6 Perfect Camping Gift Ideas for the Great Outdoors Enthusiast!

Gifting someone who loves the great outdoors or getting the right gifts for your fellow camp buddies on a camping trip can be a daunting task. From wondering if you should give them something practical that they can use on their next camping trip to something more personalized to show how well you know them Or maybe even a ticket to another outdoor adventure they’ll never forget, camping gift ideas are often hard to come by.

If you must come up with the best idea of what to gift someone on a camping trip, there are a few themes to consider that will help narrow down your options and find something truly special. However, the best gift for a camper will depend on their interests and passions. By considering these themes and finding something that aligns with their love of the outdoors or personal needs, you’ll be sure to find a gift they’ll truly appreciate and cherish.

The Best Camping Gift Ideas

So I’ve narrowed down the gift ideas into six sections. Camping gift ideas would include:

• Practical gifts.
• Personalized gifts.
• Outdoor adventure gifts.
• Indoor camping activities gifts.
• Camping games ideas and kits
• Camping books

Practical Gifts

Practical gifts are basically gifts that will come in handy during the camping trip or the next. They include items like tents, camp stoves, sleeping bags, and other camping and backpacking gear. Camping gear and equipment can be expensive, so gifting something that they can use on their next trip is always a solid choice. They may not necessarily be the most exciting gifts, but they’ll definitely be appreciated and put to good use. Some of the best practical gift ideas include:

• Camping cooking utensils (e.g. portable grills, coolers, utensils)
• Camping food items
• Backpacking gears and hydrating systems.
• Personal hygiene and comfort items (e.g. camping towels, portable shower, insect repellent).
• Camping books and survival kits.

Personalized Gifts

If you think practical gifts may not go a long way as one of the best camping gift ideas you might want to consider something more personalized to show how well you know the recipient. They could come in the form of Monogrammed or custom-made camping gear as they are quite thoughtful and unique and show that you took the time to find something peculiar to them. It will also add a personal touch to their camping experience and if you’re on the team, it will heighten the fun when engaging in some camping activities with friends. Some of the best-personalized camping gift ideas include:

• Monogrammed or custom-made camping gear (e.g. tent stakes, hydrating systems, and water bottles).
• Camping-themed home decor (e.g. throw pillows, wall art).
• Artwork of them in camp.
• Friendship bracelets (preferably handmade in camp).

Outdoor Adventure Camping Gift Ideas

For the adrenaline rush junkie, you could consider something that will boost their outdoor adventure and spirit. This could be something like a guided hiking or kayaking trip at the campsite, or even a weekend camping excursion. Outdoor adventure gift camping ideas may not be material things but they are usually gifts that create lasting memories and allow them to experience the great outdoors in a new and exciting way. Some of the best outdoor activities and experiences to gift a loved one could be:

• All-expense paid outdoor fun while camping (e.g. kayaking, rock climbing, hiking.
• A surprise-packed picnic basket and date. This will be one of the most special memorable couple camping fun things to do for the romantic duo with a love for the great outdoors.
• A surprise camping vacation.

Indoor Activities Camping Gift Ideas

You may want to present gifts that could be used indoors while camping. Here are a few gift ideas for someone who loves the idea of indoor camping, especially when looking for things to do when camping in the rain. Most of these gift ideas will go a long way to encourage someone to camp during the rainy or winter season or make camping less cumbersome. Some of these indoor camping gift ideas are also for when the recipient  can’t camp outdoors but lives to camp so they might likely need it to improvise at home:

• An indoor or camping tent makeshift cinema which will include getting a mini projector or screen magnifier to set up in the tent at the campsite for the movie freak without access to an actual cinema.
• A tent or teepee, s’mores-making kit, and other camping gear for a camping enthusiast without the ability to go camping. They can set up the tent in a living room or bedroom to create a fun indoor camping experience.
• Strong lights and decors for a camper to use to create a cozy ambiance within his tent and camp spot while camping.
• Campfire-scented candles for your significant other while camping. They will help create a cozy nature-scenting atmosphere for a romantic camping experience which can of course sponsor other sensual couple camping ideas for creating memories. 
• Indoor camping-themed crafts and souvenirs. The recipient can use it to decorate his tent or his home, especially as a nature and outdoors lover. They could be kits for making pinecone bird feeders, pinecone ornaments, or other nature-themed crafts you make or buy.

Camping Games Gift Ideas

You can also introduce your fellow campers to new games or gift them camping gaming systems during a camping trip. These games can provide hours of entertainment for camping trips and can be enjoyed by people of all ages. They can make for great fun game ideas to sponsor the number of available entertaining things to do when camping with family. Here are some of the games-inspired camping gift ideas:

• Cornhole.
• KanJam.
• Giant Jenga.
• Bocce ball.
• Ladder golf.
• Giant Checkers.
• Giant Tic-Tac.
• Giant Scrabble.

Camping Books Gift Ideas

Check out this list of the best camping books for the perfect camping gift for the bookworm during a camping trip. They’re also great books for any camper to be better prepared ahead of any camping trip. So camping books are great gift ideas to give to an avid camper before his trip or during the trip or to the bookworm on a camping vacation. 

You can pick up some of these books and trust the recipient to be glad to be getting them as gifts:

“Wild: From Lost to Found on the Pacific Crest Trail” by Cheryl Strayed

It is a memoir that tells the story of Cheryl Strayed’s journey to finding herself after her mum’s sudden death. She talks about hiking the Pacific Crest Trail which is about a 2,600-mile wilderness trail and stretches from Mexico to Canada. Every camper or book lover on a camping trip will love to immerse herself in this book.

“The Complete Guide to Backpacking” by Chris Townsend

This one is perfect for that friend who is just camping for the first time. It is a comprehensive guide that covers everything you need to know about backpacking. It also offers suggestions on coming gear, clothing, how to plan a relaxing vacation, navigating, and Leave No Trace principles.

“The Tent, the Bucket and Me” by Emma Kennedy

This memoir is where Emma Kennedy tells the story of her family’s annual camping holidays back in the 1970s. Every family on a camping trip will enjoy this story by a campfire. It’s quite a funny and nostalgic one as it looks at the joys and challenges of camping with a large family.

“The Ultimate Guide to Camping with Kids” by Erin Wallace and Jen Joas 

Another perfect one for the camping family. It’s a guide packed with tips and tricks for successful family camping trips, including camping food ideas and things to do while camping with the family to keep kids entertained.

“The Complete Guide to Camp Cooking” by Linda Ly 

For the chef on a camping vacation. This book is one of the most perfect camping gift ideas for a foodie or anyone who is looking for the best camping food ideas recommendation. It has over 100 recipes for delicious camping meals as well as food planning and packing tips. 

“The Camping Handbook: The Essential Guide to Life in the Great Outdoors” by Andy Hamilton 

For the beginner and advanced camper, this will be one of the most perfect camping gift ideas to guide and bring ease to their camping experiences. It offers tips for campsite survival from choosing the right camping furniture and chairs to other camping gear, and clothing, choosing a campsite and planning the camping trip, navigating the wilderness, and the art of building the perfect campfire to the Leave No Trace principles.

Conclusion 

Though coming up with and pulling off the best camping gift ideas can be a tedious task, this article has outlined some of the right ones that will speak directly to the heart of the recipient.  These gifts can be practical, personalized, books, outdoor or indoor gift ideas as well as suggesting and packing up some unique games for campers. 

Choosing the right gifts will greatly be determined by several things including:

• Your relationship with the recipient.
• Your knowledge of their personalities.
• Their need per time.
• Your budget.
• The number of people involved.

Most importantly, always keep in mind that the best gift is one that resonates with the recipient’s interests and passions. So you just have to think outside the box and get creative with your gift selection to truly surprise and delight your loved ones. 

If you’re considering giving them a practical gift, you may as well pair your gift with a special camping or backpacking trip to create lasting memories and impressions. Imagine the look of joy on their face as they open up a new tent or sleeping bag, knowing they’ll get to put it to use on an all-expense-paid exciting outdoor adventure immediately. 

With a picture of their reactions and the joy that will bring to everyone involved including yourself, don’t be afraid to get a little creative and think outside the box with your camping gift ideas, and please let this piece be your guide to making that perfect choice of camping gifts for your loved ones!

 And don’t forget, it’s really not about the price tag but it is the thought and effort that counts.