5 Things to Do While Camping

Jeremy Scott Foster

By Jeremy Scott Foster

Jeremy Scott Foster is an adventure-junkie, gear expert, travel photographer, and recovering nomad based in Southern California.

Why you can trust TravelFreak
  • 15+ years of travel experience
  • 550+ products tested
  • 40+ countries visited

At TravelFreak, we hold ourselves to a rigorous editorial standard. Financial incentives don’t sway our recommendations—experience and data do.

Read Our Editorial Policy

Having activities planned for your camping trip can add to the fun and enjoyment you experience while spending time in the great outdoors.

Some people appreciate spending their camping trip in quiet contemplation, basking in the beauty of nature and taking a break from the hustle and bustle of daily life. Others prefer to pack their schedule with activities to make the most of their time. Either way, a camping trip can be a perfect opportunity to relax and have fun.

Regardless of your preferred camping style, it can be helpful to have some ideas in mind for activities to do while you’re out in the wild. Here are a few suggestions.

Build and light a fire

If you’re interested in bushcraft, a camping trip is a great opportunity to practice your wilderness skills. Building and lighting a fire using only natural materials is a challenging but rewarding experience.

Because you’re on a planned camping trip with all the supplies you need, you don’t have the pressure of an actual survival situation, so you can focus on the process of building a fire without worrying about the consequences if it doesn’t work out.

Collecting firewood and other materials with your campmates can be a fun activity in itself, and you can even make it a competition to see who can get a fire going the fastest. Once you have a fire going, you can enjoy the warmth and light it provides and use it for cooking your meals or making coffee over the campfire.

Camping is a great time to try out new recipes or cook some of your favorite dishes. It’s an excellent opportunity to spend quality time with friends and family, bonding and connecting with the people you love.

Take some time to yourself

Camping is an excellent opportunity to relax and unwind, surrounded by the beauty of nature. Taking some time to sit back and enjoy your surroundings can help you de-stress and reset so you feel happier and better able to handle the challenges of everyday life back home.

Camping is the perfect opportunity to do just that if you’re the type of person who enjoys simply sitting and watching the world go by. Grab a comfortable camping chair and take in the sights and sounds of the natural world around you. Or, if you have a book, you’ve been meaning to read but haven’t had the time for, camping provides the perfect opportunity to lose yourself in its pages.

Just an hour of solitude can make a big difference to your stress levels, mental health, and overall mood. Plus, being in the wild has been shown to affect both physical and mental health positively. So, be sure to carve out some me time on your next camping trip to chill and recharge truly.

Go for a walk

Camping offers a unique sense of independence and the opportunity to explore new places. With campsites located throughout the country, you have the option to camp in a variety of different settings. You can even wild camp in some areas, giving you even more freedom and flexibility.

One of the best ways to take advantage of this freedom is to go for a walk or hike in the local area. This is an activity that the whole family can enjoy, allowing you to explore flora and fauna and the natural beauty of your surroundings.

After you set up your campsite and make it comfortable, which might involve pitching a tent, gathering firewood, and arranging your camping equipment, you can choose to go for a short leisurely stroll to get away from your campsite for a bit or plan for a longer hike that takes you deeper into the wilderness.

Take a hike

Hiking is a great way to add an element of challenge, fitness, and adventure to your camping trip. If you’re camping in a hilly or mountainous area, there may be designated hiking trails of varying difficulty that you can follow. These trails can provide excitement and offer stunning views of the surrounding landscape.

Look for guidebooks that explore local routes. Many of these guides will include not only detailed descriptions of the trails but also points of interest you can see along the way.

So, if you’re looking to add some buzz to your camping trip, consider hitting the trails and going for a hike. You’ll be rewarded with beautiful views, an active adventure, and a chance to explore the natural beauty of the great outdoors.

Aside from hiking, there are many other activities you can enjoy while camping. You can take a swim, try fishing, canoeing, or rock climbing. Have a picnic.

Go stargazing

If you’re camping in a dark area, take the opportunity to look up at the night sky and admire the stars. You can spread out a blanket (like the Rumpl Original Puffy) and stare at the sky for hours. Stargazing can be a mesmerizing and peaceful experience and help you appreciate the beauty and wonder of the natural world.

Before you leave for your camping trip, it’s always a good idea to check with your campsite to see if they offer fun activities you can enjoy on the spot. Many campsites offer a range of activities, such as craft courses, outdoor games, and educational programs.

For example, some campsites may offer craft courses where you can learn how to make your own outdoor gear, such as a campfire cooking pot or a waterproof tarp. These courses can be a great way to learn new skills and take home a useful piece of gear that you can use on future camping trips.

The possibilities are endless but whatever you do, remember to play safe and follow any local rules or regulations in the area.

***

You don’t need to plan out every detail of your camping trip to make it fun and rewarding. Sometimes the best camping trips are the ones where you wake up each day and do whatever you feel like doing. However, if you’re camping with a group, it can be helpful to plan some activities in advance to ensure everyone gets the most out of the trip. It’s also important to make sure you have the car camping essentials you need to make the most of the trip.

Whether you choose to go for a hike, build a fire, stargaze, or enjoy your surroundings, the most important thing is to have fun and make the most of your time in nature. Camping is an excellent opportunity to relax, de-stress, and disconnect from the hustle and bustle of everyday life. So, whatever you choose to do, make sure to enjoy every moment of your camping adventure.

Jeremy Scott Foster
About the Author

Jeremy Scott Foster

Jeremy Scott Foster is an adventure-junkie, gear expert and travel photographer based in Southern California. Previously nomadic, he’s been to ~50 countries and loves spending time outdoors. You can usually find him on the trail, on the road, jumping from bridges or hustling on his laptop working to produce the best travel and outdoors content today.
More Articles »
Leave a comment

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.