Campers and outdoor enthusiasts aren’t always easy to shop for. Many campers are so particular about their gear that buying them a gift to support their hobby is tricky. Rather than reach for a last-minute gift card, here’s a guide to some gifts you may not have thought of to help you mark that outdoorsman or outdoorswoman off of your list.
$25 to $50: First Aid Kit
Even if they have a first aid kit already, outdoor enthusiasts will always appreciate more safety gear. A new kit allows them to replenish stock they already have or gives them a second option to stash in a backpack or vehicle. Cabela’s, Rock/Creek and Gander Mountain stock dozens of kits with a wide range of prices. In the Southeast, it’s especially important to find a kit with tweezers or other tool for extracting ticks. The kit also usually has space for a few add-ons like hand warmers or liquid bandage.
$80: Park Pass
Give them the gift of “Go” with a federal lands annual pass. The pass will give the holders access to almost all sites that are part of the National Park Service, U.S. Forest Service, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Bureau of Land Management and Bureau of Reclamation. This would obviously include the Smokies, but also Point Park, the Big South Fork NRA and fee areas in the Cherokee, Chattahoochee, Nantahala and Pisgah national forests. They’ll think of your gift every time they get to drive right past the collection box. Pick up a pass at most federal recreation sites or online at store.usgs.gov/pass.
$50 to $80: Hammock
North Carolina-based ENO has long been the leader when it comes to hammocks, and one of the reasons is their price point. For less than $80 you can get a top-notch, lightweight hammock for use at home or camping. The camper can then buy accessories to customize it as they’d like. “I sure wish I didn’t have that hammock with me right now,” said no camper ever.
$100 to $150: Solar Charger
With more campers taking electronics into the woods, small solar panels are becoming an essential part of everyone’s gear closet. While panel prices start at around $25, you typically get what you pay for, so a nicer model such as the Goal Zero Guide 10 Plus Adventure Kit Solar Charger is probably the way to go. Do some research and read customer reviews online before going with discounted panels.
Under $25: Magazine Subscriptions
The Get Out staff firmly supports this option. But whether you choose Get Out or another magazine like Outside, Outdoor Photographer or Backpacker, you can expect to get about 11 or 12 issues for between $12 and $25. Even if you buy a tablet version, buy a December issue and wrap it rolled up with a note explaining the subscription so the recipient will have something to open.