Camping is normally associated with the warmer months of the year, but with the right preparation, it can be enjoyed most any time, even when the air is cool and the ground and trees are coated in a layer of frost. The greater Houston area offers excellent retail venues for purchasing just the right camping gear to handle the cooler time of the year. These are your best camping options.

Whole Earth Provision Company
2934 S. Shepherd Drive
Houston, TX 77098
(713) 526-5226
www.wholeearthprovision.com

A store chain that has been outfitting Texans for more than 40 years, Whole Earth Provision sells most anything relating to outdoors. Not only may shoppers find gloves, sleeping bags, climbing gear, etc., they’ll also find books, candles, games, jewelry and other items not usually associated with camping or outdoor sports. Whole Earth Provisions is actively involved in the local community and often sponsors fundraising events, giving visitors an opportunity to give back while they get out. The store is one of the few that doesn’t sell items online, but a visit to the main store on South Shepherd Street far outweighs any inconvenience.

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Sun and Ski Sports
6100 Westheimer Road
Houston, TX 77057
(713) 783-8180
www.sunandski.com

Located inside Memorial City Mall, Sun and Ski Sports is a retailer made for the suburban outdoor enthusiast. It sells items for runners, campers and active outdoor types who live for that next water-skiing or snowmobiling experience. Sun and Ski Sports encourages buying a gift card for the sports lover in every family and backs up what it sells with a 100-percent satisfaction guarantee. Stop by and browse next time you’re shopping at the Memorial City Mall.

RD Sports and Outdoors
10628 Bois D Arc
La Porte,TX 77571
(281) 785-5179
www.rdsportsandoutdoors.com

The Houston suburb of La Porte is known mostly for its location near beautiful Galveston Bay, but the city also boasts a nice sporting goods store, RD Sports and Outdoors. This store sells outdoor camping gear to make your winter camping experience memorable, and its large selection of tents, grills, lanterns and other essentials makes it a great choice when campers want to find an assortment of essential goods in one place. The store also sells other miscellaneous sporting goods such as archery equipment, and supplies and ammunition.

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Camping World
27905A Katy Freeway
Katy, TX 77494
(888) 626-7576
www.campingworld.com

A store designed for the RV owner or renter, Camping World offers RVs for sale as well as RV services and accessories. Some of the accessories are good for anyone, so even those without an RV can benefit. Shoppers will find boats, all-terrain vehicles and portable air conditioners, but the store also sells chairs, tables, tools and even pet supplies. Stop by for events throughout the year and special sales.

REI Outdoor Camping
7538 Westheimer Road
Houston, TX 77063
(713) 353-2582
www.rei.com

REI Outdoor Camping serves the Houston area with a wide selection of camping and sporting gear. The store sells everything from backpacks to snow skiing equipment, and it almost always has products on sale, sometimes as much as 50 percent off the regular price. Frequent shoppers may establish a membership with REI Outdoor Camping and receive exclusive offers as well as a 10-percent cash back refund on all items purchased during the year. The store even markets its own Visa credit card, which comes with a $100 REI Outdoor Camping gift card after approved cardholders make their first purchase.

Bryan Carey is a Houston, Texas resident with an avid interest in restaurants, dining, breweries, wineries, festivals, cultural events, museums, theatre, concerts, and other forms of entertainment. He has been writing about entertainment, travel, and related topics for more than fifteen years and has thousands of articles to his credit. His work can be found at Examiner.com.