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Looking for the best camp table for your outdoor pursuits? You’ve come to the right place! Here at Bearfoot Theory, we have years of experience testing out camping furniture, including tables, and we know what works and what doesn’t.
While part of the appeal of heading out into nature is to leave some of our daily conveniences behind, it’s also nice to be able to relax at camp with the right gear. The best camp tables allow you to easily prep food, prevent beverages from getting spilled, and enjoy a game of cards with friends, among other uses.
It can be easy to say that you’ll just ‘make do’ when heading out on a trip – after all, the top of a cooler does work as a table – but trust me, a good camp, sturdy table is well worth the precious space.
In this post, I’ve rounded my top picks for camp tables that will suit every outdoor adventure from gourmet camp chef kitchens to ultralightweight backpacking setups.
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Best Camp Tables at a Glance
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1. GCI Outdoor Slim-Fold Cook Station
Best table for outdoor cooking
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Where to shop
I’ve used the GCI Outdoor Slim-Fold Cook Station for a number of years now when we take our van out on the road in the summer. Yes, we do have a kitchen inside our van, but we prefer to cook outside when we can because it’s nicer, saves battery power, and doesn’t leave our van smelling like food.
We use our 2-burner Eureka Ignite Plus stove on the heat-resistant top and prep our plant-based meals on the four fold-out side tables. There is plenty of room for sauces, spices, and cooking utensils, and it even has a place to hang a trash bag.
I first bought this table because of how easy it is to set up. You don’t have to screw on any legs (which is a time suck), and the table quickly unfolds and the shelves pop up.
In my second van, we fit the table right behind the driver’s seat in between the seat and the galley. It’s a bit heavy, but it has a sturdy, durable handle that makes it very easy to carry.
2. REI Co-Op Dining Table
Best camp dining table
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If you want a large dining table that you can set up at base camp for dining, playing games on, or spreading out a large map, the REI Dining Table is a great option.
It can fit up to six people and is sturdy enough so that you don’t have to worry about someone knocking a leg and sending the whole meal flying. I also love that it packs down small and can easily be stored in the trunk of a car or slipped into the back of a van.
After testing out several roll-top tables, though, I do find that it can be hard to clean in between the slats. That’s something to take into consideration. Messes are easily avoided, though, if you use a tablecloth or a picnic table cover.
3. Dometic Go Compact Camp Table
Best table with adjustable height
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Where to shop
Dometic is a pioneer brand for a lot of van life appliances like toilets, fridges, portable batteries, solar panels, and more. But more recently, they’ve branched into lifestyle van essentials like furniture.
The Dometic Go Compact Table is a great camp table for van life or car camping because it folds down flat and has three adjustable heights so you can use it for a variety of camp needs. I love having a big (classy!) flat surface for cooking and dining or using it as a snack table when I’m sitting in my camp chair.
I also love how easy it is to set up. You just unfold it, turn it upside down, pull the legs out, and then flip it right side up.
It is a bit heavy and awkward to carry, but you can purchase the carry case to make lugging it around a bit easier. Also, check out the other products in Dometic’s Go line for hassle-free camping.
4. Helinox Table One
Most portable/lightweight camp table
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For campers concerned about space and/or weight, the Helinox Table One is the perfect solution. Weighing just over 2 lbs, this camp table packs down small, yet it still performs as a reliable dining or card game surface.
The hardtop is crafted from a polycarbonate sheet that can support up to 110 lbs (that being said, it’s not designed to be a seat). If you want to go even lighter, you can opt for the mesh top Helinox Table One, which is perfect for beach days.
5. GCI Outdoor Compact Camp Table
Most compact camp table
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Where to shop
The GCI Outdoor Compact Camp Table is a small, simple solution for those who don’t have a lot of extra space in their car or van. It’s extremely lightweight at just under 5 lbs and it’s the perfect size for two people to enjoy a meal or camp game.
I had this table in my first van and thought it was a great size for all my simple camp kitchen and dining needs. That being said, the 18 x 18-inch surface is smaller than the tables listed above, so think about how much table space you need or want before purchasing.
6. NEMO Moonlander
Most sturdy camp table
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I’m a fan of NEMO Equipment because they make high-quality gear that lasts and the NEMO Moonlander table is no exception. It may be a bit heavier than other tables of similar size, but it’s super durable and will last you many seasons.
Designed to be a side table, the NEMO Moonlander is perfect for holding beverages, playing a game of cards, or laying out a snack board.
It can also be used as a floor-level table in its ‘low rider’ setting. I don’t love it as much in this position because there’s no locking mechanism to prevent it from folding in the middle. It’s not quite as solid in the low position as it is with its legs on, but if you’re at the beach or sitting on the ground, it’s a nice option to have.
7. SOTO Outdoors Field Hopper Table
Ultralight backpacking table
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Where to shop
A table may seem like a luxury item for backpacking trips – and it is! But, if you think you’ll be cooking inside your tent due to inclement weather or if you are cooking for a group, the SOTO Outdoors Field Hopper Table is a great addition to your backpacking gear. And it’s surprisingly inexpensive!
Made from lightweight aluminum, this table weighs just under 14oz and folds down flat so you can easily tuck it into your pack. It even comes with its own little cloth pouch.
The Field Hopper table makes cooking on uneven surfaces much easier and keeps all your cooking and eating ware clean and dirt or sand-free.
Planning a camping trip? Check out our car camping tips to make the most of your adventure:
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Do you have a favorite camp table? What is it and what do you love about it? Does one of the ones we’ve picked look like it would work for your camping adventures? Leave a comment below!
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