After 28 Years of Camping and Hiking, These Are the Camping Gifts I’m Buying in 2025

A fun activity, a piece of wall art, and camping inspiration all rolled into one? What more could you ask for in a gift! This 1,000-piece national parks jigsaw puzzle is a beautiful way to spend the afternoon (or a few afternoons) with the family, featuring the mini version of 63 national park posters. You can frame the puzzle itself when you’re done, but it also comes with a double-sided poster to hang on your wall. Plus, it can even function as a “scratch off map” of sorts, where you use the puzzle to gather inspiration on which park you want to go to next, and complete that section once you’ve visited.

What’s the point of a campfire without s’mores? Nab a set of five color-coded roasters like these (so no one loses their marshmallows). The food grade stainless steel prongs are easy to clean, while the anti-slip handles mean you won’t lose your grip on your sweet treat. The sticks extend up to 32 inches so you don’t have to sit too close to the fire to get a good roast.

Access to outlets is few and far between when camping, so securing a portable charger like this one for an Apple watch is great for keeping your gadgets juiced up when in nature. Once full, this tiny tool can charge your watch up to 1.5 times, so you can continue keeping track of your sleep stats, steps, heart rate, and more. Plus, the compact size and diminutive weight mean you can easily slip it into your pocket, backpack, or fanny pack without any trouble.

No need to leave your phone behind when you take that kayaking trip, hop in the lake, or enjoy a leisurely boat ride. Thanks to Pelican’s waterproof phone pouch, you can keep your most valuable item on you at all times without having to worry about water damage. Plus, it means you can safely capture great pictures and videos while you’re out there! Since the pouch floats, it means you won’t lose your phone even if your canoe goes topside, while the detachable lanyard is great for hooking around your neck or onto a bag.

The one thing the great outdoors severely lacks is AC, so snatching up a mini portable fan is a great way to stay cool. Flaunting up to 19 hours of cooling time after a single charge, this handheld fan has two different speeds to keep you cool, and the shape can be folded over three ways: closed for storage, straight for handheld fanning, and folded over for desk mounting. Plus, if you’re in a pinch, it also functions as a flashlight and a battery charger.

In my humble opinion, one of the most important things to bring with you on a camping trip is a good pack of playing cards, as there tends to be tons of downtime at the campsite for engaging in a game or two. A waterproof deck like this one by Hoyle is extra versatile—great for bringing with you to the lake, dealing out on the boat, or just playing outside without fear of morning dew, rain, or spills. Unlike board games, a classic deck of cards is small enough for any backpacker to carry and offers dozens of different games at your fingertips.

Stay warm and toasty on those chilly mornings around the campsite with these fleece-lined winter leggings. According to senior destinations editor, Shannon McMahon, this comfortable pair are especially good for layering, lounging, and working out thanks to their great price and cozy fabric. They’re high waisted and feature a thin fabric that’s still warm and fuzzy without feeling like it’s too heavy or restricting. They’re the perfect companion for a quick morning hike or a lounge about the campsite.

Don’t let a rainstorm ruin a trip. Whether you’re hiking up a mountain or taking in the sights, a good raincoat helps you enjoy everything the world has to offer without being dampened by a storm. Patagonia’s Torrentshell jacket is particularly space saving and great for packing since it can fold up to fit into its own front pocket. It’s available in a variety of colors, as well as men’s and women’s sizes, and thanks to the two-way-adjustable hood and a breathable micro-fleece-lined neck, you won’t need to worry about rain dripping down your neck or being uncomfortably hot.

A sturdy pair of hiking boots is essential for those that often find themselves on the trails, like this pair by Vasque. The waterproof design is ideal for hiking a variety of terrains since you never known when you’ll encounter dewey grass, light rain, or mud. The mesh trim throughout helps increase breathability while the two width options help give the shoe a personal fit for each hiker. The insole is designed with a dual-density EVA footbed for maximum comfort while the outsole has excellent grip and traction.

One thing you can never have too much of when you’re camping is portable sources of light. This solar camping lantern makes late-night bathroom breaks and digging around for your other sock that much easier. Its lightweight, inflatable, collapsible, and waterproof, making it perfect for backpackers and campers alike. On a fully charged battery, you can expect up to 24 hours of light. Plus, it’s solar powered (just leave it out in direct sunlight for 10 hours for the full effect), so you don’t have to worry about finding an outlet in the great outdoors.

Head back to the dark ages, AKA the time before cellphones, with these two-way radios. Growing up, I have many fond memories of staying in touch with family and friends (and inevitably walking out of range, which you’re unlikely to do with this set thanks to it’s distance of up to 16 miles) while hiking and camping via walky-talkies like these. Unlike your phone, these two-way radios don’t need cell service so you can keep track of everyone even when you’re out of range of a tower. Grab them in a pack of two, three, or four.

As the weather gets colder, you’ll want to stay bundled up and covered, and tiny gadgets can make the difference between metaphorically freezing your fingers off and enjoying a comfortable wintry getaway. A set of rechargeable hand warmers like this two-pack can keep your fingers warm for up to 12 hours after a three hour charge, and mean you don’t have to abandon exploring some magnificent winter wonderland vistas.

Nothing ruins a trip quicker than a pack of mosquitos feasting on campers, so investing in a rechargeable mosquito repeller will certainly be a lifesaver. No need to mess around with bug spray thanks to this tiny machine that takes just 15 minutes to reach maximum protection, can work for up to nine hours straight, and covers a field of 20 feet to shield you from those pesky bugs.

One thing we take for granted when at home is unlimited access to safe drinking water. Luckily, the LifeStraw personal water filter helps keep you hydrated while out and about by protecting you against everything from bacteria and microplastics to microsilt and sand. To use, simply drink through it like you would a regular straw. It’s compact enough to slip into your pocket or backpack and can filter up to 1,000 gallons of water.

When out in the wilderness, you can’t just run to your junk drawer to find the tool you need at any given moment. Luckily, this multi-tool carabiner can do just about anything and easily clips on to your backpack for quick access. On it you’ll find a one-inch ruler, carabiner, butterfly wrench, can opener, bottle opener, cord cutter, flat head screwdriver, Phillips-head screwdriver, and a 4mm hex wrench.

While it may not be able to hold everything you need for a true backpacking trip, this travel pack by Cotopaxi is perfect for your next hiking or camping excursion. The lay-flat design makes it easy to pack multiple changes of clothing and find them without hassle. At only 2.15 lb., it’s lightweight enough to carry around for the whole day without too much strain.

Another one of my favorite bags to take while camping is this nylon split pack from REI. This bag has both a cooler section and a regular backpack section, so it’s perfect for day trips up the mountain. While the cooler section is smaller than other cooler backpacks since it’s split, it’s ideal for carrying food and drinks for one or two people. The cooler inserts are easy to use and clean, and I appreciate that everything you’ll need on your trip (snacks, drinks, a spare change of socks, flashlight, etc) can be separated and stored in one bag without the need for carrying anything else. It’s especially good if you have a few things that need to be stored at different temperatures and are just heading on a fairly short and light hike.

This may not be the most exciting gift, but it sure is a useful one. This hanging toiletry bag from Bagsmart is perfect for storing and organizing all of your bathroom essentials while camping, and easily keeps your bag off the ground or dirty bathroom floor. Campground showers and bathrooms can sometimes be far away from your tent, so the four clear separate compartments of this bag help you ensure that you’ve brought everything you need with you at a glance.

Why do we travel if not to capture incredible memories? This adorable 35mm point-and-shoot film camera is the perfect gift for outdoor adventurers who want to take a little piece of their trip home with them—and a favorite of both mine and Mercedes Bleth, Traveler’s global associate director of social. It’s light, affordable, and a great way to detach from social media and technology for a bit while still capturing the incredible views around you.

Whether you’re on the campsite or at home planning your next national park adventure, this Yellowstone-themed blanket is the perfect companion. Availiable in dozens of color options and styles, including that for some of my other favorite parks like Glacier, Zion, and Yosemite, this travel blanket is easily customizable for friends and family. The insulated puffer design keeps you warm on cooler nights, and the water-repellent coating and ripstop shell make it hardy enough to carry with you to the campsite. It also packs down into a roll-top stuff sack so you can easily take it with you on the road.

You won’t always have the free time to head out of town and into nature, so why not bring nature to you? This gorgeous coffee table book (one I currently have in my own apartment), is a beautiful addition to any household. It feature lush images of America’s national parks and park lands, and will give even the most stubborn homebody a sense of wanderlust. Its a great gift for that person in your life who seems to have everything, or for someone you know who once traveled extensively but is no longer able to do so due to physical limitations or other factors.

Shopping for that national park fanatic in your life? There’s no gift better than a year-long pass to all of America’s beautiful national parks. This pass (a favorite of my family) is a great deal for those who plan to visit more than a few parks in the same year. For just $80, you’ll have access to all of the parks around the country from the Rocky Mountains to Acadia to White Sands. The best part? The pass gets you and up to three additional adults in the same vehicle in to each park for free, so you technically really only need one if you plan to travel with the same people frequently. Keep in mind that many of the parks are currently being affected by the government shutdown.

There’s no need to sacrifice your morning cup of joe while spending some time in the outdoors. This pour-over set is the perfect gift for any coffee lover in your life. The stainless steel reusable coffee strainer helps avoid single-use plastic waste, while both the brewer and reusable mug are sturdy and easy to clean.

Just because you’re sleeping on the ground doesn’t mean you have to completely sacrifice comfort. A great camping pillow, like this memory foam one that packs away into a travel case, can make sure you get a good nights rest in order to properly explore the world around you. The contouring memory foam helps support your head and neck when you snooze, while the cooling gel keeps you at a comfortable temperature all night long.

If they’re not currently camping or hiking, backpackers are likely excitedly planning their next trip. This gorgeous coffee table book features incredible photography, helpful tips, expert advice from veteran hikers, and, of course, information on hikes for all interests, skill levels, and destinations. From Switzerland to Alaska to Costa Rica, these will give you some serious inspo for your next trip.

Turn two trees into your own personal bed, chair, or lounger with this outdoor camping hammock. This nylon hammock folds down into a small storage pouch, is incredibly lightweight while still able to hold up to 400 pounds of weight, and uses two Talon straps and carabiners to secure it between two trees. It’s available in a variety of colors and a few different sizes, including one for two people.