Shopping for someone who would rather sleep under the stars than in a 5 star resort? When it comes to shopping for camping gear, the choices can be overwhelming! Thankfully, this list has camping gift ideas for budget campers, camp chefs, glampers, and cozy cabin dwellers and everyone in between.
Don’t forget – you can always get them the gift they really want and offer to join them on their next camping adventure. Spending time in the great outdoors is always the best camping gift idea!
Disclosure: Some of the items on this list were gifted to me so that I could fully test them out in the real world. This page may also contain affiliate links where I earn a small commission from any purchase – at no extra cost to you! This commission helps keep Brooke In Boots up and running. As always, all opinions are 100% honest and my own!
Looking for the perfect gift idea for the outdoorsy person in your life? Check out more gift guides here:
1. RTIC Soft and Hard Sided Coolers
In 2020, I used my RTIC Soft Pack Cooler on our cross country road trip. Let me say, this thing keeps your ice, drinks, and snacks cold for days.
For road trips and short camping trips, the smaller soft sided cooler will fit your snacks, drinks and a meal or two. For longer trips, I recommend investing in the ultra-light hard sided cooler. This cooler fits up to 64 cans or 40lbs of ice, and includes an internal divider and basket for organization and maximum space.
2. REVEL GEAR 30 ft. Camping Light
These adorable USB powered lights make any campsite a home! Plug this 30 foot string of 100 efficient LED lights into any USB port and illuminate your campsite without a headlamp or lantern. These lights come in multiple colors, and adjust to 8 different brightness settings.
4. HEST Camp Pillow
For campers who just cannot deal with uncomfortable inflatable camping pillows (yes, that’s me 🙋♀️) the HEST Pillow is here to save your night’s sleep. Filled with a blend of shredded memory foam, the HEST pillow supports like your home pillow, without flattening or loosing shape.
With a machine washable removable cover, this pillow packs down into an integrated carrying case with. While this is admittedly a pretty pricey pillow, it makes the perfect camping gift idea for anyone looking to upgrade their outdoor sleep experience.
5. Give’r Classic Gloves
These classic and oh-so-useful gloves are the best and only pair of gloves any outdoors lover will need. These lightly insulated, all-leather gloves are perfect for building a campfire, setting up camp, hitting the slopes, or winter trekking in the mountains. The natural bees-wax coating also makes them completely weatherproof.
Give’r recently gifted me a pair of their classic gloves and let me just say that I’m obsessed with the quality of these babies! I highly recommend a pair of these gloves for every camper and outdoorsy lover. I’ve used mine for stacking firewood for a campfire, and even carrying home this year’s Christmas tree.
Plus, each pair of Give’r Classic Gloves can be customized with hand-branded initials for that extra-personalized camping gift idea.
6. Eureka Ignite 2-Burner Camp Stove
Upgrade your camp kitchen game with this retro-looking portable 2-burner camp stove. The Eureka’s easy to light ignite button and simmer control make cooking your favorite meals in the outdoors as easy as possible.
The stainless steel drip tray makes for easy clean up, and 3-side wind blockers let you cook even in windy conditions.
7. Thermacell Patio Shield Mosquito Repeller
Bug protection can make or break your camping trip. This portable little mosquito repeller is what I personally use to make the outdoors bearable for us in the summer months down South (if you know, you know).
The Thermacell works like a smell-free essential oil diffuser and creates a 15-foot mosquito protection zone with DEET-free repellant mats. The Patio Shield runs on small butane cartridges that provide 12 hours of protection.
8. Kuju Coffee
Kuju Coffee is proof that gourmet coffee is possible, even in the backcountry! These single-use pour over pouches fit around the lip of your coffee mug or thermos, just open and pour hot water into the grounds.
The whole process takes about 2 minutes. Yes, this is more work than just stirring in some instant coffee crystals, but for campers who cannot function before their first cup of coffee (i.e., me) having a quality of coffee is a camping gift idea that takes the whole experience to the next level!
Plus, Kuju donates a portion of their proceeds to National Parks, so you can get your morning caffeine hit while knowing that you are supporting a worthy cause.
9. Lodge Cast Iron 5-in-1
Everything is on the menu with this 5-in-1 cast iron cooking setup. With 5 different configurations, including a skillet, grill, griddle, pizza oven, and dutch oven, this cast iron is the ultimate camp-kitchen workhorse.
Quality cast iron, like Lodge, can last for years and years if cared for properly! Includes stainless steel handles and a guidebook for cooking tips and proper care.
10. REI Co-Op Graphic Camp Mug
These adorable retro-style camp mugs make the perfect camping gift idea. Stainless steel double walled insulation keeps your coffee and coco hot, and your whiskey cold.
11. Sackcloth & Ashes Mountain Blanket
This cozy and chic wool-blend blanket looks good inside your winter cabin or around the campfire.
Made out of recycled and eco-friendly materials, Sackcloth & Ashes’ mission is to donate one million blankets to homeless shelters in the United States by 2024. For each blanket purchased, Sackcloth & Ashes will donate one blanket to a homeless shelter in need.
This blanket also comes with its own lux leather carrier for easy storage.
12. Camping Cook Books
Campfire cooking doesn’t have to mean bad or boring meals! In fact, some of my favorite food memories have happened around a campfire. From dutch oven pizza to tin-foil seafood broils, upgrade your camp meals with these inventive cookbooks.
13. ENO DoubleNest Hammock
Relax in style with this strong yet surprisingly packable ENO hammock. This hammock systems sleeps two, but packs down to the size of a grapefruit. Skip the tent and sleep under the stars, or relax in your own backyard!
14. REI Co-op Camp Roll Table
Having a portable camp table is an absolute must for car camping! Use this packable table for meal prep, eating, playing games and storing gear. When you’re done, it rolls up into its own stuff sack for easy transport to your next adventure.
15. Lifestraw Water Filter
The LifeStraw water filter is one of the best value pieces of gear in any camping, backpacking or hiker’s kit. Weighing only 2 oz, this small plastic straw fits easily in any bag and effectively filters out 99.99% of waterborne bacteria.
Use the LifeStraw to drink directly from a water source, like a stream or lake, or fill a water bottle and use the LifeStraw to drink safely on the go.
16. Jackery Explorer Portable Power Station
For those camping and road tips where “unplugging” from your phone or laptop is just not possible, consider investing in a portable power station, like the Jackery Explorer. Recharge this portable power station using a wall or car outlet, or pair with Jackery’s eco-friendly solar panels for off-the-grid power.
These portable power stations make the perfect camping gift idea for extended camping trips, road trippers, or anyone working from the road.
17. Folding Loveseat 2-Person Camp Chair
This cozy camp loveseat makes the perfect camping gift idea for couples. A 2-person folding camp chair, like this one from Kelty, is perfect for cozying up by the fire or watching outdoor concerts and sports.
When not in use, this loveseat folds into the included Roll-Tote storage system for easy transport and storage.
18. GSI Outdoors Gourmet Kitchen Set
The GSI Outdoors Gourmet Kitchen Set is a must-have for campers who love cooking in the wild. This 11-piece kit includes a spoon, spatula, collapsible whisk, cutting board, and waterproof spice holder, plus scrubber and camp towel for easy cleanup. The spoon has built-in measurements, and the spatula’s serrated edge makes serving simple.
Everything fits neatly into a durable nylon case, keeping your camp kitchen organized. It’s the perfect gift for campers who want to elevate their outdoor meals!
19. Quick Drying Nomadix Towel
A quick-drying, sand resistant towel makes camp showers, and trips to the river a lot less messy. An all purpose towel, like this Nomadix National Parks towel, absorbent and quick drying for trips to the river or beach, and antimicrobial for camping or extended backpacking trips.
20. Black Diamond Astro Headlamp
For pre-dawn sunrise hikes, or finding your way in emergency situation, a headlamp is a crucial essential for all hikers to always have on hand.
This Black Diamond Headlamp emits 400 lumens, has multiple brightness settings, and a digital lockout feature to prevent accidental turn-on while in their pack.
21. TheTentLab The Deuce #3 Heavy Duty Backcountry Trowel
It may not be a sexy subject, but a quality backcountry trowel is a great gift for hikers that they’ll use and appreciate!
The Duce #3 Trowel is practically weightless at 1oz, made out of high quality aluminum, and serrated to dig through roots and clay. Digging a proper cat hole is an important part of practicing Leave No Trace, so give the gift that benefits them and the environment!
22. Gear Aid Tenacious Tape Repair Tape
Tears, snags, and rips are inevitable for anyone who spends enough time outdoors. Tenacious Tape repairs their jackets, tents, packs and other gear with adhesive patches that stick to any surface.
This super affordable tape works better than duct tape and easily fits in any pack for on-the-go repairs.
23. REI Co-op Trailsmith Fleece Jacket
Pulled straight out of the 1992 REI catalogue, this light fleece jacket is retro-chic gear goals. The Trailsmith Fleece is made out of 80% post-consumer recycled materials.
This fleece jacket provides warmth without weight and works well as a fall or spring top layer, or a mid-layer for colder winter weather.
I recently purchased the Trailsmith Fleece Jacket in “Rustic Gold” and pretty much haven’t taken it off since. FYI, this jacket runs large, so I would recommend sizing down for those who don’t prefer the relaxed fit.
Still looking for Camping Gift Ideas? Can’t decide?
Stuck on deciding the perfect gift ideas for campers and outdoorsy travelers on your list? Maybe you waited until the last minute and need a gift NOW – no shame, we’ve definitely all been there! Gift cards make easy last minute camping gift ideas.
24. Gift Cards to REI or Backcountry
All outdoor lovers will appreciate a gift card to their favorite outdoor retailer like REI to restock on their favorite gear, or splurge on something big from their own wish-list!
25. Hipcamp or Tenterr Gift Gards
The next campsite reservation is taken care of with gift cards to camping reservation sites like Hipcamp or Tenterr!
Hipcamp is one of the best camping reservation websites around, with thousands of campsites, RV sites, cabins, treehouses, glamping and unique outdoor adventures stays around the country.
Tenterr takes the work out of camping with their Signature campsites, outfitted ready to go with a deck and canvas tent, beds, chairs and tables.
Looking for the perfect gift idea for the outdoorsy person in your life? Check out more gift guides here:
