This is our second post in a series of spring camping-themed reviews. If you haven’t already, read Jason’s review on the Ozark Trail 2 Burner Camp Stove. It’s lit. Then come back to this review and you can be served some awesomeness with a side of excellent.

Okay, I promise you, we are not secretly sponsored by Walmart (Update Aug. 2022 – We did just join the Walmart affiliate program, but we liked this gear even before that!). We’re just two guys that like to talk about gear we buy… or our wives buy. Because let’s be honest, the ladies in our lives pull some serious weight. I don’t know where I would be without my wife, and I know Jason feels the same way. Some of the gear I review will occasionally be gear that I didn’t even buy. I just get to enjoy the convenience because my wife is a rockstar. Okay, enough gushing, let’s get to the gear.

The Ozark Trail Portable High-Tension Travel Table is one of our most used pieces of gear. Why? Because it’s freaking awesome. We break it out anytime we are out and about and need to enjoy a meal. It takes up the same amount of space as a collapsible camping chair and is the perfect height for kids. Every time we use it, someone asks us where we got it. And if my wife isn’t within earshot, I might even take credit for it! We’ve used this extensively for the past 5 years and the only thing that went wrong is that one of the plastic feet went missing. Otherwise, this is a dependable workhorse of a table. Here are the specifics:

Ozark Trail Folding Camping Table Packed Up
The Ozark Trail Portable High-Tension Travel Table easily slides into a convenient carrying case. Sling it over your shoulder and you’re good to go. Where function meets fashion.

Setup:

The Ozark Trail camping table, as it will henceforth be called, sets up and tears down in less than 1 minute. You think I am kidding, but I would never do that to you. This might be the best camping table simply due to its ease of setup and excellent design. It may also be the easiest folding camping table you’ve ever set up. You have two pieces excluding the bag they come in: the table top and the base. The two pieces expand very easily and then they quickly snap together into place right when you need it. Crazy toddlers yelling for pizza? Hangry level 10? Impending meltdown and everyone is watching you? We’ve got you covered. Even the kids will be astonished at how fast it goes together. It’s not quite magic, but I do get some major Gandalf vibes from this table. I believe the Ozark Trail is the less traveled one to Mordor, but I’m sure the nerds will correct me if I’m wrong.

The Ozark Trail Folding Camping Table Has 2 Pieces (Base and table top) and a bag
The Ozark Trail Camping Table has a table top and a base that break down and easily slide into the included bag.
Ozark Trail Folding Camping Table Base and Top Laid out to show them separately
The base (left) expands easily and the table top (right) locks open easily. The table top snaps into 4 notches on the top of the base.

Eating:

It’s what tables are for. Why lug around a table if it doesn’t do its job? The Ozark Trail camping table is very stable with a pretty decent base. The top is large enough to accommodate at least 5 or 6 kids, with cupholders for 2 cups. Sure, if a kid grabs onto one end and tries to swing Tarzan-style, this thing will tip. Is it the sturdiest table ever? Probably not, but what do you expect from a camping table though? As far as camping tables goes, I’d like to think it could compete with the best of them. At the end of the day, this table does what it’s supposed to do: it provides an ample, flat surface for outdoor dining. Welcome your friends and family to a feast fit for a king on your royal folding table. It’s also easy to clean for those inevitable kid (or dad) messes. 

Folding camping table from Ozark Trail assembled and ready to be put to use
Gather round the table, children, and I will regale you with tales of mighty dragons felled by my sword. Just look at this thing. Fit for royalty.

Cost:

I think my wife paid less than $20 for this. Right now it retails for $25 and it’s worth every penny at that price point. I’m a firm believer in avoiding waste and buying something for life (or at least for a decade). Keep in mind, we are not being paid for this ad! We are not getting affiliate income (yet), but we promise to be transparent if and when we do. See our about page for more info that we will keep updated. Even if we were getting affiliate income, it would behoove us to hawk something more expensive! But that’s just the point. We want to help people find something that fits their needs without being overkill or a piece of crap. I think anything cheaper will feel flimsy and will break more easily. Will you get something with some more features or that is more lightweight for a little bit extra money? I’m sure you will. I found similar tables online that I have never tested but claim to be lighter weight, but costs more than twice as much. For our family, we are not going on long backpacking trips where weight is a concern. The Ozark Trail table is still light enough and holds up to abuse. That’s good enough for me!

Ozark Trail Folding Table set up with kids plates and cups showing how you can easily fit at least 4 kids at the table.
The Ozark Trail Camping Table is ready for your next meal.

Pros

  • This table is durable. We’ve broken it out over the past 5 years on many occasions and only have the missing plastic foot. Nothing a little duct tape can’t fix.
  • This thing is sturdy. The base is wide enough to keep it steady and tip free for the most part.
  • I love how the table packs up to an efficient size. There are not too many pieces to lose and it has a bag that’s no bigger than your standard camping bag chair.

Cons

  • In a perfect world, there would be 4 cup holders instead of 2. That’s a very minor gripe with this otherwise excellent table.
  • Not ideal if weight is a concern. It’s not heavy, but it’s not something you’d want to lug around if you’re going for minimalism.

Rating: 4.5 / 5

Four and a half stars (4.5) out of five (5)

Have you found a portable, lightweight, sturdy camping table that is better than the Ozark Trail camping table? Do you hate tables and prefer the ol’ plate in a lap or a turkey leg clenched in one paw and a stein of mead in the other? If so, I want to party with you! Please leave a comment and let us know your thoughts! We hope you find these reviews both informative and entertaining.