A picnic can be a great part of an RV trip. You’ll get to enjoy delicious food while soaking up the beauty of nature! No matter the age of your travelers or how many people you are with, everyone can come around and share an outdoor meal together.

Of course, a great picnic starts with great picnic prep. Below, we cover our favorite tips for a successful RV picnic. If you still need to buy an RV, visit Allan Dale Trailers & RVs for a wide selection of options. We are located in Red Deer and Edmonton, Alberta, and proudly serve all of Alberta.

Planning the Food and Drink

The first step in picnic prep is deciding what you will be serving. The best food options have a few characteristics:

  • Light on the sauce: Too much sauce can make the food soggy on the walk to the picnic site.

  • Easy to eat: It can be hard eating on the ground balancing a plate on your lap and trying to use a fork and knife. Try to pick foods that can be eaten with just a fork. Or, better yet, finger foods!

  • Need limited refrigeration: The simplest approach is to pack non-perishable foods, such as peanut butter and jelly sandwiches. That way, you won’t need to worry about keeping the food cool as you hike to the picnic site. Plus, you won’t have to stress about perishable leftovers going bad, since non-perishables can last through the whole picnic and the walk back to the RV.

Common RV picnic foods are sandwiches, wraps, and veggie or fruit trays. Try to prep as much of the food beforehand (such as pre-slicing vegetables). That way, when you get to your site, you can jump right into eating!

One way to make your picnic even more memorable is to do a breakfast picnic! It can be a great way to start your day of adventure. If you get up early enough, you can even enjoy a sunrise picnic for spectacular views during your meal. For this meal, easy options are breakfast burritos or rolled-up pancakes full of peanut butter and fruit.

Gather Your Supplies

Your next step in RV picnic prep is getting all your supplies together. A basic list of essentials includes:

  • A collapsible picnic basket: You only have so much space in your RV and a big bulky basket can be a nuisance. Look for a collapsible option that will take up barely any space. This can also serve double-duty in helping you load up your RV and clearing out your RV fridge when you return home.

  • A blanket: This can serve as a makeshift table if you don’t have access to picnic tables. It can also be a tablecloth if you do find picnic tables.

  • Hand sanitizer or hand sanitizing towelettes: These are great tools for “washing” your hands before eating and cleaning up after the meal ends.

  • Trash bags: Leave the area in better shape than you found it!

  • Extra cutlery: There’s always the chance that someone drops their fork. Have backups on hand just in case.

Loading Your Basket

Another key step in successful picnic prep is loading up your basket. Put the heavier items, such as meat, on the bottom. Then place the lighter items, such as bread and salad, on top. One trick is to put a cutting board between the layers of food. This helps keep food from falling over. Plus, you can use the cutting boards as small tables to put drinks on when you reach your site. You’ll also want to pack in reverse order. Put the food on the bottom, serving items and cutlery next, then the tablecloth on top. This will make it much easier to set up your site. Don’t forget a portable speaker for background music during your meal!

We hope you found these RV picnic prep tips helpful! If you are looking to buy an RV, check out the models at Allan Dale Trailers & RVs. Our friendly staff is happy to help you find the perfect model for your budget, family, and travel style. If you aren’t sure what style you want, we can help you find the best one for your needs. We are located in Red Deer and Edmonton, Alberta. We also proudly serve all of Alberta.