Let’s be honest, Valentine’s Day is a made-up holiday. It causes undue stress and is often marked by hurried, last-minute shopping for junk no one wants or needs.
Ditch the imported flowers, forgo the subpar chocolates, and make it a day worth celebrating. We’ve rounded up some of our favorite getaway ideas and gear that all the outdoor-lovin’ people in your life will appreciate.
Whether that special person is the buddy you share a tent with on the trail, your trustworthy belayer, or the person you’ve pledged to spend eternity with, these outdoorsy ideas are sure to make them smile.
Give Experiential Gifts
In our minds, the best part of Valentine’s is the reminder to do something fun and special together, preferably outside. Here are our top choices.
Gift a National Parks Pass (and take a hike). Does your partner absolutely love national parks? Invest in an NPS Parks Pass ($80) for free entry to any one of the 64 U.S. national parks for an entire year. Then, plan a park getaway with your SO.
Book a getaway. Find the ultimate getaway spot with Hipcamp. From yurts to cabins to rustic campsites to tiny homes, there’s a bit of everything. And with more than 300,000 listings across the country, odds are good you’ll find a memorable camping (or glamping) spot. You can search Hipcamp sites by locale, type of accommodation, or included perks (did someone say fire pit?!). Can’t find what you’re looking for? Check out other outdoor stays like the Basecamp Hotels, A-Lodges, or Field Station.
Rent a campervan. Why not blend a national park experience with a luxe camp setup? Available for the California, Washington, Colorado, Oregon, and Arizona markets, GoCamp has a variety of off-road and adventure-ready Mercedes Sprinters, Dodge ProMasters, Ford Transits, Eurovans, Vanagons, and more! Outfitted for comfort and fun, this could be the perfect getaway gift — and there are budget options, too.
Get a guide for a day. Is budget not an issue? Book a backcountry or heli ski, bike, or climbing guide for a day through 57hours or a similar host service. The memories you’ll make will last forever.
Sign up for an REI class or course. Has your adventure buddy been wanting to try something new? Join a lead climbing clinic or snowshoe outing (super romantic!), take a skills class, and more with REI. Pricing is discounted for members, and some are even free! Local gear shops offer year-round classes too, so be sure to browse more options near you.
Give a ski or snowboard tune-up. Nothing says I love you like a hot wax (for your skis or board!). Get your S.O. a gift card or appointment for a tune-up at your local ski shop or favorite mountain resort. You’ll help get their winter gear in tip-top shape, without any heavy lifting, and they’ll get a gift they can enjoy the next time you head out in the snow.
Retailers like REI and evo offer tuning, waxing, mounting, base repairs, and more.
Valentine’s Day: Gear to Gift This Year
If you’re really set on giving your special someone a physical gift on Valentine’s Day, check out some of our favorites here. Bonus: Many of these gifts are also on sale.
- QALO Silicone Rings (20% off): Wear a wedding ring without worrying about loss or damage during even the most intense outdoor activities. QALO’s rings are made of temperature-tolerant and durable silicone and come in dozens of colors, styles, and sizes. The discount is applied once in your cart.
- Hydro Flask Wine Bottle (40% off): Pack your special someone some après snacks and wine for whatever activity you have planned for the day … preferably a romantic sunset hike. If wine isn’t their drink of choice, you can gift plenty of other Hydro Flask bottles, maybe one in their favorite special-edition color.
- Upgrade your partner’s sleeping bag or pad to a double: This is definitely a gift for two. If you and your partner have ever been tempted to zip your sleeping bags together, a double bag, camp mattress, or doublewide pad might be worth investing in. Check out the Big Agnes Dream Island Doublewide, the NEMO Roamer Double, and more suggestions we’ve reviewed. Klymit’s Double V Pad is currently 30% off now.
- SAXX Underwear (free shipping): If you’re a more intimate gift giver, consider giving SAXX’s new Mega Lux cashmere-blend undies. Or, find free shipping on a variety of styles now.
- Solo Stove (25% off): Curl up ’round a well-ventilated, smokeless fire pit from Solo Stove. Whether you live somewhere with a snowy winter backdrop or somewhere with milder weather, this is a great romantic gift option. (Don’t forget the marshmallows!)
- Wise Owl Double Hammock (up to 30% off): Be as snug as two bugs in a rug in this two-person hammock. Lounge, swing, or camp with your adventure buddy right by your side. Check out more reviews of our favorite hammocks to gift.
- Decathlon Reclining Camp Chair (50% off): Think ahead to future adventures and summer road trips, and upgrade your Valentine’s camp or après setup. This reclining camp chair isn’t the lightest, but the steel frame is sturdy and the reclining feature works well. Most of all, it’s comfortable, and can fit in anywhere from camp to the backyard to the tailgate.
- Arc’teryx Cerium Down Hoodie (30% off): Give the gift of warmth! If you find a down puffy or any other of your partner’s favorite insulated puffy jackets on sale, definitely take advantage of a deal. This down hoody is 850-fill down, and happened to walk away with GearJunkie’s Award for Best Down Jacket in 2024.
- BioLite’s Alpenglow Mini Camp Lights (10% off): Bring a little mood lighting to your next weekend getaway or campsite. These rechargeable lights have multiple modes, including multicolor and candle flicker, run for hours, and have proved durable in heat and cold. Right now, the multipack and mini-pack bundles are on sale!
