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Camping doesn’t (always) have to be all about roughing it. For some, small luxuries like pour-over coffee or a more comfortable sleeping setup can make a weekend in the wilderness more enjoyable.
After all, the real secret for a great time in the great outdoors is to be realistic about what creature comforts you need to be happy living outside overnight, or even for days on end. This is even more true if you’re toting kids along who, let’s face it, can only sit by the fire with no toys or technology for so many nights.
These 11 fun luxuries will bring a little glamping to your next camping trip—and maybe get you outside more often.
1. An air mattress
Nothing is more important than a good night’s sleep. While some might say sleeping on the ground is half the fun, swapping a flimsy foam mat for an air mattress can add some serious comfort.
Just make sure you check the temperature rating for the mattress you opt to bring—if you camp in cooler temps or at altitude, make sure you get an air mattress with some insulation to keep you warm at night.
Try it:
Stoic Single Cloud Camp Bed
HEST Sleep System Sleeping Pad
2. A gourmet coffee setup
A freshly brewed cup of joe hits different in the crisp morning air of the mountains. And while you can get by with a basic brew, there’s something especially lush about a carefully crafted cup. Grind fresh beans with a travel grinder, bring out the body of the brew with an Aeropress or set up a full on coffee shop on your tailgate with a travel pour-over set.
Try it:
AeroPress Go Travel Coffee Press
Stanley Pour Over Set
3. More comfortable seating
A camp chair is one of the basic necessities you almost always bring with you camping—but don’t undervalue the difference that upgrading this creature comfort can have.
From inflatable couches to well-designed love seats you can share with your sweetie, bringing a next-level comfortable place to sit is a small luxury that goes far after a long day of hiking.
Try it:
Kelty Low-Love Seat Camping Chair
Chillbo Shwaggins Inflatable Couch
4. String lights
Battery-powered string lights not only set a real vibe around camp, but they’re also useful in helping you navigate around without having to turn on your headlamp. Wrap them around a tree branch, string them up inside or outside your tent or lace them around your car’s tailgate or roof racks.
Try it:
5. A solar shower
Sometimes, a fresh-water dip in the river or lake when you’ve been playing in the dirt is all you need to feel revived. But a proper hot shower can make an even bigger impact for some, which is why a solar shower that uses the sun’s rays to heat the water could be worth the investment.
Try it:
6. A folding side table
Bringing along a side table is a small luxury that’ll make lounge time double the fun—or possibly half as frustrating, if you’re forever kicking over your drink.
Opt for a collapsible camping table for easy car packing. Use it for playing cards, keeping your dinner plate off the ground or (yes) resting drinks on.
Try it:
7. A portable fire pit
There’s nothing better or more necessary than a warm fire on a cold night. But preparing a spot for a fire takes time, and if you’re camping on BLM land or designated dispersed camping areas, you’ll have to bring your own fire pit for a safe, contained flame.
Collapsible fire pits are ideal for car camping as they fold down for easy transport—just make sure yours has a fire blanket or heat shield underneath to not damage the ground in true Leave No Trace fashion.
Try it:
Fireside Outdoor Pop-Up Fire Pit
8. Marshmallow roasting sticks
Desert or beach campers know the pain of trying to find a decent marshmallow roasting stick in the land of few trees.
Bringing your own extendable roasting sticks makes it a cinch to toast s’mores even when the fire is burning too hot for you to get close. They work great for hot dogs, too!
Try it:
MalloMe Marshmallow Roasting Sticks
9. A hammock
Camping is all about relaxing and settling into nature—and nothing puts you in this headspace better than a weightless, airy nap between two trees. Camping hammocks can save your comfort on hot, summer camping trips, and give the kids a little added fun at the campsite—just don’t forget to also buy some hammock straps for setup.
Try it:
Kammok Roo Double Recycled Hammock
10. A movie projector
Everyone loves an outdoor movie night—even more so on a week-long camping trip when the kids start to get restless from sitting by the fire.
Just hang a white sheet on the side of a truck, between two trees or against a campsite’s bathroom building, and put on their favorite flick.
Try it:
Anker NEBULA Capsule Mini Projector
11. Portable Pizza Oven
When you get tired of easy-roasted hot dogs and dehydrated meals, you can start up the pizza party with this luxe appliance.
Portable pizza ovens typically run on wood or charcoal, which you’ll likely already have at the campsite, and make it easy to have a little gourmet party as you eat by the fire.
