We have the perfect selection of gifts for people who love to camp!
We all have that friend or cousin who loves the great outdoors. Rather than giving them another flashlight or fire starter this holiday season, why not pick something really unique from this list of useful gifts for people who love to camp, I guarantee you will find the perfect gift to fit any budget.
You’re sure to find something they’ll love and won’t have to worry you’ve wasted money on another gadget they won’t use. Even if you don’t know the first thing about camping (or you think it’s crazy), this guide will help you. If they are more into RVing, check out this list of 50+ awesome gifts for RVers.p
Useful Camping Gifts Under $25
LED Lantern Set
Whether making a middle-of-the night trip to the bathhouse or simply reading in the dark tent, this 2-pack LED lantern set is a great choice for the next camping trip. Lightweight and compact, they’re a perfect gift for the minimalist or the glamper.
HydroCell Stainless Steel Water Bottles
Hydro Cell Stainless Steel Water Bottles are offered in a wide variety of sizes and colors and include a straw and wide mouth lids. They’ll keep your water cold or your coffee hot for those long hikes through the mountains. They’re also sturdier than reusable plastic and more sustainable than single-use plastic bottles.
With gift options ranging from basic to downright fancy and complex, it’s easy to get overwhelmed and spend way too much. Our gift guide has many options, no matter how you enjoy the great outdoors. We love to share what we’ve learned on the road about what works and what doesn’t, what you need and what can stay home.
Sport-Brella Versa-Brella
Hanging out at the campsite or on the beach in the sun for long hours is exhausting and unsafe. Sport-Brella Versa-Brella is made of UPF 50+ material to keep you safe and comfortable to enjoy whatever the day has in store for you. It’s also versatile, with a clamp that would be great for strollers on those hot days, golf carts, or the bleachers at the soccer field.
Ours came in super handy at the Pensacola Air Show when it was blazing hot, best of all, they don’t take up too much room.
Sawyer Mini Water Filter System
Spending all day on the trail requires hydration, which can get heavy in your pack. The Sawyer Mini Water Filtration System removes over 99% of all bacteria and includes a reusable pouch and straw for convenience. The filter is rated up to 100,000 gallons, which will keep you hydrated through many hiking miles.
Whether your friend owns a travel trailer or is content to set up a hammock under the stars, you’re sure to find the perfect, budget-friendly gift on this list. No matter their type of camping, storage space is always an issue, so we’ve included practical, portable ideas for everyone. No one likes lugging heavy gear that may or may not get used during the trip. Storage space in an rv or camper is not our friend.
REI Multi Towel
A full-size towel is not practical for many types of camping trips, but this microfiber Multi Towel folds up small, absorbs up to eight times its weight, and includes a mesh carrying bag. Perfect for wiping a sweaty face or drying off after a shower. Would also be a great addition to any camp kitchen, making dish drying quick and easy.
Atlas Chroma Suspension System
With this sturdy Atlas Chroma Suspension System, all you need are a couple of trees (or even the roof rack on your SUV) and your hammock to enjoy a nap outside under the stars. Lightweight and compact, these straps are a great addition to anyone’s camping gear, and will protect the tree’s precious bark.
Reliance Luggable Loo
Camping in the back woods with no bathroom in sight? The Reliance Luggable Loo has got you covered when nature calls. Use with disposable waste bags for easy cleanup. It’s not as gross as it sounds, but it is super handy.
Camping is a great way to travel and explore places all over the world. In our opinion, there’s nothing better than setting up camp and getting to know our home-away-from-home for the next few days. What could be better than sipping coffee in your camping chair on a chilly fall morning or roasting marshmallows over the campfire at night?
Deuce Backcountry Trowel
If carrying a five-gallon loo bucket isn’t feasible, your friend would love The Deuce Backcountry Trowel. Lightweight and small enough to fit in a backpack, it’s perfect for digging holes for number two. It can also be recycled when it’s time to retire it. As a bonus, it can also be used as a sand stake or a bottle opener. Just make sure to wash it first!
REI Multi Towel
You could make do with a log or rock to sit on, but why do that when there’s the Mountaineering Tri-Leg Stool? It’s light and compact and can be used with or without the included travel bag. You’ll have a comfortable place to sit while eating dinner or relaxing and won’t waste precious packing space.
Not having the right gear, or simply packing too much stuff, can be the difference between a great camping trip and a miserable one. We love sharing our gift ideas in the hopes that everyone can have the opportunity to enjoy this way of travel as much as we do.
The Best Camping Gifts Under $100
Coleman Sundome Tent
Seasoned campers and newbies alike will enjoy the weatherproof Coleman Sundome Tent. Impressively sized to fit a queen-sized mattress, it also includes an e-port to make it easy to plug up your small heater or electric blanket for those cold nights in the great outdoors.
TrailBuddy Trekking Poles
When you’re ready to graduate from using a random stick you found in the woods to something more substantial, TrailBuddy Trekking Poles are a great option. Lightweight but sturdy, they’re also adjustable to accommodate various heights. With many color options, a carrying bag, and comfortable cork handles, these are a great gift for those wanting a bit more stability (and to up their cool factor) on the hiking trail.
Camping gear doesn’t have to break the bank. Many people go into big name outdoor gear stores and get overwhelmed by the options and prices, myself included. There are plenty of affordable, practical gift options to save you from gifting another pair of wool socks or disposable hand warmers.
Wise Owl Outfitters Hammock
Wise Owl Outfitters Hammock is a great, low-cost hammock with stellar reviews. It’s made of sturdy parachute nylon but is soft and comfortable enough for a good night’s rest. When it’s time to get going for the day, it packs down tightly and fits nicely in your backpack without adding a lot of weight.
Sleepingo Camping Sleeping Pad
Large air mattresses are certainly comfortable while camping, but they’re not always practical. The Sleepingo Camping Sleeping Pad is an affordable option, and it weighs less than one pound but inflates to provide 2” of cushioning for comfortable sleep on your tent floor. Once deflated, it compresses down to about the size of your water bottle, leaving plenty of room in your pack for other essentials.
Many people think camping means fighting off mosquitoes and sleeping with a rock in your back, but our experiences have been much different. We’ve learned a lot over the years and have discovered what we love and what we’d rather not do again. There’s no right or wrong way to “do” camping.
Arctic Zone Titan Cooler
The Arctic Zone Titan Cooler holds up to 30 cans and has a soft exterior and comfortable carrying strap. Carrying sandwiches and drinks? There’s a shelf inside so you can keep soft and hard things separate. No one wants a mushy sandwich, no matter how good the beer. Rather than a zipper, this cooler has a cool flip-top and boasts a two-day longevity for ice, which is really nice when you’re camping.
Heritage Camp Axe
Whether you’re removing excess brush from the trail or simply cutting wood for your nightly campfire, the Heritage Camp Axe will come in handy. It’s lightweight and small enough to fit in your pack, just make sure to use the leather sheath because this thing is sharp!
Camp Roll Table
No matter how much you love the outdoors, having dinner while sitting on a rock and balancing your plate in your lap isn’t fun. The Camp Roll Table is made of lightweight aluminum, but is sturdy and provides a stable surface for meals and game time. Packs up small to save room for other things—like food.
Camping meals can be much more than roasted hot dogs and canned beans. With the right gear, you can have a great meal with minimal prep and cleanup. Whether you have an RV with a kitchen or just some aluminum foil and seasonings, yummy camping food is always an option.
Ursack Bear Bag
Lions and tigers and bears—oh my! Protect your food from the beasts with the Ursack Major XL Bear Bag. It’s made out of bulletproof fabric to withstand bear claws and the random target-shooting hunter.
Midland Emergency Radio
A good rule to follow when planning any outdoor activity is to be prepared. The Midland ER310 Emergency Crank Radio will alert you to weather warnings and also includes a flashlight with strobe and SOS functions for use during an emergency. The crank battery is rechargeable, but there’s also the option for double-A batteries as a backup. A great gift for the camper who doesn’t mess around when it comes to safety.
Anker PowerCore Portable Charger
The Anker PowerCore Portable Charger is a great gift for any camper. It’s small and lightweight and can charge your phone multiple times until you’re able to get to another power source.
If your budget is a bit more substantial, the rest of the gifts on this list are sure to impress and are all extremely useful for the glamper and minimalist alike. Many are multi-functional, so they can be used in the campground or at home.
Camping Gifts Over $100 For Campers
Soundsleep Air Mattress
Enjoying the great outdoors doesn’t have to mean sacrificing a good night’s sleep. A SoundAsleep Dream Series Air Mattress can be a good compromise between camping and glamping. Thick, comfortable, and it even comes with a pump to have it inflated in less than five minutes for those late-night campground arrivals. It will also stay inflated for days, so no need to worry you’ll wake up in the middle of a sinking mattress. – which has happened to me and it’s NOT fun!
NEMO Recliner Luxury Chair
On clear nights, nothing is quite as relaxing as laying back and looking at the stars. With the NEMO Stargaze Recliner Luxury Chair, you can do just that, no matter the terrain or climate. The chair is suspended on an aluminum frame, so it’s lightweight, but it’s also made of mesh to help maintain air flow. A beverage holder and a pocket for your book or magazine makes this possibly the greatest camping chair ever made. Trust me. I’ve owned a lot of terrible camping chairs.
Nothing will ruin a couples’ camping trip quicker than poor planning. What has helped us is a standard packing list based on where we’re going and what we plan to do while we’re there. The gear will vary based on whether or not the kids will be with us and the season. Proper planning and the right gear will help to ensure your camping trip is a success. Don’t forget to download our FREE camping gear checklist above!
NEMO Tensor Insulated Sleeping Pad
If you want to take your camping gift-giving game to the next level, check out the NEMO Tensor Insulated Sleeping Pad. Other sleep pads can be unstable, causing your hips or shoulders to press into the ground during the night. It’s also made of quieter materials, so it won’t sound like a horde of children opening a bag of chips every time you roll over. Weighing just over 1.5 pounds, it provides superior insulation from the cold ground, giving your sleeping bag a bit of a break.
When we first started camping, we bought a lot of the wrong stuff. Once we transitioned into the fifth wheel, we had a lot more room, but figured out quickly that you can spend a lot on things you don’t need. We go through our stuff and clean out about every 6 months. Purging is good for the soul! An abundance of gear isn’t necessary and can make the camping experience less enjoyable if you’re carrying loads of stuff from one spot to the next.
Jackery Portable Power
The Jackery Portable Power Station is a great option for RV’ers needing extra power for coffee pots, mini heaters, etc. Pick up a solar panel for another charging option.
YETI Tundra 45 Cooler
The rough, reliable YETI Tundra 45 Cooler is a great option for extended trips where refrigeration isn’t possible. It’s designed to keep your cold stuff cold for longer, which means less worry about spoiled food.
Garmin inReach Explorer+
For the more tech-inclined camper or hiker, the Garmin in Reach Explorer+ is a great gift. With a satellite subscription, you can send and receive text messages and also share your location with family and friends. A great safety option in case you lose your way or have an emergency, you can also send out an SOS.
We’ve been camping for a long time, and we’ve received a lot of impractical (or downright awful) camping gifts. The minimalist camper doesn’t need a bulky camp stove, and the glamper wouldn’t know the first thing about a portable toilet bucket.
Make sure you know the type of camping your gift receiver enjoys so that you can pick the best gift from the list for their needs.
They will appreciate your thoughtfulness and you’ll get the satisfaction of knowing your money was well spent. Win-win.
Interested in getting started on your own camping adventure? Many of the items on this list are great for beginners, and we also have plenty of articles to help you get started down that path. Your best bet is to start small and definitely don’t spend a lot of money up front. Read through this list and ask your fellow camping friends for advice. Soon you’ll be enjoying the great outdoors together.
Now it’s your turn. What else would you add to our list of useful gifts for people who camp?