From portable coffee-making gadgets to top-notch outdoor camping cookware for throwing down the ultimate campsite meal , we&#;ve included a wide range of highly practical items, making them the best camping gifts for the adventurer in your life, no matter what trail is next on their list.
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Finding the best gift for campers can be a challenging task, especially since camping gear tends to be a personal and environment-specific choice. We sought out giftable camping items that we deem universally handy, many of which we&#;ve rigorously tested, now trust, and can no longer camp without. The picks we&#;ve included below are upgraded yet highly functional items we doubt your recipient would think to buy for themselves.
Yeti Flask
PHOTO: Yeti
Equal parts practical and fun, this new release from Yeti ranks among our favorite gifts for this year. Loyal fans of the brand will love that this leak-proof, single-wall air insulated flask has the same durable coating as its insulated bottles and comes in five core colors as well as stainless steel. We like the size and curved shape: It can fit in your pocket and it's comfortable to hold. It comes with a funnel for easy pouring. And it's dishwasher-safe for maximum convenience.
Yeti Soft Backpack Cooler
PHOTO: Yeti
Most campers have a backpack, but what about a backpack cooler? We love the Yeti Hopper M20 for keeping a food and drinks cold but also for freeing our hands to carry other gear, snap photos of a stunning view, or hold a kid's hand or a dog leash on a hike. "I brought this cooler to Big Bend National Park, and after 24 hours in the Texas heat, it still had ice in it," says Commerce Editor Mary Claire Lagroue. "It's also totally leak-proof. I turned it upside down after the ice melted, and it stayed sealed. It even stood up to being checked at the airport twice without scratches, which is pretty impressive."
Camp Chef Pro 14-Inch Cooking Cooking System
PHOTO: Home Depot
$320
If you, like us, make eating an important part of camping, you&#;ll understand just how essential a good camping stove is. The Camp Chef Pro 14-Inch Cooking System has two burners with 30,000 BTUs each, which makes it more powerful than the average kitchen stove burner. While it goes through more fuel than simpler, smaller camp stoves, it gives you ultimate control of the flame with dials on each burner. The stove has sturdy and protective windscreens that keep your food at temperature and aid in even cooking, and it folds down for a compact carry.
"It's a powerful stove, but what I really like is that you can customize it with any two of Camp Chef's 14-inch accessories, like a flat-top griddle for pancakes or a pizza oven," says Lagroue. "It's so versatile that you'll want to use it at home, too."
Camp Chef Grill BBQ Box
PHOTO: Amazon
$140
If you're eyeing the Camp Chef Pro 14-Inch Cooking System, consider going full splurge and making this grilling accessory part of your gift. It's designed to fit over one of the 14-inch system's two burners, but you can also buy one for the other burner if you want to double your grill space. "It easily holds four or five kebabs and doesn't take long to cook, so you can feed several people back to back. Testing it out, it left steak, chicken, and vegetables with perfect grill marks, and nothing was dry. It's a great camp cooking upgrade."
OXO Outdoor Santoku Knife
PHOTO: REI
It&#;s no easy task to find a camping knife as good as your go-to chef&#;s knife, but cooking while camping is when you need a sharp and reliable blade the most. We include this blade in our camp kitchens because it&#;s affordable, sharp, reliable, and large enough to handle just about any task without being cumbersome or taking up too much room in the pack.
Forged in the Japanese style, this santoku is built to effortlessly work through meat, veggies, cheese, and fruit with a rocking motion, and its non-slip handle keeps you safe as you slice, even in rainy conditions or with wet hands. It's a perfectly practical gift for campers who love to cook.
Kelty Lowdown Camping Chair
PHOTO: Moosejaw
$80
We've tested several camping chairs, and we've found this one to be versatile for virtually any body type or activity. While it is slightly more reclined than other camp chairs, it works just as well for eating dinner as it does for relaxing fireside. Lightly padded for comfortable extended sitting periods, the chair survived many of our drop tests without bending or denting. This chair has plenty of oversized cupholders for drinks around the campfire, plus it&#;s easy to carry thanks to an included wrap.
RTIC Soft Pack Cooler
PHOTO: Amazon
$130
$130
Another soft cooler bag we love, the RTIC portable ice chest is an over-the-shoulder bag as opposed to a backpack. While technically a soft cooler, this bag has a strong insulated shell that gives it body and rigidity so you can optimize space and fill every corner. Constructed with two inches of foam, a tear-resistant lining, and a leakproof (albeit slightly finicky to zip) zipper, it&#;ll keep beverages cold for up to 24 hours.
Our favorite feature? This insulated cooler floats. These brilliant design features make it a must-have item for lake or river camping trips and pool days. Its 22-quart capacity easily holds up to 30 cans and can also hold containers, sandwiches, and ingredients for camp cooking.
Deuter Deuter Light Drypack
PHOTO: Amazon
A waterproof bag like this Deuter Dry Pack keeps essential items from getting soaked in a kayak or during a rainstorm. "If I'm bringing a lunch on a kayak, it'll go in my dry pack, along with my , keys, and maybe a book," says Lagroue. "When not on the water, I like using it kind of as a packing organizer. I have a few Deuter bags &#; this dry pack and two backpacks &#; and I'm impressed with their durability. I also love the brand's color selection."
Lodge Cast Iron Skillet
PHOTO: Amazon
$41
This classic cast-iron skillet is a timeless cooking essential both indoors and outdoors. Safe for use on a camping stove (and gas stove in your home kitchen), nestled in the coals, or directly over an open flame, we particularly love this cast iron cookware for the fact that its low price point doesn&#;t compromise its quality or construction.
This skillet does not come with a lid, but according to chef Steve Corso, founder of Outdoor Eats, you don&#;t necessarily need one for camping. &#;I&#;ve found that a piece of aluminum foil works just as well as a lid at times,&#; he says. Although it comes in a wide range of sizes for a variety of culinary uses, the 10.25-inch diameter is the most versatile, especially when looking to pack as few camping cookware pieces as possible. It's so indestructible that you can use it as a mallet for putting tent stakes in at camp.
La Jolíe Muse Citronella Candle
PHOTO: Amazon
$36
Candles might not normally be included on camp trip packing lists, especially when a fire can set the ambiance instead, but trust us: This pick is worth the trunk space. This citronella candle makes for a great, moody source of tabletop lighting, but it also doubles as an insect repellent. Made of soy wax, it's a healthier alternative to paraffin wax, plus it has an extended 30-hour burn time. It's even smokeless, which is an advantage for backyard entertaining.
Fishwife Smoked Rainbow Trout
PHOTO: Fishwife
For some people, camping wouldn't be complete without casting a reel and cooking fish over live fire. For others, there's tinned seafood. Fishwife "I love all kinds of tinned seafood, but Fishwife's new smoked trout is the best I've tried," says Lagroue. "It has a flaky texture and tastes fresh and mild, not fishy, with the perfect amount of salt and garlic. I enjoy eating it right out of the tin, but it would be great as a dip with crackers or in a sandwich with crusty bread and greens. I also appreciate that it's sustainably sourced and comes in BPA-free packaging."
YETI French Press Coffee Maker
PHOTO: Amazon
Brewing a hot pot of coffee is one of our favorite camping rituals, so we're including a few coffee picks on our list. Yeti's new French press is great for outdoor and indoor use alike. It features the same double-walled vacuum insulation as the rest of the brand's Rambler collection, and it kept coffee hot for four hours in our tests. While coffee sitting that long should get bitter, this French press has a special plunger that separates the grounds from the brew for an impressively smooth taste.
Jetboil Flash Cooking System
PHOTO: REI
While we can speak to the advantages of a larger stove for car camping, sometimes, you need to pack as little as possible. This compact, propane-fueled stove can help you get a number of meals started when basic resources are limited. The Jetboil cooking system can boil water in less than two minutes (quicker than others we've tried!) for preparing a freeze-dried meal, instant ramen, or hot chocolate. The bottom cover even serves as a measuring cup and bowl, so your pack is lighter than ever.
Kootek Camping Hammock
PHOTO: Amazon
This extra durable, parachute-grade nylon hammock is lightweight when bundled, but it opens up to make a roomy and relaxing space when hung. It can hold up to 500 pounds and comfortably accommodates two adults. Testing it at home, we liked the Kootek&#;s extra long, adjustable straps and safe, sturdy hardware. Having straps that range up to 10 feet means you won&#;t have to search for perfectly spaced trees. We also like this hammock&#;s wide range of 18 color options. Not only are the dual hues aesthetically pleasing, but they&#;re functional and make your hammock easy to spot on a crowded campground.
West Elm Modern Melamine Outdoor Pasta Bowl Sets
Our editors love using pasta bowls for much more than pasta, and this durable, BPA-free melamine set from West Elm would be just as versatile in a camp kitchen. With an 8-inch diameter and rounded shape, they can accommodate nearly any meal you could make outside, whether it's oatmeal, grilled meat and veggies, or a slice of pizza. "I have the plates from this collection and like how they're lightweight to carry and easy to hand-wash for reuse," says Lagroue. "I want the pasta bowls next!"
Yeti Shot Glasses
PHOTO: Yeti
Camping trips are prime time to bond with people, and packing this set of shot glasses might help the process. Another new release from Yeti, these four 1.7-ounce shot glasses stack neatly in a case &#; small items love to get lost in a pack &#; and the case can fit in the pocket of a backpack or fleece jacket. Like the Yeti Flask, the set comes in five core colors and stainless steel, and they're rust-resistant and dishwasher-safe.
REI Co-op Camp Prep Table
PHOTO: REI
A camping table is a game changer. This specifically designed camp prep table from the outdoor experts at REI is meant to create a level surface when set up on uneven ground. When camping, this feature is a game-changer. Constructed with aluminum and steel, its adjustable legs can be individually lowered or raised to compensate for bumpy or sloping dirt below, but also allow it to raise and lower for standing prep work or seated dining.
This camping table is easy to assemble, heat-resistant on its surface (don&#;t worry about placing a hot pan or your stove directly on top of it), and comes along with a comfortable carry bag. Although it folds in half, this table can still hold up to 100 pounds, making it a multifunctional surface not just limited to prepping or cooking meals.
RTIC 20-Quart Cooler
PHOTO: Amazon
$180
Large enough to comfortably house four 6-packs plus ice, this high-end cooler gives similar, albeit more expensive, alternatives a run for their money. We&#;ve looked at YETI vs. RTIC cooler side by side and have tested the larger RTIC model, which has all the same technology and design elements, and found it to be our favorite overall cooler. (It kept ice intact even after a full day of use.) This cooler has 3-inch thick foam insulation, a molded slot that ties down to keep the cooler sealed securely, and sturdy rope handles for easy transportation and repositioning throughout the campsite. It doubles as a seat and has a spout, so you don&#;t have to dump it upside down to let it dry. This cooler can easily tackle any car-camping trip, day trip, or backyard hang no matter if it's housing beers, cold cuts, or a week&#;s worth of meal prep. We think this would make a perfectly practical gift for campers.
Yeti Rambler 12-Ounce Colster Can Insulator
PHOTO: Amazon
This simple gadget makes all the difference for drinking from a can. The two-piece beverage koozie secures your can with a quick screw and keeps your beverage ice-cold. Constructed with a thick double-wall vacuum steel and coated with a durable, chip-resistant finish that won&#;t sweat, this YETI find will easily last years of adventure. Although it's made to house a 12-ounce can, the rambler also works to keep most glass bottles cold, with the neck sticking out of the top.
We love the fact that you don&#;t need to pour your beverage directly into this rambler, keeping it clean and safe from residue, lingering odors, or unpleasant flavors. In testing, we unexpectedly grew attached to this gadget and found ourselves relying on chilling koozie at home for beers, seltzers, kombucha, and the like.
JavaPresse Manual Burr Coffee Grinder
PHOTO: Amazon
No matter how you plan on brewing your coffee at the campsite, having fresh grounds can make for a smoother, bolder, and overall more tasty cup of joe. This under-$40 grinder holds up to the electric coffee grinder you might have at home. The JavaPresse operates with a built-in ceramic burr that&#;s adjustable to 18 different settings, so it&#;s compatible with every kind of brewing &#; from espresso to French press.
Unlike motorized versions, this hand-crank grinder is practically silent. That being said, it does require a fair amount of cranking to get a double shot&#;s worth of grounds. However, in testing, we favored the JavaPresse for outdoor usage as it requires no cords or batteries and produces consistent and precise results.
Thermacell Patio Shield
PHOTO: Walmart
$27
One huge drawback to spending time outdoors can be bugs. Flies, mosquitoes, gnats, and other bothersome buzzers can dampen a mood and sometimes even ruin a camping experience altogether. Senior commerce writer Jennifer Zyman discovered this chemical-free bug deterrent as a way to enjoy time outside gardening in her backyard without getting eaten up by mosquitos. (Thermacell has a variety of mosquito repellent products, actually.)
Using butane to heat an odorless repellant in refillable cartridges, all you&#;ll need to do is set up the patio shield near your site and enjoy a 15-foot bug-free radius that&#;s DEET-free. While not the most fun camping gift, your loved one will be appreciative when this little guy proves to be necessary.
YETI Rambler 20 oz Tumbler
PHOTO: Amazon
This vacuum-sealed tumbler has a magslider lid that keeps beverages ice-cold or piping hot in any outdoor setting. Durable and easy to grip, the stainless steel bottle is bound to become a non-negotiable essential when packing for camping trips &#; no matter if you fill it with your morning coffee or evening margarita.
We tested this insulated water bottle, leaving it out all day, and we were thoroughly impressed by its performance. Our drinks stayed below 40°F for 10 hours without the tumbler sweating a bit. We found it fit in most car cup holders (ideal for car camping and road trips) and love that it easily pops in the dishwasher for a quick clean-up after returning from a weekend of camping.
GSI Outdoors Pinnacle Dualist HS Cookset
PHOTO: Amazon
For camping and backpacking enthusiasts, a quality camping mess kit makes for a perfect gift. The GSI Outdoors Pinnacle Dualist is a lightweight, compact, two-person set including one 1.8 liter pot, two mugs, two bowls, two folding utensils, and a storage bag that doubles as a sink for thorough clean-ups and easy water transportation. Its nonstick aluminum pot has an included helpful straining lid, and there's enough room to fit a small, 8-ounce fuel canister inside, making it a great choice for backpackers.
We also love that its polypropylene bowls and mugs are odor-and-stain stain-resistant and can handle high temperatures for worry-free soup or hot cocoa. For those who currently pack random cups, bowls, and cookware, this gift is sure to revolutionize their camp cooking experience.
Wacaco Nanopresso
PHOTO: Amazon
If you&#;re an espresso drinker, it can be difficult to find a portable coffee option that fits the bill. This compact device uses air pressure to produce a creamy, rich shot of espresso in seconds. It has three compartments &#; one for boiling water, one for pressurizing the water with an embedded hand pump, and a third to house coffee grinds &#; and comes with a mini tamper.
With the capacity to reach up to 18 bars of pressure (that&#;s on par, and in some cases above, an electric espresso machine), the shot of espresso this little gadget produces is shockingly robust. It's a camping gift that will be enjoyed (and appreciated!) each morning.
Lodge Deep Camp Dutch Oven
PHOTO: Amazon
This Dutch oven is designed for cooking above and inside of a firepit. Footed and with an extra large handle, the 8-quart pot is meant to be placed directly on top of the coals or hung over an open flame for easy one-pot meals. What makes this thick-walled cast iron different from other similar Dutch ovens and pots is its lipped lid that&#;s meant to hold coals, mimicking the interior of an oven. In testing, we found this lid made all the difference for bread-baking as it recreates an environment similar to a convection oven, and the added weight of the coals above helps to retain moisture inside the pot.
It's worth noting the Dutch oven&#;s hefty weight. At 21 pounds, it&#;s a bit cumbersome to transport. However, its heavy-duty construction works to retain heat, build a flavor patina over time, and undoubtedly improve the flavor and quality of camping meals and dishes.
YETI LoadOut GoBox 30
PHOTO: Huckberry
This gear case is great for organizing pots, pans, and a camping stove. Better yet, the internal divider doubles as a cutting board. The virtually indestructible, waterproof box also features a removable tray to keep small items like cutlery and food items organized at the top. At just 20 inches wide, its small but impactful size can be kept in your car at all times, ready for camping, biking, climbing &#; you name it.
Ultimate Ears BOOM 3 Waterproof Speaker
PHOTO: Amazon
$150
For playing tunes at the campsite while you're meal-prepping, you&#;ll need a durable, portable, and waterproof speaker that doesn&#;t compromise on sound quality. We recommend Ultimate Ears&#; UE Boom speaker. At just seven inches tall, the cylindrical speaker pumps out rich sound and can pair with up to 150 speakers (if ever you were planning a party in the woods). The cherry on top is that this waterproof speaker floats and can withstand up to a minute and a half submerged.
Are you interested in learning more about Camping Gift Set? Contact us today to secure an expert consultation!
LuminAID 2-in-1 Power Lantern
PHOTO: REI
$50
Lightweight, inflatable, and versatile, this LuminAID outdoor lantern is a must-have for anyone who spends ample time outdoors. The collapsible lamp can be charged in two ways, either by USB or solar power. On a full charge, you can get up to 50 hours of light. Unlike other portable lamps, the PackLite doubles as a charging port for your , speaker, or headlamp, meaning it&#;s extra handy for backpacking trips where you can charge it in the sun and then use it as a light source and charger.
We love how durable it is, especially the fact that it's waterproof and floats, so you never have to worry about overnight dew or a tumble into the lake. It&#;s also a helpful tool to have around the house as well, in case of emergency, or just for spending time in the backyard.
Yeti Boomer Dog Bowl
PHOTO: Amazon
If you&#;re taking your pup camping, you&#;ll need to set them up for a fun outdoor experience. We&#;ve listed a few YETI items here that we love for ourselves, but the brand also excels when it comes to camping gear for dogs. This durable, rust-resistant, insulated dog bowl is meant for both food and water, and it's certainly a step up from that old worn-out piece of Tupperware. With a 4-cup capacity and a seriously non-slip bottom, this sturdy bowl is pretty enough to keep out permanently in your home and tough enough for any outdoor excursion. We love that its insulated walls keep water cool so your doggo can cool down more quickly on hot days.
Yeti Camino 35 Carryall with Internal Dividers
PHOTO: Amazon
This sturdy hold-it-all tote can stand up solo and be carried with ease. Its double-hold handles make it porting around a no-brainer, whether in your palm or over your shoulder. We love its roomy interior with multi-purpose use and found it helpful in holding anything from gear to snacks, to towels, and more. Vinyl lining and a waterproof base make the bag easy to clean and immune to moisture damage.
Our favorite thing about this handy tote is its hidden storage compartments. Along with two zip pockets, there&#;s a pair of tall collapsible side pockets that securely hold bottles on either end of the bag&#;s interior, two hooks inside, and twelve hooks on the outside that are meant for carabiners, ropes, and toggles, so you can load it up with your camping gear.
GoSports Portable Cornhole Set
PHOTO: Amazon
If your friend loves to camp, chances are they also love playing cornhole. While standard cornhole boards can weigh up to 50 pounds and take up some significant storage space, this lightweight mini set weighs 10 pounds and is easy to pop in the trunk for a car camping adventure. The lightweight wood construction is durable enough to be left outdoors at a campsite and has a smooth finish on the face so the bags can slide along its surface.
The boards come along with six bags, a rule book, and an easy carry-case. This set makes a great gift for families who want a fun, inclusive activity to take with them on the go.
Black Diamond Storm 400 Headlamp
PHOTO: Amazon
A headlamp is one piece of gear we don't want to forget to pack, and we've found it just as useful for cooking after dark as it is for rummaging around a backpack before bedtime. It frees up your hands to flip food and hold a beer, so it can even replace your grill light at home. We like this battery-powered headlamp because it can quickly be transitioned from full to dimmed power, depending on your lighting needs. It&#;s also waterproof and dust-proof, so it&#;s ready to take on any adventure that&#;s calling.
Topbooc Portable Stainless Steel Flatware Set
PHOTO: Amazon
A portable, lightweight flatware set is essential for enjoying meals in any remote location. Made of food-grade stainless steel, the 8-piece set comes equipped with any flatware your camping friend may need &#; including chopsticks and a straight and bent straw.
The smooth finish means cleanup will be a breeze with just a quick rinse, and the convenient straw brush will ensure straws stay fresh throughout the trip. When done, the cutlery set can be easily stowed away in the waterproof case, so no fork or spoon will be separated or lost from the rest of the set.
In today&#;s world where most of us are increasingly &#;plugged in&#; and stress levels are higher than ever, it&#;s extremely difficult to truly relax &#; to unplug, if you will.
So it&#;s no surprise that camping and glamping are enjoying an unprecedented moment in the spotlight (and by association, so are camping must haves).
After all, camping provides a long list of health and wellness benefits: it boosts your mood, reduces stress levels, increases self-confidence and self-sufficiency, helps you get more fresh air and vitamins from sunlight, and fosters a deep connection with nature.
The best news? Even if you can&#;t make it out to the woods or up to the mountains, you can enjoy all the benefits of camping. A quick overnight trip in town or even pitching a tent in your backyard still allows you to decompress from everyday stresses. That is, if you have the right camping essentials.
While I&#;m generally in the less-is-more &#;camp&#; (see what I did there?) in terms of just about everything, I also firmly believe that the right outdoor gear makes a world of difference. Think about it: if you&#;re comfortable and have a well-curated arsenal of camping gear, you&#;ll enjoy yourself more. A lot more.
To that end, I teamed up with several like-minded nature lovers, frequent campers, and outdoor bloggers to bring you this incredibly thorough list of camping must haves.
Psst&#;looking for more general outdoor gear, not necessarily just for camping? Check out our massive guide to outdoorsy gifts, with over 60 suggestions!
This post contains affiliate links. I may receive a small commission &#; at no cost to you &#; if you click or make a purchase through any of them. For more information, read my disclosure statement. I appreciate you!
Choosing and Shopping for Camping Must Haves
I know it sounds like a bit of an oxymoron that in order to disconnect, relax, and fully immerse yourself in nature, you first need to buy all sorts of camping gear. I&#;ll be the first to say that you don&#;t necessarily need a ton of camping essentials.
You do need some, but it&#;s important to buy only things you&#;ll actually use and that enhance your camping experience. I cannot emphasize this enough.
Too much camping gear, or gear that isn&#;t functional for your personal needs, is cumbersome and can actually turn positive experiences into negative ones. Just because a camp stove has 15 functions doesn&#;t mean you&#;ll use them and oftentimes, you pay for those extras.
Be honest with yourself about how often you&#;ll use specific features on your camping essentials, if at all. Not only will you save some money, but you&#;ll get more use and enjoyment out of the gear you do have if you use it fully and constantly.
Take it from me, I&#;ve been camping for many, many years and have run the gamut of camping styles. I&#;ve done minimalist backpacking, trailer camping with all the bells and whistles, car camping, tent camping, glamping, all the things.
Finally, after lots of trial and error over the years, I&#;ve found what seems to be the perfect solution, falling somewhere between minimalist and luxury.
My family and I have everything we need, and we actually use everything when we camp. But believe me when I say I wasted a lot of money and time on camping gear that simply didn&#;t work for us. Learn from my mistakes!
As you dive into this camping checklist, keep a few things in mind. While it&#;s geared primarily toward tent and car camping, there are several camping must haves and tips that trailer and RV campers, and even vanlifers, may find helpful.
The guide also focuses on often-overlooked items, as we assume most people already have the basics &#; or at least know about them &#; like a tent and sleeping bag.
New vs. Gently Used Camping Must Haves
Next, I highly suggest looking for second-hand versions of some of these camping essentials. OfferUp, Facebook Marketplace, Craigslist, and local thrift stores are excellent resources for gently used camping gear.
Some items, like sleeping bags, you may want to buy new. But there&#;s no reason you need brand new camp chairs or lanterns!
Finally, here&#;s one last reminder: keep things simple.
That&#;s one of the biggest reasons to go camping to begin with &#; its inherent simplicity. We have countless options for everything today, and it&#;s often both overwhelming and tempting.
As you go through this list, make a note of everything that could make your life easier and enhance your camping trips, but resist the urge to buy all the gear.
Remember, you really only need food, water, warm clothes, and a place to sleep, whether that&#;s a tent, campervan, hammock, rented RV, or heck, even a sleeping bag rolled out under the stars.
With that said, maybe there is ONE more thing we consider a necessity. Bringing a camping storage box with you can be a game-changer in various situations.
This camping essential allows you to keep commonly used items organized and easily accessible. No more wasting time searching for things! With a camping storage box, you&#;ll have all the essentials readily available whenever you need them.
Ready to build your own camping checklist? Let&#;s get into it!
Turn on your JavaScript to view contentChecklist of camping must haves
So you have a tent you love and some high-quality sleeping bags, but that&#;s about it. If you&#;re wondering what other camping essentials you should add to your arsenal, this section is for you.
Psst&#;Wondering how to camp for free? My go-to&#;s for finding free campsites are The Dyrt and Campendium! Research ahead of time and have a few backups in case a campsite is occupied when you get there.
Add a top-quality cooler to your camping checklist
By Candice from CS Ginger. Check out her Instagram for more camping essentials and family travel inspo!
When putting together a list of camping must haves, a good cooler is a must. Roto-molded coolers keep ice cold for a very long time because they have one continuous thick wall, as opposed to separate panels.
These types of coolers are designed to hold ice for a minimum of 3-5 days but can last up to 10 days depending on the conditions. Gone are the days of digging through melted ice for food while you&#;re camping!
Some of the top roto-molded coolers include Lifetime, RTIC, Pelican, and Yeti. We highly recommend both Lifetime and RTIC coolers, which cost a fraction of the price of Yeti but perform just as well &#; and some people think even better. Each brand has a wide variety of sizes and styles available, so choose the best one for your needs.
Tarp
Ah, the humble tarp. How do we use you? Let me count the ways. There may truly not be a single item in the world of camping essentials that&#;s as functional or as versatile as a tarp.
Use it on the ground to protect your tent floor from punctures, as a picnic blanket or game mat, over your tent or hammock to shelter it from rain (and direct sun!), or to shield your kitchen and dining area from wind and other elements.
You&#;ll find that there are a dizzying number of options out there, but honestly all you need is a simple, inexpensive waterproof tarp. And some rope, you need that too!
Pssst&#;no idea how to pitch a tarp or use it beyond spreading it out on the ground? #relatable. I love this Backpacker guide and this video from Backcountry Banter!
Camp stove
I&#;m consistently surprised by the number of first-time campers I meet who plan to strictly cook over a campfire.
Maybe it&#;s the Arizona in me, but my first concern is that there are fire restrictions and even bans in place a lot during the summer and fall &#; ya know, camping season. That means no campfires. At all.
Even with no restrictions, you may arrive at a campsite and find that there are no fire rings, all the wood is wet or otherwise unusable, or it&#;s extremely windy and you can&#;t get a fire lit. In every one of these situations, a camp stove provides a perfect and simple solution.
Camp stoves, whether you use an ultralight JetBoil, a classic Coleman 2-burner, or a heavy-duty stand-up model like a Camp Chef, run on some type of fuel. You connect your fuel source, light the stove, and completely control the flame, turning it on, off, up, and down.
Because of this, propane camp stoves are generally allowed even when fire bans are in place (trust me on this, I live in southern Arizona, where wildfires are an unfortunate way of life for over half the year).
Turn on your JavaScript to view contentI highly recommend adding at least one type of camp stove to your camping must haves. Personally, we have (and regularly use!) two &#;a stand-up Camp Chef Explorer and a classic Coleman.
The Camp Chef is our go-to for meals and we use the Coleman on quick trips, when we&#;re only making camping coffee, or need a third burner.
Propane fire pit
For all the same reasons you should get a camp stove, you may also want to consider adding a propane fire pit to your camping checklist.
Remember, if fire restrictions are in effect where you&#;re camping, you cannot have a campfire. And really, what&#;s camping without a campfire (and all the fun campfire questions that inevitably come up)?!
Just like camp stoves, propane fire pits run on fuel, meaning you can still enjoy s&#;mores even under the most extreme fire restrictions.
The only downside to propane fire pits is that they take up a lot of room, especially because you also need to pack a propane tank. However, you can use one tank for both the fire pit and a propane camp stove. Plus, they&#;re great for backyard camping when you can&#;t get away!
Turn on your JavaScript to view contentAnother plus is that propane fire pits don&#;t produce any soot or that unmistakable smoky campfire smell. Listen, I love it just as much as the next camper&#;but not so much having to wash my hair several times to get it out!
Portable device chargers are camping must haves
By Martha from May Cause Wanderlust
Especially when you&#;re away for a few days, one of my most highly recommended camping must haves is a portable power bank or device charger.
Charge it up before you leave, then use it to recharge your or other devices on your trip. There are also several excellent solar chargers, eliminating the need to find outlets for recharging.
Depending on how many devices you use it for, you should get several charges from one fully-charged power bank.
I was so grateful for my portable device charger when I hiked the Inca Trail in Peru. I was able to use my for four full days of hiking, burning the battery taking lots of photos of the amazing scenery, then recharging each night.
Collapsible solar lantern
By Katie from Go Wander Wild. Check out their YouTube channel for tons of adventure travel tips!
Whether you&#;re backpacking or tent camping, a collapsible solar lantern is one of our top camping must haves. It&#;s a perfect alternative to traditional (bulkier!) battery-operated versions when space is limited.
Compressing down to a thin, lightweight disk, you can hook this handy device to the outside of your backpack to charge in the sun while you hike or set it outside at camp.
When you&#;re ready to light up your tent or campsite, simply blow into the lantern to inflate it, hang it from the center pole, and turn it on to illuminate your space.
Headlamp
By Alison from Exploration Solo
For many people, sleeping in a tent seems to create the need for 2:00 AM bathroom runs. As luck would have it, campgrounds are really, really dark at that hour.
You need to find your way to the restroom (whether that be an actual restroom or a particular tree) and even more importantly, avoid tree stumps and tent stakes.
Lanterns are a bit too bright (although another item that belongs on your list of camping must haves!) and could wake everyone up, which is why I always carry a headlamp. It&#;s one of my favorite gifts for backpackers for several reasons.
Headlamps are small and hands-free, weigh almost nothing, and provide just enough light to get you there and back safely without anyone knowing you left the tent.
A sleeping mat is one of the most important camping essentials
By Raksha from Solopassport. Follow her on Instagram for solo travel tips and more camping must haves!
Over multiple camping trips, I&#;ve realized that a good night&#;s sleep is crucial to an enjoyable camping experience. The ground where many of us pitch tents often has uneven surfaces and gets very cold at night, resulting in disturbed sleep.
Turn on your JavaScript to view contentTaking a good, lightweight sleeping mat on camping trips makes a huge difference. A sleeping mat provides cushioning and acts as a smooth surface on uneven ground and rocks. It also provides insulation and an extra protective layer, particularly during cold and wet seasons.
The sleeping mat that I use and love is the Hikenture Ultralight sleeping mat, which weighs just 20 ounces and is easy to carry and inflate.
Hiking boots
By Nicole from Go Far, Grow Close
Nothing makes you more miserable than having wet, sore, or cold feet. This is especially true if you&#;re camping and there are no options other than staying outside.
Accordingly, an amazing pair of hiking shoes or boots belongs at the top of your list of camping must haves &#; even if you&#;re not planning to do any actual hiking. In my opinion, Oboz makes some of the best hiking boots and shoes around.
Turn on your JavaScript to view contentThe company uses exceptional designs and trademarked technology to supply everything someone could possibly want in their footwear for camping. This includes excellent comfort, support, and traction, plus a selection of hiking boots with insulation for cold weather and waterproofing.
Oboz also uses sustainable, eco-friendly practices in its manufacturing and supply chain.
Don&#;t Forget a Hip Pack
Adding a hip pack to your camping gear arsenal can seriously enhance your outdoor experience. Hip packs are perfect for carrying small essentials like snacks, maps, headlamps, and first aid supplies, keeping them easily accessible while you hike or explore.
Check out this link to learn more about camping hip packs.
An Aeropress Go belongs on your list of camping must haves
By Anisa from Two Traveling Texans
You can have a delicious cup of camping coffee no matter where you are with the Aeropress Go. It&#;s not your typical coffee maker &#; the Aeropress is similar to a French press, but it&#;s made entirely of plastic and has a built-in plunger with an airtight silicone seal.
The Aeropress Go is designed specifically for travelers (which is why we consider it one of our camping must haves!) and doesn&#;t require electricity. All you need is some hot water and your favorite ground coffee!
This portable coffee maker is a great value, easy to operate, and cleanup is a breeze too. I even use mine at home!
Turn on your JavaScript to view contentNeed a great coffee percolator to boil water for your Aeropress? I highly recommend the Stanley Adventure All-in-One Boil + Brew French Press. It boils plenty of water for multiple cups of coffee and works well for soup, too!
Folding table
By Cecily from Groovy Mashed Potatoes
After setting up your tent and starting a fire, you&#;re ecstatic to finally make that campfire meal you planned earlier.
There&#;s just one problem: your camping spot doesn&#;t have a picnic table. How are you going to chop those onions for the hot dogs?!
Turn on your JavaScript to view contentThis is why a portable folding table, either a side table or a larger dining version, should be on your camping checklist. Its foldable legs make it simple to set up and tear down, transport and store. It&#;s also a useful place to set other camping essentials so you don&#;t misplace them.
Dry bag
By Jessica from Uprooted Traveler
You may not think of a dry bag as one of the main must haves for camping, but it can serve multiple purposes while enjoying the outdoors.
With some attached rope and a tall, wide tree, it becomes an excellent bear bag to store food and other items that emit smells in bear country.
Additionally, a dry bag is useful to protect valuables from water damage in a variety of outdoor settings. For example, think of camping excursions that involve kayaking or trails requiring a significant amount of hiking through water, like the iconic Narrows in Zion National Park.
Turn on your JavaScript to view contentDutch oven
There&#;s really nothing quite like cooking a meal in a Dutch oven over a campfire. They seem to cook everything perfectly, not to mention the fact that they allow you to eat things you otherwise wouldn&#;t be able to at camp, like freshly-baked cobblers or pies.
If you&#;re new to Dutch oven cooking, or cooking in cast iron in general, it can be intimidating at first. But I promise it&#;s super easy &#; and that you&#;ll never go back! Cooking in a Dutch oven is more or less just dumping ingredients into the pot, stirring occasionally, and watching it slow cook.
As simple as it is, though, you do want to make sure you get the right Dutch oven. Look for one with a tight-fitting lid and a metal handle. I personally use and love this 5-quart Lodge cast iron Dutch oven. They are, admittedly, a bit bulky, but I store a few smaller items inside to save space.
Turn on your JavaScript to view contentPro tip: clean your Dutch oven by simply wiping it out while it&#;s still warm. Don&#;t ever use soap or a brush on it! If you care for it properly, it&#;ll last you a literal lifetime&#;and then some!
Portable camping shower
By Debbie from WorldAdventurists. Follow her family on Instagram for more camping must haves and tips!
When you&#;re camping, dirty for days on end, and must use an outhouse (or the bush!), things can start to become uncomfortable. A portable camp shower makes freshening up significantly easier and makes you feel so much better, which is why we consider it one of our top camping must haves!
Camp showers range in price and functionality, but truthfully, you don&#;t need to spend a fortune to find one that will help you feel refreshed. And that is the most important thing, because the better you feel, the more you&#;ll enjoy the camping experience!
Hammock
By Anukrati from Bulbul on the Wing
A travel hammock should definitely be added to your camping checklist! They also make great gifts for outdoor enthusiasts, frequent travelers, and anyone who loves camping or glamping.
Look for great-quality hammocks designed with the newest technology that hold plenty of weight. While they should be spacious enough to hold an adult (or two, if you&#;re considering a double hammock), they should also be small enough to pack and take anywhere.
Turn on your JavaScript to view contentEntry-level hammocks come in under $30 and most include a set of tree straps, so they certainly won&#;t break the bank. Simply open the package, and you&#;re well on your way to lots of relaxing camping adventures!
And for those more obsessed with hammocking, there are affordable models with a fully enclosed mosquito-proof net and rainfly.
Handy camping tips and hacks
Whether you&#;ve never spent a single night in a tent or you&#;re an avid camper, these camping hacks and tips will level-up your next trip to the wilderness.
Test out your tent ahead of time
By Alanna from Periodic Adventures
One of my best tips for beginner campers is to always test a new tent (or any gear really!) ahead of time.
Set up your tent in your backyard or living room before your camping trip to make sure you know how to put it together. It&#;s much easier to do this at home for the first time, as opposed to a long day after you&#;ve been traveling. Plus, this will make it much easier if you end up needing to pitch the tent in the dark.
A final tip is to lay down inside your tent while it&#;s set up at home. This will tell you if it&#;s too small or too big to be comfortable, as well as how many other camping must haves you can fit inside.
Looking for an awesome tent? I love The North Face Stormbreak 2 for an ultralight 2-person tent and this Coleman &#;Darkroom&#; 4-person Dome Tent with Screen Room for family camping.
Turn on your JavaScript to view contentCheck fire restrictions
Regardless of where you live, you should make a habit of checking fire restrictions before you head out on a camping trip. You could even add this task as an item to your camping checklist &#; it&#;s THAT important!
Depending on where you&#;re planning to camp, look up or call the national forest ranger district, the park or recreation area, the specific campground, or the city or county. Search for your city/county/state or the national forest and &#;fire restrictions.&#;
It should go without saying that even if there aren&#;t any fire restrictions, you should still exercise extreme caution. According to the U.S. Forest Service, an astonishing 9 out of 10 wildfires are human-caused.
In line with Leave No Trace principles, never leave a campfire unattended, extinguish it fully before going to bed or leaving, and don&#;t leave any burned or partially burned debris behind.
BYOK (Bring Your Own Kindling)
One of the most important items on a list of camping must haves is kindling. Keep in mind, this applies only to true campfires with logs, assuming there are no fire restrictions.
You may be able to gather kindling once you get to your campsite, but you also may not. I&#;ve camped several times where we couldn&#;t find enough usable kindling because it was too wet, too small and burned up too quickly, or there simply wasn&#;t enough.
Luckily, several common and inexpensive household items make excellent kindling. My favorites are birthday candles, dryer sheets, and dryer lint. Just collect it from your dryer trap several times and put it in a bag to add to your camping essentials. Alternatively, you could also buy a pack of fire starters.
Include rainy day activities on your camping checklist
The whole point of camping is to spend time outdoors. But sometimes Mother Nature has other plans and you might experience heavy rain or other inclement weather.
It&#;s a good idea to have some rainy day activities on hand for this situation, in case you find yourselves stuck in the tent for extended periods.
Books, magazines, a deck of cards, and games are always excellent choices. Check out Qwixx and Pass the Pigs for fun, fast-paced, easy-to-learn, and compact travel games! Our family also likes to have one or two jigsaw puzzles, coloring supplies (for the adults too!), and craft kits. I&#;ve had really good luck with the ALEX and Made by Me brands from Amazon.
Turn on your JavaScript to view contentPro tip: add the ones you&#;re interested in to your wishlist or cart and save for later. When the price drops (and in my experience, these two brands regularly go on sale), you&#;ll get a notification!
Make the switch to reusable packaging
By Jaime from Earthful Life
Try to eliminate waste by using reusable baggies, Tupperware, or beeswax wrap to package your camp food. Along the same lines, bring reusable cups and dishes.
If you absolutely have to bring disposable items, choose paper products rather than plastic &#; plastic contains a long list of toxins that are harmful to both people and the environment. It&#;s really easy to overlook these on your camping checklist, but this small change makes a big impact!
Final tip: try to avoid pre-packaged foods, which are admittedly convenient but produce a shocking amount of trash (packaging materials are often not recyclable). Slice your own fruit and veggies, prep sandwiches, and even make your own energy bars to be more eco-friendly.
Biodegradable baby wipes
Wipes are invaluable camping must haves. They&#;re handy for everything from cleaning up campsite spills to giving yourself a quick &#;bird bath&#; after a long, sweaty hike (or if it&#;s just been a few days since you showered!). There&#;s also nothing better for dealing with gooey, sticky s&#;mores fingers.
But did you know that traditional wipes contain polypropylene and polyester? I.e., plastic? I&#;m no scientist, but from what I understand, plastic is really, really bad for both people and the environment. Wipes can sit in a landfill for up to 100 years!
Thankfully, there are several excellent biodegradable wipes out there. We&#;re huge fans of the 100% plant-based Babo Botanicals wipes and Combat Wipes, which are extra tough and thick. They&#;re both completely biodegradable, so you can feel good about throwing them away or even burying them properly in the woods.
Make a DIY hand- and dishwashing station
There&#;s no sugarcoating it: camping comes with a lot of dirt and messes. Baby wipes are helpful here and there, but you need a better go-to solution for general handwashing and washing dishes.
Create a simple wash station using a 5-gallon water container with a spigot, or even an empty laundry detergent jug (as long as it&#;s the kind with a dispenser). If you&#;re using a water jug, simply set soap nearby.
If you&#;re repurposing a laundry detergent bottle, all you need to do is add water to the jug &#; there should already be a bit of soap left inside. Keep a towel on top of the jug and voila, you&#;ve got a handwashing station!
The next step is to put a simple, inexpensive plastic bin (you may even find these at your local dollar store!) on the ground under your water jug. This catches the water and prevents mud or puddles from forming, and also works perfectly as your dish bin!
Use a purifying water bottle
By Nadine from Zero Waste Memoirs
Making sure you always have access to enough clean drinking water can be a hassle, especially if you&#;re camping somewhere remote. Water bottles take up space, there&#;s the hassle of lugging them around, and they create excess plastic waste! That&#;s where having a purifying water bottle can be an absolute game-changer.
You can fill up your bottle anywhere &#; a river, lake, stream, hose &#; and almost instantly have safe drinking water free of pathogens, chemicals, and pesticides. We love the Grayl GEOPRESS water purifier bottle, but you can find more affordable alternatives, such as the LifeStraw Go Water Filter Bottle.
Turn on your JavaScript to view contentSet up fairy lights
I learned about this camping hack a few years ago and have been obsessed ever since. Buy some inexpensive &#;fairy&#; string lights and set them up at your campsite for easy, super dreamy (and highly effective!) lighting after dark.
We like to set one up near our dining table and another one in or around our tent, depending on where exactly we pitch it. There are several types and options available, so choose what you like best for your camping must haves.
We actually have one battery-operated LED set and one solar set of lights, and love them both &#; honestly couldn&#;t recommend one over the other! The battery-operated set is still going strong on its original batteries, two summers and at least six camping trips later.
Pro tip: I use fairy lights in tandem with about six of these solar stake lights. I place them strategically around our site to create a pathway to the bathroom and mark any highly trip-able (it&#;s a word!) objects, like jagged tree stumps or large rocks. Just make sure they&#;ll get plenty of sun during the day where you place them!
Pack a pop-up laundry hamper
This is one of our favorite camping tips, mostly because it&#;s so utterly simple and yet life-changing! Pack an inexpensive pop-up laundry hamper (or two) to keep your campsite organized.
I like to keep one inside our tent to keep clutter to a minimum and one outside to serve as a makeshift trash can. Not only does this eliminate piles of clothes all over the tent, but it separates wet or muddy clothes and those that reek of campfire.
Switch to microfiber towels
By Victoria from Guide Your Travel
Towels take up a lot of space and are impractical to carry while you&#;re camping. They&#;re extremely useful, however, which is why microfiber towels are great alternatives.
Microfiber towels are a lot thinner and smaller than regular towels, plus they dry faster. They also don&#;t hold onto much dirt, so you can use them as blankets or to shield the sun if needed.
Turn on your JavaScript to view contentEven larger microfiber towels are only about the size of one or two t-shirts, and they dry extremely quickly in the sun. Definitely add some microfiber towels to your list of camping essentials!
Bring a shovel
Ah, the humble shovel. Perhaps the most under-appreciated &#; but undoubtedly one of the most important &#; of all camping must haves. A good camping shovel very literally does much of the dirty work at a campsite.
It serves as a tool to turn logs in the fire pit, acts as a hammer for securing tent stakes, digs a trench and buries human waste in primitive campsites, and proves a valuable weapon for killing an aggressive rattlesnake, should it come to that. And if that last one sounds absolutely horrific to you, clearly you are not from the Southwest&#;
We&#;re huge fans of this Gerber folding shovel, which is lightweight and compact, but exceptionally strong and durable.
Add comfy shoes to your camping checklist
By Val from Voyages With Val
One of the biggest mistakes you can make while backpacking or tent camping is to not bring a spare pair of comfy shoes or sandals! The last thing you want to do after setting up camp is keep your uncomfortable, tightly-laced hiking boots on.
Having another pair of shoes lets your feet breathe and dry out, and also makes it easy to slip something on quickly if you need to leave your tent for a midnight bathroom trip.
Tevas and Chacos are both popular camping sandals (that also double as excellent hiking sandals and river shoes!), but inexpensive rubber flip flops work, too.
Turn on your JavaScript to view contentAllow yourself to unplug
By Asha from Home Travel Guide. Follow her on Instagram for more family camping must haves!
Whenever we go camping, our must-have items include great books and a few easy travel games. It&#;s nice to relax with a good book while the kids are playing, and classic games are an easy way to bring the family together and keep everyone entertained.
Pack simple travel games that don&#;t take up too much space but are really fun, like Uno and a pack of cards to play snap or rummy.
Add Dr. Bronner&#;s to your camping checklist
By Megan from Packing up the Pieces
When camping or heading out for a multi-day trek, never leave home without Dr. Bronner&#;s pure castile soap. Carrying this soap is a total game-changer because it&#;s multi-purpose for your body, hair, dishes, and any other camping essentials you can think of.
For best results, carry the soap in a small reusable toiletry bottle. You won&#;t need to pack more than that, as a small dab lathers up more than sufficiently.
Dr. Bronner&#;s is biodegradable and contains organic fair trade ingredients with no synthetic preservatives. It&#;s perfect for following Leave No Trace principles while camping and the company practices ethical supply chains and donates profits for social and environmental change.
While it&#;s &#;clean,&#; always use Dr. Bronner&#;s at least 200 feet away from water sources to be extra safe!
A simple brush and dustpan are invaluable camping must haves
By Lotte from Gezond Weekmenu
Regardless of the type of camping accommodations (be it a campervan, traditional tent, glamping dome, or yurt), there are two camping must haves you should always bring: a small dustpan and brush.
Especially when you&#;re traveling with kids, sand and dirt get everywhere (usually in the blink of an eye!). Your kids may forget to take their shoes off before entering or may be too young to understand why that&#;s necessary.
Luckily, a dustpan and brush help you quickly tidy up your camping space and keep it nice and clean. They&#;re simple, small, and easy to store, but indispensable to your camping checklist!
Phew&#;we warned you this camping checklist was thorough! Hopefully you got some useful tips and added a few things to your own list of camping must haves.
We&#;d love to hear YOUR favorite camping hacks and tips, so let us know in the comments! Finally, pin this post for later reference as you build out your supply of camping essentials. Happy camping!
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