The Best Campsite Lighting Ideas to Liven Up Your Camping Experience

Campsite lighting is essential for your safety, comfort, and overall camping experience. Inadequate lights make it difficult to navigate around the campsite, complete essential tasks, and see scenic surroundings at night. Adding ambient lights can also help make your tent site feel more glamorous and upscale. We’ve outlined the best campsite lighting ideas to help you enjoy your next camping trip.

Look for campsite lights that are waterproof, lightweight, compact, and provide an appropriate lumen output. Even if you are camping in an area that doesn’t see a lot of rainfall, you will most likely experience morning dew. Choose outdoor tent lights that are water-resistant or waterproof, and check the IP rating to see what conditions your lights are built for. For campers with limited room for packing, choose lights that are lightweight and compact to save space.

Your campsite might not include street or parking lights, so bring lighting that will enhance your visibility and safety. Campground lights, like flashlights or headlights, with higher lumen outputs will provide bright illumination in remote areas. LED lights last longer than incandescent or halogen lights, so you won’t have to worry about your bright lights dimming or drawing too much power. 

It is also a good idea to keep your campsite neighbors in mind when selecting campsite lights: remember that not everyone will want to see your lights, so choose lights with an appropriate lumen value or dimmable options.

Plan ahead for your camping trip and see what kinds of hookups your campsite offers. Most campsites offer 30-50 amp and 120V hookups. For campers and RVs, it is most common to plug your camping lights directly into your vehicle and then hook your vehicle up to the campsite’s shore power. For those staying in standalone tents, plug your lights directly into the hookups.

Pack rechargeable or battery-powered lights for campsites without power hookups. Or, use a generator to light up your lights and other electronic appliances. 

Hang camping string lights around your camper, trailer, or tent to create a festive look and make it feel like you are glamping (glamorous camping). Line your camper’s awning with string lights to make a comfortable nighttime sitting area. These lights can be hung with hooks or clips and are easily installed and removed for campers moving from campsite to campsite.

If you want to avoid relying on your campsite’s hookup power, consider using outdoor solar lights. Solar-powered path and spot lights come with a built-in solar panel that will charge the fixture’s batteries without any additional power. Since there are no wires, installation is painless. These lights are a great option for individuals moving around to different campsites since you can easily mount and remove the fixture stakes from the ground. Solar-powered lights traditionally have a lower lumen output than hard-wired lights, so they are great for subtle campground lighting that will not distract neighboring tents and campers. Make sure to let your solar lights charge for the recommended time so they will have enough power to sufficiently light your space throughout the night. 

Add lighting to your motorhome’s interior and exterior with 12V camper and RV LED strip lights. Install strip lights around your RV and camper awning to add a gentle glow to your seating area. These strip lights are durable and thin, so they can stay installed when you extend and push in your awning. Inside your RV, use LED strip lights to elevate your vehicle’s undercabinet, vanity, or entertainment system lighting. Our strip lights are available in a variety of colors, waterproof IP ratings, and tape or mounting bracket options.

Porch and awning lights are a great option for adding outdoor area lighting around your RV, camper, or motorhome. These lights emit light in a wide beam angle to provide enough illumination for cooking, reading, socializing, and navigating outside. This helps make your campsite more functional and enjoyable.

Flashlights are a portable and versatile lighting option that are essential for any camper. Use flashlights to navigate around your campsite, tent, and the surrounding nature. Their compact design makes flashlights ideal for campers with limited packing space.

Headlamps are a practical option for campers who want a compact and hands-free light. Use your headlamps at night to illuminate the campground or inside your tent.

Use a light-up tumbler handle as a two-in-one cupholder and flashlight. This is a great option for campers who want to leisurely enjoy their camping experience while also having built-in lighting. Our Nebo Glow LED Light and Tumbler Handle features three light modes (lantern, task light, and combined) for versatile lighting options.

Many campers enjoy exploring nearby trails and wilderness while on camping trips. When you go off-grid, make sure your vehicle is properly equipped with enough lighting to safely navigate the rugged outdoors. Equip your truck, Jeep, ATV, or UTV with bright off-road LED light bars and pod lights for reliable lighting on and off the campsite.

As you can see, lighting is a crucial aspect of any camping trip, and it's important to have a variety of lights to ensure your safety and comfort. Combine these campsite lighting options to create a functional and aesthetic camping lighting design. Super Bright LEDs carries a variety of durable, high-quality LED lights for all of your camping needs. Shop our products here!