17 Dazzling Lighting Ideas For Camping (That Will Have You Beaming)
Summertime camping trips are a great way to get outdoors and enjoy nature. But to do it right, you need the perfect lighting!
From warm and cozy string lights to twinkling glow-in-the-dark rocks, these 17 vivid lighting ideas for camping will instantly brighten up any campsite!
Lighting Ideas For Camping (In a Nutshell)
- Hang some solar-powered camping string lights.
- Install motion sensor lighting.
- Put out some candles or tiki torches.
- Buy some solar-powered lawn ornaments.
- Scatter some glow-in-the-dark rocks.
- Create some DIY jug lights.
- Wear a stylish headlamp.
- Rock some glow sticks.
- Buy some collapsible solar-powered lanterns.
- Or a battery-operated lantern.
- Set out some luminaries.
- Install some landscape lighting.
- Set out some battery-operated tea lights.
- Hang a battery-operated fan light.
- Bring a hand crank light.
- Wear an LED light hat or beanie.
- Or some wicked shoe lights.
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Deep Dive Into The Best Lighting Ideas For Camping
1. Hang Some Solar Powered String Lights (or Rope Lights)
Give your campsite a magical, twinkling feeling with solar-powered string lights. Hang them up easily and enjoy their no-cost energy efficiency (Christmas lights also work here so you can use them year-round).
They’re perfect for setting any outdoor space apart and adding a romantic glow to the night. And, there are so many string lights and rope lights to choose from so you can really make your site your own.
2. Use Motion Sensor Lighting
Add an extra layer of safety and convenience with motion sensor lighting! Motion detection lights can be set to turn on when someone approaches, providing a warning as well as illuminating the way at night.
This is great for your campsite, as it helps you keep everyone safe while also making it easier to navigate the darkness without having to manually switch on lights.
3. Use Candles or Tiki Torches
Try using candles or tiki torches around your campsite for a cozy and romantic atmosphere. Candles are great for adding ambient light in decorative ways for outdoor spaces.
They can also add to the mood and give outdoor gathering areas a festive feel. Best of all, both options are great for saving energy and keeping your resource needs low!
**JUST MAKE SURE TO BE AWARE OF FIRE BANS AND DON’T LEAVE CANDLES UNATTENDED**
4. Set Out Some Solar-Powered Lawn Ornaments
Add a whimsical touch to your campsite with solar-powered lawn ornaments! These are an easy way to create eye-catching decorations that aren’t only fun, but also eco-friendly!
Solar power is extremely popular when camping for its convenience and efficiency, so why not bring it to your campsite to make it a bit more exciting?
5. Pick Up Some Glow-In-The Dark Rocks
For a fun, illuminated camp experience, pick up some glow-in-the-dark rocks. These fantastic rocks are charged by exposure to sunlight and will provide your campsite with an unexpected source of light that you and your family can enjoy. Kids especially love these unique additions!
6. DIY Some 4L Jug Lights
Get creative with DIY 4L Jug Lights! All you need is some 4L jugs, a drill, and some sort of light source. String lights, battery-powered tea lights, a headlamp or a small flashlight all work great here.
Here’s how to do it:
- Gather the necessary materials.
- If the lights won’t fit through the mouth of the jug, drill out a large enough hole in the back (near the bottom) to put them in.
- Insert your lights into the jug.
- Create your own inventive lighting arrangements that can be used as decorations and as sources of light at night!
7. Get Yourself a Headlamp
I know it’s not the most exciting, but get yourself a headlamp for hands-free illumination and convenience.
Headlamps offer a convenient way to light your way in the dark, so you don’t have to worry about carrying a flashlight or setting up other lighting options.
8. Rock Out With Your Glow sticks Out
Create a magical atmosphere with glow sticks! These easy-to-use and affordable accessories are the perfect way to get a nice ambient glow.
You can choose from a variety of colors and designs and either wear them or hang them from the trees. Be creative with them!
9. Pick Up Some Collapsible Solar Lanterns
Add collapsible solar lanterns to your camping gear. These innovative, lightweight lanterns are perfect for outdoor adventures as they can be quickly charged with sunlight and they won’t take up too much room when packing for your camping trip.
10. Or a Battery Operated Lantern
For a more traditional approach to outdoor lighting, why not pick up a battery-operated lantern? These portable and reliable lanterns are perfect for illuminating your campsite.
They operate on either alkaline or rechargeable batteries, making them an economical choice. Or, if you prefer, a propane lantern or solar lantern are great options as well.
11. Set Out Some Luminaries
Create an enchanting atmosphere with luminaries. These beautiful lanterns use candles or battery-operated tealights to light up pathways, around your campsite or wherever you need an extra bit of light.
Luminaries add a unique and festive touch to any outdoor gathering while providing a safe (when battery-operated tealights are used) and reliable illumination source.
12. Install Landscape Lighting Around Your Camping Site
If you’re looking for a more permanent solution for outdoor lighting (or a nice, bright light), consider installing landscape lights around your campsite. These lights are designed to provide subtle illumination in key areas, giving you the perfect mix of atmosphere and safety.
Obviously, this option only makes sense if you have a permanent spot where you go camping frequently that you either own or rent yearly.
13. Place Battery Operated Tea Lights Where You Need Them
For a quick, easy and portable solution, place battery-operated tea lights wherever you need them. These tiny lights provide a pleasant glow and come in different colors, so you can customize your setup to create just the right atmosphere.
They’re also inexpensive, so it’s easy to stock up for long camping trips!
14. Get Yourself a Fan Light
Consider getting a fan light for your campsite. Not only will these lights provide a cool breeze, but they also brighten up the area and add a touch of style.
Many fan light models come with adjustable speeds and brightness levels, so you can create the perfect atmosphere for any camping activity.
15. Equip Yourself With A Good Hand Crank Light
A good hand crank light is reliable, durable and eco-friendly since it doesn’t require any batteries or electricity. It’s also easy to use – all you have to do is turn the crank to generate power and provide illumination.
Plus, some models are collapsible so they won’t take up too much space.
16. Wear an LED Light Hat or Beanie
Consider wearing an LED light hat or beanie when you’re out camping. This type of headwear is lightweight, comfortable and reliable. The LED lights provide extra visibility, so you can stay safe in the dark (while keeping your hands free).
17. Throw Some Lights on Your Shoes
And finally, why not throw some lights on your shoes? Not only will this increase your visibility in the dark, but they can also look really cool!
Look for shoe lights that feature LED bulbs with rechargeable batteries so that you won’t need to worry about buying batteries all the time. There are even some models with adjustable light modes, so you can customize the lighting effect.
In Conclusion
I hope you learned some new and valuable campsite lighting ideas for your next adventure. From battery-powered LED lights to headlamps and candles, campers have more choices than ever before.
Make sure you find the right solution that fits your needs and budget so that you can enjoy your next camping trip without worrying about lighting.
If you go camping in an RV, here are some fun decorating ideas to help make things homier for you!
What Color Light is Best For Camping?
Here are 3 of the best: red lights emit a low level of light and are ideal for maintaining night vision, green produces just enough illumination to navigate paths, and blue helps with insect control.
What Color Light is Most Calming?
When choosing lighting to create a tranquil atmosphere opt for shades like blue, green pink and purple. Also, make sure it’s not too glaring and use a dimmer switch to adjust the level and ambience.
What Light Color Attracts Bugs the Most?
White light is most likely to attract insects like moths and mosquitoes. Yellow and green are attractive to beetles. Blue doesn’t seem to attract many bugs at all and UV light is attractive to flies.
What Color Lights Make You The Happiest?
In general, bright and warm colors like yellow, orange and pink make people the happiest. Pastel versions of these colors like peach and lilac can also make people feel happier and more optimistic.
Why is Red Light Good For Camping?
Red light is perfect for camping because it doesn’t ruin your night vision. It’s also good because it doesn’t attract insects the way that white light (and other colors do).
Do LED Lights Attract Spiders?
LED lights don’t necessarily attract spiders, but they attract spider food (aka other bugs). That can also be said for most other lights because insects and bugs are attracted to them.
