Every December, we gather around the digital campfire to share our favorite camping and RV gift ideas of the year in our RV Atlas Holiday Gift Guide—and this tradition has become one of  our most fun and most requested episodes of the year. 

Over time, listeners have come to expect a certain dynamic: the ongoing tug-of-war between the gear maximalist (that would be Jeremy) and the gear minimalist (that would be Stephanie).

This balance has apparently become part of the charm. As one couple told us at the Hershey RV Show this fall, they love the gift guides because they get two totally different perspectives—the person who gets wildly excited about gear and the person who keeps us grounded and reminds everyone that sometimes, you really don’t need the fancy, new thing.

This year’s list has three parts:

1. Budget-friendly gifts


2. Gifts for the RV itself


3. Bougie gifts

Here’s the complete 2026 RV Atlas Holiday Gift Guide, shared from the heart and filled with items we’ve used, tested, or fallen in love with enough to recommend to you.

Budget-Friendly Gifts ($10–$60) RV Atlas Holiday Gift Guide

Ozark Trail 7.5″ Folding Knife — $9.97 at Walmart

This year’s most surprising gift recommendation comes from Walmart’s Ozark Trail line—a 7.5-inch slide-lock folding knife that looks and feels far more expensive than it is. This knife went viral among everyday-carry fans because it resembles high-end models from brands like Benchmade, yet costs under ten dollars. The ball-bearing action is smooth, the blade is sturdy, and the overall design feels substantial without being bulky. It’s a perfect stocking stuffer for any responsible camper who appreciates a good tool.

Swiss Tech “Lodern” Fire Starting Kit — $29.95

This fire-starting kit from Swiss Tech includes a fixed-blade knife, a tinder scraper, a magnesium block, a flint sparker, a belt pouch, and best of all, an extendable pocket bellows that supercharges any campfire. Pocket bellows alone often cost nearly as much as this whole kit, so the value is excellent. Pair it with a kids’ camping journal and you’ve got the perfect “junior adventurer” bundle.

Let’s Go Camping: A Journal & Logbook for Kids — $7

Packed with activities that teach kids about wildlife, hiking basics, campfire safety, etiquette, and more, this journal is a wonderful way to engage young campers at home or at the campground. Rainy day? Quiet time? Counting down to the next trip? This book gives kids something meaningful to do, blending fun with practical learning.

Camp Craft Outdoors Waxed Canvas Skillet Bag — $24.95

This rugged waxed canvas skillet bag is one of those practical luxuries campers don’t buy for themselves—but love to receive. Perfect for cast iron cooks, the bag keeps soot, seasoning, and grease from transferring to the rest of your camping gear. Sturdy, handsome, and as useful as it is giftable.

Route 66 Cookbook by Linda Lee — $25

Part travelogue, part cookbook, part Americana history, this beautifully photographed book compiles real recipes from real Route 66 institutions—diners, soda fountains, cafes, and roadside stops. With the 100th anniversary of Route 66 in 2026, this makes a meaningful and timely gift for anyone who loves nostalgia, road trips, or American food culture.

Blackstone Griddle Camping Cookbook by Cheri Reneé — $20

Cherii’s newest cookbook focuses on approachable, low-ingredient camping meals designed specifically for Blackstone cooking. Handheld breakfasts, snackable sides, hearty mains, and camp-friendly desserts—this book is practical, delicious, and filled with flexible variations. Great for anyone with a backyard Blackstone or a small camping griddle.

My First Book of Hiking $6.40 and My First Book of Camping $5.20

My First Book of Hiking on Amazon: https://amzn.to/4rCfVWk

My First Book of Camping on Amazon: https://amzn.to/3KB05ue

These board books are perfect for toddlers and preschoolers. Made of recycled paper with eco-friendly inks, each book introduces kids to outdoor adventure with a built-in activity, a kid-friendly carry handle, and inclusive illustrations that show that camping and hiking are for everyone. Pair one with a kid-size lantern or headlamp for an adorable gift.

“Where Should We Camp Next?” Holiday Bundle — $60

Buy at RV Atlas Camp Store: https://thervatlascampstore.com

Our annual holiday bundle includes all four WSWCN books—signed—and two Where Should We Camp Next? mugs. A perfect starter set for new campers or a meaningful upgrade for seasoned RVers. Supplies are very limited, especially the mugs, so this one sells out fast.

Gifts for the RV: RV Atlas Holiday Gift Guide

Pop Step Covers

Buy on Pop Step: https://popstep.co

Pop Step covers solve a very real problem for RVers with MORryde or Lippert steps: dirt falling into the RV when you retract the steps. These covers slip on when camping, keeping debris contained, then come off easily so you can shake or rinse them off before storing. Simple, clever, and genuinely useful.

Go Power Lithium Battery Upgrade — around $800

Learn more: https://gopowersolar.com/upgrading-your-rv-batteries-to-lithium-what-you-need-to-know/

Upgrading from lead-acid to lithium is one of the most impactful changes an RV owner can make. Lithium batteries weigh less, charge faster, last longer, and offer much more usable capacity. Go Power’s website includes excellent educational resources for DIY installers and for those wanting to hire the upgrade out. Even one lithium battery can power an RV for several days of off-grid use when paired with solar.

Dometic GO Hydration Water Jug ($70) + Water Faucet ($100)

Buy on Amazon:

Jug —https://amzn.to/4rBXoJy

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