As an avid camper, I’ve gotten my fair share of starry-night-under-the-sky-themed gifts over the years. They’ve ranged from wonderful, permanent additions to my camping bag—like the Snow Peak mugs I never knew I needed—to well-intentioned but never-used (um, thanks for travel-sized toilet paper, Mom??).
If you’re shopping for someone who loves to go camping, they likely already have (and love) their core items (sleeping bag, sleeping pad, tent, stove, and chairs) and it’s best to avoid gifting these unless they’ve hinted otherwise. Instead, consider giving them a fun—yet practical—extra with these 26 camping gift ideas they’ll actually use.
Camp clothing
Part sleeping bag, part slipper, the Teva Mocs are the perfect shoe for lounging outdoors.
Courtesy of Teva
1. Teva ReEmber Camp Shoes
Buy now: $80, teva.com; rei.com
Comfortable, cushy, and easy to slip on/off, the Teva ReEmber Moc is the ideal shoe for lounging around the campfire. I love the sleeping-bag-meets-slipper design as well as the collapsible heel that lets you wear them as either a snug sneaker or chill clog, depending on your mood.
2. Snow Peak Zip-Up Hoodie
Buy now: $240, snowpeak.com
Snow Peak’s Flexible Insulated Zip-Up Hoodie is a cozy camp-ready jacket that’s surprisingly warm considering how lightweight it is. It also has a water-repellent finish, hood, and multiple pockets, lending it a little extra practicality in the great outdoors. Minimalist in design, this monochromatic, unisex hoodie is also stylish enough to wear round town (a rarity among outdoor apparel) and a go-to of mine for both camping and travel.
Patagonia’s Range Earflap Cap comes in three different colors, including a fleece-topped option similar to its iconic jackets.
Courtesy of Patagonia
3. Patagonia Range Earflap Cap
Buy now: $55, patagonia.com
The new Patagonia Range Earflap Cap comes in three different colors, but I personally love the dark natural style. Its fleece-covered top is both cozy and a fun play on Patagonia’s iconic jackets. With a short brim that provides sun protection and earflaps that can be worn up or down depending on the temperature, it’s a versatile hat for all types of outdoor conditions.
Among outdoorsy folks, a good pair of socks is never a lame gift.
Courtesy of Tough Cutie
4. Merino Wool Socks by Tough Cutie
Buy now: $25, toughcutie.com
When it comes to gift giving, socks may not have the best reputation. But maybe that’s because grandma never chose to buy a high-quality merino wool pair, like the ones from Tough Cutie, a Black woman–owned apparel brand. Since they’re made of merino wool (widely considered the best material for hiking and outdoors socks), these socks are odor-resistant, soft, and cushy. They also magically keep feet warm in cool weather but cool when things heat up.
Camp food and drink
For campers who are always in charge of the tacos, “The Campout Cookbook” will be a new favorite.
Courtesy of Artisan Publishers
5. The Campout Cookbook by Marnie Hanel and Jen Stevenson
Buy now: $19, bookshop.org
The Campout Cookbook will easily become any camp cook’s favorite new book. Inspired by nights outdoors, it features creative recipes like green chile and cheese cast-iron cornbread, bootstrap bibimbap, and over a dozen s’mores ideas that’ll break you out of your basic chocolate-graham-cracker-and-marshmallow rut, all alongside delightful illustrations, stories, and camping tips.
Patagonia Provisions makes sustainable, tasty, camp-ready foods.
Courtesy of Patagonia Provisions
6. Patagonia Provisions 2-Day Camp Meal Kit
Buy now: $85, patagoniaprovisions.com
Even if you’re shopping for someone who already has all the gear they need, food is one item they’ll always have to re-up on. Help them simplify their next campout menu with the ultra-healthy, sustainably sourced Patagonia Provisions 2-Day Camp Meal Kit. With three pouched lunch/dinner meals, three tins of seafood, one box of lightly smoked salmon, two breakfast pouches, dried mangoes, and jerky made from an invasive deer species, this kit has everything they’ll need to feed two people for two days—and it’s tasty too.
The artisanal s’mores by 1927 S’mores are a delicious take on camping’s classic dessert.
Courtesy of 1927 S’mores
7. 1927 S’mores Kit
Buy now: $27, 1927smores.com; etsy.com
Founded by husband and wife duo James and Elise Kelly, the Portland-based 1927 S’mores Company specializes in artisanal versions of your favorite campout dessert. While you can get them fresh at its cabin-themed shop in Portland, the super giftable s’mores kits can be shipped anywhere in the United States. For flavors, choose from pumpkin spice, salted caramel, cocoa espresso, moose tracks, or original, which is a simple, upleveled take on the classic.
It’s like a tea bag, but coffee—no french press required.
Courtesy of Wildland
8. Wildland Coffee Bags
Buy now: $23 for a 10-pack, wildlandcoffee.co; amazon.com
Every ounce counts when prepping for backcountry camping, so most backpackers will eschew their beloved french press or pour over for a simple, lightweight packet of instant coffee. Rather than let your friends suffer with a mediocre morning brew, treat them to an actually good cup of joe with coffee from Wildland, whose compostable, tea bag–esque design requires no additional equipment. (I especially love the extra dark roast.) Still prefer traditional instant coffee? Intelligentsia makes an excellent option ($12 for a five-pack, intelligentsia.com).
Camp kitchen supplies
Nothing says ready for camping like a well-made pocket knife, such as the Opinel No. 10, which comes with a corkscrew.
Courtesy of Opinel
9. Opinel No. 10 Corkscrew Stainless Steel Folding Knife
Buy now: $36, opinel-usa.com
The camper in your life likely already has a backcountry ready knife, but do they have one that doubles as a corkscrew? I bet not. For camp chefs who love wine, consider giving them the dual-purpose Opinel No.10 Corkscrew Stainless Steel Folding Knife which, on top of being an all around great knife, has a corkscrew tucked away in the handle.
The Camp Dutch Oven by Lodge helps you get creative with your camp meals.
Courtesy of Lodge
10. Lodge Camp Dutch Oven
Buy now: $54, rei.com
This petite, 12-inch, five-quart cast iron Camp Dutch Oven from Lodge will be a welcome addition to any food lover’s camp kitchen. Adventurous chefs can nestle it in the coals of a firepit to bake fresh cinnamon rolls for breakfast or a savory chili for dinner. To complete your gift, pair it with a copy of the Campout Cookbook, which includes several outdoor-friendly, dutch oven recipes. This dutch oven is available in additional sizes, ranging from 2- to 10-quarts.
Never suffer through a lukewarm beverage with the Yeti Rambler.
Courtesy of Yeti
11. Yeti Rambler 20 Oz. Tumbler
Buy now: $35, yeti.com; rei.com
The Yeti Rambler Tumbler is one of the best on-the-go mugs for both camping and travel. Insulated, durable, and available in a variety of colors and sizes (though I prefer the 20 ounce), it’s the ideal vessel to keep hot drinks hot and cold drinks cold while out and about.
Treat yourself to freshly ground coffee beans with the VSSL Java Coffee Grinder.
Courtesy of VSSL
12. VSSL Java Coffee Grinder
Buy now: $160, vsslgear.com
Making a superb cup of camp coffee starts with freshly ground beans—which is where the VSSL Java Coffee Grinder comes in. This stainless steel hand-grinder is durable, can adjust to 50 unique grind settings, and can process 20 grams of beans at a time (enough for one cup of coffee).
The Snow Peak Field Coffee Master is both stylish and makes mean cup of joe.
Courtesy of Snow Peak
13. Snow Peak Field Coffee Master
Buy now: $170, snowpeak.com
Japanese outdoor brand Snow Peak is known for its stylish, food-centric gear, and the Field Coffee Master system is no exception. Made from stainless steel, this elegant system works as either a percolator or a kettle with a pour-over cone and (most importantly) makes a cup of coffee so good, even your barista would approve.
Flashlight or flask? Trick question: The VSSL Flask is both.
Courtesy of VSSL
14. VSSL Flask
Buy now: $115, vsslgear.com
A fancy stocking stuffer for campers and whiskey lovers alike, the VSSL Flask comes with a four-mode LED flashlight, compass, two collapsible shot glasses, and a nine-ounce chamber to store the spirit of choice. However, if you’d like to tweak this combination, you can also build your own VSSL, choosing any color, size, end cap, and gear tins from its line to create a custom creation. The makers say all of the VSSLs are waterproof and virtually indestructible.
Freshly muddled mint juleps, anyone?
Courtesy of MiiR
15. MiiR Essential Cocktail Kit
Buy now: $95 (originally $140), miir.com
There are few things classier than a well-crafted cocktail in the middle of the woods, so why not encourage your camp-loving friend to up their mixology game with the portable MiiR Essential Cocktail Kit? It includes two 10-ounce lowballs, an insulated cocktail shaker that doubles as a thermos, and a barware tool set with a bar spoon, muddler, strainer, and double-sided jigger (each is also sold separately)—a surefire formula for becoming the most popular site at camp.
Lighting and electronics
The light on this stylish lantern can be adjusted for brightness and warmth.
Courtesy of Balmuda
16. Balmuda Lantern
Buy now: $149, us.balmuda.com; amazon.com
From the Tokyo-based company Balmuda, this rechargeable lantern is an excellent, functional piece for camping, but it’s also stylish enough that the campers in your life will want to use it at home as well (I certainly do). I especially love that you can turn the dial to easily switch between a warm, ambient light while relaxing to a powerful, bright, white light for when you need to see what you’re doing.
17. Black Diamond Spot 400-R Headlamp
Buy now: $65, blackdiamondequipment.com; rei.com
Although avid campers will likely already have a headlamp in their kit, many are still reliant on battery-operated headlamps. Give them an upgrade with this rechargeable option with the Black Diamond Spot 400-R Headlamp. At 400 lumens, it’s bright enough to illuminate a space even during the darkest evenings, while the red light option allows a more mellow brightness (ideal for joining campfire companions without blinding them).
The Luci Solar String Lights are the perfect way to add some mood lighting to your campsite.
Courtesy of Mpowerd
18. Mpowerd Luci Solar String Lights
Buy now: $50, mpowerd.com; backcountry.com; rei.com
The MPOWERED Luci Solar String Lights are an 18-foot string of glittering LED lamps that pack into a fist-sized spool and recharge via USB (8 hours) or direct sunlight (14 hours). Out in the wild, they can be hung from trees, tents, or whatever-there-may-be to add a bit of mood lighting.
19. Anker PowerCore 20100 Portable Charger
Buy now: $50, us.anker.com
Keeping cell phones and other devices charged while camping is always a challenge. Fortunately, the Anker PowerCore 20100 is a quick and powerful portable battery that, when fully charged, can recharge an iPhone 8 almost seven times.
For lounging
Nap, read a book, or stare at the stars with the Kammok hammock.
Courtesy of Kammok
20. Kammok Roo Double
Buy now: $85, kammok.com; rei.com
For those who love to lounge outdoors, give the Kammok Roo Double, a durable and silky-soft hammock made from recycled materials that’s big enough for two. Add on a bolt kit ($25) and adjustable straps ($30) for an easy set up just about anywhere—whether at home or in the woods.
Cozy up with the fleece-lined Rumpl Sherpa Puffy Blanket.
Courtesy of Rumpl
21. Rumpl Sherpa & NanoLoft Flame Puffy Blankets
Buy now: Sherpa, $149, rumpl.com; rei.com; NanoLoft Flame, $129, rumpl.com; rei.com
Lightweight, durable, and designed for the outdoors, Rumpl’s line of machine-washable blankets are a cozy addition to any cool night outdoors. Standout options from its line include the Sherpa Puffy Blanket, a warm, fleece-lined version of the company’s signature blanket, and the new NanoLoft Flame Puffy Blanket, which is made from a fire-resistant material that won’t collect holes from stray campfire embers.
Bags and packing
The Matador Freerain Hip-Pack is a sturdy, lightweight, and waterproof: ideal for any outdoor activity.
Courtesy of Matador
22. Matador Freerain Hip-Pack
Buy now: $60, matadorup.com
Since most women’s clothes lack decent pockets, I almost always have a hip pack strapped to me while puttering around the campground—keeping essentials like my phone, lighter, and bug spray close by. The two-liter Matador Freerain Hip Pack is one of my favorites, since it packs down super small when not in use, is waterproof, and features a simple black-and-white check pattern.
Part of the proceeds from the Parks Project Upcycled Puffy Tote helps fund projects in U.S. national parks.
Courtesy of Parks Project
23. Parks Project Upcycled Puffy Tote
Buy now: $54, parksproject.us
Although this tote bag isn’t necessarily designed for camping, outdoor lovers will appreciate that it’s made from recycled down jackets and a part of the proceeds from each bag will be donated to vital projects in national parks around the United States. Great for everyday use and travel, this 14-inch by 15-inch bag is spacious, sturdy, and a fun-yet-minimalist addition to any wardrobe.
This ecofriendly backpack comes with straps that can hold your jacket or even a yoga mat.
Courtesy of Fjällräven
24. Fjällräven Tree-Kånken Backpack
Buy now: $115, rei.com
This sustainable version of the Swedish outdoor gear brand Fjällräven’s iconic Kånken backpack is made from tree-sourced lyocell material, which is excellent for day hikes and car camping trips.
Last-minute gifts and gift cards
The National Parks Pass is an easy last-minute gift.
Photo by Shutterstock
25. National Parks Pass
Buy now: $80, usgs.gov
It’s likely that your outdoors-obsessed friend already has a National Parks Pass. The good news for last-minute gift givers? The annual pass has to be renewed each year. Simply send them a card with an IOU to renew their annual pass, which covers entrance fees at national parks and many other national public land sites.
Tentrr has more than 1,000 campsites to choose from across the United States.
Courtesy of Tentrr
26. HipCamp or Tentrr Gift Card to Book Campsites
Buy now: various, hipcamp.com; tentrr.com
If your loved one already has all the outdoor gear they need, consider instead a gift card to campsite booking platforms HipCamp or Tentrr. Similar to Airbnb, HipCamp is a peer-to-peer booking platform for campsites on privately owned land with sites that range from simple, bring-your-own tent spaces to rustic cabins in the woods.
Tentrr, on the other hand, is best known for its fully equipped campsites—complete with already-pitched safari tents and other camping essentials—on both private and public land, including many New York State Parks.
This story was originally published in 2021 and most recently updated on November 2, 2022 to include updated information. Lyndsey Matthews contributed to the reporting of this story.
