If you're shopping for an outdoorsy driver, check out these editor-picked car camping and outdoor gift ideas.
Combining a love for automobiles and the enchanting outdoors doesn’t have to be the contradiction in terms it initially sounds like. Driving obviously separates you from nature, but some people like to drive into nature before enjoying it up close. Whether that means living the #VanLife or simply spending the afternoon going off-road, there are plenty of ways to explore the backcountry from behind the wheel.
- best camping coffeemaker Portable Coffee Maker Conqueco $105 AT AMAZON Read More $105 AT AMAZON
- best portable campfire Portable Campfire Solo Stove $66 AT AMAZON Read More $66 AT AMAZON
- Power Station Cobra $280 AT AMAZON Read More $280 AT AMAZON
- best camping gift for off-road exploring Off-Road Tires Tire Rack SHOP AT TIRE RACK Read More SHOP AT TIRE RACK
- best camping cook set Adventure Camp Two-cup Cookset Stanley $14 AT AMAZON Read More $14 AT AMAZON
- best portable tire inflator Portable Air Compressor Kensun $70 AT AMAZON Read More $70 AT AMAZON
- best camping ice chest Tundra 45 Cooler Desert Tan YETI $325 AT AMAZON Read More $325 AT AMAZON
- best car camping mattress SUV Air Mattress Wey&Fly $70 AT AMAZON Read More $70 AT AMAZON
- best essential recovery gear Power Stretch Recovery Rope Bubba Rope $230 AT AMAZON Read More $230 AT AMAZON
- best cell phone booster Drive Reach Car Cell Phone Signal Booster weBoost $500 AT AMAZON Read More $500 AT AMAZON
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For anyone who knows anyone that considers camping a good time, we’ve put together a list of potential gifts that will be sure to light their campfire.
best camping coffeemaker Conqueco Portable Coffee Maker
- Doesn’t get much fresher than this
- Fits in most cupholders
- Only usable with certain coffee capsules
There’s no lack of drive-through coffee shops in the U.S., but if you’re not near a road, you’re probably not near a roadside cafe. For these moments—or when you just want really fresh coffee during your morning commute—check out in-car coffee makers, like this portable espresso machine from Conqueco.
best portable campfire Solo Stove Portable Campfire
Amazon
Now 40% off
$66 AT AMAZON $110 AT WALMART $110 AT DICK’S SPORTING GOODS
- Double-walled construction
- Easy cleanup
- Clean completely after use or risk ash in your cargo hold
Car camping requires a certain amount of creativity and improvisation, which is why we recommend the Solo Stove. No gas or lighter fluid required, and the holes that ring the bottom perimeter of the double-walled stove allow what’s called a “secondary burn”—a fire beyond what’s burning on the grate below, using up most of the carbon and wood inside to create an easy-to-manage, easy-to-clean campfire at any campsite.
For more serious ventures (and grander campfire hangs), try the bigger Bonfire version.
Cobra Power Station
Amazon
$280 AT AMAZON
- 200-watt pure sine wave inverter
- 2 AC outlets, 2 fast-charge USB-, and 1 fast-charge USB-C port
- Chunky @ 10 pounds
Whether it’s an overnight run to the local state park or a multi-night stay in some far-flung wilderness, having backup battery power is a MUST in this day and age. Do not leave the house without a surplus of portable batteries—or just pack the Cobra 200W Power Pack. It’s even got a built-in LED flashlight.
best camping gift for off-road exploring Tire Rack Off-Road Tires
- Enhanced off-road grip
- Rugged
- Noisy on the road
The benefits of adding off-road tires to a camper van are pretty clear: better traction means less chance of getting stuck when you’re far away from a tow truck. Chunky tires aren’t exactly cheap—off-road tires for a Sprinter van, for example, cost around $250–$300 per tire, or around $1000–$1250 for a set of four—but being prepared for whatever nature throws at you is often worth the money. But you want to get quality rubber for this adventure.
Reliability is hugely important, especially if you’re buying a set for a digital nomad who might be about to spend some time in meandrous valleys. Consider adding a full-size spare, if you can, as that provides another level of security.
best camping cook set Stanley Adventure Camp Two-cup Cookset
Amazon
$14 AT AMAZON
- Constructed with 18/8 stainless steel
- Includes cooking pot + two nesting insulated cups
- Weighs almost a pound
While we never take Amazon “reviews” all that seriously, at 22,000 and a 5-star rating, this level of adoration is impossible to ignore. Car campers and weekend warriors take note: If you’re looking for a reliable, complete camping cookset, this is the one. It’s supremely affordable, and you know the name.
best portable tire inflator Kensun Portable Air Compressor
Amazon
Now 23% off
$70 AT AMAZON $108 AT WALMART
- Small and portable
- Great for inflatables, sports balls, and, yes, tires
- Not as powerful as larger compressors
Just having tires on hand isn’t enough if you don’t have a way to get air into them. Small, portable tire inflators aren’t that expensive—this one from Kensun is $70—but they can be a lifesaver if there’s no one around to pump up your tires. An inflator is especially important if you’ve deflated your tires a bit to increase your contact patch. And it’s perfect for inflating balls, rafts, and the like.
best camping ice chest YETI Tundra 45 Cooler Desert Tan
Amazon
Now 26% off
$325 AT AMAZON $325 AT FARMANDFLEET.COM
- Available in multiple colors and sizes
- Built rugged for off-road excursions
- Larger ones can be a challenge to pack in some vehicles
Depending on how long you’ll be on the go, a decent ice chest is a good idea. There are plenty of options that fit inside a van, and ORV fans can find options that will fit snugly on their side-by-side. Polaris, for example, sells coolers as well as accessories to turn it into a seat or give it wheels for easier transport to where the action is.
YETI is the number one brand on the market for a reason. Rotomolded construction means it’ll last for years, and its extra thick FatWall design is certified bear-resistant.
best car camping mattress Wey&Fly SUV Air Mattress
Amazon
$70 AT AMAZON
- Claimed to fit in 90% of SUVs
- BPA-free
- Might lose air after a trip or two
This car mattress is essential for impromptu weekend getaways without a tent, hotel room, or RV. It uses 6P environmental protection, 58P PVC material, and a composite breathable double-sided polymer corduroy bed surface. It’s cold-resistant to 25 degrees Fahrenheit, environmentally safe, and odorless.
It measures 75.98 by 51.18 by 3.94 inches and should easily fit in the cargo hold of most SUVs.
best essential recovery gear Bubba Rope Power Stretch Recovery Rope
- 28,600-pound breaking strength
- Double-braided nylon is waterproof and UV- and abrasive-resistant
- Great rope, but you’ll pay for the quality
Safety gear should be an auto-include for your backcountry journey. There’s a reason we didn’t put a first aid kit on this list—everyone should already have one on board. But not everyone knows exactly what kinds of equipment are required if you’re driving your vehicle to a beautiful crater lake.
One good idea, if you’ll be traversing dangerous ground with other vehicles, is a set of tow ropes. It’s important to get one that matches your vehicle size, as you don’t want it to fail at a critical time.
best cell phone booster weBoost Drive Reach Car Cell Phone Signal Booster
Amazon
$500 AT AMAZON $500 AT HOME DEPOT $500 AT WALMART
- Compatible with all US carriers and networks
- Hassle-free installation
- Some users report negligible improvement
Out of range? Think again. The Drive Reach is weBoost’s most powerful in-vehicle cell phone signal booster. It’s ideal for RVers and car campers. With 29.5 dBm uplink power to 5 dBm downlink power and up to 50 dB max gain, your car, truck, van, or RV gets up to 74% farther range on the road—even in remote areas and rural towns. Installation is easy, and the outside antenna mounts with a super-strong magnet or an adhesive disc.
best action camera for the outdoors GoPro HERO9 Black Action Camera
- Shoots up to 5k video
- Built tough and waterproof
- Pricey
Exploring the outdoors can look more exciting through the lens of an action camera. For those who strap kayaks or bikes to their vehicle so they can start their ride somewhere deep in the woods, an action camera can capture the experience in a way that’s worth remembering and sharing on social media, if you’re into that sort of thing.
The newest GoPros cost around $500 each, but recent models can be had for much less. Other brands, including some you’ve never heard of, offer action cameras for around $100. If your gift recipient already has a camera, there are always plenty of accessories to be had.
best portable camping awning MoonShade Portable Vehicle Awning
Amazon
$353 AT AMAZON $353 AT WALMART
- Easy to install, easy to pack
- Use magnets, clamps, or whatever you need to attach to any vehicle
- A pricy accessory
Converting your vehicle into some sort of shelter outdoors doesn’t require spending thousands for a roof tent. If you’ve got your sleeping situation handled, then perhaps we can recommend a vehicle awning to provide just that extra bit of shade or rain protection.
The 9-by-7-foot MoonShade—a rectangular-shaped canvas car canopy that hooks up to the side of your vehicle and uses lightweight metal guide rails to stay taut—is an excellent place to start any campsite.
best crate for pets Backcountry The Foldable Dog Travel Crate
- Foldable frame is portable
- Loops on the bottom to stake it down
- Lacks structural strength of full-rigid crates
Leaving home for an extended length of time could mean figuring out how to deal with your four-legged friends. Dogs—and some cats—who enjoy riding along on your outdoor adventures might like a travel crate as their temporary home on the road. This foldable travel crate by Backcountry is built for all sorts of locations and includes loops on the bottom so it can be staked down.
reliable way to return to camp Garmin inReach Mini 2
- Battery charge lasts up to 14 days
- Share your location with loved ones
- Subscription required for most services
Cars have built-in navigation systems. Smartphones can download maps showing nearby tarns and sandhills. But, sometimes, it makes sense to have a backup device that will (hopefully) not flake out when you need it most, while also saving your phone’s battery for important things like pictures. For longer trips into the backcountry, a satellite communicator like the Garmin inReach Mini 2 can direct you back to cam. It holds a battery charge for 14 days, even while tracking your location every ten minutes.
best car camping blanket Stalwart Electric Car Blanket
Amazon
Now 25% off
$25 AT AMAZON
- Weighs just 2.1 pounds
- Wire is thin and unobtrusive
- Only works with the car power on
This fleece 12-volt electric blanket plugs into any car, truck, SUV, or RV cigarette lighter. It warms up quickly and stays warm until you unplug it. With a 96-inch cord, it reaches easily into the back of the car or SUV and just might stretch from the cab into the bed of a pickup. It measures 59 by 43 inches and makes an ideal gift for any car camper. Note: There is only one heat setting, and no thermostat.
best car camping sleeping bag Sleepingo Double Sleeping Bag
Amazon
$70 AT AMAZON $95 AT WALMART
- Comes with two travel pillows
- Waterproof outer shell
- Not a true “cold weather” bag
Your car camping mattress needs a quality sleeping bag. This one from Sleepingo measures 87 by 59 inches and can sleep two adults in comfort. You can even zip it apart and make two separate single bags. The outer shell is made of waterproof and camping-grade polyester, and each square inch of fabric packs a 210 thread count.
ideal for trail-tracking onX Offroad Backcountry Maps
- Smartphone-based
- Over half a million miles of satellite, topographical, and hybrid maps
- Will use up your phone’s battery
Another backcountry map option is a subscription to onX Offroad Premium ($30/year) or Elite ($100/year). These smartphone-based apps include over half a million miles of trails and offer satellite, topographical, and hybrid maps, so you’ll always know where you are and where you are going.
best jump starter Noco Jump Starter
Now 44% off
$70 AT AMAZON $100 AT HOME DEPOT $100 AT WALMART
- Portable and easy to use
- Surprisingly powerful
- Rated for 6.0L gas and 3.0L diesel engines
They’re small, they’re not crazy expensive, and they can really save your bacon if you find yourself in the backcountry with a vehicle that won’t start. Jump starters provide enough juice to give your 12-volt battery enough power to start your vehicle if you accidentally run it down while listening to that camping playlist one too many times.
You really can’t go wrong with a Noco, one of the best-selling brands on the market.
easiest way to clean clothes in the wild Scrubba Portable Wash Bag Kit
- 5-piece kit contains everything you need
- Portable
- A couple reviews note quality issues
Keeping your clothes clean while away from home can be a challenge when you’re nowhere near a laundromat. Thankfully, there are lightweight, portable clothes washing units that are easier to us than hand washing and don’t require a trip into town. A kit from Scrubba includes a clothesline and inflatable hangers to quickly dry your now-clean clothes.
best tent for vehicles with roof rails Yakima SkyRise HD 2 Tent
- Included wall-to-wall foam pad
- Aluminum tent frame
- Not insulated
Most rooftop tents at REI cost between $2000 and $3500. The top-rated Yakima SkyRise HD 2 Tent comes in at the bottom of that spectrum and sleeps two on an included wall-to-wall foam sleeping pad that’s 2.5 inches thick. With that and the aluminum tent frame and ladder, the SkyRide HD 2 will protect occupants from most lousy weather—REI says this tent provides four-season weather protection—but it’s not insulated, so pack a warm sleeping bag if you’re going out in the cold.
best pickup truck tent JoyTutus Pickup Truck Tent
Amazon
$176 AT AMAZON
- Sets up and dismantles in minutes
- Reinforced pole pockets
- Only comes in green
A more affordable tenting option than a rooftop tent is a truck bed tent. Made of 150D polyester oxford with PU2000 waterproof coating, it has three windows and four inner mesh bags for storage. Available in short bed 5.5- and standard bed 6-foot length options, it should sleep two adults comfortably.
best option for outdoor privacy NEMO Equipment Inc. Heliopolis Outhouse
- Polyurethane floor dries quickly and is easy to clean
- Transforms into overhead shower (with optional attachment)
- Requires shower attachment if you want to use it to shower
Nature calls, even when you’re in nature. If you prefer a bit of privacy at these moments, check out this portable restroom from Helio that doubles as a standing shower. You’ll need to bring your own bucket for bathroom use and a shower attachment for body cleaning, but it’s a compact way to provide some creature comforts outside.
easy entertainment during downtime Audible Audiobooks
- Free month trial
- Access to thousands of audiobooks
- Audiobooks may not be for everyone
Audiobooks make the miles go by, especially during an all-day drive. An Audible subscription provides access to thousands of books in audio and written format. You can get started with a free month trial, and go from there.
awesome games for the road Days of Wonder Ticket to Ride New York Board Game
Now 62% off
$9 AT AMAZON $19 AT WALMART
- Portable
- Fun for the whole crew
- Small pieces might get lost
Packing a deck of cards remains the best bang for your buck when it comes to variety for the size. You could also go one step up and get a few travel versions of popular games, like Settlers of Catan or one of the smaller versions of Ticket To Ride.
Sebastian Blanco Contributing Editor Sebastian Blanco has been writing about electric vehicles, hybrids, and hydrogen cars since 2006.
Keyword: Gift Guide: Best Outdoors and Car Camping Gift Ideas