While we go camping to spend time away from home comforts and reconnect with nature in the great outdoors, having a table makes the whole experience much more of a pleasure. No one likes trying to eat on the floor, balancing a metal plate on their lap. Sitting around a table to eat, drink and play games will bring your whole party together and make for a more successful trip.
A good camping table needs to fold up and be portable, of course. While it’s never going to be as solid as your dining table at home, it’s only worth taking if it’s stable and easy to put up and fold away. Here are some of our favorites.
ALPS Mountaineering Camp Table
Hits the spot between weight and stability
The fact this table is made from aluminum means you could cook on the foldable top making it ideal for tailgating and barbecues as well as camping. It feels much sturdier than you’d expect given it only weighs 6lb. Once you’re ready to go home, the frame and top fold down to fit in the provided carry bag.
Trekology Portable Camping Side Tables
Knee-high and very handy
A good camping table doesn’t have to be full-sized to be incredibly useful. If you’re traveling light this aluminum folding table will get your gear off the ground and act as an essential platform to prepare a meal or make a hot drink on. It’s made to last from aerospace-quality alloy but folds up small to fit in the included carrying bag and can be set up in a minute.
REDCAMP Aluminum Folding Table
Great for eating out
You can fix this table at two heights, either 22” or 27” which makes it more versatile for camping. Easy to set up in 30 seconds and lock into place for extra stability with adjustable legs so you can get it level. The table is made with a sturdy aluminum frame and also comes with four S hooks to hang bags and items on. There are five sizes to choose from.
ALPS Mountaineering Eclipse Table
Anyone for checkers?
Truly portable, this collapsible table is made from strong fabric that is pulled taut with straps when you set it up. It has two levels, with built-in cup holders on the bottom keeping the top surface clear to make use of the checkerboard. There’s even a side pocket to store the included game pieces in. You can use the top for anything that doesn’t need a solid surface though and it folds down like a camping chair.
Bottom line
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Sometimes when you are camping or at an event outdoors, you just need a table. It could be to cook and prepare food on or make a cup of coffee without the cups falling over on uneven ground. When that moment comes, you’ll be glad you packed a camping table like one of these. We would most like to see the ALPS Mountaineering Camp Table in the back of our car on a camping trip. It’s light but stable and the aluminum top means you use it as a stage to cook on.
For an even more lightweight approach when you just need a surface off the ground, the Trekology Portable Camping Side Table packs so compactly you won’t notice it until you use it to make a hot drink or to play cards on. It provides just enough table to be really useful.
