Are you searching for the perfect gifts for the outdoors woman in your life? Someone who lives for long days on the trail and dark nights around the campfire? Who prefers hiking boots over heels and North Face over Gucci?
It can be hard to choose the best gifts for outdoorsy women – especially since nature-loving types tend not to be super into stuff – but I hope this list will help. As a woman who’s passionate about the outdoors, these are the things I love and the presents I want!
And they’re things that make good gifts. Way too many lists of outdoors gifts for women are really just packing lists full of stuff she likely already has or would probably rather choose herself. Case in point: menstrual cups have somehow become a staple on women’s gift guides. And that is just not a good gift!
Do you know what size and shape to buy? Did you even know they come in different sizes and shapes? Have you considered that maybe she already has one, or doesn’t want one, or would rather not unwrap one in front of her 8-year-old nephew?
My advice? Return that Diva cup, and give her one of these much better outdoorsy gifts for women instead. Of course, people of any gender may enjoy the items on this list, but all I can speak from is my own experience.
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The Best Gifts for Outdoorsy Women
After culling this list of outdoor gear and accessories down to only the best, these are my top recommendations for gifts for outdoorsy girls and women. These are things I use from brands I love, and they’re fun, practical, and unique. You can give confidently, knowing these items have my outdoorsy-woman seal of approval!
I don’t know why anyone goes camping without bringing a hammock – and the outdoorsy woman in your life doesn’t have to ever again!
We’ve had our ENO hammock for years, and it’s perfect for travel or camping because it packs down to the size of your fist and weighs one single pound. It makes hanging out at the campsite so much more fun – and I’d think hammocks would be especially great outdoor gifts for Mom!
Nobody likes fumbling around in the dark inside their tent. But these compact little lamps are lightweight and conveniently hang inside the tent, so your adventurous gal won’t be stuck in the dark once the sun goes down. A little light will also make it easier for her to find her fuzzy socks in the tent…
Speaking of which. Fuzzy socks are definitely a camping non-necessity, but they sure are nice to wear in the tent at night. Can you say, stocking stuffer?
You know what I hate? Crawling out of the tent in the middle of the night to go to the outhouse, and having to either a) hassle with lacing up my shoes in the dark or b) take off my socks to put on sandals, and have my feet freeze.
Enter: cozy slip-on shoes. Maybe these aren’t the right gift for the hardcore ultralight backpacker – but they’re great for a car camper. And as gifts for outdoorsy moms, they’re perfect.
Okay, maybe I’ve just been on too many cold camping trips recently and camping in warm places doesn’t require any of these things. But in places that get chilly at night, these puffy blankets from Rumpl are an easy way to add an extra layer of warmth inside a sleeping bag. Plus, all the amazing colors and designs make them a fun gift to give (and get!).
A camp chair is an easy way to add another level of comfort to any camping trip. They range from this perfectly adequate $50 chair like ours, to this $65 rocking chair – to this $220 luxury stargazing recliner that gets reviews like, “If you must sit outside, then you must buy this chair.”
This is a great gift for outdoorsy women who also love to read (hi, it’s me, and my Kindle comes on every camping trip). The Paperwhite is the perfect model for camping because it doesn’t feel at all like using a backlit device – and isn’t avoiding electronic devices half the point of going camping? And since the screen is already lit with adjustable warm light, it’s easy to use in a dark tent. Plus, the battery lasts forever, so it won’t die even on weeklong trips.
Better yet? Gift her a Kindle book like Lands of Lost Borders or Braiding Sweetgrass to read on it. And maybe a Kindle cover, too – like this starry night one.
If you ask me, camping is not a reason to forgo coffee in the morning. If the outdoorsy woman in your life feels the same, she’ll love you for giving her this camping- and travel-friendly French press. Unlike a regular French press, it’s (obviously) not made of glass, so it’s safe to use anywhere and super durable for travel. We’ve been using ours tentside for years.
Camping is also not a reason to drink bad coffee. Give her the treat of some quality coffee to brew in her new French press. Need a coffee snob recommendation? I’m partial to Blue Bottle.
Of course, she’ll also need a camp mug to drink it out of! Since they’re made of aluminum, these mugs are lightweight and durable, and they can go directly on the stove. A couple of these will make perfect camping gifts for women who love coffee.
Camping doesn’t have to mean eating bland food, either. The Spice Missile holds the perfect amount of six different spices to cook with over the campfire. Pro tip: an avid cook could easily use two of these gadgets, for even more spices!
Twinkle lights are fun and they’ll give her tent a little ambiance. And if you need gifts for an outdoorsy girlfriend or wife, keep in mind that these will make any camping trip a little more romantic.
Arc’teryx is pretty much top-of-the-line when it comes to backpacks, and that’s reflected in the price tag – but also in the comfort and quality. Their 15-liter pack will hold all her day hiking necessities, and it weighs barely over a pound. And you can’t beat this color!
A cheap cooler will only keep things cold for a couple hours. But a quality one can stay cold for days, and that means it can hold more food for longer trips.
I scoffed at Ryan when he said he wanted to get a YETI cooler, because they’re so pricey. But honestly? It’s saved us tons of money in the long run and helped us stay healthier while camping and traveling.
Since it stays so cold, we can easily pack our own food and buy groceries on the road – instead of eating out all the time or relying on freeze-dried camping food. For people with dietary restrictions or specific preferences, a good cooler is even more essential.
We have the Tundra 35, but sometimes wish we’d gone for the slightly-bigger Tundra 45 instead. Either way, it’s a great canvas for all our stickers from Montana small businesses!
A YETI cooler would make a great splurge gift for outdoorsy women, especially one who’s also health- or money-conscious. Despite the massive size and weight, REI still ships them for free!
Quality ice packs will keep everything even colder for longer, so pop one or two of these inside the cooler before you gift wrap it.
We’ve been an unpaid advertisement for Mystery Ranch backpacks for over half a decade. We’ve taken them backpacking to over 10 countries and on camping and road trips in something like 12 states, and they’re still going strong.
This small company is based in Bozeman, Montana, and they make a lot of gear for the military, fire crews, and medics – so you know they’re going to be high quality. I love mine because it’s comfortable to wear and, thanks to the front zipper, super convenient to pack and unpack.
The only downside? Mystery Ranch packs are on the heavier side – so if you’re shopping for an ultralight backpacker, I would skip this one.
A towel wouldn’t ordinarily be a very fun gift (and I promised this list would have fun gifts!). But Nomadix towels are something different. They’re lightweight and super-absorbent and quick-drying, just like any travel towel should be.
But instead of the standard cerulean (why are travel towels always cerulean?), Nomadix towels come in all kinds of different stunning designs. I mean, this one has a one-of-a-kind map illustrating America’s national parks – and a portion of the proceeds go to the Conservation Alliance.
To recap. Boring towels? Not good gifts for outdoorsy women. These towels? They get the stamp of approval.
Everyone should carry some First-Aid supplies when they’re out in the backcountry. If the adventurous gal in your life doesn’t already keep one with her, a First-Aid kit would be a smart gift. This one has all the basics for handling minor issues, and it weighs less than half a pound fully packed.
Hand warmers are one of my not-actually-essential ski trip essentials. Is the woman you’re shopping for a skier? I can pretty much guarantee she’d appreciate these – and they’re partially compostable.
You know what else is nice during a cold day of skiing? A warm thermos of hot chocolate. Grab some at the grocery store – or make it even more fun by giving her this hot cocoa kit, complete with gourmet marshmallows.
And don’t forget to include a thermos to drink it out of! Ryan got a YETI tumbler as a groomsmen gift a few years ago, and I…often borrow it, because it keeps beverages hot forever. I leave my coffee in it, ski all morning, come back at lunch, and it’s still hot.
The neck gaiter is a pretty overlooked piece of ski clothing, but to me, it’s the difference between a comfortable day on the hill and a frigid one. I’ve been wearing the same plain black fleece gaiter since high school (really!), but I would love it if someone gave me, say, this pretty blue Smartwool one.
I’ve worn a lot of hiking socks from different companies, but Darn Tough socks are hands-down my favorites. Darn Tough is a small company based in one of my favorite states – Vermont – and their socks are all made out of Merino wool, and all come with a lifetime guarantee! Add that they come in lots of fun patterns and colors, and these socks make pretty great outdoor gifts for women.
Women’s clothes are notoriously hard to fit correctly (because, unlike in men’s clothes, the size is a made-up number that means literally nothing!), so clothing items are kind of challenging gifts for women.
But fleece jackets aren’t too difficult to pick out, and every outdoors gal needs one. North Face is kind of the quintessential fleece, isn’t it? And this one is ridiculously soft.
Puffy coats aren’t terribly hard to fit either, as far as women’s clothing goes – and I don’t think anyone makes them better than Patagonia. A lot of people love the Patagonia Nano Puff Jacket, but I’ve had their Down Sweater (no, it’s not a sweater, it’s a coat – why do they call it a sweater?) for years.
It was not cheap, but I love it. It’s super thin but still very warm, it’s featherlight, and it packs down to almost nothing. And, the pockets are actually usable!
More Fun Outdoorsy Gifts for Her
You could spend hours scouring sites like Etsy to pick out the best gift for outdoorsy women. Fortunately, I put in the time so you don’t have to!
These aren’t things I personally own – it’s more like my curated wishlist of outdoors-inspired goodies. There are no camping essentials or backcountry must-haves in this section – just fun, unique gifts ideas for outdoor women, all of which I would love to receive myself.
Is the woman you’re shopping for a kayaker? She’ll love hanging this cute sign in her home. And unlike most prints purchased online, it comes with the frame!
Does she prefer riding the waves over paddling through them? Check out this adorable surfer ornament – which can even be personalized.
Or is she more of an underwater thrill seeker? The mini scuba tank on this keychain will remind her of her dive adventures even while she’s on land.
I love the look of these handmade earrings, and knowing that each pair is one-of-a-kind makes them even more special. Pro tip: make sure she has pierced ears before you buy these!
This is the attitude many outdoorsy girls take toward their hair – and this cap will cover it up anyway!
Most people who love nature also love maps – so what better than a map that depicts nature in great detail? These minimalist elevation maps from East of Nowhere are stunning gifts for outdoor women. They make maps of tons of different states, countries, and parks, so you can choose a place that’s meaningful to her.
This isn’t just a blank notebook – it’s a dedicated hiking log, with prompts to help her remember the details of each hike. For an avid hiker who also likes journaling or list-making, this is perfect.
National Parks Scratch-Off Map
There are lots of national park scratch-off lists out there these days, but this is one of the coolest ones I’ve seen. If you’re shopping for someone who’s into visiting national parks, you can’t go wrong with this gift.
There are two reasons this engraved bracelet would make an awesome gift for outdoorsy women. One, the mountainscape will sing to her heart. Two, metal cuffs are sturdy and durable, so it’ll stand up to her rugged lifestyle. Bonus: you can add a custom engraving.
This is a quote that will resonate with almost any adventurous woman, and this sticker will go perfectly on her water bottle or laptop.
Of course, many outdoorsy ladies will prefer this sticker instead!
The detail on these engraved glasses is incredible, and I especially love the skier. But the same shop also sells gin and pint glasses, and other engraving options include surfers, sailboats, and more, so you can really choose the perfect gift.
How cute is this national park coffee mug? With a custom icon illustrating each of the U.S.’s national parks, it’ll give her something to dream about while she drinks her morning coffee.
Anyone who prefers to see the world from two wheels will love hanging this on their wall.
These one-of-a-kind coasters are upcycled from old maps of ski resorts all over North America. If you ask, you might even be able to get them made from a map of her favorite hill!
Gift Cards (& More) for Outdoors-Loving Women
People have mixed feelings about giving gift cards. It’s not creative enough, it’s not personal enough, it’s not fun enough.
Gift cards might not be the most creative gift ideas for outdoorsy women, but choosing the right one will make it personal – and she’ll definitely have fun using it! These are my top recommendations for outdoors gift cards.
For outdoor clothing and accessories, it just doesn’t get much better than Patagonia. Everything they make is super high quality, so it works well and lasts forever – and Patagonia is dedicated to sustainability in a way that few big companies are. Their stuff doesn’t come too cheap, though, so any adventure-loving woman would love to get a gift card.
Trust me, you won’t go wrong with an REI gift card, either. They sell practically every brand and every item an outdoorsy girl would want to buy. And REI is another company that makes real commitments to sustainability – it’s a cooperative, after all.
Airbnb isn’t just for plush vacation rentals anymore. It’s also full of remote campsites, incredible glamping set-ups, and other rustic accommodations that any outdoorsy woman would love to stay at.
Maybe you haven’t heard of Hipcamp, but that’s probably about to change. It’s an Airbnb-like platform that’s specifically for camping and cabins, and it has tons of amazing properties that would appeal to any nature lover.
Better yet? You can get REI and Hipcamp gift cards bundled together!
This isn’t exactly a gift card, but it’s something every outdoors-loving woman needs – and every year! The “America The Beautiful” Interagency Annual Pass is valid at every single national park and federal recreation area in the U.S. – that’s over 2,000 places across all 50 states!
This one isn’t really a gift card either, and I think it’s the most expensive thing on this whole list. But if you’re shopping for an avid skier, and one who likes to ski at lots of different hills, you’ll want to take note.
The Ikon Pass is an access pass that’s good for skiing at over 30 ski resorts in the US (and several in other countries), including some of the big ones like Aspen and Jackson Hole. If the price tag doesn’t scare you off, this must be one of the most sought-after gifts for skiers.
Charitable Donation
If you need gifts for the outdoors woman who already has everything, a charitable donation in her name could be the perfect thing. Outdoorsy people tend to be passionate about the environment, so a non-profit organization that works in conservation, sustainability, environmental advocacy, or wildlife protection would be a great fit.
What are you giving as gifts for outdoor women this year?
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Kariss Ainsworth says
I’ll be adding some of these to my own Christmas list instead of gifts :p
Jen Ambrose says
The best way to use gift guides 😉
Krista says
That Yeti cooler looks fantastic to use! I’ve been meaning to get myself one of those for a long time now.
Jen Ambrose says
The price tag is hard to swallow, but for us at least, it was totally worth it.
Alina says
That spice missile sounds such a fantastic idea! I know someone who spends a lot of time outdoors and is an avid cook too, so she will definitely appreciate this one for Christmas! Thank you so much, I would have never thought of this on my own!
Jen Ambrose says
Yay I’m glad! We love using it while we’re camping!
ANUKRATI DOSI says
Even I think that Yeti cooler is a bit pricey. But, it is totally worth it.
Jen Ambrose says
Yeah, that’s exactly how I felt 🙂
Sharyn says
Plenty of great items on this list. I’m after some new coasters!
Jen Ambrose says
There are SO many cool ones on Etsy!
Christina says
I love my Kindle Paperwhite. Recommend for anyone who loves traveling.
Jen Ambrose says
Same! If I didn’t have one, I wouldn’t read nearly as much.