Camping is one of the most romantic things couples can do. Spending a night away from home and hanging out in nature brings couples closer together. Being outdoors refreshes the mind and body, and getting away from busy days at work and home helps strengthen your connection to one another.
The fresh air and solitude make a couples camping trip one of the most romantic ways to spend time together. But, before you and your partner head out for a romantic camping expedition, take some time to plan rather than attempting to wing it. Check out my camping ideas for couples that will make your time together more romantic.
1. Choose The Right Type of Shelter
The first thing to consider is where you plan to sleep. You can choose an RV or a tent, or possibly even a yurt. I’ve tried camping cabins, RVs, and yurts, but I think one of the most romantic options is a tent. I prefer a small one where you can cuddle up. I also like to decorate the inside of the tent with lights and a plethora of pillows for added coziness. There are many ways to light up your tent at night, but the romantic ones are the battery-powered string lights.
2. Choose an Isolated Camping Spot
When I camp, I love rustic and out of the way spots where I have no neighbors. Some campgrounds put guests right next to each other with very little privacy. As I work out my camping ideas for couples, I always consider the space between the guests, the light pollution, and the scenery. For some couples, their backyard is the perfect spot for a night in a tent.
Some couples want the ultimate mood lighting, and they can only find it in a campsite that is away from any light pollution. Couple camping ideas need to have evenings under the stars and time away from busy cities. The sound of the crickets chirping for each other only adds to the romance of the location.
Consider the types of places you and your partner love. My favorite romantic camping trip spots are
- In the forest
- Near a hot spring
- On the beach
- In the mountains
When I’m looking for isolation and privacy, I book a spot in the off-season. Some campgrounds are less busy during the weekdays, too. The off-season can be cold and rainy, so I check the weather before we go so we pack appropriately.
If you happen to get stuck in the rain, don’t pack up and go home. Some of my best camping trips with my partner have been on a rainy weekend hanging out in the tent. I usually bring a well-built tent that can stand heavy rain, pack my rain boots, raincoat, and umbrella so we can go and explore regardless of the weather.
3. Share a Sleeping Bag
Sleeping bags are essential to camping and are a great way to get cozy with your partner. Even if you stay in an RV, cuddle up together in the warmth of a double sleeping bag. If the weather cooperates, you can take the sleeping bag outside and watch the stars together.
If you are spending quality time in the coldest time of the year, choose a sleeping bag that could offer warmth, comfort, and security against harsh climates so you both can sleep well.
For added comfort, I recommend bringing an air mattress or other cushioned pad to put under your sleeping bag. I never camp without an air mattress so we can sleep in comfort on our romantic camping trips.
4. Pack Your Favorite Camping Food
I’m a firm believer that camping food should be easy to prepare, have minimal waste, on a budget, but isn’t boring. To keep your food safe and cold, pack it in a cooler with wheels so you can easily move it from your vehicle to your camping spot. Don’t forget romance-inspired foods like strawberries and chocolate. I love making a charcuterie board with our favorite cheeses, olives, and grapes. Who says camping has to be all about “roughing it?”
Making breakfast for each other is a great bonding moment, especially after a night in a tent. For this camping idea for couples, you’ll want to pack some breakfast foods that you can make over the campfire, like cinnamon rolls and coffee, as well as eggs and potatoes.
5. Enjoy the Campfire
Who doesn’t love the warmth and glow of a fire? Sitting in front of the fire with no other distractions is a great way for me and my partner to connect.
Your time around the fire is more romantic when you can share a love seat. No camping trip is complete without an evening of smores. Rather than bringing metal sticks for the marshmallows, I love the adventure of finding actual sticks that have fallen on the ground.
As you sit around the fire, you can listen to the sounds of the forest or pack a speaker and listen to your favorite music and outdoor podcasts if you and your partner are outdoor enthusiasts. You can play your song and dance together in the firelight, too. One of my favorite activities around the fire is reading to my partner.
6. Take a Hike
One of the things I love about camping with my partner is having no itinerary and just having fun exploring. Typically, we check out hiking trails or other features of the campground we’re staying at. I bring a wildflower guide book, so the two of us are forced to stop and check out the flowers.
You can also bring along books that identify local birds, mushrooms, trees, or other natural wonders of your area. Before the flowers tempt you to pick them, check to see what the rules are about picking wildflowers as some are protected under statutes and laws.
While I love the exercise of a good hike, I can’t wait to rest a bit and enjoy a picnic. I recommend bringing a backpack with snacks, a blanket, and looking for the perfect spot to sit and have a little picnic while on your hike. Bring binoculars so you can get a good look at any special views out into the distance or up into trees. On a regular hiking day, you can check the other essential gears you have to keep in your backpack as you never know what you might see while wandering the trails.
7. Enjoy the Water
I love out of the way campsites, but they’re even better if there’s water nearby like a river or lake. I recommend kayaking, canoeing, or tubing. Rent a boat for a day. Charter a fishing expedition. There are so many ways you can spend romantic time together on the water. Just being on the water is romantic, and if you share a kayak or a tube, you are together for the entire float down the river.
Kayaking or canoeing gives you the opportunity to paddle into little nooks and crannies in lakes and rivers. Maybe you find a private beach where you can enjoy some alone time. Like the hiking trips, bring necessary items like food, beverage, towels, and other gear, so you are prepared for what comes your way.
8. See the Stars
The first time I went camping with my partner, I was amazed at how well I could see the stars. Many campsites are in areas with little to no light pollution, so you can spend time together looking at the stars. You can do this while snuggling together in a double sleeping bag, but you can also look at them closely with a lightweight telescope. We always get a better view of the night sky with a telescope than with the naked eye.
Plan a whole night of sitting around the campfire and eating romantic food. Then, as the fire dies down, start the stargazing. It is difficult to create a more romantic mood than this, as the natural, nighttime, starry mood lighting cannot be replicated in an indoor setting.
9. Cook Together
My partner and I cook together at home, but cooking a meal together when we camp is always a little more special. We invested in a small camping cooking stove so we don’t have to worry about cooking over a fire. I love that the stove is small, so you’ll get another opportunity to snuggle as you saute, stir, and flip. I find it incredibly romantic to feed each other little tastes as we prepare our camping meals together.
Pack the ingredients for the camping version of your favorite meals. Cooking while camping always takes longer than cooking in a kitchen, so you’ll have plenty of time to be together.
10. Go on Nighttime Walks
My partner and I rarely make time for nighttime walks at night, but it’s one of my favorite things to do when we go camping. When the sun goes down, grab your flashlight or wear a camping headlamp. You’ll want to hold hands while you walk, as it makes it easier to stay together in the dark.
I love to pay attention to the shadows and sounds. You might feel like you are walking through a haunted house together, so you’ll stay close when unexpected sights appear and sounds happen. If you’re near a beach, take a nighttime swim and let the moon illuminate your intimate dip.
11. Toast Each Other
As you sit around the campfire or go on a hike together, bring your favorite wine or champagne and a pair of unbreakable wine glasses. I learned the hard way that it’s never a good idea to bring breakable dinnerware or glasses when you’re camping.
When you have your romantic toast, consider your favorite moments together. Wrap your arms when you drink, so you are even closer in the moment. You can add to the mood by playing your song, and enjoy the mood lighting of your campfire.
12. Play Board Games
I have a competitive streak and one of my favorite things to do when I camp is play board games or with a deck of cards. There might be some nights when you just want a quiet night together, and these are the perfect times for games. There are several board games designed especially for couples.
These are my favorite two-person board games to bring on the camping trip:
- Chess
- Checkers
- Uno
- Battleship
- Scrabble
- Mancala
- Dice games
It’s no surprise to me that research suggests that when people play board games, their bodies release endorphins. It doesn’t take long before you start to feel good as the endorphins move through your body. Playing games also reduces stress, so you become relaxed and comfortable with your loved one. Board games also encourage cooperation, which strengthens relationships.
13. Snuggle in a Hammock
I never understood how cool hammocks were until I took one camping. Your camping trip should include sharing time in a hammock. The newest hammocks are easy to set up when you have two supportive trees. You can make your time hammocking romantic by choosing a double hammock with mosquito netting. Bring the hammock when you hike or kayak together, or set it up at the campsite.
Bring snacks into your hammock and feed each other while you’re snuggling in the trees. The hammock is another one of my favorite snuggly places to read to my partner.
14. Take Pictures
Some of my favorite pictures with my partner are selfies that we took when camping. If you decide to disconnect from your mobile phone and other electronic devices, the most romantic way to capture memories is with an instant camera.
15. Watch the Sunrise and Set
The sunrise and sunset is my favorite part of every day and it’s even more special to experience with your partner when you’re in nature.
While camping, the early mornings and late nights are often the chilliest time of the day. So, you can snuggle together in a large camping blanket. If you have a spot to watch the sunset, time your toast for the moment the sun drops below the horizon.
