One of the joys of camping is being able to eat al fresco. There are items you can have that will make picnicking around the campsite and on the trail more comfortable and more enjoyable, without taking up too much storage space.

The Campsite

It’s pretty safe to say that all campground, park, and resort sites come with a picnic table for outdoor dining. If you have a larger family, you may even have a portable picnic table on your packing list.

  • Picnic bench pads: Add some cushion and color with picnic bench pads, which easily cover worn-out benches. You can find them in practically any color and in some fun patterns. Some are elastic while others are Velcro straps.
  • Food protecting tent: Bugs in the salad? Not today! Collapsible little tents serve as protective nets for your main dishes. These are great as you’re getting the table ready, as well as during socializing with the neighbors when food is going to be left out. You can find bundles of small tents to cover individual dishes, or larger ones that can cover practically the entire table all at once.
  • Tablecloth weights: Keep the tablecloth down and safe from being blown away by weighing down the corners. There are some that clip on the ends and hang to offer some weight (check out these vintage RV weights from Camping World) as well as spring loaded clamps that fit snuggly to the picnic table.
  • Screen room: Add living space to your RV quickly and affordably. First, add a front awning, if you don’t already have one on your RV. Then, add a screen room, netting that wraps around the edges of the awning. Instead of a screen, you can purchase a fabric piece. Some of them include windows. This space becomes a favorite for the family as you can play games and eat meals without worrying about pests or the hot summer sun.
  • Paper plate holders: Add some bulk to flimsy paper plates by using a wicker or plastic paper plate holder. They can be used time and time again, and they come in classic red, neon, and more. Just peel off the paper plate when you’re done and throw it away. Easy cleanup!

The Trail

When it comes to eating on the trail, you already know you need to pack less and pack things that don’t need to be kept chilled. Choose foods like crackers, raw vegetables, chips, and grapes. If you bring a sandwich, heat or chill it before you leave and then wrap it in aluminum foil. Whether you’re packing a picnic to eat at a pavilion in one of Michigan’s beaches or parks, or eating somewhere along a trail, you’ll want to think about having these items to make transportation and storage easier.

  • Food storage: Containers better protect your food from getting smashed than plastic baggies. Each member of the family can have their own compartmentalized container, such as this one from Green Vege on Amazon. They’re stackable and the compartments allow everyone to choose their own menu. There are all sorts of kits on the market. However, they do take up more space. You can find picnic pouches, or resealable sandwich bags to keep sandwiches hot or cold during your outing prior to sitting down to lunch.
  • Silverware: You have your pick of options here. First of all, unless you’re near a trash can, don’t bring plastic silverware on the trail. They’re easy to leave behind as litter. There is traditional collapsible silverware that you see with practically every mess kit. These are functional and space saving. Even more so, the all-in-one, Swiss Army knife-like utensil set, which all folds together and fits in your pocket. You can also organize regular silverware into a long, nearly flat pouch that slides into a backpack like an old trapper keeper. And don’t forget an extra Ziploc bag or trash bag to transport dirty silverware home.
  • Basket or backpack: Of course, you need something to hold all the goodies. If you’re heading to the beach, a collapsible or folding tote with a handle will do just the trick. Some are insulated to help keep food fresh during your outing. If you’re on the trail, you can use a regular backpack or something fancier, like this insulated backpack from Igloo.
  • Drink container: Every member of the family, apart from the very small, should be responsible for carrying their own water bottle. Juices and alcoholic beverages aren’t necessary on the trail. Save those for when you’re back at the campsite.