Camp Meal Planner Calculator
Calculate how much food to pack for a camping or backpacking trip.
Estimate calories, weight, and quantities per person per day.
Calorie planning is the foundation of camp food packing. Get it wrong and you either suffer from hunger on day 3 or carry needless extra weight for a week.
Calorie needs by activity level:
- Car camping (minimal exertion): 2,000–2,500 calories/day
- Day hiking (moderate trails): 2,500–3,000 calories/day
- Backpacking (full pack, 8–15 miles/day): 3,000–4,000 calories/day
- Mountaineering / winter camping: 4,000–5,000+ calories/day
Cold temperatures increase caloric need by 25–50% compared to summer hiking at the same pace.
The backpacker’s rule of thumb: Pack 1.5 to 2 lbs (680–900g) of dry food per person per day. Lightweight backpackers target 1.5 lbs; those less focused on weight, or with higher calorie needs, use 2 lbs.
High-calorie-density foods are essential for backpacking (calories per ounce):
- Olive oil: 250 cal/oz (highest density food available)
- Nuts/peanut butter: 160–180 cal/oz
- Chocolate/candy: 130–150 cal/oz
- Freeze-dried meals: 100–130 cal/oz
- Pasta/rice: 100 cal/oz
- Oatmeal: 105 cal/oz
Water weight note: This calculator estimates dry food weight. Fresh fruits and vegetables are heavy and should be reserved for the first day out. After that, dehydrated and freeze-dried foods are far more practical.
Always pack a small emergency stash — a few extra bars or a backup meal — in case of unexpected delays or increased exertion.
How we build and check this calculator
This calculator runs entirely in your browser, so the numbers you enter stay on your device. The math behind it is written by hand and tested against worked examples and standard references before the page goes live.
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