Savvy campers bring along their own water storage containers even when there is a water source at their campsite, just in case of emergency. If you are dry camping or heading into the backcountry, it’s even more important to carry your own large water container.
We’ll give you a rundown of the best camping water jugs, so you can fill up with confidence and always have water at the ready.
1. Reliance Products Aqua Tainer 7-Gallon Water Storage Container
Stackable and durable, the Reliance Products Aqua Tainer 7-Gallon Water Storage Container is our top pick for taking water on your next camping trip. We like this rigid container for its reversible spigot, which you can have protruding to dispense water, then switch it so it tucks away inside the cap when you’re packing up. With a 7-gallon capacity, this is a solid pick for families or long-term campers. It also makes a great emergency water storage container to keep in your garage between camping trips. Since the Reliance Products Aqua Tainer 7-Gallon Water Storage Container doesn’t fold down when empty, you may as well store it full of drinking water just in case of emergencies.Specs
- Size: 7 gallons
- Type: Rigid, non-collapsible water storage container
- Material: BPA-free polyethylene plastic
- Features: Handle, reversible spigot, cube shape
2. WaterStorageCube Collapsible Water Container
Our favorite collapsible camping water jug is the WaterStorageCube Collapsible Water Container. It’s available in three sizes so you can mix and match which ones you bring on your camping trip to get the exact right amount of water for your group. Once empty, you can fold the container and stash it to save space. You will need to be careful what you pack next to your full WaterStorageCube Collapsible Water Container, though, since the soft plastic walls are not as strong as a rigid container and sharp items in your trunk can cause a leak if they come into contact with the container.Specs
- Size: 1.3 gallons, 2.6 gallons, 5.3 gallons
- Type: Collapsible water storage container
- Material: BPA-free polyethylene plastic
- Features: Molded handle, spigot, cube shape
3. Coghlan’s Collapsible Water Container 5-Gallon
The Coghlan’s Collapsible Water Container 5-Gallon is thin, flexible, and does not convey a plastic taste to your water, but is not made to last like some other containers on our list. You’ll need to be careful in handling it when filling and packing to avoid leakage. Count on the Coghlan’s Collapsible Water Container 5-Gallon for one camping trip rather than for multiple uses, but unfilled, it is very compact and easy to bring along to fill at the campsite or stash in your garage for emergencies.Specs
- Size: 5 gallons
- Type: Collapsible water storage container
- Material: BPA-free polyethylene plastic
- Features: Handle, spigot, cube shape
4. Hakkin Collapsible Water Tank Container
Another tasteless, odorless plastic water jug, the Hakkin Collapsible Water Tank Container folds flat. It comes in 5-liter and 10-liter sizes. Easy to fill with a wide spout, you can freeze it to use in your cooler, then drink the water as it thaws for a handy 2-in-1 use. Be careful when you unpack or move it around the campsite since the handle is the weak point in the Hakkin Collapsible Water Tank Container and can detach, causing leaks. Your best bet is to lift by the handle as you support from the bottom.Specs
- Size: 1.3 gallons, 2.6 gallons
- Type: Collapsible water storage container
- Material: BPA-free polyethylene plastic
- Features: Wide mouth, freezable, folds flat when not full
5. Reliance Products Jumbo-Tainer Jerry Can Style Water Container
The Reliance Products Jumbo-Tainer Jerry Can Style Water Container is narrower than the cube-shaped water containers, jerry can style water jugs fit into narrow spaces for more versatility in your trunk as well as in your garage. Rigid and durable, this water jug for camping has an ergonomic handle molded into the construction of the container forSpecs
- Size: 7 gallons
- Type: Rigid, non-collapsible water storage container
- Material:
- Features: Molded handle, reversible spigot
6. Arrow Home Products Slimline Dispenser
An inexpensive solution for having water at your campsite, the Arrow Home Products Slimline Dispenser is best carried to camp empty, then filled once you get there. The top needs to be vented for it to work properly, but once set up, this is a great way to have water on hand for drinking, washing, and cooking. It comes in several sizes so you can choose which Arrow Home Products Slimline Dispenser works for your group.Specs
- Size: 1.5 gallons, 2 gallons, 2.5 gallons, 3 gallons
- Type: Rigid, non-collapsible water storage container
- Material: BPA-free plastic
- Features: Carry handle, spigot
7. Igloo 6-Gallon Heavy Duty Portable Camping Water Container
The Igloo 6-Gallon Heavy Duty Portable Camping Water Container has a long, flexible spout, which makes it great for pouring when you lift the container, but it is less convenient than other spout types if you want to have your water jug on the edge of your picnic table to dispense water throughout your trip. The rigid jerry can design fits in tight places and makes this an excellent choice if you need to carry your water with you when you pack your gear, rather than fill up at the campsite. Just make sure you transport it upright since the air vent has a push plug and can leak if you lay it on its side then load anything on top of your water container. We recommend the Igloo 6-Gallon Heavy Duty Portable Camping Water Container highly for dry camping and storing emergency water at home.Specs
- Size: 6 gallons
- Type: Rigid, non-collapsible water storage container
- Material: BPA-free plastic
- Features: Air vent, molded handle, flexible spout
8. Gowithwind Collapsible Water Jug
Like the other collapsible water containers on our list, the Gowithwind Collapsible Water Jug folds down into a tiny package, then expands to offer plenty of water storage at the campsite. With a molded handle and telescoping spigot, this inexpensive water storage jug comes in several sizes. The spigot gives you a slow but steady water flow, which is beneficial when you want to conserve water, especially if kids will be filling cups or you are washing hands or dishes. But this can be frustrating if you are filling a cooking pot. It’s also difficult to move around when full since the Gowithwind Collapsible Water Jug tends to roll on its not-quite-flat bottom.Specs
- Size: 5.3 gallons
- Type: Collapsible water storage container
- Material: BPA-free plastic
- Features: Cube shape
9. Scepter 05177 Military Water Container
The jerry can style Scepter 05177 Military Water Container is strong and durable. The narrow base slips easily into tight spaces in your car and sits solidly on the ground or tailgate. It’s not clear, as most of the other containers on our list, so you can’t tell at a glance how much water is left. But a quick lift and swish will give you that info. Tipping and pouring the 5-gallon jerry can be cumbersome with the included lid, although there is an after-market spigot that can be helpful (for an added cost). On the plus side, the included lid has a reclosable vent to make pouring easier but eliminates leakage during transport. Overall, this is a good option for serious campers who are willing to invest in a long-term water storage solution with the most expensive container on our list; the Scepter 05177 Military Water Container.Specs
- Size: 5 gallon
- Type: Rigid, non-collapsible jerry can water storage container
- Material: BPA-free plastic
- Features: Narrow base, resealable air vent
10. GSI Collapsible Water Cube
Great for easy access to water at the campsite, the GSI Collapsible Water Cube is best transported empty, then filled at camp. Molded bottom ridges help keep it in place, making it more stable than some of the other collapsible containers on our list. Also, it’s best to tilt the container upright when not in use to avoid leakage from the spigot. The GSI Collapsible Water Cube does not have an air vent, so expect that it will begin to collapse on itself as you empty it.Specs
- Size: 5 gallons
- Type: Collapsible water storage container
- Material: BPA-free polyethylene plastic
- Features: Molded plastic handle, cube shape
What to look for in a portable water container
Size/capacity
If you are camping at a site with reliable drinking water, then 2 gallons is enough as an emergency 1-gallon to 2-gallon camping water container is better than nothing, but we highly recommend either a larger container or multiples of these smaller ones. 5-gallon water jug for camping will last 2 people for 2 days on average 7-gallon to 10-gallon water container will last 2 people about 4 or 5 daysMaterial
Plastic is by far the most common camping water jug material, with good reason. It’s safe, light, and inexpensive. Just make sure you buy a container that is BPA-free, food-grade plastic. Large glass and stainless steel camp water jugs, if you can find them, are heavy and expensive. In our opinion, they are not worth the price and hassle.Shape
Cube-shaped water storage containers have a wider base and, therefore, tend to be more stable sitting on picnic tables and tailgates. Rigid cube-shaped containers are often stackable if they have more than one. Jerry can style water jugs for camping are tall and narrow. They can slide into compact spaces, making packing easier. They are more prone to tip sideways than their cube-shaped counterparts and don’t stack as well.Collapsable vs non-collapsible (hard-shell)
If you have limited space to store your camping gear when it’s not in use, then a collapsible water storage jug makes the most sense. While these types of water containers may not hold up as well as hard shell ones since the folded edges get a lot of wear, they fit more easily into tight spaces when empty. Hardshell water jugs (also known as rigid or non-collapsible containers) are made of thicker and tougher material. They take up more space both in your car on your camping trip and in your storage area at home, since the volume does not decrease as you empty them of water. The trade-off is that they tend to last longer and spring leaks less often than foldable options.How to maintain your camping water container
- Clean your water jug after each camping trip to rid it of any debris or bacteria
- Mix 1 teaspoon of bleach in 1 gallon of warm water, pour into your water jug, close the lid, and shake well to make sure the disinfectant reaches all inside surfaces
- Dump out the bleach water and rinse several times so that it no longer smells strongly of bleach
- Store it dry, unless you need to have an emergency water supply
- If you refill your water jug after cleaning to keep for emergencies, keep it tightly closed and replace the water every 6 months.
- Avoid rinsing with lake, stream, or other natural sources of water. This will risk introducing possibly contaminated water into your container. Once contaminated it is difficult to clean it adequately during your camping trip.
