Gander Mountain
Acquired
Gander Mountain was a U.S. outdoor retailer acquired by Camping World in 2017.
Founded
1960Gander Mountain was a U.S. outdoor retailer acquired by Camping World in 2017.
Gander Mountain operated as a specialty retailer of outdoor recreational merchandise, with product categories anchored by hunting and fishing equipment including firearms, ammunition, archery gear, and fishing tackle. The stores also carried camping equipment, outdoor apparel, and footwear, positioning the brand as a one-stop destination for hunting and fishing enthusiasts.
Gander Mountain stores were typically large-format retail locations of approximately 50,000 square feet, designed to carry deep inventory across its core categories. The company also operated an e-commerce platform and maintained branded credit and rewards programs for loyal customers.
Gander Mountain operated in a highly competitive outdoor retail market that ultimately proved difficult to navigate as consumer preferences shifted toward online shopping and category specialists. The company faced intensifying pressure from REI on the premium camping and apparel side, Bass Pro Shops and Cabela's on the firearms and hunting side, and e-commerce disruptors on everyday outdoor gear.
After filing for Chapter 11 bankruptcy in March 2017 and being acquired by Camping World Holdings in May 2017, the brand was relaunched as Gander Outdoors in late 2017, then rebranded again as Gander RV & Outdoors as Camping World expanded its RV dealership footprint into former Gander Mountain locations. The outdoor retail landscape it operated in continued to consolidate, with Camping World ultimately integrating many locations into its own RV-focused retail model.
Gander Mountain built its competitive position as one of the largest big-box outdoor sporting goods retailers in the United States, with a particular emphasis on hunting, fishing, camping, and firearms — categories underserved by general-merchandise competitors like Walmart. Its extensive firearms and ammunition inventory, combined with licensed staff and range facilities at select locations, created a destination-retail environment that pure-play camping competitors could not match.
With over 160 locations concentrated in the Midwest, South, and Mid-Atlantic, Gander Mountain leveraged regional brand loyalty and knowledgeable staff to serve dedicated sportsmen. The retailer's Overton's catalog brand extended its reach into boating and water sports accessories, diversifying its customer base beyond strictly hunting and camping enthusiasts.