Sites Like Gander Mountain: 12 Outdoor Retailers Worth Switching To
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About Gander Mountain
Founded
1960
USA
Ships to
US
Editor-reviewed
Every recommendation read and refined by hand
Honest tradeoffs
Drawbacks listed, not hidden
No paid placements
Brands cannot pay to be ranked
Who does Gander Mountain actually serve now? The answer is not the guy who used to drive forty minutes to walk the wood-paneled aisles of a 100,000-square-foot store, past the taxidermy mounts, the gun library, and the wall of hunting boots he could try on before deer season. That guy is mostly out of luck.
When the chain went bankrupt and closed every store, Camping World bought the name and relaunched it as Gander Outdoors — a slimmer online catalog with a fraction of the old inventory and none of the browse-for-an-hour ritual that made the original worth the trip. The historic Gander Mountain, with its enormous firearms selection and knowledgeable floor staff who could talk you through a treestand purchase, does not exist anymore.
What remains is a website that competes for clicks against retailers with far deeper stock and better fulfillment.
The hunters and anglers who miss the old Gander are really missing two things: a real store you can stand inside, and a catalog broad enough that you don't have to shop three sites to gear up. Sportsman's Warehouse still runs that kind of firearms-and-fishing floor, and Bass Pro's absorption of Cabela's put the deepest hunting catalog in the country under one roof — both of which show exactly where the old Gander crowd went.
When the chain went bankrupt and closed every store, Camping World bought the name and relaunched it as Gander Outdoors — a slimmer online catalog with a fraction of the old inventory and none of the browse-for-an-hour ritual that made the original worth the trip. The historic Gander Mountain, with its enormous firearms selection and knowledgeable floor staff who could talk you through a treestand purchase, does not exist anymore.
What remains is a website that competes for clicks against retailers with far deeper stock and better fulfillment.
The hunters and anglers who miss the old Gander are really missing two things: a real store you can stand inside, and a catalog broad enough that you don't have to shop three sites to gear up. Sportsman's Warehouse still runs that kind of firearms-and-fishing floor, and Bass Pro's absorption of Cabela's put the deepest hunting catalog in the country under one roof — both of which show exactly where the old Gander crowd went.
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The 12 Best Alternatives to Gander Mountain
1
Bass Pro Shops
Est. 1972
Springfield, Missouri, USA
≈
similar
Shoppers who want the browse-for-an-afternoon megastore back
The closest spiritual successor to the destination-store Gander experience — aquariums, huge firearms counters, and aisles you can genuinely get lost in.
Pros
- Massive in-store firearms and fishing selection
- Destination stores with aquariums and dining
- Absorbed Cabela's catalog depth
Cons
- Stores are sparse in some regions
- Sales staff quality varies by location
Visit Bass Pro Shops
Full guide: Stores Like Bass Pro Shops
2
Cabela's
Est. 1961
Sidney, Nebraska, USA
≈
similar
Serious hunters wanting the widest gear selection
The deepest hunting and big-game catalog in the country, now under Bass Pro but still branded separately — exactly the inventory breadth Gander lost.
Pros
- Enormous hunting and optics catalog
- Strong CLUB loyalty program
- Gunroom and shooting departments in flagship stores
Cons
- Loss of independence post-Bass Pro merger
- Shipping on firearms/ammo is restricted
Visit Cabela's
Full guide: Stores Like Cabela's
3
Sportsman's Warehouse
Est. 1986
West Jordan, Utah, USA
≈
similar
Hunters and shooters who want a working store, not a theme park
Runs the no-frills firearms, ammo, and fishing floor that hunters actually used Gander for — knowledgeable staff, real gun counters.
Pros
- Strong firearms and ammunition inventory
- Staff who actually hunt and fish
- Competitive everyday pricing
Cons
- Fewer stores than the big two
- Less apparel and camping variety
4
REI
Est. 1938
Kent, Washington, USA
$$$
pricier
Campers, hikers, and paddlers who want expert gear
B Corp
1% for the Planet
Broad outdoor catalog with a genuine store experience and co-op culture — a different flavor of the destination shop Gander lost.
Pros
- Co-op dividend returns money to members
- Expert staff and gear classes
- Strong used-gear resale program
Cons
- No firearms or hunting gear
- Premium pricing on most brands
Visit REI
Full guide: Stores Like REI
5
Academy Sports + Outdoors
Est. 1938
Katy, Texas, USA
$
cheaper
Families gearing up without premium pricing
Value-priced outdoors and sporting goods with real hunting, fishing, and firearms sections — the budget-friendly version of the Gander floor.
Pros
- Genuinely low prices across categories
- Carries firearms and ammo in stores
- Wide team-sports and apparel range
Cons
- Mostly limited to Southern/Midwest states
- Less specialized than dedicated hunting retailers
6
Scheels
Est. 1902
Fargo, North Dakota, USA
≈
similar
Midwest outdoor shoppers wanting a true destination store
Employee-owned megastore chain with Ferris wheels, huge gun departments, and the walk-around experience Gander shoppers pine for.
Pros
- Employee-owned with strong service culture
- Enormous experiential stores
- Deep firearms and fishing selection
Cons
- Concentrated in the Upper Midwest and West
- Some premium brands priced high
7
Dick's Sporting Goods
Est. 1948
Coraopolis, Pennsylvania, USA
≈
similar
General sporting goods and camping basics
Big-box sporting goods with camping, fishing, and hunting apparel plus a strong online catalog for gearing up fast.
Pros
- Stores nearly everywhere
- Strong apparel and footwear range
- Easy returns and online pickup
Cons
- Stopped selling firearms
- Limited hardcore hunting gear
8
Backcountry
Est. 1996
Park City, Utah, USA
$$$
pricier
Backpackers and technical outdoor shoppers
Deep online catalog for camping, climbing, and backcountry gear with expert 'Gearhead' chat — a modern online alternative to Gander Outdoors.
Pros
- One-on-one Gearhead expert help
- Strong premium brand selection
- Frequent deep discounts on last-season gear
Cons
- No hunting or firearms
- Skews expensive at full price
9
Camping World
Est. 1966
Lincolnshire, Illinois, USA
≈
similar
RVers and campers wanting accessories and service
Same parent company as Gander Outdoors, with the RV and camping accessory depth that overlaps the old Gander catalog.
Pros
- Deep RV parts and accessory catalog
- Nationwide service centers
- Same ownership as Gander Outdoors
Cons
- Mixed reputation for customer service
- Minimal firearms and hunting focus
10
Midway USA
Est. 1977
Columbia, Missouri, USA
≈
similar
Reloaders and shooting-sports enthusiasts
Vast online catalog for shooting, reloading, and hunting supplies — the depth of gun-and-ammo inventory Gander shoppers miss most.
Pros
- Enormous reloading and shooting inventory
- Strong customer loyalty and service
- Detailed product info and reviews
Cons
- Online only, no store experience
- Niche toward firearms enthusiasts
11
Sierra
Est. 1986
Framingham, Massachusetts, USA
$
cheaper
Deal hunters who don't mind hunting for stock
Discount outdoor and sporting goods from the TJX family — the bargain-hunting side of Gander at genuinely low prices.
Pros
- Deep discounts on name-brand gear
- Rotating clearance selection
- Good for camping and apparel bargains
Cons
- Inventory is unpredictable
- No firearms and limited hunting gear
12
Rural King
Est. 1960
Mattoon, Illinois, USA
$
cheaper
Rural and Midwest shoppers wanting guns, gear, and farm supply
Farm-and-outdoor store chain with firearms, ammo, and hunting gear plus the small-town, walk-the-aisles feel Gander regulars valued.
Pros
- Firearms and ammo at low prices
- Free popcorn and small-town store feel
- Broad farm, hunting, and outdoor mix
Cons
- Concentrated in Midwest/Southeast
- Inventory and layout vary by store
If you want a real store to walk into
The thing Gander shoppers miss most is the destination itself — aisles of boots, a real gun counter, staff who hunt. Bass Pro Shops and Scheels rebuild that experience best, with aquariums, Ferris wheels, and firearms departments you can spend an afternoon in. Cabela's, now under Bass Pro, keeps the deepest hunting catalog. Sportsman's Warehouse is the no-frills working-store version.
If you're gearing up on a budget
Academy Sports undercuts nearly everyone on hunting, fishing, and family camping gear while still stocking firearms in-store. Rural King pairs cheap ammo with small-town charm, and Sierra (from the TJX family) is where you hunt through rotating clearance for name-brand gear at steep discounts. None of these ask premium prices.
If you shop mostly online now
With Gander Outdoors running a thin catalog, Midway USA is the go-to for shooting, reloading, and ammo depth, while Backcountry offers one-on-one Gearhead experts for camping and technical gear. REI rounds it out with used-gear resale and a co-op dividend if you buy often.Which Alternative Is Right for You?
Pick by what you actually miss about the old Gander. If it's the destination store, Bass Pro Shops or Scheels give you the aisles and gun counters back. If it's the sheer breadth of hunting inventory, Cabela's still has the deepest catalog. Budget-focused hunters and families should start at Academy Sports or Rural King for firearms and gear at lower prices. Online shoppers who want firearms depth belong at Midway USA; campers and hikers wanting expert help are better served by REI or Backcountry. And if you're an RVer who landed on Gander Outdoors through Camping World anyway, staying in that ecosystem for accessories makes sense — just look elsewhere for guns. Frequently Asked Questions
QIs Gander Mountain the same as Gander Outdoors now?
Not quite. After Gander Mountain's bankruptcy and store closures, Camping World bought the brand and relaunched it online as Gander Outdoors. It shares the name and some retail locations, but the historic 100,000-square-foot destination stores with full gun libraries are gone, and the online catalog is much narrower than the old chain's.
QWhich store is most like the old Gander Mountain experience?
Bass Pro Shops and Scheels come closest to the walk-the-aisles destination experience, with large firearms departments, aquariums or Ferris wheels, and staff who hunt and fish. Cabela's, now under Bass Pro ownership, offers the deepest hunting inventory of any of them.
QWhere can I buy hunting firearms and ammo online like Gander used to sell?
Midway USA has the deepest online catalog for firearms accessories, ammo, and reloading supplies. Sportsman's Warehouse, Cabela's, and Rural King also sell guns and ammo. Note that firearms must ship to a licensed FFL dealer for transfer, not directly to your home.
QWhat's the cheapest alternative to Gander Mountain for outdoor gear?
Academy Sports + Outdoors and Rural King consistently price below the big outdoor chains while still carrying firearms and hunting gear. For discounted name-brand camping and apparel, Sierra (part of the TJX/TJ Maxx family) offers rotating clearance at steep markdowns.
QIs there a store like Gander Mountain that also does RV and camping accessories?
Camping World is the natural fit — it owns the Gander Outdoors brand and carries an enormous RV parts and camping accessory catalog with nationwide service centers. For camping and backcountry gear specifically, Backcountry and REI have far deeper selections and expert support.
Our Verdict
The Best Gander Mountain Alternative For You
Pick by what you actually miss about the old Gander. If it's the destination store, Bass Pro Shops or Scheels give you the aisles and gun counters back. If it's the sheer breadth of hunting inventory, Cabela's still has the deepest catalog. Budget-focused hunters and families should start at Academy Sports or Rural King for firearms and gear at lower prices. Online shoppers who want firearms depth belong at Midway USA; campers and hikers wanting expert help are better served by REI or Backcountry. And if you're an RVer who landed on Gander Outdoors through Camping World anyway, staying in that ecosystem for accessories makes sense — just look elsewhere for guns.