Reliable lighting makes camping safer, easier and more enjoyable after dark. The right mix of lanterns, flashlights, headlamps and area lights helps with cooking, walking around the campsite, finding supplies and keeping children comfortable at night.
How much campsite lighting do you need?
When sorting out how much light you need, start by factoring in where you are camping. Older campsites often have the advantage of higher tree coverage. This is helpful during the day because it provides shade from the heat, but at night it can reduce the amount of moonlight reaching your campsite.
Professional campgrounds may have permanent lights around outhouses and bathroom areas. In that case, a smaller pocket-size flashlight may be enough for quick walks. Remember that, unlike at home, even a bathroom trip can mean finding a flashlight, unzipping the tent, stepping outside, zipping the tent back up and walking to the nearest facilities.
Use more than one kind of camp light
Variety is important. Different campsite tasks require different kinds of light. For cooking, group activities or walking across the campground, a large lantern or bright area light is useful because it lights a wider space. At night, it is also smart to keep a small flashlight close by in a pocket or beside your sleeping bag.
- Use area lights for cooking and social spaces.
- Use headlamps for hands-free work around the tent or camp kitchen.
- Use pocket flashlights for quick walks and emergency backup.
- Keep backup batteries, charging cables or fuel available.
Battery, crank, kerosene and propane lanterns
Camping lights can run on batteries, rechargeable power, hand-crank power, kerosene or propane. Battery-powered LED lights are popular because they are compact, bright and easy to use. If you use propane or kerosene lanterns, carry extra mantles if your lantern requires them.
Never use fuel lanterns inside tents or enclosed spaces. Keep open flames and hot lanterns away from tent fabric, tarps and dry brush.
LED camp lights are a major upgrade
If you have not been camping since the mid-2000s, upgrade older krypton and fluorescent flashlights or lanterns to modern LED products. LED lights offer increased brightness, compact designs, lighter weight, lower battery requirements and longer battery life. COB LED strips and multi-LED layouts can also spread light in ways that older bulbs could not.
Camp lighting is especially important for families
Lighting is important, especially if children are in your camping group. Children should have their own camping flashlights. Many kids remember playing camping games in the tent by the glow of a lantern or flashlight, and chemical glow sticks can also be fun for evenings at the campsite.
Recommended camping lighting gear
Shop lanterns, flashlights, hanging lights and useful camping lighting products at Forest City Surplus Canada.
Camping lighting examples
Compact LED Lantern
Hanging Campsite Globe Light
Portable LED Work Light
High Power Tactical Flashlight
Why pay more?
Forest City Surplus Canada has supplied camping, outdoor and surplus gear since 1980. Check the camping category for useful products at surplus prices.
More camping guides
Continue browsing camping-gear.ca for more checklists, campground tips, backpack guides, camp cooking ideas and campsite lighting advice.