Are you looking for some fun and exciting activities to do on your next camping trip?
If so, you’re in luck!
While it might feel like there’s not much to do while out camping (especially if you camp frequently), that just means you haven’t gotten creative enough.
In this comprehensive guide, we’ll go over 75 of the best things to do camping.
1. Go Swimming
If you’re camping near the water, why not take a dip and go swimming?
If your camping location is remote enough, you might not even need a swimsuit!
2. Build Sandcastles
While not all water bodies have beaches that are good for sand sculpting, many of them do.
If you have access to a sandy beach, take some time to make sand sculptures!
Even though not all things to do camping are appealing to both kids and adults, sand sculpting can be fun for all ages as long as you keep an open mind.
3. Scavenger Hunt
Wild locations such as nature parks can be great locations for scavenger hunts.
If you plan to do it with kids, make sure to set some ground rules first to make sure no one gets lost.
4. Go Fishing
As long as it’s allowed where you’re camping, why not take some time to go fishing?
Not only is fresh-caught fish delicious, but you may find a hidden fishing hole while you’re out enjoying the wilderness, too.
5. Water Volleyball
Water volleyball is a fun aquatic sport that you can play anywhere with waist-height water.
All you need to do is bring your own net, ball, and teammates, and you’re good to go!
6: Birdwatch
Real bird “watching” isn’t always easy to do while camping, especially if you’re in a forest with a dense canopy.
Still, pack some binoculars just in case.
If you can’t see the birds, take some time to listen to their calls and try to identify them by sound alone!
7: Go Snorkeling
Seeing what’s at the bottom of the lake or beach where you’re camping can be fascinating to anyone, especially kids who are eager to learn about nature.
However, keep in mind that snorkeling may not be appropriate for low-visibility or shallow bodies of water.
8: Canoeing and Kayaking
Canoeing or kayaking is a popular activity for those who like to stay active while feeling close to nature.
Best of all, many campgrounds keep kayaks or canoes on-hand for visitors to rent, so you may not even need to bring your own.
9: Animal Hunt
Many state forests and parks feature abundant animal life, so animal “hunting” with kids can be entertaining.
Have kids look for animal footprints, try and identify them, and see how far they can follow the tracks (within reason, of course)!
10: Surfing and Bodyboarding
If you’re lucky enough to camp near a beach with surfable waves, why not try your hand at surfing or bodyboarding?
You may need to bring your own if the area doesn’t have any to rent.
11: Water Skiing, Wakeboarding, and Tubing
If you’re lucky enough to camp somewhere with access to a boat, consider having some fun with it!
You’ll need someone with a boating license as well as the proper supplies.
12: Tree-Climbing
As long as you have the proper clothing to support it, tree climbing can be a fun and exciting activity.
Just make sure kids who participate know their limits and have someone supervise them at all times.
13: Rock Skipping
If your beach is rocky instead of sandy, why not try your hand at rock skipping?
While this might initially seem like a tedious activity, it takes on a whole new dimension when you bring other people into it.
Turn it into a competition to see who can skip the furthest!
14: Marco Polo
“Marco Polo” is a classic water game that’s fun no matter where you are.
You can even play it on dry land if you don’t have access to a lake or beach!
15: Scavenging
Scavenging isn’t the same as “scavenger hunting” in this case – when we say scavenging, we mean to go out into the area around your campsite and search for cool things, like sticks, rocks, leaves, and stones.
Keep in mind that some parks or nature areas prohibit you from taking things like feathers, however.
16: Sunbathing
While this might be tough if you camp somewhere cold or cloudy, take advantage of any sunny days by spending time bathing in the sun.
Just make sure to apply sunscreen first, or you could get burned!
17: Tug-of-War
It’s super easy to set up a game of tug-of-war – all you need is a piece of cloth and a rope of some kind!
Tie a bandanna, scarf, or towel around the center of the rope, then tie a not at each end. Whoever pulls the rope further wins!
18: Geocaching
Geocaching is a relatively new outdoor activity that involves looking for secrets left by other people (or leaving them yourself).
You’ll need a GPS-capable device, such as a cell phone, to find and leave treasures.
19: Cloud Gazing
If you’re feeling a lazy day coming on, why not spend it lying back and cloud gazing?
This is one of the few things to do camping that’s great for overcast days.
20: Charades
If you’re camping with a group, charades can be an entertaining activity.
Moreover, charades is a game that all ages can enjoy, but make sure the difficulty and subject material match your audience.
21: Whittling
Many camping locations have an abundance of wood to offer, whether that’s from fallen twigs and sticks or full-sized logs.
If you have whittling tools and a little time, why not make something out of them?
22: Art
While making art might be more difficult in the wilderness, there are still plenty of ways for you to scratch your creative itch.
Try painting the landscapes around you, taking some “professional” photos, or even write a reflective poem.
23: Capture the Flag
While this game requires you to have at least a few people, the more you have, the more exciting it can be!
Make sure you set out boundary lines for the game to take place, then have each team hide their “flag” for the others to find (and capture).
24: Go Hiking
Hiking is the perfect activity to do while you’re out camping in a remote, tranquil location.
Many people go camping specifically to hike around the area!
Just take special care not to get lost while you’re out exploring.
25: Meditate
While not all campsites are private or quiet enough for meditation, if you are in a secluded place, take a few minutes to sit in the quiet and bask in your surroundings.
26: Hide-and-Seek
Hide-and-seek is a classic kids’ game that adapts well to camping in the outdoors.
Just make sure your kids set up outer boundaries or “hiding zones” so no one gets lost.
27: Backpacking
While backpacking and hiking generally go hand-in-hand, “backpacking” suggests a more permanent trip.
If you can, consider backpacking to a more remote location to set up your campsite, as long as you feel safe there.
28: Yoga
Yoga and meditation also go hand-in-hand, so if you want to stay active while you meditate, try pairing it with some yoga exercises.
Yoga exercises can be doubly helpful when you’re sore from the previous day’s activities, too.
29: Cycling
Freestyle BMX is a popular sport for a reason – people can’t get enough of cycling through the woods!
If your campsite has paved trails, you can take a more relaxing ride around your camp, too.
30: Cooking
Who doesn’t love food cooked over an open fire? Camping is an excellent opportunity to cook some good food.
While cooking from a campsite can be challenging in many ways, it’s a great way to bring everyone together.
31: Running
Even if running isn’t your cup of tea, taking a stroll, jog, or run through your campsite can be a great way to stay active and see the surrounding area.
Don’t be afraid to move at your own pace!
32: Frisbee
A frisbee is small and easy to take, and it’s a super fun game to play with groups, too!
Just make sure not to get it stuck in any trees, or your game might be over too soon.
33: Catch
All catch requires is a baseball and a few gloves, but if you didn’t bring that, you could even play catch with a smooth rock!
Catch is great for kids, but you can make more complicated games out of it with other adults, too.
34: Soccer
All you need to play soccer with your camping companions is a large ball, a few makeshift goals, and enough willing teammates!
35: Bocce Ball
Bocce ball is a game of skill and patience that’s fun to play with people of all ages.
While it works best with a bocce ball set, it can work on a makeshift level with rocks or stones, too.
36: Slacklining
If you have some rope to spare, why not try slacklining (also known as tightrope walking)?
Just tie your rope between a few trees and then see how long you can balance while walking from one end to another.
37: Horseshoes
Many campgrounds have horseshoe courts, and this game of luck and skill is fun for all ages!
38: Plant Identification
Plant identification is a fun activity for both kids and adults – all you need is a handbook!
While collecting edible plants and berries can be fun, too, we don’t recommend this unless you’re experienced.
39: Litter Cleanup
Every campsite ends up with litter scattered around from uncaring campers, so why not do mother nature a favor and do more than your fair share?
It’s not a fun job, but both nature and the campers who come after you will appreciate it.
40: Rope Obstacles
Many kid-oriented campgrounds have rope obstacle courses, but if not, you can always build your own!
Depending on the difficulty, this can be fun for kids, adults, and even teens.
41: Dizzy Bat Race
The dizzy bat race is a classic party game that involves two people and a few baseball bats!
If you don’t have those, substitute a few sticks and let the fun begin.
42: Wiffleball
Wiffleball supplies are portable and easy to bring to any campsite, and the game is super kid-friendly, too.
While some adults might be too strong for the game, it can be fun for all ages with the right rules!
43: Write a Journal
One of the best times to start a journal is while you’re out in the wilderness.
Write about your thoughts, your feelings, and the experience in general – that way, you’ll have a memento for down the line in addition to a relaxing activity.
44: Rock Climbing
Rock climbing can be a super fun camping activity, but make sure to do it safely and with plenty of climbing gear.
45: Cornhole
Cornhole is a fun, homey game that’s easy to take anywhere!
You can even make a makeshift cornhole board out of sticks and rocks if you need to.
46: Read
If all else fails, why not read a book or two while you’re out in the wilderness?
The quiet and peace make an excellent atmosphere for getting lost in a book.
47: Stargazing
When night falls, make sure to take a few minutes to look at the stars, as many campgrounds are far enough from civilization to make the stars very bright and visible.
48: Watch the Sunset
Before night falls, though, make sure to set aside time to watch the sun dip below the horizon.
Depending on where you camp, you might even have some great photo opportunities!
49: Board Games
Board games are great for camping because they require no electricity and can entertain several people at once.
Just be sure not to lose any pieces!
50: Sing
Even if your voice isn’t beautiful, don’t be afraid to sing a few campfire songs out in the wilderness.
There’s no better feeling than singing along with your closest friends next to a warm, roaring campfire.
51: Build a Fire
Speaking of campfires, don’t skimp on the perfect fire when you’re out on your camping trip!
Besides keeping you warm, a good bonfire also creates an unforgettable atmosphere and lots of great memories.
52: S’mores
While you sit around your fire, make sure to roast some s’mores, too – no camping trip is complete without them!
53: Card Games
A deck of cards is super easy and convenient to bring with you on a camping trip, and you can play any number of card games based on your companions’ skills, too.
54: Shell Hunting
If you decide to camp near the ocean, set aside some time to hunt for gorgeous seashells.
You never know what can wash up on a beach, especially in remote locations.
55: Scary Stories
After nightfall, as you sit around a warm campfire, it’s the perfect time to tell scary stories.
Just make sure to tell stories that are appropriate for all ages present!
56: Writing Games
If all you have is a pen and paper, don’t fret – you still have options!
Try playing tic-tac-toe, hangman, or similar written games with a friend to pass some time.
57: River Rafting
While river rafting does require some unique supplies, it definitely creates a memorable experience!
Just make sure to choose an area with a difficulty that matches your skill level.
58: Drink!
What’s an adult camping trip without some booze?
Pass a few beers around the campfire before you head to bed for a truly unforgettable evening.
59: Twenty Questions
Twenty questions is a great camping game because it requires only two people and no supplies.
Plus, almost everyone knows how to play this game!
60: I Spy
The wilderness is a great place to play “I Spy” because of just how much there is to look at!
Plus, I Spy can be fun for everyone, from the youngest kids to the oldest adults.
61: Two Truths and a Lie
Two Truths and a Lie is usually considered an adult game, but it can be an excellent way for new friends to get to know each other better.
If you meet other adults while camping, this can be a great way to break the ice!
62: Quality Time
Don’t forget to spend a little quality time with each of your companions while you’re camping in the outdoors.
This is a great time to appreciate your friends and the relationships you share – treasure it!
63: Crafts
If you know how to sketch, knit, weave, or any other craft, you can do it while camping as long as you bring (or gather) the required supplies.
64: Music
If you have space, don’t forget to bring your favorite instruments camping with you!
Regardless of whether you have a guitar or a harmonica, all instruments are welcome around the campfire.
65: Flashlight Tag
Flashlight tag (or “Manhunt”) is one of the most enjoyable games to play after night falls.
Plus, it can be fun for both kids and adults!
66: Take a Nap
If you’re exhausted from a day of outdoor activities, don’t be afraid to set up a hammock and take a relaxing nap.
Nothing beats a peaceful rest far from other people, after all.
67: Build Something
Have you ever tried to build a shelter out of twigs and sticks?
If not, now is the time!
Alternatively, you could even build sculptures or other artwork with rocks, weeds, or leaves.
68: Catch Fireflies
While not every campsite will have fireflies come out at night, make sure to spend some time catching them if you see some!
See how many you can grab and put in a jar, but make sure to release them when you’re done.
69: Telescope
If you have space, consider bringing a telescope with you on your camping trip.
The beauty of the sky through a telescope from a remote campsite at night is hard to beat.
70: Survival Skills
Now is the time to cultivate any “survival skills” you might have!
Try your hand at building shelters or scavenging materials with your friends to see who would do best in a survival situation.
71: Bug Hunt
There are lots of weird bugs in the wilderness just waiting for you to find them!
Make sure to look under logs, rocks, and leaves, but be careful to leave everything as you found it, and try and refrain from touching anything you don’t know for sure is safe, too.
72: Treasure Hunt
If you have antsy kids who need an activity, why not hide some treasure and give them a map to find it?
This will provide you with some alone time to relax, and they’ll have fun finding the buried treasure, too.
73: Bring a Pet
If you’re camping alone, one of the best ways to stave off loneliness is to bring a pet.
Many dogs (and even some cats) are happy to share your campsite and will enjoy many activities with you.
74: Picnic
If you have the time, pack up some of your food and have a picnic in a remote area around your campsite.
This is a great way to see more of the surrounding area while still taking a break in the middle of things.
75: Slow Down and Enjoy
More so than anything else, make sure you slow things down and enjoy your surroundings while you’re out on your camping trip.
You may not see these exact surroundings ever again, so be sure to create lasting memories that you’ll treasure for years to come.
Conclusion
What did you think of our guide about things to do camping?
While you’ve probably experienced some of these things before, we hope that you found a few options that are new and intriguing to you.
Don’t hesitate to get out there and try these camping activities next time you go camping!