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.

Couple camping with cooler and beer

How to clean a cooler that’s smelly, moldy, or stained to get ready for summer

Is you favorite cooler starting to look and smell a little funky? Here's our quick and not-so-dirty guide on how to clean a cooler the easy way.
A Bean Stock 2.0 ultralight travel trailer being towed down a wooded trail by a new Ford Bronco.

Hitch up with the 7 best off-road trailers ready to take you anywhere in 2024

Pickup truck with travel trailer

6 RV camper styles perfect for every family and budget

A bear bag hanging from a tree branch

Everyone needs to know how to hang a bear bag, including you

Three Outside Van camper vans parked in the desert.

The best camper vans for adventurous luxury living in the great outdoors

A picture of the Yosemite Valley during Spring Time

Yosemite National Park is getting a new glamping site with the luxuries you want

A solo stove popcorn maker placed over a solo stove standalone fire pit

Forget s’mores: Solo Stove has a new camping-ready popcorn maker

Vanspeed California Coast camper van parked in a parking lot.

Vanspeed’s California Coast camper van is built for bold coastal adventures

Person camping on a river using a one person tent

The ultimate guide to choosing the perfect one-person tent for your next outing

A campfire.

Camping hacks: Is Vaseline the secret to an incredible campfire?

Coast Model 1 solar electric travel trailer/RV parked near a pond.

Coast’s all-new Model 1 solar electric trailer is a luxe, off-grid-ready stunner

Man building a campfire in front of a Winnebago Ekko Springer camper van.

Camper van vs Class B RV: How to choose which to buy for your outdoor adventures

Date and cashew bars

How to make nutritious and delicious trail snacks: Your DIY guide

Learn how to make healthy trail snacks that will fuel you for long days of trekking or overnight hikes.
A campfire pot hanger holds a kettle over a stone circle

Campfire cooking: This is the absolute best way to make a pot hanger

There are many ways to hang a campfire cooking pot, but this adjustable pot hanger lets you adjust the heat exposure and go from boil to simmer.
A person hiking

Dust off your gear, it’s time to hit the trail: The spring hiking tips you need

Embrace the rainy weather and muddy terrain with these springtime hiking tips, as well as what to pack for a fun and successful hike.
Man on bike in Apple watch

Garmin, Seiko, G-SHOCK, and more: Our picks for best outdoor watches in 2024

The best outdoor watches for men include brands like Apple, G-Shock, Garmin, Seiko, and Hamilton
A man soaking in a natural tub outside of an RV during dusk with a mountain range behind him.

Calm camping is officially the trend for summer 2024

Camping trends are redefining traditional approaches to escaping into the great outdoors. This study highlights the 3 most prominent trends this summer.
Camper van outfitted with Super Pacific's CloudCap pop-up roof tent parked among a stand of trees.

This rooftop tent kit will turn your van into a pop-top camper for about $12K

Super Pacific's clever CloudCap pop-up tent kit expands your van's living space by converting the unused roof space into a legit "bedroom" with a view.
Side view of a Remote Vans camper van with its sliding door open.

Remote Vans drops 3 new camper van models designed for luxury living on the road

With Starlink internet, premium appliances, a hot water shower, and a beefy power system, this van is built for living, working, and traveling almost anywhere.
A reef knot is tied against a tree

These are the essential outdoor knots every outdoorsman should know

Every outdoorsman needs to know how to tie a knot for all occasions. Here are our most important outdoor knots for camping, backpacking, and survival.
Fingers holding a map and compass in the outdoors

Ditch the GPS: How to navigate using a map and compass

No matter how advanced technology is, the age-old map and compass are indispensable. Learn how to use them with our quick and easy guide.
Chef Eduardo Garcia.

Pro tips from Chef Eduardo Garcia for cooking outdoors like a true mountain man

The mountain men of today are self-sufficient but also eat well when outdoors. Here's out to pull of the role.
a group of happy young friends relaxing and enjoying summer evening around campfire on the river bank

Why you can’t depend on first-come, first-served campgrounds this summer

FCFS campgrounds, which don’t require advance reservations, are now being challenged by increased demand.
Man looking over a trail's vista

3 lesser-known tips that can save your life on the trail

Make your next hike a safe and enjoyable one with our brief guide on survival tips and hacks, which includes fighting off bears and navigating the wild.
Camping at night

There’s actually a great reason for that red light on your camping headlamp

The red light feature in headlamps is more than just a gimmick. It's a thoughtfully designed solution to a common outdoor problem. Bugs!
Redtail Overland Skyloft Campervan parked next to a river.

Redtail Overland’s new luxe Skyloft camper van is a $500,000 thing of beauty

It has room for four and a long list of luxury amenities, including handmade cabinetry, heated flooring, dual climate control, and serious off-road chops.
A midsection of a man wielding a hatchet in the outdoors

Get the best camping axes for cutting, chopping, and prepping your way around the campsite

Every outdoorsman needs a quality camping axe. From survivalist specials to lightweight backpacking models, these are the best hatchets.
Tesla Cybertruck at a camping site

Expectation vs. reality: Cybertruck Basecamp rooftop tent is another disappointment

The Tesla Cybertruck's $3,000 Basecamp tent looks nothing like it's supposed to, and isn't a particularly easy install.
HYK Outdoors teardrop trailer camper parked in a field.

HYK Outdoors’ clever new teardrop camper trailer is made with eco-friendly cork

Lightweight, recyclable, insulating, and just plain handsome, all-natural cork might be the next "it" building material for teardrop campers.
Side view of Bend Teardrop's new Tall Boy Stand-in teardrop travel trailer.

You can stand in this unique high-roof teardrop trailer (and it sleeps four)

With six feet of interior headspace, Bend Teardrop's Tall Boy is not your average teardrop trailer. Plus, it sleeps four with room for an outdoor kitchen too.
The view from the inside of a tarp tent.

Try these creative ways to use your tarp to stay dry when camping this spring

The tarp is one of the most versatile pieces of outdoor equipment. It's time to get creative and build the perfect tarp shelter for any situation.
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

The 2025 Bowlus Rivet is an all-aluminum travel trailer with retro-modern good looks, serious off-road capability, and bleeding-edge tech throughout.
Couple camping with the new 2023 Escapod TOPO2 Teardrop Trailer.

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

There's a huge sale on camping kitchen gear at REI and we've picked out some of the highlights so you can save big on cooking essentials.
A clove hitch tied to a fixed point

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

The clove hitch is the ultimate answer when it comes to tying an adjustable knot. Our guide teaches you to tie this hitch to a fixed point and for a carabiner.
A person holding a Hydro Flask.

How to clean your hydro flask for tang-free hydration

Using your Hydro Flask daily can take a toll on its cleanliness and condition. Here's a guide on how to clean your Hydro Flask properly so it'll last for years.
Leatherman signal fishing

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

If there's one tool that you should always have with you, it's a tool that is actually 20 tools in one. These are the best multi-tools for any situation.
AeroPress

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

The AeroPress coffee maker offers a delicious cup of coffee on the go. But is it the best on the market?
Rear corner view of the Tufport Overlander truck camper concept.

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

Famed slide-in camper shell maker Tufport just announced their first entry into the overlander camper space, and it’s a fully furnished stunner.
Young man checks water filter alongside river

Stay hydrated on the go with our bulletproof water purification tips

Staying hydrated is key to days on the hill, but carrying heavy water bottles weighs you down. Stay ahead of the game with our 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

On April 8th, a total solar eclipse will cross North America. It will begin over the South Pacific Ocean and cross over Mexico, the United States, and Canada. 
Various iPhones on a table.

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

We all know the story — you're camping, fishing, or skiing and suddenly, you have a wet iPhone. Here's how to fix it.
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

Looking to give van life a shot? Don't buy - rent! These fully-equipped camper vans sleep up to eight and rent for less than a hotel for a group of people.
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.

Snowsports

Hiking

Snowboarding

Backpacking