Campfire Cooking: Delicious Recipes for Your Next Camping Trip

There’s something truly magical about spending the evening around a campfire, sharing stories and enjoying a meal in the great outdoors. Whether you’re a seasoned camper or just starting to explore the joys of camping, one thing is certain: a delicious dinner can elevate your entire camping experience. If you’re planning a stay at Harpers Ferry Adventure Center, you’ll want to make the most of your time outdoors with easy and tasty camping dinner ideas.

To help inspire your next camping culinary adventure, we’ve rounded up a few camping dinner ideas that are sure to satisfy your appetite after a day of tubing, rafting or ziplining.

Camping Dinner Ideas

Campfire Foil Packets

If you want to keep things simple but flavorful, campfire foil packets are a great option. These versatile meals are customizable and can be prepared in advance, making them perfect for a busy camping trip. Simply wrap your ingredients in foil and toss them over the campfire (or on a grill). You can create a variety of combinations, such as:

Chicken, Potatoes and Veggies

Toss chicken breast, diced potatoes, carrots, onions and your favorite seasonings into foil. Cook for about 20-30 minutes until everything is tender.

Tuna or Salmon with Veggies

For a lighter meal, add tuna or salmon with zucchini, corn and bell peppers. Season with lemon, garlic and herbs for extra flavor.

Cheesy Sausage and Potato

Combine sausage, sliced potatoes, bell peppers and onions with a sprinkle of cheese.

Not only do these foil packets cook quickly, but the clean-up is a breeze, leaving you more time to relax and enjoy the evening under the stars.

One-Pot Chili

Chili is a campfire classic that’s hearty, comforting and easy to prepare. Whether you go for a vegetarian version or opt for a meaty chili, this dish can be made in a large pot over the fire and left to simmer while you enjoy the surroundings. Serve it with cornbread or crackers for a complete meal.

Simple Chili Recipe

Ground beef (or meat substitute)
Canned tomatoes
Kidney beans and black beans
Onion, garlic and chili seasoning
Optional toppings: shredded cheese, sour cream and chopped onions

This meal is perfect for a chilly night in the mountains or after a fun day of adventures. Plus, it stores well and can be eaten the next day for lunch!

Grilled Skewers

Grilled skewers are a fun and easy way to create a personalized dinner at your campsite. They cook quickly over the fire and are a great way to mix proteins, veggies and even fruits into a delicious dinner.

Try these ideas:

Chicken and Veggie Skewers

Thread pieces of chicken, bell peppers, zucchini, onions and mushrooms onto skewers. Brush with olive oil and season with herbs like rosemary, thyme and garlic.

Shrimp and Pineapple Skewers

For a tropical twist, thread shrimp and chunks of fresh pineapple onto skewers. Grill until the shrimp are pink and the pineapple has a slight caramelization.

Vegetarian Skewers

Combine tofu or tempeh with vegetables like cherry tomatoes, bell peppers, onions and eggplant. Add a brush of balsamic glaze or BBQ sauce for flavor.

Grilled skewers are not only tasty but also fun to prepare and eat. You can even make it a team effort, with each person creating their own skewer combinations.

Campfire Pizza

Who says you can’t enjoy pizza while camping? With a few simple ingredients and a little creativity, you can make personal pizzas over the campfire using a cast iron skillet or a pizza stone.

Campfire Pizza Tips

Use store-bought pizza dough or pre-made flatbreads as the base for a quick and easy meal.
Bring along pizza sauce, cheese and a variety of toppings like pepperoni, olives, mushrooms, onions and fresh herbs.
Place your pizza in a cast-iron skillet and cover with a lid to help the cheese melt. Alternatively, you can cook it directly on a pizza stone over the fire.

It’s the perfect fun and customizable meal for families and groups. Plus, who doesn’t love pizza after a day of outdoor fun?

Dutch Oven Stew

If you’re looking for a hearty meal that’s perfect for sharing, a Dutch oven stew is a great camping dinner idea. This method of cooking involves slow-cooking ingredients in a heavy cast iron pot over the fire, creating a rich and flavorful meal.

You can make everything from beef stew to vegetable stew, and the options are endless. A basic recipe could include:

Stew beef or chicken
Root vegetables like potatoes, carrots and parsnips
Onions, garlic and herbs (rosemary and thyme)
Broth or stock

Simply let it simmer for a few hours, and you’ll have a delicious, warm meal to enjoy after a long day of activities.

Easy Campfire Tacos

Tacos are another fantastic and flexible dinner option for camping. You can prep all your ingredients ahead of time and assemble the tacos around the campfire. You’ll need:

Tortillas
Seasoned ground beef, chicken or black beans
Lettuce, cheese, salsa, guacamole, sour cream and any other toppings you love

Heat your protein choice over the campfire, then let everyone build their own tacos with fresh toppings. It’s a hands-on and interactive meal that’s sure to be a hit with kids and adults alike.

Campfire Grilled Fish

If you’re near a river or lake, why not try cooking fresh fish over the fire? Grilling fish over a campfire can be quick and easy, plus it brings out the best natural flavors. You can either grill whole fish or fish fillets on a grill grate or in foil.

Simple Grilled Fish Recipe

Fresh fish (salmon, trout or your catch of the day)
Olive oil, lemon and herbs (dill and parsley)
Salt and pepper

Grill the fish until it’s perfectly cooked and serve with a side of grilled vegetables or a fresh salad.

Camping Dinner Tips

Plan Ahead: Meal prep as much as you can before your trip. Pre-chop vegetables, marinate meats, or prepare foil packets to save time at the campsite.
Pack Light: Use multi-purpose ingredients and tools. A good camp stove or portable grill, along with a few essential utensils, will go a long way.
Stay Safe: Always keep food stored properly to avoid attracting wildlife, and make sure to dispose of trash responsibly.

Camping at Harpers Ferry Adventure Center

Camping at Harpers Ferry Adventure Center offers the perfect backdrop for an unforgettable outdoor adventure, and part of that experience is enjoying delicious meals in the great outdoors. So pack your camping gear, plan your meals and get ready for an epic adventure in one of the most scenic parts of the country! Ready to get started? Book your trip today and make lasting memories with family and friends.

Don’t Just Take Our Word for It…

Emily Morales

17:13 06 Aug 25

The experience was very fun and the guides, Kaden, Jack, and Abby were talkative and fun to be around. Kadens music also made it much more enjoyable.

Lora Marks

17:11 06 Aug 25

Excellent rafting trip! Awesome guides and the scenery was beautiful. I had never been whitewater rafting, and I felt completely comfortable while on the river. We had so much fun!

Dustie Edgell

18:40 05 Aug 25

Kaleena Lee

15:00 05 Aug 25

We had an amazing time tubing with Harpers Ferry Adventure Center, an experience we won’t forget anytime soon!

From start to finish, everything was smooth and well-organized. The river was relaxing, the views were gorgeous, and the whole day just felt easy and fun.

A huge shoutout to Spider, our guide, who truly went above and beyond. Not only did he keep the energy high with great vibes and a friendly attitude, but he also made sure everyone was safe and accounted for throughout the float. We noticed him picking up trash along the way. So awesome to see someone taking care of the river and setting a great example. He really cared about both the people and the environment.

If you're thinking about doing a tubing trip in Harpers Ferry, this is the place to go—and if you're lucky enough to get Spider as your guide, you're in for a great time!

Stephanie Battaglia

13:31 05 Aug 25

Always a great time -- the staff is so helpful and chill. From the front desk staff, to Scott and the bus drivers making sure we get onto the river safely, to the river guides who patrol the water, ensuring guests in need get help. Big shoutout to Spider, the river guide, who not only made sure everyone on the water stayed safe, but also acted as a faithful steward of the river, picking up garbage left behind by visitors on the riverbank and waterway -- not part of his job description, but something he did without hesitation anyway. We'll definitely be back!

Jihoon Oh

00:47 05 Aug 25

Shawn Drury

02:21 04 Aug 25

When our tube broke in the middle of our ride, the Adventure Center could have apologized for the inconvenience. They didn't. Failing that, the guy, who was sent to give us a replacement tube could have actually showed up. He didn't so we stood in the water until a passerby gave us their raft.
This would have been find if maybe at least one or two of the life jackets were dry enough to use. They also smelled. There's also the shuttle driving right past us as we were waiting for a ride which was a sign of things to come.
This operation is literally run out of the back of a truck so buyer beware

ItsRyleeDuhh

21:30 02 Aug 25

I did whitewater kayaking here, I was the only kayaker but I alongside with the whitewater rafters so I can speak for both, the company is highly professional and knowledgeable about the river and the area! I highly recommend booking with them! Also Hannah my guide was a joy, thanks for the awesome experience Hannah!!

Selena Lu

19:24 30 Jul 25

Thank you for such an amazing time! We have to thank our raft guide Charlie for the lovely trip that he has graced us with. We will definitely come back another time to experience this adventure once again.

Lokendar Singh

01:32 29 Jul 25

We stayed for 2 nights at riverfront camp site along with 4 other families. View was excellent and activities were great. Reducing a star as calling the number on stop sign to enter river front is annoying. Very tough to get anyone to receive the call to check and impossible after hours. Some kind of light signal might be convenient for the visitors

Otherwise we had great fun and best camping experience. Beautiful riverside view.

Casey Beachy

19:40 28 Jul 25

I went with 9 other people, we did the zip lining and group rafter and everyone had so much fun. The staff was very friendly, helpful, accommodating, and knowledgeable. They have their own access to the river, which was great! After our rafting tour, the bus picks you up right at the exit of the river. The bath house was very clean. We hope to go back again soon!

christina goodman

19:13 27 Jul 25

My kids and I had an awesome time floating down the baby rapids. So relaxing during the summer! You can buy shoes and a dry bag in the store and the staff keep your keys safe while you're on the river. Can't wait to come back!

Lori Pucher

21:11 26 Jul 25

Enjoyed a day of whitewater rafting and tubing with our family of four on Friday. Business was steady, but not crowded. Mike was a terrific whitewater rafting guide. We appreciated his rafting expertise in providing us a thrilling but safe trip and also enjoyed the conversation and local knowledge. Would highly recommend him as your guide! Tubing was relaxing. HFAC took care of getting us safely in and out of the water and back to our car, so really appreciated not having to schlep tubes and cooler up or down any hills. Highly recommend this outfit for a beautiful, carefree day on the rivers!

Maurice Peavy

20:24 26 Jul 25

Amazing rafting experience! Demetrius was our guide and did a great job!

15:45 26 Jul 25

Saa zaa

05:10 24 Jul 25

Jeremy was an amazing instructor. Very knowledgeable and a good teacher

Brian Lower

10:59 22 Jul 25

Harpers Ferry Adventure Center after a competitor outfitter cancelled our reservation due to “lack of interest & forecast weather”. It was a fortunate turn of events. We had such a great time rafting with HFAC! The reservation for rafting was confirmed via a phone call at 9am for a 10am departure. Wow we had to hustle, but we made the launch time! Super professional outfitters. Good clean equipment and professional departure briefing. We were transported to the put in by bus. Another brief safety orientation prior to raft boarding. Our guide for the day, Alyson, was thorough, thoughtful and had great local historical information during the trip. So much fun on the class 1, 2, & brief 3 rapids. Leisurely pace and so relaxing. We stoped for a swim to cool off. We will be back.

Manivannan Pichaimuthu

01:10 22 Jul 25

Huo Ipqsto

20:44 21 Jul 25

Jeremey the GOAT

Townsend Russell

21:38 17 Jul 25

Excellent guide and fun rafting adventure. Family of 6...we had a blast...stayed safe ...got some adrenaline pumping and had a great time. Our guide Jeremy was on point.

Raushan Oshan

18:05 17 Jul 25

10/10 Experience – Made Unforgettable by Our Guide, Connor

This trip was absolutely phenomenal, and 99% of that is thanks to our raft’s main pilot, Connor. Not only is he a walking encyclopedia of the area’s history, but he’s also an absolute legend who made the rapids feel thrilling and safe! While other groups missed out some “risky rapids” Connor confidently took us through every twist and turn — we had a blast!

Words honestly can’t do this day justice. It was surreal — ethereal even. From start to finish, the entire crew was made up of cool, welcoming people who clearly love what they do. That energy made all the difference.

Please make sure you tip them well — they 100% deserve it.

Asiya N

20:03 15 Jul 25

Tubing was fun — but make sure you come with great insurance, time to argue, and the energy to chase down basic accountability.

River tubing was fun. Unfortunately, everything after that completely ruined the experience.

On Saturday, while we were in the dressing room, a tree fell on two cars in the parking lot. One vehicle appears to be completely totaled, and my friend’s car was severely damaged — possibly totaled, though that hasn’t been confirmed by an adjuster yet.

We asked to speak with the owner and were told they were “on the way.” That wasn’t true — the manager showed up and wasn’t updated on the situation.

We had already talked with the assistant manager but had to explain things again when the manager arrived. I had already asked the assistant manager how my friend would get home to Virginia, and we were told that they would give my two friends a ride back to VA in their van. Later, when I asked the manager about the ride, she wasn’t sure how my friends would get back home. I told her the assistant manager had already assured us transportation would be provided. She later confirmed that they would provide transportation — but this was only after back-and-forth conversation between her and me.

Then came the tow issue.
With no phone signal (thankfully for the Wi-Fi), my friend called her insurance and found out towing wasn’t covered. I told the manager they needed to arrange the tow to Virginia. She initially declined. I repeated that it needed to be handled — and after a phone call (presumably to the owner), she agreed.

When I asked for the owner’s contact info, we were told they couldn't provide “personal information.” Eventually, after back and forth, we were given the business number — something we could’ve looked up ourselves. My friend left her information and was told the owner would contact her that day.

That didn’t happen. The owner never reached out voluntarily, and my friend has had to chase him down repeatedly just to get vague, limited responses.

Now, let’s talk about the tree:
The manager implied it was a spontaneous event — likely to avoid liability. But we have photos showing the tree is hollow, and even without that, the missing bark and dead limbs speak for themselves. Now I’m no tree expert but I’m pretty sure this isn’t what a healthy tree looks like!

For a business that invites people to park on their property, basic safety and maintenance should be a given. Clearly, making that assumption was wrong!!

So would I return?
Let’s just say: if you want to pay $40+ to float on a river and end up with a bigger problem and thousands in damages, bring insurance, patience, and time to argue.

My friend originally asked us not to leave a negative review, hoping they’d do the right thing. But that hasn’t been the case — so we’re sharing our experience.

Dave Palanzi

11:36 15 Jul 25

Our group was warmly welcomed by the friendly staff. Scott was great as he oriented us for our white water tubing adventure, he used humor to ensure we knew the rules. Amanda greeted us with a smile at the take out point and was very helpful as we exited the river.

Tobias Shaw

16:39 14 Jul 25

Had a lovely day tubing with a crew of 12, I would definitely return again. Taking a few stars off as there was a semi-hiden $7 per person equipment fee not disclosed on the website which I find annoying (just disclose it up front!). Also I paid for 13 guests but only 12 showed up. I asked the employee if we could swap the 13th spot for a cooler tube, but when we got off the bus it wasn't included. Had a lovely time but improvements could be made.

Dorothy

01:45 13 Jul 25

Lahiru Heen Wahumpurage

18:18 07 Jul 25

Reddy Reddy

16:50 07 Jul 25

gabriel deleon

03:50 07 Jul 25

Did tubing today…twice.
Got on the last shuttle around 4pm. Asked the driver: “ can i have a blue tube please?” she went. “ no! I am not digging through all these tubes to get a blue one! “ . there was clearly a blue tube within easy reach. We didn’t want to argue and just took whatever she gave us. Very rude.
The porta potties were a nightmare at the site. Changing cabins were not the cleanest.. and have no hooks to hang your clothes. So u put your clothes on the floor?
Not coming back.

Richie

17:54 06 Jul 25

we went river rafting, and seth was our boat guide. he was great! very friendly and helpful, and it wasnt too difficult because of how much effort he put in for us.

Michelle Lazzaro

13:53 06 Jul 25

We booked the flat water tubing with Adventure Center for a day of fun in Harper's Ferry. An absolute blast! I would highly recommend and we will definitely be coming back. Adventure Center was well organized, had a friendly staff and plenty of on-site parking. What stood out about this place over others in the area, like River Riders, was that they post on their website real-time updates on river conditions and any age restrictions. We felt well-informed prior to showing up and could book what made sense for our family. Again, hands down a really fun time and we can't wait to come back!

Brandon Bowers

15:46 05 Jul 25

Jeremy was an excellent rafting guide! He was super helpful and knowledgeable about the river. 11/10 would raft again.

Carlo de Vera

02:31 05 Jul 25

We were first-timers and your team didn’t disappoint, particularly Logan, Carson, & Bryce on the Zipline and Logan on the Rope Course. Thank you.

Gourav R

22:46 03 Jul 25

Martin White

01:37 29 Jun 25

Our boat guide Dimitri was awesome, we had a great day white water rafting.

Cassey Riner

17:31 26 Jun 25

My family and I recently tried white water rafting at HFAC for the first time. We had the best experience! Our guide was very knowledgeable. Alyson explained safety instructions to us in detail and also shared HF history with us! We will definitely be back! We highly recommend river guide Alyson! Thanks again for the fantastic time! Memories were made.

Oliver Lim

01:40 24 Jun 25

I visited today to celebrate my birthday and had a truly memorable experience. I want to especially recognize Jeremy, he was an exceptional guide and made the entire visit enjoyable. My friends and I had an absolute blast. Thank you for such a wonderful experience; I look forward to visiting again!

Shannon Detling

21:52 19 Jun 25

Whitewater rafting with Jeremy was awesome! He was the best guide! We did the best rapids while other boats watched us having fun.

hamza Elkholy

03:51 13 Jun 25

Jack and Caden took us through an exhilarating day with and enthusiasm few can contend with!!!

Hilary Buxton

15:57 09 Jun 25

The staff are friendly, welcoming, and knowledgeable. We did flatwater tubing and it was a good route; you can do multiple runs--we did two. We stayed overnight in one of the camping cabins so that we could enjoy the brewery on the property without having to worry about driving and had and had a great time--good beer, live music, pizza, amazing views. There was an issue with our cabin at first and Scott, the property manager, took good care of us and rectified the issue quickly. I've tubed with them twice so far and will definitely be back.

Todd Peterson

02:29 04 Jun 25

We went on a rafting trip this past Sunday. Wow, what a great time! Our raft guide was Hannah. She did such an amazing job. Her knowledge about the river and how to navigate the raft down the rapids can't be beat. It was a thrill I won't forget!! Hannah also had us stop at unique places like streams and falls that I have never seen before. She was also a lot of fun to talk to and kept us laughing with her jokes. Thanks Hannah for a wonderful adventure I will never forget.

Brett Peterson

23:34 01 Jun 25

We had an amazing time visiting the Harper Ferry adventure center. Hannah was an amazing guide to go rafting down the river with. Her jokes, personality, and in depth knowledge of the river made it a truly memorable experience. A nice plus is also the brewery right on sight, serving well over 50 beers on tap. Will be back!!

GAIA LEAH ROTEM

19:48 26 May 25

Me and my family had such an amazing experience at the rope course. Our instructor Logan was very kind, and attentive, he provided very clear and helpful instructions while keeping it professional and fun. Thanks to his advice I was able to do the most difficult part of it successfully, thank you.