Including a packable spice set, glow-in-the-dark skewers, and travel watercolors.
Courtesy of the brands / Wesley Hall
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As a frequent camper (and former backpacking and hiking guide), I’ve tested many products over the years—and found all sorts of convenient cooking accessories, useful gear, sleep staples, and even games and activities that can really elevate your experience. So if you’re trying to find a present for a friend who’s new to camping (or who packs up every weekend), I have tons of recommendations to get you started.
Below, I’ve rounded up the best gifts for campers, including some of my personal favorites. There are also several SELF Outdoor Award–winning products, as well as editor- and expert-vetted foldable chairs, backpacks, hammocks, stoves, and more. These camping gifts are perfect for every occasion, including your loved one’s birthday, holiday, or just because.
For more present picks, check out all of the best gift ideas of 2023.
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Bear Butt 2-Person Camping Hammock
We love this SELF Outdoor Award–winning hammock because it features an airy back panel, comfortably fits two people, and stuffs into a small, lightweight sack that your friend can tote on any hike.
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National Parks Bucket List Water Bottle
Perfect to bring on any excursion, this adorable water bottle is engraved with badges of the US National Parks and comes with stickers to help your friend track each of their visits.
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LifeStraw Personal Water Filter
This back-to-back SELF Outdoor Award–winning straw makes any nearby stream or river water safer to drink by filtering out harmful bacteria, parasites, and microplastics.
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Mpowerd Luci Solar String Lights + Detachable Power Hub (44-in.)
Set the mood at the campsite with 44 feet of solar-powered string lights that last up to eight hours on a single charge.
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Williams Sonoma Glow in the Dark Extendable Skewers
These reusable marshmallow skewers take the fuss out of finding long sticks for s’mores. They’re extendable and have glow-in-the-dark handles, making them easy to spot at night.
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Yeti Roadie 24 Cooler
The iconic Yeti Tundra 65 cooler earned a SELF Outdoor Award for its serious durability—and the fact that it can keep ice cool for days. The Roadie 24 is a smaller, lighter version that’s just spacious enough to fit a bottle of wine and snacks (you know, the essentials).
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Black Diamond Cosmo 350 Headlamp
We awarded this headlamp a SELF Outdoor Award for its long battery life and useful night-vision setting, which can help your giftee find their way to the bathroom (or nearby bush) in the dark.
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Outside Inside Backpack Watercolor Kit
A travel-size watercolor kit easily packs into a backpack, so it’s always close when and wherever artistic inspiration strikes.
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Hest Camp Pillow
This cushy pillow is a game-changer for my sleep routine in the wilderness. It feels just as comfortable (if not more) than the one I use at home, and packs down small into a machine-washable cover that protects it from water and grime.
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Gerber Armbar Scout Multi-Tool
This versatile multitool can open a jar or bottle, chop veggies, or cut wood for kindling—along with a ton of other capabilities.
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PDFans Spice Shaker (6-Piece)
My friend pours her necessary spices and condiments into this set of petite, packable containers to have on hand whenever she wants to whip up bangin’ meals.
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Stanley French Press (48-oz.)
What coffee lover wouldn’t appreciate a fresh cup before and after their morning hike? The heavy-duty French press’s insulation can keep liquids hot (or cold) for hours.
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Patagonia Black Hole Pack (25-L)
SELF senior commerce writer Sara Coughlin swears by the sturdy, water-resistant Patagonia Black Hole for all of her climbing trips, day hikes, and commutes. “It will be an icy-cold day in hell before I let another outdoor backpack into my life,” she says.
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Rumpl Original Puffy Recycled Blanket
On camping trips, I love to wrap myself in this eye-catching puffy blanket and snuggle up next to the fire. Since it’s so portable, I always keep it in my car as a backup in case temperatures dip. This blanket is also a breeze to clean—at the end of any trip, I just pop my Rumpl in the washing machine, so it’s ready for my next adventure.
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Crocs Classic All-Terrain Clog
All-terrain Crocs make excellent camp shoes, particularly because they have deep lugs that provide traction in dirt and mud. They’re also light enough to carry almost anywhere—even to that picturesque campsite miles down the trail.
Available in sizes 6 to 12.
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Coleman Cascade 3-in-1 Camp Stove
This compact award-winning stove has a griddle and a grill, guards that deflect annoying wind, and a built-in lighter (so your friend doesn’t have to dig around for matches).
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Outside Inside Backpack Bocce Set
This bocce ball set checks all the boxes as a great group game for camping, especially since it’s small and light enough to stow in a fully packed car.
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Kelty Cosmic 20 Sleeping Bag
I use this Kelty sleeping bag for camping because I love the feel of its silky smooth exterior and cozy down insulation. While it’s a bit of a splurge, the bag’s quality rivals that of pricier options I’ve tried.
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Nemo Stargaze Recliner Luxury Chair
The luxe Nemo Stargaze Recliner is made of a breathable mesh that can keep your friend cool in the summer heat. Best of all, it reclines, so your giftee can sit back and relax with a book or beverage.
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Tahe Kayak LP1 Inflatable Kayak
The Tahe for one person is lightweight (just 24 pounds), inflatable, and folds into a backpack—making it so much easier to store in the car or carry, in case they go by a lake or river that looks too good to pass up.
Hannah is a freelance journalist and content writer who writes about the outdoors, the environment, and travel. Before diving into a writing career, she spent years in the outdoor industry bouncing around the West as a backpacking guide and educator. She was born and raised in Baltimore, MD but now lives in… Read more
SELF does not provide medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Any information published on this website or by this brand is not intended as a substitute for medical advice, and you should not take any action before consulting with a healthcare professional.
