Camping season is upon us! Here are new and cool camping equipment ideas to make it even more enjoyable! From must-haves to outdoor essentials, your whole family will be excited to go camping with this unique and fun camping gear.
Do you love to camp? Do you love to get outdoors and spend time as a family in nature? There is something about getting out into the woods and pitching a tent. Hearing the crickets at night and the owls hoot. It’s inevitable that everyone will be dirty, but it’s also certain that you will make some amazing family memories and traditions.
Our family loves to camp. The kids think it is so much fun. Especially since I created my Make Ahead Campfire Cooking Meal Plan which shows you exactly which delicious recipes you can make ahead (to save time), provides you a shopping list for the food & supplies, and includes meal plans and instructions for 3-day, 5-day or 7-day camping trips.
But food isn’t the only important part of camping. Of course, you have the essential things for camping, but today, we have put together a list of cool camping equipment. Some of these items I consider to be must-have items and some of them are just plain cool!
20 Cool Camping Equipment Ideas
LED Headlamp with Batteries (buy on Amazon)
Having a headlamp is so much easier than carrying around a regular old flashlight. It’s hard to get used to at first, but after you do, you’ll be glad to have a headlamp. We have this headlamp and it’s a great one.
Teton Sports Mammoth Queen Size Flannel Lined Sleeping Bag (buy on Amazon)
A great sleeping bag is a must–totally obvious, right? But this is an extra special one. I love this sleeping bag because it’s a Queen size! Can’t you just imagine how fun it would be to snuggle up with your sweetie in this lovely bag? I don’t want to be lonely in my regular-sized sleeping bag anymore…I want a queen size!
Electric LED Bug Fly Mosquito Zapper Swatter with Built-in Rechargeable Batteries (buy on Amazon)
Does anyone else get eaten alive while camping? My mom says it’s just because I’m so sweet. That must be it, right? I always have to be prepared for the bugs, and this little zapper will help keep me safe from the mosquitoes and bugs that seem to eat me up while camping.
Go Girl Female Urination Device (buy on Amazon)
Alright ladies, let’s get real for a minute. We all hate to go to the bathroom in nature. It’s just not ideal for us girls. So, someone came up with this little contraption to help us along. Go check it out. Have you tried it before? If you have, please let me know. I’m certainly intrigued.
GSI Outdoors Vortex Hand Blender (buy on Backcountry)
Just because you decide to go camping, doesn’t mean you can’t have a fancy drink or crushed ice. This would even be fun for making snow cones! Just clamp this blender onto your table and be the life of the campground. So cool!
Coleman Instant Canopy (buy on Amazon)
This is the best addition to your camping gear! It is perfect for hot sunny days to cool off in the shade. Big enough to put a table under there and sit all day long and enjoy. This is great to keep rain off your table, too!
GSI Outdoors Infinity 4-Person Compact Table Set (buy on Backcountry)
This is a great set because it’s so compact. Not only do I love the bright fun colors, but it’s also lightweight and convenient for camping.
Magnesium Fire Starter (buy on Amazon)
Don’t waste your time trying to rub two sticks together to start your campfire. Don’t bother with matches either. Use this fire starter. It’s a great price and easy to use.
Camelbak Products Men’s Classic Hydration Pack (buy on Amazon)
It’s a backpack. It’s a water bottle. No… it’s a Camelbak! These are so cool for your day hikes while camping. It is so convenient to have your water so handy. It actually keeps your water quite chilly for you as well.
Coleman Quad LED Lantern (buy on Amazon)
I think this is my favorite item on this whole cool camping equipment list! We own this and love it! It has 4 individual light panels that snap into a single lantern. Each kid will be satisfied when they each get to have their own mini lantern. It also will run for 75 hours! So cool!
Mac Sports Portable Folding Hammock (buy on Amazon)
Have you slept in a hammock while camping? It’s so wonderful! My husband swears by hammock camping. I love it because I’m not directly on the ground, with a rock on my back, and it is so comfy! I like this hammock because it has a stand to go with it and a little canopy over the top so you don’t get pine needles falling all over you while you rest.
Pre-Seasoned 5-Quart Cast-Iron Dutch Oven with Dual Handles (buy on Amazon or Kohls)
This is a MUST for camping. Cooking in a cast-iron skillet is easy and delicious! Plus, it’s so versatile. You can cook breakfast, lunch, dinner, and dessert in one of these babies!
Lodge Camp Dutch Oven Lid Lifter (buy on Amazon)
If you are using a cast-iron skillet, you will want one of these lid lifters. Take my word for it. Getting those hot Dutch ovens off the fire is not an easy task. This lifter makes it SO much easier.
Cast Iron Campfire Tripod (buy on Amazon)
Okay, one more thing for your Dutch oven. (Can you tell we are big fans of a Dutch oven?) This tripod is so handy. This keeps your Dutch oven right where it needs to be. Perfect for boiling water, making stew, or even a yummy cobbler.
Ivation Battery-Powered Handheld Portable Shower (buy on Amazon or Walmart)
If I’m going to go camping, I want a shower. This is a great little invention for people like me who want to camp, but need to clean up sometimes just to feel normal.
Intex Premium Comfort Airbed Kit with Internal Electric Pump, Queen (buy on Amazon)
I love a bed. I don’t want to lay on the ground. There. I said it. I want a bed to sleep on. Even if I go camping. Come on, you know you do, too. This airbed is perfect. Great price, and a wonderful idea if you don’t want me to be cranky the next day.
LifeStraw Personal Water Filter (buy on Amazon or Walmart)
Having fresh and clean water is very important. You do NOT want to get sick while camping or hiking. It just isn’t worth it. This little gadget could really be helpful, and I doubt you’ll regret this purchase.
Fire Buggz Fishing Pole Marshmallow Roaster (buy on Amazon or Walmart)
My kids LOVED this. Like LOVED it. This fishing pole campfire roaster brings roasting your marshmallows and hotdogs to a whole new level. You’ll be the envy of all the other campers for sure.
Portable Outdoor Folding Wash Basin (buy on Amazon)
This portable wash bucket is perfect for backpacking, picnicking, or camping. You can use it as a dirty shoe holder, or store your fresh-caught fish. I would hate to run out of water at our campsite, so being able to fill this with water and bring it back to camp would be pretty awesome. And it’s great for doing the dishes too!
So, what do you think? Did you find some new cool camping equipment that you need? I know I found a few items that will be great and make camping a lot more fun and easy on me. I hope you found something useful AND cool for your next camping trip.
More Camping Ideas and Recipes
- 40 Simple Make Ahead Camping Meals
- 8 Genius Camping Hacks
- Campfire Apple Crisp Foil Packets
- Homemade Non-Toxic Bug Spray
- Meatball Sub Recipe {Camping Recipe}
- 10 Easy & Cheap Camping Meals
About Karrie
Food is my love language. But so is saving money. So I like to combine the two a lot and make thrifty make ahead and freeze meals to save time. Because life is busy, and freezer meals can come to the rescue for all of us. And yes, they actually CAN taste good. Read more...
Comments & Reviews
BaileyStrempel says
A very informative article. Such information really helpful for the those who are planning camping trip. Thanks for sharing.
howqua tents says
I am planning to do outdoor camping after this pandemic and thanks I get across your article. At least I could make good preparation. Please make more articles like this.
Mark says
I have been camping most of my life and fortunately I married a woman who enjoys it also. One thing I have learned when looking for tents is to get one that has a full coverage rain fly. The tents that have partial or less coverage over the tent will almost guarantee a wet experience. Also, don’t be afraid of spending a little more on a tent. It will usually be worth it when you are in bed listening to the rain patter on the tent while you are warm and dry.
Larry Riendeau says
If car camping, the interlocking floor squares for exercise equipment work great in tents. They make a comfortable, insulated, ground barrier for the whole tent.
Karrie says
Cool!! I love that!
Travis says
I love the lantern with removable lights. For our trips, I bring a combo lantern/spotlight with a built in hand crank. My youngest gets super excited to see the light brighten as he cranks on it.
Instead of an air mattress, I bring a full size 1-inch memory foam pad to put sleeping bags on top of it. Eliminates that poking rock & actually helps hold heat for the those chilly nights.