Going camping? You’re in luck. Arizona is filled with some fantastic campgrounds where you can get closer to nature. But before you set out for a weekend in the woods, you need to grab some gear. Thankfully, there’s no shortage of camping equipment at Arizona’s top outdoor stores. These stores have you covered whether you’re looking to hunt, hike, fish, or just enjoy a night under the stars. Here are seven essential outdoor stores in Arizona.
Campers around the country are familiar with REI. There’s a reason that REI has over 150 locations nationwide. It caters exclusively to outdoor enthusiasts and carries some of the leading brands in camping. Arizonan’s can gear up at their Paradise Valley location. They have all of the essentials for your ultimate camping trip: pads and hammocks, lighting, kitchen equipment, hiking clothing, tents, backpacks and more. REI also has big brand items from top-sellers like the North Face and Yeti. Are you a beginner? You can attend REI’s classes and adventure trips focused on outdoor education.
Peace Surplus is a Flagstaff favorite. This outdoor shop turns into a full-service ski shop during the winter months. You can get ready to hit the slopes with ski and snowboard rentals for the nearby Arizona Snowbowl. Though it might be known as a ski shop, it has an equally impressive supply of camping equipment. They carry everything you need to explore Northern Arizona’s forests—from first aid equipment to camp kitchen supplies and synthetic sleeping bags. Not looking to buy? You can reserve camping equipment rentals on their website.
Tucson is one of the best places in the country for hiking, so it makes sense that a place like Summit Hut is successful. This long-standing outdoor store has been a favorite since 1967. They offer some of the finest selection of gear for hiking, climbing, camping, and backpacking in Arizona. Campers can load up on all of their essentials at their storefront, which includes wide-selection of tents, backpacks, sleeping bags, kitchen gear, lighting, and more. Summit Hut also has carries some of the finest hiking apparel brands like Columbia and Patagonia.
Cabela’s is like a theme park for outdoor enthusiasts. Their stores are filled with massive animal displays, trophy animals, shooting galleries, and recreations of outdoor habitats. These are on full display at the 160,000-square-foot Cabela’s in Glendale. As Arizona’s only Cabela’s location, it’s one of the most popular stores for camping equipment in the state. Cabela’s has you covered whether you want something small like a water purifier or fire starter or large item like a camper or RV. One thing is for sure: Cabela’s definitely lives up to its hype.
No outdoor store has a greater presence in Arizona than Sportsman’s Warehouse. They have nine Arizona locations and cater to all big pockets of the state including Phoenix, Tucson, Prescott, Flagstaff, Show Low, and Yuma. Hunters, fishermen, archers, and boaters can all get their supplies at any of their local shops. They also carry big-name camping brands like Zippo, Kelty, and 5.11. Sportsman’s also holds classes, events, and puts up a “bragging board” for local fishers and hunters to show off their trophy animals.
Sedona is one of Arizona’s most popular camping spots. It’s filled with epic hiking trails, gorgeous scenery, and some of the best adventures in the state. Canyon Outfitters has been supplying Sedona campers with all of their essential gear for over 20 years. Though it’s primarily known for having hiking gear, Canyon Outfitters has a number of high-quality camping items at their store. It’s a one-stop shop for any local adventurer from kayakers to rock climbers, river rafters, and more.
LowerGear Outdoors has experienced big time growth. This outdoor retailer started as an e-commerce site in 2002. They later opened a retail store and expanded to a larger location in 2016. This meteoric rise can be attributed to their unique business model. They offer backpacking and camping rentals for customers not looking to buy equipment. Their storefront is packed with camping essentials in addition to equipment for kayaking and fishing. Renters can also still take advantage of their e-commerce site. Beginners might want to take a trip to the storefront to get access to expert advice and camping information.
