The Best Dutch Oven for Camping: A Complete Guide

This Dutch oven made from cast iron is one of the bestselling products in this category. It comes pre-seasoned so you can get cooking right away and is a very versatile piece of cast iron camping gear.

Three built-in legs mean it can be suspended over a campfire. This is a Dutch oven and skillet in one, as the lid can be turned over and used as a frying pan. An integral lid lifter and long handle also help make this a practical choice.

If you want to sauté, roast, sear and bake, this could be the cast iron oven for you.

Why a double Dutch oven? Like some of the other great products listed, this one features a lid that can be used as a skillet. Hence the ‘double’.

This cast iron camp Dutch oven offers even cooking and comes with a small stand. This one can also be used on the stove or in the home oven, and you can even serve meals straight from the lid.

Coping with high temperatures, this highly rated Dutch oven for camp cooking is a great buy.

This Lodge Dutch oven is another top quality piece of camping cast iron cookware. It also comes pre-seasoned, and has a 5 quart capacity.

There are 2 loop handles, one on each side, providing stable control. This particular Lodge cast iron Dutch oven can be used at home as well, as its compatible with ovens, grills and stoves. Again the lid can be used as a cooking skillet.

Great heat retention and even cooking are a key feature of this pot that can be used for simmering, baking, frying, baking, braising and more.

Looking for a large Dutch oven? Holding up to 8 quarts, this Lodge one has a bigger capacity than most.

There are built-in legs for suspending over the campfire, while the lid can be used as a griddle or to hold hot coals. As a Tennessee-based company, Lodge are serious about the outdoor life and even include a ‘Cooking 101’ cookbook with this premium product. This durable cast iron Dutch oven cooking pot also comes pre-seasoned for immediate use.

This Camp Chef Dutch oven offers another option for anyone after a bigger cast iron camp oven.  With an impressive 12 quart capacity, this one’s great for families or groups.

The lid also has integral legs so it can be used as a skillet or griddle. A lid lifter and thermometer notch are also included, as is a booklet containing seasoning advice. This product is built to last and comes fully seasoned.

This Klarstein campfire cooking pot is also crafted from cast iron. It has legs, so it’s ideal for use on the campfire. This robust pot also has a wire handle for simple lifting and a tight-fitting lid to keep food hot and moist. The lid can also be turned over and used as a skillet or griddle. With an extra high brim to the lid, this heavy duty pot is good for larger meals.

This Le CreusetDutch oven is built to last a lifetime, and to withstand the demanding conditions of outdoor living.

It has a 5.2 quart capacity, but is designed to be deeper than many. It is definitely at the high end and not specifically designed for camping, but the depth is ideal for camping, when you often want to cook one-pot meals. It’s also great for baking bread over a fire.

It cooks quickly and evenly. You can place charcoal or briquettes beneath it if you like instead of lighting a campfire – ideal in windy conditions.

Another highly rated option is offered here in the form of the Mighty Hand 6 quart outdoor cooking pot.

With the capacity to feed a family of up to five, it’s a great all-rounder at a good value price. It has integral legs and the lid can be flipped over for use as a sauté pan or skillet. This comes pre-seasoned with soybean oil. It comes with the back-up of a one year, US company backed warranty too.

This Uno Casa Dutch oven is another great camping companion. It cooks evenly and effectively, ensuring you can serve up warming hot meals to 4 or 5 people.

Hot coals can be placed on the lid if required, or this can be flipped for use as a griddle. Some useful extras are included with this product – a heavy duty, PVC backed tote bag and even a downloadable recipe book. This cast iron camping cooking pot is another great two in one option.

What if your camping trips are not taken by car and thus you cannot carry a cast iron pot?

This GSI Outdoors Dutch oven is made from aluminum, so weighs around 66% less than a cast iron equivalent. Aluminum is a great heat conductor, and is also durable, rust-resistant and easy to clean.

You can choose between a 2 or a 5 quart model; the former also being ideal for anyone seeking a small Dutch oven. Such as those camping solo or as a couple.

Invest in a camping tripod for cooking and you will always have a way of hanging your Dutch oven over the campfire.

The stable, 3-legged design and sturdy steel build of this one is highly reliable. The strong chain ends in an S-hook for suspending a tea or coffee pot – or even a lantern. You could even use this for drying wet clothing. It’s safe and easy to set up and use and weighs just 13 lbs.

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James Ian is a national park, camping and hiking expert.

He has dedicated his life to travel, visiting more than 80 countries, all 7 continents and most of the national parks in the United States. With over 35 years experience in the travel industry, James has worked on cruise ships, at resorts and hotels, and as a travel planner who’s helped hundreds of people plan successful trips to US national parks. 

Based on his experience visiting our national parks multiple times, in-depth research and expertise as a travel planner, James has published detailed itineraries for most of the major national parks in the US. These itineraries, as well as in-depth park guides, comprehensive camping and hiking gear reviews and buying guides, and helpful packing lists and gift guides will help you have your own incredible trip to US national parks without stress and hassle.

As a national park expert, James has contributed to many publications, including USA Today, Time Business News, Savoteur, Best Trip, and Wired.

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