5 Essential Amazon Camping Items To Bring On Any Trip

We may receive a commission on purchases made from links.

The whole point of camping is to reconnect with nature, but there's nothing wrong with bringing a few creature comforts into your camp. Developing the perfect setup takes time and trial and error (and sometimes even some DIY camping hacks for instant upgrades), since what works for one camper may not work for another. Priorities differ, goals change, and innovation can mean some new gear is in order. Fortunately, Amazon seems to have just about everything, including quality camping items for this year's biggest adventures.

Depending on the kind of camper you are, the essentials can vary. This list compiles some of my favorite camping items from this year, catering to campers who value comfort and ease, as well as those who appreciate a new twist on their adventures. From hardcore tents to memory-keeping, here are the five essential Amazon camping items to bring on your next trip.

Needless to say, shelter is one of the most important aspects of camping, and having a good tent can make or break your experience. Hardcore campers might appreciate an ultralight compact model, but if you're just car camping, the Coleman Sundome Camping Tent is a great option from Amazon. This model is available in four sizes for two, three, four, and six people and includes a rainfly and water-resistant technology to keep out downpours. Overall, reviewers praise it for its ability to withstand high winds and heavy rain and recommend it for beginner campers for its easy, 10-minute setup.

"The tent is equipped with Coleman's patented WeatherTec system, which includes patented welded floors and inverted seams to help keep water out," wrote one Amazon reviewer. "During a brief rain shower, I was pleased to find that the interior remained dry and comfortable, allowing us to enjoy our camping experience without worry. The ventilation in the tent is also commendable. With large windows and a ground vent, airflow was excellent, preventing condensation buildup and keeping the interior fresh." The reviewer noted that the tent also suits motorcycle camping due to its compact size. The tent comes in a variety of colors at several price points. At the time of this writing, the navy blue, PFAS-free 2-person tent was available on Amazon for $64.83.

Just because you're out in the wilderness doesn't mean that you can't have great food. While you can do a lot with just a grate over your campfire, a good mess kit makes all the difference when you want to upscale your camping experience without the waste of paper and plastic. The Thtybros 17-Piece Camping Cookware Kit on Amazon is a great option since it comes with a kettle, pot, frying pan, and two sets of plates, cups, forks, and knives, a bamboo serving spoon, cleaning cloth, and cleaning ball, two storage bags, and a carrying bag to hold it all in.

One of the best parts of this camping cookware set is that everything stacks neatly and weighs just under 3 pounds, so you can easily fit it in your car or pack. One Amazon reviewer recommends this set for couples or solo campers, noting that its only downside is that the plates may be a bit small for some people. "It's compact enough to fit easily into our camping gear box, but still has everything we needed. We used it for four days while camping — boiled water, made pancakes, and fried eggs with no problem at all."

This camping cookware set currently retails for $31.99 on Amazon at the time of this writing. However, if you're considering this option, it's good to note that if you cook directly over a fire with the pots and pans from this kit, it can get a bit tricky to clean off the black carbon residue from the fire. To make the most of this kit, it's best complemented by a camp stove like one of these portable options from Walmart.

Great sleep is essential for keeping those morning grumpies away, even if you're on the adventure of a lifetime. There are a ton of different options out there, from inflatable sleeping pads to foam, but inflatable pads often leak, and foam can be bulky and difficult to pack. Many brands, including popular ones, will keep you up all night and make tent-sharing miserable. Instead, try a camping cot like the Teton Camping Cot. This model features a patented pivot arm that makes setup easy and eliminates one of the major downsides of most camp cots.

Of course, you won't be backpacking with this model, but camp cots are great when you have the space in the trunk on warm summer nights. The Teton Camping Cot is sold on Amazon and comes in three sizes: the Adventurer, the longer, wider Universal, which both hold up to 400 pounds, and the Outfitter XXL, which holds up to 600 pounds. The Adventurer model is just over $100 at the time of this writing.

Here's what a reviewer on Teton had to say: "We just received our cots last week. The ease of putting them together was seriously a matter of seconds. That blew me away! My husband said laying on one seemed to realign his back. That's saying something. Stoked about this product and would buy more [of] your products. Price, quality and comfort is really hard to come by. Two thumbs way, way up!!"

One of the best parts about camping is the ability to look up and see the sky stretched out above you. Not all camping chairs are comfortable for this purpose, so if you're tired of a crook in your neck, consider trying out the Nemo Equipment Stargaze Evo-X Folding Reclining Camp Chair. This chair folds out in one step with an "x" style frame that maintains six points of contact with the ground and reclines to the perfect stargazing angle as you lean back. This chair has a couple of downsides, like the large footprint and the higher price point, but many campers find it worth it for the easy swing action.

The Stargaze Evo-X hasn't racked up too many reviews on Amazon yet, but campers are already loving it on other retail sites. "I have to admit that I was very skeptical at first but now I can't imagine using any other chair," writes one reviewer on reviewer on REI. "I love how the Star Gazing Chairs rock and are easy on my back and so very comfortable. It's also really nice that they recline for perfect star gazing or a little nap but don't require a ton of effort to get them upright again." To make sure that it's right for you, it might be worth checking out a sample model at a local camping store near you.

On Amazon, the Stargaze Evo-X retails for $179.95 as of this writing and is available in four colors: Ombre Blue, Brilliant Blue, Deep Claret, and Smokey Olive. Weighing 14 pounds, this chair has a 300-pound weight capacity and includes a carrying case with a shoulder strap for easy transport. To enhance the experience, some reviewers on Reddit recommend getting a three-legged stool to elevate your feet.

No journey is complete without a method to document the ups and downs. If you have an adventurer in your life who is planning a milestone trip this year, the Lochby Field Journal is a great gift that will encourage them to capture the moment in a non-digital way. This field folio is made of water-resistant, waxed canvas that weathers with age and can hold up to four A5 travel notebooks inside. There are several pockets that are perfect for storing keepsakes, pencils, paper clips, and other items, and a zipper around the folio makes sure that everything stays safe and dry. The Lochby Field Folio in A5 retails for $68.99 on Amazon at the time of this writing.

A great companion gift for this, in addition to some A5 travel notebook inserts, is the Scriveiner Silver Chrome fountain pen. Everyone, even a good adventurer, needs a good pen, and the Scriveiner is a new personal favorite. These pens have a solid brass body with lacquer finish and chrome accents, along with the German Schmidt liquid-ink system. The pen writes smoothly, and it's easy to refill, but what makes it really great for travel is the screw-on cap, which is fantastic for preventing ink leaks. When the cap is on, the pen is a compact and stowable size, but once you stick the cap on the back, it turns into a full-length pen that is balanced for comfort. On Amazon, the Scriveiner Silver Chrome Fountain Pen retails for $52.99 as of this writing. 

This selection of five essential camping items was based on a combination of personal experience, analysis of customer reviews, and evaluation of new technologies. While these items are offered at many retail sites and in-person stores, we featured products available on Amazon for widespread availability and competitive pricing. If none of these items is what you're looking for, check out these top five holiday gifts for avid campers for some more options.