12 Walmart Camping Products Under $30 That Are Worth It

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 Having spent over 30 years as an outdoor writer, guide, and expedition leader, I have certainly bought my fair share of camping and outdoor gear at Walmart. While I don't get all of my gear there, I've found there are a number of Walmart camping products under $30 that far outperform their price point.

While the largest retailer in the U.S. may not necessarily be known for camping gear, Walmart actually carries an extensive array of products for campers both online and in-store. In fact, Walmart even has its own outdoor brand, Ozark Trail. The Ozark Trail lineup has a pretty comprehensive collection of camping products, ranging from inexpensive bamboo skewers to massive, multi-person tents. 

Not all the camping gear available through Walmart is from Ozark Trail. You can also find a number of popular outdoor brands that one would usually associate with camping specialty stores – sometimes at a lower cost. It's true, neither Ozark Trail or brands like Coleman are considered top-tier quality in the camping world. But you'd be remiss not to include Walmart among your shopping stops when purchasing camping supplies. This is particularly true if you are a first-time camper looking to load up with all the necessary gear, or simply want some affordable basics.

Sleeping bags are among the most core camping items. A good sleeping bag is even a must-have for summer camping trips. At less than $15, Walmart's Ozark Trail 50 Degree Sleeping Bag can definitely be worth it, especially for light use. This lightweight, warm-weather bag gets high marks for comfort, durability, and portability among reviewers on the Walmart site. Weighing under 3 pounds, it is also a great choice when hiking to remote campsites. Some buyers report issues with the zippers, but occasional quality blips are to be expected at this price point. 

Anyone who has ever spent a night outdoors knows the value of good lighting. I've found that lightweight, packable, battery-operated LED lanterns are ideal for providing ambient light, as they're cool to the touch, don't require extra fuel, and aren't a fire hazard. The Ozark Trail 1500 lumen LED Lantern has a run time of up to 275 hours, is water-resistant, and costs less than $15. Reviewers are impressed with the brightness and long battery life, and many like how lightweight and easy the lantern is to carry around.

At under $25, the Ozark Trail 3-Person Clip & Camp Dome Tent is an affordable option if you're in need of a small tent. Since it weighs just over 5 pounds and takes up relatively little space when folded, it's ideal for backpacking into primitive campsites. It is also a good option for RV campers who need a little extra space to store gear on extended camping trips. Most reviewers give it high marks for being easy to set up and take down, and many praise the shoe storage area and cellphone cord slot.

If you want a little twinkle to go with your practical camp lighting needs, the Ozark Trail 2-in-1 Camping Light, which combines a 600-lumen lantern and 32.5 feet of string lights, is well worth the money. This rechargeable light unit, which retails for under $19, can be used in a variety of ways. Both the lantern and string lights can be turned on together or separately. You can also adjust the brightness, and the string lights actually retract into the lantern for easy storage. The unit comes with built-in magnets, as well as hanging hooks.

Cold hands are a common issue when camping during cooler months. However, this goes beyond discomfort. Cold, numb fingers can make routine camping tasks difficult or dangerous. They can also be one of the first signs of frostbite. Hand warmers like the Ozark Trail Rechargeable and Portable 3-Temperature Hand Warmer can keep you both safe and comfortable. A two-pack of these adjustable hand warmers runs about $20. When fully charged, the hand warmer will emit heat for up to 8 hours. It is easily recharged with a USB cord and can also be used as a power bank.

Although you may have more convenient ways to light your campfire, a fire starter is one of the essentials you need in case of emergency. If things go awry, a durable, reliable fire starter can be priceless. So, while it may not be what you regularly use to start campfires, at under $8, it's probably worth including the Ozark Trail Flint and Steel Fire Starter in your emergency supply kit. I actually have one in each of my packs. Despite its small size, it gets high marks from many reviewers for its sparking performance and price.

Hammocks can make any campsite more functional and comfortable. I have one with me every time I'm hiking or camping. There's also a growing trend toward hammock camping, where campers eschew traditional tents and utilize hammocks as their shelter, sleeping quarters, and camp chair. At $25, Walmart's BN-Link Camping Hammock is an affordable, functional choice for relaxing around your tent or RV campsite. However, given that it weighs less than 2 pounds, it is also ideal for backpacking and hammock camping. Despite its lightweight design, the BN-Link Camping Hammock is rated to hold over 400 pounds.

Just about everyone who camps, whether they sleep in a hammock, tent, or RV, relishes having hot coffee in the morning. If you're a coffee-craving camper, the Ozark Trail 12-Cup Stainless Steel Camping Percolator is well worth its $29 price tag — far cheaper than similar models from brands like Coleman. Reviewers say it's easy to clean, makes good coffee, and many like that the carafe can be used for other purposes, such as making hot cocoa, soup, or boiling dishwater. It can be heated over a campfire, cookstove, or RV cooktop.

Clear plastic storage tubs are essential items for keeping your campsite tidy. The Sterilite Gasket Box goes a step further than the average plastic storage container, however, thanks to its watertight lid. The lid gasket and latches not only render the container waterproof, but dustproof as well. That makes these containers ideal for storing everything from kitchen supplies to camp clothes. Four sizes, 19-, 34-, 54-, and 80-quart, are available at Walmart, allowing campers to customize their storage needs. The two larger size boxes cost less than $15 each, while the smaller boxes are both under $10.

Cooking over an open campfire is an idyllic experience for many campers. However, it's not always possible. I've found that having a small stove is a great option for times when you need to cook without a campfire. Costing just under $25, the Olympia Portable Butane Stove has a quick ignition system, and reviewers say it's highly portable, easy to use, and boils water relatively fast. Given that it weighs less than 4 pounds and comes in a hard-plastic carrying case, this small cook stove can be easily stowed until it's needed.

A good cooler is vital for storing food correctly while camping. Given the proliferation of rotomolded cooler designs, it can also be a significant investment, with many popular ice chests costing well over $100. That makes the Igloo 48-quart Laguna Ice Chest Cooler – with a 4.5-star rating from over 10,000 buyers and a $28 price tag– pretty attractive. Reviewers praise the Igloo Laguna not just for value, but also for being lightweight, easy to carry, and sturdy. While it mightn't keep ice frozen for a week, I've found it's ideal for shorter camping trips.

A flashlight is among the absolute essentials every camper needs to have. Coming in under $11, the Ozark Trail Floating LED Lantern Flashlight is an affordable option for either a primary or backup light. The floating design makes it easy to retrieve should it fall into a river or lake, and suggests that this flashlight should be suitable for foul weather operation. While it doesn't come with extra features, this basic flashlight can run on either 16V or AA batteries, and reviewers praise the light, 0.97-pound weight, and brightness.