6 Best Jerkies For National Park Visits That Won’t Leave You Thirsty

You’re two miles into a dusty, sun-exposed trail in Zion National Park, and you reach for a classic trail snack: beef jerky. A few salty, leathery bites later, your mouth feels like the desert floor and you’re suddenly desperate for your water bottle. This common scenario highlights a critical, often-overlooked aspect of choosing trail food—not all jerky is created equal, and the wrong kind can sabotage your hydration.

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Why High-Sodium Jerky Is a Hiker’s Worst Enemy

When you’re working hard on the trail, your body needs to stay hydrated to perform. High-sodium foods work directly against that goal. Salt makes your body retain water, but it also triggers a powerful thirst mechanism, signaling your brain to drink more. This is a problem when your water supply is finite and carried on your back.

On a multi-day backpacking trip in the Grand Canyon or a long day hike in Yellowstone, water sources can be unreliable or spaced far apart. Inducing unnecessary thirst with a salty snack forces you to drink your precious water supply faster. This can lead to rationing later in the day or, in a worst-case scenario, dehydration. The added weight of carrying extra water just to offset your snacks is a classic rookie mistake—it’s far more efficient to pack food that works with your body, not against it.

Remember the fundamental tradeoff of backpacking: every ounce counts. Choosing a low-sodium jerky isn’t just about comfort; it’s about efficiency and safety. By minimizing salt-induced thirst, you can carry a more appropriate amount of water, reducing pack weight and extending your range between refills. It’s a small choice at the grocery store that pays huge dividends on the trail.

Kalahari Biltong for a Tender, Low-Sodium Bite

Imagine a jerky that’s tender, savory, and doesn’t leave you desperately reaching for your Nalgene. That’s the promise of biltong, a South African style of air-dried cured meat. Unlike traditional jerky, which is often dehydrated with high heat and loaded with salt and sugar, biltong is cured with vinegar and spices before being air-dried, resulting in a naturally lower sodium content and a softer texture.

Kalahari Biltong is a fantastic example of this method. It’s made with simple ingredients and has a clean, beef-forward flavor that isn’t masked by excessive salt or liquid smoke. The tender, steak-like pieces are easy to chew while on the move, making it a great option when you need a quick protein hit without stopping to wrestle with a tough, leathery strip. For day hikers and backpackers alike, it’s a smart way to get high-quality protein without the hydration penalty.

Epic Provisions Bison Bar: Fruit-Infused Trail Fuel

Sometimes the best jerky isn’t jerky at all. Epic Provisions essentially reinvented trail protein with their meat bars, which blend high-quality meat with fruits, nuts, and seeds. The Epic Bison Bar, with its mix of bison, uncured bacon, and cranberries, offers a more complete nutritional profile than meat alone, providing protein, healthy fats, and natural carbohydrates for balanced energy.

This blended approach has a key advantage: the fruit and other ingredients add flavor and moisture, reducing the need for heavy-handed salting. The result is a savory, satisfying bar that’s much gentler on your palate and your water supply. The soft, easy-to-eat texture is a welcome relief on cold days when traditional jerky can become rock-hard, or on long slogs when you’re too tired for aggressive chewing. It’s a perfect all-in-one fuel source for demanding ascents in parks like Rocky Mountain or Mount Rainier.

Chomps Original Beef Stick for Simple, Clean Snacking

For those who value convenience and clean ingredients, Chomps Beef Sticks are a go-to. They are individually wrapped, making them a perfect no-mess snack to stash in a hip belt pocket for easy access. There’s no fumbling with a large, open bag, which is a huge plus in windy or wet conditions.

Chomps’ commitment to simplicity is its greatest strength. Made from 100% grass-fed and finished beef, they contain no added sugar, soy, gluten, or nitrates. This minimalist approach means the flavor comes from the meat and spices, not a slurry of salt and sugar. While still a cured product, their sodium levels are generally more moderate than many competitors, making them a solid choice for staying fueled without feeling parched.

The New Primal Beef Thins: A Crispy, Lighter Option

If you’re tired of the same old leathery chew, The New Primal’s Beef Thins offer a completely different experience. These are less like jerky and more like a savory, crispy meat chip. They are incredibly light and airy, providing a satisfying crunch that can break up the monotony of soft trail bars and chewy snacks.

This unique form factor comes with a practical tradeoff. While exceptionally lightweight for the protein they deliver, they are more fragile than traditional jerky and can get crushed in a carelessly packed bag. However, their clean ingredient profile and moderate sodium make them an excellent choice for hikers who pack with a bit more care. They are a fantastic, low-thirst option for a summit snack with a view in a place like Acadia National Park.

Stryve Original Biltong: Air-Dried for Less Salt

Stryve is another top-tier biltong that showcases the benefits of the traditional air-drying process. By slowly drying the meat over time, Stryve achieves a tender texture and deep flavor without relying on the high heat and high sodium content of many commercial jerkies. This makes it an ideal choice for sustained energy on long-distance trails where managing hydration is paramount.

One of the best things about Stryve is its versatility. It’s available in pre-sliced bags for ultimate convenience or in traditional slabs. A slab is a great choice for a multi-day trip through a park like Glacier or the Sierras; you can slice off exactly what you need, and the remaining piece stays fresher longer. It’s a testament to how a simple, time-honored process can produce a superior trail food.

Country Archer Zero Sugar Jerky for a Healthier Chew

For the jerky purist who wants that classic, satisfying chew without the junk, Country Archer’s Zero Sugar line is a game-changer. Many jerky brands replace fat with sugar to improve flavor and texture, leading to a quick energy spike followed by a crash. By eliminating sugar entirely, this jerky provides more stable, long-lasting energy from protein.

Removing the sugar also helps keep the focus on the quality of the 100% grass-fed beef and the savory spices. While it delivers that familiar jerky toughness, the sodium content is kept in a reasonable range, especially compared to mainstream brands. This makes it a great option for someone who loves the traditional jerky experience but wants a cleaner, more functional fuel source for their national park adventures.

Reading Labels: How to Pick a Low-Thirst Jerky

Ultimately, the best jerky is the one you’ve vetted yourself. Don’t just grab the first bag you see; turn it over and become a savvy label-reader. Your hydration and energy levels on the trail depend on it.

Boldly check the nutrition facts before you buy. Pay attention to two key numbers: sodium and serving size. Many brands use a small one-ounce serving size on the label, but most hikers will eat two or three times that amount in one sitting. A product with 350mg of sodium per serving quickly becomes a salt bomb delivering over 1,000mg if you eat the whole bag. Aim for products under 400mg per serving, and be realistic about how much you’ll actually eat.

Here’s what to look for to make a smart choice:

• Sodium Content: The lower, the better. Anything under 400mg per serving is good, but products in the 250-350mg range are excellent.
• Sugar Content: Look for 0-3 grams of sugar per serving. Zero-sugar options are best for avoiding energy crashes.
• Ingredient List: A short, recognizable ingredient list is a great sign. Look for high-quality meat and natural spices over artificial flavors, nitrates, and MSG.
• Product Type: Biltong and meat bars are often lower in sodium by design than traditional jerky, but always check the label to be sure.

Don’t let a bad snack choice dictate your water consumption or ruin a beautiful day in a national park. The goal isn’t to have the most high-tech gear or the "perfect" food; it’s to be out there, enjoying the trail. A little bit of planning in the grocery aisle ensures your snacks are fueling your adventure, not holding you back.