The best gifts for hikers and campers aren’t cutesy or fun; they’re practical and useful gifts. Gifting a pocket knife with a bottle opener may make you feel silly or guilty–like you’re doing the least. But when your outdoor enthusiast family or friend is dying to quench their hiking thirst with a cold one at base camp, that bottle opener is priceless.
Whether your friend or family member is an avid hiker taking backpacking trips to camp, or they’re more fond of day hikes and car camping, you’re sure to find the perfect gift in this holiday gift guide.
And if you're in a pinch, wow the hiker in your life with the gift of endless delicious and portable snacks with our jerky sampler box!
1. Trail Series Hydro Flask Water Bottle
Hydro Flask water bottles are championed for their incredible ability to keep drinks cold (or hot) for a long time–hot beverages will keep for 12 hours while cold drinks stay cold for up to 24 hours. In the past, Hydro Flask’s full bottle had been a tad too heavy to carry around on a hiking or camping trip. Now, thanks to the Trail Series, the outdoorsy person in your life can enjoy crisp and cold water along any trail no matter how long the hike.
Shop: 32 oz Lightweight Wide Mouth Trail Series™ - $49.95
2. Danner Jag Hiking Boots
The Jag Hiking Boot is a Danner 80’s Original hiking boot. It’s lightweight and stylish, allowing you to maneuver twisted terrain with style and grace. In fact, the new Jag comes equipped with a cushioning EVA midsole and a new waffle outsole, making them comfy enough to rock while kicking back at the campsite.
Shop: Danner Jag Hiking Boot - $150
3. People’s Choice Beef Jerky Gift Box
Ask any avid hiker or camper, and they’ll tell you that beef jerky is a quintessential trail treat. Especially jerky packed with protein that simultaneously brandishes a clean ingredient list and low sugar.
At People’s Choice, we make all of our beef jerkies by hand, using traditional techniques and gourmet ingredients that produce a better-tasting beef jerky, that’s better for you too. Our premium beef jerky boxes are the perfect all-in-one gift solution ready to fuel your loved ones’ next outdoor adventure. Each jerky box comes complete with an assortment of gourmet jerky for sampling, and our one-of-everything box qualifies for free shipping!
Shop: People’s Choice Beef Jerky Box - From $28.99
4. Nike Pegasus Trail 3 Trail Runners
Hiking boots can be a bit big and clunky at times when you’re traveling along a scenic, mellow trail. These trails are exactly where trail runners come in handy–or you know, if you actually enjoy trail running. Regardless, trail runners make an excellent gift for your favorite hiker.
Shop: Nike Pegasus Trail 3 - $130
5. National Parks Pass
The National Parks Pass is a dream gift for any true outdoorsy person. Not only will this pay for their next trip to a National Park, but it will also pay for trips to sites managed by the National Park Service, Forest Service, Fish and Wildlife Service, Bureau of Land Management, and Bureau of Reclamation–for an entire year! Boom. You’re the favorite family member now.
Shop: America the Beautiful National Parks Pass - $80
6. Garmin inReach Mini Satellite Communicator
Got a friend or family member that enjoys pushing things to the limit a little too much, like, it starts to scare you too much? The Garmin inReach Mini is as much a gift for this person as well as yourself. The inReach Mini allows you to communicate via text message while outside of the cellular range and enables the user to track and share their entire journey online so you can follow along from the safety of your own home!
Shop: Garmin inReach Mini - $350
7. Leatherman Micra Multitool
Leatherman multitools are the ultimate pocket knife. And the Leatherman Micra is the perfect gift for your favorite hiker. Light enough to pack on any hike no matter how short or long the trek is–it’s great for backpacking trips too! From tweezers to a bottle opener, this pocket knife has it all and is sure to be one of your loved ones’ favorite pieces of hiking gear.
Shop: Leatherman Micra Multitool - $30
8. Sea to Summit Wilderness Wipes
Wilderness Wipes: another super useful hiking gift for the next adventure in the great outdoors. Sea to Summit’s convenient-sized packaging makes them easy to transport on long treks and a great stocking stuffer. Freshen up with a quick wipe, and wipe down your gear that accidentally fell into the dirt.
Shop: Sea to Summit Wilderness Wipes - $5
9. Topo Designs Nylon Camp Hat
Every adventurer needs a good hat. Even if they already have one, they could use another one–especially a new one. The best hats are lightweight, durable, and packable. This Nylon cap bears all of those traits, plus it’s ultra-stylish and offers excellent sun protection so you can hike the great outdoors all day long!
Shop: Topo Designs Nylon Camp Hat - $32
10. Darn Tough Socks
The best hiking boots mean nothing if they’re paired with low quality socks. Enter: Darn Tough Socks. Who thought socks would be the ultimate hiking gift? These socks are super durable and reinforced with a full cushion that absorbs the shocks and rigors of the trail. Made from merino wool, they’re also moisture-wicking and good-to-go in any weather or terrain.
Shop: Darn Tough Hiking Socks - $26
11. VSSL Mini First Aid Kit
This is a gift that you will get a big thank you for around a year later–right after a minor accident on the trail occurs and your mini first aid kit saves the day. This kit is super light–less than one pound–so there’s no excuse to let it behind. On top of that, it’s filled to the brim with over 40 first aid supplies so your friend or family member will be covered in any situation.
Shop: VSSL Mini First Aid Kit - $75
12. National Parks Scratch Map
Though this may not be a gift used at National Parks, it will be used repeatedly to map out future trips to National Parks. And, the most fun will come once home from a National Park because that’s when you can finally scratch off the park to reveal a full-color vista underneath.
Shop: National Parks Scratch Map - $25
13. Goodr Polarized Sunglasses
For those days when the sun is out and the trail shading is sparse. Everybody knows you have to protect the peepers at all costs. And that’s one of the many benefits of these polarized sunglasses: they only cost $25. Aside from outstanding sun protection, these shades are fully slip and bounce resistant–they were designed specifically for running. Plus, they come in super fun colors!
Shop: Goodr Polarized Sunglasses - $25
14. Black Diamond Trail Trekking Poles
Trail trekking poles may be a bit silly to a novice hiker, but they’re excellent at easing joint stress on those long hauls to basecamp. These poles, in particular, are some of the most lightweight and comfortable to hike with. And they may come in handy when camping. Some tents are actually made to be used with trekking poles rather than tent stakes. Pretty nifty, huh?
Shop: Black Diamond Trail Trekking Poles - $109.95
15. Salt & Stone Sunscreen
Here we go again–more sun protection. Thankfully, Salt & Stone is an awesome company producing eco-friendly sunscreen packaged in aesthetically-pleasing squeeze tubes. The SPF 30 sunscreen is formulated for the trails as it’s sweat-resistant and blocks both UVA and UVB rays. That’s some powerful UV protection!
Shop: Salt & Stone Sunscreen - $18
16. L.L.Bean Rain Jacket
A classic L.L.Bean jacket updated with a modern style and fit. It’s wind-resistant, water-resistant, and even packs up and stows away into its own pocket. The coolest part has got to be the heritage-inspired features that give this modern rain jacket a vintage look.
Shop: L.L.Bean Anorak Rain Jacket - $69
17. Single Nest Eno Hammock
Short for Eagles Nest Outfitters, ENO Hammocks are super popular amongst outdoor enthusiasts for their lightweight and durability. The single nest is made for those that don’t like to share. Just as good for a backpacking trip as it is for a day hike, the single nest hammock is the gift your giftee will never forget.
Shop: Eno Single Nest Hammock - $49.95
18. Smartwool Liner Gloves
Does anything beat a good pair of gloves? These merino wool liner gloves are super lightweight and portable for hiking. Perfect for keeping hands warm and nimble on chilly hikes. They’re sleek, machine washable, and touchscreen-friendly. A great gift idea for nature lovers hiking the Appalachian Trail in those chilly months!
Shop: Smartwool Liner Gloves - $24
19. Wolf and Grizzly Fire Starter
Fire is as essential for survival as it is fun to stare at. With the help of the Wolf and Grizzly fire starter Ferro rod, you can start a fire just about anywhere. Incredibly long-lasting and easy to use, it’s a gift that will keep on giving for years to come. Got some extra cash? This camp grill pairs perfectly with the fire starter to make the perfect gift.
Shop: Wolf and Grizzly Fire Starter - $23
20. SOL Survival Blanket
Got an outdoor lover in your life that has everything already? Grab them this advanced emergency survival blanket. Large enough for two, this pocket blanket packs down easily and is made from materials that reflect body heat to keep warm in cold weather. Nothing better than a high-quality emergency blanket in emergency situations!
Shop: SOL Emergency Blanket - $6.99
21. 
Not sure what to get your outdoorsy friend or family member this year? Or, a bit late to the game and need a quick last-minute gift? The REI Gift Card is your saving grace. Choose from several holiday-themed gift cards and load it up with as much (or as little) as you’d like. This way, your loved one can get the sleeping bag, sleeping pad, camp chair, solar charger, or even fanny pack that they’ve been eyeing all year.
Shop: REI Gift Card
The Bottom Line
We all have loved ones in our life that are outdoorsy people. This guide full of best-hiking gifts and unique camping gifts enables you to support their next adventure, the Pacific Northwest or Pacific Crest Trail–or wherever their heart desires. No matter what you decide to get them, just remember it’s the thought that counts. Any camping gift or piece of hiking gear off of this gift guide is sure to be a perfect present–especially if you get the beef jerky box.
Shop: People’s Choice Beef Jerky Gifts