What’s better than an adventure in the mountains and camping under the stars, a cool breeze rustling right outside your tent? Or a sunny hike to places unknown? Not much, at least not much to me! I’m an avid hiker, camper, and novice backpacker—and I’ve personally crash tested most of the items on this list of camping gear and camping gifts.
There’s a lot to choose from—and consider—when you’re picking the perfect present for your outdoorsy pals. Are they experienced hikers or campers, or just starting out? Do you want your gift to be deeply useful, or is it just for fun? Will they be on the go, or spending time in a specific spot where they could use something that doesn’t have to be super lightweight or travel very far? Do they have kids that might need entertaining while unplugged and away from civilization? Are they foodies that might appreciate something to help them perfect the best camping recipes ? Do they have any pets that might need pampering too? These are all great locations to start, if you ask me.
Whether you’re picking out the perfect gift for an experienced friend in your hiking circle or a newbie just starting out—or even someone who is more into the camping-lite version of things, where amenities are abundant—you’re sure to find something fun (and budget-friendly) on our extensive list of ideas. And, while you’re at it, check out our favorite hiking sandals , hiking shoes , base layers , compression socks , and motivational water bottles too! Happy adventuring!
Our top picks
1
Fun Camping Gift for Families
Luminoodle XL – The Original USB Powered Outdoor LED String Lights + Camping Lantern – 10 ft Submersible Lights with regard to Hiking, Safety, Emergencies Power Practical Read More
2
Best Backpack Cooler
Back Pack Chair or Cooler Chair, Portable Lightweight Stool regarding Fishing Essentials, Field Concert Seat, Cool Gear Travel, Ultralight Camp Stool, Hiking, Fishing Backpack for Women, Teal One Savvy Girl One Savvy Girl Read More
3
Best Travel Pillow for Camping
Compressible Journey Pillow for Camping, Backpacking, Airplanes and Road Trips, Denim, Medium – 14 x 18 Inches Therm-a-Rest Read More
4
Best Unique Camping Gift
Custom Camp Counselor Shirt, Personalized Get away Counselor Shirt, Camping shirts for Family Friends, Summer Camp Shirts Camping Trip, Matching KCMDesignStudio Read More
5
Best Portable Campfire
Portable Campfire: The Original Go-Anywhere Campfire | Eucalyptus Scent | Lightweight and Portable | 3-5 Hours of Bright plus Warm Burn Time | Convenient-No Embers-No Hassle | Made in USA Radiate Learning much more
6
Best Camping Gift for Kids
Color Fire Packets – Pack of 25 Fire Colors for Campfires, Fire Pits, Indoor in addition to Outdoor Fireplaces – Hue-Changing Cosmic Flame Powder for Kids and Adults – Camping Accessories Magical Flames Reading more
7
Best Flashlight
Leschi 110 Lumen Compact LED Lantern and Torch With Dimmer and Strobe, Aqua/Gold UCO Read More
8
Best Camping Cot
Camping Cot With Patented Pivot Arm – Folding Camping Cot for Car & Tent Camping — Durable Canvas Sleeping Crib – Portable Camping Accessory – 86″ x 45″ – Outfitter XXL TETON Sports Read More
9
Best Headlamp
Tikka Headlamp – Compact, Lightweight 300 Lumen Headlamp for Proximity Lighting for Hiking, Climbing, and Camping – Green Petzl Read More
10
Best Unique Camping Present
Inflatable Lounger Air Sofa Hammock-Portable, Water Proof& Anti-Air Leaking Design-Ideal Couch intended for Backyard Lakeside Beach Traveling Camping Picnics & Music Festivals Wekapo Read More
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1
Fun Camping Gift to get Families
Power Practical
Luminoodle XL : The Original USB Powered Outside LED String Lights & Camping Lantern – 10 ft Submersible Lights pertaining to Hiking, Safety, Emergencies
Now 43% off
Model Number
B0198VDWMY
Color
Clear
Length
5 ft with Battery
2
Best Backpack Cooler
One Savvy Girl
Backpack Chair or Cooler Chair, Portable Lightweight Stool meant for Fishing Essentials, Field Live concert Seat, Cool Gear Traveling, Ultralight Camp Stool, Walking, Fishing Backpack for Women, Teal One Savvy Girl
Color
Teal
Dimensions
15 x 16 x 2 in
Weight
0. 035 oz
3
Best Travel Cushion for Camping
Therm-a-Rest
Compressible Travel Pillow case for Camping, Backpacking, Airplanes and Road Trips, Denim, Medium – 14 x 18 Inches
Color
Jeans
Weight
0. 57 lbs
Length
16
4
Best Distinctive Camping Gift
KCMDesignStudio
Custom Camp Counselor Shirt, Personalized Camp Therapist Shirt, Camping shirts for Family Friends, Summer Camp Shirts Camping Trip, Matching
Now 20% off
five
Best Portable Campfire
Radiate
Portable Campfire: The Original Go-Anywhere Campfire | Eucalyptus Scent | Lightweight and Portable | approximately for five Hours of Bright and even Warm Burn Time | Convenient-No Embers-No Hassle | Made in USA
Scent
Eucalyptus
Height
8. 5 in
6
Greatest Camping Gift for Kids
Magical Flames
Color Fire Packets – Pack of 25 Fire Colors for Campfires, Fire Pits, Indoor and Outdoor Fireplaces – Hue-Changing Cosmic Flame Powder for Kids and Adults – Camping Accessories
Color
Multicolor
Weight
1 . 5 lbs
Manufacturer
Evergreen Research & Marketing
7
Best Flashlight
UCO
Leschi 110 Lumen Compact LED Lantern and Flashlight With Dimmer and Strobe, Aqua/Gold
Color
Gold/Cyan
Weight
0. 097 lbs
Length
1 . 25 in
8
Best Camping Cot
TETON Sports
Camping out Cot With Patented Pivot Arm – Folding Outdoor camping Cot for Car & Tent Camping – Durable Canvas Sleeping Cot instructions Portable Camping Accessory rapid 86″ x 45″ instant Outfitter XXL
Colour
Black
Item Weight
26 lbs
9
Finest Headlamp
Petzl
Tikka Headlamp – Small, Lightweight 300 Lumen Headlamp for Proximity Lighting designed for Hiking, Climbing, and Camping – Green
Brightness
300 Lumens
Colors
Black, Blue, Green, White
Battery
Three AAA/LR03 batteries (included) or CORE rechargeable battery (available as accessory)
10
Ideal Unique Camping Gift
Wekapo
Inflatable Lounger Air Sofa Hammock-Portable, Water Proof& Anti-Air Leaking Design-Ideal Couch for Backyard Lakeside Beach Traveling Camping Picnics & Music Festivals
Sustain Tritan BPA-Free Water Bottle Made With Material Derived from 50% Plastic Waste, 32 OZ, Narrow Mouth
Color
Pomegranate Sustain
Item Weight
0. 35 kilograms
15
Best Camping Logbook
CampgirlClothing
Hiking Logbook-Personalization Available
16
Best Light-weight Camping Towel
PackTowl
Luxe Quick Dry Microfiber Towel for Beach and Travel, Vivid Coral, Face – 10 by 14 Inch
Product Model Number
040818109816
Manufacturer
Cascade Designs Inc.
Shade
Aquamarine
17
Best Camping Cookware
SUMPRI
Marshmallow Roasting Sticks, Smores Skewers Telescoping Rotating Forks Set of 6 Hot Dog Fire Pit Backyard Fireplace Campfire Accessories-6 Multicolored 34 Inch Extendable Steel Fork Camping Kit
Now 30% off
Manufacturer
SUMPRI
Materials
Bamboo, Metal
18
Best Easy-Set-Up Tent
Quechua
Instant 2 Second Pop Up, Portable Patio Camping Tent, Waterproof, Windproof, 2 Person
Sleeping Area Dimensions
47. 2 X 82. 7 in
Durability
Waterproof together with wind-resistant up to 30mph
Hiker Micro Crew Cushion Sock – Women’s Plum Heather Small
How to choose the best camping gear
Choosing the best camping gear is a personal thing—are you car camping or backpacking? Does having ultralight gear matter? Are you an indoorsy person humoring your outdoorsy pals? When gifting , go for something lighthearted—or, when all else fails, ask your buddies what they might need before making a selection. Personally, when gifting, I go the surprise-and-delight route: Something tiny and cute, something problem solving (a headlamp! a mini lantern! ), or some thing unexpected that adds to an evening away (Magic Flames definitely fits the bill).
In your journey to find the right gear for you , it doesn’t hurt to focus on widely-reviewed items: When you’re reading the experiences of hundreds (or thousands) of people who have personally tested an item, it can help you make an informed choice about the kind of gear you want—and what’s most beneficial to you. When in doubt—head to your local outfitter to get in-person recommendations—it’s so nice to meet experts (and enthusiasts) in person.
Don’t shy away from used gear. Brands like REI re-sell items at a discount that have light wear that are still perfectly suitable for your excursions. Also, it’s nice for the planet.: )
How we chose the best camping equipment
Many of the recommendations on our list are, as I mentioned early on, personal favorites of mine from adventures hiking and camping within New York, Virginia, Maryland, Connecticut, Montana, and beyond. The rest of the picks on our list are a mix of tried and true favorites by hundreds of reviewers—and items recommended to me by equally outdoorsy pals.
Why trust us?
For more than 70 years, Prevention has been a leading provider of trustworthy health information, empowering readers with practical strategies to improve their physical, mental, and emotional well-being. Additionally , Prevention also examines hundreds of reviews—and often conducts personal testing done by our staff—to help you make informed decisions.
Allie Early Digital Director Allie, Prevention’s digital director, has a decade of experience writing and editing lifestyle content, and she’s strategized and additionally edited for news not to mention lifestyle publications such as Good Housekeeping, Time Out New York, Time Out New York Kids, Haute Living, and Forbes (previously composing for PureWow, Paste, xoJane, Men’s Fitness, House Beautiful, and Life by Daily Burn among others).
