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A camping table may not be the most crucial piece of gear in your camping kit, but having a table surface for prepping food and dining on is going to make your camping experience so much better. After all, nothing’s more frustrating than needing a surface to accomplish a task and not having one.
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A camping table will make it so you never feel that frustration again. Our top pick is the Coleman Pack-Away 4-In-1 Table, a versatile option that’ll suit a variety of needs. If multi-use and affordable are right up your alley, check this one out.
Depending on your group size, whether you’re car camping or backpacking into your campsite, and your budget, there are camp tables to suit all your needs and wants. Dig into the options here, learn what to look for when buying a camping table, and read through our frequently asked questions.
When you’re done, you’ll be on your way to selecting the best camping table for you.
Dimensions: 31.5 x 31.4 x 27.6 inches (each individual table is 31.5 x 15.7 x 27.6 inches)
Weight: 12.8 lbs
If you plan to use your table for a range of different things on your camping trip, the Coleman Pack-Away 4-In-1 Table outperforms other tables by being extremely versatile—and it’s under $100.
Separate the pieces and use them individually as two tables, connect them along their long ends to create a square table, connect them along their short ends to make a buffet table, or adjust the table height on one piece to create a bi-level table.
The 4-In-1 adjusts to three height levels, offers leveling feet for stability, and folds up into a storage case so you can easily transport it. Every camp setup is different, so it’s nice to have this table in your corner (also, you can literally put it in a corner by arranging the two pieces in an L-shape).
Its versatility makes the Pack-Away Table one of the best camp tables on the market.
Portal’s extra-wide camping table is about the size of a standard dining room table, which means you can seat an entire family of four (possibly more, if you get cozy). And people love it.
With more than 2,300 Amazon reviews, this is a go-to option for a portable table with a large surface area for food prep, serving meals, and eating meals.
The Portal Wide-N-Compact Camp Table has independently adjustable legs, which is extremely handy when you’re set up on uneven terrain. It comes with a detachable mesh layer for extra storage space, and setup is easy (it takes just a couple of minutes).
To store, roll up the aluminum-slatted table top, fold the base, and put it in its convenient carry bag.
Pull up some camp chairs and use them as a picnic table for a backyard BBQ, for playing cards at the park, or for playing board games at the campsite.
Looking for something light and functional vs. large and spacious? The Helinox Table One is superb when looking to add a small table to your camping gear. Thanks to its compact size and the two drink holders in the middle, it’s not only perfect for camping but also for road trips and tailgating.
The Helinox Table One is a bit small for food prep, but it’ll do in a pinch. It sits low to the ground, so you might want to consider picking up a camp chair from the same manufacturer. The company also offers a larger, hard-top version of its Helinox Table One, which also comes in a compact package.
The Helinox’s single shock-corded pole structure makes set up a breeze. It also comes with a zippered storage bag.
If you’re on the market for the best cook station to use while exploring the great outdoors, take a close look at the GCI Outdoor Slim-Fold Cook Station. It’ll hold your camp stove, your cooking utensils, and all the ingredients you need for a meal.
Fold out a side table, and it’ll hold even more. This cook station has four fold-out side tables, hooks for trash bags, utensils, or whatever you need, and other convenient features designed with cooks in mind.
The heat-resistant aluminum table top is made for use with camping stoves, and the storage rack at the bottom supports up to 35 lbs. Even with all these features, the GCI Outdoor Slim-Fold table folds down in one piece and is easy to carry.
What the NEMO Moonlander Table lacks in surface area, it makes up for with its sleek design. If you don’t need a large surface, this mini camping table is perfect as a side table, a teeny coffee table set up next to a camping chair, or even just a nice surface for cleaning fish.
The NEMO Moonlander camp table sets up quickly and easily. While not a picnic table in the traditional sense, it can sit low at “picnic height” (4 inches), which is perfect for sitting on a blanket. Or, deploy the little table legs to have it sit in side-table mode (16 inches).
While not a budget buy by any means, the NEMO Moonlander is durable, high quality, and aesthetically pleasing. It also comes with a lifetime warranty.
The Moonlander’s nifty padded case elevates the whole experience, and, when packed, you can slip it into the laptop sleeve of a backpack.
If it’s a foldable all-purpose table you need, the REDCAMP Aluminum 4 Foot is the best budget table on our list. For just over $70, you get dining-table seating for several people, as well as features like adjustable legs, quick setup, and a convenient foldable form factor.
With over 3,800 reviews on Amazon, the REDCAMP camp table is no-nonsense, light, and sturdy. And the price is definitely right.
This extremely lightweight camp table is the best table for backpackers, period.
Weighing just 2.2 ounces, its ultralight, one-piece construction is convenient, compact, and worth the weight in your pack. Snap one Cascade Wild Ultralight Table to another one to double your surface area, or add a 0.5-ounce cutting board accessory to support backcountry food preparation.
It’s also less than $20, so if you’ll be on the trail for an extended period and need a tiny table to keep your food and/or gear up off the ground, the Cascade Wild Ultralight Table is a no-brainer.
Designed as a cook station but capable of so much more, the Camp Chef Sherpa Table and Organizer is an aluminum roll-top table you can use for food prep, outdoor dining, or cooking with a camp stove.
The best part, though, is its four included zippered compartments that’ll store whatever you need to store. The compartments are color-coded for convenience, and the blue one has waterproof lining, which is perfect for use as a cooler or camp sink.
The Sherpa Table has telescoping aluminum legs, and it folds up nicely. To put it away, retract the legs, place the organization bags into their compartments, roll up the top and place it in the side pouch, and use the carry handles to pick it up and carry it off.
When purchasing a camp table, some factors to consider include size and weight, materials used, weight capacity, ease of setup, adjustability, and price.
Size and Weight
The best camping tables are portable. Usually, this means they’re foldable and relatively easy to carry and transport. However, it would help if you also bought something big enough when unfolded to suit your needs.
Consider both the size and weight of the product you’re considering before purchasing. Is it big enough when it’s set up and small enough when it’s packed? Consider the table’s weight and ask yourself, is this reasonable to carry to and from where I need to set it up?
Materials Used
Camping tables are typically made from durable materials that can handle being outdoors and exposed to the elements. Common materials include aluminum, stainless steel, and high-quality plastic.
The table-top surface should be smooth and easy to clean.
Weight Capacity
Your ideal table will be able to support the weight of your planned task(s). When shopping, check the tables’ weight capacities and read reviews, if possible, to see what others have successfully used it for.
Ease of Setup
Getting your table up and ready for use should not add a bunch of time to your camp setup. Look for something that won’t trigger your PTSD from that one IKEA build that went sour.
Simple, tool-free assembly and setup is the gold standard for camping tables.
Adjustability
You may want to choose a camping table that offers adjustable legs for different height settings. This feature makes a table more versatile and can help you achieve stability if you’re set up on uneven ground.
Price
There are bougie camp tables, there are budget camp tables, and there are options at all the price points in between. Where you land on this spectrum is entirely up to you, your needs/wants, and your budget.
Rest assured, you do not need to spend hundreds of dollars to get great value and long-term durability.
Frequently Asked Questions
What size camping table do I need?
To determine what dimensions you’ll need for a table, consider your intended application and the number of people who will be likely using it at the same time.
If you’ll be using it as a dining table, keep in mind that a typical rectangular dining-room table for four people is about 48 inches long.
How much weight can camping tables support?
It varies widely. Check the weight capacity to ensure a table can handle your intended use, such as holding camping equipment or cooking appliances.
What materials are used in the construction of camping tables?
Camping tables may be any combination of materials like MDF (medium-density fiberboard), bamboo, plastic, aluminum, or steel.
Each one will differ in its construction and materials, but most camp tables have aluminum legs, because aluminum is lightweight yet strong (and also rustproof).
Got a Handle on the Best Camping Tables?
There are camp tables out there for every camper. Some have clever designs, some offer lots of usable space, and others have lightweight construction. Selecting one ultimately comes down to what you want and need—and what you’ll willing and able to spend.
A table isn’t going to make or break your camping experience, but having a convenient surface to use for multiple purposes really is going to enhance it. From dining together as a group to playing games up off the ground, this investment is one you’ll appreciate down the line.
