Ever watched a camping video that looked exciting but left you more confused than prepared?
For beginners, YouTube can be overwhelming. One video makes camping look effortless, the next turns it into a survival challenge. The problem isn’t a lack of content; it’s knowing which advice actually helps when you’re setting up your first tent, cooking your first camp meal, or heading out alone for the first time.
The best camping YouTube channels for beginners don’t rush you or try to impress. They show the full process, the setup, the mistakes, the weather changes, and the quiet moments in between. They help you understand what camping really feels like, not just what it looks like on screen.
In this list, we’ve picked camping YouTube channels that are genuinely beginner-friendly in 2026. These are channels you can learn from, return to before trips, and trust to set realistic expectations as you build confidence outdoors.
7 Best Camping YouTube Channels for Beginners in 2026
1. Outdoor Gear Review
The Outdoor Gear Review is a long-running camping and outdoor gear YouTube channel that beginners often end up trusting early on. The channel is run by Luke, and the content focuses on real-world gear use rather than quick first impressions or overly polished setups. Most reviews come from actual trips, which makes it easier to understand how gear holds up over time.
The channel covers a wide range of beginner-relevant topics, including tents, sleeping bags, backpacks, stoves, cookware, and basic camping systems. What works well here is the pace, things are explained clearly, without rushing through details or leaning on technical jargon. You see what gear does well, where it struggles, and whether it’s worth the price.
With a subscriber base of 740K+, the channel has built a loyal audience by staying consistent and experience-driven. For beginners trying to make smarter gear decisions without getting overwhelmed, this channel fits naturally into any early camping learning process.
2. Camping with Steve
Camping with Steve is one of the most approachable camping channels for beginners, mainly because it strips camping down to its basics. Steve’s videos focus on simple camps, minimal gear, and making the most of whatever environment he’s in, whether that’s a forest, a roadside pull-off, or an unexpected stealth camping spot.
What makes this channel work so well for newcomers is how calm and realistic it feels. There’s no pressure to own expensive gear or plan elaborate trips. Steve shows how to set up camp quickly, cook simple meals, stay warm, and adapt when things don’t go perfectly. The pace is slow, the explanations are clear, and the focus is always on comfort and practicality.
With a loyal audience of 2M+ subscribers, Camping with Steve has become popular because it makes camping feel achievable. If you’re new and want to learn by watching straightforward, no-stress camping in real conditions, this channel fits perfectly.
3. Kirin Camp
Kirin Camp is a solo camping YouTube channel from South Korea that’s known for its calm, immersive style and realistic outdoor experiences. The creator often camps alone, sometimes with her dog, in a wide range of settings, riversides, forests, snowy grounds, and quiet camp spots, which gives beginners a clear sense of how camping actually feels in different conditions.
The videos are intentionally slow and minimal, with very little talking. Instead, the focus is on natural sounds, simple routines, and step-by-step campsite setups. You see how small tents are pitched, how compact stoves and cookware are used, and how weather like rain or cold affects the overall experience. This makes the channel especially useful for beginners who learn better by watching rather than listening to long explanations.
With a subscriber base of 2.24M+, Kirin Camp has built a loyal following by showing honest, unfiltered camping. It’s a great fit for beginners interested in solo camping, minimalist gear, and peaceful outdoor trips without pressure or perfection.
4. Darwin OnTheTrail
Darwin OnTheTrail is one of the most useful channels for beginners who are curious about backpacking but don’t know where to start. Darwin focuses heavily on long-distance hiking, lightweight backpacking, and trail life, drawing from real experience on routes like the Pacific Crest Trail. The content feels practical because it’s shaped by time spent actually living out of a pack, not just weekend trips.
What makes this channel beginner-friendly is how clearly things are broken down. Gear lists, pack weight decisions, food planning, trail routines, and common beginner mistakes are explained in plain language. You see why certain gear choices matter once you’re walking all day, and what you can skip without hurting comfort or safety.
With 353K+ subscribers, the channel has earned trust by staying honest and experience-led. If you’re new to backpacking and want realistic expectations rather than polished adventure highlights, Darwin OnTheTrail fits perfectly into a beginner learning path.
5. Backpacking TV
Backpacking TV is a solid channel for beginners who want to understand backpacking without getting buried in theory. The content is strongly focused on lightweight and ultralight backpacking, with a lot of emphasis on why certain gear choices make sense once you’re actually on the trail.
What sets this channel apart is its instructional tone. Videos often break down pack setups, shelter systems, clothing layers, food strategies, and weight trade-offs in a way that feels practical rather than extreme. You’re not just told what to buy, you’re shown how different choices affect comfort, fatigue, and daily mileage. That’s especially helpful for beginners transitioning from car camping to backpacking.
The channel has built a dedicated following of 145K+ subscribers, largely because the advice is consistent and trail-tested. If you’re new to backpacking and want clear explanations, realistic expectations, and a better grasp of lightweight systems, Backpacking TV fits naturally into a beginner-focused camping list.
6. Kent Survival
Kent Survival is a UK-based camping and bushcraft channel that focuses on traditional outdoor skills rather than modern, gear-heavy camping. The content revolves around wild camping, tarp shelters, fire lighting, woodcraft, simple cooking, and low-impact camping techniques, usually filmed in forests and countryside locations across the UK.
What makes this channel especially useful for beginners is the slow, methodical approach. Skills are demonstrated step by step, with clear explanations and realistic expectations. You’re shown how shelter placement affects warmth, how fire prep actually works in damp conditions, and how minimal gear can still provide comfort if used correctly. There’s a strong emphasis on patience, safety, and learning to work with natural surroundings instead of relying on expensive equipment.
With a loyal following of 848K subscribers, Kent Survival has earned trust by staying consistent and practical. If you’re new to camping and interested in bushcraft-style trips, tarp camping, or learning foundational outdoor skills, this channel fits naturally into a beginner-friendly camping list.
7. Joe Robinet
Joe Robinet is a Canadian camping and bushcraft channel that blends practical outdoor skills with real backcountry trips. The content focuses on canoe camping, winter camping, shelter building, fire craft, and extended trips into remote areas, often filmed deep in the Canadian wilderness. It feels less like a tutorial series and more like watching how an experienced camper plans, adapts, and lives outdoors.
For beginners, the value comes from seeing complete trips unfold. You watch camps being built from scratch, gear being used in tough weather, and problems handled calmly instead of edited out. Joe explains his decisions without overcomplicating things, which helps new campers understand why certain skills and setups matter in real conditions.
With a loyal audience of 1.5M+ subscribers, the channel has earned trust by staying authentic and experience-led. If you’re interested in bushcraft-style camping, canoe trips, or learning how to be self-reliant outdoors, Joe Robinet’s channel is a strong fit for beginners willing to learn by watching real trips.
Conclusion
Learning to camp doesn’t happen overnight, and it doesn’t have to. The right YouTube channels can shorten the learning curve by showing you what camping actually looks like, not just the highlights. From setting up a tent in bad weather to cooking simple meals and adapting when plans change, the creators on this list offer something beginners truly need: realistic expectations.
What makes these channels valuable isn’t production quality or dramatic locations, but experience. You see mistakes, adjustments, and quiet moments that reflect real trips, the same situations you’ll face as you start camping more often. Watching these videos before a trip can help you feel more prepared, more confident, and far less overwhelmed.
As you plan your next camping trip, return to the channels that match your style, whether that’s simple car camping, solo trips, backpacking, or bushcraft. Let learning happen naturally, one trip at a time. The goal isn’t to camp perfectly, it’s to feel comfortable enough to keep going back outdoors.