Where to Rent Camping Gear (and What to Rent First)

Where to rent camping gear in the United States

Start with these options. The companies listed here publicly advertise camping or backpacking rentals, but inventory, pickup locations and exact charges can change. A rental counter existing somewhere in the country doesn't mean there's one near your trailhead.

Search locally before paying for shipping. Outdoor outfitters near mountain towns sometimes have a surprisingly good selection of tents, packs and bear canisters. Universities and recreation centers may also have equipment programs, though some require student or member status. Ask for the exact list of what comes with a kit. “Camping package” can mean two sleeping bags and a tent or a near-complete campsite, depending on who's selling it.

REI rentals: convenient when your store participates

REI publishes rental rates for camping and backpacking equipment at participating rental locations. Its listed member price for a basic two-person tent is $34 for the first night and $8 for each additional night. A two-person lightweight tent is listed at $40 for the first night and $8 for each additional night. A backpacking sleeping pad is listed at $18 for the first night and $4 for each additional night.

Those examples are useful for planning, not a universal promise. Gear differs by location and the renter's membership status affects pricing and deposits. Confirm that the particular store offers rentals and has the item available for your dates before building a trip around it.

REI also lists bundled packages. A car camping kit for two people includes major shelter, sleep and camp-kitchen equipment, while backpacking kits bundle packs and lighter shelter options. Bundles are convenient, but compare their exact contents with what you own. There is no sense renting a cooler, two chairs and a table if those things are already waiting at home.

The advantage of local pickup is simple. You can examine the tent, check the pack's fit and ask how an unfamiliar stove works before leaving. The disadvantage is that you need to return it on schedule, often while tired and surrounded by damp equipment.

Shipped camping gear rentals: useful when you're flying

Outdoors Geek, LowerGear and Kit Lender offer ways to have equipment delivered for a trip. That can be a genuine improvement if you're flying, changing planes or arriving somewhere you can't easily purchase camping equipment.

Outdoors Geek offers individual tents, sleeping bags, pads, packs and packages, with nationwide shipping. LowerGear advertises nationwide camping and backpacking gear rentals and can send items to a home or destination. Kit Lender lists camping kits and individual equipment with rental periods and delivery arrangements.

Before checkout, look at the full itinerary rather than just the gear price. Will the shipment arrive early enough for an inspection? Can a hotel or lodging host accept it? Where will the return label come from? What happens if your trip ends on a Sunday when the shipping counter is closed? Who pays if a package is delayed?

A mailed rental can save a fortune in airline baggage hassle. It can also become a very expensive way to borrow a tent if you forget the shipping and late-return terms.

What should you rent first?

Rent the bulky, expensive gear that is difficult to choose until you've spent a night using it. Buy the small personal items that need to fit you, stay hygienic or accompany you on many trips.

For car camping, the tent and sleeping pad are the two biggest experiments. A spacious tent is lovely until you have to pitch it in wind. A thick air mattress feels indulgent until it gets cold underneath you. Renting lets you learn both lessons without buying a permanent collection of wrong answers.

For backpacking, the tent, pack and sleeping pad are the most revealing items to test. A 65-liter pack that felt comfortable empty can become miserable once loaded. Ask the renter for help fitting the hip belt and shoulder straps, then test with weight before leaving.

Is renting camping gear cheaper than buying?

Usually for the first trip, often for an occasional trip and not always if you're renting the same thing repeatedly. The useful comparison is a weekend's complete rental cost against the cost of buying something you would actually keep.

As an illustration, using one published REI member rental schedule, a basic two-person tent for two nights would be $34 for the first night plus $8 for the next, or $42 before any applicable taxes or other charges. The same rate schedule lists a two-person car camping kit at $151 for the first night and $36 for an additional night, or $187 for two nights. Nonmember prices may be higher and refundable deposits may be required.

Those aren't quotes for your destination. They show why bundling can either help or hurt. A kit solves a lot of problems in one transaction, but renting everything costs more than renting the two or three items you're missing.

When comparing options, add shipping, taxes, deposits or holds, fuel, cleaning charges if applicable, damage coverage, late fees and return transport. Some charges are refundable and some aren't. Keep those categories separate instead of treating a deposit as part of the rental price.

If you camp three or four weekends each year, buying a modest tent and borrowing the occasional specialized piece may eventually cost less. If you camp once a year or fly to different places, renting may remain a good deal. If you haven't camped at all, rent first and let the experience decide what deserves a permanent place in your garage.

What to check when you pick up the equipment

A rental tent should come with its poles, rainfly, stakes, guylines and whatever groundsheet the rental includes. Count them. Look for holes, bent poles, damaged zipper tracks and a sticky or peeling waterproof coating. Ask whether the tent must be returned completely dry and whether the service has a documented damage policy.

Inflate the sleeping pad and check that it holds air. Verify its R-value and suitability for expected ground temperatures, not just its thickness. Check the sleeping bag's temperature guidance and whether that number is a comfort rating or a lower limit. It's easier to sleep warm in an ordinary tent with a good pad and suitable bag than in an expensive tent over a cold mattress.

For a stove, identify the exact fuel type it uses and whether fuel is provided or must be purchased separately. Some fuels are restricted for shipping or air travel, and fire rules can prohibit particular stove types. Test the setup outdoors, never inside a tent or vehicle.

For a pack, check the frame size, torso adjustment and hip belt. Put a realistic load in it and walk around. A minute of embarrassment in a rental shop is cheaper than six hours of shoulder pain.

Finally, photograph the gear and any visible wear at pickup according to the rental agreement. You'll appreciate having an accurate record if a scratch becomes a point of debate later.

Before returning the gear, give yourself one extra hour

Plan for a wet tent, lost stake or stove that still smells like dinner. Count every part while you're still at the campsite. Air the shelter out as conditions permit, remove food scraps from cook gear and follow the rental provider's cleaning and drying instructions. Don't put a damp tent away for days, even if you intend to return it soon.

Keep the original inventory sheet. Tuck small poles, adapters, pumps and stakes into the correct bags, not the nearest convenient pocket. A missing inexpensive piece can produce a surprisingly expensive fee.

For shipped rentals, know where you'll drop off the package and when the carrier accepts it. Give yourself room for delays. Some services measure the rental period by travel dates, others by delivery and return handling. Read the terms instead of assuming every company counts days the same way.

The right first rental is a smaller experiment

If you've never camped before, a one- or two-night trip at a developed campground with a rented tent and pad is a good start. Borrow chairs and a cooler if you can. Bring food that doesn't demand an elaborate camp kitchen. Learn how the shelter works, whether you sleep well and which items you wished you'd had.

Then spend money where experience points. Maybe you want the larger tent. Maybe a good sleeping pad is worth more than every camp gadget combined. Maybe you discover you love hiking but would prefer to sleep in a cabin. Renting makes all three outcomes perfectly acceptable.

The goal isn't to end your first trip with a shopping list. It's to end it knowing which things you actually want to own.

Keep reading How Much Does a First Camping Trip Cost? A Realistic Starter Budget, What to Bring Camping: The Essentials, the Comforts, and What Can Wait and How to Choose a Backpacking Tent Without Overspending.