I’m a Camper of 12+ Years — These Are the 11 Camping Essentials You Need to Buy for Summer

I’ve spent over 12 years pitching tents across the country, be it on the side of a mountain or by a sprawling lake. After many camping mishaps, I’ve identified the must-haves you should never, ever camp without, especially in the summer. These 11 camping essentials are non-negotiable in my book, including a camp stove, a portable grill, a hard cooler, and more, from $7. Grab them before you head out on your next adventure.

Editor-Loved Summer Camping Gear Must-Haves

• Coleman Classic 1-Burner Butane Stove, $38 at amazon.com
• Lodge Cast Iron Rectangular Reversible Griddle, $35, originally $60 at amazon.com
• Hydro Flask 32-Ounce All Around Travel Tumbler, $24, originally $35 at rei.com
• Char-Broil Portable Gas Grill, $40, originally $50 at amazon.com
• Uco Eco Camp 3-Piece Utensil Set, $7, originally $10 at rei.com
• Uco Eco 4-Piece Mess Kit, $14, originally $20 at rei.com
• Alps Mountaineering Camp Chair, $190, originally $80 at rei.com
• Alps Mountaineering Camp Table, $68, originally $90 at rei.com
• Oasser Trunk Organizer, $29, originally $39 at amazon.com
• Coleman Classic Series Insulated Portable Wheeled Cooler, $75 at amazon.com
• Lighting Ever LED Camping Lantern, $20, originally $32 at amazon.com

Coleman Classic 1-Burner Butane Stove

Whether you’re backpacking or car camping, you’ll need some kind of heat source for your buttermilk pancakes and black bean chili. When a fire pit isn’t available, a tool like this Coleman camp stove is indispensable. It’s compact and fits into a carrying case the size of a small briefcase. You can start it with the push of a button for fuss-free ignition. 

Lodge Cast Iron Rectangular Reversible Griddle

I always bring my reversible Lodge griddle to feed a crowd at the campsite. It can go directly over a fire and is big enough for eight burger patties or six medium pancakes. If I’m making kebabs, I simply flip it over to use the grill side. Snag one for 41% off.

Hydro Flask 32-Ounce All Around Travel Tumbler

Staying hydrated is key when you’re camping. I have an insulated tumbler similar to this Hydro Flask one. It keeps beverages hot or cold for hours and the splash-resistant lid has a flexible straw for comfortable sipping from any angle. I especially love that its bottom fits any cupholder. 

Char-Broil Portable Gas Grill

If you’d rather grill at the campsite, this Char-Broil gas grill offers 190 square inches of cooking surface to accommodate up to eight burgers, six steaks, or 12 hot dogs at a time. The porcelain-coated grates are quick to heat up and easy to clean. On sale for $40, it’s worth grabbing ahead of your next camping trip.

Uco Eco Camp 3-Piece Utensil Set

A compact yet sturdy utensil set deserves a place in every camping gear collection. This set of three tools includes a knife, a fork, and a spoon. It also comes with a travel case to keep the utensils together. Grab it for just $7.

Uco Eco 4-Piece Mess Kit

Before I had dedicated messware for my camp kitchen, I relied on disposable plates and utensils. Investing in a few sets similar to this Uco mess kit was a life-changing upgrade I didn’t even know I needed. Thie set comes with a bowl, a lid that doubles as a plate, and a utility spork with a spoon on one end and a fork on the other. All the parts fit together to create one compact package.  

Alps Mountaineering Camp Chair

After setting up camp, I love to sit back and enjoy a cup of tea by the fire. I’ve had many folding chairs in my time as a camper, but a classic accordion-style chair, like this one from Alps Mountaineering, is my go-to. It opens in seconds and collapses flat to slide right into a car trunk. The sturdy aluminum frame on this chair supports up to 425 pounds.

Alps Mountaineering Camp Table

Every time I go camping at a site that doesn’t have a picnic table, I instantly regret not having a camp table. This season, I’m finally going to invest in a portable table like this one, which sets up quickly, thanks to its slatted roll-top surface. I can already imagine my outdoor dinnerware on this table, piled high with grilled corn or baked potatoes. 

Oasser Trunk Organizer

You can have the best camping gear imaginable and still have a haphazard experience if your essentials aren’t well organized. I’ve had mess-free camping trips ever since I got a trunk organizer for all my tools. Similar to this Oasser one, my storage container has multiple compartments to keep everything tidy and accessible. This one even has outer mesh pockets for storing headlamps or flashlights.

Coleman Classic Series Insulated Portable Wheeled Cooler

I learned early on that a trustworthy cooler is a must-have for camping. If you’re camping for just a night or two, a soft cooler will do the trick. But for longer outdoor adventures, something like this Coleman hard cooler will keep perishable items fresh for longer. The brand states that it can keep ice for up to five days. It also has rugged wheels and a telescoping handle for easy transport. 

Lighting Ever LED Camping Lantern

It’s important to keep your campsite well-lit so you can easily cook dinner even after the sun inevitably sets. My camping lantern has stuck around for over a decade, but I might grab this one while it’s on sale for $20. It has four light modes, is waterproof, and can last for up to 12 hours. It also provides up to 1000 lumens, bright enough to illuminate an entire campsite.