Did you know Target has an entire aisle filled with camping gear? Who knew Target camping gear was a thing? I sure didn’t!

Indoorsy person that I am I usually spend my time in Target perusing the clothing, accessories, holiday aisles and personal care products. As far as I’m concerned you can never have enough lotions and potions, but that’s for another post.

One of the biggest hurdles for Catherine at I to start camping was the sheer cost of camping. One trip to REI and we were in complete sticker shock. In order to fund our first camping trip we were going to have to fork over hundreds of dollars and that was just so we could get a sleeping bag and a tent! That’s money we could have easily spent on a lovely hotel room in San Diego so we could spend our weekend poolside.

Luckily we figured out another way for our first camping trip. We were able to pick up a couple sleeping bags, a friend loaned us her tent and we even rented a camp stove and sleeping pads. All in our first camping trip was still kinda pricey, but it could have been WAY worse.

It wasn’t until I started Googling camping equipment that I put two and two together. Beside the workout videos, free weights and luggage Target has an entire section filled with camping and outdoor gear.

Being a HUGE fan of the place this got me VERY excited, so much so that I had to share a list of the many pieces of  Target camping equipment you can pick up on your next visit.

Tents at Target

For me a tent is a necessary piece of camping equipment. Some might enjoy sleeping under the stars, but I’m a fan of having a little nook to hunker down that will potentially keep me a little warmer and much dryer should the need arise. Target has a fairly large selection of tents in store as well as online.

They carry tents for 1-9 people and range in price from around $30-$200.  I will say that when we bought our tent we were reminded that if you want to keep your stuff inside think of it as another person. A two person tent pretty much only holds two people….but adding in your stuff makes it pretty tight. We ended up going with a three person tent. This allows us to keep our backpacks inside without making us feel too crowded.

While I haven’t bought a Coleman tent myself, from looking at Target’s stock it seems like this Coleman Flatwoods II 4 Person Tent is a real winner. It has 91 reviews and 4.5 stars, not too shabby.

Sleeping Bags & Camp Bedding at Target

Whether you go for a classic rectangular bag like this Coleman Bannack 50 Degree Sleeping Bag or a mummy style bag like this Coleman Silverton 25 Degree Mummy Sleeping Bag a sleeping bag is a must when it comes to camping.

A few things to remember when you’re purchasing a sleeping bag. You want the bag to fit fairly snug. I know it seems like you want lots of extra space around you, but those empty spaces will just fill with cold air and make you cold. If you end up with a bag that’s a little too long you can always put some extra clothes at the bottom to fill up the space and help keep you warmer.

If you’re planning on car camping and weight isn’t an issue you can also pick up a sleeping pad or air mattress to make your nights a little more comfortable. For me the sleeping pad is the most important piece of equipment we own. There’s nothing worse than getting a bad nights sleep.

The Target camping gear aisle or online shop as a wide range of sleeping pads and air mattresses. Whether you decide on a single, double, or queen remember to think about overall weight (especially if you’re backpacking), insulation and pump method. Some air mattresses self inflate, some require a powered pump and others you blow up the old fashioned way.

Camp Furniture at Target

Our second trip to Joshua Tree I made the mistake of forgetting to put our camp chairs in the car. It was a REAL bummer. We still managed to sit by the fire and roast marshmallows, but we were sitting on a blanket on the ground which is not nearly as comfortable as a chair.

Rather than buy new chairs we opted to use our beach chairs, which means we sit a little closer to the ground, but it does the trick. I we were to buy new camp chairs we would spring for something like this Deluxe Red Captain Chair with Carrying Case by Embark. With comfy arm rests, a cup holder (a must), and a carrying case it stores away quickly and easily.

Camp Stoves & Grills at Target

You could cook all your camp meals over a fire, but if you’re indoorsy like me you might feel a little more comfortable with a gas burner stove. On our first campout in Death Valley National Park we rented one of these Coleman Classic 2-Burner Portable Propane Stoves. It took us a few tries to get the propane tank attached at first, but now we’re pros at it. We used it to heat our dinner, boil water for coffee and hot chocolate and to cook up a mean breakfast. If you’re cooking for a crowd…or even just a pair you might want to consider picking one up.

My other favorite purchase from the Target camping equipment aisle are these Coleman Extendable Cooking Forks. They’re perfect for roasting marshmallows, cooking hot dogs and sausages, or you might even be able to get away with toasting some bread using one. I love that they extend in length so they can be packed away easily and the wooden handle doesn’t heat up so you can toast as many marshmallows as you like.

Lights & Lanterns at Target

One lighting option that I love and sometimes hate is the headlamp. They’re great for reading while you lay in your tent, but wear one on your way to the bathroom at night and the bugs will be attracted to your head. Not exactly where I want bugs flying toward. Either way I’ve really enjoyed having a headlamp and would recommend picking one up if you have a chance.

The other light you might also want to eventually add to your camping kit is a lantern or a flashlight. Regardless of which type of light source you choose I’d recommend getting a rechargable version. We have a rechargable lantern and it’s great. We plug it in and charge it on our way to our campsite and it’s ready for the weekend.

More Target camping equipment you can find online and in store:

Of course there’s plenty of other gear you can buy at Target. Each season you might want to add one or two more items to your kit and eventually you might have everything you want. Here’s a list of other items you might want to check out from the Target camping equipment aisle.

• Coolers
• Camping Hammocks
• Backpacks
• First Aid Kits & Essentials
• Camp Cookware & Tools
• Electronics & Navigation

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