17 Best Camping Tables for Cooking & Eating in the Wilderness

TL;DR: The best camping table is the ALPS Mountaineering Eclipse Table because its sturdy aluminum frame and weather-resistant surface provide a durable, portable, and convenient option standing 27 inches tall and weighing 12 pounds—convenient for eating, prepping food, and playing games.

Dinnertime is pivotal for every camping trip. It’s when everyone gathers around the table for a meal to reflect on their day in nature. 

Food tastes better when you’re out in the woods and active all day. Night falls, and you’re safe at your campsite. For me, this moment is what camping is all about.

And a quality portable folding table can help make the process of preparing and eating food in the wild that much smoother. 

Many campsites come with picnic tables, but if you’re further out in the wilderness or have a big group, that splintery old campsite table may not cut it.

And tables aren’t just for eating; they’re also crucial for preparing food. 

You might be in the market for a portable table because you need it to set up a cook station. Or, you might be looking for a small side table to play cards on while sitting by the fire.

Whatever your reason for buying a camping table, I’ve got you covered with this list of the best camping tables for cooking and eating!

#1 GCI Outdoor Compact Camp Table 20

Best Small Camping Table

Dimensions: 20” x 18” x 24”
Weight: 4.8 lbs
Star rating: 4.5/5
Best for: Solo campers and sitting by the fire.

A camp table doesn’t need to be a large picnic bench. If you’re a solo camper, you might prefer to eat your dinner by the fire rather than sitting alone on the campsite picnic bench. 

The GCI Outdoor Compact Camp Table is a small table that’s perfect for just one person. 

Aesthetically similar to a TV tray, this lightweight table folds down to just 18” x 18” and weighs less than five pounds. 

The GCI Outdoor table also has telescoping legs that help it stow compactly, and an aluminum tabletop effectively dissipates heat. 

It provides just enough room for one person to comfortably eat a meal when it’s unfolded. Or, it could also function as an extra side table to enhance your cook station.

This small but sturdy table has a weight capacity of up to 60 pounds and fits easily into a car.

#2 Outsunny Portable Foldable Camping Table Set with Four Chairs 

Best Camping Table for Families

Dimensions: 53.25” x 32.25” x 26”
Weight: 15 lbs
Star rating: 4.2/5
Best for: Sharing a family meal wherever you are.

Nothing bonds a family like sitting down together for a meal. With the Outsunny Portableoldable Camping Picnic Table Set, that bonding can happen anywhere and at a moment’s notice.

This folding table comes complete with four attached chairs. Each chair has a weight capacity of 176 pounds, so it can only accommodate smaller adults. 

Alternatively, this table would make an excellent “kids’ table” for families with more than two children.

Its durable aluminum-alloy body and plastic fold-out seat tops are sturdy and lightweight. The whole four-person set folds up to a 33” x 15” case, complete with a carrying handle. 

This very compact package has a quick and easy setup and weighs only 14 pounds so you can take it anywhere.

And if you prefer having lunch in the shade, this camp table includes a hole for an umbrella–all at a highly affordable price.

#3 Helinox Helinox Table One

Best Lightweight Camping table

Dimensions: 24” x 16” x 14”
Weight: 1.3 lbs
Star rating: 4.6/5
Best for: Hiking and backpacking.

When you’re backpacking or trekking, you’re less likely to be staying at an official campsite with a full picnic table. And carrying a heavy table on your back doesn’t sound very appealing or practical. 

The best camping table for backpacking should be ultra-light and packable, and the Helinox Helinox Table is precisely that.

This table weighs just over a pound and folds up into a slim and convenient carrying bag. 

The frame has a light aluminum construction and the tabletop is polyester mesh, complete with two built-in cup holders.

This Helinox table is on the pricier side and its aluminum legs sit somewhat low to the ground, meaning you’re best off purchasing Helinox chairs to use with it. 

But its superior portability means you can eat your dinner at a proper table, even in the remote wilderness.

#4 Coleman 4-in-1 Pack-Away Camping Table

Most Versatile Camping Table

Dimensions: 32.2” x 6.2” x 8.3”
Weight: 13.5 lbs
Star rating: 4.6/5
Best for: Active and outdoorsy families.

Sometimes the most economical tables aren’t the cheapest but instead the most versatile camping tables. 

The Coleman 4-in-1 Pack-Away Camping Table is multiple tables in one reasonably-priced package.

This Coleman camping table is actually two separate tables that attach with brackets. You can configure them side-to-side for a square table or end-to-end for a long table for serving. 

It also features adjustable legs, so you can also convert it into a coffee table or stagger the table legs’ height to create multiple cooking stations in your camp kitchen. You can even separate them and use them as two different tables.

It all packs up into a convenient storage case to easily transport when car camping and store it when you’re not.

This table can serve multiple purposes on the same camping trip or transition to backyard furniture when you’re not on a wilderness adventure.

#5 Camp Chef Mesa Aluminum Camp Table

Best Camping Table with Adjustable Legs

Dimensions: 48″ x 27″ x 39″
Weight: 22 lbs
Star rating: 4.5/5
Best for: Cooking with a propane stove and group meals. 

Larger rectangular tables for camping can serve a dual purpose. 

If they’re taller, they can provide a place to set up a portable grill. With a lower table height, they can be a place to sit down to eat.

The Camp Chef Mesa Aluminum Camp Table is a sturdy roll-top aluminum camp table that can function as either a portable camp kitchen or a proper dining table.

The aluminum legs can adjust from 27” to 39”. The aluminum table-top acts as a heat-resistant aluminum countertop, so you can adjust the legs to their highest and place a propane stove on it to create a portable kitchen.

With a 48” long table-top, the Camp Chef Mesa also makes a great dining table when you adjust the legs lower.

While it’s a bit heavy, it’s still very portable for car camping. Thanks to the roll-top design, this table folds up into a slim storage bag that fits easily into any vehicle.

#6 Cuisinart Take Along Grill Stand

Best Camping Table for Grilling

Dimensions: 54” x 20” x 30.5”
Weight: 17.26 lbs
Star rating: 4.6/5
Best for: Grilling and food prep.

At a conventional campground, the included picnic table might have your needs covered as far as a place to eat goes. But dining tables aren’t the only type of camping table!

If you’re looking for the perfect table to support your camping tabletop grill, look no further than the Cuisinart Take-Along Grill Stand. 

The center unit is a sturdy stand for a portable grill, with a weight capacity of 48 pounds and a convenient bottom storage shelf. 

It includes two fold-out side tables, each with a weight capacity of 20 pounds, which altogether provide six cupholders and eight tool hooks. 

Plus, this table provides the perfect station to socialize and enjoy some cold drinks while working the grill. 

Personally, I enjoy company while I’m cooking. With this Cuisineart grill stand, there are plenty of places for your friends to rest their drinks while you’re watching the grill. You might even convince them to help a bit!

The entire unit gives you almost five feet of prep area, but it’s about the size of a folding chair and has a side handle for easy transport when folded.

#7 FrenzyBird Folding Picnic Table with 4 Stools

Best Camping Table and Chairs

Dimensions: 23.6” x 47.2” x 21.6”-31.4” (table); 9.6″ x 10.2″ x 15.1″ (chairs)
Weight: 17.2 lbs
Star rating: 4.2/5
Best for: Camping couples who like bringing friends.

I used to recommend the Sunkorto Folding Picnic Table because I liked that the chairs fold up inside of it and the legs offer multiple heights.

But then I learned about the FrenzyBird Folding Picnic Table, which has the same features, more space, and more stability.

While the Sunkorto was the best folding camping table and chairs set for a couple, the FrenzyBird is small enough to be convenient, but large enough to accommodate friends.

Most camping tables don’t include chairs, but this FrenzyBird set includes four fold-out stools with Oxford mesh seats. 

The FrenzyBird set combines durable aluminum alloy and extra crossbar stabilizers for improved durability. And unlike most camping tables, everything folds up into a portable case for easy storage and transport. 

The entire set weighs under twenty pounds, which is exceptionally lightweight considering that it includes the chairs.

There are also three table height options, either 21.6”, 27.5″, or 31.4”, and the table includes a hole for an umbrella if you need some shade from the sun.

This mini table fits two adults, and it’s versatile enough to use it to prepare and eat meals or play games. And on top of that, it’s also super affordable. 

#8 ALPS Mountaineering Dining Table

Best Portable Camping Table

Dimensions: 28″ x 43″ x 28″ 
Weight: 12 lbs
Star rating: 4.6/5
Best for: Frequent campers who like to grab their gear and go.

Slat-top or roll-top tables make it easy to transport camping tables with a sizeable surface area. 

ALPS Mountaineering is a leading brand when it comes to quality camping gear. And the ALPS Mountaineering Dining Table is a sturdy and lightweight roll-top aluminum table that’s a breeze to transport and set up. 

This twelve-pound table packs down into a portable carry bag and it sets up in a flash. 

The X-shaped leg design provides extra stability so you don’t have to worry about your table wobbling or your drinks spilling.

It’s available in either a silver finish or a brown finish called “Clay.” I’ve listed the dimension here for the regular size, but it also comes as a square or in an extra-large rectangle. 

#9 Mountain Summit Gear Deluxe Roll Top Kitchen

Best Camping Table with Storage

Dimensions: 56.2” x 18.9” x 31.5”
Weight: 13.5 lbs
Star rating: 4.6/5
Best for: Campers who like to have a home away from home.

If you’re like me and love cooking, you might be interested in camp tables that offer an advanced portable kitchen set up for your outdoor adventure. 

Mountain Summit Gear is a dependable brand for camping supplies, and the Mountain Summit Gear Deluxe Roll-Top Kitchen will have you covered for all your camp cooking needs.

This camp kitchen table from Mountain Summit Gear provides tons of storage with multiple shelves, prep surfaces, and tool pockets. 

And as a bonus, it stows away in a carry bag with folded dimensions of just 19” by 31”. 

The frame is weather-resistant aluminum, and the legs are adjustable to help it stay steady on uneven surfaces. 

You’ll be ready to prepare dinner like a pro with this Mountain Summit Gear table–all you’ll be missing is your home dining table.

#10 REI Camp Prep Table

Best Foldable Camping Table

Dimensions: 24” x 49” x 22-31”
Weight: 19.7 lbs
Star rating: 4.6/5
Best for: Preparing and cooking family meals. 

If you’re looking for a portable table that does it all, the REI Camp Prep Table is the perfect solution for you.

This REI camping table is entirely aluminum with a generously sized tabletop. It’s great for prepping meals, but it could seat four people comfortably for dinner as well. 

It has legs that adjust from 22” to 31”, giving you a wide range of table height options.

This cook station table also includes holes in the corners where you could tie a trash bag. Chop your vegetables and easily slide the refuse into a trash bag at the corner. Or, thread some twine through to DIY a paper towel holder. 

This folding table has a 100-pound weight capacity and includes a handle to carry it like a briefcase. Its folded dimensions are just 24” x 24”.

#11 MSSOHKAN Folding Camping Table 

Best Budget Camping Table

Dimensions: 26.7” x 22.5” x 25.2”
Weight: 5.2 lbs
Star rating: 4.3/5
Best for: Beginner campers. 

There was a time in my late teens and early twenties when I didn’t camp. I had grown out of the family camping trips, but I didn’t have a car or the gear to go camp independently. 

And as I began to build my camping gear collection from scratch, I was hesitant to spend too much on any piece of gear.  

For young people in that position, a budget option like the MSSOHKAN Folding Camping Table is an excellent place to start. 

This portable camping table is super affordable, packs up small, and is exceptionally lightweight. 

This makes it perfect for a young person who has a limited budget, limited storage space, and who might not have a car of their own. 

This folding camping table also has a super easy setup, is 100% aluminum, and comes with a convenient carry bag. 

#12 KingCamp Bamboo Folding Camping Table

Best Bamboo Camping Table

Dimensions: 47.2′ ‘x 31.5” x 19.6”-27.5”
Weight: 29.1 lbs
Star rating: 4.5/5
Best for: Bell tents and glamping.

A lot of camping gear isn’t all that aesthetically pleasing. If you’re more of a “glamper” than a camper, you might want camping furniture that also looks good aside from functioning well. 

Well, bamboo is a material suitable for outdoor use and it has an attractive finish. 

The KingCamp Bamboo Folding Table is perfect for a camping dining table. It folds in half for transport and has an easy setup. It also has adjustable legs to set it to different heights depending on your needs.

Bamboo is naturally UV-resistant, waterproof, anti-microbial, and environmentally friendly, meaning you can feel confident about this purchase. 

#13 Coleman Outdoor Compact Table

Best Beach Camping Table

Dimensions: 27.6” x 27.6” x 27.6”
Weight: 9 lbs
Star rating: 4.7/5 
Best for: Picnics and impromptu outings.

The Coleman Outdoor Compact Table is a small table that you can depend on in a pinch. It has a snap-together design and an aluminum slat top and fits easily into a carrying bag.

This pop-up camping table is relatively small as far as dining tables go, and it’s probably best as a side table, but it has enough room to seat four people when needed. 

The top uses lightweight aluminum, while the sturdy steel legs offer a supportive base.

The Coleman Outdoor Compact table is excellent for picnics and beach outings because it’s small, light, and easy to put together. 

It’s also very affordable, and the upside is that Coleman is one of those brands you can depend on for camping supplies.

#14 CampLand Aluminum Table

Best Waterproof Camping Table

Dimensions: 35.8” x 20.3” x 17.3”
Weight: 10 lbs
Star rating: 4.4/5
Best for: Camping in all types of weather.

Many other camping tables use polyester for a super lightweight table, but when it rains, polyester cloth can get soggy. 

On the other hand, an aluminum camping table, like the CampLand Aluminum Table, won’t soak up rainwater and it’s easy to wipe dry. 

The CampLand Aluminum Table is a lightweight, slat-top aluminum table with adjustable legs. 

It’s on the smaller side but still roomy enough for two people to sit and eat around or use as a prep surface in a portable kitchen.

And its adjustable leg heights allow you to stabilize the table on uneven surfaces and set it to your preferred size. 

This affordable table also comes with a carrying bag and a lifetime warranty.

#15 Mountain Summit Gear Heavy-Duty Roll-Top Table

Best Roll-Up Camping Table

Dimensions: 47” x 28” x 28”
Weight: 15.2 lbs
Star rating: 4.6/5
Best for: Group dining in nature.

Many portable camp tables are very small to keep the weight down and for easy transport and storage. 

The MountainSummit Gear Heavy-Duty Roll-Top Table offers a generous surface area, but it packs down small thanks to its roll-top design.

This table seats five or six people, but you can roll up the powder-coated aluminum top and store everything in a three-foot-long carrying bag.

Many camping tables with slats have them configured lengthwise, so the carrying bag is as long as the table. However, the Mountain Summit Gear table’s slats are width-wise, so they pack up more compactly. 

Steel legs give this table an extra sturdy base with a 70-pound capacity. It also has a matte grey finish and it assembles in under a minute.

#16 ALPS Mountaineering Eclipse Table

Best Camping Table for Tailgating 

Dimensions: 27″ x 27″ x 26″
Weight: 7 lbs
Star rating: 4.7/5
Best for: Playing cards by the campfire.

The ALPS Mountaineering Eclipse Table uses a design similar to a standard folding camping chair. 

Thanks to a polyester fabric body, this folding table is very lightweight, but with two levels of tabletop, it offers twice as much surface area as it takes up.

The lower table-top includes four mesh cupholders, so if you’re playing a game on the top level, your drinks can stay out of the way but remain close as hand. 

It also has a side flap with three organizational pockets, freeing up more space on the tabletop.

A buckle and strap system at the corners lets you pull the fabric taut, and it easily folds away into a portable carry bag. 

You can use it as a side table, a coffee table, or a card table. You can even enjoy a meal on it. 

Lastly, it comes in eight different colors, two of which include a checkerboard printed right on the tabletop.

#17 Old Cedar Outfitters Lightweight Folding Table

Best Camping Table for Food Prep

Dimensions: 44.75” x 23.5” x 36.5”
Weight: 22 lbs
Star rating: 4.6/5
Best for: Prepping food and washing up.

The Old Ceder Outfitters Lightweight Folding Table is a wise investment if you want to take your portable kitchen to another level on your next camping trip.

This table includes a small sink with a drain. You can attach it to a hose if there’s one available or use it as a convenient washbasin for doing your dishes. 

The rest of the table-top is food-grade plastic, and the locking legs fold up for transport. 

It’s primarily designed for hunters and fishers to clean their catches, but it also works excellently as an outdoor food prep station.

While this isn’t the most versatile table, it excels at a single purpose: prepping and cleaning up after an outdoor dinner.

Buying Guide: How to Choose the Best Camping Table

What to Look for in Camping Tables

Size

With camping tables, the size is essential for two reasons.

First, it determines how many people the table seats and what the table’s best use is. More sizeable tables will work for dining and food preparation, while a smaller one can function as a side table or a card table.

Second, the table’s size will also determine how portable it is. If you have a small vehicle or plan on backpacking, a big folding table won’t be the best table for you. So, size should be the first thing you look at when shopping for camping tables.

Weight and Portability

Similarly, weight is crucial for any type of camping or travel gear. Knowing how much a table weighs is vital if it’s something you’ll be transporting.

Your weight needs will vary drastically depending on what type of camper you are. If you have a large camper van or you’re setting up a glamping site, heavier furniture will be alright for you.

But for backpackers, the best camping tables will be as lightweight as possible and include carry bags to make transport easier.

Materials

Some camping tables are aluminum, while others use steel or MDF. Some use polyester fabric and some use bamboo.

Each material offers its advantages. Aluminum is more lightweight than steel, but steel is sturdier.

Polyester is the least heavy camping table material, but it’s not great for balancing drinks or serving full meals. Bamboo is anti-microbial and aesthetically appealing, but it’s likely less portable.

Looking at a table’s materials will help you determine if it’s best for you.

Extra Features

Extra features can make a product more appealing. The best camping tables might have something extra to set them apart.

From cupholders to extra storage, hooks, or pockets for cooking utensils–an additional feature is a bonus that will make a table stand out.

Types of Camping Tables

Slat-Top Tables

Roll-top or slat-top tables use a series of narrow slats for the table-top, which allows the table to easily break down into small pieces for transport.

In some cases, the slats stay connected and roll up, and in other cases, they come apart into separate parts.

These types of tables are usually aluminum, which is lightweight but solid and sturdy. Some combine aluminum slats with steel legs, which are sturdier and heavier.

Food Prep Tables

Prep tables are best for preparing food rather than eating it.

Some prep tables are flat, folding tables that include a few extra features that enhance your cooking experience.

Others, are specifically designed for cooking and have a grill stand or a sink basin for washing dishes.

Lightweight Polyester Tables

Like the folding camping chairs you often see around a campfire, lightweight polyester tables stretch polyester fabric over a fiberglass or aluminum frame.

Polyester tables are incredibly lightweight, and they fold out instantly–just like a camp chair. This type of table is best for backpacking and is usually on the smaller side.

Folding Camp Tables

Some camp tables fold in half rather than rolling up into a small carrying case.

A folding camp table is generally less portable and heavier than the other options, but it can also be larger and sturdier.

If you’re looking for a spacious dining table and you’re camping near a large vehicle with lots of room for gear, then a folding table might be the right choice for you.

Looking for a tent to go with your camping table? Check out our guides to the best one-person tents, 2-person tents, 4-person tents, 6-person tents, 8-person tents, 10-person tents, 12-person tents, family tents, large camping tents, 3-room tents, instant tents, pop-up tents, inflatable tents, tunnel tents, canvas tents, winter tents, insulated tents, tents with stove jacks, glamping tents, SUV tents, motorcycle tents, tents for wind, tents with an AC port, tents with a screen room, and cabin tents.

FAQs About Camping Tables

How tall should a camping table be?

There are multiple uses for a camping table. You might use your table to eat your meals, in which case the standard height is about 28 inches.

But you might need a camping table to use as a coffee or side table when you’re sitting by the fire, and in that case, a shorter height will suffice.

Another possible use for a camping table is for food preparation. This type of camp table should be a little higher–over 30 inches–because you tend to be standing when cooking or prepping food.

Do you need a table for camping?

Most campsites include a table, so you might be wondering why you’d need a camping table at all. However, there are several good reasons to purchase one.

If you’re wild camping–that is, camping in the wilderness outside of designated campgrounds–then a table will be a big help when you’re trying to cook or eat a meal over an open fire. And a table will also help you feel more civilized and less stressed when you’re out in nature.

But even at campsites, there are compelling reasons to have a camping table.

For one, you usually won’t be able to move the included table. If you want to set up your dinner table in a specific place or inside a screen house, a portable table makes this a lot easier.

Essentially, a camping table helps upgrade your camping experience, making it more comfortable and customizable. You can certainly survive without one, but a table can help you thrive in the wilderness.

How do you set up a camping table?

Polyester folding tables generally assemble just like a camp chair–simply take it out of the carrying bag and unfold it.

Slat-top tables and other folding tables can be more complicated and vary individually depending on the table’s design.

In general, you will first need to set up the legs and frame for a slat-top table and then either attach or unroll the slats.

For other folding tables, you’ll usually need to open up the tabletop and then slide and lock the legs into place.

Always be sure to keep your instruction manual handy, at least for initial use.

How do I choose camping furniture?

The best way to know what camping furniture is right for you is to know your own camping style.

Your needs might vary depending on whether you’re backpacking, trekking through the wilderness, or car-camping in an established campground.

If you’re carrying your gear any distance on foot, then light and compact furniture is essential, and you probably can only bring a few choice things.

But if the only distance that you need to carry your furniture is a few feet when you unpack the car, weight becomes less important, and comfort and convenience take the forefront.

If that’s your style, look for furniture that offers more space and more features.

How much should I expect to spend on a camping table?

Some budget camping tables can cost you as little as $25. But in general, the average cost for a camping table is between $60 and $120.

Because camping tables can only be so big, they tend to not range much higher than that, and there’s no reason to spend hundreds of dollars on one.

Conclusion: Our Pick for the Best Camping Table

Our choice for the best camping table is the ALPS Mountaineering Eclipse Table–a table that stands out for several reasons.

First, the polyester fabric construction means that it’s super lightweight, compact, and easy to set up and break down. This means it’s a good choice regardless of whether you’re car camping or backpacking.

This table also has two levels, so even though it takes up less space than other camping tables, it provides a lot of surface area to set things on.

On top of that, the lower level has four cup-holders. That solves the stability issue you might find in other polyester camping tables.

And to further address that, a corner buckle design allows you to pull the fabric tight if it gets a bit loose and floppy.

Aside from cup-holders, it also has a side flap with three organizational pockets. So, despite being relatively small, it’s able to hold as much as a much larger and heavier table.

The ALPS Mountaineering Eclipse Table also comes in eight different colors, so there’s plenty of variety.

And while it’s a tad pricey for a small table, the price is reasonable when you compare it to the larger tables it can compete with.

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