could also make this un-lazy, by making a graham cracker crust and cooking it in a Dutch oven (page 63 of my cookbook).

10. Chocolate Cake

This is what I try to prepare whenever there is a birthday on trip. I discovered it on MyCCR a while back and fell in love. I use a Dutch oven, but if you have Reflector Oven and cake pan you can use that instead.

Ingredients : chocolate cake mix, instant chocolate pudding, milk powder, egg powder, water, butter, flour, chocolate chips, icing sugar.

• Mix 1/2 box of cake mix with 1/2 package of instant pudding mix, 1/2 cup of milk powder and 1/4 cup egg powder (you can put this all in a plastic bag at home).
• Grease a Dutch oven with butter. Sprinkle a little flour on the butter (this helps with sticking).
• Pour the dry ingredients and 1 cup of water in the Dutch oven and stir. If the mixture is really thick, add a little more water.
• Cover Dutch oven and place in the embers of the fire.
• After 30 minutes, check on the cake. Stick a fork in the middle – fork should come out dry if the cake is done.
• When done, use a knife to separate the cake from the oven along the edges. The cake may come out with the knife, or try flipping the oven upside down and over a plate or cutting board, and giving it a little shake. The cake should fall out (flip the cake over so it’s right side up).
• Finally, sprinkle some icing sugar on top, cut and serve! You can also bring shelf-stable icing to spread on top.

Canoe Trip Recipes – Final Thoughts

If you need more inspiration for creating excellent canoe trip meals, consider checking out The Voyageur’s Backcountry Cookbook . It has a ton of canoe trip food ideas, plus tips for meal planning, food preparation, dehydration and more.

Mikaela | Voyageur Tripper

Mikaela has been canoeing, hiking and camping for over ten years. She previously worked as a canoeing guide in Canada, and spent a season guiding hiking and kayaking tours in the high Arctic. Mikaela is a Wilderness First Responder and Whitewater Rescue Technician.

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Where do you source your cheesecake powder. I am only able to see very large quantities for over $100. I can see a Jello no Bake cheesecake mix, but it doesn’t seem the same as the cheesecake powder.

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13 River Float Trip Essentials + Packing List & Tips!

• Post author: Rachel Means
• Post last modified: 2023-10-25

Summer is the perfect time for a lazy float trip down an easy-going river. It’s a great way to relax outside, unwind from the work week, and just chat with friends or family for a few hours.

We’ve been on our fair share of river tubing adventures; some long forgotten and others that will live on for years through shared inside jokes with friends.

There’s a direct correlation between your group’s preparedness level and the amount of fun you’ll have on the river.

That’s not to say you can’t do this spur of the moment. But there are certain float trip essentials that will make your day on the river a fond memory rather than just a passing thought.

So, without further ado, here’s our finely tuned float trip packing list for a fun day out!

This post may contain affiliate links. As an Amazon Associate and associate of other programs, I earn from qualifying purchases. This means if you click a link and make a purchase, I may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you.

Table of Contents

Float Trip Essentials

1.  The Tube

The one float trip essential that you can’t go without: the tube.

We’re talking an honest-to-goodness river inner tube, not a cheap/thin one for a pool or from Amazon.

If you’re tubing with a company, then you’re all set and don’t need to bring your own.

The tube should be included in the price (hopefully transportation, too), and you’ll be able to spot and avoid the partially deflated tubes on the rack.

Your float trip will get un-fun real fast if your inner tube gets a puncture and deflates.

Then you’re, quite literally, stuck up the creek. Probably in a swimsuit with a cooler full of beverages, surrounded by muddy banks and nowhere near a real road.

Most rivers we’ve tubed are shallow , and you WILL scrape the bottom at some point during your journey. Pool floats won’t make it past the first rock.

The best river float tubes have handles and maybe even a back support/cushion thing.

We’re personally indifferent to whether or not the tube is open or not on the bottom.

Some people have strong opinions about this, for innocent and sometimes otherwise reasons.

Generally, those that want a closed bottom think it will protect their stuff from the river, be it their electronics or their swim bottoms.

Tubes can tip over so easily. Having a closed bottom tube to protect your stuff is a false sense of security.

Pro Tip : Closed bottom tubes are good for holding coolers, but keep in mind that they can still tip over. Bring one that has a lid that latches so you don’t lose all your drinks if its tube flips.

Then there’s the pro open bottom tube people.

Some innocently enough prefer to cool off as they float, or they prefer to wear their tube like a hula hoop instead of sitting in it.

Others want it for the bathroom option, which we personally think is gross. Other people are floating on that river with you.

If you have to answer nature’s call mid-river, pull off to the side away from others so it has a chance to dilute in the river, and for the love of all things hygienic, don’t pee ON the tube.

2.  Bungee cords (or Twine)

Tubing is more fun with a group! But how do you stick together on a body of water with moving currents?

Bungee cords.

Some people will say Velcro straps, but we’re here to tell you those don’t work. They pull apart too easily.

If you want to make it through those tiny rapids together as a group, you need bungee cords.

Pro Tip : Loop the bungee cord through the tube handles, and hook the hooks to themselves. We’ve had much more success with this method than with hooking to the tube handles themselves.

Sizing is important here. You need enough slack to let the tubes move around but enough tension to keep a tube from lagging behind or speeding up.

Too small and the tension in the bungee cord can cause two tubes to sandwich together.

Too big and the slack could cause the bungee cord to unhook itself.

If you’re in a pinch and don’t have bungee cords , you can almost always find a tube that already has a bit of twine on the handle.

Tying tubes together with twine can work on gentler rivers, but may break on float trips that involve minor rapids or simply a faster current.

3.  Swimsuit or clothes you don’t mind getting wet

You will get wet on your river float trip. But you’ll also likely get a lot of sun.

There’s a fine line to walk here between staying cool and not getting sunburned.

Swimsuits are made for the water, but they offer the least sun protection.

We know from experience that reapplying sunscreen mid-river is a tricky business. The less area you have to reach, the better.

For that reason, we tend to favor the half and half approach: swimsuit tops and shorts.

For me, that’s a tankini with athletic shorts over the bottom. For my husband, it’s a rash guard and his swim shorts.

4.  Water shoes (or flip flops or old shoes)

It’s a truth universally known ( any Jane Austen fans? ) that you will have to walk your tube out of shallows or off of a rock at some point on your river float trip.

You’ll thank your past self for wearing water shoes.

Bonus: they’ll protect your feet from getting sunburned, too.

If you don’t own water shoes, flip flops or old shoes can work, too.

But flip flops have a habit of floating away when you’re not paying attention, and old shoes will get waterlogged and heavy.

Water shoes are not only float trip essentials but also our go-to footwear for most water activities.

Shoes that can get wet, not weigh you down, protect your feet, and dry quickly are a must-have for anyone that enjoys playing in/near the water.

5.  ALL the sun protection

Tubing down a river is basically mobile sunbathing, but you can’t turn over when you start to cook too much on the top.

Sunscreen is a must before you head out and should be top of your float trip packing list so you can reapply while floating.

Pro Tip : Bring chapstick with SPF to keep your lips from getting sunburned.

Alternatively, wear a hat, sunglasses, and maybe even a rash guard shirt if you don’t want to bother with reapplying sunscreen on the water.

Your tube will rub off the sunscreen, too, so be mindful of that when applying. You’ll get weird burns on the sides of your arms and legs.

Bring an umbrella if it’s not too windy and use it to shade most of your tube, or at least your upper half.

Don’t forget your feet! If you’re sitting in your tube, your feet stick out the most and will get sunburned.

6.  The Cooler!

Often, the most beloved float trip essential is the cooler.

It holds all the cold, liquid fun for your trip, but if you do it right, it also has the tasty, not melted snacks.

Bring both sweet and salty snacks. As long as you keep chocolate and fruit snacks in the cooler, they’re fine to eat on the river. Otherwise, they turn into a sticky mess.

We also like granola bars and beef jerky sticks to help replenish some of the salt from sweating in the sun.

If you bring popsicles, eat them first. Don’t bring an entire box unless you have that many people in your float group.

Only you can know how many drinks per person is enough, but we’d recommend you keep it low so your cooler doesn’t get too heavy .

It may be floating in its own tube, but you still have to carry it into and out of the river.

Pro Tip : Most tubing companies let you rent an extra tube for a cooler. Some even have smaller tubes specifically for coolers. If you’re a professional, tubing every weekend, you can buy floatable coolers.

There’s debate between Styrofoam coolers or hard-sided, reusable coolers. We go reusable every time.

They insulate better, keep drinks cold longer, and are infinitely better for the environment.

If you’re worried about losing it, just make sure it’s securely tied to its tube’s handles.

Even if the cooler tube flips, the cooler will stay attached and not sink. ( You’ll need something stronger than twine or Velcro straps, like bungee cords… )

And let’s be honest, most of you would dive after the cooler like you were saving your first born child.

7.  Trash bag

Leave no trace, people! Don’t be a litter bug. Clean water is the most precious resource our planet has.

We’ve already talked about the wonders that the cooler may hold, so we need to have a trash bag to contain all the leftover debris.

A mesh produce bag works just fine for your empty cans, but snack wrappers need to be contained.

Use a small plastic bag that is attached to your stuff (and won’t become trash when you lose it when the tube flips) or just a particular zippered pocket on a bag or someone’s shorts.

8.  Bug spray

Depending where you’re tubing, this is one of the most important float trip essentials.

We’ve only needed insect repellent on maybe a 1/4 of all the float trips we’ve ever taken. But the ones we used it on, we were super grateful to have it handy.

We keep our sunscreen and bug spray in the same bag, always in the trunk of our car so we can’t forget them.

Float Trip Extras to Bring

9.  a dry bag.

We don’t consider this one of the float trip essentials because you can easily go without one. Not everyone needs a ton of stuff with them on the river.

It’s a nice to have and not a need to have to enjoy your float trip.

10.  Towels

This is a personal preference. We don’t bring our towels with us on the river because if they get wet, we’re out of luck all the way home, which for us has sometimes been several hours away.

But others want to dry off as soon as they exit the river and have the towel for warmth on the tubing company bus ride back to their car.

Up to you if you’re willing to risk it.

11.  Water guns

Great for kids and adults alike, water guns are a fun way to keep the float trip lively.

Depending on your location and the flow of the river that day, you might be floating for a while and need to break up chats with a brief water gun fight.

12.  Hand sanitizer

In a post-pandemic world, we take hand sanitizer everywhere.

We’re much more aware of all the gross things we touch without thinking about it and then touching our face or using our hands to eat snacks.

13.  Water-friendly camera

Some float trips have a strict Las Vegas policy ( what happens on the float trip, stays on the float trip ), but for the rest of us, a GoPro can capture the fun and preserve the memories.

GoPro is our water-friendly camera of choice , but it does have its limits.

It’s meant for being strapped to you while doing something athletic, like snowboarding or surfing, so it doesn’t have a lot of flexibility in the type of shots you’ll get.

Most cell phones have some amount of water resistance, but we’d still recommend a floating waterproof phone case to avoid losing it.

Get Your Float Trip Packing List Here!

What Not to Bring on Your Float Trip

We’ve talked about your float trip essentials and handed you a float trip packing list, but let’s talk for a minute about the things you DON’T want to bring on the river.

• Electronics that can’t get wet
• Cotton, jeans, or other heavy fabrics
• Expensive sunglasses

Leave the expensive sunglasses at home. If you bring a pair on the river, be sure they either have a strap or you don’t care about them if you lose them.

Cotton isn’t heavy when it’s dry, but it’s a problem once it’s wet . Synthetic, quick-dry fabrics are best on the off chance you fully submerge when your tube tips.

There’s nothing to buy on the river, so leave your wallet (hidden) in your car.

Electronics are a given that they don’t mix with water.

But some cell phones are getting better at water resistance and a GoPro was built specifically for surviving the outdoors and capturing footage, so use your discretion.

The car key is the most difficult to decide how to stash. You have to lock your car, and common sense is to take the key with you.

But you don’t want to accidentally drop it in the river and lose it, so maybe you tie it to your wrist.

Good try; most car keys are electronic these days.

Most still have a physical key hidden inside the clicker somewhere, but the car usually won’t lock if you leave the clicker part inside it.

The best option is a locker with your tubing company. Some companies include them in the price; others charge an additional fee.

It’s worth the ask and usually worth the fee to have a secure, dry spot to keep your car key safe from the river.

Depending on the company, you’ll either have a locker key to wear on your wrist on the river or they’ll store your key in their office and you show your ID to get your stuff back when you’re done.

If your tubing company doesn’t offer lockers or key storage, then bring a waterproof, floatable bag.

Ziploc bags are waterproof but not floatable when weighed down with contents. Some dry bags are floatable.

Enjoy Your Float Trip!

With these float trip essentials in hand, you’re sure to enjoy a memorable day on the water!

More Travel Logistics Resources

• How to Travel More with a Full-Time Job or on a Budget {21 Useful Tips!}
• 10 Essential Travel Items for First-time Fliers
• How to Get from BWI airport to downtown Washington, DC
• 35 Best Staycation Ideas for Relaxing on a Budget
• Save $$$ with an America the Beautiful National Park Pass
• How to Get to St John, USVI in 3 Easy Steps
• St John Transportation: Getting Around Without a Car
• 9 Ways for Getting Around Seattle – Without a Car!
• How to Get to Whidbey Island from Seattle {Quick + Easy!}
• Cheap, Fast Travel from Munich to Zurich {Not What You Think!}
• How to Get to Neuschwanstein Castle from Munich
• Review of Going (formerly Scott’s Cheap Flights) {Flight Deals Delivered to Your Inbox}
• Can I Bring Scissors in My Carry-on Bag?
• How to Bring Hiking Poles on a Plane {Tips + TSA Rules}

Happy travels!

About the Author : Rachel Means

With six-figure student loan debt and only 10 PTO days per year, Rachel started traveling the world. A decade later, she’s paid off her loans, changed careers, and been to 38 US states and 17 countries. She’s an expert at planning and budgeting for travel and loves to help others do it, too! Read her full story here.

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Remember Me

Eating in Style on Your Alaskan Float Trip

How To Travel Light, Eat Well & Leave The Cooler at Home By Kurt Iverson

He surprised us on Day 5 of the trip. We had fished all day through the braids of the river, each of us landing a silly number of rainbows, Dolly Varden, and grayling. We hadn't traveled in the boats much; instead, we mostly shuffled our way downstream, leap-frogging and fishing past one another, with the last guys in line pulling the rafts through. When we finally chose a gravel bar for our campsite, it was 8:30pm. We were bone-tired, but in a good way. Still, there were rafts to unload, tents and tarps to set up, and each of us was a little woozy with hunger. "I'll do dinner," he said. "If one of you dogs can help me with firewood, I'll get right on it."

If you're planning an extended do-it-yourself (DIY) float or tent-based trip in Alaska, an important task will be to put together your menu. Now, we have friends who are perfectly content with coffee and a Power Bar for breakfast, a fresh dip of Copenhagen for lunch, and Hormel canned chili and beer for dinner. And that's all good. We've gone that route ourselves a few times. But nowadays, we're usually more inclined to go up the food scale a bit for our backcountry journeys, without letting the menu get too complicated, expensive, or time consuming to prepare.   These are, after all, fishing trips. And while we recognize that putting together a secure camp and sharing some good grub is a big part of the enjoyment, we have to balance those considerations with the time that we want to spend fishing, floating, or just plain relaxing. More often than not, we'll leave the fancy streamside meals to fishing and rafting guides who are getting paid to do such stuff.

That said, we shy away from common mass-produced freeze-dried meals. Again, we don't criticize others who are happy to go that way, and we fully recognize the freeze-dried advantages. It's just that we don't find such meals very… satisfying. And that says nothing about their relative high cost, and the near-certain (ahem) "gastrointestinal" side effects.   Instead, we try to put our efforts towards tasty, nourishing meals straight from the grocery store shelves that don't involve a lot of prep time and often don't need much – if any – refrigeration.

It's not uncommon that we decide to forego insulated coolers, because they are heavy and bulky. Plus, a cooler doesn't do you much good unless you bring plenty of ice, which adds even more to the weight and space issues. Sometimes dry ice can be an option, but that presents its own set of complications - not the least of which is that you can't fly with dry ice on commercial airlines, and it's often unavailable in the remote Alaska villages where you begin your trip. Your situation may boil down to the fact that an iced cooler in the Alaska backcountry is a luxury that just isn't worth bothering with. And remember, a certain amount of freshness can be maintained by keeping food out of the direct sun, and on the river-chilled bottom of the boat.

Another important consideration for your float trip menu is that you will have a ready source of protein for the taking nearly every day. Fillet those fish and eat them. Grill them, fry them, cut them up and put them in chowders, and mash the cooked leftovers into sandwich spread - Alaska is a place where you can do this without guilt.

In addition, here are a few other random tips and ideas we've zeroed in on over the years:

• We love long-handled grill baskets. The model we use is designed for cooking fish, but we also find it useful for open-fire cooking of meats and vegetables. The basket's most important use is to easily move food away from hot spots or flare-ups in the cook fire. If you can fit them in, bring grill baskets.
• Vegetables that travel well: potatoes, carrots, onions, garlic, cabbage, cauliflower, and bell peppers. Keep them dry and cool and they'll easily last through your trip.
• A retort pouch is a sealed aluminum foil bag - think of it as a "flexible can". To prepare food stored this way, all you have to do is drop the pouch in hot water (or you can even skip that and eat the food cold). Our favorite brands and flavors of pouched sauces are Curry Simple (any flavor), Kitchens of India (Kidney Bean or Chick Pea Curry), and Tasty Bites (Bombay potatoes). Cooked chicken, smoked salmon, and other seafood also comes packaged in retort pouches, and is equally good. These have become float trip mainstays for us.
• Among the many brands of grocery-store grains and pastas, we find ourselves drawn to the Near East brand of flavored rices and couscous (good for breakfast even), Zatarains red beans and rice, and Knorr cheese pasta or rice side dish mixes. For dried soups, we like the Nile brand for single-serving , "cup of soup" sizes, and for large multiple-serving sizes , we often choose Bear Creek brand, which we find even more appealing if we beef them up with whatever vegetables or protein we have on hand.

Shown below is an actual grub list we used on a 3-person, 7-night float trip in Western Alaska last summer. We travelled on the airlines with the food packed in plastic totes, then we transferred the goods to dry bags for the trip. All the fresh meat products were frozen ahead of time and were packaged in vacuum-sealed pouches. The curry sauces and dried soups were purchased in retort pouches or were factory-sealed in waterproof sacks. The dried goods that weren't already in waterproof sacks - rice, couscous, pasta, breads, etc. - we sealed in ziplock bags before going into the dry bags, a "double bagging", if you will.

On this particular trip we were travelling relatively light with 1 canoe (2 persons) and 1 pack raft (1 person). We find that for packing small boats, it's best to carry your grub and all other gear in a variety of small bags. Loading the boats is more effective, and it's also easier to stay organized that way. The food bags were organized and labeled by their contents: 1 for canned goods; 1 for vegetables; 1 for dried items; etc. On this trip, we had 2 significant portages, so we also carried 2 large bags for consolidating the small items when had to carry them.

We lived comfortably from this menu. It also included enough food to sustain us for several days in the event that we were weathered in beyond our pick-up date. We offer it up here to help illustrate what we've been talking about, and to maybe help you put together your own float trip choices someday. Keep in mind that this menu was not set in stone. A lot of mix-and-match can – and did - go on. Do you want to make a cole slaw to go with fresh grilled salmon fillets? Chop cabbage and shred carrots, add lemon juice, vinegar, olive oil, salt, and a bit of hot sauce and you've got it. Serve the fillets and slaw with tabouli, and now you have an easy streamside dinner that doesn't appear "on the menu". Also, our lunches were filled out by leftovers, including sandwich spreads made from cooked salmon, mayonnaise, and vegetables.

On a final note, we'd love to hear from you with your own menu suggestions or tips, especially if it relates to the "easy, minimally refrigerated, and satisfying-and-sustaining" tack that we've tried to take here. Salud!

Share This Story, Choose Your Platform!

How did you store food at night to avoid the bears and critters?

FROM THE AUTHOR: The most secure way to store food on a float trip is with bear-resistant containers. We have used a variety of containers over the years, including smooth plastic kegs and cannisters, aluminum dry boxes, metal barrels, and certified bear-resistant coolers.

Note that in most National Parks, including Katmai Park in Alaska (where there is excellent fishing), bear-resistant containers for food and garbage are required. A reference for various types of containers that are endorsed for backcountry use by the Parks Service can be found here:

http://igbconline.org/certified-products-list/

We are also fans of electric fences when we travel in bear country. Our most common strategy is to set up our camp tarp and cook area away from our tents, then rig the electric fence to surround the tarp / cook site. We store the food and garbage Inside the fence perimeter.

Thanks for the awesome tips!! Very helpful!

Comments are closed.

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THE best Float trip food

Get ready for the ultimate gastronomic adventure on your float trip! We all know that hunger strikes harder when you’re out in the wild, and trust me, a growling stomach can turn even the most serene float into a grumpy ride. But fear not, fellow river explorers, for I’ve got your back with a scrumptious list of float trip food that will have your taste buds dancing like a campfire flame.

Classic PB&J Sandwich: Slather that creamy peanut butter and sweet jelly between two slices of bread, and you’ve got yourself a portable delight that will fuel you through every paddle and splash.

Trail Mix Wonder: A medley of nuts, seeds, dried fruits, and chocolate, all mixed together like a harmonious symphony of flavors. Grab a handful, and you’ll be invigorated with energy, ready to take on any river rapid that comes your way.

• Refreshing Fruits: Pack some juicy watermelon, zesty oranges, and succulent grapes. They’re like little bursts of paradise on your tongue, providing natural hydration and a hint of sweetness to keep you feeling fresh and vibrant.
• Campfire S’mores: Gather ’round the campfire, and prepare to be dazzled by the sizzling symphony of sounds as your marshmallow turns into a golden masterpiece. Smoosh it between graham crackers and chocolate, and voila – the classic s’mores that taste like heaven under the stars.

• Grilled Delights: Grilling up some savory hot dogs and burgers is a must. Hear that satisfying sizzle? It’s like music to your ears, promising a delectable reward for your adventurous spirit.
• Thirst-Quenching Drinks: Keep those drinks flowing like a wild river. Ice-cold lemonade, fizzy sodas, and refreshing water will keep you cool and ready for whatever the float trip throws your way.

Tasty Wraps: Fill soft tortillas with an assortment of delectable fillings, like grilled chicken, fresh veggies, and tangy sauces. These portable wraps are a delightful combo of flavors, perfect for a quick and satisfying meal on the go.

Nut Butter Energy Balls: Packed with wholesome ingredients like oats, nut butter, and honey, these energy balls are like little powerhouses of goodness. Pop one into your mouth, and you’ll feel a surge of energy to keep paddling like a river champion.

• Cool Cucumber Salad: Beat the heat with a refreshing cucumber salad, lightly dressed with lemon and herbs. It’s a crisp and crunchy delight that will quench your thirst for both flavor and hydration.
• Campfire Pizza: Who said you can’t have pizza on a float trip? With a portable pizza oven, you can create mouthwatering pies right by the riverbank. The cheesy goodness and heavenly aroma will have everyone floating on cloud nine.

• Marshmallow-Stuffed Brownies: Elevate your s’mores game by sandwiching gooey marshmallows between two fudgy brownies. It’s a sinful indulgence that will leave you floating on a river of sweet satisfaction.

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How to Plan Food for a Canoe Camping Trip

By sarah coupal & aaron owens mayhew, ms, rdn, cd, updated january 4, 2024.

This post may contain affiliate links.

Factors to Consider | Amount of Food to Pack | Which Foods to Bring | Canoe Trip Hydration

Curious about packing food for canoe camping trips? Are you looking to transition from day paddles to overnight trips? Whether you are an experienced paddler looking to improve your nutrition or just curious about what canoe camping is all about, this article is for you!

Here at Backcountry Foodie, our main focus is food to fuel your hiking and backpacking trips. That said, the food for a paddling trip (canoe, kayak, or SUP) is not too different. The fact that you don’t have to carry everything on your back might even give you more flexibility in your meal planning. If you’re a foodie and have never been canoe camping, this post might convince you to try it!

What is Canoe Camping?

Canoe camping trips are multi-day trips where you paddle between campsites on lakes and rivers. All of the gear you need is carried in your boat. When lakes and rivers do not connect, you must portage (carry) your boat and all your gear on trails or roads.

What Should I Consider When Planning Food for a Canoe Camping Trip?

First, think about the length of your trip. This will determine how much food you need to pack and the types of food you can bring. For shorter trips, you may be able to bring some fresh food. For long trips, space, weight, and the shelf life and durability of your food will be more of a concern.

You should know the mileage of your route and your average paddling speed . From this, you can calculate the hours per day you will be paddling and portaging (if applicable). This is important because you burn significantly more calories when exercising than when sitting at camp or floating down the river.

Think about the weather as well. Being on open water means you will be more exposed to wind, which could make it harder to paddle. Shivering can burn up to 400 extra calories per hour if you get wet from rain or capsizing.

Finally, how will you store your food? Some people have canoe barrels or wanigans , which are food storage methods designed specifically for canoe tripping. You can also use a backpacking bear can or do a classic bear hang. As always, check the food storage regulations for the area you will be camping in.

How Much Food Should I Pack for a Canoe Camping Trip ?

Well, it depends.

Many factors affect how much food you must pack for a canoe trip. Like backpacking, the best way to dial in on the fuel your body needs is to keep a food journal with the following details:

• Conditions of the trip
• What you ate
• How you felt
• Any other details you think are relevant

You can then use this information to plan for future trips, ensuring that what you pack is personalized to your needs.

Here are some general guidelines to think about when deciding how much food to pack:

• You could burn anywhere from 200-700 calories per hour for every hour of paddling. This wide range depends on your weight, fitness level, speed, and water conditions.
• Long portages will have a larger impact on your calorie needs compared to easy paddling for the same amount of time.
• For low-intensity paddles, aim to eat 30-60 grams of carbs per hour. For more intense exercise, you should be eating 60-90 grams of carbs per hour. See our Best Backpacking Foods for Energy post for more information about carbohydrate serving sizes and snacks.

Are you also a day hiker or backpacker?

Here’s a great resource for determining calorie goals.

We created a one-of-a-kind hiking calorie calculator that takes all of the guesswork out of deciding how much food to pack for your adventures.

It’s a FREE resource, too!

Click on the link in the header bar or the button below.

What Food Should I Bring on a Canoe Camping Trip?

Choosing which foods to bring on your trip depends on personal preference and the details of your trip.

Short, Laid-back Trips

For short trips with few or no portages, many people opt to bring fresh foods similar to what they would eat at home. However, if you are planning to get into some serious backcountry cooking on your trip, we would not recommend bringing fresh meat, fish, eggs, or dairy products (with the exception of hard cheeses). These foods should not be kept unrefrigerated for more than 2 hours. Dry milk , powdered eggs , tuna or chicken packets, and jerky are good alternatives. Some foods also do not pack well (e.g., bananas), and the size of your food storage container (canoe barrel, bear bag) will determine how much you can pack.

Some fresh foods that keep well include:

• Potatoes, carrots, peppers, onions, cabbage
• Apples & oranges
• Sharp cheddar cheese

Leave No Trace

If you plan to bring fresh foods on your trip, make sure to pack out all food scraps to dispose of when you get home. It can take an orange peel up to 6 months to decompose! Also, make sure to wash your dishes away from water sources, even though it can be tempting to give them a rinse directly in the lake or river.

Longer, More Strenuous Trips

For multi-day trips and trips with long portages, we would recommend mostly dried foods. You’ll probably be trying to pack a lot of food in addition to all of your other gear. Backcountry Foodie has tons of great recipes that are low-volume, lightweight, and loaded with nutrition. These foods will last for even the longest trips.

Regardless of the length of your trip, make sure to pack plenty of snacks. Plan to eat every 30-90 minutes when you are actively exercising, depending on the intensity of your activity.

Don’t have time to prep DIY meals?

Not to worry! We offer a variety of Backcountry Foodie meals and meal replacement drink options in our shop . Here are just a few…

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Hydration while Paddling

Hydration is an important part of fueling for paddling. You are often very exposed to wind and sun and might not notice how much you are sweating if your sweat evaporates quickly.

The amount of water you should drink per hour varies depending on how heavy of a sweater you are. For light sweaters, 0.5-1 liter of water per hour is a good estimate, whereas heavy sweaters can lose up to 2 liters of water per hour.

You also need to eat foods with salt to stay hydrated. You can lose 100-4000 mg of sodium (salt) per hour, depending on how much you are sweating and how salty your sweat is.

Some salty snacks to consider packing include:

• Trail mix/salted nuts
• Dried hummus
• Triscuits or other crackers

As you might have noticed, canoe-tripping food is not too different from backpacking food. The best foods to pack vary depending on your trip and personal preferences.

Putting It Together

Keep in mind these factors the next time you are planning a canoe trip:.

• Length of your trip
• Miles you will travel each day
• Speed you plan to travel
• Food storage
• Personal needs and preferences
• Leave No Trace principles

Need Help Planning Food for Your Trip?

Backcountry Foodie is your go-to resource for more than 200 dietitian-created backpacking recipes and a one-of-a-kind automated meal planning tool. The meal planner even creates itemized shopping lists for you! Meal prep has never been easier.

Let us do all the heavy lifting for you !

Skip the hassle of resupplying during your hike . Let Aaron Be Your All-In-One Personal Chef, Shopper, Coordinator, And Dietitian!

DISCLOSURE: Some of the links on this page are affiliate links, which means we may receive a modest commission if purchases are made through those links. This adds no cost to our readers and helps us keep our site running. Our reputation is our most important asset, so we only include links for products we use ourselves.

Did you find this post helpful?

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Are you new to our blog?

Consider checking out these posts:.

• Best Backpacking Foods for Energy
• What to Eat & Drink After Hiking: Our 3 Favorite Tips
• Backpacking Nutrition: Fueling Further Using the Goldilocks Approach
• Our Favorite 100 Grocery Store Foods

ABOUT THE AUTHORS:

Sarah Coupal was a Dietetic Intern at Illinois State University mentored by Aaron when this post was originally written. She holds a BS in Nutritional Sciences from Cornell University and spent two summers as the Trails Food Coordinator for the Adirondack Mountain Club. She enjoys hiking/backpacking, canoeing, cross-country skiing, and running in her free time.

Aaron Owens Mayhew, MS, RDN, CD,  is a registered dietitian and ultralight long-distance backpacker with over 20 years of nutrition and backpacking experience. She’s also the founder and owner of  Backcountry Foodie , an online ultralight recipes and meal planning platform for backpackers. She also enjoys teaching hikers about backpacking nutrition via virtual masterclasses , YouTube videos , and podcast episodes . You can follow Aaron’s adventures in the kitchen and the backcountry via  Instagram  and  Facebook .

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Riverside meals that treat on multiday float trips

Whether you are a Smith River permit lottery winner or planning an overnight float trip on another scenic river this season, an important part of every memorable experience is the meals.

It takes some planning and pretrip prep work, but river shore meals can be much more hot dogs and campfire-cooked catch of the day.

Cherie and Tom Lyons are experienced multiday river floaters who take several trips each summer with family and friends on rivers in the West.

“We try to keep it simple, from a workload standpoint, but tasty,” Cherie Bowman-Lyons said.

For multiday floats trips, they do the prep work for the meat for a dinner meal ahead of time and freeze it. Food is layered in the cooler in order of when it will be used, with the last meat items on the bottom.

“For trips three days or more we use dried ice at the bottom,” Lyons said. “We’ve had Dilly Bars and ice cream sundaes three and four days into a trip kept frozen by the dry ice.”

Vegetables should be on top away from the ice.

“The morning of the meal before heading down the river, we move the meat for that dinner into a soft-sided cooler that contains our beverages for the day,” Lyons said. “That way the meat has an opportunity to thaw but also helps keep the beverages cold.”

Here are some riverside favorites from the Lyons’ float trips.

BORRIE’S SPAGHETTI AND RIGATONI FOR SIX

1 quart of Borrie’s spaghetti sauce

1 package rigatoni pasta

Place the sauce in a Ziploc freezer bag and then place that bag in a second Ziploc bag.

While rigatoni is cooking in boiling water, add the Ziploc bag as well, and the sauce will warm within the bag while the pasta cooks.

Cover a loaf of French bread with foil and warm by the edge of the fire pit. Add a garden salad, and you have an easy meal.

“I usually provide this meal on the first night of our annual North Fork Flathead float trip on the first night for 30-40 people,” Bowman-Lyons said.

CHICKEN WITH ALFREDO SAUCE AND ROTINI PASTA FOR SIX

1 package rotini pasta

1 tbsp olive oil

1 jar of Alfredo sauce (if we are doing a multiday float trip, we will transfer the sauce to a Ziploc container to reduce garbage that needs to be hauled out)

2 tsp Montreal Steak seasoning

Ahead of time, cut up 3 boneless, skinless chicken breasts into pieces and freeze. Move to top of cooler or transfer to soft-sided cooler to thaw throughout the day. Cook pasta per package direction. In skillet, heat oil and add chicken that has been seasoned with the Montreal Steak seasoning. When cooked, add pasta to chicken skillet and mix.

London Broil also makes a great meal with baked potatoes and corn on the cob.

“We usually prebake the potatoes partially prior to the trip so they don’t need much cooking the evening of the meal,” Bowman-Lyons said. “That reduces the potential for burned baked potatoes.”

Potatoes just need to be covered in foil and warmed in the fire pit for around 20 minutes along with corn covered in foil as well, checking periodically.

For the London Broil, add marinade (recipe follows) that morning to a two pound piece of top round beef in a Ziploc bag. Turn bag over periodically during the day. In the evening remove meat from bag and cook over the grill and slice.

Leftover potatoes can be shredded in morning for hashbrowns. Left over meat makes great sandwiches for the next day’s lunch.

LONDON BROIL MARINADE

3 / 4 cup canola oil

1 tbsp dry mustard

6 tbsp soy sauce

2 tbsp Worcestershire sauce

1 tsp dried parsley

1 / 3 cup lemon juice

1 tsp pepper

1 / 4 cup red wine vinegar

1 clove garlic crushed

A great twist on s’mores is to use peanut butter cups in place of Hershey chocolate bar.

“We call them s’mores on steroids,” Bowman-Lyons said.

Breakfast on a float trip for the Lyons family always includes banana pancakes, she said. They use Krusteaz pancake mix, since it only requires adding water. Portion out dry mix in a Ziploc bag ahead of time. Mash up one or two bananas and add to the pancake batter.

“Our friends Steve and Lois Spencer make eggs in a basket on the grill,” Bowman-Lyons said.

Use a small glass to cut out the center of slices of bread. Butter the bread, place on grill and add an egg in the center hole. Flip half way thru cooking.

“When we’re on the Blackfoot (River), if someone catches a fish in the morning well put it in foil with butter, lemon and a splash of Grand Marnier and set it on the grill low next to the fire to cook,” Bowman-Lyons said.

• The Ultimate Float Trip Checklist

Whether you’ve been on a thousand float trips or this is your first one, you are going to need all of these essentials during your day of debauchery. Trust us, we invented the Jellinator, clearly we’re the type of people who know our way around a float trip and we ALWAYS come prepared.

Float Trip Essentials:

• Pick your day , Saturday day trips in the summer are best. You must call and reserve your boats ahead of time with an outfitter. Canoes hold 2 people, rafts hold multiple, and kayaks typically hold 1, so plan your numbers accordingly. You don’t want anyone getting stuck floating alone. The outfitter will provide a place for you to park and then when you arrive they will bus you upstream. The advantage of being bused upstream is when you’re done floating and tired, you will end your journey at your car/campground.
• Choose your length. 8-10 mile floats are the best, even with a chill pit stop for lunch on one of the banks, you can usually get down the river in about 4-5 hours.
• Beer , and plenty of it. Basically decide how much beer you think you’ll need, and then double it. There aren’t gas stations along the river and no one wants to get a buzz on and run out of beer with 2 hours left of floating. Just make sure you buy cans because glass is prohibited on rivers. Kegs are also not allowed.
• Water. Everyone is so concerned about alcohol that most people forget to pack a case of water. Rookie mistake. Remember, you’re going to be in the hot sun for hours and alcohol is dehydrating. About half way through people start actually requesting water, and obviously drinking river water isn’t an option unless you want to risk the runs for the next few days.
• A cooler. Gotta keep dem beers cold. Most rivers require a cooler that securely fastens in case your boat tips, so no foam coolers.
• Bungee Cords. This is another necessity that people don’t realize they needed until it’s too late. You’re going to want bungee cords to fasten your cooler to your canoe or raft so if and when you tip, you don’t have to chase your cooler, and possibly everything in it, downstream.
• Food. We all know what happens when mama drinks on an empty stomach. Don’t let that be you! Pack your cooler with sandwiches, chips, trail mix or even grapes. Anything that can survive in a cooler for a couple hours is good.
• Koozies. Nobody likes hot beer!
• Sunscreen, and a hat. Even the deepest of skin tones usually can’t handle 5 straight hours of beating down sun, so lube up!
• A swimsuit, bug spray, a towel and extra change of clothes. These should be pretty self-explanatory.  Keep your towel and change of clothes in the car unless you have a heck of a…
• Dry bag! You’re inevitably going to have things with you that you don’t want to get wet such as cell phones so make sure you have a dry bag or plastic bags with you.
• Tight-fitting water shoes. Don’t even think about wearing flip flops. If you flip that boat of yours you can say buh-bye to those babies. Not to mention, they don’t protect your feet at all from sharp rocks or glass that could be on the river bottom.
• Jello Shots. Now if you’re the type of person who likes to make friends, then the absolute best way to do this on the river is to bring jello shots. If you’ve never yelled to another raft full of people, “Hey you guys want some jello shots??!” Then you can’t even imagine the response. You might as well have just asked them if they want a million dollars. Just make sure you purchase some biodegradable cups and lids because intoxicated people tend to throw these right in the river and we’re just tryin’ to have a good time, not harm Mother Nature. Oh and if you’re the lucky one who’s going to be making all these jello shots, then you need a Jellinator. Otherwise you’re going to be cussing your friends as it takes you hours to make all your shots. But don’t worry, we gotchu.
• Your dog. (optional) Most rivers allow obedient dogs, just call and make sure first. But don’t bring Fido if it’s going to be too hot and he doesn’t like to swim!
• Costumes. (optional) I’ve seen it all on the river. You can even organize a theme for your whole group!
• Disposable Water Proof Camera. (optional) We don’t recommend you bring a digital camera with you or using your phone for pictures even if you have a dry bag. Obviously Jessica or Evan is bound to do something hilarious and you’re going to want to capture the moment, but what happens when you open the dry bag, and Chris decides to flip your canoe? Cya later iPhone, totally not worth it. These cameras are only like $12 at Walgreens. Plus, it’s way more exciting to have the added suspense of not getting to see the pictures until next week.
• Waterproof portable speakers. (optional) Everyone is always jealous of those rafts that are bumpin’ beats.

Congratuations! You’re now officially ready to embark on your journey and enjoy one of America’s favorite pastimes! Just don’t forget to bring your common sense! You’re still on a river and there is risk for serious injury, so drink responsibly and keep your wits about you.

Tags: float trip float trip checklist float trip essentials float trips jello shooters jello shot jello shots what to bring on a float trip

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The only river trip packing list you’ll ever need [printable].

Be Prepared for the River

Escaping into the backcountry for a few days, or better yet a week, does more than give us a break. It gives us real, true quiet. It gives us fresh air and open spaces. It gives us a sense of the majesty of the natural world. But packing for your trip requires planning.

While there are many ways to escape into the outdoors, few are as thrilling, yet somber as the river trip. First, there’s the quiet time along the river, camp set up, food cooking on the stove, having a few brews with your friends and family. Then, there’s the serenity of floating on a glass-quiet piece of water taking in the absence of technology, traffic, and noise. Finally, there’s the rush of the rapids, the adrenaline of fast moving water, and nothing but a few oars to guide your way.

The river trip is an underestimated, yet highly rewarding experience. However the virgin voyage can be a bit overwhelming. What to pack, from how much food and water to bring, what gear and clothing to haul along, can be intimidating—and, of course, space is limited. Here, you’ll find a handy preparation list for your first float down the river. Of course, don’t forget the jerky —it holds up well over multi-day trips and it’s delicious! Check out a few of our jerky recipes for your trip and have fun.

River Trip Packing List, Self-Guided Trip

10 People, 7 Days, 2 Rafts, 2 Inflatable Kayaks or SUPs

• Sleeping bags
• Sleeping pads
• Camp chairs
• River permit (if required)
• Satellite phone (consider for safety if no service)
• Waterproof watch
• Daypack for hikes
• Umbrella or other shade
• Firepan (required for most trip)
• Wood (if fires are allowed)
• Otter box or Ammo can (waterproof) for phone/keys
• Toilet system (washable, leak-proof), TP, hand santizer
• PFD’s (Type I, III, or V)
• Rafts, frames, oars (bring one spare per raft), pump, repair kit
• Inflatable Kayaks or SUPs
• Throw ropes (one per raft)
• Carabineers

Toiletries & Hygiene

• Toiletry kit
• First Aid Kit
• UV-protectant lip balm
• Moisturizing face cream
• Toothpaste and brushes
• Handsoap/sanitizer
• Eyewash/eye drops

Kitchen / Food List

• 50 Gal water (based on .75 gal per person per day)
• Food (ideally prepared) for at least one more day than you need
• Snacks for on river (don’t forget the jerky)
• Water bottles
• Backpacking pots and pans, kettle, hot pads
• Cutting board
• 2 burner stove + 1 small stove
• Fuel for stoves
• Charcoal for firepan
• Stove-top coffee maker
• Dishwashing tubs and washing supplies (soap and bleach)
• Strainer for dish water
• Dish drying rack (mesh ideal)
• Spices and oil / butter
• Backpacking bowls, plates, silverware
• Sealable containers for leftovers + ziplocs
• Dish towels
• Sealable trash system / trash bags

Clothing List

• Sun / baseball hats
• Rain jackets
• Hoodies/light down jackets/fleeces
• Pants (1 pair each)
• Water shoes
• Hiking shoes
• Long sleeve shirt
• Short sleeve shirt with collar
• 1 Pair of socks

Print This List

Have fun out there and always be prepared. Packing and planning for your river trip will ensure you have the best time possible. Be sure to research the area and the weather before heading out.

This helped a lot. l thought l had everything packed but l was wrong.

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Canoe Trip Food: What Are Your Options?

8-minute read

By Sharon Brodin

A multi-day canoe trip is a unique wilderness experience that, like backpacking, means you pack your food wherever you go. Let’s look at your options for canoe trip food so you can make the best choices for your group and situation.

When it comes to canoe camping meals there’s no right or wrong. Some people want light and easy meals. Others want gourmet. Some love camp cooking, others just want to have a full belly. What you decide will depend on quite a few factors including whether you're planning long trips or shorter trips.

There are three basic options when it comes to meals for your wilderness canoe trip: “real” food (non-dehydrated), pre-packaged dehydrated meals marketed to backpackers, and DIY dehydrated meals.

There are pros and cons to each of these:

Bring “Real” Food

PROS: Tastes great • healthy • budget-friendly

CONS: Heavy • Takes up more room in the pack • somewhat labor intensive to plan and prepare both before and during the trip

BEST FOR: Trips with little to no portaging • short trips • strong portagers • fresh food lovers

Back in the 80s when I was a camp counselor in northern Minnesota, we brought teens on 5-10 day canoe trips in the Boundary Waters. In those days—at least at low-budget small ministries like ours—expensive pre-packaged backpacking food wasn’t an option (I’m not sure it was even on the market at the time).

We brought “real” food along on these trips. We had a food pack it all fit in, including the cook kit. It was our heaviest pack at the start of each trip and of course would lighten up after every meal.

When our family (my husband and I, plus our three teens) joined another family (with a husband, wife and their teen) for a 5-day trip a few years ago, we also brought mostly “real” food. We weren’t too worried about the weight because we had four healthy teenagers to help with the portaging!

We even packed in our griddle so we could have pancakes one morning:

The way our boys could eat, it would’ve cost us a fortune to buy pre-packaged backpacking meals. Each one of them could’ve eaten an entire 4-serving meal alone!

More examples of real food that works well in the right packaging are instant oatmeal, pita bread, ground beef (cooked ahead of time and frozen) and rice cakes.

Buy Pre-Packaged Dehydrated Food

PROS: Lightweight • easiest way to prepare on the trail with little time needed for food preparation

CONS: Expensive • sometimes sketchy flavor

BEST FOR: Extended trips • lots of portages and/or long portages • solo or small groups

Your easiest meal planning option for both packing and preparing is to buy pre-packaged dehydrated meals. There are many brands out there that make and sell these, including small family businesses. Many carry gluten-free and vegan options.

If you’re short on prep time and have the budget to spend more on each meal, this is your best option. It’s very lightweight, it’s easy to plan, and easy to prepare on the trail.

Taste varies, even among different meal options with the same brand. Although when you’re in the wilderness and have been paddling and portaging all day, most of us aren’t too picky about our food anymore. Everything tastes good!

One thing I noticed that some of you will want to be aware of: these meals meant for backpacking tend to be loaded with saturated fat, carbs and calories. I suppose they're designed for through-hikers and others burning a lot of calories every day. That may be true for you on an extending paddling trip…but personally, the last thing I want to do on a canoe trip is gain weight!

Make Your Own Dehydrated Food

PROS: Budget-friendly • lightweight • custom meals • easy to prepare on the trail

CONS: Time and labor-intensive to prepare before the trip

BEST FOR: Foodies • those with time beforehand • extended trips and/or lots of portages

Finally, if you have the time and desire, you can make your own dehydrated meals before your trip.

My brother-in-law, Thaddeus, loves dehydrating his own canoe trip food. He’s done it for a few canoe trips now, so I asked him for his best tips:

“The site that got me going on making my own is TheYummyLife.com , although Fiesta Rice was one we had to choke down—whew, a little over-spiced! Then I ordered the book The Backpacking Chef and riffed off the two of them from there. “ Chef has good ideas for sauces and soups that can provide a base for other things. You can make sauces, like spaghetti sauce and soup base, and dehydrate it into “leather” for light, easy packing. When you’re in camp, just add it back into the pot of whatever you’re making. It opens up a whole world of flavor with camp food!"

Thaddeus and his nephew have done trips as long as nine days and have been able to fit most of their meals into a 10-liter dry bag.

 You can get away with ordering freeze-dried mixed veggies, and then find the other ingredients at your local grocery store. But you won’t save much money that way. To really get into it (especially for sauce leather, scrambled eggs, etc.) you’ll want your own dehydrator.

A side note: If you’re going to make it, make it in batches. The shelf life of dehydrated food is incredible, so make a whole season’s worth at a time…or even a couple year’s worth at a time. Stored properly, it’ll last.

What About Beverages?

One of the handy things about canoe tripping is you'll never run out of water sources. Instant coffee, tea, hot chocolate and Tang are all good options for beverages on-trail. Anything instant is easiest since all you need is hot or cold water.

Back in my flavored cream days, I tried this interesting little item (on the left):

 It was pretty nasty—both the gooey texture and the taste. I don’t recommend it!

When you’re used to fresh-ground coffee, the instant isn’t fantastic—even Starbucks. But it’ll do if it’s easy you’re after. Some of it comes premixed with powdered milk if you like cream in your coffee like I do. If you’re determined to have fresh coffee that's certainly possible as long as you don’t mind packing a little more. 

Incidentally, you can drink Tang cold or hot. Back in camp days, we brought a mixture we called Russian tea, with instant tea and Tang, plus cinnamon and cloves. (The recipes I looked up all call for sugar, too, but Tang is sweet enough for me.)

Easy-to-Pack Snacks and Lunches

Individually-wrapped protein and granola bars, dried fruit, nuts, trail mix, peanut butter on tortillas or Rye Crisp, summer sausage, beef jerky. All are easy, economical and packable. Don’t forget a utensil to spread and cut.

Foods like fresh fruit, cream cheese and fresh vegetables are options, but best used early in the trip. That way your pack weight goes down quickly and nothing has a chance to spoil. 

On one recent trip, the person providing lunch on Day 1 brought frozen homemade brownies. They were unthawed by the time we stopped for lunch without getting crushed along the way. They also helped keep the lunchmeat cold in the meantime…and they were responsible for huge smiles on our faces!

More Thoughts & Tips on Canoe Trip Food

TIP #1: Plan a combo of real food and pre-packaged. Grocery store brands like Bear Creek offer dry soup and rice mixes with everything but the meat. Pack along real protein and you have a hearty meal for half the price of the backpacking meals.

Or bring some backpacking meals and some DIY, along with some real food. It doesn’t have to be all-or-nothing.

TIP #2: Organize by day and meal: Put all the menu items for each meal in separate ziplock bags and label them—Breakfast Day #1, Lunch Day #2, etc. Load the food pack starting with the last day’s bags at the bottom.

This is an especially great system if you bring perishables like frozen pre-cooked hamburger that you want to eat early in your trip. Use the empty Zip-locks to store all your trash.

TIP #3: One of the tricky parts of planning is to decide the amount of food to bring. You don’t want too much because there’s no way to deal with leftovers. You don’t want too little because you’re working hard out there, will build up hearty appetites and need the calories.

You need to know each person in your group and guess how much food they’ll eat. Teen boys will eat a lot more food than older women like me. The foods listed above under the snack section don’t take up much room and can supplement hungry people who didn’t get enough for dinner.

TIP #4: If time is gold for you and money is no object, work with an outfitter near your entry point to provide the trip food for you. They’ll plan, prepare and pack it in a food pack or canister(s) along with a cook kit. All you have to do is pick it up. Super easy and convenient. Many outfitters offer this kind of a la carte option even if you have all your own gear.

TIP #5: Be sure you know any regulations about the area you’re traveling in. For example, you’re not allowed to bring metal or glass containers into the Boundary Waters, which means no canned food.

TIP #6: Don’t forget extras  like spices, olive oil, maple syrup   and other you may want. How will you package them so liquids won't escape?

TIP #7: If you’re in bear country you’ll need a tree big enough to handle the weight of your food pack when you string it up for the night. Think about this when you choose your campsite. And don’t forget rope! A pulley system works really well for heavy packs, especially.

Of course, you can also use bear canisters instead of a traditional canoe pack. I’ve heard varying opinions on whether they’re actually bear-proof (it might depend on the bear!).

TIP #8: Do you plan to harvest some of your trip food—like ripe berries and fish? That’s awesome. Of course, berries depend on the season and you may want to have a back-up plan if the fishing isn’t great.

TIP #9: Will you cook over a campfire or camp stove? That’s a whole other topic, but to be succinct: For a large group, you can cook more food over a campfire at one time, assuming you'll be able to collect (dry) firewood. For a small group and for faster cooking, a camp stove is easier.

I hope this helps you plan your food for your next—maybe even first—canoe camping trip!

Do you have more questions about canoe paddles? Get in touch with our friendly Customer Service team today: 715-755-3405 • [email protected]

More for you…

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• Dehydrate Your Own Canoe Trip Food

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Hannah Willett

travel + lifestyle

Float Trip Essentials: The Ultimate Packing List

Nothing says summertime like a river rafting trip with your favorite people. From single-day floats to multi-day river trips, enjoying the sunny weather in the great outdoors is sure to be a great idea.

To ensure your whole group has an enjoyable day (or days), planning your river float trip in advance with a comprehensive packing list is a good idea. No one wants to be stranded in the middle of the river on a summer day without the sunscreen they forgot to pack!

In this post, you’ll find all of my recommended float trip essentials as well as tips and ideas for planning the ultimate river getaway.

Download my FREE printable, the ultimate float trip checklist, and make sure you are more than prepared for your upcoming adventure!

Tip: Planning for a large group can be difficult. Download and share this checklist via Google Drive or Apple Notes with everyone in your group so multiple people can check off their contributions and ensure nothing is missed!

What Kind of Float Trip Should I Plan?

From canoe trips on the Mississippi to white water rafting down the Colorado River, there are many float trips to choose from.

Typically, if you float on a river with relatively calm water, you’ll have a few standard float types to pick from. You could choose a canoe, kayak, inner tube, or large raft (usually made to hold between 4 and 12 people). If you are floating with children or pets, I highly recommend choosing a large raft. Another great option is a canoe.

Tip: If you have a large group, I suggest renting a couple of the larger rafts to keep your items (and the majority of your party) together and then bringing your own inner tube or inflatable raft.

Here are a few great options:

If you like to plan your own outdoor adventures, you may choose to forgo an organized float through a company and bring your own supplies!

To my surprise, I found quite a few great raft options available on Amazon. This may be a good alternative to renting if you plan to go on multiple float trips.

Tip: Bring bungee cords to tie everything together if you have multiple floatation devices! These are also great for attaching your floating cooler to a raft.

What Time of Year Should I Float?

Hot days in the summertime are obviously ideal for a float trip. Enjoy sunning yourself on the raft or cooling off with a dip in the river water. However, float trips are also popular in the spring and fall months.

The changing colors of the fall leaves and cool waters provide quite a different floating experience than your traditional summer adventure. Swap the beer for warm tea or hot chocolate, and bring a few blankets to enjoy a cool day on the river. Just make sure you bring proper gear to make sure you are prepared for the season!

Cold weather essential items you may want to consider packing:

• Outer layers such as a warm jacket or coat
• Change of clothes (in case you get wet and cold)
• Long underwear (depending on the weather; it can get chilly on the water!)
• Light rain jacket (check the forecast before heading out, especially if it is the rainy season)
• Warm hat or beanie
• Rain gear, such as an umbrella or plastic cover for your personal items
• Wool socks (I recommend bringing an extra pair, too, in case they get wet)
• Rubber boots (keep your feet warm and dry!)

Be Sure to Pack These Float Trip Essentials:

Your specific packing list will obviously depend on the time of year and location where you float, but these basics will likely end up on most lists (especially for summer floats).

And remember… pack light and leave unnecessary items at home! Nobody wants to lug around a bunch of things that won’t be needed, especially on a hot summer day.

Inflatable raft or inner tube

Perfect for attaching to larger rafts if you are floating with a big group. Scroll to the top of this post for a few great options from Amazon!

Sun protection

Leave the designer ones at home and snag a cheap pair from Amazon.

Refillable water bottle

This insulated water bottle from Amazon will keep your water cold all day and is only $17!

Water shoes

Bungee cords

A must for tying rafts together or attaching your floating cooler!

Life jacket

I highly recommend snagging a life jacket for your pup if you plan to bring them along!

Insect Repellent

Very helpful (and time-saving!) if you are bringing lots of inflatables.

Waterproof phone case

Personally, I’d leave my phone at the campground or in the car. But if you must bring it for music-playing or photo-taking, make sure you protect it!

Baseball caps or wide-brimmed hats are perfect for keeping the sun off your face.

Beach towels

Cooler/ floating cooler.

Bathing suit

Waterproof speaker.

Emphasis on the waterproof. I made this mistake, and not only was my speaker ruined, but we had no music for the rest of the float.

Where Should I Plan My Float Trip?

Float-trip river resorts are scattered across the country, so finding a great location in your state should be easy.

If you live in the mid-west, Missouri is known for being an excellent summertime floating destination. For recommendations and a list of the most scenic rivers, check out my post about the best float trips in Missouri!

If you like to travel and are looking to plan the ultimate summer float trip, check out this Thrillist article that highlights some of the best floating rivers in the United States.

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Float Trip Essentials: 29 Can’t Forget Items

There are few summer activities better than floating down a fresh body of water in beautiful sunshine. Like most outdoor adventures, a little planning and preparation will unlock a relaxing and enjoyable day on the water.

We prepared this float trip checklist that covers gear, safety, clothing, and provisions.

What to Bring on a Float Trip

Float trip gear, float trip safety, float trip clothing.

14. Swim Suit 15. Cover Up 16. Rash Guard 17. Floating Sunglasses 18. Hat 19. Water Shoes (River Sandals or Neoprene Booties) 20. Dry Clothes

Float Trip Provisions

Float trip extras, what not to bring on a float trip.

Download a printable float trip packing list here.

Float Trip Pro Tips

• Keep it light. You don’t want to be weighed down with unnecessary gear.
• Sun protection is critical. Make sure to protect yourself from the sun.
• Drink plenty of water. If partaking in adult beverages, drink responsibly.
• Do your part. Clear your letter, pack out what you pack in, and clean up after yourself. Keep the river water clean and clear.

About The Author

Brian bianchetti.

His passion lives at the intersection of food, travel, cooking, and drinks. On the weekends, you'll find him at the driving range, newest pizza restaurant, or hosting a dinner party for family and friends with his queen.

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The Hungry Floater's Guide To Snacking On The Water

Keeping snacks dry while canoeing or kayaking is easier than you might think..

I have a rare condition known as River Rat Syndrome. It typically flares up in late June, causing my toes to prune, my hair to sweep itself into a tangled ponytail, and my feet to slide into the Chaco sandals I purchased from the Bass Pro kids' section in 2014. During a River Rat episode, I have 24 hours to get myself to a river and into a kayak or I could die. It's very serious.

Floating is my favorite way to spend a hot summer day, but I know that snacking on the water can be a pain if you're not prepared. Sandwiches can get soggy, hands can get sticky, and blood sugar levels can drop, turning a perfectly lovely float into a buoyant hellscape. Fortunately, I've perfected the art of yakkin' and snackin'. Here are my tips, gleaned from years of falling out of small watercraft.

Sliced bread is your enemy

Ah, a classic turkey sandwich! An excellent river lunch, right? Wrong!

Real river rats know that sliced sandwich bread can shift mid-float, destroying your carefully arranged sandwich structure and causing a huge mess. By the time you reach into your Ziploc bag and attempt to eat the thing, you've got meat falling out of every side, hot mustard gushing onto your straw cowboy hat, and crumbs trickling down your bikini top. It's a disaster.

Trust me here: skip the sliced bread and go with a wrap or pita sandwich during your float. A wrap can do everything sliced bread can do, but it creates a more stable sandwich experience, ensuring your sandwich fixings stay put, even as you rock the proverbial boat. You can also eat a wrap one-handed, which means you can use your other hand to slather on some sunscreen or pick your wet shorts out of your butt. For the perfect float trip wrap, I recommend opting for peanut butter and jelly or hummus and veggies. Sliced deli meats might not look so good after you've been on the river for eight hours.

Embrace nature’s Ziploc bag

Leave no trace. It's a key principle for outdoor adventurers everywhere, and it's especially important when you're visiting a vulnerable waterway.

Opting for fruits and veggies is a great way to cut down on float trip garbage; plus, if your refuse accidentally goes overboard, natural materials like banana peels are totally biodegradable. If you're packing fruit, skip sticky, hard-to-peel options like oranges. I tend to go for apples and bananas. (I'm especially fond of the latter because they comes with their own packaging. Nature's Ziploc bag, if you will.) You can also load up on protein-rich hard-boiled eggs, which can be left in the shell for extra protection until you're ready to dig in. I say this without a hint of sarcasm: slurping down a few eggs on a scenic waterway is very satisfying.

Keep your energy up

Attempting to complete a six-hour float with nothing but PBR and Fritos? That's a marriage ruiner, folks. Even on an easy river, paddling can torch a lot of calories. Keep your spirits high by fueling yourself with a mix of proteins, carbs, and fat every two to three hours. I do this by dividing my float lunch (usually a wrap, a piece of fruit, some nuts, and an individually-packaged piece of candy like an Airhead) into two. Eat one half a few hours into your float, save the other half for later, and bring more snacks than you think you'll need.

Know your cooler’s limits

Overfilling your cooler is a recipe for a bad time. Too much ice, a surplus of beers, or an uneven fill can weigh down your canoe or kayak and contribute to tipping—and a canoe tip can send your beloved brews sailing downriver, along with your sunscreen, wallet, and dignity. For best results, stick with a small, soft-sided cooler and no more than two to three beers per person. (This will ensure relative sobriety, which is a plus if you're operating a river vessel of any size.) Soft-sided coolers also usually come with a strap, which you can anchor to your boat or your person to protect the goods.

A tip on river boozing: avoid beer bottles of any kind, even if they're twist-offs. Twist-offs are gonna be a lot harder to open with wet hands, and glass bottles can pose a safety hazard. Stick to cans.

Skip the stickies and sours

I love eating candy on the river, but chocolate melts and sours make a mess of your hands. I recommend avoiding goodies with annoying textures. Instead, opt for individually packaged treats like gummies or Laffy Taffy. Individual bags of Fruit Gushers also reign supreme—just make sure you pack them at the top of your bag to avoid smushing.

Beware the Wet Chip Paradox

Time and time again, I've fallen victim to something I call the Wet Chip Paradox. You want a handful of delicious chips, so you stick your wet hand in the bag—only to dampen the rest of the chips, creating a mushy mess for the rest of your trip. Learn from my mistakes: opt for individual snack bags or, better yet, heartier snacks like nuts or granola bars that can hold up to a little river water. That can of Pringles is going to get wet, but that individual bag of Cool Ranch Doritos will be the envy of the river. Just be sure to bring a waterproof container for your garbage to ensure you don't leave any trash behind. (See next slide for more info.)

When in doubt, stick it in a bucket

Biodegradable snacks like bananas are great on the river, but you're going to want to seal everything else in Ziploc bags (and maybe even double-bag if you're worried about rough water). But where do the Ziploc bags go? If you're a frequent floater, I recommend a dry bag with buckles at the top . You can grab these at any outdoor retailer, and they're a great all-purpose destination for your snacks, phone, camera, and keys. But if you're just going out once or twice this summer, you can opt for a cheap three or five-gallon bucket, readily available from your local pizza parlor or bakery. Give it a good rinse before you load it up, and use it as a storage bucket and trash receptacle on your trip. Plus, it floats.

Recommended

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• MO Float Trip Rules & Laws: A Guide
• What to Bring
• Missouri Float Trips by River
• Missouri Float Trips by Area
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Easy Drinks to Make on a Float Trip

For those floaters that like to have a cocktail hour while on a float trip there are many options to choose from. Any type of juice that is in a single serving bottle is a great base as a mixer for alcohol. For those that like gin, rum or vodka in their cocktails, just pick your favorite type of juice or juice cocktail as the mixer. Before adding your favorite type of alcohol all one has to do is drink about and ounce or two of the juice first or the alcohol will not fit in the bottle. Once that is accomplished pour in your preferred alcohol, put the top on the bottle and shake. Instant cocktail without the need of a bartender and the best part, you do not have to leave a tip.

One way to have a stocked bar on a float trip is to take along the small bottle bottles or also known as “airline bottles”. These individual bottles of alcohol come in a vast variety of spirits and usually hold an ounce to two ounces of alcohol. Airline bottles can usually be found at the local liquor store and are generally inexpensive in price. These handy little bottles offer all in the raft or canoe a choice in cocktails.

Making great tasting drinks on a float trip is easy. With a little imagination one make everyone on the float trip his or her favorite drink. Remember when consuming alcohol on the river to drink responsibly . Following this basic rule can prevent many accidents on the river and ensure that everyone has a great time.

Author:  Will Hanke

Will Hanke is a float trip fanatic and an Amazon bestselling author. He owns Red Canoe Media , an Internet marketing agency south of St. Louis. When he's not geeking out, he's probably on the river in, yes, a red canoe.

Related Posts

When mixing drinks on the river, you need to make sure to buy PLASTIC bottles. Absolutely no glass allowed on the river!

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Missouri float trip guide: 5 routes to consider, how to choose the right vessel

T here's no outdoor summer activity that is "more Missouri" than a float trip. It's all about connecting with nature and having a good time on the water, whether you choose to float by yourself or with friends.

If you're a float trip newbie or just looking to find a new floating route, 5 On Your Side has created this float trip guide to help you out this summer. Here's everything you need to know before hitting the waterways.

Choosing your vessel

When it comes to float trips, the vessel you choose can have a big impact on your trip.

Canoes are best for those floating who would prefer to float in small groups of two to three people. They require paddling and some balance, as they can tip easily in the right conditions.

Rafts  are made for larger groups. Some rental places offer rafts capable of holding up to 10 people at a time. Rafts require paddling and travel a little slower than canoes or kayaks but are hard to flip over.

Kayaks are ideal for solo floaters. They’re good for any skill level because they’re harder to tip than a canoe. They travel faster downstream than rafts, but they still require paddling.

Tubes  are best for those wanting a very leisurely float. They’re made to carry one person, but you can still float alongside a group. They require no paddling and travel slower on the water than other vessels.

Jon boats  are lightweight, flat-bottomed boats ideal for fishing on Missouri's calmer waters. They’re made for small groups of people, and their weight capacity varies by size. Some rental places will require you to bring your own motor.

Water safety

While float trips are a fun outdoor activity, it's not all fun and games on the water. There are certain laws and guidelines in place in Missouri to protect floaters and the state’s waterways, according to the Missouri State Highway Patrol.

• Tie all your gear into the boat, and leave anything you don’t want to lose in the water behind at home or locked away in your car.
• Never tie boats together.
• Life jackets are required in Missouri, and most boat rentals will include them.
• No glass beverage containers are allowed on Missouri’s waterways. All coolers or containers for food and beverages must be sealed to prevent spills, and any glass containers for food must be safely secured to prevent them from breaking or falling overboard.
• No littering. Floaters must keep their trash and dispose of it in designated locations.
• If alcohol is part of your trip, drink responsibly. Anyone who is visibly intoxicated or has a blood alcohol content of more than .02% could be charged with a misdemeanor. Additionally, no person can possess more than four gallons of alcohol on Missouri’s rivers.
• No trespassing. Be conscious of private and state-owned properties along the river and follow posted signage.

Other float trip tips to keep in mind:

• Protect yourself during those hours in the sun with sunscreen, a hat and sunglasses.
• Wear water shoes to protect your feet in the event your canoe, kayak, raft or tube capsizes.
• If you choose to bring your phone or other items on board that can get water damage, use a waterproof bag or container to keep them safe.
• Research your floating route ahead of time. This will make your trip much easier to navigate.
• Ahead of your trip, share your float plan, including the number of people with you, your ending destination and the timeline of your trip, with a trusted person in case of an emergency since you might not have phone service on the water.

5 summer float trips

Gasconade river (easy/novice):.

Despite being referred to as one of the world’s most crooked rivers, the Gasconade River is considered a family-safe float stream. It’s a route that is rated easy and only seldom novice in difficulty, according to the Missouri Canoe & Floaters Association . It’s the largest river completely within Missouri state boundaries, and it winds nearly 300 miles through Wright, Laclede, Pulaski, Phelps, Maries, Osage and Gasconade counties. Because there isn’t heavy congestion on the water, you can float on the Gasconade River for miles without seeing another boat.

Gasconade River rentals:

• BSC Outdoors – Offers canoe, raft, kayak, tube and Jon boat rentals for 3- to 14-mile floats.
• Froggy’s River Resort – Offers canoe, raft, kayak and tube rentals for 4- to 32-mile trips.
• Gasconade Hills Resort – Offers canoe, raft, kayak and paddle board rentals for 4- to 20-mile floats.
• Route 66 Canoe Rental, LLC – Offers canoe, raft, kayak, tube and Jon boat rentals.
• Ruby’s Landing – Offers canoe, raft, kayak and tube rentals for a scenic 5-mile float. Return in the fall to enjoy the Haunted River Float .

Bourbeuse River (easy):

The Bourbeuse River, which translates to “muddy” in French, is a small, slow and crooked river that winds for nearly 100 miles within Franklin County, according to the Missouri Canoe & Floaters Association . The route is rated easy in difficulty.

Bourbeuse River rentals:

• Devil’s Back Floats – Offers canoe, kayak and Jon boat rentals for a float that takes about 5 hours in total. The trip has several gravel bars to stop at along the way for swimming or eating.

Meramec River (easy/novice):

One of the longest free-flowing waterways in Missouri, the Meramec River winds 229 miles through Dent, Phelps, Crawford, Franklin, Jefferson and St. Louis counties before emptying into the Mississippi River in Arnold and Oakville, according to the Missouri Canoe & Floaters Association . It’s a route that features diverse aquatic life and is rated easy and only seldom novice in difficulty.

While you're there, visit Meramec State Park to venture through more than 13 miles of hiking trails, explore Fisher Cave with handheld lights and stay overnight at the modern campgrounds. Escape the summer heat with a guided tour of Missouri's largest commercial cave, Meramec Caverns , which is 60 degrees all year round.

Meramec River rentals:

• Bass River Resort – Offers canoe, raft and kayak rentals for 6- to 13-mile floats.
• Blue Springs Ranch Resort – Offers canoe, raft, kayak and tube rentals for 5- and 10-mile floats. You can also choose to partake in a 1-mile lazy river float.
• Huzzah Valley Resort – Offers canoe, raft, kayak and tube rentals for 4- to 20-mile floats.
• Ozark Outdoors Riverfront Resort – Offers canoe, raft, kayak and tube rentals, with floats ranging from an hour on the Tube Loop to an all-day adventure on a raft depending on how many stops you make.

RELATED:  Get the full floating experience in Bourbon, Missouri

Courtois and Huzzah creeks (novice):

Pronounced by locals as “court-away” and “who-za,” the Courtois and Huzzah creeks stretch through Washington and Crawford counties and are popular year-round spots for floating, according to the Missouri Canoe & Floaters Association . Courtois winds 38.6 miles before flowing into Huzzah ahead of the latter’s confluence with the Meramec River. The float is considered novice in difficulty due to its sharp turns, obstructions and narrow channels.

Courtois and Huzzah creeks rentals:

Niangua River (easy/novice):

The 125-mile-long Niangua River is a popular floating spot in the summer due to its cold, spring-fed waters and is considered one of the best fishing streams in the state, according to Ozark Floating . The river flows through Dallas, Laclede and Camden counties and passes through Bennett Spring, Lake Niangua and Ha Ha Tonka state parks. It’s a route that is rated easy and novice in difficulty due to low water levels in some places, according to the Missouri Canoe & Floaters Association .

Niangua River rentals:

• Living Waters Canoe Ministry – Offers canoe and kayak rentals for families of all sizes. Camp overnight in the facility’s above-ground eagle’s nests and tree huts, on the ground in a scenic tipi overlooking the Niangua or just in an old-fashioned tent.
• Maggard Canoe Rental & Corkery Campground – Offers canoe, raft, kayak and tube rentals for trips ranging from 1.5 miles to 9 miles.
• Niangua River Oasis (NRO) – Offers canoe, raft, kayak and tube rentals for trips ranging from 4 miles to 14 miles long. Each canoe, kayak or raft rental comes with two free nights of primitive camping.
• Riverfront Campground & Canoe – Offers canoe, kayak, raft and tube rentals for floats ranging from two hours to two days. You can also book a guided float trip , with options including an overnight float with picnic-style meals and camping under the stars!
• Sand Spring Resort – Offers canoe and raft rentals.

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Celebrate Juneteenth at these Maine events

The holiday is Wednesday, but events start this weekend and run through the end of the month.

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Westbrook Middle School students Bella Zollarcoffer, Priscila Nzolameso and Sarikong Oak held tables educating and informing the community on Black hair history at Westbrook’s Juneteenth celebration last year. Cullen McIntyre/Staff Photographer

Juneteenth, which became both a federal and state holiday in 2021 , celebrates the anniversary of federal troops’ arrival in Galveston, Texas, on June 19, 1865, to ensure all enslaved people had been freed. This year, the holiday falls on Wednesday, but celebrations are happening over the next two weeks.

10 a.m. to 5 p.m. –  Indigo Arts Alliance presents The Welcome Table, an intergenerational symposium celebrating global cultural and culinary histories. Activities include art, movement and meditation workshops led by activists and cultural workers. 60 Cove St., Portland.  indigoartsalliance.me

10 a.m. to 4 p.m. –  Victoria Mansion is hosting a community day with free admission and a recitation of the Emancipation Proclamation by local actors. 109 Danforth St. Portland.  victoriamansion.org

10 a.m. to 4 p.m. –  Space and the Tate House Museum are putting on a Juneteenth community day with free admission and tours of Ashley Page’s “Imagining Freedom” exhibit at the museum. The historical art piece puts viewers into the shoes of an enslaved woman named Bet. 1267 Westbrook St., Portland.  space538.org Advertisement

1-6:30 p.m. –  The first event of “The City that Carries Us: Pain, Streets, and Heartbeats” will take place at the Public Theatre in Lewiston. The celebration will have a parade and a block party with performances, as well as scheduled activities and rituals throughout the day. It is hosted by the organization Maine Inside Out. 31 Maple St., Lewiston, maineinsideout.org

2-3 p.m. –  Through “Poems of Reckoning and Resilience,” the Portland Museum of Art and Maine Writers and Publishers Alliance seek to honor the legacy of Black Americans. Featured poet Nathan McClain will join local poets in the Great Hall at the museum to celebrate Black liberation and creativity. The museum is also offering free admission Saturday through Monday, in celebration of both Juneteenth and Pride Month. 7 Congress Square, Portland.  mainewriters.org

11:30 a.m. to 7:30 p.m. –  The fifth annual Juneteenth Celebration on House Island in Casco Bay will focus on Black joy, as well as nature, health and economic opportunity. Guests can stay for one or two days, and partake in activities like camping, hiking, yoga and games, all led by BIPOC leaders. Fortland, House Island, Portland.  eventbrite.com

4:30-7 p.m. –  The Community Organizing Alliance is putting on an event with speakers, live performances, poetry readings, a voter registration drive and catering by Bab’s Table. There will also be opportunities to get involved in the racial justice movement. The Atrium at Bates Mill, 36 Chestnut St., Lewiston.  eventbrite.com

1-3 p.m. –  Riverbank Park in Westbrook will host a community event with art, poetry, music and guest speakers. There will also be a barbecue picnic, a student fashion show, hair braiding, pick-up soccer and more activities sponsored by the city. 667 Main St., Westbrook.  On Facebook.

7-8 p.m. –  The Portland Yoga Project is putting on a class called “Liberated Breath: A Juneteenth Yoga Experience” that seeks to reflect on the holiday through yoga. The class is free for BIPOC community members and is sponsored by the Portland Public Library. 7 Bedford St., Portland, allevents.in

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