Camping is a great way for couples to get away from their normal day-to-day life and relax and spend quality time with one another. It can also be a great way for new couples to get to know each other in a new way! This camping for couples guide will give you some ideas for essentials to pack, as well as activities to plan for your getaway!
Since moving to Colorado, my husband and I have taken many camping trips together. It is a great way to explore the beautiful world around us, while spending time together that isn’t binge watching another Netflix show.
Camping is also a great way to break up the monotomy, and have something to look forward to when the work weeks feel like a drag. It can also give you the same feeling that traveling gives you, though it is much less expensive and requires much less planning.
If you are camping with kids, you can still plan a romantic camping trip! It might look a little bit different, but you can still enjoy quality time with your partner with a little one running around!
We hope these camping activities for couples and couples camping gear suggestions will set you off on the right foot to a memorable and romantic getaway with your loved one!
Disclosure: Some of the links below are affiliate links, meaning, at no additional cost to you, I will earn a commission if you click through and make a purchase.
Camping for Couples: General Tips
Before we dive into romantic camping for couples activities and essentials, there are a few general tips you should be mindful of. If you don’t take these three tips into consideration, your romantic getaway could be easily ruined!
1. Choose a Secluded Location
No one wants to go on a romantic trip with tons of people around, partying, playing music, or with kids crying at the crack of dawn. When planning to book a campsite, make sure you take a look at the campground map.
Looking at the campground map will help you make the best decision for booking the most secluded campsite available. It can be difficult at times to really tell how far away campsites are from each other, but it will give you a good idea. Choose campsites that are on the end of the road, or with as few neighbors as possible!
You can also look the campground up on Youtube, which often has videos of people driving through the campground, pointing out each site. This helps give you a good idea of what your campsite will look like, and the distance it is from others!
You can also find secluded campsites through sites like AirBnB, or go backcountry camping- where you likely won’t see another person for miles!
2. Remember to Check the Weather!
Another one of the most important camping for couples tips is to always check the weather before you leave. This is especially important if you are planning to go camping in the mountains, since the weather can change at any moment!
On our very first camping trip here in Colorado, we got caught in a Monsoon, with only our little $20 tent from Target. We had checked the weather before hand and it said to expect some thunderstorms, but this wasn’t anything out of the ordinary for Colorado weather so we thought nothing of it.
Thankfully, everything ended up being ok and our tent surpringly held up- though it was a terrifying experience!
My suggestion to you- always check the weather as close to departing as possible. If it looks like it will be a complete wash out from rain, maybe consider rebooking. Staying in a tent when it is pouring all weekend is not any fun!
The same goes for the weather being too hot- we have cancelled camping trips when the weather is too hot (like 95+ degrees), and didn’t feel any regret about that!
Check out these tips for staying warm in a tent if you plan to go during the cooler months!
3. Prepare for Bugs
Another important camping for couples tip is to be well prepared for the amount of bugs that exist, especially if you are tenting. If you are camping near water, you’ll definitely want to get some good bug spray.
This might seem obvious, but we went tenting with some all natural bug spray once, and let’s just say I’ve never had more mosquito bites than I did that weekend- I was absolutely miserable! Do yourself a favor, and get some good bug spray with deet– skip the natural stuff (as it didn’t seem to work, at least in our experience).
There is nothing less romantic than being covered in itchy mosquito bites. Here are some other options to help keep those pesky bugs away:
- Outdoor fogger: Spray this around your campsite to help keep the bugs out!
- Rechargeable mosquito repellent: No chemicals, sprays, or candles needed! This repellent is USB rechargeable and has a 20 foot repellent radius!
- Mosquito Insense: Simply burn one of these insense sticks to repel mosquitos!
Read more about how to keep bugs away when camping here!
Couples Camping Gear
As you plan your romantic camping getaway, there are a few essentials you’ll want to remember to bring! Sometimes camping organization and packing up the car can get difficult, so be sure to check out our guide for organizing camping gear!
4. Comfort is Key
Being comfortable is an essential camping for couples tip! Being uncomfortable can quickly make you miserable, which doesn’t lead to a very romantic getaway. Tenting isn’t the most comfortable environment, but there are some things you can do to make it more enjoyable. (Or, try your hand at glamping!)
Read our guide on how to sleep more comfortably in a tent!
- First, you’ll need a comfortable place to sleep. A quality air mattress can do just the trick! Air mattresses aren’t the most comfortable way to sleep, but they are much better than sleeping on the hard ground.
- Next, you’ll want a cozy sleeping bag. Make sure you check the temperature and how low it will get in the middle of the night for your destination, so you can select the appropriate sleeping bag for your trip. Consider getting a double sleeping bag so you can snuggle with your loved one!
- If the temperatures get really low at night (as they often do, especially in higher elevations), you might want to get a portable propane heater for your tent! This will help keep you warm and cozy and night, and get better sleep!
- Lastly, you might want to consider getting a shower bag, especially for those that have never been tenting before (they might not be used to feeling so dirty!) Plus, feeling clean makes you feel more comfortable, which can only make things more romantic!
- Learn more ways to heat up water when camping here!
5. Create a Romantic Ambience
Another tip for camping for couples is to create a romantic ambience! If you are looking to create a memorable and romantic getaway for you and your partner, there are a few different things you can do:
- First, get some string lights! There is something about just adding some lights that can make any setting more romantic. These string lights are also solar powered, so you don’t need to worry if your campsite doesn’t have electricity!
- You can also get a double camping chair so you and your partner can snuggle up together by the campfire! This makes camping a little more romantic than sitting in two separate chairs.
- Another thing you can do to create a romantic camping environment is to get a bunch of pillows and blankets to snuggle up with! Throw a blanket on your double camping chair to invite lots of cuddles by the fire together!
Camping Activities for Couples
The last part of our camping for couples guide is the fun part: camping activities for couples! These ideas will give you and your loved one some fun activities to try that will help you get to know each other a little better, have some laughs, and make lasting memories!
Here are some more ideas of things to do while camping at night!
6. Wine/Beer Tasting at your Campsite!
One fun ideas for camping for couples is to have a wine or beer tasting date! Bring a few bottles of wine or a selection of beers you haven’t tried yet, and have some fun sampling them all! You can also pair it with a charcuterie board or some other tasty snacks. Don’t forget to bring some outdoor wine glasses!
7. Hike and have a Picnic
Another fun idea is to go on a hike and have a picnic along the way! This picnic backpack is perfect for taking on hikes, since you don’t have to hold it as you climb potentially steep hills! Find a scenic and romantic stop along the way, or have your picnic when you reach the top or end of the trail!
Don’t forget to check out these hiking essentials you should always bring on a hike so you have a successful experience!
If you are bringing your dog camping with you, he’ll love this activity!
8. Watch an Outdoor Movie
One unique tip for camping for couples is to have an outdoor movie at your campsite! This is one camping activitiy that you’ll need an electric campsite for, but it could be so fun! You’ll need a mini projector to hook up to your phone or table, and a screen. You could buy a fancy screen, but a white sheet hung over some rope attached to two trees can have the same effect!
Make this date even more romantic with an inflatable couch or comfy chairs, lots of blankets and pillows, and some good snacks!
Phone starting to die? Make sure you know these tips for charging your phone while camping!
9. Dance Together
Another one of the most fun camping activities for couples is to simply dance together! Dancing is a great way to let loose and have fun, while sharing a special moment with a loved one. Get together under your hanging string lights, put music on a portable speaker, and dance the night away under the stars!
10. Have a Game Night
Another fun camping date idea for couples is a simple game night! Playing games is always a fun way to get to know each other better, enjoy yourself, and have some laughs together! You can bring any board game you already enjoy, a deck of cards, or some new games like heads up (which we’ve played by the fire before and it was so fun!)
If you are bringing the kids with you, make sure you check out these kids camping activities to keep them busy!
11. Watch the Sunrise or Sunset
Another fun idea for camping for couples is to watch the sunrise or sunset. There is something magical and romantic about watching both the sunrise and the sunset, so take your loved one on a cute date! Maybe you hike to a secluded area early in the morning or after dinner, or maybe you simply watch it from your tent.
You can also bring a picnic basket or a blanket with some wine and cheeses for the sunset, or pack a nice breakfast of bagels, orange juice, or coffee for the sunrise! Remember to bring lots of blankets and bug spray!
12. Have a S'mores-off
Have you ever had a bake-off? Try this same fun activity only with s’mores or other campfire desserts! See who can make the tastiest s’more, or have fun making each other fun desserts over the campfire!
Don’t forget your extendable roasting sticks!
13. Cook a Romantic Meal Together
Another fun camping activity for couples to add to our camping for couples guide is to cook a meal together! Cooking while camping (especially tenting) can often be a bit tricky, but it can still be a fun date if you are well prepared!
Before going on your trip, get as many parts of your dinner prepped and prepared. Chop up the vegetables, portion out the side dishes, pre-cook everything you can, and keep everything all in one place.
If you want some easy meal ideas, check out this list of camping meals that require no cooking!
Then, set up a cute picnic table with a nice tablecloth, some lanterns, or other romantic centerpieces!
Make sure you know these tips for keeping food cold while tenting so you food stays fresh!
14. Go Stargazing
The last tip on our list of camping for couples is to go stargazing! Once the sun sets and it gets really dark, take your loved one to a secluded area away from all the lights and look up at the stars!
You can even get a cheap telescope to get a better look at them! Or, lay a blanket down and cuddle each other while you talk and gaze up at the beautiful starry night!
What's Next?
Don’t forget to grab this awesome camping planner to help you plan the most romantic camping trip!
