A camping table serves a multitude of functions. You have a table where you can safely and sanitarily prepare everything from your morning coffee to S’mores for the campfire. When it’s time to play cards, stack your blankets, or prevent your clothes from getting muddy—a portable camping table is the bee’s knees.
Yes, the last thing you want to do when camping is be without a work surface. But even worse is a camping table that folds—literally—when you need it the most. Take this guide to folding camping tables for car camping and upgrade your DIY campground experience. Then you can take your pick of the best folding camping table for your personal camping use.
The Myriad Uses of a Folding Camping Table
Camping tables are all about utility. Use a camping table for meal prep, as a beverage cart, or a grill table. This table is sturdy enough to hold a portable stove or to store gear as you unpack or pack up camp. Here we have a list that contains the best camping table for every budget and types of features including:
- Cooking & Meal Prep: Store your cutting board, dishes, fresh produce, and raw meats safely on a folding camping table. The best camping table will protect against bending, sliding, or folding in use so you can prepare and cook your breakfast, lunch, dinner, and snacks at your car camping site.
- Grill Table: A portable grill offers a quintessential camping experience—the thrill of cooking over an open flame no matter what your environment. A grill table gives you a safe surface to hold your camping grill.
- Dining & Drinking: Stay hydrated without spending all of your time cleaning up spilled cups and bottles. Create a beverage station where campers can keep their coffee, tea, water, and cups in a secure area. At night, enjoy an adult drink while sitting by the campfire.
- Washing Dishes: To ensure you keep away the germs, bacteria, and mold—and carnivores from rats to bears—out of your campsite, always wash your dishes. A folding table for camping gives you a safe surface where you can set up a dish washing station.
- Entertaining: Whether you have guests visiting your campsite for the evening, or you simply want to entertain your fellow campers, a camping table will be the central point of the festivities. Gather around the table for snacks, games, or late night conversation. This is a perfect option for camping that does not include the option to build a campfire.
- Gear Storage: As you unpack and repack your first aid kit, clothing duffel, lighting sources, and batteries, it helps to have somewhere to do it. Grabbing a folding camping table from the store before you go camping is the best solution.
What is a Roll Top? A camp roll table allows you to pack a portable camping table with ease. This type of table is unique in that the tabletop is not solid. Instead, it is designed using a lightweight material, such as aluminum, that is arranged in sturdy slats. These slats are arranged in an accordion-like manner to make it easy to gather the compacted table. The table legs are removable and easy to fold as well, making it simple to store and carry this lightweight camping table.
Camping Tables vs Camp Kitchen?
A camping table is a support structure and a steady surface where you can do an unlimited number of tasks. This is great for car camping as you may not be parked anywhere near a stationary picnic table. You can create your own outdoor kitchen, first aid station, fish cleaning area, game room, or storage area using a camping table as a countertop.
A camp kitchen is a workstation designed exclusively for cooking outdoors. This will include a smaller countertop area, along with an assortment of shelves and wire racks. A feature typical to most camp kitchens is a water basin for a sink to wash dishes. You can also find deluxe style camp kitchen setups that have useful gadgets. For example, kitchens with hooks already installed give you a way to easily mount or hang items, such as light sources or utensils. Then you can use these in a safe way while you handle meal prep and cook your food when car camping.
A consideration with camp kitchens is weight. Given the additional features and tabletops, a camp kitchen can weigh up to 40 pounds or more. Compare this to any of the below mentioned best portable camping tables for car campers, which weigh as little as one pound. You can easily see the difference. If you are looking to save space in packing for camping both in your car and on your body, a camping table is a winner by far.
However, if you’re planning on car camping for a week or so, you’re going to want more than just a countertop or two with a camping table. Here is where a portable camp kitchen along with a camping table would be the optimal setup. You get the functionality of both camp surfaces, which can greatly improve your camping experience.
10 Best Camping Tables
1. Helinox Table One
Table Specs & Features
- Size: Unfolded 24 x 16 x 14 inches; Folded 16 x 4.3 x 4.3 inches
- Weight: 1lb 8oz
- Portability: Fold up and portable in a carrying case
Editor’s Choice – Best Camp Table: The Helinox Table One is marketed toward lightweight, ultra-lite, and minimalist campers, car campers, and backpackers. Space saver at its finest, the table weighs only 1 lb. 8 oz. and features a frame made from DAC aluminum. The top of the table is equally as lightweight thanks to a see-through polyester fabric.
The table is designed for light use and not for cooking. With two polyester mesh cup holders in the center of the tabletop, you can easily use this for serving a car camping meal for two. Perfect for a breakfast table or late night S’mores session.
It has foldable legs that are designed in a pole structure using shock cords that are in a turquoise blue hue. You don’t have to worry about getting poked or hit with these cords, as you might metal or hard plastic legs. The lightweight material of the tabletop is also good for carrying in your backpack if you are planning to hike while car camping.
Note this is not a heavy-duty table and cannot be used as a seat. It does come with a convenient zippered storage bag with handles to help you haul it about, even though you won’t need much help at all. Easily made portable with its single shock cord system and measuring 16 x 4.3 x 4.3 inches.
If a hard surface is a major selling point here, take note that there is a Helinox Table One Camping Table – Hard Top. The only difference here is the hard top. You get a black polyester top that does not contain the two cup holders. Instead of the see-through fabric, you have a solid black top that is perfect for preparing food or serving hot dishes.
2. Camp Chef Mesa Aluminum Camp Table
Specs & Features
- Size: Table Dimensions 48 x 27 x 27-39
- Weight: 22 lbs
- Portability: Collapsable
Why You’ll Like It: The Camp Chef Mesa table allows you to create a sturdy work surface for your camp stove or kitchen work area. The tabletop surface is designed using aluminum in a roll-top design featuring slats. These slats collapse in an accordion style to allow you to pack up the camping table for storage and transport in your car when camping.
The legs of the table are also made from lightweight aluminum and can be adjusted for a table height of 27 to 39 inches. This is a good work height for taller individuals, so if you are vertically inclined you will want to consider this table for your car camping experience. You’ll be glad you don’t have to stoop so low when preparing your morning cup of Joe. The camp table comes with a carrying bag made from weather resistant material and carrying handles.
3. GCI Compact Camp Table 20
Table Specs & Features
- Size: Unfolded 20 x 18 x 24 inches, Folded 18 x 18 x 2 inches
- Weight: 4 pounds 13 ounces
- Capacity: 60 pounds
- Portability: Fold ups and is portable
Why You’ll Like It: The GCI Outdoor Compact Camp Table 20 is one of the more compact and smaller tables on this best car camping table list. The table is designed using aluminum legs that are telescopic and foldable. The tabletop features a heat-dissipating aluminum material. This helps keep the black colored surface cool to the touch, even on the hottest of car camping days. The surface will even hold up to 60 pounds which outperforms polyester tops.
When folded, the GCI Outdoor Compact Camp Table 20 folds down even further for compact carrying ability. Once you reduce the length of the telescopic legs you can fold the table flat. This camping table does not come with a carrying bag because you don’t need one. The table becomes its own carrying bag thanks to a well-designed positioning where the legs become a sturdy handle. Quite compatible and the hard topped surface is great for holding anything from freshly caught fish to a French press filled with hot tea.
4. ALPS Mountaineering Dining Table
Specs & Features
- Size: 28 x 43 x 28 inches
- Weight: 12 lbs
- Portability: Foldable and portable with a carrying bag
Why You’ll Like It: For car campers interested in a full-size dining table, the ALPS Mountaineering Dining Table is the best on the list. This table provides car campers with one of the widest countertops on this list. Here you have a square tabletop that measures more than three and a half feet long and over two feet in width. The table is made from shiny aluminum slats that are 1/2 inch thick making it ultra lightweight for its overall size. The tabletop is recommended for camp-side dining, compacts down using the foldable slat system.
The legs are also made using aluminum along with plastic snap-in joints that make it easy to break down and put the table back up again. Overall, this folding camp table weighs only 9 pounds It comes with a carrying bag with handles for ease of portability.
Compare to the smaller ALPS Mountaineering Camp Table, which measures more than two feet across in a square. This table weighs slightly less at just 9 pounds and is perfect for one to two individuals. For the smaller size of this table, it should be noted that taller individuals will have a little trouble stretching their legs out under the top. However, the height is great for holding camp stoves, camp kitchens, and beverage stations.
5. KingCamp Bamboo Folding Table
Table Specs & Features
- Size: Unfolded 39.4 × 25.6 × 16.5-25.6 inches, Folded 39.4 × 4.3 × 7.1 inches
- Weight: 15 pounds
- Capacity: 66 pounds
- Portability: Foldable and comes with a carrying bag
Why You’ll Like It: The KingCamp Bamboo Folding Table is a great choice for eco-conscious campers. The tabletop is made from environmentally sustainable bamboo material. The surface is compatible by folding up the bamboo slats. The legs are made from aluminum, and these are adjustable for a table height of 16.5 to 25.6 inches.
Aluminum is the perfect lightweight choice for the equally light bamboo. Other benefits from the use of bamboo include having a waterproof work surface. Unlike wood that can rot, bamboo is designed to withstand the elements more easily. Note that the manufacturer says not to let the table sit out in ran for long periods or submerge the tabletop. The bamboo is also UV protectant, which means it will withstand sun exposure.
Overall, this is a more aesthetically pleasing table for car campers interested in blending in with the environment. Also, the pale yellow bamboo isn’t reflective like the shiny aluminum tabletops also listed among the best folding camp tables. If you are camping in sunny locations, this is something to keep in mind.
6. REI Camp Roll Table
Table Specs & Features
- Size: Unfolded 27.5 x 27.5 x 27.5 inches, Folded 28 x 7.5 x 5.5 inches
- Weight: 8 pounds 8 ounces
- Capacity: 100 pounds
- Portability: Compatible and folds up for easy packing
Why You’ll Like It: The REI Camp Roll Table will give you the most weight capacity for your buck on this list of the best camping tables for car campers. This is a powerhouse of a camp table featuring a max capacity of 100 pounds and a surface area of more than two feet. When ready to camp, you’ll appreciate the small size of this table. It weighs less than 9 pounds and approximately six inches square in width when folded up.
Designed using aluminum tubing for the legs and aluminum slat tops, you can quickly collapse the table for portability. The aluminum is heat resistant and super stable, perfect for a camp kitchen, work surface, or dining area. The camp table comes with a stuff sack for ease of hauling.
7. Big Agnes Soul Kitchen Camp Table
Table Specs & Features
- Size: Unfolded 27.5 x 24 x 24 inches, Folded 28 x 5 x 4 inches
- Weight: 4 pounds 8 ounces
- Portability: Foldable and compact for easy transport
Why You’ll Like It: The Big Agnes Soul Kitchen Camp Table is useful for car campers in need of a sturdy work surface. The top of the foldable camping table is made using a high-tenacity Robic nylon and ripstop polyester. Along with being treated for waterproofing, the surface is resistant against tearing and is hard to the touch.
The base of the camp table is made from aircraft aluminum. It features a shock-corded structure and poles that clip into a frame attachment. Featuring a bright red hue on the legs coupled with a charcoal gray surface, this folding camp table stands out visually. It also comes ready to roll with a carrying bag with handles.
8. Coleman Pack-Away 4-in-1 Camp Table
Table Specs & Features
- Size: 32.2 x 6.2 x 8.3 inches
- Weight: 13.5 pounds
- Portability: Folds up for portability
Why You’ll Like It: The Coleman Pack-Away 4-in-1 Camp Table features a unique design. Here you have two separate tabletops that can be adjusted to three heights. Brackets hold the tabletops and legs securely for you to use the table in a number of ways.
Go square, set up a buffet, use a bi-leveled counter surface, or use the two tables individually. This portable folding car camping table is optimal for groups or families that camp. You have so many ways you can use this single piece of camp equipment. Is portable thanks to folding legs and a lightweight aluminum frame.
9. Camp Chef Sherpa Table
Table Specs & Features
- Size: Unfolded 15 3/4 x 27 x 28 inches, Folded 15 3/4 x 27 x 18 1/4 inches
- Weight: 13.4 pounds shipping weight
- Portability: Folds up and has handles for carrying
Why You’ll Like It: The Camp Chef Sherpa Table gives you a combination you won’t see with any of these other camping tables. Here you get a table along with four storage bags that fit like shelves into this folding camp table.
Each of the zippered compartments allows you to securely store your camp kitchen supplies. These bags are also waterproof, which protects against the elements. The table is covered in 600 denier fabric and topped with an aluminum roll-up table. The legs are also made from aluminum and are telescopic.
10. Big Agnes Woodchuck Camp Table
Table Specs & Features
- Size: Unfolded 17 x 21.5 x 15.5 inches, Folded 21.5 x 4.5 x 3.5 inches
- Weight: 2 pounds 6 ounces
- Portability: Lightweight and foldable for easy portability
Why You’ll Like It: The Big Agnes Woodchuck Camp Table gives you a hard-topped camp table that is perfectly sized for your car camping adventure. The surface sits 17 inches from the ground and is held up with a shock cord system. The high-tenacity Robic nylon and ripstop polyester ensures the table will hold up to your camping adventures. Aircraft aluminum for the frame keeps the structure lightweight and portable.
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