The Best (and Worst) Pumpkin Spice Trail Food, Ranked

The pumpkin spice craze is upon us once more. While I’ve never been one to go out of my way for fall-themed food and drink, seasonal products are a great way to switch up your trail snack game. So in preparation for upcoming hikes, I hit my local grocery stores in search of every trail-friendly pumpkin or pumpkin spice food item I could find. Here’s what I found, ranked from worst to best. (Yes, Trader Joe’s is heavily represented, especially amongst my favorites—they are, after all, the GOAT of seasonal snacks.)

Chocolate XOXOX Pumpkin Spice Bites

I was excited to try these bite-size candies that resemble peanut butter cups, one of my all-time favorite backpacking desserts, but these did not do it for me. The joy of peanut butter cups is in the salty filling, which contrasts with sweet chocolate. The earthy pumpkin filling in these, on the other hand, is an odd pairing for milk chocolate.

Trader Joe’s Pumpkin Spice Rooibos Herbal Tea

I love a hot cup of tea on a fall overnight, but this disappointed. The pumpkin spice flavor hardly comes through, especially compared to other cinnamony teas I’ve tried.

Pumpkin Pie Perfect Bar

This Thanksgiving-dessert-flavored bar tasted surprisingly peanut buttery (the first ingredient is peanut butter). The flavor of pie filling still shines through, and grew on me with each bite. These refrigerated bars (they’ll keep up to a week in your pack) have a cookie-dough like consistency, and pack a protein punch at 14g per bar, more than a Clif bar. I had one instead of lunch and felt fueled for an hour-long mountain bike ride.

Annie’s Shells & Sweet Potato Pumpkin Vegan Mac

Boxed macaroni is a staple backpacking dinner, so I had to try this version made with fall veggies. I’m not vegan, but it still did the job as a hearty pasta dish. Don’t expect cheesiness—the sauce is decidedly veggie-forward—but it was still satisfying, especially with some hot sauce.

Trader Joe’s Pecan Pumpkin Instant Oatmeal

The classic backpacker’s breakfast gets a seasonal twist. I’m not an oatmeal person, but I still downed an entire bowl. Pecans add some nice texture, and the oats are not overwhelmingly sweet like some instant packets. Made with real pumpkin powder and warm spices, this is a solid pick for fall overnight trips.

Purely Elizabeth Pumpkin Cinnamon Granola

For me, granola and milk powder beats out oatmeal as a fast, satisfying trail breakfast. The pumpkin in this granola comes from pumpkin seeds, but the addition of warm spices make it a great seasonal addition to any GORP or cold breakfast. Big, crunchy clusters provided everything I look for in a granola.

Lesser Evil Pumpkin Spice Popcorn 

This crunchy snack exceeded my expectations. Popcorn is so satisfying on the trail, but don’t expect this to satisfy a craving for salty snacks: This treat was more akin to cinnamony kettle corn.

Trader Joe’s Petite Pumpkin Spice Cookies

These are reminiscent of elevated frosted animal crackers, which are so snackable they’ve fueled many of my adventures in the past. The yogurt-covered spiced shortbread with sprinkles was sweet and fun. Plus, they hold up pretty well to crushing in a pack.

Leslie Stowe Pumpkin Spice Raincoast Crisps

Raincoast artisanal crackers, studded with dried fruit, nuts, and seeds, have always been a favorite addition of mine to any charcuterie spread. And who doesn’t love backcountry charcuterie? This cinnamony version tasted great with sliced manchego.

Trader Joe’s Pumpkin Tortilla Chips

I love a tortilla chip on trail for reliable salt intake, and this list needed a salty option. While I was skeptical that the flavors would meld well, this hit the mark. The chips are made with actual pumpkin and warm spices, which are subtle enough to strike an ideal balance with the salt. Great alone, these would also be delicious with salsa or as a crunchy topping to a dehydrated burrito bowl.

Trader Joe’s This Pumpkin Walks into a Cereal Bars

These cereal bars are a bite of nostalgia. Similar to the Nutri-Grain bars that I grew up with, these have actual pumpkin and apple filling for a pie-slash-breakfast bar hybrid.

365 Pumpkin Spice Cheesecake Sandwich Cremes

It was physically hard for me to stop eating these. Oreo’s fall cousin, they hit every note I could want from a pumpkin spice cookie. You might want to hide them from your tent-mate.

Trader Joe’s Pumpkin Spiced Teeny Tiny Pretzels

These salty sweet morsels of satisfaction could pump(kin) up any trail mix. Mini yogurt-covered pretzels with an autumnal twist, they’re  crunchy and just as good whole as crushed up in pieces—an essential quality in a snack you’re going to stuff in your backpack, IMHO.

Trader Joe’s Pumpkin Flavored Joe-Joe’s

I wasn’t sure another sandwich cookie could top the 365 version above, but these have even more creme filling and even more pumpkin spice flavor. I’d like to petition for these to be available year-round.