Unearth The Voyage
In this guide to gifts for camping, we’re going to cover all of the best gift ideas for your friends and family members who love to go camping. We’ve included not only the best useful gifts for camping but also the best gifts for kids and of course budget options that won’t break the bank.
As avid campers who have traveled around in our RV for over 1.5 years, these are the exact gifts that we would want to be given. We’re sure you’ll find something on this list that your camping-loving friend or family member is bound to enjoy.
Useful Gifts For Camping
Campstove
While cooking over an open fire is by far one of the most fun parts of a weekend spent camping, some things just aren’t very easy to cook over a fire. This two-burner gas cooktop is a must-have for anyone who loves to camp!
It folds down for easy storage and has side panels to protect the flame from going out from the wind. Coleman is a great brand and we have had one of their cooktops for years and we’ve cooked tons of delicious dinners on it. It also uses the little green propane containers that you can buy just about anywhere so there’s no need for special fuel.
Solar Phone Charger
Campers use their cell phone a lot more than you would think so keeping them charged up can be a real challenge.
Whether it’s hiking trail apps to keep you pointed in the right direction or simply photos along the way having your phone die in the woods can be more than an inconvenience, it can be a safety concern. So give the gift of infinite power through solar.
This portable battery bank has not one, but four solar panels to keep those cell phones charged even on the longest backcountry camping trips.
Waterproof Speaker
It doesn’t matter if it’s a float trip or a simple weekend in the woods, having a quality Bluetooth speaker that is also waterproof is an amazing gift for any outdoor enthusiast.
We have had one of these Bluetooth JBL waterproof speakers for years now and we absolutely love it! The battery lasts a long time each time you charge it and it even has a USB connection so you can charge your phone from it.
Small Folding Table
A nice folding table is something most campers would like to have but never get around to buying. Give your friend or family member the gift of convenience for their next camping trip with a nice folding table.
Trekology makes three different sizes so you’re sure to find just the right size. They’re lightweight making them easy to transport but still sturdy enough to be useful. Oftentimes it’s the simple things that make the best gifts for camping lovers.
Backpack Chair Cooler
People who love hiking and camping are always looking for the best gear that serves more than one purpose. Getting away from it all just isn’t the same if you have to bring it all with you. So give them the gift of a place to sit down and a cool drink all in one!
This backpack cooler also serves as a chair which is great for everything from days at the beach to hikes in the wilderness. The cooler is well insulated so it keeps cold drinks cold and hot drinks hot for several hours which is great for those true adventures who need equipment that can stand up to the test.
Portable Powerstation
Jackery hands down makes the best portable power stations available today. Give your friend or family member one of these Jackery Portable Power Stations and they’re sure to be the envy of the campground.
If you’re looking for a gift that can hold up to even the most rugged adventures then a Jackery is the way to go. This model has several different charging ports making it extremely versatile which means they’re sure to use it every time they go camping.
It’s also a great gift because it’s extremely useful to have all the time not just while camping. I keep one in my truck all the time!
Hydration Pack
Staying hydrated while hiking or simply enjoying the outdoors is more than just a good idea, it’s a matter of safety! The effects of dehydration can come on fast and lead to dangerous situations. Keep your friend or loved one safe with a quality hydration pack.
Not only does Water Buffalo make great hydration packs, but this model also comes with its own backpack which means there are no worries about buying the wrong one and having it not fit in their backpack.
It also fits up to 2 liters of water which makes it a great option for hikers who like to hit the trail all day!
Yeti Cooler
Even people who aren’t campers have heard of Yeti and that’s because they make some of the best coolers on the market! This cooler will keep ice for up to several days making it a great option for campers who love to get out into the wild and don’t always have a grocery store with ice right around the corner.
This cooler holds up to 20 cans so they’re sure to be able to fit not only their drinks but also their food so everything stays nice and cold for the entire trip. It also has a drain plug which means when it is time to change the ice there’s no need to dump everything out first. Simply drain the water, add more ice in and you’re good to go!
Sleeping Bag
Having a quality sleeping bag can make or break a camping trip! Give your friend or family member the gift of a great night’s sleep with the HiHiker sleeping bag.
It’s not only waterproof but rated for temperatures as low as 25 degrees Fahrenheit so if the cold weather does catch them off guard they’re sure to stay nice and toasty.
Sleeping bags also tend to take quite a beating between the dirt, water, and just general use. HiHiker sleeping bags are washable so they’ll be clean and ready for the next adventure. They also have a variety of both kid’s and adult-size sleeping bags so there’s an option for everyone on your list!
National Parks Pass
The National Parks here in the United States are some of the most beautiful places in the entire country. However, it can cost as much as $35 for a single day in the park! An America the Beautiful Pass is not only the gift of experiences it’s also a huge money saver.
The pass is good for an entire year and will not only get you into any National Park in the United States but also Bureau of Land Management Property and virtually anything under the authority of the National Parks Service. It’s a great investment and we buy one every single year and have saved hundreds of dollars in the process!
Cookware Set
Cooking around the campsite is a great way to bring everyone back together after a full day of activities. But nothing makes cooking more frustrating than realizing you don’t have one of the utensils you need.
This 11-piece cooking utensil kit comes with everything you could need for cooking at the campsite all packed inside one convenient travel case. With everything from knives, a cutting board, a bottle opener, and more- this set is a sure win for the camper in your life!
Propane Fire Pit
Having a campfire is one of the most fun parts of camping. But arriving at the campground only to learn that there’s a fire ban is sure to put a damper on the trip. And to make things worse there are plenty of places that due to the local climate open wood fires are never allowed.
This propane fire pit is a lifesaver! Since it’s contained and not a wood fire it is almost always okay to use even during a fire ban (check with local Forest Rangers or Campground Host first). It also saves the problem of transporting wood.
Invasive species in certain areas mean you often cannot bring your own firewood from home, which means buying local (often very expensive) firewood is the only choice. But this propane fire pit fixes all of that!
Travel Dog Bed
Don’t forget about their little four-legged friend who loves to camp too! Camping with your dog is so much fun, but they want a nice place to lay down after a long hike as well.
This rugged machine washable dog bed is perfect for the dog owner in your life who wouldn’t dream of going camping without their best friend.
It has a built-in loop for hand drying and both a cool side and a warmer fabric side to keep their dog comfortable no matter the temperature.
Cot
Let’s face it, not everyone wants to sleep on the ground. But the great news is, they don’t have to! A sleeping cot is a great option for anyone who wants to go camping but also likes to get a good night’s sleep.
This cot is not only a great value for the money, but it’s also extremely easy to set up making it a sure win for the camper in your life. It’s extremely comfortable and long enough to fit even tall campers up to 6’ 8”.
Lifestraw
As much as they plan, getting caught without water is always possible and an extremely dangerous situation when it happens.
LifeStraw is an award-winning device that allows someone to drink directly from any water source safely. It filters out harmful bacteria that might be in the water and can be a lifesaver in an emergency.
They’re small, lightweight, and easy to pack so they’re no trouble at all to bring along just in case. Keep the camper in your life safe with a LifeStraw so they’re never caught without water again!
Folding Double Camp Chair
The perfect gift for camping for the camping lovebirds in your life. This double-folding chair is made for two and is very comfortable. It folds down just like a regular bag chair and saves space when they’re packing up.
If campfire cuddles are what they’re looking for then look no further! They also come in several different colors so you’re sure to find the perfect chair for your favorite camping couple!
Coffee Maker
Waking up to a fresh hot cup of coffee at the campsite is one of the best feelings in the world! But when you don’t have electricity that can be a little challenging sometimes.
This wonderful camping coffee pot works without any electricity at all. All they have to do is put their favorite coffee grounds in the top, fill the pot with water, put it over the campfire, and boom! Fresh hot coffee.
It brews up to 12 cups at a time so it’s great for big groups. The ability to brew a fresh hot cup of coffee is certainly one of the best gifts for camping enthusiasts!
Canopy
Rain has a way of ruining an otherwise great weekend camping. But a pop-up canopy can save the day! They’re also great for staying out of the sun when your campsite doesn’t have much shade around.
This pop-up canopy is easy to set up, has several heights that it can be adjusted to, and folds away easily into its rolling storage case making it a great no-hassle option for staying cool and dry at the campsite.
Outdoor Mat
Having a clean dry area to take off boots and shoes before you go into your tent or camper can make all the difference. This simple outdoor mat makes for a spot to either change your shoes or simply sit down for a while, not in the grass.
It has a UV protective coating to prevent damage from the sun and is made with a breathable woven design that will prevent damage to the grass under it.
Gifts For Camping Under $25
Headlamp
A quality headlamp is a must-have for anyone who loves to camp. Whether it’s walking back to their tent/RV or a late-night run to the bathroom, having a hands-free option for light makes everything a lot easier.
This headlamp has seven different light mode options which makes it great for anything they’re trying to do. It has a comfortable head strap and provides up to 360 lumens making it bright enough for any occasion.
Marshmallow Roasting Sticks
Roasting a marshmallow over the fire for a s’more or a hotdog for the kids is a camping tradition that goes back generations!
But collecting a stick from around the campground is often not an option since either every good stick is normally already taken by previous campers or it’s simply not allowed by the campground.
Having a great set of roasting forks is the perfect gift for a camping family. These roasting forks are also a fixed length which we prefer since we have had plenty of issues with the collapsible kind that always seems to break relatively quickly.
Keep that campfire food coming with a sturdy set of roasting forks that are sure to last for years to come!
Extra Tent Stakes
I’m pretty sure there is some sort of camping goblin that steals tent stakes when campers aren’t looking because these ALWAYS seem to go missing. Since most tents don’t come with any spare stakes having a good set of extra ones saves a lot of headaches.
Give the camper in your life a few extra stakes that they’ll be more than happy to toss in the bag with their tent for when they inevitably need them. They’re also great for setting up canopies as well! Often it’s the simple things that make the best gifts for camping lovers.
Fire Starting Sticks
While having a campfire is certainly one of the most fun parts of camping, getting one started can at times be…problematic. Having a pack of fire-starting sticks can save tons of not only headaches but also the time that could be spent having fun and relaxing with their fellow campers.
If the wood they’re working with is a little too wet or simply not wanting to cooperate, a couple of fire-starting sticks will make the whole process a lot easier. They’re non-toxic, leave no odor, and burn completely.
First Aid Kit
As much fun as camping in the wilderness can be, accidents do happen, and when they do it’s best to be prepared! A quality first-aid kit is not only an essential item for any camping trip but a great thing to keep in the car all the time.
The Swiss Safe first-aid kit comes with 120 medical-grade items specifically selected to handle a variety of minor medical situations. Keep your friend or loved one who loves camping safe as well as give yourself a little peace of mind by giving them this quality first-aid kit.
Collapsible Tub For Dishes
As much fun as cooking in the great outdoors can be, cleaning up afterward can be quite a headache. Make things a little easier on the camping chef in your life with a collapsible washing tube.
These actually come in a two-pack which makes things far easier since they can wash in one tube and then rinse in the other. They also collapse down almost completely flat making it super easy to pack them up for their next camping trip!
Hand Warmers
Being cold can really ruin an otherwise great weekend camping. Save your friend or family member from frozen fingers with this massive box of 40 pairs of warmers. They last up to 10 hours and are even TSA-approved if they’re going to be traveling for their camping trip.
To activate them all they need to do is shake the package and the warmer will begin to warm up. They’ll thank you again and again as they find countless reasons from camping to tailgating to use these convenient hand warmers.
Solar Shower
Getting cleaned up after a great day hiking or enjoying the outdoors can be a little difficult when you’re camping. Campgrounds often don’t have a shower house and backcountry camping means there certainly won’t be one!
Help the camper in your family stay fresh and clean with a portable solar shower. Simply add water and place the bag in direct sunlight and it will heat the water to over 100 degrees in just a few hours! Then just hang it anyway and enjoy a nice hot shower. It even has a temperature gauge to tell them how hot the water is getting.
Travel Clothesline
Wet clothes and towels always seem to pile up quickly when you’re enjoying the outdoors. Make things a little easier on your friend or family member for their next camping trip with this portable clothesline.
It has 12 attached clothespins with space for several more. Two easy-to-attach hooks on either end make it super simple to hang up just about anywhere. It even has additional black clips between the clothespins that help keep the clothes spread out so they don’t sag to the middle.
Pop-Up Trash Can
Having an easy place to toss trash makes keeping your campsite clean so much easier! Most campgrounds only have dumpsters and it can be a real pain to have to walk to the dumpers to throw things away. And a trash bag hanging from a tree is likely to rip and spill trash everywhere.
Help them keep their campsite clean with this super convenient pop-up trash can! It folds down for easy storage and works with just about any trash bag. They even have metal rings in the bottom so they can use tent stakes to stake it to the ground to keep it from blowing away.
Quick Dry Towels
Having a great towel is a must for any camping adventure, but having a towel that dries super fast is wonderful! Every camper knows what it’s like to pack up after a great weekend in the wilderness and be stuck with wet towels.
Keep your friend or family member dry and comfortable on their next camping trip with this super-fast-drying microfiber towel. Between showers, boat drips, washing up, and more they’ll find countless times to not only use it but be grateful it’s already dried out from the last time they used it.
Gifts For Camping The Kids Will Love
Magical Flames
Magical Flames is a small packet that you can simply toss into a campfire for instant entertainment the whole family will enjoy! As the packet burns up the flames of the fire will turn beautiful colors for several hours.
Whether it’s telling ghost stories or simply sitting around the campfire, adding a little color to the flames is a surefire hit with everyone at the campsite every time.
Hammock
Young campers absolutely love setting up a hammock at a campsite and for good reason, it’s so fun! This hammock is lightweight and packs up really tiny making it easy to bring along for the kids.
It’s a great activity for parents to show them how to select the right trees at the right distance apart. But will also keep their attention all day so Mom and Dad can get around to setting up the rest of the campsite.
Kootek Hammock is also rated for two people and can support up to 500 pounds so all the kids can have fun swinging in the hammock together!
Glowsticks
The fun doesn’t stop when the sun goes down! Keep the little campers entertained all night with this super inexpensive set of over 400 glow sticks. The kids will have hours of fun running around the campground with all the colors of the rainbow.
Glow sticks are also a great safety item to make sure all the little campers can be seen while playing in the campground after dark. Some campers and RV owners come in after dark and having some glow stick makes sure they know where all the little campers are as they drive through the campground.
Walkie Talkies
Walkie Talkies is another great campground item that is not only fun for little campers to use, but a great thing to have for safety.
This pack of four is the perfect set because it has enough walkie-talkies for the kids to play with and talk to each other but also one to leave behind for Mom and Dad so they can call everyone quickly to come back to the campsite. They also last up to 3 to 4 days on standby mode which is great for saving batteries!
Unique Gifts For Camping
Solar Lights
Lighting up your campsite and making it look cool is one of the most fun things about a weekend at the campground. But camping at a site without electricity really makes it difficult. These amazing solar-powered LED string lights are the perfect solution!
Make your friend or family member’s campsite the coolest one around with this two-pack of solar LED strand lights. They put off a warm soft light and last for up to 12 hours after sundown on a single charge!
Inflatable Lounger
Finding a great place to sit and relax while you’re camping can be a little bit of a challenge. There’s often only so much room in the car/truck so bringing larger furniture or anything more than a simple bag chair is usually not possible.
This inflatable lounger brings the comfort of their living room directly to the campsite. It folds up small and is easy to inflate once you arrive. Wekapo makes several different colors and designs so you’re sure to find one that matches their style!
5 Gallon Water Dispenser
We’ve had one of these 5-gallon water dispensers pumps in our camper for quite some time and it’s absolutely amazing! We save so much money by not having to buy water bottles all the time and it’s great for the environment.
Simply charge up the pump and then set it on top of a 5-gallon jug of water and you’re done! There is a tube that runs down to the bottom of the jug and a button on the top to turn it on and off. It also has a convenient water spout which makes it super easy to fill everything from a reusable water bottle to a pot for cooking!
Shoe Lights
While most people prefer a headlamp for hands-free light while they’re camping, they can be a little problematic if you’re camping in areas with lots of insects. Since the light on a headlamp is so close to your face it draws every insect for miles around directly to your face.
These shoe lights provide all the benefits of a headlamp but keep the source of light further from your face to keep the bugs away. They easily attach to any shoes and can illuminate your path up to 30 feet in front of you making it super easy to walk around the campground at night.
Tailgate Hammock
Sometimes there just aren’t any good trees near the campsite to set up your hammock and that can be a real bummer! With this tailgate hammock that’s a thing of the past. It connects directly to any standard 2-inch receiver and works with both hammocks and chairs.
They’re also great for tailgating at the big game or any occasion where you need to sit down and relax for a while.
Wine Glass Clip For Bag Chairs
While most folding bag chairs do have cup holders they’re not designed for holding a glass of wine. This convenient little clip easily attaches to the rails of any bag chair and perfectly holds a glass of wine. No more setting it on the ground only to have your wine fall over or worse fill up with bugs.
Its sturdy clamping system holds firm so that once it’s attached you’re more likely to fall over than your wine!
