10 Best Folding Camping Shovels 2026 in the United States

The RHINO USA Folding Survival Shovel is a versatile and durable tool designed for various tasks, such as camping, off-road adventures, and gardening. Made from heavy-duty carbon steel, the shovel is strong and resistant to corrosion thanks to its black powder-coated finish. This makes it suitable for handling tough digging jobs in dirt, sand, mud, and snow.

Its 3-in-1 design, featuring a shovel, pickaxe, and pick hoe, is particularly useful for those who need a multi-functional tool in compact form. When extended, the shovel measures 22 inches, but it folds down to a compact size of 9 x 6 inches, making it highly portable and easy to store in the included carry case. Weighing only 2 pounds, it is lightweight and won't add much burden to your gear.

The blade length of 8.2 inches offers decent digging depth and leverage. This shovel is ideal for outdoor enthusiasts looking for a reliable, multi-purpose tool that supports a family-owned American business with excellent customer service and lifetime replacement guarantee.

The Gerber Gear Dredge Portable Folding Shovel is a well-built tool made for camping, hiking, and survival. Its high carbon steel blade is powder-coated, ensuring durability and reliable performance under various weather conditions. The shovel is designed to be versatile, transitioning smoothly from a shovel to a hoe. The glass-filled nylon handle, accompanied by a rubber overmold grip, adds comfort and strength, while the aluminum core enhances the durability of this camping essential.

A major strength of the Gerber Dredge is its portability. Despite its full length of 45 inches when open, it folds down to a compact 25 inches, making it easy to carry. However, at 6.75 pounds, it might be considered heavy for some, especially for long hikes. The ergonomic handle design helps mitigate this by ensuring a comfortable grip even with prolonged use. The build quality is robust, capable of handling tough digging tasks at campsites, and is ideal for those who need a reliable tool that doesn't compromise on functionality or ease of use.

If you need a sturdy and reliable folding shovel and don't mind the extra weight, the Gerber Gear Dredge is a strong contender.

The iunio Folding Survival Shovel is a solid choice if you need a compact, multi-use tool for camping, hiking, or emergency situations. It’s made of durable high-carbon steel, which means the blade and pickaxe are strong and wear-resistant, suitable for tough outdoor tasks. Weighing only 1.4 pounds, it’s light enough to carry without hassle, and its foldable design shrinks it down to about 8.7 by 5.1 inches, making it easy to store in the included carry bag with a belt loop. The handle has a rubber grip, providing comfort and better control during use, and the full Wells grip style adds to the handling ease.

The shovel combines multiple functions beyond digging — including a saw, bottle opener, whistle, and compass — which is handy for survival and outdoor enthusiasts. While it’s designed to be sturdy, folding shovels can sometimes feel less stable than fixed shovels, so it might not be the best for heavy-duty digging over long periods.

This shovel is well-suited for campers and emergency kits needing a versatile, portable tool with several extra features, but those expecting a heavy-duty digging tool might want to consider a solid fixed shovel instead.