Where to Find Discounted Camping Gear (And the 15 Best Deals)
Updated: Mar. 08, 2023Save up to 70% on everything you need to enjoy the great outdoors. Camping on a budget has never been better.
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If it’s been a while since your last nature outing and you’ve been listlessly scrolling through travel apps, this is your sign to go on a weekend trip. Whether you plan to hop on a plane to one of the best places to travel or set up a tent in the backyard, it’s important to start your outdoor diet before summer breaks through. Spring is the best time to score discount camping gear—so let’s get shopping.
The best camping gear sales
- Amazon: Unsurprisingly, Amazon is one of the best places to find enormous markdowns on top hiking and camping gear brands. From hiking clothing to camping and outdoor gear, the online superstore has your nature excursions covered. Stop by the Amazon outlet for even bigger savings on grills and outdoor furniture.
- Backcountry: If you haven’t heard of Backcountry, you’re missing out on some of the best hiking and camping gear deals. Their clearance section is chock-full of finds, including bonus savings on select popular gear from brands like Patagonia and The North Face. They even have accessories like UV-blocking sunglasses and select outdoor games.
- Columbia: While best known for their men’s and women’s winter coats, Columbia also offers a wide variety of outdoor clothing such as hiking boots and lightweight rain jackets. Shop their Winter Sale for up to 50% off select hiking and camping gear.
- Huckberry: Shop Huckberry’s huge sale selection of high-quality in-house brands for durable gear that lasts all season—and beyond. There are tables you can use to play two-player card games when you’re sitting around the fire.
- L.L. Bean: Our editors love L.L. Bean for their down-to-earth clothing and Americana-style home goods. Shop their current deals for discount outdoor gear, travel accessories and camping clothes. Plus, shop their travel and gear daily markdowns for exclusive deals that change every day at 6 a.m. and their two-a-day daily markdowns for new finds every day at 6 a.m. and 2 p.m.
- Merrell: Known by many as the best hiking boots around, Merrell is currently running their semi-annual sale. Prices are slashed up to 50% on top-drawer boots and gear. Plus, Merrell has a huge selection of men’s and women’s walking shoes for those who aren’t big on hiking.
Our top picks
Dog tie-out stake
Next to dog carriers, dog tie-out stakes are a travel necessity for those with a passenger pooch—shop discount camping gear and score a set for cheap. At a savings of 37%, the Royal Paw dog tie-out stake set includes a stake that wrangles dogs up to 210 pounds. Plus, get a bonus lever tool to easily screw in the stake and a cleaning brush that banishes caked-on dirt.
Travel shoe bags
Avid hikers—in wet conditions or otherwise—need these travel shoe bags. Not only do these waterproof, zip-up sacks keep mud from soiling clothes and sleeping bags, but they’re also available at a 32% discount. Pair with packing cubes for an ultra-organized camping suitcase.
Columbia Zigzag hip pack
I’m a big belt bag enthusiast, so it’s almost therapeutic to see them coming back into fashion. Columbia’s Zigzag hip pack resists water and keeps survival gear close to the chest. Buckle it around your waist or wear it as a crossbody. The best part? It’s on sale for $15 off.
Scrub backpack
Cheap luggage is hard to come by—especially when it’s durable enough to use for hiking. The Scrub backpack, available at a savings of $110, holds a surprising amount of gear in the main compartment. It features helmet and tool storage, as well as room for a 14-liter hydration pack.
Portable campfire
Get the ambiance of a tabletop fire pit anywhere thanks to this portable campfire kit. Easily light it on the go for warmth, ambiance and s’mores. Wood-free briquettes made from wax and peat moss create a sustainable burn, so they’re odor-free and completely safe. It’s a great travel accessory for emergencies—scoop it up while it’s 40% off.
Fully-stocked first aid supplies bag
We don’t like thinking about the dangers of the great outdoors, but they do exist. Enjoy peace of mind—secure a fully stocked first aid supplies bag at a savings of $90. Unlike other first aid bags, this waterproof reflective bag comes filled to the brim with over 200 supplies, including splints and shears.
It’s a worthy investment, just like spring luggage deals.
3M Ultrathon insect repellent lotion
If there’s one drawback to camping, it’s the bugs—but with 3M’s Ultrathon insect repellent lotion, enjoy a bite-free trip. Stash it in a survival kit along with the Bug Bite Thing for instant protection against pests. This splash and sweat-resistant lotion contains 34.34% DEET which provides bug protection for up to 12 hours.
Stock up while it’s available at a limited-time savings of 63%.
Women’s scotch plaid flannel shirt hoodie
Now is the best time to buy camping clothes, especially when you factor in discount camping gear from stores like Target or Walmart. L.L. Bean’s scotch plaid flannel shirt hoodie, available for up to 57% off depending on color choice, comes crafted by master weavers who brush the fabric eight times on each side for superior strength and softness.
Griddle moose
It’s time to get a griddle moose—or duck, or deer—especially while it’s available at a savings of 40%. The Lodge wildlife series includes the cast iron, pre-seasoned heirloom pans everyone loves, but with a twist: the bottom of each pan features the detailed likeness of one of four wildlife creatures.
The best thing about Lodge pans is that they grill, sear, sauté and broil just as well on the stove as they do over a campfire. Plus, they’re built to last generations—and they make a thoughtful gift for husbands.
Solo Stove Bonfire
Move over, wimpy campsite fire ring. The Solo Stove Bonfire is here to roast marshmallows, cook pizzas and deliver long-lasting fire pit fun. This MVP fire pit offers a smokeless burn, so moving around your anti-gravity chair to escape smoke is a thing of the past. Because it’s a Solo Stove product, rest assured that there are dozens of useful attachments to bolster this portable fire pit’s functionality.
Take advantage of a rare discount of $170 off and start serving up s’mores.
Nikwax wash-in waterproofing liquid
Before you toss your sleeping bag on your air mattress, give it a spin in the wash with a splash of Nikwax wash-in waterproofing liquid. Stock up now while the 1.3-gallon-sized jug is available at a savings of $54. This water-based laundry additive restores the water-repellent and breathable properties of technical clothing, synthetic sleeping bags and rain and ski jackets so you can use them for years to come.
Solid wood cornhole set
Some people would say that a cornhole set isn’t essential camping gear, but I highly disagree. Not only is this solid wood cornhole set the perfect gift for campers, but it’s a total steal at a savings of 30% (along with a $20 off bonus coupon). Cornhole sets are flat and packable, and this one lasts for years.
Women’s Moab Speed
There’s no denying that Merrell’s hiking and camping gear is superior to most other brands. Years of credibility, dozens of collaborations and stylish designs make it hard to skip their semi-annual sale. Snag the Moab Speed hiking boot at a generous discount of $40 off and experience the comfort, durability and eco-friendly construction first-hand.
Water bottle cleaning tablets
I don’t know who needs to hear this, but it’s time to deep clean your go-to reusable water bottle before your next outdoor adventure. Luckily, it’s easy with these water bottle cleaning tablets, on sale for 40% off. Simply fill your bottle with water, pop in one of the plant-based tablets and let it dissolve. Rinse the bottle and it’s ready to use. They’re easy to pack and ideal for use on the trail.
Cargo basket set
Packing for a week-long outdoor trip is hard enough without running out of room. Add 15 cubic feet of space with this cargo basket set, available at a savings of $183. A sturdy rack stores up to 150 pounds of luggage atop any vehicle, while the net and waterproof carrier bags protect and secure the load for an accident-free trip.
Make enough room to hold everything, including the ever-important Bagsmart toiletry bag.
FAQ
What do I pack for camping clothes?
When it comes to camping clothes, a few good options are outdoor activewear and leggings. Different jackets, like spring jackets, rain jackets and denim jackets, are important for chillier nights.
How do I pack for camping?
There are a lot of ways to pack for camping, depending on how long you’re planning to go and where your campsite is. Plus, different campsites have different amenities, so it’s important to know exactly what your campground provides in terms of facilities. Taking a peek at Reader’s Digest’s traveler’s checklist and packing tips is a good place to start.
A few solid investments to consider include smart bags for airplanes (if you’re leaving the state or country) and luggage sets from the best luggage brands—especially hard-shell luggage, which is durable enough to withstand the outdoors.
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