While tables aren’t what most people think of first when they think of critical camping gear, the best camping tables are a must-have if you’re interested in cooking high-quality meals in the backcountry. You can make field snacks, set up lunches, and prepare top-notch meals easily.
That said, a quality camping table can do so much more. Camping tables are also useful for card games, reading or journaling, getting work done, and organizing and prepping gear for your next adventure. Let’s dive in and discover some of the best camping tables, and learn more about how to choose the best one for you.
To choose the best camping table, you have to think about a variety of factors, from your campsite topography to the number of people you plan on serving to the meals you’d like to prepare with your table. Here are some general questions to think about before you buy your first outdoor camping table.
- How many people are you expecting?
Just like the number of guests will impact the number of groceries you need to buy, it’ll impact the table size you need as well. If you’re typically heading off with just a single partner, a smaller table will probably do the job. If you’re going camping with a group of friends or bringing your entire family, then you’ll need a bigger table, both to prepare larger quantities of food and to seat everyone when it’s time to dig in.
- How will you use the table?
You need to consider what you need the table for, as well. For example, some foldable tables have a small sink attached underneath them which can aid in cooking more complex meals and cleaning dishes. The best portable camping tables, meanwhile, are focused on being lightweight and packable, and so they’re more suitable for snacking, card games, and basic meal prep.
- What style of table will be most suitable for your camp?
Finally, you need to consider your usual campsites and choose a table that suits them. For example, the best camping tables for a family may need to be able to accommodate more weight and provide eating and seating space for up to three, four, or more people, which more lightweight tables may not be able to adequately provide.
Meanwhile, the best lightweight camping tables are very handy for longer trips where you may have to hike a bit from the car, or for remote, rugged campsites where there isn’t an abundance of level ground to set up or support a table to set up a table. Of course, in these settings, you need to be sure you’re buying a table that is stable, which can easily stand without extra support.
To choose the best camping table, you have to think about a variety of factors, from your campsite topography to the number of people you plan on serving to the meals you’d like to prepare with your table. Here are some general questions to think about before you buy your first outdoor camping table.
- How many people are you expecting?
Just like the number of guests will impact the number of groceries you need to buy, it’ll impact the table size you need as well. If you’re typically heading off with just a single partner, a smaller table will probably do the job. If you’re going camping with a group of friends or bringing your entire family, then you’ll need a bigger table, both to prepare larger quantities of food and to seat everyone when it’s time to dig in.
- How will you use the table?
You need to consider what you need the table for, as well. For example, some foldable tables have a small sink attached underneath them which can aid in cooking more complex meals and cleaning dishes. The best portable camping tables, meanwhile, are focused on being lightweight and packable, and so they’re more suitable for snacking, card games, and basic meal prep.
- What style of table will be most suitable for your camp?
Finally, you need to consider your usual campsites and choose a table that suits them. For example, the best camping tables for a family may need to be able to accommodate more weight and provide eating and seating space for up to three, four, or more people, which more lightweight tables may not be able to adequately provide.
Meanwhile, the best lightweight camping tables are very handy for longer trips where you may have to hike a bit from the car, or for remote, rugged campsites where there isn’t an abundance of level ground to set up or support a table to set up a table. Of course, in these settings, you need to be sure you’re buying a table that is stable, which can easily stand without extra support.