Trail Snacks
Jerky for hiking, backpacking and camping
Jerky is one of the easiest hiking and camping snacks: it's light, packs flat, needs no cooking or cooler, and it's savory and high in protein. Pair it with meat sticks and salty snacks like deep fried peanuts and sunflower seeds, and you've got a trail snack bag that rides along anywhere.
- Trail-ready pack: 4 pc Adventure Pack: Backwoods Bundle ($13.99)
- Stick stock-up: 12 pc Meat Stick Variety Pack ($21.49)
- Classic bag: All-Natural Beef Jerky - Original (from $8.99)
- Salty crunch: Deep Fried Peanuts - Simply Salted (from $7.99)
Why is jerky good for hiking and camping?
- Light: a bag of jerky weighs next to nothing.
- No prep: no stove, no cooler, no cleanup.
- Savory: a nice break from sweet trail mix and bars.
- Easy to share: pass the bag at the summit.
What should I pack for a day hike?
Keep it light: one bag of jerky, a couple of sticks and something salty.
All-Natural Beef Jerky - Original
From $8.99
Our best-selling jerky in a light bag.
Shop nowāThe jerky was good it was the best kind I ever hadā
ā Bryan M., Judge.me review
Deep Fried Peanuts - Simply Salted
From $7.99
Crunchy and salty. Eat them shell and all.
Shop nowāThe Simply Salted Peanuts were Great! The peanut shell was well salted and crispy from being fried in soybean oil. I will get this again!ā
ā Jonathan A., Judge.me review
Premium Roast Sunflower Seeds - Salt & Pepper
From $5.99
A savory seed to snack on as you walk.
Shop nowāGood size seeds good amount of seasoningā
ā Diego, Judge.me review
What should I pack for an overnight or backpacking trip?
Go for small portions you can split by day. The Adventure Packs are four pieces each, mixing exotic jerky and meat sticks.
4 pc Adventure Pack: Backwoods Bundle
From $13.99
Venison jerky, elk jerky and two exotic meat sticks.
Shop now
From $24.99
Several exotic meats in small bags.
Shop nowāI think Venison and Elk are my favoritesā
ā Pasquale P., Judge.me review
What are good snacks for car camping?
With a car nearby, bring the bigger packs and something fun to pass around the fire.
From $21.49
12 full-size sticks for the whole campsite.
Shop nowāPerfect snack pack for work and road trips. Nice mix of beef and turkey sticks without getting boring.ā
ā James K., Judge.me review
From $10.99
Bacon flavor, jerky style.
Shop nowāIt's bacon, its easy to take on a backpack trip. It might have just a bit too much sugar on it but oh darn, it's bacon!ā
ā MBF, Judge.me review
How should I pack jerky for the trail?
- Hip-belt pocket: a few sticks for snacking while you walk.
- Top of the pack: the day's jerky bag and salty snack.
- Bottom of the pack: unopened bags for later days.
- Trash bag: for wrappers and seed shells. Pack it out.
Not sure about strips or sticks? Read Jerky vs. Meat Sticks.
How do I build a trail snack mix?
A good trail snack bag mixes three things: something savory, something crunchy and something you look forward to. Jerky covers savory. Peanuts or sunflower seeds cover crunchy and salty. And the something special can be a flavor you've never tried, like elk, buffalo or wild boar from an Adventure Pack.
Mix textures, too. Meat sticks are quick bites while you walk. Jerky is better at a rest stop, when you can sit down and enjoy it. Seeds give you something to snack on slowly over a long, easy stretch.
For kids or groups, let everyone pick one flavor before the trip. It's a small thing, but it makes the snack break at the top of the climb feel like a reward.
And don't forget the drive. The same snacks that work on the trail work in the car, so pack an extra bag for the ride home.
Frequently asked questions
Is jerky a good hiking snack?
Yes. It's light, packs flat, needs no cooking or cooler, and it's a savory, high-protein snack you can eat on the move.
What's the best jerky for backpacking?
Pick small bags and sticks you can split up. The 4 pc Adventure Pack: Backwoods Bundle ($13.99) is a four-piece pack with venison and elk jerky plus two exotic meat sticks.
Are meat sticks good for hiking?
Yes. They're one piece and easy to eat with gloves on. The 12 pc Meat Stick Variety Pack is a good stock-up pack.
What should I pack with jerky?
Something crunchy and salty, like deep fried peanuts (eaten shell and all) or sunflower seeds.
How much jerky should I bring on a hike?
Plan a couple of snacks per person for every few hours on the trail, then add a spare. Small bags make it easy to ration.
Is bacon jerky good for camping?
It's a fun camp snack. One reviewer on our Bacon Jerky - Original page says it's easy to take on a backpack trip.
What's a good camping snack for a group?
The 26 pc. Meat and Cheese Sticks Sampler has 26 sticks to pass around the fire.
Do you have exotic jerky for the trail?
Yes. Try the Exotic Jerky Sampler Pack or the Adventure Packs.
How do I find the right jerky for me?
Read our What Jerky Is Right for You? guide, or take our jerky quiz and we'll match you with a flavor you'll love, plus an offer to get it for free.
Find your jerky
Not sure where to start? Our What Jerky Is Right for You? guide breaks down meats, flavors, heat and texture.
Keep reading: Jerky vs. Meat Sticks