How to Plan Your First Family Backcountry Camping Trip (Without the Stress)

Yes, you can go off-grid with kids. This backcountry beginner guide keeps it real — and totally doable.

There’s something about paddling to a campsite you can’t drive to. The moment you push off from shore and the world starts to quiet — no traffic, no screens, no one else around — just trees, water, and the sound of your paddle.

Backcountry camping might sound wild and intimidating. But with the right preparation, it can become one of the most empowering, memorable adventures your family ever shares.

This post is for the “almost ready” families — the ones who love nature, love camping, and are wondering:
Could we actually try a canoe trip?

Yes. You can.
And it doesn’t have to be extreme. It just takes a bit more planning, the right gear, and the mindset to slow down and enjoy the process.

Why Backcountry?

There’s a reason so many families fall in love with backcountry trips. They’re quieter, simpler, and more immersive. Without the bustle of campgrounds, your kids get to experience nature in a whole new way — one that builds confidence, resilience, and wonder.

And unlike some intimidating wilderness stories, your first trip doesn’t need to involve days of paddling, heavy portages, or complicated logistics. One lake. One night. One paddle in and out. That’s all it takes to begin.

You’re not “leveling up” into something scarier — you’re just changing the setting. And you’re more capable than you think.

Choosing the Right Destination

When it comes to backcountry camping, your route can make or break your experience — especially the first time. Look for locations with short, sheltered paddles (1–2 km is plenty), little or no portaging, and clearly marked campsites. Many provincial parks in Ontario offer exactly that.

A few of our favorite beginner-friendly options include:

• Joeperry Lake in Bon Echo (a quiet, scenic gem)
• The Massasauga Provincial Park
• Kawartha Highlands, near Long Lake Access Point
• Frontenac Park (southern loops)
• Silent Lake and Grundy Lake paddle-in sites

Even if you’re only out for one night, choosing a manageable route will help your whole family stay relaxed and confident — and still feel like you’re on a real adventure.

Packing and Paddling: What to Expect

While you can repurpose a lot of your frontcountry gear, a few upgrades will make a big difference. Most importantly, backcountry gear needs to be compact, well-organized, and weatherproof.

Dry bags are essential — they’ll protect your sleeping bags, food, and clothing if your canoe tips or rain moves in. You’ll also want to group your gear by purpose (cooking, sleeping, clothes, etc.) so it’s easy to find and unpack at your site.

And don’t forget safety gear: every paddler needs a fitted life jacket, and it’s wise to carry a GPS or satellite communicator like a Garmin inReach Mini or Zoleo in case you lose service or need to call for help.

You don’t need an ultralight gear kit to go backcountry — but you do need to be thoughtful, prepared, and ready to carry what you pack.

What’s for Dinner? Keep It Light (and Delicious)

Let’s Talk About Food (It Doesn’t Have to Be Complicated)

One way we like to simplify our backcountry trips — especially with kids — is by sticking to just one cooking method. A lightweight pot or a frying pan, not both.

It keeps packing simple. It cuts down on cleanup. And honestly? It’s all you need to make a warm, satisfying meal after a long day on the trail or the water.

Meal planning doesn’t have to feel overwhelming. You don’t need gourmet recipes or fancy dehydrated kits. You just need a few easy, kid-approved meals that are light to carry, quick to cook, and filling enough to keep everyone happy.

We’ve put together a full guide with two ready-to-go meal plans — one for pan cooking, one for pot cooking — plus smart snack ideas, water tips, and little add-ins that make it more satisfying for parents, too.

Check out our full guide here: Easy Backcountry Meals for Families (No Cooler Needed)

A Word on Drinking Water

You’ll be surrounded by water — but you still need to treat every drop. Even the clearest Ontario lake can carry bacteria like giardia or cryptosporidium, and kids are more susceptible to getting sick.

For families, the simplest and most efficient water strategies are:

• Gravity filters (like the MSR AutoFlow or Platypus GravityWorks) — they require no pumping, can filter multiple liters at once, and let you fill up while setting up camp or cooking
• Boiling water — great for meal prep or hot drinks, and a reliable backup, though it uses more fuel (plan accordingly)
• Purification tablets — lightweight and easy to stash as a backup, but they require wait time and can leave a taste some kids won’t love

Pro tip: Bring a few flavoured water drops or electrolyte powders (like Nuun, Gatorade packets, or Mio) if your kids are picky. It makes rehydration feel like a treat — especially on hot paddle days.

No matter which method you choose, treat all your water. And always carry more than one option — especially for multi-day trips.

Keeping Everyone Safe and Confident

One of the biggest differences between car camping and backcountry is the buffer — or lack of it. You can’t just hop in the car and head home if things go sideways. That’s why wilderness first aid training can be a game-changer.

In addition to training, pack an expanded first aid kit that includes:

• Blister treatments
• Antihistamines
• Tweezers and wound care items
• Electrolyte tablets or hydration aids

You’ll also want to bring paper maps in a waterproof sleeve and plan your route conservatively — stick with one campsite, one night, and a route you can paddle comfortably in both directions. This isn’t the time to push boundaries. It’s the time to build confidence.

Prepping Your Kids (and Yourself)

The key to a great first trip? Expectations.

Explain to your kids how this will feel different from car camping: no toilets, no playground, no cars. Instead, they’ll get to paddle, explore the forest, cook over a stove, and fall asleep to loon calls and wind in the trees. (Check out this post from Backpacker on how to help your kids feel comfortable going to the bathroom in the backcountry).

Let them help pack and carry something important — the marshmallows, the map, or their own flashlight. Give them a sense of ownership. That alone can turn nerves into excitement.

And don’t overpack the schedule. Keep the trip slow and spacious. Wander the shoreline. Skip stones. Watch the sky change. That’s the magic.

Backpacking Instead? Here’s What’s Different

If your family leans more hiking than paddling, a backpack-in site can offer the same sense of wilderness. Just keep in mind a few key differences:

• You’ll carry everything on your back — so lightweight gear is critical
• Invest in a smaller, lighter tent and well-fitted packs, especially for kids
• Choose short, flat trails with nearby water access
• Trail shoes or hiking boots are essential — more than ever, footwear matters
• Water might be farther from camp, so a gravity filter or pump helps a lot

For most families, canoe camping is a gentler entry into the backcountry — but both are powerful ways to unplug and reconnect.

Final Thoughts: Let It Be Simple. Let It Be Enough.

You don’t have to go far to feel far away.
You don’t need to be perfect — just present.
And you definitely don’t need to wait for the kids to be older, or the gear to be better, or the timing to be perfect.

Let this be the year you try it.
Just one lake. One night. One wild, unforgettable weekend.

You only get one chance to live this life with your kids.

Let’s make it count — outside.
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Related Posts You’ll Love

• Easy Camping Meals for Families: Stress-Free Ideas for Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner
• Easy Backcountry Meals for Families (No Cooler Needed)

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