Skip to main content

Camping

About

Spending the evening under the open sky (or below the roof of your tent) is one of the greatest joys of any outdoorsman. But you don’t have to be rugged to camp in comfort and enjoy time away from home. For all the best gear and advice on camping, The Manual has you covered.

Rear view of SylvanSport's GO All-Terrain Camper Trailer being towed by a Jeep.

SylvanSport’s multifunction GO camper trailer gets an off-grid makeover for tackling the toughest terrain

SylvanSport's GO All-Terrain (GOAT) is a versatile, jack-of-all-trades adventure trailer for camping, gear-hauling, and serious backcountry exploration.
Bowlus Rivet travel trailer being towed by an SUV through a grassy field.

Bowlus debuts the all-new 2025 Rivet travel trailer, and it’s a retro-modern stunner

Couple camping with the new 2023 Escapod TOPO2 Teardrop Trailer.

REI camp kitchen sale: Up to 55% off stoves, cookware, and more

A clove hitch tied to a fixed point

Learn to tie the clove hitch for when you need a secure, adjustable knot

A person holding a Hydro Flask.

How to clean your hydro flask for tang-free hydration

Leatherman signal fishing

These are the best multi tools you need to have in your EDC kit, hands down

AeroPress

The AeroPress portable coffee maker makes a great cup of coffee anywhere, anytime

Rear corner view of the Tufport Overlander truck camper concept.

This popular truck camper shell maker is debuting its first fully furnished overlander camper

Young man checks water filter alongside river

Stay hydrated on the go with our bulletproof water purification tips

Total Eclipse

RVing to check out April’s solar eclipse? Check out one of these top camping sites for the best views

Various iPhones on a table.

Forget rice: This is how to actually fix a wet iPhone, according to Apple

Moterra Campervan rental parked in a Utah National Park campsite.

This van life camper van sleeps 8, goes everywhere, and you can rent it for less than a hotel would cost

Two men with a Yeti cooler and a dog

How to pack a cooler for camping (or any outdoor trip away from home)

Packing a cooler for camping comes down to keeping the food as cold as possible. Use ice packs, additional insulation, and freeze the food before packing.
A couple car camping

The best luxury camp gear to elevate your outdoor experience

You already know the camping essentials you absolutely need. We’ve rounded up the premium gadgets that elevate your camping experience above the ordinary.
Bear running through the water

How to survive a bear attack: Brown, black, and polar bears

Bear attacks are uncommon, but knowing what to do in the event of one is part of being a skilled outdoorsman in the backcountry.
Young man using a portable water filter near a backcountry stream.

Hydrate safely with the best portable water filters

A durable, compact, simple, and reliable water filter is indispensable. There are plenty of great ones on the market today, and we’ve rounded up the best.
Sitting on an air mattress while camping

Sleep like a baby on one of the best air mattresses for camping (or for wherever you need it)

We’ve found the best air mattresses for camping, from full-sized, double-height air mattresses to little ones made just for the smaller ones.
Man pouring liquor from a flask

Take your favorite tipple from town to trail with the best camping flasks

From stainless steel to plastic and packable, the best camping flasks let you unload the weight and keep drinks flowing on the trail. Here are our top picks.
Skier at Vail in a puffy jacket

Obermeyer vs Helly Hansen: Which puffy jacket is right for you?

When you’re in the market for a new puffy jacket, Obermeyer and Helly Hansen offer two solid options.
Hyundai Staria Lounge Camper parked in a field.

We really wish these compact, Korea-exclusive RVs and campervans were available stateside

Korea knows what's up when it comes to minimalist RVs and campervans, like these three ultra-compact campers we really wish were available stateside.
Someone wearing an Apple Watch Ultra 2, showing the Modular Ultra watch face.

The 5 best Apple Watch bands for outdoorsmen

If you're an outdoorsy person, normal Apple Watch bands might not cut it. Here are our top picks for Apple Watch bands that can take on your biggest adventure.
Luxury vanlife build using Garnica lightweight poplar wood paneling.

We love this handsome van-life wood paneling, and it’s sustainable too

Few material choices can impact the look and feel of your van as good wood for your interior. So why not invest in something you love?
Sportcaravan Cube 1 Microcarvan Travel Trailer isolated on a studio background.

This tiny caravan uses one smart feature to almost double its space when parked

The pint-sized Cube 1 caravan's clever design feature is, as far as we know, entirely unique in the world of compact, lightweight travel trailers.
Man fishing in a river

There’s a new (old) fishing spot in Oregon as a river flows again for the first time in a century

The removal of dams from the Klamath River promises to enhance fishing opportunities and restore wildlife to its natural glory.
ac future expandable luxury rv concept eth camper expanded

This expandable luxury RV concept previews the future of off-grid living, and it’s amazing

AC Future's expandable eTH concept RV hints at a future where "ordinary" campervans can expand to two-bedroom luxury apartments at the push of a button.
A man hiking in Yosemite

How being stinky when hiking in the deep woods might actually save your life

When lost in the great outdoors, the unique scent produced by your body can play a crucial role in your rescue. Stinky is safe!
Skier at Banff Sunshine Village

For skiing, snowboarding, and other dangerous activities, this is the only phone case we’ll use

When you're a skier, snowboarder, or adventurer, you need a robust phone case. Here's why the CLCKR G-Form Carbon case is our pick.
Winnebago Ekko Sprinter Campervan parked on a sandy ridge.

Winnebago reveals the Ekko Sprinter, a camper van with more off-roading capability than ever

Winnebago's Ekko line gets an all-new flagship model: A Sprinter Van-based camper van that's ready to take you (and your four closest friends) anywhere.
Pocket Tripod

This $35 accessory is my secret weapon to great travel photography – and it fits in my wallet

If you are a seasoned traveler, you need this incredible phone stand for your travel photography.
A Bean Stock 2.0 ultralight travel trailer being towed down a wooded trail by a new Ford Bronco.

This $16K teardrop trailer is trail-ready and light enough to be towed by a Subaru Forester

Many teardrop trailers require heavier vehicles to tow them, but the new Bean trailer is towable by most midsize and compact SUVs and crossovers.
Young couple stepping into mountain stream with Westfalia Wave van in the background.

Westfalia just dropped a new camper — its first in over 20 years — that is perfect for van life

Westfalia is back with the Wave, a new van life vehicle and the company's first in over 20 years.
Winter road

Good investment or an elitist ripoff: Is expensive winter outdoor gear worth the money?

Want to know the truth about buying expensive outdoor gear? Well, I've used everything, from bargain-bucket to big brands, and here's what I've found.

Stanley cup alternatives: The best water bottles you can get

Check out our picks for the best water bottles to help you to stay hydrated while hiking, working out, and more.
Jackery's solar rooftop tent concept with a portable power bank, isolated on a plain background.

Jackery just revealed the coolest rooftop tent we’ve ever seen (Hint: It’s electric!)

Jackery's latest rooftop tent doubles as a huge solar panel, which adds a new dimension for long-term EV car camping and overlanding.
a view between a valley in Yosemite national park during February

This clever hack bypasses Yosemite’s complicated new reservation system

Yosemite National Park has a complicated new reservation system a lot of people are complaining about - but we've got a workaround
Two fighter planes, one yellow one black, sit facing an aircraft hangar.

Wineries, golf courses, museums, and more: Here are 12 of the best campground alternatives for RVs

Take a break from campsites and spend the night somewhere unique with some of the best RV campground alternatives out there.

Take a break at one of these U.S. National Parks this winter

Winter provides the most beautiful, peaceful, and picturesque landscapes at some of the most popular U.S. National Parks.
Happier camper exterior cliff feature

Road trip tips: Travel with one of the best ultralight travel trailers

The best travel trailers can take a mobile campsite anywhere you want to go. Here's a list of the top lightweight options for all your adventures.
Campfire in the winter.

This camping hack is a game-changer when it gets cold quickly

When the temperature drops quickly when you're camping, this easy hack gets your fire going quickly
Lightship L1 all-electric RV/travel trailer being towed by a pickup truck.

Lightship’s all-new L1 is a sleek, telescoping RV that looks and feels ready for space travel

Lightship's all-new L1 RV has the form factor of a traditional pop-up camper, but the sleek telescoping design is all hard-sided.
Hand holding a leech

How to safely remove a leech (or avoid them altogether)

Leeches love to latch onto a passing hiker, so learn what to do to avoid becoming a host, and how to remove a leech if you do get sucked.
Taking a break from hiking to drink some water from an insulated water bottle

Up your hydration game with one of the best insulated water bottles from CamelBak, Yeti, and more

Whether you're hiking, backpacking, heading to the gym, or just in the office, stay hydrated with these insulated water bottles.

Dispersed camping is your way to camp for free throughout the U.S. (seriously)

One-quarter of all U.S. land is federally owned and free for dispersed camping. Here's how and where to find your next dispersed campsite safely and legally.
A smoldering campfire heating up an iron pot in the dusk

Think you know the best campfire wood? These 7 wood options might have you thinking twice

Different firewood is good for different campfire needs. This is what you should know.
An RV driving through the mountains

What RV is right for me? Every type you can get (and which one you should)

From camper vans to motorhomes, there are a variety of RV options. This is what you need to know.
Toyota Tacoma with a Tune Outdoor M1 truck camper canopy parked in a field at sunset.

This hyper-lightweight truck camper canopy turns (almost) any pickup into a great overland vehicle

Tune Outdoor now offers M1, a lightweight truck camper canopy that's sleek, durable, minimalist, and designed to fit all of the most popular pickups.
Man relaxing alone under a MoonShade Portable Vehicle Awning while overlanding.

Everything you need to have an overland adventure with the vehicle you (probably) already have

To kickstart your journey, we’ve gathered the best, most essential overlanding gear we’ve field tested and personally recommend.
Emerson TKF-1

When you need the very best EDC knife, these 8 knives make the cut – The James Brand, 5.11 Tactical, and more

The best EDC knives come in all shapes, styles, and sizes, but these top-of-the-line blades are our favorite go-to picks.
The North Face Nuptse Jacket on a plain background

This is the North Face jacket I’d buy this winter (if I had to pick just one)

The North Face has plenty of great jackets and outerwear for winter — this is the best.
Man standing atop a conversion van looking out at Big Sur, California.

The truth about van life: 5 realities of living in a camper van no one talks about

We've all dreamed of completing a camper van conversion, hitting the open road, and leaving everything behind. But van life isn't for everyone.

Snowsports

Hiking

Snowboarding

Backpacking