Our search for THAT perfect gift for our loved ones should be effortless and fun.
However, every so often we rack our brain in an attempt to come up with that great gift idea, only to come up short.
The camping industry is expanding by the day. Regularly, we see new items hitting the market. These incorporate unique and innovative ideas to make the camping life all the more exciting and easy.
As there are plenty of options, you are spoilt for choice. Therefore, the search for gifts for campers becomes a bit more confusing.
To make your hunt somewhat easy, below are my picks for the best gifts for campers in 2020.
This post may contain affiliate links. Visit the Disclaimer page for more information.
Editor’s Picks
Because this article contains a long list of gift ideas, I thought it would be useful to summarize my top 5! Of course, you can keep exploring the rest below!
Best Practical Gift
ATOMIC BEAR PARACORD BRACELET
Best FOR KIDS
CAMPFIRE STORIES FOR KIDS
Best FOR MEN
THREE-PIECE BBQ SET
Best FOR WOMEN
NECKLACE FOR NATURE LOVER
Best FUNNY GIFT
WITTY YETIS DEHYDRATED WATER CAN
Best Gifts for Campers in 2020
Practical Camping Gifts
1. Wise Owl Camping Towel
Next up on our list for best gifts for campers is a versatile camping towel. Made up of synthetic microfibers, it is soft and easy on the skin. Plus, it dries out quickly, absorbs well, and comes with a snap loop for easy hanging. Above all, it comes with a 100% money-back guarantee if you are not satisfied. I have to say it is a perfect gift for anybody who is into camping, hiking, swimming, gym, or any strenuous sporting activity.
2. The Bushcraft Boxed Set by Dave Canterbury
If your gift recipients are just starting out in camping, you would do them a world of good by gifting this super-valuable book set. This book set has four books and deals with, as you can guess, the art of bushcraft. It entails all the details you need to know about camping including setting up your tour, preparing a good camp, information about weather, insects, tools, etc. and tried and tested tips and tricks on the campsite.
3. TRSCIND Survival Kit
Ask campers and they will tell you that survival kits are essential for every camping trip. This makes them evergreen gifts for campers. For this list, we have chosen a price-effective 13-in-1 survival kit which includes items such as a compass, multi-tool, emergency blanket, wire saw, and tactical pen to name a few.
4. Core 750 Lumen LED Lantern
Core’s battery-run emergency LED lantern has an impact-resistance and waterproof construction. Therefore, it is able to withstand harsh outdoor conditions. There are three light modes and at the brightest, it can lighten up to 40 feet. Simply put, it is a practical gift for overnight campers.
5. COLETTI Bozeman Coffee Pot
If coffee and camping are the two big things in your recipient’s life, gift them Coletti’s coffee percolator. It has a rugged stainless steel construction, with a wooden handle and glass knob at the top. Making coffee with a percolator requires a bit of effort, but the taste beats the drip or K-cup style coffee.
6. Atomic Bear Paracord Bracelet
At camping, the best things are the ones that save you space and are good at multitasking. This paracord bracelet not only looks good with its beautiful color combinations but also has other functionality to boast about. It has useful things like a compass, fire starter, a loud whistle, and an emergency knife that all come handy outdoors.
7. Earth Pak Waterproof Dry Bag
If you have water-sensitive gear like a camera or digital watch having a waterproof dry bag can save you a few headaches. It is rated as IPX8 and that means you can even submerge it in water and it would still resist water. With solid construction and proven utility, this dry bag is a valuable item to gift.
8. TREKOLOGY Camping Pillow
Inflatable pillows are the go-to options when out camping. However, they do have some cons in that they are slippery and keep moving when sleeping. But, not this one. This camping pillow has a latch design that keeps it in place and there are rubber dots that prevent it from slipping. Besides, it folds down to a fraction of its size, is extremely portable, and carries a good price for the quality.
9. Luiton Walkie Talkies
Walkie Talkies can be quite helpful when out camping with friends and family. Luiton Walkie Talkies are short pocket-sized units that fit well in the hand. They have a nice range of 5 to 10 km depending on the weather conditions. Besides, they incorporate a 1500 Mah battery and can give about 15 hours of runtime on a single recharge. Whether you are gifting them to amateurs or serious professionals, the quality is such that they will provide outstanding value to anybody.
10. Scuddles Extra Large Outdoor Blanket
Whether you are headed to the park, beach, or virtually any other outdoor destination, Scuddles outdoor blanket has got you covered. Its woven acrylic layer on top is soft and will provide you with maximum comfort on any terrain. On the underside, it has a waterproof and sand-proof layer. It folds up easily and has a convenient carrying handle. It is durable, elegant, and easy to wipe clean. On the whole, this outdoor blanket/mat is super-valuable and will speak of your class and taste if you gift it to anybody.
Related: The Best Camping Chair for Bad Back: Top 10 Picks
11. Advanced Elements Solar Shower
Next up on our list for best gifts for campers is a portable shower. It is a perfect gift for anybody who wants to stay clean on the trail. I love that it has a simple design, folds down small, and only weighs about a pound. It comes in various capacities in terms of gallons. You just have to fill it from the top, hang it on something above you and let the water rush through the lower nozzle. All in all, a thoughtful and useful item and has that surprise element to spice it up.
12. Jetboil Zip Camping Cooking System
Jetboil makes dependable cooking systems that pack light and are very efficient at what they do. The ZIP lets you boil 500 ml of water in under 2 minutes and that is due to Jetboil’s efficient Fluxring technology. The cooking bowl is perfect for one to two people and is great for thawing up the freeze-dried meals, popular among campers and backpackers. Simply put, it is a practical gift for any serious camper or backpacker in your life.
13. Female Urination Device
If you or your recipient are outdoorsy women and don’t have time or ability to squat and urinate, we have a convenient little device to show. This is a plastic urinal that allows you to urinate standing up. Thus, if you are on the road/camp and don’t want to use dirty public toilets, this is the perfect answer to your needs.
Unique and Personalized Camping Gifts
14. Camping Face Mask
With Covid-19 still lingering around, face masks are likely to remain relevant for some time. This camping-inspired soft and comfortable face mask is a valuable gift for any camping enthusiast in these times.
15. Personalized Enamel Camping Cup
Camping is a way to escape mundane life and when out there you want most things to be different from your routine life. Made of enamel with leather accents, this mug will blend well with any outdoors. On top of that, you can get the gift recipient’s name printed on it to make it all the more special.
16. Camping Christmas Ornament
If Christmas is the only time you get to spend out camping, this well-made camping-influenced ornament carries the Christmas spirit. You can customize it with a handwritten name and the year and there is a ribbon loop to hang it on a tree or inside your RV.
17. Just Me and My Dad (Little Critter)
Next up we have a lovely illustrative storybook that details the camping adventure of Little Critter with his dad. Mercer Mayer has written over 300 books for children and this award-winning book from him is certainly going to grab the attention of your kid. Ask me and I would say it is a perfect gift for any father and kid combo who loves camping.
18. Lazy One Camping-Themed Pajama Pants for Men
They say everything is better in pajamas and if you find it difficult to get your man out of them even on camping, we have a perfect gift for him. These are beautiful camping-themed pajama pants that are made up of 100% cotton, are comfortable, and easy to wash and dry. I would suggest getting one pair for each of your camping members and stand out and have fun.
19. Camping-Themed Wall Clock
There is something about wall clocks that keeps them relevant even in this smartphone era. We are now including a wall clock that has an RV camping theme to it. It is a 10-inch round wooden clock and has bright and colorful artwork on the face that makes it stand out. I have to say it will not only keep you on time but will also make a design statement.
20. Campfire Stories for Kids
If you have young kids, you would know how stories keep them enchanted. The last item on this extensive list of the best gifts for campers is a kids’ storybook. This 144-page book has some of the urban legends and some new stories. The kids would love its beautiful cover and you would love that it comes at a low price. The best thing about this book is a nice combination of scary and humorous stories. You can gift this to your kids, grandkids, or even yourself and read them aloud to them and have a truly lovely experience by the campfire.
Luxury Camping Gifts
21. DLL Camper Doormat
This RV -themed doormat made from tough coconut coir fibers is perfect for any household that loves camping. Tough weather can make you stay home, but this doormat will make sure your last camping tour stays fresh in your mind.
22. Briarwood Lane Camper House Flag
House flags are an exciting way to express yourself and add some color to your campsite. This amusing all-weather-resistant camper house flag will add that extra fun to any camping tour.
23. Tru Blu Insulated Wine Tumblers
These shatter-proof unbreakable wine tumblers are perfect gifts for outdoor lovers. They are double-walled and retain the temperature of your favorite beverage for hours. Plus, they are BPA-free with no imported flavors, so the drinks remain toxin-free.
24. Marshmallow Roasting Sticks
If your camping is incomplete without roasting your friends and marshmallows, you ought to gift yourself these extendable roasting sticks. With stainless steel skewers and wooden handles, these beat flimsy twigs and skewers hands-down. They are telescoping and can extend between a length of 10 inches and 34 inches. On top of all this, they come at a highly competitive price, and the memories you can make roasting those smores/marshmallows are priceless.
25. Necklace for Nature Lover
If you are planning to give a memorable gift to the camper in your life, you will be hard-pressed to find a better option than our next item. It is a minimalist gold necklace that comes with a mountain charm. There are different grades of gold you can get it in ranging from 9K to 18K. Moreover, it comes in a beautiful box and the quality, on the whole, is such that your delight will only be exceeded by the recipient’s.
26. Dirty Gourmet: Food for Your Outdoor Adventures
Next up is a fun cookbook for your outdoor adventures. It has more than 120 easy-to-follow recipes. Moreover, it provides a nice breakdown of things you need, the ingredients you require ahead of time, and how to finish when you are finally at the campsite. You would love the truly beautiful photos and the use of natural ingredients. I don’t know what you would fall in love with from this book, but I just can’t get enough of lemony kale avocado sandwiches.
27. POLIGO Outdoor Barbecue Grill Accessories
Barbecuing at the end of a long day hiking means a perfect end to a day well spent. But, you would agree that grilling isn’t always as simple as it looks. However, next up we have a grill accessory set that can help you a great deal with grilling. It comes in a beautiful sturdy case and holds 22 pieces of utensils including your spatulas, meat knife, corn holders, skewers, and even salt and pepper shakers. All in all, it is a valuable gift that is not only practical but also versatile and you can use these at your home too.
28. Anker High Capacity Power Bank
Power banks have good utility in the modern world and at the campsite, they become doubly useful. Anker’s travel-ready power bank charges your digital devices fast and it’s one single charge can charge your iPhone X four to five times. This can easily get you through your weekend of camping.
29. Three-Piece BBQ Tool Set
Fathers are special and if you are looking to gift something special to the camping fathers we have picked up a perfect item for the purpose. It is a three-piece BBQ toolset that has a spatula, a fork, and tongs and comes in a classic wooden case. The tools and the case are well-constructed and are bound to make your recipient feel special.
30. JBL Flip 4 Bluetooth Speaker
This Bluetooth speaker comes in a beautiful fabric weave that coats the exterior. These JBL Bluetooth speakers are durable and portable. Plus, they are water-resistant down to a meter for 30 minutes. The insane part is that they have the JBL Connect button and that means they can pair with up to 100 other Flip 4 speakers, yes you read that right. They charge up fast and can give you around 10-12 hours of runtime. Outdoors, they connect at up to 50 meters which is pretty cool. All in all, they are a beautiful and valuable item to gift yourself or anybody else.
Related: Best Toddler Sleeping Bags for Camping
Funny Camping Gifts
31. Witty Yetis Dehydrated Water Can
Gifts are meant to bring a smile on the recipient’s face, but what if it is a burst of cracking laughter. Witty Yetis makes a variety of goofy presents and this one stands out as a giftable item for campers. You basically have an empty can that carries confusing statements and makes startling claims on its label. I have to say it can leave anybody dumbfounded for a moment and when they finally crack the code they would have a huge laugh. If you are in a gifting-useless-presents competition, this one certainly can win you some points.
32. Funny Camping Shirt
Statements shirts are the new cool and they make you stand out. If you or your loved ones like them and are into camping, we have a perfect item. This T-shirt is made up of heavier cotton but is still soft and comfortable. The neckline has double stitching and this makes it durable. Moreover, it is a unisex shirt, so you can gift it to anybody.
33. Funny Camper RV Towel
Next up on our list for top gifts for camping enthusiasts is a unique item to be on the list, but it is camping-inspired, so why not. It is a flour sack towel that carries a funny statement and you can use it in your home kitchen or in the RV and show your love for camping.
34. Throw Throw Burrito Dodgeball Card Game
Camping and games go hand in hand and they are a great way to spend time together when out there. This giftable item is a unique game that blends a few different ideas together. It has cards in them and then there are soft foam burritos. It is a fun game and I will leave it for you to figure out what you eventually end up doing with them.
35. Camping Joke Book
Agree or not, a family that laughs together stays together and joke books are a great way to make that happen. We now have a funny little joke book that is certainly going to get your kids and you into that contagious laughing fits.
36. Funny Metal Key Ring with RV Trailer
Keyrings might seem insignificant but they are mighty important in keeping things organized. Gift our next pick to your favorite camper and make them smile. It is a comical metal keychain, has a couple of alloy metal charms, and comes in a small gift box. Thus, it is ready, just to be gifted.
37. Outlaw Campfire Solid Cologne
Our next item is unique in the sense that it is a solid cologne that smells like a campfire. It comes in a small round tin with a twist top, would fit into your pocket, and will make you stand out with its subtle smell. Above all, it has all the natural ingredients and is cruelty-free. Thus, it ticks all the right boxes to be your companion on your next night out camping.
Other considerations when shopping gifts for campers
What do first time campers need?
Do you know someone is just starting on their camping journey? Then the first thing to know is what type of camping they are doing. Are they looking into backpacking, tent camping, or are they in the process of purchasing an RV?
- For first time backpackers: In addition to the backpack, they will need a backpacking tent or hammock, a sleeping pad, and a sleeping bag. Furthermore, they will need a way to purify water and a compact cooking system to cook food on the go. Flashlights, GPS, and a First Aid kit are also essential parts of the arsenal.
- Tent campers, specifically those car camping, will have more room. For someone starting this journey, the essentials include a tent, sleeping pad or camping cot, sleeping bag, a cooking system, and a cooler. From there, camping add-ons would include camping chairs and a camping hammock. A camping cookbook would also make a great gift!
- The First-time RVer will need to purchase a LOT of stuff, as I explained in this article on RV Accessories Must-Haves. For that reason, I would recommend sticking with RV-themed decoration and comfort items. For example, it is difficult to go wrong with a comfortable camping chair and a camping beer koozie. Alternatively, no one would ever reject an Amazon gift card!
What to get the camper who has everything?
When you know someone who has already been camping for a while, then it can be a bit more challenging. At this point, there is a good chance they have everything they need!
Here are a few ideas;
- A funny gift: It is difficult to go wrong with a gift that will bring in a few laughs. The camping Joke Book and the Witty Jetis Dehydrated Water can are some of my favorites! You can find more ideas in the Funny Camping Gifts section.
- A gift card: Even for the experienced camper, there are things that need to be replenished every once in a while, such as matchsticks or RV toilet paper. These are not glamorous enough to be given as a gift, but a gift card for Amazon or Bass Pro Shops will certainly be appreciated!
- A magazine subscription: a subscription to an outdoor magazine, such as Outside Online or MotorHome, is the type of gift that keeps on giving. It will help your loved one stay up to date with industry trends and plan their new adventure!
Wrapping it Up
Selecting a gift becomes easy if you have a little direction to it. This direction is usually knowing the passion of the gift receiver, isn’t it?
Campers are usually highly enthusiastic about their hobby and anything valuable and related to their interest would make them squeal with joy.
Above, I have listed some of the top presents you can find for the campers in your life right now.
Some of them are highly practical, carry good value, and would certainly make your loved one grateful.
Others are funny or gag gifts, as they call it, and are bound to get the biggest laughs out of them.
Among this extensive list, I have also listed some of my favorite personalized gifts. These customized gifts are perfect for one-of-a-kind friends or coworkers.
I hope you have scoured through these options and found one that fits your recipient’s taste and shows your class.
If you think I could have made it better by adding any other item, do mention it below and I will make sure that it gets added.
