As the sun goes down, you may be scratching your head, wondering: “Well, what now?” But night camping is a great way to experience nature after dark, with plenty of activities to enjoy. The fun has only just begun.
The atmosphere changes when light dissipates around the campsite, making for a cozy (or spooky) evening sleeping under the stars. The glare of bonfires pops up here and there, with the aroma of warm dinners and the promise of scary stories in the near future.
Can you smell it already? In this article, we round up 14 activities for camping at night so that you can keep the excitement going even without the sun. These unique ideas are great for all ages and ensure the good times don’t stop even when the daylight does.
14 Activity Ideas for Camping at Night
Stumped on what to do while night camping? Here are 14 activity ideas to enjoy after the sun goes down.
1. Make a Bonfire While Camping at Night
The absolute best activity for night camping is making a bonfire. Gather your group, take turns throwing logs on the flames, and stay warm next to the raging blaze.
There’s so much to do around bonfires, making them part of the quintessential camping experience. Pull out the flashlight and tell ghost stories, strum a guitar and have a campsite sing-along, or grab some sticks and start roasting treats. Are you team hot dog or marshmallow?
2. Indulge in Night Camping S’mores
On the topic of roasting treats, no night camping is complete without s’mores. Before the sun goes down, spend some time collecting roasting sticks, and then kill hours trying to achieve the perfect golden marshmallow (or char it to a crisp).
Put a creative spin on your s’mores by adding different kinds of candy to the center. Try Reeses Cups or Kit Kats in place of Hersey’s Bars!
3. Star Gaze
One of the best aspects of night camping is spending the evening under the stars. Before retiring to your tent, campervan or RV, spend some time looking at the glowing orbs in the sky. Try your hand at identifying constellations, or simply enjoy an evening free from city lights.
Check out TB Outdoor Rentals campervan and RV rentals here.
4. Watch Sunset Prior to Night Camping
Catching a stunning sunset is a major highlight of camping at night. Find an ideal spot as afternoon turns into evening and settle in for a bright display of light and colors. As the sun retreats behind the horizon, night camping will come into full effect, so remember to bring flashlights to find your way back to your tent once the colors fade into inky black.
5. Cook a Delicious Meal
Camping at night means throwing on your chef hat and making dinner, which is an excellent activity in and of itself. Pull out your camp stove and get little ones to help with prepping veggies, or wrap potatoes and sausages in tinfoil and throw them into the campfire – there are tons of easy camping meals to try out on your trip. Once you’ve cooked up a storm, enjoy your delicious camp meal under the stars.
6. Try Long Exposure Photography
Pack a few glowsticks and a DSLR camera to make magic with long-exposure photography. Wave the glowsticks around, try spelling out words, or draw some pictures in the air that a camera can capture on a tripod. With plenty of space to mess around and a dark setting, you’ll be able to come up with some pretty cool creations. And if you don’t have any glowsticks on hand, you can always use a flashlight.
If the stars are putting on a show, you can use long-exposure photography to capture celestial scenes. You can do a lot with a camera while camping at night.
7. Play Night Camping Games
Playing games is a great way to pass the time while camping at night. You can play games like charades, Mad Libs, Bananagrams, or old-fashioned Simon Says.
Have a little extra space? Up the ante and bring poker chips or a full board game like Catan or Monopoly. Don’t forget a camping lantern for hands-free light.
8. Set Up Manhunt or Hide and Go Seek
Take advantage of the great outdoors and play an epic game of manhunt or hide and seek after the sun goes down. Split into teams of hiders and seekers and spend hours chasing each other around the campground. This game works best if you define boundaries ahead of time, so no one gets lost in the dark.
9. Go on a Night Camping Nature Walk
Keen to spot some wildlife after dark? Go on a nighttime nature walk. If you have access to an easy trail, grab a headlamp and set off for a stroll. Many nocturnal creatures come out after the sun goes down, giving eager explorers a chance to spot unique animals and plants that they may not have noticed in the light of day.
10. Journal About Your Day
While night camping is great for fun and games, it’s also a prime time to unwind and reflect. Spend some time journaling about your day so you have memories to look back on after your trip. Not only is this a great way to document your adventures, but it’s also a dependable method for clearing your head before a deep night’s sleep in the comfort of the woods.
11. Read a Book While Camping at Night
Another easy night camping activity is curling up with a good book. Whether you dive into your story by the campfire or cozy up in your sleeping bag, you can easily pass hours of reading while camping at night. Just remember to pack your headlamp!
12. Have a Projector Movie Night
There’s nothing as comforting as watching a movie after a big day of exploring. All you need is a portable projector, speakers, and a white sheet for a screen. This theater-quality setup is optimal for camping at night because it can be assembled anywhere. Throw on a camping movie and settle in. What will it be? Into the Wild or Moonrise Kingdom?
13. Prep for Tomorrow
If your trip spans several days, night camping is the best time to prepare for tomorrow. Whether you’re mapping a hiking route, creating the next day’s meals, or making an escape plan out of the woods (just kidding), use the precious evening hours to ensure everything is in order for the following days.
14. Make Paper Lanterns
Making paper lanterns is one of the most unique things you can do while camping at night. Bring along some white paper bags and markers to decorate your lanterns. If you want to get fancy, use an Exacto knife to cut out patterns in the bag rather than drawing on it. Then, place a tea light at the bottom to create a lantern-like effect. This is a special night camping activity for all ages and a great way to make memories with loved ones.
Upgrade Your Night Camping Experience With a Campervan or RV Rental
Not sold on the idea of sleeping on the forest floor? Upgrade your trip with a campervan or RV hire. TB Outdoor Rentals offers a variety of camping vehicles with options for all budgets. Whether you’re keen on a rugged rooftop tent or looking for a spacious RV for the whole family, there’s something for everyone.
Explore our campervan rentals, plus our vast range of add-ons to customize your dream trip today.
