Setting up the campsite may seem cumbersome for some people, but it is actually my favorite part of the trip. You can opt for only throwing down your sleeping bags, lighting some firewood, and calling it a day. But a little effort can go a long way in brightening up the whole site. The last thing you want is to be reminded of a horror movie while trying to fall asleep.
To make the setting more attractive, you do not need to go overboard and get luxury tents. You can normally set up your tents around the campfire and arrange the firewood to resemble a bonfire.
Now, for the best part, you can bring along string lights to hang over your camping area. It will add just a touch of modernity, and, in order to simplify things for you, below is a list of top camping string lights.
Best Camping String Lights
Enbrighten Classic LED String Lights
Just the name Enbrighten creates the expectation that these lights will do a great job in creating an illuminated ambiance. You will get 24 small and sleek bulbs that are shatterproof, no matter the weather conditions. You can be sure that even if an unexpected storm hits, you will not have to scramble to avoid glass shards.
You can choose both the style and the desired length of the string lights. There is either an Edison lightbulb style that comes in black and white options, or there is a hanging lamppost style available in black, white, and silver. You can choose from 12 feet to 48 feet of wire, with variants in between.
Since they are made of acrylic, once set up, they will not require frequent changes. Each bulb also has about 24 inches of distance in between to avoid collisions on windy days.
MPOWERD Luci Solar String Lights
If you are worried about carrying an external power source for lights, this solar-powered string solves your troubles. The battery will be fully charged by placing it in sunlight for 16 hours.
The lights will be able to sustain themselves for about 20 hours in one charge, depending on what setting you put it on. Both the base and the solar lights are waterproof.
There are four power settings: while charging, the base will be in flashlight mode, and after charging, brightness can be adjusted to low, medium, or high. You will have 20 LEDs in total, and the battery will signal when it needs to recharge.
Also, in case of an emergency, you can plug your phone or any device into the base for charging.
YIHONG 2 Set Battery Operated String Lights
With these operated string lights, you can achieve yours or your child’s fantasy of living a fairytale outside! You will get two sets of lights, which are a little more than 16 feet each. You will also receive a remote control to change between light modes, adjust the intensity, and power them on or off.
You can also set a timer for the lights to automatically turn on and off, which can also be used as a prank to freak your friends out!
You can get these in plain white or exciting colors such as purple and orange. If you want to relax, you can put these lights on steady, but if you are looking to make a party out of that camp, you can switch to either flash or twinkle modes. The string comes with a battery case for power, which is water-resistant.
SUNTHIN 48FT LED Outdoor String Lights
At times, you might want to feel like you’re back in the good old days. The only way to achieve that without time-traveling is through vintage items. Or at least, those items that give off a vintage feel, like these string bulbs.
Although their design may seem antique, they are a power-saving LED technology that emits a soft glow for your surroundings.
In order to adjust the brightness, you need to separately purchase a dimmer; otherwise, bear the original intensity. The total length of the wire is 48 feet, holding 15 bulbs. Each bulb is at a distance of three feet, and if you accidentally drop the whole set while trying to hang it, it will fortunately not break.
Coleman LED String Lights
I have two words: tiny lanterns. Instead of carrying a few traditional lanterns or torches, you have the option to get ten small lanterns on a string. You could argue that these are just bulbs in the shape of a lantern. To that, I say, stop overthinking because smaller sized objects are immediately better and cuter.
These will require three AA batteries to operate and are less than a pound in weight, making them easy to carry. You will have a runtime of up to 20 hours of continuous use. Do keep in mind that these are a pretty bright white, so you might need to turn them off to sleep.
Festive String Lights
Have you ever thought of having a holiday celebration at a campsite? If so, these festive string lights would be ideal. These are a hundred small lights on a wire of 32 feet. You can loop these around a tree, and since these are cold white, they will look like sparkling dewdrops at night.
They are operated through a battery case that requires 3 AA batteries. These will work for 30 days on the same battery, so you do not have to worry about replacing the power source on the trip. There are also eight light modes, which include slow fade, twinkle, and waves.
Brightown Outdoor String Lights
Who could have thought that the traditional lightbulb design would inspire a row of hanging bulbs on a string? These are called Edison bulbs because they resemble the original model that Edison came up with. Copying the design is where the similarities end. These are 25 bulbs, with one to spare. If one bulb in the row goes out, it will not affect the rest, and can quickly be replaced.
Each bulb is at a distance of 12 inches from each other, and the total length is 25 feet. If it starts raining during your trip, these bulbs being waterproof will not be damaged. They do require an external power plug to work.
ENO – Eagles Nest Outfitters Twilights LED Light String
Going on a camping trip with friends is vastly different from going with family. With friends, it is more likely that the camp would be converted into an outdoor disco. Instead of having a giant disco ball, you will have string lights to fulfill your ambiance needs.
These are a total of 23 lights, but the wire is 120 inches long, which can easily be draped overhead. The 3 AAA batteries powering this will last for three days if continuously used, and there is a case included for carrying both the batteries and the lights. You can switch settings between dim, fast, and slow blink to capture the mood of the current playlist.
Bomcosy Outdoor String Lights
Another excellent idea for Edison string bulbs is to create a romantic atmosphere at your camp. While your significant other is asleep, you can effortlessly hang up these 15 bulbs, which would span over 25 feet. You can wake up your partner, and the whole site will be swathed in a dim, dreamy glow.
These will shine through the morning mist, that arrives just before sunrise. You will not get a better setting for a proposal.
AceList 20 LED Black Lantern Mini Kerosene String Lights
Forget bulbs and LEDs, a shout out for all the grandparents out there, these mini kerosene lanterns are the closest replicas for your grandchildren to experience a piece of your past. Unfortunately, or fortunately, these are battery operated and do not actually run on kerosene.
You can have a themed camping trip where modern technology can only be in the form of vintage items. You can hang these lanterns around a tree, from where they emit a warm light. Since they are also made from an environmentally friendly material, they are safe to use.
You will have the perfect setting to regale the grandkids with glories of days past.
Best Camping String Lights Buying Guide
Looking at all of the options available, you might think it is an easy choice to make while selecting one. However, due to the wide variety, you need to make sure the specifications are according to your needs.
Also, considering that camping is an outdoor setting that can be impacted by environmental factors, you will need to keep the following points in mind:
Waterproof – You might already have checked the forecasts and expect bright sunny days. But the weather is unpredictable and can change in an instant. That is why water resistance is imperative. If it starts raining or snowing, you can sit back and enjoy the conditions rather than rushing to unmount the lights. You also do not have to fret about an electrical shortage due to water traveling inside the bulb.
Shatterproof – You will most likely be in a forest area, wherefrom gentle to harsh winds are common. Besides the bulbs being an adequate distance from one another, they will also need to be durable. You do not want the bulbs to knock into each other and break at the contact. You will even be traveling with these, and they might get jostled during transport. Hence, they must be shatterproof.
It is also a good idea to keep a spare bulb, in case one goes out. Spares are usually provided with the light set.
Power – A very significant point to note here is that these lights are powered by three sources: solar, battery, or an external switch accessed through a cord. If you are camping at a designated and developed spot, there is a chance that electricity and power outlets might be available. If you are in the middle of a jungle, you will require your power generator, or you may have to use AAA batteries.
Type – As you have seen in the products list, there are many different kinds of bulbs. As long as they are energy efficient, the shape of the bulb is entirely dependent on your preferences. There are fairy lights if you want small twinkling bulbs, also in a range of colors. Edison bulbs if you want a traditional feel. There are also lanterns if you want to reminisce about olden days, where these were the only source of power.
Frequently Asked Questions
How to hang string lights at a campsite?
There are no rules for hanging string lights. Depending on their length, and the canopy of trees above you, they can be arranged in straight lines overhead, in a crisscross pattern, or even circled around the camp perimeter.
More ideas could include looping the string over a single tree or just laying them on the ground to give an ethereal glow. Do make sure that wherever you hang them, they are secure and will not fall on you while sleeping.
What are the safety considerations while hanging string lights?
- If you are hanging them in a high place, make sure your ladder or stool is stable, or someone is holding it to keep you balanced.
- Do not try to overlap bulbs; they are at a distance for a reason. If they overheat due to proximity, that could be a fire hazard.
- If the cord is very long, make sure it is not in anyone’s way and is gathered in one pile, so people do not trip over it.
- Ensure the cord is not damaged, the power sources and batteries are functioning, and the switches you plug these lights into are capable of handling the amperes.
After camping, will you be able to use these lights indoors?
Most string lights are designed for both indoor and outdoor purposes. Unless it is specifically mentioned that you cannot use them inside or outside, you are free to hand them wherever you please after your trip is over.
They do look lovely in doorways or over bedframes.
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