
Article Overview: The Best Camping Gifts, Camping Gift Ideas
So you’re looking for the perfect gift for people who enjoy camping, well you’ve come to the right place! At More Than Just Parks we live and breathe the outdoors, specifically America’s public lands, and camping is a major part of that.
There are so many incredible gadgets, accessories, and pieces of equipment that can take camping from sleeping outside to an unforgettable experience. Of course the only problem is knowing where to start and what to get.
Fortunately, we’ve taken the guess work out of it by researching and testing products in the field and scouring the internet for unique, trustworthy, and helpful items that every camper needs.
Before we get to the list, if you’re in a hurry or don’t know where to begin, try skipping the guesswork and heading straight to our How To Pick The Right Camping Gift section at the bottom of this page for personalized recommendations based on your campers characteristics.
In This Camping Gift Guide You’ll Find:
- Camping Gifts for Kids
- Camping Gifts for Backpackers
- The Best Camping Tents
- Camping Gifts for Her
- Camping Gifts for Him
- The Best Camping Chairs
- The Best Camping Mugs
- Unique Camping Gifts
- Camping Accessories & so much more!
Table of Contents: The Best Camping Gifts
Best Camping Gifts
- In This Camping Gift Guide You’ll Find:
- Best Camping Gifts
- Top 5 Camping Gifts
- Cooking & Food Camping Gifts
- 6. Patagonia Provisions Hiker’s Gift Box
- 7. JoGo Portable Coffee & Tea Brewing Straw
- 8. The Campout Cookbook
- 9. Stanley Classic Flask
- 10. Snow Peak Titanium Camping Mug
- 11. Barebones Provisions Corkscrew Knife
- 12. Takibi Fire & Grill Set
- 13. Mountainsmith The Sixer Cooler
- 14. Nalgene Sustain Water Bottle
- 15. Snow Peak Home & Camp Burner
- Lighting & Electronics Camping Gifts
- Sleeping & Tents Camping Gifts
- Backpacks & Bags Camping Gifts
- Unique Camping Gifts
- Kids Camping Gifts
- How To Pick The Right Camping Gift
- Summary of the Best Camping Gifts
Best Camping Gifts
Top 5 Camping Gifts
1. Patagonia Nano Puff® Jacket
The Patagonia Nano Puff Jacket is, in my humble opinion, the most versatile, functional, and effective jacket for outdoors people on the market. It’s incredibly lightweight and packable, and yet seriously warm.
Rounding out its versatility the jacket is fully windproof and water-resistant. Of course it’s also fair-trade certified and made from 100% recycled materials because it’s Patagonia. Oh and of course they stand behind all of their products and will fix them for free if they break at any point.
Comes in various colors.

Buy: Women’s Nano Puff Jacket by Patagonia
Buy: Men’s Nano Puff® Jacket by Patagonia
2. Darn Tough Vermont Hiking Socks
Campers and hikers LOVE good quality socks. Sock and boot stories tend to be a common campfire conversation topic and nobody wants to be the one frying their cheap socks over the fire in a vain attempt to keep warm and dry.
In terms of an all around hiking sock there really is no better than Darn Tough Vermont’s hiking socks.
These socks can be worn over and over again on the trail (and I mean consecutive days out camping) and seriously feel as good as new each morning.

Buy: Darn Tough Vermont Hiking Socks
3. Fire-Maple Camping Stove System
This blazing fast backpacking stove boils water in seconds and makes cooking and morning coffee a breeze when you’re out in the elements. The extremely lightweight and packable design is perfect for backpacking or traditional camping.
We use the Fire-Maple in all of our travels and believe it’s the best flash-boiling system on the market. Best of all it’s half the price of it’s competitors! Fire-Maple makes 3 very similar cooking systems, all of which are great choices and do the same job slightly differently.

Buy: Fire Maple Fixed Star X2 Camping Stove System by Fire-Maple
4. NEMO Stargaze Luxury Recliner Camp Chair
The last camp chair you’ll ever need. This amazing camp chair takes less than a minute to set up or breakdown, packs down to practically nothing, and promises to transform your pedestrian campsite into the back deck of a 5-star eco-resort.
From NEMO’s website: The first ever swinging and reclining camp chair, takes relaxation to a new level. The swinging offers an exciting new sitting experience, with a relaxing motion that is designed for comfort.

Buy: Stargaze Luxury Recliner Camp Chair by NEMO
5. Garmin inReach® Mini Satellite Communicator
This is THE gift for the loved one who likes to go backpacking, solo hiking, or general off-the-grid exploring. If you’re a parent who worries about your child on their backpacking trips this was designed for you to buy, give to them, and sleep better.
With the Garmin inReach Mini hikers and campers can send text messages to loved ones, share their location, and most importantly trigger an SOS to a 24/7 search and rescue monitoring center from anywhere in the world.
Instead of spotty cell coverage the inReach Mini uses the trusted global Iridium satellite network to communicate from anywhere in the world. It’s quite literally the ultimate peace of mind for backpackers and their loved ones.

Buy: Garmin inReach® Mini
Cooking & Food Camping Gifts
6. Patagonia Provisions Hiker’s Gift Box
Patagonia Provisions is the food you get if you want to be spoiled at the campsite by eating great and not having to cook. This hiker’s gift box makes the perfect gourmet gift for the hiker or camper in your family.
Full of responsibly sourced foods like organic crackers, tinned seafood and smoked salmon, they’ll be the envy of the campground and can feel good about the tasty food they’re eating! Plus it comes with a hip pack!

Buy: Hiker’s Gift Box by Patagonia
7. JoGo Portable Coffee & Tea Brewing Straw
There are a lot of products floating around out there that claim to be your camping coffee solution, but then they have all kinds of parts that clutter up your limited space and are complicated for the wee hours of the morning.
Enter JoGo, the last camping coffee solution you’ll ever need. Here’s how it works: Drop in a scoop of ground coffee into your mug, add hot water, pop in your JoGo, and sip away! I can personally attest that this product is every bit the game-changer it looks to be.

Buy: JoGo Portable Coffee & Tea Brewing Straw
8. The Campout Cookbook
The Campout Cookbook is a sure bet for the camp cook in your life. Filled with creative recipes inspired by nights spent under the stars these recipes, camping stories, and beautiful illustrations are sure to be a hit.
Plain air pizza, smoked kielbasa and potato hash, backcountry beef stew, cast iron cinnamon rolls, and over a dozen new takes on smores are just a few of the culinary creations that leap off the page in this great cookbook.

Buy: The Campout Cookbook by Marnie Hanel & Jen Stevenson
9. Stanley Classic Flask
You’ve heard the saying “happy camper” right? This classic Stanley flask ensures its owner is always a happy camper if you catch my drift.
BPA-free, comes in a variety of colors.

Buy: Classic Flask by Stanley
10. Snow Peak Titanium Camping Mug
Snow Peak crafts some of the finest and most creative camping gear out there. Built with style and function in mind, this titanium camping mug is no different.
With it’s sleek titanium design the mug retains heat extraordinary well, is virtually indestructible, and can even be used as a cooking device over an open flame. The mug comes with removable hot lips to prevent your lips from burning on the metal of the mug under any conditions.

Buy: Titanium Camping Mug by Snow Peak
11. Barebones Provisions Corkscrew Knife
The perfect camp chef’s knife. This handsome folding blade with a wine opener and bottle opener is sure to be the envy of your fellow campers as you slice and dice the camp meal with ease.

Buy: Provisions Corkscrew Knife by Barebones
12. Takibi Fire & Grill Set
The Takibi Fire & Grill by Snow Peak is the ultimate all-in-one portable, well, fire & grill. Not only is it highly functional and certain to be the envy of your friends and fellow campers, but it packs down to next to nothing and fits in a bag the size of a grocery tote.
All of Snow Peak’s products they carry a lifetime warranty and have a reputation for being built to last.

Buy: Takibi Fire & Grill Set by Snow Peak
13. Mountainsmith The Sixer Cooler
The perfect cooler for a camp out at your favorite spot with your favorite people. Pick up a six-pack from your favorite microbrewery, stick them in the Mountainsmith Sixer on ice, start the fire and kick back.
We’ve been using Mountainsmith products here at More Than Just Parks for a long time and they really are built to last. This one will make a great gift for the camper in your family.

Buy: The Sixer Cooler by Mountainsmith
14. Nalgene Sustain Water Bottle
The original, iconic, workhorse water bottle for outdoors people. These water bottles have been clipped onto backpacks for decades and will continue to be for good reason.
No weird metal taste, no BPA, no nonsense. Aside from being indestructible, these water bottles come with handy measurements so you can keep track of you’re intake. They’re also made right here in the USA from 50% recycled plastic.
Dishwasher safe, comes in a wide variety of colors.

Buy: Sustain Water Bottle by Nalgene
15. Snow Peak Home & Camp Burner
Here’s a very cool gift that will last them a lifetime of camping. The Home & Camp Burner is a camp stove hybrid that packs down into a cylinder the size of a travel coffee mug!
Inside this sleek cylinder is everything you need (minus the fuel) to cook your favorite stove top meals at home or at the campsite. A simple folding out of its components and you’re on your way to impressing your friends and having a great camp meal.

Buy: Home & Camp Burner by Snow Peak
Lighting & Electronics Camping Gifts
16. Beacon Rechargeable Lantern
Yes there are cheaper (and much uglier) LED lights to be found throughout Amazon, but this is a gift after all. Let’s get them the camping light they’ll actually love and be proud to use and show off to their friends.
Where do I start with this beauty? This rechargeable light lasts nearly 200 hours on a full charge, is perfect for clipping onto your backpack for a night hike, hanging in your tent or from a tree branch, or just setting on a table. It’s warm and dimmable light provides some truly awesome campsite ambiance.
Comes with a 35in USB cord for recharging. Available in a variety of great colors.

Buy: Beacon Rechargeable Lantern by Barebones
17. AMAKER LED Rechargeable Headlamp
This 90,000 Lumen headlamp is incredibly bright, I mean massively bright. No more lousy flickering, fading headlamps that struggle to light up the directions on your camp food. This badboy will light up your entire campsite.
It’s particularly nice when you hear that rustling as you’re collecting firewood and can quite literally stun whatever you train your high-powered light on. Of course it also has multiple options so you don’t have to blaze away at the full 90,000 lumens. We’ve been using this one for the past year and it’s quickly become our go-to headlamp.

Buy: AMAKER LED Rechargeable Headlamp
18. Barebones Wood Prep Bundle
This hatchet and rugged canvas tote combo is exactly what you want to throw in your trunk next to your tent and sleeping bag as you set off for the woods. After you set up camp you can set off foraging for wood with this waxed canvas tote ensuring you come back with a good haul and no splinters or scrapes. Dump it out and chop away with your trusty carbon steel hatchet for a fire that’s built to last.
A lot of people think of the hatchet, but the rugged tote here is key. Built to be battered by logs and branches, it’s perfect for gathering wood and making camp set up a breeze. Why not kill two birds with one stone here – and at a great price too!

Buy: Wood Prep Bundle by Barebones
19. Anker PowerCore 20000 Portable Charger
Keeping phones and devices charged when you’re out exploring can be a challenge. With the Anker PowerCore 20000 you have one less thing to worry about.
This portable charger can charge the latest iPhone nearly 5 times on a full charge so you can rest easy on your next off-the-grid adventure. Anker is a very trusted name in the crowded charger field so you can feel confident with your purchase.

Buy: PowerCore 20000 Portable Charger by Anker
20. Edison Light Stick
This is probably the most unique camping gift on this list and definitely one of the coolest. The camping family member or friend that receives will be think it is awesome, and why wouldn’t they?
This vintage-inspired, 100% brass and copper light stick is an outdoor lantern and emergency flashlight in one. Dual lighting options make it ideal for camp or an eye-catching backpacking item: light up your tent with the lantern and head down the trail with the flashlight. Light Stick offers seven different lighting modes to create the perfect illumination or ambiance.

Buy: Edison Light Stick by Barebones
Sleeping & Tents Camping Gifts
21. Polara 3-in-1 Sleeping Bag
Searching for the right sleeping bag is a bit like getting sucked into a black hole, or at least that’s how I imagine it. There’s endless options and variables and so much confusion. Best to leave such quandaries to Matthew McConaughey.
Let’s just simplify things. You want a sleeping bag for regular camping (not summiting Mt. Everest) that will keep you warm all year and won’t break the bank. Here it is, you’re welcome.

Buy: Polara 3-in-1 Sleeping Bag by TETON Sports
Don’t Forget the Pillow: Camp Pillow by TETON Sports
22. Big Agnes Copper Spur Ultralight Backpacking Tent
We’ve been using this tent for years and see no reason to stop now. It’s lightweight enough for backpacking and takes under 4 minutes to setup (we do it in 2). What’s not to like?
Seriously we swear by this tent and highly recommend it to beginners and pros alike. It’s been with us through the thick and thin and keeps on going.

Buy: Copper Spur Backpacking Tent by Big Agnes
23. Pendleton Roll-Up Wool Blanket
We all know that Pendleton makes the best blankets, so why not get them the perfect camping blanket this year? This roll-up wool blanket combines the timeless style and warmth of Pendleton’s wool blankets with a nylon back to make it the perfect camping blanket.
Go ahead and toss it on the wet ground for a picnic, or the sand on the windy beach, or the grass, or the dirt, or your tent, it doesn’t matter, this blanket looks good and holds up anywhere you take it with you.
Comes in a variety of color patterns.

Buy: Roll-Up Wool Blanket by Pendleton
24. Wise Owl Outfitters Camping Hammock
Be a wise owl and save yourself a fortune over the competitors and buy this fantastic camping hammock that has 5 stars on Amazon with over 45,000 reviews. Yes you read that correctly, forty-five thousand.
Seriously this hammock has everything the other guys do and is a fraction of the price of the top brands. Use it at home or at the campsite for a comfortable way to unwind.

Buy: Camping Hammock by Wise Owl Outfitters
25. Memory Foam Camping Mattress Pad
I’ll let you in on a little secret here….camping can be uncomfortable. Oh and those inflatable sleeping rolls, stop throwing away your money on them – they all go bad. Here’s the deal though, there’s another option. No! Put your hotel loyalty card away, we’re still camping here.
We discovered these packable mattress pads some time ago and they have literally been life-changing on trips. No more sore back and hips and nights spent tossing and turning on the hard ground. Okay so you can’t bring them backpacking, but if you’re doing car-based camping invest in one of these and never turn back.

Buy: Memory Foam Camping Mattress Pad from Amazon
Backpacks & Bags Camping Gifts
26. Maelstrom Hiking & Camping Backpack
We like this backpack for it’s versatility, ease-of-use, comfort, and great price point. It’s perfect for a day hike to carry all of your supplies and then some.
Comes with a rain cover and everything you need to hit the trails and the campsite without forgetting anything.

Buy: Maelstrom Hiking & Camping Backpack from Amazon
27. Earth Pak Waterproof Duffel Bag
This waterproof duffel bag from Earth Pak is fantastic for camping. Check it on the plane or toss it in the trunk of your car and then break it out at the campsite, or toss it in the canoe! No worries if it gets wet on your journey or because you left it out in the rain, this versatile bag will keep all of your items secure and dry.

Buy: Earth Pak Waterproof Duffel Bag
Unique Camping Gifts
28. National Parks Playing Cards
No campsite is complete without a deck of playing cards. These particular cards showcase our national parks through the beautiful artwork of Fifty-Nine Parks.
The perfect stocking-stuffer for the camper in your family.

Buy: National Parks Playing Cards by Fifty-Nine Parks
29. Snow Peak Mini Flame
This may be one of the coolest camping gifts on the market and it’s so simple! Attach the Mini Flame to any standard isobutane camping fuel, and ignite!
The Mini Flame from Snow Peak is quite simply a small lantern. It’s compact, lightweight, and has low fuel consumption. Toss this in with your camping gear and bring it on your future trips to add some serious ambiance to your campsites.

Buy: Mini Flame by Snow Peak
30. Open Fire Gloves
As any experienced camper knows you have to tend to your fire. Rather than dancing around the job of moving and adding logs with your boots or inadequate sticks it’s time to get yourself a pair of fire gloves.
These natural full-grain cowhide leather gloves protect against heat, coal, and sparks as you add logs to your fire throughout the night. They’re also great for open fire cooking.

Buy: Open Fire Gloves by Barebones
Kids Camping Gifts
31. Sunhiker Kids Backpack
This small backpack is perfect for kids. Tuck their water bottle in the side, put some snacks and a change of clothes or jacket in there and you’re good to go.

32. Lazar Optics HD Binoculars
I thought about putting specifically kids binoculars on here, but when I was a kid I always wanted to use my dad’s binoculars not the kids ones with lousy magnification. That’s where these binoculars come in.
For roughly the price of kids branded binoculars you can get them some actually great binoculars with serious magnification that they’ll love. And what kid doesn’t love using binoculars outdoors? (These are obviously a great gift for adults too!)

How To Pick The Right Camping Gift
Okay so I have this list of the 32 best camping gifts out there from a wide variety of retailers – but how do you determine what gift is the right one for the camper in your family?
Let’s start with some common characteristics and then narrow things down from there. This is also a great way to go if you’re short on time and want a surefire winner.
- Camping Gifts for the novice camper
- A great versatile sleeping bag is the perfect place to start one’s camping adventures.
- A classic workhorse water bottle is a great gift for campers needing the essentials.
- This LED headlamp will be the first and last headlamp they need.
- Camping Gifts for the off-the-grid veteran
- The GoJo coffee straw is sure to impress campers of all skill levels with its game-changing technology.
- This waterproof duffel bag will meet the challenge of any experienced camper.
- A timeless and versatile Pendleton blanket like this will be treasured by veteran campers.
- Camping Gifts for Kids
- This small backpack is perfect for young hikers and campers.
- These great binoculars are sure to be a favorite for the young explorers in your life.
- Camping Gifts for RVers
- Add some ambiance to the RV site with the Edison Stick Light from Barebones.
- These national park playing cards are a great gift for anyone who enjoys traveling the USA.
- Camping Gifts for Chefs
- Give the gift of inspiration with this awesome camping cookbook.
- Every chef needs good tools, this beautiful corkscrew knife makes a thoughtful gift for the camp chef in your life.
- This top flight camp burner from Snow Peak makes for a statement gift for the gourmet camp chef.
- Camping Gifts for the Techie
- Who says you can’t blend cool technology and the great outdoors? This beautiful Edison Light Stick from Barebones is sure to impress them.
- The Garmin InReach Mini is bound to please any techie with it’s ability to communicate from anywhere.
- Portable chargers are always a good gift, especially for the outdoor techie. You can never have too many.
- Camping Gifts for Retirees
- Ah, the open road, there’s nothing quite like setting out for the territories while the rest of the working world punches the clock. These roll-up camping mattress pads are game changers for car-based camping.
- These amazing deluxe reclining camp chairs from NEMO make a fantastic gift.
- Camping Gifts for Backpackers
- Go ultralight and get them the best backpacking tent out there.
- This very cool and useful LED Tape Light is perfect for backpackers.
- Camping Gifts for the one who’d rather be at a hotel
- While we don’t have Dorothy’s ruby red slippers on our list, these gift ideas are a great way to make camping a little more upscale:
- These camping mattress pads take camping from uncomfortable to easy in one fell swoop.
- These luxury reclining camp chairs from NEMO really kick the campsite comfort up a few notches.
- The Snow Peak Mini Flame adds some serious 5-star ambiance to the campsite.
Summary of the Best Camping Gifts
I hope you’ve enjoyed this comprehensive guide to the best camping gifts for 2023.
As someone who spends a great deal of every year outdoors I get a lot of camping gifts from friends and family and buy plenty of items myself – so I suppose I like to think I know a little something about which camping gifts are actually worthwhile and where to find them.
That’s a wrap for me. Hopefully soon you’ll be wrapping some of these gift ideas! If you’re looking for national park-themed gifts be sure to check out my national park gift guide with over 50 of the most unique national gifts out there.
Top 10 Best Camping Gifts
These are my top 10 favorite camping gifts for 2023:
- Patagonia Nano Puff® Jacket
- Darn Tough Vermont Hiking Socks
- NEMO Stargaze Luxury Recliner Camp Chair
- Nalgene Sustain Water Bottle
- National Parks Playing Cards
- GoJo Portable Coffee & Tea Brewing Straw
- Snow Peak Titanium Camping Mug
- Patagonia Provisions 2-Day Camp Meal Kit for Two
- Pendleton Roll Up Wool Blanket
- Snow Peak Home & Camp Burner
Stay tuned for more outdoor gift guides!
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Appreciate you taking the guess work out of having to select and navigate my way through droves of camping equipment catalogs…..and narrow down what is truly important and useful. You are such an inspiration to everyone that loves the great outdoors but likes the comforts at the campsite. Great job, keep on exploring.
Just came across this! I love my snowpeak mugs. This company in the town I live in just came out with a line of dehydrated meals that I’ve heard really good things about. You should check them out- Poe & Coe Folk Foods
The memory foam camping mattress is a must have! Great blog.