Preparedness is the hallmark of a good camper. When talking about the best water containers for camping, what we’re talking about is something that experienced campers truly covet. No matter where you’re camping or what kind of water supply is available there, having a trusty camping water container is critical – especially for long trips well off the beaten path.
Whether you’re bringing a water supply for a camping trip for primary use or as an emergency reserve, a proper water container for camping is a real essential. The most rugged of outdoors hearts can rough it through a lot of extreme situations, but a lack of water is not one of them.
If you’re an avid camper in the market for a great water container or you’re just starting your journey into the camping unknown, this article is for you. Not only are we about to reveal our definitive list of The 7 Best Water Containers For Camping, but we’ll also answer any questions you likely have about investing in these water containers for a your next camp’s drinking water supply.
Without further ado, here’s the list!
Our Favorite Water Containers for Camping
Reliance Products Aqua-Tainer 7 Gallon Rigid Water Container
- Rigid, 7-gallon rectangular water container with molded contour grip
- Space-saving design for easy storing and stacking when empty. Spigot cap is reversible for safe storage and transport
- New and improved screw-on vent; hideaway spigot for on-demand water dispensing
- Suitable for outdoors activities and emergency water storage
Overall Best Water Container
The Aqua-Tainer 7 Gallon Rigid Water Container is the first of two Reliance Products containers on this list, and for good reason! It’s one of the most durable water containers for camping ever released, and that’s backed up by a five-year warranty against manufacturer’s defects! Whether you’re using it as a backup water supply or to serve drinks at an outdoors event, this extra strong container does it all!
Pros
- Made of extra sturdy materials and fashioned to save space and allow for stacking.
- Features a brand new screw-on vent design and a hideaway spigot which can be accessed easily to dispense beverages.
- The molded contour grip makes carrying this camping water container very comfortable
- Holds 7 gallons of water (most on our list)
Cons
- Hideaway spigot is prone to breaking without contact as time goes on.
- Spigot attachment has been known to leak slightly when dispensing in certain models.
Igloo 6 Gallon Portable Camping Hiking Water Storage Container
- 6 gallon, blue water container, ideal for safely transporting & storing water, rugged, heavy wall construction for durability, has flexible spout, molded in...
- Adds a great value
- Manufactured in United States
6 Gallon Water Container in a Portable Design
The Igloo’s trusted name in plastic storage containers carries on with their heavy duty, portable container perfect for camping or hiking. This water container has a flat shape that makes it easier to pack in a tight car or truck, and easy to stick in an oversized backpack. The water container comes with a durable handle that makes it easy to carry and gives you confidence that you won’t lose hold of your container.
Pros
- Very durable design able to withstand the elements
- The flat design actually makes it easier to pack in a stuffed car for camping
- Well-built container that can last for many uses
- Can stack multiple containers
Cons
- The flat container shape can easily fall over if not propped up correctly
- The opening to fill and clean the container is smaller than other designs, making it harder to clean
- Only comes in one size (6 gallons)
- Vent will sometimes get stuck
Arrow Home 2 Gallon Container
- 2 Gallon Water Dispenser - Enjoy refreshing water or your favorite beverage from our 2 Gallon (7.6 Liters) Drink Dispenser with Spigot. The container saves...
- Must-Have Features - Our food-safe BPA free plastic beverage dispenser is MADE IN THE USA, reusable, stain-resistant, durable and break resistant. Ideal for...
- Enjoy Your Favorite Beverage, Anywhere - Not just for home use! Features convenient carry handle and large opening for ease of adding liquid and ice. Take this...
- Refill Design - The space-saving design of the 2 gallon beverage dispenser means it fits in your refrigerator for easy dispensing from the spout. Refill and...
Arrow Home 2 Gallon Container2 Gallon Container for Single Day Trips
The Arrow 2 Gallon Container is perfect for a single day’s use with enough water for you and a small family. The sturdy, built-in handle makes it easy to carry and lug around on those long walks to the campsite or near the lake. You can also use this handle to tie down and keep the container steady on a boat.
Pros
- Good value for a durable product
- Spout makes it easy to pour drinks
- Large opening makes it easy to fill and clean
- The clear shell gives you a visual of how much water is left and also makes sure you have washed out all your soap when cleaning
Cons
- Spout doesn’t reach the bottom so the container will have to be tipped over when reaching lower levels of liquid
- Clear shell leads to water heating up quicker in the sun
- Only built for a few uses before this should be replaced (or very thoroughly sanitized)
Arrow Plastic Slimline Beverage Container
- 2.5 Gallon Water Dispenser
- Made in the USS
- Features convenient carry handle
- Refill and reuse over and over
Best Value Container for Multiple Uses
A wonder of space-conscious design ingenuity, the Arrow Plastic Slimline Beverage Container is the perfect portable water container for camping. If you’ve got limited space in your camping supplies but don’t want to sacrifice your emergency water supply, this compact camping water container is the right compromise.
The Arrow Water Container comes in multiple sizes along with a large opening at the top, to make it easy to fill and clean.
Pros
- The slimline design makes this the easiest water container for camping to pack in when there’s not much room to be had
- Features an extra large opening for easy water pouring or filling up with ice to chill your favorite beverage and easily clean
- The built-in handle is calibrated perfect for easily carrying the container whether it’s filled or empty
Cons
- Limited (2.5 gallon) capacity compared to bigger options on this list
- Overall durability has been questioned by multiple customer reviews
Reliance Products Jumbo-Tainer 7 Gallon Jerry Can Style Rigid Water Container
- 7-gallon jumbo-tainer style rigid water container
- Combines the easy to carry shape of a traditional in a more contemporary
- Features reliable tap style spigot and dual grip-through handles
Water Container With An Easy-Pour Spout
The second of Reliance Products’ peak-quality duo of camping water containers, the 7 Gallon Jerry Can Style Jumbo-Tainer provides a new durable spin on a classic design. The dual grip-through handles makes this camping container a complete breeze to carry, and the tap-style spigot makes pouring drinks an effortless endeavor!
Pros
- Jerry Can style design with strong dual handles allows for most people to carry easily even if the spacious 7 gallon capacity is full
- Tap-style spigot is easy to use and pours without interruption
- Made of durable BPA free materials. This rigid camping water container simply lasts!
Cons
- The sealing of the spigot will leak slightly on some units
- Can leave a bit of an aftertaste if water is left in the containers for an extended period
WaterStorageCube BPA Free Collapsible Water Container
- FOOD-GRADE ODORLESS GREAT TASTE: PE plastic made with highest quality USA raw material. Environmentally friendly non-toxic, No BPA PVC or DEHP, No plastic PVC...
- LIGHT, COMPACT, PORTABLE AND REUSABLE Foldable space saving design store away easily. Remains soft and flexible even when cold yet retains shape and is easy to...
- WORRY-FREE AND LEAK-PROOF Custom made lid and spigot with gasketless design means no leaks or parts to replace. Good spigot water-flow. Thicker lid to withstand...
- EMERGENCY PREPAREDNESS AND DAILY USE Enables you quickly and safely store all the water your family needs in the event of an emergency or natural disaster like...
Most Portable Container
Other than its useful collapsible design, the real selling point of the WaterStorageCube Collapsible Water Container is its food-grade PE plastic which has zero plastic VC odor or taste residue. Whatever beverage you put into this container will come out tasting as it’s supposed to. This container is available in three different sizes (1.3 gallon, 2.6 gallon, and 5.2 gallon), so it’s a winner for a variety of different uses!
Pros
- The collapsible design has been reinforced with several different leak-proof measures including a customized lid and gasketless spigot
- The collapsible design also makes this one of the easiest containers to both store and port when limited space is a concern
- Comes with an added bonus – a 30 page Camping and Emergency Preparedness Survival Guide in eBook format!
Cons
- The water spigot flow is slower than what would be ideal
- The attached loop for hanging from a tree or wall is a bit flimsy and may not hold on the 5.2 gallon option if the container is completely full
Hakkin Collapsible Water Tank (4 Pack)
- ✅ BPA FREE FOOD GRADE MATERIAL: Made from tasteless and food grade polyethylene film, Eco-Friendly, Reusable and Refillable, 4 environmental friendly 5L water...
- ✅ WIDE APPLICATION:Suitable for outdoor BBQ, camping, and domestic water. Great for survival & emergency kits. Store water, milk, tea, juice, alcoholic drinks...
- ✅ HUMAN COLLOCATION: Hakkin provides you with two more water bag caps. It solves the trouble that the water bag can not be used due to the loss of the bottle...
- ✅ INNOVATIVE DESIGN & LEAK-PROOF CAP: Unlike ordinary water bag, the large screw-on cap provides a leak-proof seal, the large 1.65" inch bottble opening for...
Collapsible Water Container
The Hakkin water tank is a collapsible container that comes in the form of a large, durable bag with a handle and a spout. These containers are BPA free, easy to clean, eco-friendly, and can be used for camping, hiking, or even emergencies such as earthquakes or floods. Each bag holds 5 liters of water.
Pros
- Leak-proof cap
- Portable design can be stowed away in a very small spot until ready to use
- 4 pack makes it a very economic value
- Multiple uses outside of camping
Cons
- Not built for continuous use over a long period
- We found one out of the four bags we received began to leak around the edges
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the things which separate the best water containers for camping from the rest?
If you think all water containers for camping are created equal, think again. Don’t get fleeced by a company which professes quality and doesn’t deliver.
There are three very important factors to keep in mind when searching for the perfect camping water container for you:
- Structural Quality – This isn’t a water container that’s going to be sitting on your kitchen counter collecting dust. You need a water container that’s built with extremely sturdy materials and which is not going to spring a leak when thrown in with your other gear. The container’s likely going to take a beating from the elements, from overzealous campers, and from constant movement. Make sure it can hold up to all of that and more.
- Capacity – Good campers prepare. The great campers overprepare. If you’re the using the contents of your water container as a primary supply, you’ll need to estimate how much water you’ll need for drinking, washing, cooking, and other tasks during the duration of your trip. Then, you’ll want even more just in case. If it’s an emergency supply, you’ll still want that much in the event things go awry. Make sure your water container for camping has enough capacity to meet these needs.
- Collapsible or Non-Collapsible – If you’re dealing with limited space in your vehicle or are trying to camp light, a collapsible camping water container may be your best option. Non-collapsible water containers tend to be a little more sturdy just based upon their overall constitution, but they will take more storage space overall.
One note: you should expect all plastic camping water containers worth buying to be BPA free. All entries on this list fall in line with this, so make sure any other options you consider also list BPA free in their product description.
Should I bring a camping water container if my campsite has access to clean drinking water?
The only way to answer this is with a resounding yes. Not only is in convenient to have your own personal water supply to draw from (especially if you’re at a busy campground during peak season), but things don’t always go according to plan.
If the water supply at your campground is compromised in some way or simply stops working properly, you’ll be stuck without water if you don’t bring a container and will likely have to cut your trip short. And if an emergency takes place and you can’t get out of the camp area right away, you’ll be in dire straits.
It always pays to have extra water when you’re camping. Therefore, it always pays to have a quality water container for camping in your supplies.
What are good uses for a camping water container when not used for camping?
The best water containers for camping don’t have to be just for camping. The water containers on our list above are also a fantastic option in case of a natural disaster which could compromise your neighborhood’s water supply. Having a backup plan in place with fresh drinking water could save your life and the lives of your family if first responders can’t get to you right away.
On a less serious note, the water containers above are also fantastic options for use on long road trips, at parties for serving a wide variety of different beverages, or for use on the sidelines for a sports team. The water containers highlighted above are durable and versatile, so there’s no real limit to the uses you can find for them.
How do you clean camping water containers?
To properly clean and care for your camping water containers, rinse your container thoroughly with a mixture of warm water and one of the following:
- mild soap, or dishwashing liquid
- small amount of baking soda
- sanitizing tablet (find brands specifically made for water bottles and containers)
Be sure to let your container dry completely before use. You’ll also want to make sure you clean the lid, handle, and any outer areas that may have picked up dirt on your last trip.
Can you store tap water in containers?
As long as the tap water in your area is graded as safe to consume, it is fine to keep tap water in your water containers. In fact, all of our own camping trips have been with tap water filled in our water containers.
How much water is needed per person when camping?
The amount of water for one person each day can range from 1 to 2 gallons. We recommend leaning towards the 2 gallon range to be safe, as the last thing you want is to be caught out without enough water!
Closing Thoughts
Our list of the best water containers for camping has something for every camper. Featuring durable construction and large capacities, you can’t go wrong with any of the five entries on the list above.
Don’t hesitate. Grab one of these top-quality water containers for your next camping trip and you’ll be prepared for anything that comes your way.