Going camping isn’t all about sitting in front of a campfire or at your campsite, well that’s a lot of it, but it’s not the only thing! It’s about doing fun and enjoyable outdoor activities too. Many campsites offer great opportunities for you to engage with the great outdoors for experiences you might not usually get the chance to do. So, we thought we’d look at some of the great activities you can do when you go camping.
While these outdoor activities might not be available at every campsite, there should be at least a few around the area for you to participate in. So, let’s take a look!
Fishing
Great for father-son bonding trips, fishing is one of the quintessential camping activities available! Bait your hook, sit back, cast that line, and let the fish come to you. Fishing offers people the chance to sit, relax, and converse. Even if you don’t catch a fish, you will find some form of enjoyment in the process. Maybe it’s just the bonding, the beverages mixed with afternoon relaxation. Regardless, fishing is a great outdoor activity to try when camping.
Kayaking
When traversing the water, you’ve got several options, starting with a kayak. Slightly different from canoeing due to its sitting position, kayaking is a great way to traverse the water and maybe even ride down some white rapids if they’re available, and you feel brave enough! There’s no better way to take in the sunset than a nice kayak venture into the water.
Paddle Boarding
Paddleboarding has become a well-enjoyed sport for lakes and calm bodies of water. You’ll find that across the country, there are stand-up paddleboard rental places just about everywhere, and the number is only increasing. This is a great activity to do with your family, allowing for fun in the sun and on the water. You’ll also get some great core exercise.
Canoeing
Similar to kayaking, canoeing is another water-based activity where you can traverse the water in a small vessel, in this case, a canoe. The most significant difference between a canoe and a kayak is that you have more space in a canoe, allowing a potential second or third person to be involved in the activity. In contrast, a kayak is more for a single person to operate and navigate.
Hiking
What activity is more camping than hiking? Taking the family or going on a nice hike with your friends means getting involved in your campsite’s natural surroundings. It’s a great chance to spot different animals and see some sensational views of the surrounding area. Of course, you need to ensure you are prepared for first aid emergencies, snacks, and water.
All Trails offers a great guide to hiking trails worldwide, acting as the perfect resource to find great paths to venture up and down.
Rock Climbing
Do you feel like you have a ton of energy that you need to get rid of? You should go looking for an opportunity to go rock climbing! Now, this is an activity that is recommended to do this outdoor activity with someone who’s an expert, as rock climbing can be dangerous, especially when you go it alone. We’re sure you’ve seen 127 Hours and how that turned out!
Abseiling
What is abseiling? Well, besides a heck of a lot of fun, it’s just about the opposite of rock climbing. Instead of going up the mountain, you’re rappelling down it in a controlled descent. It is a great way to get rid of some excess energy and adrenaline; as I already mentioned, it’s also a ton of fun! However, this is again a warning to go at this activity with an expert.
Archery
This one won’t be as easy to find available, but it’s around certain places. Learning a bit of archery is a cool outdoor activity, as it’s something different and unique. You can take a crossbow out into the wild and see what happens or go to a controlled environment where you’ll be guided in the true practice of archery. Regardless of which option you choose, be sure to consider archery safety so nobody winds up getting hurt.
Hunting
If you’re in an area that allows for hunting, that’s another great outdoor activity you can engage in. Hunting is a patience sport. It requires tracking, waiting, keeping quiet, and searching for animals to hunt down. If you do plan on going hunting, make sure that it’s permitted where you’re camping and understand the local laws surrounding what you can and can’t capture and kill.
Bird Watching
It might not sound cool or even fun, but bird watching is seeing its resurgence in popularity. The reason? Birds are beautiful and come in many amazing colors, shapes, and sizes. So it’s become cool again to grab a set of binoculars and head out into the wild to see what the local area offers regarding birds and other wildlife. This can be a cool outdoor activity if you see the whimsy and magic of seeing such a wide variety of birds.
Nature Photography
If you love capturing the beauty of the world surrounding you, then you’ll love camping for some nature photography. It’s like birdwatching but with a camera and capturing all the interesting creatures, birds, and sights you find. This can be a great bonding experience with the kids, so be sure to consider sharing this joy with your family.
Horseback Riding
If you’ve ever wanted to try horseback riding, now is the time! It doesn’t matter if you’re a pro or you’ve never even seen a horse; you can find so much joy in this activity, feeling straight out of a western. So many campsites have horse stables nearby that offer this activity to travelers looking for something interesting to do on their camping trip. It’s also a great way to enjoy the great outdoors, moving through the trees and up the mountains for an incredible view of your surroundings while on the back of a majestic creature.
Conclusion
This proves you can do so many things on your camping trip beyond sitting around the campsite. We get it; it’s about relaxing. But you’re in the great outdoors, and there are so many great things you can do to pass the time and have some real fun! So, don’t close your mind to some of these outdoor activities you can do while camping.
When looking for a campsite, find out what activities are available in the area. Most campsites are run by people very knowledgeable of the area, and they can guide you towards the best activities. So get out there and have some fun!
