Campsgiving 2025: Why You Should Spend Thanksgiving Outdoors

Growing up in the Sonoran Desert of Southern Arizona, Peace Outfitters employee Cooper Smith spent family Thanksgivings camping in the Kofa National Wildlife Refuge. He remembers cooking simplified versions of Thanksgiving classics over iron wood coals. “Nothing beats a feast among the Saguaros,” he says. “And especially with the whole family there.”

For many people, Thanksgiving is about spending time with loved ones. And for many of those same people, doing so outdoors can offer a different, more relaxing and enjoyable experience. The question becomes how to make it safe, comfortable, and memorable for everyone. This year, Peace Outfitters invites you to trade the kitchen counter for a picnic table, the couch and the TV for a sleeping bag and the sound of the aspens in the wind. It’s Campsgiving, and everyone’s invited.

Why Spend Thanksgiving Outdoors?

It is no secret that Thanksgiving can, at times, be stressful. Families debate where to spend it, who to invite, when to travel, how many people to prepare food for, and how much small talk with distant relatives they can endure before needing to step outside for a bit. So why not step outside to begin with?

There are many reasons why camping, backpacking, or even just picnicking for Thanksgiving can be a rewarding experience. Connecting to and spending time in the outdoors is already healthy and enjoyable for many, so it can be a fun, unique experience to take the holiday to a campground or backcountry campsite. It can also be less stressful; instead of prepping for houseguests, cleaning, and hosting, you get to enjoy a campfire, look at the stars, go on a hike, and simply unwind for a day or few. Moreover, with the right planning, you can dodge the chaos, mess, and clean-up that often comes with cooking Thanksgiving dinner indoors. 

Moreover, depending on where you decide to go, autumn in Arizona offers ideal weather for camping or backpacking. While it can be quite cold in the high country around Flagstaff or in the White Mountains of Eastern Arizona, proper preparations can be made to let you enjoy warm Thanksgiving food in crisp November weather. If you crave warmer weather or are with young kids who may not enjoy the cold, simply escape to the desert. In the lower elevations of the state, such as the Verde Valley or near Phoenix and Tucson, temperatures can sit around 70 degrees for the highs and 50 degrees for the lows—sometimes even warmer.

Choose Your Fighter: Frontcountry or Backcountry?

Of the many considerations there are for spending Thanksgiving outside, the foremost is deciding whether to car camp or picnic (frontcountry) or backpack, paddle, or otherwise away from major roads or established campgrounds (backcountry). Depending on your interests, experience level, how much time you have, and with whom you’re spending the holiday, each option has its charms, advantages, and disadvantages. 

Frontcountry

A Thanksgiving spent at an established campground or dispersed site, or even simply by the grill at a local, regional, or state park, is ideal for large groups, groups with young children, or those with less experience camping. You’ll have quick access to your vehicle, making it easy to bring whatever you can—from blankets and chairs, to all the luxuries you might want to make a Thanksgiving dinner as delicious as the one you might cook at home. 

• Where should you go? The whole state of Arizona is your oyster, but here are some local options close to Flagstaff.
  • Forest Service Roads around Flagstaff: Close to town with large spots among the ponderosas, and free. Check the USFS website before heading out to make sure they are open: Click here. If it has already snowed, many of these might be closed. Remember to pack out all your trash and waste.
  • Oak Creek Canyon: There are numerous established campgrounds nestled in the beautiful limestone and sandstone of Oak Creek Canyon, just south of Flagstaff on Highway 89A as it winds toward Sedona. Check out Recreation.gov to book. NOTE: As of October 2025, due to the government shutdown, reservations are unable to be made. All federally operated frontcountry campgrounds are first-come, first-serve. 
  • Lake Mary: While Lake Mary, located on the southeast edge of Flagstaff, has a few campgrounds nearby, it is also a great place at which to simply spend Thanksgiving day. A couple pavilions offer picnic tables and grills, and with its boat ramp, you can launch a kayak, paddleboard, packraft, or other boat to spend your holiday on the water.

Backcountry

For those who are already experienced backpackers or paddlers, or anyone interested in giving it a shot, spending Thanksgiving in the backcountry can be a rewarding, unique experience. As always, it will require more planning, preparation, and packing than car camping does; it will also take more thought and creativity when it comes to enjoying Thanksgiving dinner from the coziness of your tent, cot, hammock, or sleeping bag. 

• Where should you go? There are countless spots to backpack across Arizona, and a few bodies of water that might offer paddlers overnight potential in late fall. Unless you are very experienced, however, it would be wise to stay out of alpine areas due to freezing temperatures and the potential of early winter storms. Here are a couple good options.
  • Parson’s Trail: Located outside Cottonwood near the Verde River, the Parson’s Trail follows Sycamore Creek for a few miles through beautiful red rock country. It is relatively flat, located in a warm climate, and offers ample camping for groups of varying sizes.
  • Fossil Creek: Located between the towns of Camp Verde in the Verde Valley and Strawberry on the Mogollon Rim, Fossil Creek is a beautiful perennial stream with great backpacking all around. A permit is not required after October 1^st, making it easier to access in late fall. 
  • Grand Canyon: For more experienced backpackers, the Grand Canyon is a paradise. Fall is generally a busy time, but during late fall, visitation begins to dip. There are numerous trails that hikers can enjoy, requiring a bit more research and planning. It can be very cold this time of year, so plan accordingly. NOTE: As of October 2025, due to the government shutdown, Grand Canyon National Park is not issuing ANY overnight permits. When the government reopens, you can visit or call the Backcountry Information Center, or look for permits on Recreation.gov. 

Preparing the Thanksgiving dinner

While there are no hard and fast rules for whipping up a Thanksgiving dinner in the outdoors, there are a number of factors to consider as well as tips and tricks to make it simpler. After all, the goal of Campsgiving is to make the holiday relaxing, not stressful. These considerations are also heavily dependent on whether you’ve decided to car camp or backpack. 

Generally speaking, it is wise to prep meals, or at least ingredients, at home before you leave. Chop veggies, pre-cook sides, store everything in sealed containers for easy organizing and reheating, and even roast the turkey ahead of time. This way, you can maximize the rest of your day exploring, hiking, or playing games. That being said, it is very possible to cook at your campsite as well, especially for car campers. You can bring a Dutch oven for the turkey, make campfire stuffing with tin foil packets, or roast veggies over a grate or grill. At Campsgiving, anything goes. 

A backpacking Thanksgiving, on the other hand, requires a bit more creativity and – perhaps – slightly lower standards. To keep things light and packable, something like this works well:

• Pre-cooked chicken pouches or canned chicken
• Instant mashed potatoes
• Packet of turkey gravy mix
• Boxed stuffing, repackaged into plastic bags
• Dried cranberries

You can pre-pack some spices in a small bag or reusable container, including salt and pepper, thyme, sage, and rosemary. For dessert, bring a cheesecake mix, or purchase a dehydrated backpacking desert, such as Backpacker’s Pantry Dark Chocolate Cheesecake or Peak Refuel Peach Cobbler. 

Making Campsgiving memorable

Whether you’re car camping in the National Forest with family, or backpacking in the Grand Canyon with friends, the point of Campsgiving is to get outside with your loved ones and make the holiday enjoyable. To do so, it can be fun to set the mood and make it memorable. Little luxury items like string lights, a table cloth, camping lanterns – or even a pumpkin or two, can go a long way toward making it feel special. 

Curious about camping for Thanksgiving this year? Stop by Peace to get all your questions answered. Our knowledgeable staff can point you toward the right direction for gear, meal prep, or local spots to camp around Flagstaff and Northern Arizona. Our comprehensive rental program also offers a wide variety of gear for those without their own items or who need a couple extra necessities. Some awesome new additions to our rental fleet that are perfect for Campsgiving are the Exped MegaMat, an ultra-plush, ultra-warm sleeping pad that is great for cold weather, and Kelty camp chairs, perfect for lining up around the campfire. 

Skip the stress of a traditional Thanksgiving and take it outside instead. We may even see you out there.