Camping in North Cascades National Park with the Cookit™ Camp Kitchen

Camping in North Cascades National Park with the Cookit™ Camp Kitchen

When you’re surrounded by jagged peaks, alpine lakes, and towering evergreens, the last thing you want to worry about is whether you remembered to pack the spatula or if your cooler is slowly turning your eggs into a soggy mess. That’s why on our recent weekend camping trip to North Cascades National Park, we relied on the UCO Cookit™ Camp Kitchen—a 47-piece all-in-one outdoor kitchen system that became the heart of our campsite.

From prepping breakfast at camp to cooking steak over the firepit after our Blue Lake hike, the Cookit wasn’t just a piece of gear—it was the reason everything felt smooth, organized, and enjoyable.

Setting Up Camp with the Cookit

After pitching the tent, the very first thing we set up was the Cookit Camp Kitchen. Instead of rummaging through bins and bags, we had a compact system where every tool and utensil had its place. Cutting boards, utensils, bowls, cleaning supplies—it was all right there.

We used it as a prep station for slicing vegetables, seasoning food, and organizing ingredients. It served as a cooking hub alongside our camp stove and the UCO Smokeless Firepit & Grill. And when it came time for dish duty, the Cookit doubled as a dishwashing station that kept cleanup quick and simple.

The Cookit isn’t just about having the right gear—it’s about making camp feel like a real kitchen, where you can enjoy cooking instead of improvising.

Breakfast at Camp: Eggs Done Right

One of the biggest wins of the weekend? Eggs that actually survived the trip. Thanks to the UCO Eco Egg Holder, we cracked open perfect shells straight onto the pan for breakfast scrambles.

The Cookit’s cutting boards and utensils came out as we chopped veggies, and the 5-Piece Mess Kit doubled as both prep bowls and serving plates. We ate with our Utility Sporks, cleaned everything with the Cookit’s included supplies, and packed it all back down neatly—no mess, no stress.

It honestly felt like cooking in a tiny, well-stocked kitchen, just with a better view.


Fire and Dinner with a View

After our hike up to Blue Lake, we were ready for a big meal. We sparked up our UCO Smokeless Firepit & Grill using UCO Sweetfire Firestarter Tabs and UCO Stormproof Matches. In minutes, the fire was hot enough to sear steaks—served up with roasted veggies prepped on the Cookit.

The Cookit’s versatility really shined here. We used it to slice and season the steak with the built-in cutting boards, portion out sides in the mess kit bowls, and keep cleanup simple with the included scrubber and cloths.

By the time we sat down around the fire, the whole meal felt effortless. The firepit kept the smoke low, and our lanterns—the UCO Candlelier Candle Lantern and the UCO Mini Candle Lantern—lit up the evening with a soft glow that made the campsite feel cozy and inviting.

UCO stainless steel grill portable for camping cookouts

Best collapsible portable grill for backpacking and road trips

Trail Time: Blue Lake with the Dogs

The highlight of the trip was hiking up to Blue Lake, one of the North Cascades’ most beautiful alpine trails. The dogs loved every switchback, and when we finally reached the lake, the glassy turquoise water against snowcapped peaks was worth every step.

We unpacked a quick trail lunch with the Mess Kit and Utility Sporks. Lightweight, reusable, and easy to rinse out back at camp using the Cookit, they made eating on the go simple.

Why the Cookit Belongs in Every Car-Camping Setup

At the end of the trip, we realized something: the Cookit didn’t just replace random odds and ends—it elevated the entire experience. Instead of feeling like we were “making do” with camp cooking, we felt like we were really cooking outdoors.

Here’s what stood out:

  • All-in-one convenience – No forgotten spatulas, no missing knives, no paper towel panic. Everything is in the kit.

  • Versatility – Works with both a camp stove and over-the-fire cooking.

  • Easy cleanup – Built-in supplies made washing dishes fast.

  • Packable and organized – Instead of loose bins, we had one system that folds down neatly.

Pair it with UCO’s fire starters, portable grill & firepit, matches, candle lanterns, and sustainable mess kits, and you’ve got a campsite setup that makes you wonder why you ever camped without it.

Final Thoughts

Our North Cascades weekend was unforgettable—the mountain views, the alpine lake hike, the cozy nights by the fire. But what really stood out was how the Cookit Camp Kitchen turned camping meals into an experience we looked forward to, not a chore we had to figure out.

If you’re heading out on a car-camping adventure, the Cookit is the one piece of gear you’ll be glad you brought. It makes breakfast scrambles easy, dinner after a hike delicious, and cleanup painless. Pair it with UCO’s lanterns, portable firepit & grill, and fire-starting gear, and you’ve got everything you need to make your trip seamless.

Because at the end of the day, camping isn’t just about where you go—it’s about how comfortable and connected you feel once you’re there. And the Cookit delivers that comfort every single time.

 

Grab yourself a Cookit Camp Kitchen today, head over to www.ucogear.com/products/cookit-camp-kitchen

UCO ECO Egg Holder: https://ucogear.com/products/eco-egg-holder  

UCO Smokeless Grill & Firepit: https://ucogear.com/products/flatpack-smokeless-firepit-and-grill

UCO Sweetfire Firestarting Tabs: https://ucogear.com/collections/firestarting

UCO Mini Candle Lantern: https://ucogear.com/products/candle-lantern-kit

UCO Candlelier Candle Lantern: https://ucogear.com/products/candlelier-candle-lantern

UCO Stormproof Matches: https://ucogear.com/collections/matches/products/stormproof-matches