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40 Camping Gifts People Will Actually Love (2025)
If you’re looking for the perfect gift for your favorite outdoor enthusiasts, this blog post has got you covered. As a seasoned camper myself, I have created a list of some of the best camping gifts people will actually love!
Purchasing outdoor gear is a thoughtful way to add to your loved one’s hobby. It is a great way to show that you’re thinking of them and their love of outdoor adventure.
It can be easy to think that they have everything that they need, but oftentimes, a good upgrade or luxury item is perfect for the person who presumably has everything.
So, if you’re ready to find the best camping gifts, let’s get into it!
Just a heads up! This post contains affiliate links which means I could earn a small commission at no cost to you. Thanks for your support!
The Perfect Gifts for Campers and Camping Adventures
Give the gift of the great outdoors to the camping enthusiast in your life! Whether that’s small appliances, National Park-themed water bottles, or even twinkly camp lights. Use this camping gift guide to find the perfect outdoor gift to make your loved ones’ outdoor experiences even better!
Here are some items I’ll be buying this year as gifts:
There is something for everyone in this post! Your rugged camper, luxury camper, or new camper and there are items at every price range.
Let’s get into it!
Camping Gifts Under $30
From practical essentials to luxury items, you can find a great gift for your camping buddy for around $30.
Remember, camping gifts don’t need to be complicated! It is often the simplest piece of gear that makes the biggest difference and becomes the new favorite.
1. Darn Tough Socks - $25
Socks of any kind are always a great idea, especially for your outdoorsy friend, but Darn Tough Socks are elite. They are the ideal choice for any avid hiker, and they’re perfect for wearing at camp. Made from merino wool, they remain smell-proof after days of wear!
2. Adventure Medical Mountain Series Kit - $30
Important for any outdoor adventure and the perfect stocking stuffer. Adventure med kits are able to handle burns, cuts, pain, and almost any other injury sustained at camp or on a long hike. I love to keep one of these kits in my car at all times for car camping!
3. Rolla Roaster Hot Dog Roasting Forks - $17
Arguably, the most important camp tool is the hotdog fork. Great for keeping hands out of the fire to roast up some dogs and roast the perfectly cooked marshmallow right after. Every camping bin needs some roasting forks!
4. Stuff Travel Waist Pack - $22
This 1.5-liter waist pack is the perfect addition to any camp hangout. I always misplace my keys, wallet, chapstick, and almost every other little thing at camp. Having a waistband is the perfect way to keep your most important belongings close at hand while still being able to use those hands to cook up some messy smores.
5. Owala Stainless Steel Water Bottle - $28
Owalas are a thoughtful gift for any outdoor enthusiast. Now they’re sold in National Park color themes! Your adventurous friend will love adding stickers all over them.
6. GSI Stainless-Steel Deep Plate - $13
I know, I know, it seems lame to get your outdoor adventurer some plates, but buying paper plates over and over is even lamer. Grab a couple of these reusable bowls or plate hybrids, and they’ll never accidentally drop their hotdog on the ground again when their paper plate folds in half.
7. Revel Gear Trail Hound 30ft Camping Lights - $25
Fun camping lights are a great gift because they don’t take up much space, and they add a lot of fun to a campsite! It took me years to finally purchase them for myself since they felt like a splurge item that I didn’t need. Don’t let your friend’s campsite go light-less…get them the fun camp lights!
8. Camping Guide Book - $19
Falcon Guides has guidebooks for camping in almost every state. It can be easy to camp in the same area every time. I love looking through my different guidebooks to find something new! Treat your camper to a guidebook in their state or a state they’re traveling to!
9. Jetboil TrailWare Utensil Set - $15
These brightly colored utensils by JetBoil are sure to be a favorite! The fork and spoon have 3 extension options! Other than being brightly colored, the utensils lock together, making them perfect for storage.
10. Local Park Pass - $5+
One of the most unique and necessary gifts for any outdoor adventurer in your life is a Park Pass. Many state parks or forests require a pass of some sort, which can be obtained for as little as $5 in some states. The Discovery Pass in Washington State allows access to thousands of miles of trails and supports the maintenance of those trails using the funds from the pass. The Northwest Forest Pass offers year-long access to National Forests in Washington and Oregon for $30.
11. Rumpl Beer Blanket - $9
The best camping gear doesn’t have to be reserved for humans. Frosty beverages deserve camp blankets, too. This is such a fun way to enjoy a cold drink around camp. Get a six-pack of beer blankets here!
12. REI Co-op Graphic Camp Mug - $23
The perfect solution to keep hot drinks hot and cold drinks cold around camp. REI offers this mug in plenty of cool, ever-changing, and limited designs and is sure to be a favorite around camp for a long time.
13. Lightning Nugget Firestarters - $5
I bring these on every camping trip (outside of wildfire season, of course). These little guys contain no chemical additives, making them perfectly shelf-stable between camping trips. They have saved me so much time trying to light semi-wet wood as it burns for up to 15 minutes.
They also make for a great gag-gift if you want to insult someone by insinuating that they can’t light a fire on their own. 🙂
14. Midland T10 Two-Way Radios - $30
This is a fun, fast way to communicate with others at a campsite. If there’s a bear near the bathrooms, everyone at camp will know! Someone needs to go to the store a few miles away and forgot their wallet, but they don’t have cell service? There are limitless possibilities for use, and these fit into any price range!
15. Ultralight Salt and Pepper Shaker - $7
One of the most annoying things is opening my camp kitchen bin and finding that the cap to my salt container has fallen off and everything is coated in salt. I have now bought multiple of these to hold my different spices for cooking. This shaker is waterproof and also has two chambers and a filler cap to make refilling easier.
Camping Favorites
Amazing Camping Gifts Under $100
The items on this list are all tried, tested, and true to be a great gift for any tent or car camper. When I am shopping for a piece of camping gear, I am looking for items that are durable, packable, and will get plenty of use.
Whether this is for a holiday or birthday gift, you’re bound to impress your seasoned camper.
If you’re shopping at outdoor retailers like REI, I suggest seeing if they have a rewards program so you can earn back on your purchases. Members of REI earn 10% back on all purchases. I have been a member of REI since 2017, and you can sign up here!
16. Luci Outdoor Pro 2.0 Lantern - $50
The perfect camping lantern is lightweight, compactable, and rechargeable. The Luci Lantern hits all of those marks while also packing a 2,000 MaH battery to recharge devices. This lightweight light provides up to 50 hours of light through different light modes on a single charge in its compact design.
17. Aeropress Go Travel Coffee Press - $50
As far as coffee makers go, this is the lightest option that fits into any price range. Offering high-quality espresso pulls, cold brew, or American coffee variants, this coffee maker is extremely well-rounded. This is the perfect addition to any car camping or backpacking gear list – throw this in as a stocking stuffer!
18. Luno Car Camping Fan - $40
Nothing is worse than attempting to sleep through the night in a sweaty sleeping bag. While this isn’t a portable air conditioner, this little fan is the perfect addition to a muggy tent or unbearably hot car. Paired with a portable battery like the BioLite 80D, this USB fan will provide cool air all night. I own two!
19. BioLite Charge 40PD Power Bank - $60
Offering 10,000 MaH of power, this battery from a certified climate-neutral company is the perfect companion on any trip. Multiple USB-C and USB ports allow the charging of multiple devices at a time. It is the ideal choice for charging at camp and is bound to get plenty of use.
20. Cornhole Table set - $90
Give the gift of fun! This classic is a must-have, and this set even has a dual use. They can play a few rounds, then convert them to low camp tables to hold drinks and s’mores to sit around the campfire.
21. Lodge Deep Camp Dutch Oven - 8 qt. - $90
The best way to cook over an open fire is a Dutch oven! For your camp cook, this is the perfect choice. Pair them with a Dutch oven cookbook to get them started.
22. Camp Kitchen Clean-Up Kit - $40
While I typically try to wait until I am home to clean my dirty camp dishes, that is not always practical. This camp kitchen clean-up kit, while not exciting, is a great gift!
23. Gregory Alpaca Gear Box 45 - $60
I exclusively use my Gregory Alpaca Gear Box to carry all of my kitchen gear, but it can be used for almost anything. This is one of the best gifts for people who might need help storing their outdoor gear.
24. Eureka Griddle - $50
It is the best addition to any camp stove. Perfect for hot sandwiches, large pancakes, or a killer quesadilla. I use my Eureka Griddle almost every time I go camping. If your adventurer is a camper, car camper or anything in between, the griddle it perfect for any set up.
The ultimate camp shoe. Perfect for getting in and out of a tent or car and comfortable enough to wear the entire time hanging out at camp so they’ll never have cold feet at camp again.
26. Luno Packable Pillow - $70
Perfect for road trips, camping excursions, and late-night stargazing, this extremely comfortable pillow will grant anyone a good night’s sleep. I’ll be honest: I’ve considered replacing my pillow at home with this one. They have it in a large and small size too!
Coolers are essential for any camping trip and they don’t have to break the bank. This cooler can keep ice for up to three days, has 4 self-draining cup holders, Cool Riser Technology to lift the cooler off of hot surfaces, and even attachments on either side to attach more gear on the top via a bungee cord.
A camp knife must be high quality, corrosion resistant, and made of extremely durable steel. This knife from Gerber hits all of those points. I’ve used mine to split wood, open cans, create kindling, drive in tent stakes, pry large rocks from under my tent, cut fruit, and many many more things. This will come in handy more often than not.
This 300 lumen, rechargeable headlamp is perfect for setting up camp, finding the way to the bathroom, or searching for a little extra firewood in the dark. Lanterns, string lights, and other camp lighting are great for setting the vibes, but don’t underestimate the value of bringing along a light that can provide valuable light for those night time tasks.
Camping Gifts $100+
For that extra special camper in your life. These are some great gifts that cost a little more money but are truly spectacular for any camping adventure.
Coming in hot, this is one of the best camping chairs. It is the perfect addition to campfire hangouts or riverside relaxation. Nemo is famous for making long-lasting gear, and this hammock-like chair is the ideal addition to any outdoor excursion. The Nemo Stargaze Chairs are the height of luxury.
The Ascent 15-Degree Sleeping Bag provides comfort and warmth on cold nights. This extremely versatile bag provides plenty of warmth and ventilation options, making it the best sleeping bag for almost any adventure. If your camper is also a backpacker, it is a great gift.
This is one of the best sleeping pads on the market. If your camper is hoping to break into backpacking, the best way to help them is with proper gear! Most backpacking gear can be used as camping gear, but not all camping gear can be used as backpacking gear.
This camp stove is the ultimate addition to any camping experience. Coming in at 10,000 BTUs per stove, this reliable camping stove is sure to provide plenty of hot meals. There are a few different accessories for this stove, including a griddle! This gift will last for many years and memories to come.
With nine output ports and wireless charging along the top, this 622-watt-hour power station is the ultimate power source. If your camper likes to post up in a spot for a week or two at a time, a large power bank is great for charging electronics!
This highly compact, lightweight solar panel is compatible with any BioLite power station. They can be chained together to provide 400 watts of charging. This is also the perfect gift for RV campers!
Possibly the best camping tent in the game, the REI Wonderland 6 has plenty of space for an entire family. With a whopping 83 square feet and a height of 78 inches, there is plenty of space to spread out. If you’re shopping for a family looking to get into camping, checking a big ticket item off of their list is the way to get them out there!
REI has perfected the table game, and the camp prep table is no exception. This is perfect for the camper who disperses camps on public lands and might not have access to picnic tables! I have had my camp table from REI for almost five years now, and it shows limited signs of wear and tear.
Did you know millions of those little green propane bottles end up in landfills yearly? This gas canister by Ignik helps combat that problem. Compatible with camp stoves and BBQ grills at home, this highly portable canister will offer 5x more propane than the average 16oz green canister. And it’s reusable!
This is the best camp blanket for cold weather; I’ve been using mine for years. With the Cape Clip, they can wear this blanket around camp hands-free. With those extra hands, they can enjoy a cold, blanketed beverage with the Rumpl Beer Blanket? Honestly, you might want to buy yourself one while you’re at it!
This double chair is perfect for couples or your outdoor adventure and their furry friend. Maybe all 3! The cover for this chair can be used as a ground mat for a puppy at camp. It can even be used solo for that person who likes to spread out a little.
Wrap It Up
Sometimes, the gift of a planned outdoor experience is the most thoughtful gift of all. So, while this guide shared some of the best tangible camping items you can buy your outdoor bestie, nothing beats spending time together on a planned camping trip.
Planning a camping trip to a local state park or snagging a coveted campsite at one of the National Parks is a great idea for a low-cost gift! For a completely free camping trip, you can even plan your camping trip on public lands!
Learn about dispersed camping on public land here.
I hope you found some great gifts! Have a question about a product or a picky camper you need extra help finding something extra special for? Drop a comment below and I would be happy to help!
Meet the Author -
Sarah Borgen
I am an Educator and outdoor Enthusiast based out of Seattle and writer of Exploren Borgen! My adventures consist of weekends spent in the woods, on a hike, car camping, and taking a deep breath of fresh air. When not on an adventure, you can find me in a classroom teaching high school science! I love having a job that allows me to the opportunity to discuss things like conservation, sustainability, and accessibility.
The Ultimate Washington Map
Endless adventures, all at your fingertips
If you’ve ever wished you could access my adventure journals to uncover notes about hundreds of Washington destinations, now’s your chance. I spend an entire year creating this interactive map to make adventure more accessible. You can sort, filter, and explore my notes on hundreds of trails, breweries, campgrounds, and more.
Have a question? Put it in a comment and I'll get back to ya!
Meet the author
Sarah Borgen, AKA your outdoor bestie
I’m an outdoorsy educator and adventure advocate, which is why I’m passionate about creating resources – like blogs, guides, and interactive maps – to simplify your travels. I’m eager to share some of Washington’s greatest destinations and hidden gems with you.
