Power banks and solar panels are the way to go

The short answer: bring a big power bank and a small solar panel.

Skip the generator. They’re loud, smelly, and you don’t need that much power for a weekend. Most people just need to keep a phone, maybe a headlamp, and a Kindle alive. A modern 20,000 mAh power bank can juice an iPhone five or six times. That’s enough for a long weekend.

If you’re out for a week or more, add a foldable solar panel. Get one that puts out at least 10W, ideally 20W+ if you want to top off the power bank during the day. Leave it in the sun while you hike or fish. It’s slow but steady. Don’t expect to charge a laptop unless you bring a panel the size of a picnic table—not worth it.

One thing people mess up: they bring a power bank but forget the cable. Or they bring a cheap panel that needs direct, perfect sunlight for hours. Get a reputable brand (Anker, Goal Zero, or Renogy for panels). Test everything before you go. And if you’re car camping, just bring a car inverter—technically not a generator, and way simpler.

Future you will thank Past You for not dragging a gas generator into the woods.