How do you plan on carrying camping equipment and food? Some people use their road bikes and a backpack successfully. Some use a seat post rack and light rear panniers only. You can use any bike that will carry you and whatever you like to carry. The more stuff you carry, the more you'll gravitate toward a "real" touring bike, but many don't carry very much and a road bike or city bike works just fine. My first "touring" bike was an old Schwinn Varsity with my sleeping bag, tent and clothes rolled up on top of a book rack and a gym duffel bag tied between the brake hoods.

Another consideration is the weather you'll be riding in. If you expect rain, fenders may be a real consideration and not all bikes can accept fenders.

If you do use a rear rack and large panniers on a road bike, you may need to watch out for your heel hitting the pack. And if you do install fenders on a road bike, your toes may strike the fender on turns. Touring bikes have longer wheelbases to prevent that.

Some good entry level bikes can be found at Bike Nashbar and Windsor, I hear.