All the Camping Gear You’ll Need to Enjoy the Outdoors

If you’re not looking for anything too big, or want to keep the camping confined to your backyard, an affordable starter tent from Kelty will do the trick. At $150, this four-person sleeper (which comes in a roomier six-person size for an extra $70), is a great deal without feeling like a budget option. Plus, the 70-inch height means less ducking for most. We suggest taking off the rainfly for dry nights, though—that mesh top means unobstructed views for stargazing in bed.

Another great budget option, Stoic's Madrone tent is easy to set up and can last for years, Amazon reviewers say. The mesh top makes it another stargazing-conducive option, though the included flysheet will keep water from leaking in on rainy nights.

Tents are usually split into two categories: backpacking tents, which are small, lightweight, and meant to travel in your pack, and heavier car-camping tents, which are designed for drive-in camp spots (or backyards), and often have more features and interior space. But if you plan to do a little bit of both? Go for a crossover tent, like REI’s Arete ASL 2 tent. The two-person tent is built for use in all four seasons, and has a high enough ceiling to sit up in, with a peak height of 43 inches. Plus, it weighs just under six pounds, which is lightweight enough to carry on shorter backpacking trips, and won't take up much room when thrown in the trunk of a car.

Want the best of the best, without making any sacrifices? The REI Kingdom 6, which feels palatial, is the only way to go. This behemoth often ranks number one on best tent roundups, and it’s no wonder why. With two doors, a massive interior (the floor area clocks in at over 80 square feet), near vertical walls that separate the sleeping and daytime spaces, and plenty of pockets lining the interior, comfort and functionality are at a high. Plus, you can a group of anywhere from three to five inside. The durable coated polyester material will also hold up to the elements, though you’ll want to use all the guylines (included ropes and cables for added support) should fouler weather hit. (If year-round camping in harsher conditions is a must, then consider the less-decked out, but even more durable, REI Base Camp 6.)

If you’re spending the night in your backyard, or are a once-a-summer kind of camper, most sleeping bags will do the trick. But if you want a bag that’ll give you the freedom to camp year-round, with the comfort of 800-fill-power goose down, then you want “the one.” The North Face’s One Bag is a 3-in-1 system that can be altered depending on the climate—think of it like those zip-off pants that turn into both capris and shorts. For summer nights when temperatures stay above 40 degrees Fahrenheit, stick to the thinner outer layer; in higher altitudes, or shoulder seasons, use the removable middle layer. Double up with both layers, and you’ll be covered in temperatures as low as five degrees. With a color-coded system and zipper, transitioning the bag is easy as can be. You can even repurpose layers you don’t need as a fireside quilt, or extra padding beneath you.

To make sure kids sleep through the night, REI’s Kindercone is a solid option. It’s relatively inexpensive, an important feature in anything kids will grow out of, but it’s also warm enough to be used from spring through fall, and provides ample padding for a great night’s sleep. And, in case you are still worried they’ll grow out of it too soon, REI has planned for that too: The stuff sack, which makes for easy storage, can also be repurposed to cinch the bottom of the bag, helping you adjust the length as your kids grow. Keep in mind that it’s a bit bulky for backpacking, and best suited for drive-in and at-home use.

If you're not ready to invest in something heavy-duty, Kelty's Campground Kit offers a great inexpensive option that'll make those first few camping trips a whole lot comfier. The bundle comes with a sleeping bag built for temperatures down to 40 degrees, plus a self-inflating air pad to layer underneath. Both pack up into a shared duffel for easy storage, and weigh under six pounds altogether.

Sure, they say sleeping on the ground can be good for your posture—but that doesn’t mean you need to feel every pebble and twig underneath you. No matter where you’re camping, throw a sleeping pad under your sleeping bag and it’ll be that much easier to fall asleep. While inflatable versions raise you off the ground, they can be bulky and costly, and an accidental puncture can ruin your trip. Consider a lay-flat pad, like the Therm-a-Rest Z Lite Sol. It is less than an inch thick, yet durable enough to last for years, and lightweight to carry. For frequent campers, we recommend upgrading to the brand’s fabulous NeoAir XLite pad.

Another Stoic favorite: this easy-to-blow-up mummy-shaped air mat. It won't deflate on you during the night, comes with a stuff sack to fold up into, and weighs less than a pound. The water-resistant treatment is a nice bonus, too.

It’s too easy to forget a camping pillow when throwing your sleeping bag and pad in the trunk. But on a multi-night getaway, scrunching a sweatshirt behind your head gets old fast. The compressible pillow from Therm-a-Rest, made of soft foam padding, packs nice and small but expands for full-size comfort once you’ve set up camp (you can even repurpose it as an in-flight pillow down the road). And, unlike inflatable camp pillows, you can forget about any annoying squeaking as you toss and turn.

There’s nothing like the cozy flicker of a campfire, but sometimes you need a little more light. For middle-of-the-night bathroom trips or better visibility for after-dinner card games, pack a portable lantern the whole family can use. The Goal Zero Crush is a winner in our book for two reasons: It’s solar-powered, so you can leave the batteries at home and feel better about your carbon footprint, and it collapses into a flat disk when not in use for easy packing. We also love that it emits a warm light, rather than the harsh white light of LED lanterns. Simply throw it in the sun during the day, then let it illuminate your campsite at night.

Whether you’re spending a night at your local river and just want to keep your six-pack cold, or need to refrigerate essentials on a multi-day stay at a national park, Yeti’s Tundra line will do the trick (it doesn’t look bad parked on the porch at home, either). These durable coolers are heavily insulated, and have a freezer-quality gasket and form-fitting lock system to seal it completely shut, keeping out even triple-digit heat. We love the “45” size because it’s reasonably sized to throw in your trunk, but can fit a few days worth of food for a family of four. That said, the options range from the day trip-friendly “35,” to the mid-sized “Haul” on wheels, to the gargantuan “350,” an 82 gallon-holder best reserved for fishermen and pitmasters.

Rather than grabbing silverware and pepper grinders from your kitchen, pack a ready-made kitchen set with all the essentials you need as part of your camping gear. This GSI Destination kit has 24 pieces, and is designed to work for a family of four. You’ll find folding tools, like a spatula and serving spoon, prepware like a cutting board and cheese grater, two condiment containers, salt and pepper shakers, and four full cutlery sets. Heads up, you’ll need to pack a can, bottle, and wine opener separately (but for that, you can get away with grabbing the ones you use at home).

While most campsites will have grills or fire pits at the ready, you'll need a natural fire starter to get dinner going. Ooni's are made from wood shavings (with no added chemicals), and work with wood pellets, wood, or charcoal.

For campouts at home and on the road, camping chairs are essential. And whether you use them to sit around the fire and tell stories, or simply unwind in after a long day of hitting the trails, you’re also going to need one per person (everyone will tire of sitting on the ground or perching on sleeping bags sooner or later). For a good mix of comfort and durability—and the prerequisite of an attached cupholder for your water bottle or beer—pick up a few Coleman camp chairs. While, sure, there are more modern renditions of the campsite chair, this roomy classic is widely loved for a reason, and has handy side pockets for sliding in a phone, hand wipes, sunglasses, or whatever else you need to store.

On the other end of the spectrum: Yeti's TrailHead model, which is basically the Cadillac of camp chairs. It is super comfortable, and gigantic, meaning it's best for car campers, and frequent ones at that. If you're looking for an outdoorsy gift to give the family member who's always planning their next camping trip, this might be it.

One of the perks of car camping: You can really recreate the comfort of your own backyard out in the woods. Case in point: Kelty's uber-popular camp furniture. The two-seater rolls up into a fairly compact padded storage bag and weighs about 15.5 pounds, with a weight capacity of 400. Each side has its own armrest and cup holder, too.

Another car camping accessory you may want to add to your gear closet: a tarp that offers more coverage for dinnertime or hanging by the campfire. This one attaches to most vehicles, and its sturdy pole means you can leave it up overnight, allowing for continued coverage from the sun, rain, or wind.

Novice campers often forget or forgo headlamps, but we consider the hands-free light an essential. They are incredibly useful for cooking in the dark, evening trips to refill the water jug, or late-night repairs. For backpackers, they can be a lifesaver—and true safety tool—for dusk and dawn hikes as well, or early morning runs before the rest of camp wakes up. The Biolite Headlamp 330 is our pick: It’s incredibly lightweight, has a slim profile, and has several lighting modes including a flood light, red light, and strobe. It can also last for 40 hours on one charge, and the removable battery pack is rechargeable with a micro-USB cable. It comes in two colors: a soothing teal, and an easy-to-spot marigold yellow.

If you're camping with a big group, or your family, you're likely to have a lot of stuff, from outdoor gear to base layers in colder months to snacks. Use Marmot's Camp Hauler bag to store clothing in your trunk, carry in groceries or camp kitchen equipment, or just collect all those odds and ends you're bringing over to the campsite (bug repellent, daypacks for afternoon hikes, etc.). Side and interior pockets help keep you organized, while padded straps and haul handles make it easier to carry heavy loads.

Every home should have a first-aid kit, and every camper should have one that’s ready to take on the go. The Adventure Medical Kit, designed for two adults for two days, is an upgrade on your basic Band-Aid and Neosporin, in an easy-to-tote, compartmentalized bag. Inside, you’ll find everything you need for cuts, scrapes, and blisters, alongside a first aid book that is crammed with information on treating outdoor-related injuries. Serious backpackers might choose to add other essentials over time, but for most casual campers, it has everything you could need.