20 Great Camping Tech Gadgets for Your Next Wilderness Trip

Over the past five years, camping has become America’s newest obsession. According to a recent study by the camping app DyrtNearly one in four Americans went camping in the past 12 months, and the overall number of people has nearly doubled, from 42 million in 2019 to an estimated 83 million in 2023. That includes about 15 million people who went camping for the first time last year.

In that time, outdoor creators, manufacturers, and innovators have released technologies new and old to help more people explore the wilderness, backcountry roads, and national parks that span the United States. With satellite-connected campers, GPS mapping, and electric bikes, off-grid lighting, solar-powered cooking, water filtration systems, and outdoor shower stations, there have never been more tools available to provide a few comfortable nights under the stars. Eco-friendly camping has also gained popularity, with companies making biodegradable gear and promoting low-impact practices, and campground management software streamlining operations by optimizing processes like reservations and tracking occupancy.

Whether you’re hitting the woods for the first time or you’re a seasoned camper venturing into uncharted territory, here’s Paste’s list of the best camping tech for 2024.

Find and book a place

Founded in 2013, Dyrt has grown exponentially, leveraging the power of its users to provide information about campgrounds across the United States. There, you can find dozens of public and private locations and reserve a spot at the same time.

The other side, Camp Scanner has a database of over 9,600 campsites in national and state parks, where users can set alerts and features to make reservations for them. The site was recently launched as part of The hosts of the collectionsthe largest network of campsites for motorhomes offering unique accommodations on farms, vineyards, breweries and other attractions.

The idea for the Cinch tents came from a festival in England, creator Jake Jackson told Paste magazine, when he first realized he wanted a place where he could keep “his beer and his wellies” without sharing a sleeping space. Finding nothing, he built them himself. The festival debut generated so much interest that he knew it had potential. With a background in fashion, Jackson said he tried to bring a touch of that industry style to the design of the tent and accessories—everything from the design of the instructions to the functionality of the accessories has been transformed.

“I think the integration of technology into camping has been relatively slow. When we first introduced solar integration in 2015, the concept was almost completely absent from camping equipment,” he said. “Looking forward, I envision a future where camping technology seamlessly integrates solar power, adaptive materials like graphene, wireless technology and artificial intelligence.”

For now, Cinch offers several tent styles, with extras like solar power, windbreaks, canopies, and storage spaces. The company recently debuted its Air Cruiserself-folding, lightweight roof tent with “record-breaking cabin space and compatibility with any car.”

Whether you have a flat tire on your e-bike, need to vacuum-pack your gear, or simply need to fill up your inflatables for a swim in the lake, sooner or later you will need a pump. Flextail, which makes a wide range of camping equipment, has been working on creating the world’s smallest pump for several years. Following the success of the Tiny Pump, the company has released Zero pump this year. Weighing just 12 ounces, this little pump is cordless, rechargeable, and can easily fill most sleeping mats 20 times on a single charge, quietly. The Zero pump is also drop-proof, abrasion-proof, and is the size of a lipstick.

Creating water filters that remove microplastics, bacteria, and parasites, Lifestraw uses technology to produce filter bottles, purifiers, and straws for campers who want to go off the grid. If you’re looking for something small and easy to use, these Peak Series bottles are great for hiking or overnight stays. Looking for something smaller? Lifestraw just released its newest water straw, the Lifestraw Sip, which is slim and lightweight (less than 3 ounces) and fits easily into any bag. LifeStraw is also a B Corp brand and certified climate neutral.

Getting stuck or lost in the field while camping or exploring is a very real risk, but today’s technology has helped solve the problem of having no cell phone signal when you’re in the mountains, on the water, or exploring a cave. onX Backcountry lets users save maps offline, adding landmarks like trailheads, car locations, water sources, or campsites. The app also has an online “Discover” feature that lets users zoom in on any point on the map, tap Discover, and find guide-quality information for that area.

Arc’teryx Aerios 18 + Beta Jacket

Is there anything worse than a backpack that makes you sweat and feel uncomfortable? Lightweight and made with durable materials that allow for easy access and organization, The Arc’teryx Aerios 18 holds all your daily gear, so you can move through the mountains with agility and comfort. Ideal for day hikes, bike rides, or other outdoor activities, the Aerios 18 is equipped with ultralight 210D Hadron LCP (Liquid Crystal Polymer) backpack material, which resists abrasion from granite and gravel and keeps your back cool. Each of the bag’s side pockets can be secured, making it easy to grab a water bottle, smartphone, or camera without stopping to unzip anything.

Even though warmer temperatures have arrived, you never know when you’ll need a jacket to fend off a windy boat ride, a quick downpour, or other unexpected weather. Just released, Arc’teryx Beta Lightweight Jacket it is waterproof and windproof thanks to the GORE-TEX ePE membrane, which is strong and PFC-free. The Beta is also helmet-compatible and has a StormHood that protects without restricting visibility, and a RECCO reflector that can help in search situations.

Although sleeping bags and pads have been around for decades, they’ve undergone a huge overhaul in the past few years. When we first went camping, the only advice we were given was to set up our tents away from rocks and large roots. Fortunately, today’s campers can avoid a difficult night with a good sleeping pad and a sack to keep them dry and warm.

Designed for weather from early spring to late autumn, Parsec 20F/-6C Sleeping Bag It is lightweight, filled with highly compressible Nikwax Hydrophobic Down 800 fill and made from an ultra-lightweight 20 denier GRS certified recycled nylon shell that saves weight, is durable and is kind to the environment. The Parsec also features connectors that can be wrapped around the mattress to give you freedom of movement without sliding off the mattress and losing heat.

Although Therm-a-Rest makes a full line of sleeping pads, the NeoAir XLite NXT is their newest model. It’s three inches thick, weighs 12.5 ounces, and packs down to the size of a liter water bottle.

Solar Kettle

Solar kettles have gained popularity over the past decade because they are easy to use, do not require any fuel, and can be used for cooking or cleaning. Easy to fill and set up, they can boil water for cooking, coffee, or quick cleaning in 20 minutes. 4Patriots Solar Kettle is the latest version of the Utah-based company’s device, equipped with an extra-large tank (33.8 ounces of water) and made of shatter-resistant, tempered glass.

Electric bikes

You finally made it to your campsite, unpacked, and set up your tent, but oh no! The closest cliff jumping spot is about 30 minutes away. While adventuring in Door County, Wisconsin last week, I had the opportunity to test out another e-bike in addition to my main cruiser, Discover Velotric 2. My Discover, which has a 750-watt torque-sensing motor, a waterproof battery that lasts up to 75 miles, integrated turn signals, and a 3.5-inch color display with built-in GPS, is perfect for riding to the beach or around town, but we needed something a little more durable for the trails Door County.

Riding a fat tire, throttle-controlled bike allowed me to save my legs for exploring more local favorites. The Wisconsin Peninsula, with its hidden, pristine beaches, cliff jumps, and natural formations found only along the Niagara Escarpment, is a great place to camp for a few nights or a season. But having an e-bike made the trip 1,000 times better, as we were able to zip around and explore a variety of historical and recreational sites, from Sturgeon Bay and Jackson Harbor to Washington Island.

Better First Aid

Oh no! Your child just got stung by their first bee and is panicking! This happened to us while hiking through a couple of local nature reserves last month and I got to test out Magic Molecule in the field. Using hypochlorous acid as an antimicrobial agent, Magic Molecule effectively kills bacteria, speeds wound healing and repairs skin damage. For us, this was enough to relieve the pain of the sting and keep us going. Since its launch in early 2023, Magic particle received FDA approval and sold out three times.

Another essential element of a first aid kit, DrySee Waterproof Bandages have patented liquid protection technology that warns the bandage wearer when water (or sweat) has penetrated the seal, so you can protect any cuts from possible exposure to fluid and bacterial contamination. DrySee bandages are also breathable enough to speed healing.

Buggy conditions require Beurer BR90 Insect Bite Treatment Devicewhich works with light to provide more precise targeting. Using ceramic heating plate technology, Bite Healer can help stop itching and reduce swelling.

Designed as a multi-function headlamp and flashlight, the JordiLight is rechargeable, magnetic and waterproof to a depth of 164 feet. Perfect for camping, it also has a built-in e-compass, navigation and an app that can detect if the user has fallen or needs help and sends a help signal via the app to a previously saved contact on the phone.

For children

If you’re going camping with kids, we’ve also put together some suggestions to make it easier for them. Right now, Goods, an online store specializing in inclusive, sustainable, handmade toys for kids, has a ton of great ideas, but Let there be a flashlight AND Torch with fairy tales stood out on camping trips. With the flashlight, children can project bedtime stories onto the wall from three different discs. The children’s flashlight has been carefully designed to fit little hands and protect their eyes. Designed and built in Hungary, the Let There Be Light is made of alder wood, a plexiglass lens and cotton rope by individual craftsmen in small workshops around Budapest.

Dana Forsythe is a Massachusetts-based freelance writer covering tech, comics, and culture. He enjoys photographing street art, collecting comics, and can be followed on Twitter @danafour.