Awesome Costco Items That Will Improve Your Camping Experience

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You could spend hours browsing Costco's aisles, discovering everything from freshly baked croissants to advanced gaming computers. If you would rather be in nature than under the bright lights of a superstore, however, this guide will help you get in and out of Costco in no time with a cart full of top-notch products to improve your next camping experience. Rather than wasting time trying to pitch that decade-old tent, it's worth investing in high-quality gear so you can be present in the moment. With tree branches swaying around you and birds chirping early in the morning, you'll be grateful you had the foresight to stay comfortable and safe in the great outdoors.

As a frequent backpacker who camps in deserts and forests, I have curated this list based on my experience and critical review of each product. When necessary, I have read customer feedback to ensure that all the right boxes are ticked. Nevertheless, it is crucial to test each item before embarking on a camping expedition to ensure there are no faults or incongruities with your needs. Finally, note that some Costco items are only available online, while others can be found in stores. Availability and price may vary from store to store, but I opted for online prices as a middle ground. More notes on my methodology can be found at the end of this article.

The perfect tent for your camping trip depends on the number of people in your party, preferred sleeping arrangements, terrain, and weather conditions. Dome tents, for instance, are ideal for windy and rocky environments, but because of their circular bases, you might have to play Tetris to fit everyone inside. Meanwhile, tunnel tents help maximize the sleeping space, but they don't hold up as well in strenuous environments. Some cabin tents even have dividers to provide moderate privacy, although these cannot block your campmate's thunderous snoring.

For large families, I recommend purchasing the CORE 6-person Lighted Dome Tent, selling for $119.99 on Costco's website. As far as tents go, this is a relatively affordable option that is perfect for beginners. Its built-in LED lighting is convenient for finding your headphones or reading a book at night. Weighing in at 18 pounds, the tent is best for car camping rather than backpacking. Although dome tents are typically great choices for variable weather, reviews are mixed regarding how well they withstand rainy and windy conditions.

The lighted dome tent sleeps six, but it is better suited to three people if you plan to store gear and personal items in it. You can even swap out your sleeping bags for up to two queen-sized air mattresses. If you are camping with a smaller group, you might alternatively opt for the CORE 4-piece Camp Combo, which Costco offers in a package deal alongside two chairs and a table for $209.99.

Backpackers often leave lanterns at home to save space and reduce weight in their packs. However, if you are camping, a lantern will come in handy for illuminating a picnic table, the path to the bathroom, and your tent once the sun goes down. I suggest purchasing a rechargeable lantern to avoid scrounging around for new batteries. The 3000 L Tri Power Rechargeable Duracell Lantern, which sells for $39.99 on Costco's website, is a perfect choice. This powerful and multifunctional lantern can be recharged with USB, solar energy, or an old-fashioned alkaline battery. In addition to being rechargeable, it has induction charging capabilities for powering mobile phones.

I would not recommend this lantern if its lighting performance does not match its charging capabilities. It has five beam settings: High, medium, eco-mode, dimming, and red flasher. One of the drawbacks to this lantern is the absence of a steady, red-light mode, which many folks prefer for seeing at night. With a maximum power of 3,000 lumens, though, the lantern provides more than enough light to illuminate your space. Indeed, if you are setting up camp in close quarters to others, or want to limit light pollution, do not use this lantern on max power often — that's an unspoken camping rule of which to be mindful.

If you have ever hid from the sun under the hatch of your car, you will find a vehicle awning convenient when camping in exposed environments. You might even want one when day-camping in a large field at a music festival. A vehicle awning can also provide a haven of shade for your retreatment while flipping burgers at the grill. Not just for sun protection, these tools make sleeping in your car more comfortable and can protect you from the elements if a storm arises suddenly. Luckily, Costco can meet your needs with the Napier Sportz Cove SUV Awning, which goes for $99.99 on the superstore's website.

According to Napier, you only need five minutes to set up this awning, expediting your escape from the elements. This awning also features a mesh door, which is convenient if you want to lie in your car without bugs invading your space. While you relax, the mesh will help maximize air ventilation throughout your vehicle. Furthermore, a storm flap is included that can be quickly set up to protect you from rain and wind. Check your vehicle's compatibility before purchasing; this awning is designed to attach to small and full-sized CUVs and SUVs.

During warm, dry weather, I love sleeping in a hammock. They are easy to set up (provided there are trees) and much lighter in weight than tents. Plus, hammocks are breathable and do not trap hot, humid air like tents often do. Of course, the stargazing is incredible, too. Sleeping in a hammock is not for everyone — many folks find that the walls of a tent provide an extra layer of reassurance in areas where bears and other critters roam free. Still, even these people might like to have a hammock on hand so they can gently swing on it during the day.

For your next camping trip, I recommend packing the Cascade Oasis 2-person Travel Hammock, which sells on Costco's website for $31.99. This hammock is made of nylon, fits up to two people, and comes with a storage bag attached. Its straps can be adjusted, depending on the space between trees. You will not have to worry about the nylon fabric holding your weight well, due to the strong aluminum carabiners securing the hammock on each end. In fact, the weight capacity of this hammock is 400 pounds. Notably, many folks find that sleeping in a hammock of this size is more comfortable if you fall on the shorter end of the spectrum. Lying at a diagonal angle can also help maximize your level of comfort.

YETI coolers may be trendy, but I am nevertheless a long-standing fan of IGLOO coolers, which have always served me well on camping trips, road trips, and days at the beach. When it comes to car camping, I recommend investing in a cooler with wheels. Such coolers are especially convenient when you must walk a considerable distance between your car and the campsite, or when you need to haul it over to the grill on the other side of the clearing. Rolling coolers are also practical when you leave the campsite for an outing, such as a trip to the campground's pool.

Costco carries two versions of my favorite cooler: the Igloo MaxCold Latitude 62-quart Roller Cooler and the Igloo MaxCold Latitude 90-quart Roller Cooler. The former retails for $59.99, and the latter goes for $99.99 on the seller's website. Both products feature sturdy handles and wheels that can traverse coarse surfaces, such as grassy fields or gravel parking lots. To help you visualize each cooler's carrying capacity, they can fit 98 and 137 cans, respectively. That means there is plenty of space for packing eggs, cheese, milk, and other items that are at risk of spoiling when left unrefrigerated. By the way, check out this list of simple camping breakfasts for inspiration.

Costco also carries a Titan 26-can Backpack Cooler, selling for $49.99. This product can be useful for day hikes when you plan to have a picnic lunch on top of a mountain or want to enjoy a refreshing beer before returning to your campsite. With multiple compartments, you can store personal items like a camera and extra layers of clothing in this bag as well.

Calling all campfire chefs and gourmet grill masters: Costco offers a 5-Lbs. Steel Propane Cylinder with OPD Valve & Built-in Gauge for $59.99 online. It's true that this product is not something you would want to take on a backpacking trip that lasts only a few nights. However, it is perfectly acceptable for a car camping trip or even a week-long backpacking trip away from society. A propane tank can be an essential item for an off-grid getaway, and you'll find that it makes life much easier when camping with a large family or group of friends. Long road trips also call for a propane tank like this one to reduce the number of times you will have to stop to refill fuel.

I especially like this Flame King cylinder because it tells you how much gas is left in the tank, rather than making you guess. However, you should note that this product is sold as an empty cylinder and that you will need to purchase gas separately. If you are used to cooking with small cylinders, this can be a learning curve (refilling small cylinders is generally considered dangerous and is discouraged). Thankfully, experts at places like U-Haul and ACE Hardware will do the job for you when you come in with a large cylinder like this one.

Now that we've discussed your source of propane, it's time to invest in a grill. Even for vegetarians, a portable grill is a worthwhile investment, as it can produce excellent roasted vegetables, plant-based burgers, pizzas, and roasted fruits. You have many options when it comes to the type, size, and brand of grill you bring on your next camping trip. 

Electric grills, while easy to operate, do not yield the same smoky flavors as charcoal and gas grills. That's because when fat drips onto charcoal or grill bars, it ignites and lends the food a smokier flavor. However, smokiness isn't everything, especially when you are in the great outdoors and have other factors to consider, such as time, safety, and availability of charcoal. Firepit grills are popular and sometimes provided at campsites, but wildfire concerns often restrict their use.

Given all this, it is wise for most folks to invest in a tabletop grill for camping. Specifically, I recommend the NXR 3-Burner Portable Gas Grill that Costco sells for $134.99 online. This stainless steel grill features a lid and three burners over 312 square inches of cooking space. That is ample room for you to cook a meal for your companions without spending hours laboring over multiple batches. This grill also boasts a capacity of 24,000 BTU of heat and is ignited using push-and-turn knobs that provide an extra layer of safety.

An outdoor cooking table is a must-buy when camping alongside a large group of friends or family. Any run-of-the-mill table can help you organize snacks, drinks, and ingredients for meals. However, the CORE 5ft FlexRail Table, which sells for $149.99 on Costco's website, offers an extra dose of multifunctionality that you never knew you needed. This product will upgrade your camping setup. It features an in-built utility basket, a trash bag holder, a swiveling paper towel holder, four hooks (for hanging items like spatulas), two cupholders, and a bottle holder. 

Half of the table's surface is composed of metal, making it suitable for holding a grill. This table is durable and rust-resistant, with a steel frame that is sturdy enough to support up to 200 pounds. Note that the product itself is 38 pounds, so you might need a hand in unpacking it from the car. It's designed to be folded and stored in a bag for convenient transportation. Once opened, it can comfortably fit a grill, several bowls, bottles, and more on a surface that is 62 inches long and 27.5 inches wide. Plus, unlike a standard folding table, the height of the CORE FlexRail table can be easily adjusted to four different settings, ranging from 22 to 36 inches high.

If there is ever a time to be over-prepared, it's when you are packing a first aid kit for camping. During your time in nature, you might encounter any number of medical concerns, ranging from a small scrape on the knee while hiking to a severe burn from flipping burgers on the grill. Dedicated backpackers know that blisters can derail an entire expedition — just as parents understand that a stubborn splinter can keep a child crying for hours. Costco sells an Ever-Ready First Aid Kit with 217 Pieces for $59.99 that can help you efficiently respond to each of these concerns. Not only will this product come in handy while camping, but it's also a good idea to have on standby at home.

Included in the 217-piece kit are a variety of bandages, dressings, gauze rolls, thermometers, tweezers, burn treatments, antiseptic wipes, a CPR kit, and more. Additionally, this product comes with a first aid manual and personal protection equipment like gloves and facemasks. Everything is well-organized and there is even space for your own items (for instance, if you need an EpiPen). Like you, this kit was made for the great outdoors; it is composed of 600D polyester, which is not only durable but also water-resistant. Finally, the straps on this kit allow it to be fastened to items like backpacks and rails, so you can always keep it in a visible and readily accessible place.

As easy as a headlamp is to forget, it is one of the most essential items you need for a camping trip. Whether you are hiking longer than expected and need to light up your path after sunset or you need to get to the bathroom without tripping, a headlamp is crucial for safety and comfort. You can find headlamps with stretchable straps and silicone bands, as well as those with wide beams, extra brightness, and even voice control features. But wait — you could forgo the headlamp altogether in favor of a neck light.

I recommend the CAT LED Neck Light that Costco sells in packs of two for $29.99. I like that it does not rest on your head like most traditional headlamps; this can be a sweaty, uncomfortable setup that can irritate the skin. Instead, this product rests on your neck, where it lights up your surroundings with an adjustable intensity of 100 to 200 lumens. Plus, the light heads can be turned up to 90 degrees, eliminating the need to stoop at weird angles to see. Finally, this specific neck light can conveniently be charged by USB or function on two AA batteries.

If you are accustomed to using a headlamp, you may need some time to adjust to this product, since it does not move with your head in the same way. Additionally, those with long hair should wear it in a ponytail to avoid interference with the light. Ultimately, though, it is a product worth trying if headlamps have never been your thing.

Binoculars are not just for bird watching, though they are an indispensable piece of equipment if you are someone who likes to discern between different types of herons, falcons, sparrows, and hawks. This is also a useful piece of equipment for zooming in on all kinds of wildlife from a safe distance, as well as getting a closer look at natural features like waterfalls, glaciers, and rock spires. Not to mention, otherwise inaccessible points of interest, such as the cliff dwellings in Bears Ears National Monument, can be better appreciated with a pair of binoculars.

Costco offers a few options for this piece of equipment at different price points. The Bresser Pirsch Compact Binoculars, sold for $169.99, are mid-range monetarily and a good option for backpackers and car campers. They come in two size options, are waterproof, and treated to resist fog. One of this product's perks is that it comes with a tripod connection thread. This is not the kind of thread you need for sewing; instead, it is a feature that helps stabilize and support the binoculars when they are mounted on a tripod. Of course, a tripod is not included in this product, but car campers might opt to bring one separately.

I have often camped for weeks at a time, alone and with other people. As such, I have ample experience to curate and critically review the products on this list, using others' reviews as needed to supplement my opinions. I have indicated when a product is designed for specific groups of people — for instance, a larger tent for a big family. When applicable, I generally avoided recommending the most expensive versions of products in the interest of better serving entry-level campers. Some products are available only for delivery, while others can be found in Costco stores.