Best Camping Table: Sturdy, Folding and Portable Camp Tables
Best Camping Tables: What to Look for In a Camp Table
When choosing a camp table, look for one that will meet your needs or your family’s needs while camping. The perfect table for your family depends on your needs. Consider these while shopping for a camp table:
- Something that can be functional in many circumstances
- Storage space, both in your car and at home
- Adjustable height to meet different needs
- Work surface for a kitchen prep station
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When Do You Need a Camp Table?
If you’re a family who prefers to take a camping trip outside of established campgrounds, you’ll want to choose a camp table that can function as a dining table as well as a prep space. Or, you may need to choose two camp tables– one for food prep and one for dining. If you’re like us, you may find that you have access to a picnic table, but need a table that’s specifically designed for food prep. Another time you may need a camp table is for play cards or games while camping. For this, we prefer a table with adjustable legs.
Best Materials for Camp Tables
Camp tables come in a variety of materials, but a good choice is one with a table top that’s easily cleanable. Whether that’s aluminum or plastic, choose something that’s nonporous and easy to clean up. One of our favorites is a plastic table with metal legs that’s easy to clean and store. This is a great table that includes a simple design.
Best Functional Camp Kitchen
Having a functional camp kitchen is something I’ve only dreamed about for a long time. For years I’ve only used a small folding table, or the picnic table as my camp kitchen work surface. When I realized that there were other options out there, I couldn’t resist giving them a try to find a camping kitchen with ample space for cooking.
GCI Master Cook Station
If you’re looking for extra space while camping, consider the GCI Master Cook Station. This prep table includes an extended aluminum countertop, designed to be heat-resistant and durable. This flat surface is the perfect place to prepare and cook food. It fits a Coleman stove perfectly, while also including plenty of room for food prep. The additional plastic side tables and storage rack give you space to store dishes, and even dry clean dishes. I also like the six cupholders and the hooks for utensils or trash bags.
This is a large table that takes up a lot of space when folded flat. While it is easy to store, it is one of the larger folding tables on this list. However, the storage and space it frees up makes it worth the large surface area when folded. Another thing to note is that it doesn’t do well on uneven ground, since it’s so long when fully set up.
GCI Slim-Fold Cook Station
This is similar to the GCI Master Cook, but smaller. It’s a great option if you don’t have the space for the GCI Master Cook Station, but still want a kitchen table while camping. I love that it still has the drying rack and foldable side tables.
Best Roll Up Camp Table
A roll up camp table is an easy to store and easy to assemble camping option that works well for campers looking to save storage space. They also typically can be more spacious than other options, like the Alps Mountaineering Dining Table.
Alps Mountaineering Dining Table
This extra large roll up table is a great choice for a table that stores easily. Featuring a handy storage carrying bag and an easy to assemble design, this is a great roll up table for families looking for more room and a sleek design. We’ve had our Alps Mountaineering Dining Table for years, and like the sturdy aluminum frame. It’s also the perfect size to fit four camp chairs around it, making it a great option for a family camping table. One problem we had with ours recently is that one of the inner strings snapped, breaking the table. My husband got a new string and repaired it, but this was a hassle. However, we had about five years worth of use out of it before this happened.
Mountain Summit Gear Heavy Duty Roll Top Table
If you want a heavy-duty design that features steel legs, a roll top surface, and a convenient storage bag, then the Mountain Summit Roll Top Table is a great choice. With a weight capacity up to 70 lbs., this table can handle a heavy load without sacrificing design or storage space.
Best Folding Camping Table
Folding camp tables come in such a classic camping design. While they may take up more storage space than roll up tables, I find I prefer this design, thanks to its simple design and solid work surface. There are less pieces that could potentially break, and the solid table top makes it easier for food prep and meals.
Lifetime Fold-in-Half Adjustable Folding Table
This is the quintessential folding table. It’s sturdy and is made of durable plastic and metal, making it a great choice for anyone looking for a simple and versatile camping table. The solid surface is easy to clean, making clean up simple. The Lifetime table can also have its height dropped, making it the perfect folding camp table for playing cards or board games while relaxing around a campfire. It can be picked up at Home Depot or ordered online.
Outvita 4 ft Portable Folding Camping Table
We’ve had a similar table to this one for over fifteen years! (Although maybe not the same brand? it was so long ago that we purchased ours!) This light weight and simple design makes a good camping table for families on a budget, looking for a simple camping table. At the lower price point than others on this list, I think it’s worth considering. Constructed from aluminum, it’s not the toughest table, but it does the trick to hold a camp stove or even to sit around and enjoy a meal together. The different heights makes it perfect for either eating, a family game night, or, in our case, the first furniture we get out after a move!
REI Camp Prep Table
This simple design features easily adjustable steel legs and a durable, heat resistant aluminum slat tabletop. Compared to the others in this section, this is a pricier option, but it has a maximum weight capacity of 100 lbs. and a bi-fold design that makes it easy to take out and put away. It’s the perfect option for cooking up an outdoor meal or gathering around the table with good friends and family.
Best Side Table for Camping
Having a side table while camping just adds a bit of comfort to your family’s camping experience. Whether it’s just an additional place for drinks around the campfire or a great card table while hanging out in the tent on a rainy day, a side table is a special little addition to any camping trip.
Nemo Moonlander
The Nemo Moonlander features a dual-height design that works as a small low picnic-style table, or as an elevated side table. It also works well as a card table in the tent during rainy camping trips. The whole table only weighs 4 lbs. 13 oz, making it a great lightweight option, and the aluminum legs lock into place under the table.
Camco Large Aluminum Side Table
This simply designed side table is the perfect budget option for campers looking for a versatile and small table for camping. Personally, I like using this table between our camp chairs as a way to store drinks, books or even a small lantern while camping.
GCI Outdoor Compact Camp Table 20
This small and versatile table is the perfection option for families looking for a small side table for camping, soccer or baseball games, or other activities where you may need a little extra space to place things. I love how small it folds down, making it a great choice for keeping in the car next to your camp chairs. (Am I the only one who always has a couple camp chairs in the car?)
View on REI View on GCI Outdoor
Best Portable Camping Table for the Great Outdoors
The best portable camping table depends on your camping needs. If you’re looking for a kitchen away from home, don’t skip out on the GCI Master Kitchen. I love all the storage options and the space available for food prep. If you want something that can have multiple uses, consider the classic Lifetime Fold-in-Half table. If you need easy storage solutions, look into the Alps Mountaineering Roll Up Table.
All these options are great camping table choices for getting outdoors and enjoying your family’s camping experience.
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