43 Fun and Romantic Camping Activities for Couples
We have the ultimate list of couples camping activities because as parents, it’s easy to get lost in the daily grind. Taking time for each other is essential and a romantic camping getaway is just what you need.
Camping can be a beautiful way to bring the family together. It’s also a cozy couples activity with ample opportunity to spend quality time together and nurture romance.
Romantic Couple’s Camping Ideas
If you’re seeking some new ways to turn up the romance, check out our favorite couples camping activities below.
1. Date Night
Camping is a fantastic way to spend your next date night. The magic of camping is that you can make it whatever you want.
Hike together hand in hand and enjoy nature with your partner. Or, pack some flirty lingerie and get cozy in your couples’ sleeping bag. You might be surprised at how romantic it is to cook dinner over the open fire, rather than calling for room service.
2. Glamping
If trees, bugs, and mud don’t scream romance to you, fear not. Glamping is a luxury form of camping.
It includes all the fun of sleeping away from home, stargazing, and roasting marshmallows over the fire but with a less rustic camping area. Hang some fairy lights, get a big blow up mattress and comfy blankets to create a romantic ambiance.
3. Campfire Stories
Campfire stories are a great way to set the mood.
Take the opportunity to cuddle closer with a spooky tale that gets your partner’s heart racing.
Or, forget the scary stuff and opt for something on the sensual side. As long as you’re holding hands and cuddling close, it’ll set the mood for romance.
4. Sunset Picnic
Camping has a surprising number of romantic activities built into its premise. Eating outdoors has been a couple’s activity since the 18th century when picnics became a favorite activity of the aristocracy.
Pack your partner’s favorite menu and eat together while the sun dips low against the horizon. Some of our favorite couples picnic items are:
- Chocolate covered strawberries
- Charcuterie board
- Chilled champagne
Enjoy the last moments of the day with your partner as you watch the sun slowly set.
5. Cook Together
Food has always had a sensuous side. Cooking a romantic dinner together is a great way to bond after a long week of work and child-rearing.
The key to romantic cooking is to not make it a chore. Instead, take your time, choose ingredients you love, and have fun making something new over the campfire or camp stove.
6. Gourmet Smores
Speaking of romantic food, is there anything more romantic than chocolate and ooey-gooey marshmallow? This is a finger-licking snack you can take to the next level.
Amp up your s’mores by using unique ingredients, such as:
- Fresh strawberries
- Caramel drizzle
- Peanut butter cups
- Mini candy bars
- Candied bacon
- Pretzel bits
Select the sweet, salty, and sticky ingredients you and your partner love the most. This is the time to get creative.
7. Swimming
Swimming is one of my favorite couples’ camping activities. You’re doing something active, getting your heart rate up, showing a little extra skin, and afterward, you cuddle to warm up.
I highly recommend a moonlit dip if you have safe water access near your site. There’s something about swimming with your partner in private that’s both comforting and exciting.
Bonus points if you can find an area with a local hot springs.
8. Hammock
I don’t know about you, but my husband and I are big cuddlers. Just having that intimacy of touch after a busy week really grounds us again. Sometimes laying together, talking, and connecting on a deeper level is the perfect way to reignite that old spark.
Be sure to get a double hammock as trying to get two people in a single hammock is a surefire way to end up in the dirt.
9. Fishing
If you’re new to fishing, this is a fun way to learn a new skill together. If you’re old pros, fishing lets you enjoy something you love together.
Fishing is a little like building a long-lasting relationship. It takes calm, quiet patience.
In a world as fast-paced as ours, a couple’s fishing trip offers a step back into a simpler time with the person you love most.
10. Outdoor Class
My husband and I love trying new things together. Many private campgrounds offer classes through the peak camp seasons. You may also find outdoor classes nearby your campsite.
Some of our favorites through the years have been:
- Archery
- Outdoor pottery
- Beekeeping
- Outdoor cooking classes
- Rock climbing
- Kayaking
- Yoga
Depending on where you live, you might have access to surfing, diving, or clamming as a couple.
11. Wine Tasting
Curate your own wine-tasting experience by bringing a new bottle of wine and cheese pairings on your camping trip. You can also look for a nearby wine-tasting experience around your campsite.
My husband and I love experimenting with local finds for this purpose. When you camp in a new city or state, take the opportunity to support local wineries or breweries (if beer is your thing).
You can also create a non-alcoholic beverage tasting menu for non-drinkers.
12. Board Games
Couples camping activities don’t have to be exciting to be romantic. A cozy night with sleeping bags and board games or card games in front of an open fire is bliss.
Set up a few soft lanterns for mood lighting, fill a bowl with your favorite camping snack mix, and settle in for some Monopoly, Scrabble, or chess.
You can also bring along some couples-specific board games like Fog of Love or Servd.
13. Stargaze
Stargazing is romantic by nature. There are many ways to do this. On a clear night, when there’s a low to no risk of rain, leave the rain fly off your tent (keep it within reach in case it’s needed).
When the sun sets and you get into bed for the night, just lay together and stare up at the sky. You can also spread a blanket out on the ground for a better way to stargaze if your campsite isn’t too laden with bugs.
14. Night Hike
Hiking at night is a great excuse to hold hands. It’s dark, a little eerie, but full of fresh air and excitement.
My husband and I love night hikes. You spot all kinds of things you miss during the day, including fireflies!
Be careful and be safe. When you hike at night, be sure you stick to the hiking trails, wear a whistle, bring good headlamps, and check reports for animals.
When you don’t have the kids with you, you can take the long way home on your romantic walk.
15. Yoga
Yoga is relaxing and grounding. It focuses on breathing, central energies, and physical power. Yoga can be quite sensual as a couple’s activity and being surrounded by mother nature is the ideal location for yoga.
It’s also a great way to stay fit and limber. We like to save yoga for the morning. Sunrise yoga and fireside coffee is a win-win situation.
16. Massage
Sometimes parenting means bedtime isn’t always as private as you’d like it to be. A couples camp getaway is a perfect excuse to break out the massage oils.
Warm stones, wax, and oil are all great ways to explore touch and sensation with your partner in the great outdoors.
17. Read Together
There’s something satisfying about curling up with a good book with your partner.
Whether you lay together and read your own novels or one of you reads out loud to the other. Sharing this experience is a bonding moment.
18. Geocaching
Geocaching is like an ongoing game of hide and seek. It speaks to the treasure hunter and adventurer in my soul, and it’s one of my favorite couples camping activities.
This is a good way to team build with your partner. Working together to find a common goal helps get you on the same page for other things in life.
19. Learn a Skill
Is there something you and your partner have always wanted to try for the first time? Camping is a great time to learn new skills together.
Some camping skills to learn include:
- Whittling/Carving
- Fly Fishing
- Paracord Braiding
- Fire Making
Learning together builds new bonds and forms new memories with your loved one.
20. Bike Ride
Biking is such great exercise and a nice way to burn calories and bond. My husband and I love planning out a long-distance bike trail, packing our lightweight camp gear, and hitting the trails.
There’s something romantic and adventurous about riding your bike to places unknown and setting up camp for the night.
21. Dance
Why not? The age-old adage, “Dance like nobody is watching” has never been truer. It’s just you, your partner, and the night sky.
Put on your favorite iTunes playlist and dance together. This is a perfect opportunity to revisit your wedding song, or just have fun with some new tunes.
22. Share a Sleeping Bag
It’s cold. You’re sleeping outside with your partner. Why not share a sleeping bag? There are plenty of double sleeping bag options out there to choose from.
If you don’t have a double sleeping bag, grab some cozy blankets to create a romantic atmosphere.
23. Winter Camping
Winter camping is a whole new kind of adventure. Silently falling snowflakes in a dark forest setting always seems calming and sensuous; it really adds to the romantic camping atmosphere.
Winter camping can be extremely romantic if you have the right equipment.
If you’re going to be camping in freezing weather, be sure you have the right camping gear. Invest in sleeping bags with a winter rating, bring a tent suitable for an indoor heater, and pack the heater.
24. Magazine Quizzes
Take your partner back to your teenage years with some magazine quizzes.
This silly and simple couple camping activity is such a lighthearted way to end an evening.
25. Nature Walk
Walking in nature is good for the soul.
According to the American Psychological Association, nature walks reduce stress, improve mood, and even heighten empathy. I’m a big believer in the power of nature.
26. Outdoor Games
My husband and I get pretty competitive sometimes (in a fun way). Outdoor games are a great way to explore your competitive nature together.
Cornhole, horseshoes, giant jenga and yard dice are all fun outdoor activities for two. You could also look for another couple for a game of volleyball or badminton if you have a net near your campsite.
27. Fancy Dinner
Forget roasting hot dogs over the campfire, when you’re having a romantic camping getaway you can spend quality time cooking together. It’s easy to turn your camp dinner into something memorable.
When it’s just us, we like to indulge in fancier camp dinners. Grill shrimp, dip strawberries in chocolate fondue, or go all out with caviar on toast points. Whatever fills your love tank (and stomach).
28. Camper Pie Dessert
Nothing says romance like dessert. Camping is a great time to break out the “camper pie”. Also known as hobo pie.
It’s a dessert cooked in a cast iron pie iron, over an open fire. We’ve made many flavors: cherry, raspberry, apple and smores.
29. Cocktail Lounge
Kid-free camping calls for cocktails. Make your own groovy cocktail lounge by packing a few mixable ingredients and having some fun.
Go wild and mix up some truly camp-inspired cocktails. You can make alcohol-free cocktails for non-drinkers.
30: Cozy Campfire
An evening campfire is probably one of the most romantic things about camping with a partner.
Grab a blanket to share (be sure to sit a safe distance from the flame), and get cozy together. Cuddle, and watch the flame burn to embers before calling it a night.
31. Bird Watching
Bring binoculars and look for local birds. If you’re not a bird watcher, you might be surprised at how calming and rewarding simple camping experiences are.
Check out the U.S. Fish & Wildlife Services “Find Your Birding Community” site to learn more about birds in your area.
32. Berry Picking
Berry picking is youthful, whimsical, and delicious. Try to time you’re next camping trip with the seasonal berry schedule.
There’s something sensual about warm summer berries. Plus, you can add them to your campfire pie later.
33. Mushroom Hunting
It’s important to know your mushrooms before going on a mushroom hunt. This is a great example of an outdoor class to take as a couple.
Hunting mushrooms is educational and makes for a yummy dinner later. We’ve had some of the best times camping when we go out mushroom hunting.
34. Flower Finding
I love wildflowers. Flower finding is a fun and romantic way to spend some time during a camp outing.
Look for flowers that remind you of your partner and build your own bouquet to set the mood at your campsite. It’s the simple things that make for some of the most fun activities.
35. Backyard Camping
If you can’t get to a secluded campsite away from home, camp in your backyard. This is like a staycation in a tent.
As a bonus, you’re close to all your comfort items, so you can make your tent as “glampy” as you like.
Hang some battery-powered string lights and have a romantic time in your backyard. The great outdoors never looks as good as it does from your backyard hot tub.
36. Meteor Shower
Meteor showers are best visible during the darkest part of the evening. Check with your local area and time zone for this, but usually, it’s between midnight and dawn.
Your local meteorologist can also tell you when to expect meteor showers in your area. If you manage to find a meteor shower it will be an unforgettable experience.
37. Northern Lights
If you’re lucky enough to live near the Northern Lights, this is a phenomenal couples camp activity. I highly recommend planning a visit to a location where the lights are visible.
There’s something ethereal and magical about the Northern Lights that turn any camping trip into a romantic getaway.
38. Play Hide and Seek
Indulge your inner child in a game of hide and seek. You might be surprised how fun this is, it’s worth it to get out of your comfort zone by playing a silly children’s game.
You can make it better by making out once you find each other.
39. Listen to a Romantic Playlist
Remember the days of mixed tapes? Making a romantic playlist that reminds you of your partner is a great idea.
Bring several, one for the road trip to the camp ground, one to play during the day, and one for night.
Singing silly camping songs is also awesome.
40. Movie Night
Movie night is a standard date in your everyday life, so it makes sense that it would also make for a good romantic camping date.
A fully charged laptop or tablet, or a site with electricity and internet makes it easy to share a couples movie while you camp.
41. Scavenger Hunt
Scavenger hunts are a camp activity staple. Amp things up by creating a romantic-themed hunt.
Some examples to add to your list include:
- Look for something shaped like a heart
- Find an edible item and feed it to me
- Find a spot you’d like to cuddle and take me there
- Look for the perfect place to share a kiss under the stars
Bonus points if you each make a list for the other person to follow.
42. Warm Drinks
Hot chocolate, morning coffee, and evening tea are all wonderful ways to make couples camping a little cozier.
I’m a big fan of “everything hot chocolate”. You pack all your favorite toppings and add-ons and go wild. Indulge and turn it into dessert!
43. Sleep In
Sleeping in is one of my favorite couples camping activities. We love camping with our wacky kiddo, but it’s nice to have zero responsibilities in the morning sometimes.
Not into sleeping in? Just lay together in the morning for a bit. Have a chat and a cuddle, and take your time waking up.
I think laying in a tent is best when there is a gentle rainstorm passing through.
Wrapping Up Couples Camping
We hope this list of romantic camping ideas for couples has offered you a few new ideas for your next outing. The main thing is to have fun, spend time together, and enjoy nature. As always, have fun and be safe out there!
I’m Molly Foss, aka Momma Critter. I’ve been camping since I was 9 years old and I always wanted to be Robin Hood and live in the forest when I grew up. I’m excited to share my love of camping with my son as he grows up. My favorite thing to do while camping is roast marshmallows over the fire.
