Dads are famously difficult to shop for, so we’ve gathered our favorite outdoor and camping gifts for the outdoorsmen in your life!
We’d like to dedicate this gift list to all the outdoorsmen out there. To the fathers who enjoy a good weekend camping trip, a backyard BBQ session, or a hike through the woods.
To all the practical men, who know who they are and what they’re about. To the plaid shirt-wearing, black coffee-drinking, canoe-paddling, axe-swinging, Nick Offerman types…
In other words, to the fathers who are utterly impossible to buy a gift for!
Seriously, what on earth do they need? They seem to have everything they want. And every time we ask, they just wave us off and say, “Oh, you don’t need to get me anything”. Look, Dad, we appreciate your low-maintenance personality. But this is not helpful.
That is why we came up with this gift guide. We’ve scanned high and low to find Father’s Day gift ideas that will make the outdoorsmen in your father proud. So, without any more ado, let’s dive into it.
GCI SlimFold Camp Kitchen
The Slim-Fold Cook Station by GCI Outdoor is a compact camp kitchen with a large, foldable worktop, as well as space for storage below. If the father in your life likes a clean, tidy, and organized kitchen (and who doesn’t?), this is the perfect gift idea.
Blackstone 22″ Omnivore Tabletop Griddle
This tabletop Blackstone Griddle is the perfect gift for dads who love to cook outdoors on the go! Whether he’s camping, tailgating, or just cooking in the backyard, your dad will love cooking all kinds of Blackstone recipes on the Omnivore.
GSI Outdoors Rakau Knife Set
If your father doesn’t already have a dedicated camping knife set, the Rakau Knife set by GSI is a great idea for him this Father’s Day. It has a cutting board, dish towel, sharpener, and 3 knives. Keep it with all the camping supplies so it always gets packed. No more rummaging through the kitchen or trying to prepare meals with an undersized pocket knife.
Trailgate Gear Cubes
Help dad keep his gear organized with a set of REI’s Trailgate Gear Cubes! We love these because not only are the durable, but they have just enough structure to keep their shape while packing–while still being soft enough to be able to Tetris-stack them in the trunk of the car. They come in 10L, 15L, and 25L sizes.
GCI Outdoor Freestyle Rocker Chair
If your dad doesn’t have the patience for the Tinkertoy-style camp chairs that are popular now but would still appreciate a comfy camp chair, the GCI Outdoor Freestyle Rocker Chair might be the perfect gift! It folds flat for storage but doesn’t require any fussy setup, has an attached drink holder, and the smooth rocking motion is ideal for relaxing in front of the campfire
Teva ReEmber Mocs
If your father wears slippers around the house, then he’ll love these cozy camp slippers. The Teva ReEmber Mocshave a comfy insulated top and sturdy rubberized soles – making them perfect for hanging out around the campground. They can be worn as either a slip-on or as a shoe. I’m wearing my pair right now as I write this!
Relwen Windzip Jacket
We love the look of the Windzip Jacket–it’s the kind of layer that looks at home at a campsite or out around town. It’s windproof, insulated, and water-resistant so it’s functional, too!
Eno Double Nest Hammock
What dad wouldn’t love a relaxing nap in a hammock? The Eno Double Nest Hammock is luxurious for one but spacious enough for two. He can string it up on his next camping trip or just in the backyard. Redesigned hardware makes setup, adjustments, and breakdown a breeze!
Whiskey Peaks glasses
Elevate your father’s whiskey experience with these handblown glass tumblers from Whiskey Peaks. Featuring glass reliefs of some of the Pacific Northwest’s most iconic mountains (Mt. Hood, Mt. Shasta, Mt. Rainer, and Mt. Olympus), Dad can enjoy the spirit of the mountains with each sip!
Ignik Gas Growler
Ditch the green disposal propane cans and make the switch to the larger, reusable Ignik Gas Growler. It easily connects to stoves, grills, and heaters that use propane, and lasts five times as long as the single-use cans.
Spiceology Rub Set
This Ultimate Rub Collection by Spiceology is a fun assortment of spice blends designed to elevate your father’s outdoor cooking game, adding a burst of flavor and complexity to grilled meats, veggies, and more.
Sea to Summit Big River Dry Bags
If Dad likes to spend time out on the water, he’ll really appreciate these Sea to Summit Big River Dry Bags! They come in a variety of sizes to help store and organize all his gear while keeping it protected from unexpected splashes.
Yeti Rambler co*cktail Shaker
This double-walled insulated and leak-proof co*cktail shaker from Yeti is a great idea for the dad who likes to play bartender! This set comes with the lid and a Rambler tumbler, but if he already has something from the Rambler line, you can buy just the shaker lid instead!
Nocs Provisions Binoculars
A pair of durable, lightweight binoculars for an outdoorsy guy who is interested in the natural world around them. Nocs Provisions binoculars are waterproof, fog-proof, and small enough to be packable in a pocket or hiking backpack to keep within reach.
Osprey Poco Plus Child Carrier
This child carrier is the perfect gift for dads with young kids. Whether he’s going for a hike or walking around town, the Osprey Poco Plus Child Carrier backpack makes for a comfortable ride for father and child alike.
Flint & Tinder Waxed Apron
This Flint & Tinder Waxed Apron is durable and looks classy as hell. The wax coating means that it’s easy to wipe off splatters and spills. Generous pockets and a tool strap give lots of places to stash all the utensils your dad needs while manning the grill.
Solo Stove Bonfire
Enjoy a clean burning campfire right in your own backyard, but without all the smoke! TheSolo Stove Bonfireis an award-winning portable wood fire pit, whose unique design allows for easy-to-light fires that are virtually smoke-free. Our friends bought one, our parents bought one, and we liked it so much we bought one too.
Alpine Start Instant Coffee
Treat your coffee-loving dad to the convenience of Alpine Start Instant Coffee, offering 30 cups of coffee (that actually tastes good!) that can be easily enjoyed on camping trips, outdoor adventures, or lazy mornings at home.
Sea to Summit Aeros Pillow
Whether your dad uses it for camping or keeps it stashed in the glove box for napping, there are a lot of great uses for the Aeros inflatable pillow by Sea to Summit. It’s always nice to have a pillow around.
Weber Q 1200 Gas Grill
With fire bans becoming more and more common, a good portable gas grill is perhaps the best way to simulate “campfire cooking” without having an actual campfire. ThisWeber Q1200 is one of the best portable BBQs on the market. Just one look around any RV park and you’ll quickly see this is the propane BBQ of choice.
Hydro Flask 12oz Cooler Cup
Hydro Flask’s 12oz Cooler Cup can act as either an insulating sleeve for a beverage can or bottle or as an insulated drink cup. This would be a perfect gift for a dad who enjoys a cold drink at the campsite, tailgating, or backyard BBQing.
Black Diamond Moji Charging Station
This Black Diamond Moji Charging Station functions as a dimmable camp lantern and power station to keep USB gadgets charged. The Moji itself is USB rechargeable but also has the ability to take AA batteries in case you run out of power while off-grid. It’s a great multi-functional piece of gear!
RTIC Ultralight Cooler
RTIC’s Ultra-Light Cooler is 30% lighter than other hard-sided coolers while maintaining the rugged durability and long-lasting ice retention that you need in an outdoor cooler. This 52 QT cooler will hold 64 drink cans and features a removable divider and basket to help keep your provisions organized.
Hana Cruiser Longboard
For the right kind of dad, a longboard is a chance to be a kid all over again. It certainly was for my father! These ultra-smooth rolling longboards by Magneto Boards are perfect for cruising around the neighborhood or campground.
Patagonia Fjord Flannel
If your Dad likes flannel shirts, he’ll love this mid-weight Fjord Flannel from Patagonia. The fabric, the color patterns, and the sizing make this the best flannel shirt I’ve worn over the years.
Eddie Bauer Microtherm Down Vest
Vests are the best! They’re the perfect way to add a little warmth without adding a lot of bulk. This Microtherm Down Vest from Eddie Bauer has been my go-to recently. Vests make great gifts because they make sizing a little easier. Eddie Bauer also offers a wide range of sizes, including tall versions for longer torsos.
Patagonia Better Sweater Jacket
Every dad could use a nice sweater. The Patagonia Better Sweater Fleece has been my favorite for the past few years. It is clean enough to wear as a jacket around town but also can double as a mid-layer if it really gets chilly. It’s my go-to morning at the campsite sweater.
Darn Tough Hiker Micro Crew Socks
Socks. There is no simple pleasure quite like a fresh pair of socks. These Darn Tough micro crew socks are our go-to year-round. Lots of fun colors, are super comfy, and are backed by a good-for-life warranty. We are always grateful to receive these socks as a gift, and we’re sure your dad will be too!
REI Co-op Sahara Shade Hoodie
If your dad spends a lot of time outside in the summer, then this lightweight Sahara Shade Hoodie is the perfect gift to keep his skin from looking like toast come August. This ultra-lightweight, breathable hoodie not only keeps you cool but the fabric is rated at UPF 50.
Aeropress Go Travel Coffee Press
Upgrade Dad’s camp coffee game by giving him the AeroPress Go. This compact, portable coffee maker brews a killer cup of espresso-style coffee, and it’s dead simple to clean. This is a great coffee maker for campers, overlanders, and RVers!
Exped DeepSleep Sleeping Mat
Give Dad the gift of a great night’s sleep outdoors! The 3” thick DeepSleep sleeping mat from Exped is a total luxury and offers an incredible night’s sleep.
Rome Pie Iron
A pie iron is a fun gift idea for any camp chef who loves to get creative over the campfire! They are relatively inexpensive, easy to use, and just a ton of fun to play around with. We’ve made pizza pockets, sandwiches, and cinnamon rollsbefore, but there are so many more variations to try.
Opinel Black Oak Knife
Every dad could use a good pocket knife, and nothing is as timeless as a knife from Opinel.
This “Studio Collection” Opinel No. 8 features a slick-looking black stainless steel blade with a beautiful oak handle.
Anker 20100mAh Portable Charger
Dads love gadgets and gadgets love power! So give your Dad the gift of power wherever he goes with this Anker portable charger.
Fiskars Hatchet
This is a perfect hatchet to take on a camping trip or have around the house. The blade holds a sharp edge, the handle has excellent anti-vibration construction, and it doesn’t cost a fortune. We own this hatchet and we love it. It comes with us anytime we’re making a campfire.
BioLite HeadLamp 325
You can’t have enough headlamps. By the grill, in the garage, in the glove box of the car, or with the camping gear. The hands-free directional light from a headlamp is invaluable. The BioLite HeadLamp has a much lighter and slimmer design thanks to its internal USB rechargeable lithium-ion battery.
Thermapen
Why guess when the steaks are done when you can know? Using a digital instant thermometer is the easiest way to get perfectly cooked food, every time.Thermapenis the industry-leading instant thermometer on the market. It’s the best of the best, which Dad will appreciate.
High Camp Flasks
These are by far the classiest-looking camp flasks we’ve ever seen. If your dad likes to enjoy his happy hour in an outdoor setting, then this gift will really show your appreciation for all the good times.
National Parks Annual Pass
Products can be useful, but meaningful experiences will last a lifetime. Purchase a National Parks Pass and take your Dad on an adventure that you’ll both remember. This pass gets you into every National Park & Monument, as well as National Forests, Grasslands, and plenty of other recreation sites across the country for an entire year.
Gift Cards
What better way to put an exact dollar amount on how much you appreciate your father than a gift card? But seriously, dads can be very particular when it comes to outdoor gear, so this might be the safest way to go. But if you can, we suggest going with him and making it into an experience.
Suggested retailers:REI,Backcountry,Patagonia, Huckberry
