Gifts for Campers

Looking for something special for an outdoor adventurer in your life? These ideas are our favorite gifts for campers.

When I say "outdoorsy," are there certain friends of yours that spring to mind?

Some of us just can't get enough of the camping life!

And if you're in the mood to shop around for a little something special for the camping aficionados in your life, you might be wondering just what they'd like.

Or, of course, maybe you're the camper! And you feel like treating yourself to some new goody. That's perfectly fine, too.

Either way, this guide is for you. I've tried to pick fun items that are perfect for gifts, rather than just basic gear.

If you need basic gear, though, check out my guides to camping kitchen gear, gear for couples, gear for women and men, camping in the rain, and how to dress for winter camping. And for specific park-inspired items, see my guide to gifts for national park lovers!

Gadgets for Campers

Although campers often like to reduce electronic usage in favor of reconnecting with nature, it's fair to say that some electronics can be helpful! And that means that recharging devices are becoming more important.

Here are some of our favorite portable power banks.

We use this Anker battery bank.

If you're interested in going with solar power, check out this Anker solar power bank.

I use my Apple watch as a fitness tracker. My usual charger doesn't work well with our power bank, so I use this Belkin Apple watch power bank.

Anyone who's been in and out of a car in a very sandy or dusty area might appreciate this Eufy USB-charging handheld vacuum. It's a huge help any time we've been hiking sand dunes!

Are your friends hikers? Long hikes can mean sore muscles. We love this mini travel massager to help relax after a hike.

Practical Gifts for Campers

Do you (or the campers in your life) love tent camping but want the option of sleeping a little later than the sunrise?

Check out this Coleman Dark Room tent. It blocks out light for those who aren't planning on waking up with the dawn.

We love having a camping lantern and flashlight combo. We use the lantern part in our tent and the flashlight when walking in the dark.

A fun alternative to camp chairs is a hammock! This Wise Owl Outfitters camping hammock is a perfect way to relax at your campsite.

How about some mini-size tools to help the evening campfire burn bright? We recently started using these pocket-size campfire bellows and they're perfect for keeping a campfire going!

The Kavu Big Feller Duffel Backpack and Kavu Little Feller Duffel Backpack are convertible backpack/duffel bags that adapt well to both car camping and hiking!

Are your friends backpackers? We love these Outdoor Vitals ultralight pillows.

And — for a friend you know very well — if they happen to have a bidet at home, chances are, they miss it when they're on the trail. The Happy Bottom Portable Bidet is there to fill the need.

Upgrade Their Gear

Does your outdoor loving friend use a trekking pole? Upgrade them to a higher-end carbon pole. Our favorite high-end poles are these Black Diamond Alpine carbon trekking poles.

Does your friend have a favorite brand of hiking boots? Try upgrading their boots to a full leather version.

We love Keen hiking boots, and while we were happy with our (women's) Keen Terradora and (men's) Keen Targhee II, Keen does make higher-quality leather boots.

This women's Keen Pyrenees and men's Keen Pyrenees were major upgrades. They kept our feet dryer, were even more comfortable and will (hopefully) last longer.

Gifts to Wear

Adventurers will appreciate high-quality footwear, including these Smartwool socks. They'll keep your feet dry and happy. (Merino wool is often a great choice for outdoor clothes.)

Camping in the cold? This North Face Triclimate Jacket comes with an inner puffer jacket and an outer rain coat, making it perfect for all types of weather.

Another great way to stay warm is with a beanie hat. Especially this extra cute beanie hat.

Looking for something that's both practical and quirky? This Therm-a-Rest hoodie blanket is a unique (and comfy!) take on a poncho.

Campground Games

Whether you're camping as two people, or in a larger group of friends, it can be fun to bring a few games to entertain yourselves.

This Bocce ball set is easy to take along.

And for those days when it's rainy or when campers just feel like hunkering down and staying close to their site, there's Monopoly Deal, Rivals for Catan, Throw Throw Burrito, or the Throw Throw Burrito Outdoor Edition.

There's also this easy to pack collapsible cornhole set.

Gifts for Foodie Campers

This might seem like a luxury, but sometimes when we've hiked to a really gorgeous view on top of a mountain, we like to celebrate with a tiny cup of espresso.

Besides which, a good cup of coffee is just an amazing way to start the day at the campsite. This hand-pump espresso machine or a portable coffee pour over set are both designed to be used on the go.

Campers who are also foodies can get by without bringing their whole kitchen along, but what they do bring needs to be of really good quality.

A Dfacto high-carbon stainless steel santoku knife should make food prep a breeze.

For those who are wondering how to adapt amazing recipes for camping, The New Camp Cookbook might be just what they need.

Are you or your friends the type of campers who break out a bottle of wine in the evening, or maybe take a day trip to a nearby vineyard? These stainless steel wine glasses will ensure that you're not hunting around for plastic cups. It's a small thing, but it makes a difference!

And this Toaks titanium cup is great for handling hot drinks. I also recommend this Klean Kanteen mug laser engraved with a mountain scene. It's heavy-duty (and just so pretty)!

For simplified cleaning, we like this Yeti mug with lid better than similar mugs we've owned in the past. It's heavy duty, keeps drinks warm and (importantly!) the magnetic closure on the lid comes off for easy washing. (That's a feature our other lidded metal mugs did not have).

What's a camping trip without marshmallows? These extendable marshmallow sticks are a must-have for making s'mores.

A campfire Dutch oven is essential for campers who are going to be doing much cooking. It has feet to keep the pot sturdy on hot coals.

Finding gifts for campers is a foray into some really nifty designs, no matter whether you're talking primitive or glamorous.

Are there other gifts for campers that you think are ideal? Let us know in the comments!