Here are 75+ best camping gifts for dad in 2024. Whether you’re looking for a Father’s Day, Christmas, birthday, or gift ideas, this guide has you covered. Gifts in this gift guide include; thoughtful, funny, unique, useful, and fun camping gifts for dads.
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Without further ado, here are more than 75 best camping gifts for dad in 2024. You can use the Table of Contents below to quickly navigate this article:
Table of Contents
Thoughtful Camping Gifts For Dad
Custom Wood Printed Photograph Camping Gift For Dad
Gift your dad a gift of one of your favorite camping photos printed on a slab of wood. A personalized photo on a unique slab of wood is one of the best camping gifts for dad, especially if he seems to already have everything.
National Parks and Federal Recreational Lands Pass 2024
“This pass is your ticket to more than 2,000 federal recreation sites. Each pass covers entrance fees at national parks and national wildlife refuges as well as standard amenity fees (day use fees) at national forests and grasslands, and at lands managed by the Bureau of Land Management, Bureau of Reclamation and U.S. Army Corps of Engineers. A pass covers entrance, standard amenity fees, and day-use fees for a driver and all passengers in a personal vehicle at per vehicle fee areas (or up to four adults at sites that charge per person). Children age 15 or under are admitted free.” – National Park Service
Unique Camping Backpacks For Dad
Camelback Camping Backpack Hydration Gift For Dad
Camelback backpacks are the perfect gift for dads who spend a lot of time exploring or exercising and need a lot of water. You just fill the bag up with water and you can drink through the hose without taking the backpack off your shoulders. It’s a very convenient way to stay hydrated.
Waterproof Dry Bag Backpack
Dry bags are great gifts for dads who spend time on or near the water. They are great for bringing on the canoe, boat, or just to keep gear dry when adventuring in the rain. Dry bags with backpack straps are nice for easy transport. It’s also nice to be able to throw your bag in the bed of the truck without worrying about the rain when going on long trips.
Check Amazon's Price Check L.L. Bean's Price
Waterproof Duffle Bag Camping Gift For Dad
Waterproof duffle bags are very handy for many reasons and are one of the top gifts for campers. They can be used on long camping trips, to keep gear dry when on boats, and in many other scenarios where water is a factor when camping. With a waterproof bag, there is no need to worry about the elements.
Funny Camping Gifts For Dad That Will Make Him LOL
Probably Beer Coffee Mug Gift
A coffee cup that says “probably beer” says it all. This is a funny camping gift for dad if he likes to drink beer at camp.
Exceptionally Bad Dad Jokes
Bad dad jokes are always a great way to put a smile on people’s faces when camping. These family-friendly jokes are a great source of entertainment. This book is one of the best camping gifts for a dad.
Best Camp Cooking Gift Ideas For Dad
BBQ Cooking Set Camping Gift For Dad
A BBQ cooking set is one of the best camping gifts for dad because it offers a one-stop-shop for all the barbecuing needs he could ask for when camping. The 27-piece Romanticist stainless steel grill is rust and heat resistant for long-lasting grilling.
Best Camping Cookbook Gift For Dad
Level up dad’s camp cooking skills with a camping cookbook. This cookbook offers recipes that can be made using cast-iron cookware. Getting better at outdoor cooking is something every camper can appreciate, making it one of the best camping gifts for him.
If your Dad wants to improve his camping eating experience, this book would make an excellent gift (maybe you’ll selfishly benefit as well).
Camping Coffee Percolator Gift
The percolator is a method for making electricity-free camp coffee. This is a great way to make coffee for larger amounts of people because you can make more than one cup of coffee at a time. A coffee percolator is one of the best camping gifts for dad if he loves coffee and sharing coffee with others.
Yeti Rambler Camping Thermos Gift
A thermos is a great camping gift for dad if he’s a coffee lover. Nothing lifts the spirits more than a warm beverage on those blustery cold days or a cold drink on those scorching days making it one of the best all-time camping gifts. Yeti is well-known for being one of the best companies for keeping drinks at the desired temperatures.
Best Camp Clothing Gifts For Dad
L.L. Bean Wool Camping Jacket Dad Will Love
The natural fibers of wool offer many great benefits for campers. Wool fibers are strong, insulating, odor resistant, water-resistant, moisture-wicking, excellent in snow, breathable, warm when wet, and quiet.
This L.L. Bean wool jacket is one of the best camping gifts for dad because it can be used in a wide array of settings and weather conditions. In addition to the wool, this jacket has an optional liner to improve wind-proofing and insulation making it a very warm jacket to fight off the elements.
Darn Tough Merino Wool Socks
Is your dad tired of getting holes in his socks? Darn Tough’s famous guarantee – “if these socks wear, tear, or develop holes, Darn Tough will replace them no questions asked. No strings. No conditions.” Every camper needs quality socks.
On top of their guarantee, the socks are a merino wool blend and are soft, comfortable, and breathable. Wool is moisture-wicking and anti-bacterial keeping feet warm when wet and socks from stinking after use. Wool also dries fast. You can’t go wrong with Darn Tough Wool Sock gift.
Best Slip-On Camping Shoe For Dad
Crocs are a very well-known and time-tested clog for camping. They’re one of the best shoes for camping because of how lightweight they are, ease of slipping on and off, and breathable while also being protective. They also are made of foam so they float and work well as water shoes.
Cool Camping Gifts For Dad
Costa Del Mar Best Sunglasses Gift For Campers
Costa Del Mar or “Costas” is a very well-known sunglass company in the outdoor industry, especially among those who spend a lot of time on the water where the ultimate eye protection is necessary. They use technology to eliminate reflection and filter out the harshest colors so that your eyes are protected under the harshest of sun. These sunglasses look cool and also offer a variety of lens colors so you can customize the glasses to dad’s specific outdoor use.
Solar Charger Powerbank Gift For Camping
A solar charger is a great option for camping in areas with no electricity to keep phones charged. This charger is shockproof, waterproof, and dustproof. In remote areas where electricity is questionable, a solar panel powerbank makes an excellent camping gift for dad.
2-Way Radio (GMRS) Camping Gifts
GMRS 2 way radios are one of the best radios you can get for the money. They are portable, powerful, easy to use, and versatile. The GMRS frequency is also able to communicate with other walkie-talkie frequencies such as FRS. GMRS is one of the most popular frequencies for camping, making them one of the best communication camping gifts for dad.
Black Diamond Storm Headlamp
Headlamps are one of the best camping gifts for dad because lights are a must at night when there’s no electricity. A headlamp keeps both hands free so he can focus on the task at hand. Just don’t skimp on a good headlamp because cheap ones will break or stop working.
The Black Diamond Storm headlamp is a great headlamp because it’s waterproof and dustproof, has red, green, and blue light settings, and takes replaceable AAA batteries. Replaceable batteries are nice because he can put lithium batteries in, which are much more reliable in all weather conditions, especially cold weather.
Kindle Paperwhite Best Camping Gift For Bookworms
A Kindle paperwhite is a perfect gift camping gift for dad if he loves to read. The paperwhite has a sharper display than previous models, great battery life, lots of storage, and it’s affordable coming in at just over 100$. Kindles are great because the backlight is matte, and the experience is very similar to reading a paper-bound book. This means his eyes don’t get strained like they would on a computer screen.
Smartwatches Are Cool Gifts For Campers
Smartwatches are one of the coolest camping gifts for dads because of their customizability and abundance of cool camping features. For example, smartwatches are helpful tools for campers because they have GPS, ABC (Altimeter, Barometer, and a Compass), weather, sunrise times, sunset times, moon phases…and much more.
My article 7 Best Smartwatches For Hunting In 2024 Reviewed and Compared is also applicable to campers and will help you choose the right smartwatch for your dad.
The Garmin Instinct Solar is one of the best smartwatches for the money on the market. The screen has an integrated solar panel so the battery lasts longer between charges.
Smartwatch Model | Garmin Instinct Solar (Standard) | Apple Watch Ultra | SUUNTO Traverse Alpha | Coros Vertix 2 | Garmin Fenix 7 Sapphire Solar | Garmin Tactix Delta Solar w/ Applied Ballistics |
Award | Best Value | Best Apple Watch | Designed For Hunters | Best Battery | Best Overall | Best Long-Range Shooting |
GPS | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
ABC | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
Battery Life (Days)** | 24 | 1.5 | 14 | 60 | 18 | 24 |
Solar Panel | Yes | No | No | No | Yes | Yes |
Watch Face Material | Power Glass | Sapphire | Sapphire | Sapphire | Sapphire | Sapphire |
Sunrise & Sunset | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
Moon Phases | Yes | Yes | Yes | No | Yes | Yes |
Applied Ballistics | No | No | No | No | No | Yes |
Display Res. (px) | 128x128 | 410×502 | 128x128 | 280x280 | 260x260 | 280x280 |
Durability | MIL-STD-810G | MIL-STD-810G | MIL-STD-810G | Robust Titanium Case | MIL-STD-810G | MIL-STD-810G |
Waterproof | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
Touchscreen | No | Yes | No | Partially | Yes | No |
Price* | 339 | 799 | 700 | 700 | 900 | 1400 |
Availability | View on Amazon | Check Amazon's Price | View on Amazon | View on Amazon | View on Amazon | View on Amazon |
**Battery Life Depends on Settings
Best Camping Tool Gifts For Dad
Estwing Sportsman’s Axe (One-Piece Forged)
A hatchet is a classic tool that all campers will appreciate, especially dads. These small tools can be used to cut, hammer, chop…etc making them very versatile. They work well for cutting down small trees for camp firewood or marshmallow sticks. They are also small, lightweight, handy, and reliable making them a great tool to keep in a vehicle. Because this ax is one-piece forged steel it is extra strong.
Woodsplitting Axe For Camping
For wood-splitting, the smaller axe above isn’t going to cut it, especially for larger logs. This large axe below is designed for splitting medium to large logs. It is specifically designed to create more one-strike-splits on logs with its unique blade profile and shock-absorbing handle. If your dad likes to chop firewood at camp, this ax would make his life easier when splitting wood.
Leatherman Multitool
All campers can make use of a Leatherman multi-tool. Made in the USA and with a 25-year warranty, this 14-in-1 tool is not only convenient but in my experience, it manages to reduce a lot of frustration when things go awry or fall apart.
There have been many times when the leatherman has saved the day when doing repairs while camping. Their hardiness in unideal situations makes them one of the best camping gifts for dad. They also have a lot of useful applications outside of camping.
Camping Knife With Razor Sharp Replaceable Blades
The Havalon knife is one of the best gifts for a dad because it offers surgically sharp replaceable blades. Additionally, you can get different blades which make it effective for a variety of uses. There are regular blades, gut hooks, and saw blades for versatility and other camping-related purposes such as hunting, fishing, backpacking…etc.
DeWalt Battery Powered Chainsaw Gift For Dad
During blizzards or just windy days, trees can blow down in the middle of the road when driving off-road. With a chainsaw, you can easily remove any trees blocking your path back to the main road. These chainsaws are also handy to have at the house to remove trees. This chainsaw isn’t big, it has a 12″ blade, making it very portable and storable.
Trailer Hitch Basket Cargo Carrier Gift
A basket hitch can be very handy, especially for SUVs. The outside storage allows you to carry extra gear that would take up space within the vehicle. One of the biggest benefits of a trailer hitch cargo carrier is that it is easily accessed when compared to rooftop cargo carriers. If your dad needs more storage space on camping trips this could be the perfect gift.
Mr. Buddy Indoor-Safe Propane Heater
A Mr. Buddy Propane Heater is a great gift for heating up small places fast. They are safe to use in your tent if you take the proper precautions. Additionally, Mr. Buddy heaters have an automatic tip-over-shut-off sensor. They also have an oxygen depletion sensor that when oxygen levels become too low the heater will shut itself off. They’re great for taking the edge off in cold mornings, evenings, or when you’re trying to get the fire started.
Best GPS Camping Gifts For Dad
OnX Hunt GPS App Subscription For Campers Who Explore
The OnX Hunt App shows property boundaries and owner information so you can be sure you are on the correct property. It also shows the public, state, and federal lands available for public access. This is one of the best camping gifts for dad if he likes to explore new areas without the fear of accidentally trespassing.
Garmin GPSMAP 64SX GPS For Camping
This GPS has all the basic features your dad would need to get to and from destinations as efficiently as possible. My personal favorite part of this GPS is that the arrow points in the direction the user is facing (3-axis electronic compass). This is lacking in some of the more basic GPSs.
Garmin InReachGPSs
If you wanted to take safety to the next level you could opt for the Garmin InReach devices.
Garmin InReach Explorer+ GPS
With an affordable subscription, the Garmin In-Reach Explorer+ GPS has many benefits for remote camping. The benefits of this GPS over others are that it offers an emergency SOS feature and texting without service. The InReach uses satellites to send and receive messages instead of cell towers.
Another great feature of this GPS is that it comes with a pre-downloaded topo map of the U.S. For this reason, the map can also be used without service. The off-grid capabilities of the Garmin InReach are unmatched for the price making them a great gift for dads who explore the backcountry.
Garmin InReach Mini GPS
The InReach Mini is a more affordable and compact version of the InReach Explorer+. It has similar SOS and texting features as the Explorer+ and can be paired with his cell phone so that it is just as easy to use when using the free EarthMate App.
Best Camping Safety Equipment Gifts For Dads
First Aid Kit Gift For Campers
Every camper should have a first aid kit. This gift will be appreciated even more when it is needed. The first aid kit below has all of the equipment and tools you need for basic first aid. Coming in under 25$, this is one of the best camping gifts for dad for the price.
Vehicle Battery Backup Jumper Cables Emergency Gift
One of the worst feelings is when you are in the middle of nowhere and your car won’t start. A battery backup is a great camping gift for dad because this eliminates the issue of a dead battery. A battery backup can turn a bad situation into an easy solution. Your dad will be very grateful to have this gift in a situation like this. It also adds peace of mind for him when he’s camping in remote places.
Portable Gas-Powered Winch (Honda GHX-50 Engine)
Most dads would appreciate this winch as a gift. The benefit of this winch is that it is mobile, so no matter how you get stuck you can pull yourself out by positioning it in a way that makes the most sense. You can anchor it to a tree and pull your vehicle out of a ditch with no issues.
Additionally, it is great for pulling fallen trees out of the road, pulling other people out of ditches, and for getting out of other sticky situations. This winch does it all and with minimal effort on his part because it’s gas-powered. It’s expensive but worth the money for safety, handiness, and convenience.
Compass Gift For Dad When Remote Camping
A compass is a very useful tool for navigating when exploring the wilderness. It can be used to get out of the woods when lost or to maintain a straight line. It is also an essential backup for any camper using a GPS. A GPS can fail because it is electric and runs on a battery. A compass requires no battery making it very reliable and thus a great gift for dads.
LifeStraw Gift For Backcountry Camping Dads
LifeStraws are filtering straws that are very handy for campers or outdoorsmen in general. These straws allow your dad to drink out of lakes, streams, ponds…etc. and will filter “the bad stuff” so he doesn’t get sick. They are super lightweight and it beats carrying a heavy water bottle when he’s walking long distances.
UCO Stormproof Matches
Every remote camper should have these in their emergency kit. The UCO stormproof matches are incredible! They will maintain a flame even after being buried in sand or dunked in water. This match technology is invaluable when in a survival situation and the weather is not cooperating. These matches are great gifts for dads who spend time in the backcountry.
Instafire Waterproof Fire Starter For Campers
Waterproof fire starters are another great safety gift for dads who camp in remote areas. Waterproof fire starters in combination with stormproof matches make an amazing gift combination for an emergency kit. These items greatly improve the odds of getting a fire started in poor weather conditions. There is no need to take any chances in regards to getting a fire started in a survival situation.
Bear Spray Gift For Bear Country Camping
Give dad the gift of safety and get him bear spray if he camps in areas where bears are known to roam.
Air Compressor For Tires
An air compressor is an important safety tool to have in the vehicle because you never know when your dad or someone he knows could get a slow leak in a tire. Being able to refill a tire on the go can be invaluable and save time.
Tire Recovery Boards Off-Road Camping Gift For Him
Tire recovery boards are designed to get vehicles unstuck in sand, mud, or snow. If your dad is camping in remote areas where there are no other vehicles around it is a good idea to have these for self-recovery.
Best Camping Cooler Gifts For Dad
Yeti Hopper Flip 18 Cooler Gift
This Yeti Cooler is perfect for day camping trips to keep lunches and drinks cold and fresh. This cooler offers a waterproof, mildew, and tear-resistant exterior and the remarkable ability to stay cold as you’d expect from Yeti. It is important for dad to have gear that stands up to the elements when camping, and this cooler does just that.
Yeti Tundra Haul Wheeled Camping Cooler
The Teti Haul cooler is larger and that would make a great gift for dad, especially if he has a bad back. Yeti coolers are heavy in general, and the wheels and handle make a big difference when transporting. Yeti makes great coolers for campers going on long trips where keeping food and drinks cool for long periods of time is essential.
Yeti Tundra 125 Cooler
The Yeti 125 cooler is one of the best camping gifts for dads that go on long trips where more storage space is needed. This cooler has thick 3-inch insulation to keep things cool for a long time as you’d expect from Yeti. In addition, this cooler is ‘certified bear-resistant’ meaning that it is extremely durable and can stand up to the toughest of camping trips.
Dometic Electric Portable Fridge/Freezer For Camping In Luxury
If you want to spoil your dad you could get him this freezer/refrigerator for camping. This Dometic cooler is electrically powered and allows you to store food just like a regular refrigerator. Many campers pair these coolers with the Jackery Explorer 1000 power stations to keep it running for very long periods of time while being off-grid. This cooler is a favorite for car/truck campers.
Insect Protection Camping Gifts Dad Will Love
Sawyer Products Premium Permethrin
Permethrin is a strong insect repellent that works excellent against ticks and mosquitos. There are different methods of applying permethrin such as washing your clothes with it or spraying it on clothes. Either way, it is one of the most effective ways to keep bugs off him. Ticks will literally fall off his treated clothes because they can’t stand it.
Electric Fly Swatter
When a bug is hit with this racket it is electrocuted. Every guy likes to have one of these around camp as a satisfying and effective way to kill annoying bugs.
Bug Head Nets For Insect Protection
Head nets for bugs are a great camping gift idea for dad under 25$. When camping, you never know when you’ll find yourself in an area full of annoying bugs. For this reason, it’s a good idea to have some bug head nets on hand. They’re also very useful for dads who fish because most bugs hatch in the water so it can get very buggy when fishing.
Thermacell Portable Mosquito Repeller
There’s nothing worse than being outdoors while there are a ton of bugs eating you alive. A Thermacell is a great camping gift for dad because it makes being in the outdoors so much more enjoyable with protection from bugs.
The Thermacell uses highly effective mosquito repellent that is non-spray, non-DEET, no open flame; scent-free, and includes 12 hours of long-lasting refills.
Rynoskin Clothing – Chemical Free Insect Protection
I’m a big advocate for Rynoskin, I wear them religiously to protect me from mostly ticks but also help with mosquitos and other insects. They are a chemical-free baselayer that helps prevent bugs from penetrating the tight mesh. Check out my full review here: Rynoskin Review: Insect and Tick Proof Clothing | Does it Work?
Best Relaxing Camping Gifts For Dad
Camping Hammock
Camping hammocks are a great addition to any camper’s gear. They are fun, easy to set up, and provide additional comfort when relaxing at camp. They pack down small and are lightweight making them very easy to bring on camping trips.
Sleeping Pad Gift For Campers
Sleeping on the ground can be very uncomfortable unless you have a sleeping pad, especially if you don’t have a cot. This sleeping pad is a great camping gift for dad because it is packable, deflation-proof, lightweight, and has a lifetime warranty.
Best Slip-On Camping Shoe For Dad
Crocs are a very well-known and time-tested clog for camping. They’re one of the best shoes for camping because of how lightweight they are, ease of slipping on and off, and breathable while also being protective. They also are made of foam so they float and work well as water shoes.
Camping Cot Gift For Dad
Camping cots are a lifesaver when it comes to camping comfort making them one of the best camping gifts for dad. Sleeping on a raised platform has many benefits such as improved comfort, temperature regulation, and the ability to be leveled for an even sleeping platform. Additionally, this cot comes with a sleeping pad, or you can add your own sleeping pad to a cot for even more comfort.
Best Camping Blanket For Dad
These Pendleton wool blankets are one of the best camping gifts for dad because wool has amazing natural properties that make it a superior fabric. For example, wool fibers are strong, insulating, odor resistant, water-resistant, moisture-wicking, excellent in snow, breathable, warm when wet, and quiet. For these reasons, they’re also great emergency blankets to keep in the car.
Gifts To Improve Dads Campsite
Portable Pop-Up Trash Can Convenient Gift For Campers
A regular trash can is bulky and can get in the way. Coghlan’s portable pop-up trash can is a much more convenient option for your dad because of its packability.
Portable Pop-Up Privacy Tent (Bathroom, Shower, Changing)
If he camps in areas where other people are nearby, these portable pop-up privacy tents make great gifts for dad. They allow him to use the bathroom, shower, and change clothes without the fear of someone seeing him. They’re lightweight and portable making them convenient to travel with and store.
Funny But Practical Portable 5-Gal Bucket Toilet
This is a funny but practical gift for dad. These portable toilets are great if there is not a bathroom available. Additionally, the lid adapts to most 5-gal buckets. This would be a great gift in combination with the Pop-Up Pod (above) and the Summer Solar Shower (below).
Portable Outdoor Solar Shower
If he camps in areas where no showers are available then a solar shower makes for one of the best gifts for your dad. You just fill the bag up with water and let it heat up in the sun. Once the temperature gauge says it’s at your desired temperature you can hang the bag over your head and let the warm water gravity feed out through a shower nozzle.
Best Camping Gifts For Man’s Best Friend
Elevated Dog Bed Camping Gift For Dog Lovers
An elevated dog bed is one of the best camping gifts for dads who are also dog lovers. An elevated dog bed allows dogs to dry off faster with the mesh fabric, better temperature regulation, and level for a more comfortable experience when camping. You can also add pads to the top for more comfort.
Dog Backpack Saddle Gift
Dog backpack saddles are another great camping gift for dad if he’s a dog lover. You can store essentials for the dog and yourself in the dog backpack saddle to lighten the load you carry on your back. Additionally, you might also choose to bring some items that you otherwise would not have room to bring.
Vehicle Dog Seat Cover
Dads who have dogs will appreciate a dog seat cover. Outdoor camping explorations with a dog almost always result in a dirty dog. A dog seat cover will keep the vehicle clean after outdoor adventures with the pup. It’s waterproof so no mud or water will seep through, keeping the vehicle clean.
Another reason a dog seat cover is an excellent gift for campers is because of its hammock-style design that covers the entire backseat with sidewalls. This keeps the dog safe and from falling down ‘the crack’. It fits most trucks, SUVs, and cars.
A Camping Travel Bag For His Dog
If your dad doesn’t have a good camping travel bag for his dog, he’ll appreciate this gift. This bag is large enough to carry all the toys, dishes, and tools for a dog. It also has a lot of pockets for easy storage. It’s also easy to carry because of the convenient carrying handles.
Outdoor Checkers Camping Game
Outdoor checkers is a fun camping game dad will love. The large fabric blanket has a checkerboard on one side and more games on the other side. The large playing board and game pieces make it a lot of fun to play. Plus you can play it anywhere making it a great option for campers.
Ladder Ball
Ladder ball is a really fun camping game. Basically, you throw two balls attached by a string and try to loop them around the ladder to earn points. The different levels of the ladder are worth different points.