How to plan your first romantic car-camping date
So you’ve decided to go camping for the first time as a couple. That’s fantastic! We think camping is an awesome way to plan a special trip whether you are looking for a romantic weekend retreat or a fun adventure.
Honestly, planning a camping trip may seem intimidating to those who have never done it before, but it does not have to be difficult. Camping while on a hike may be challenging for many, but car camping is one of the most simple and enjoyable types of camping.
Here are some useful tips we learned from our previous camping trips to help make your first few camping adventures more enjoyable and less stressful.
Let’s get started!
Research your site
A camping trip would not be the same without a campfire. That means, it’s important to choose a site where you can build a campfire to cook and rest at night.
Extra Tips:
- If you or your partner prefer a more quiet and private camping experience, find a secluded but safe campground away from too many prying eyes around.
Pack warm and cozy blankets
Other than sleeping bags for the night, pack some lightweight blankets and pillows to use while sitting outside or snuggling with your partner. Also, don’t forget to pack essentials you need for any type of traveling.
Extra Tips:
- Double sleeping bags are useful when you’re camping alone or with someone. It has plenty of rooms to lay comfortably inside with warm clothes, as well as enough space to share with someone else without feeling like you’re confined in a tiny space, even if you’re not romantically involved.
Plan the day activity
Be mindful of how your partner wants to spend the day in the wilderness. Some people choose to spend their day relaxing in a hammock reading or enjoying campfire foods. Others like to hike up to the top of the mountain or tackle the most difficult terrain. Choose a location where you can enjoy a bit of both.
Extra Tips:
- Plan for things that you’ll do together such as setting up the campsite, cooking, trekking, or enjoying the evening by the campfire.
- If you and your partner have different preferences in day-time activities, plan a few hours of alone time during the day.
Set Up the Campsite
Before you go out to enjoy the afternoon activities, make sure the tent, sitting places, and cooking equipment are all set up. Also, it’s a great idea to gather enough firewood for cooking and resting before the sun goes down.
Extra Tips:
- If you arrive at your campsite in the evening, it’s important to set up everything before it gets dark. While one person sets up a tent and cooking supplies, the other person can gather firewood and set up the campfire site.
Make dinner memorable
Prepare a multi-course feast – you can do it! Cooking over a campfire may seem intimidating, but it’s actually very fun and not as challenging as it seems. You just need the right tools, the right ingredients, and some great food ideas to cook some amazing food. Plus, everything tastes better when cooking over a campfire and eating in nature.
Prepping meat and veggies ahead of time can make everything easier during the camping trip. Think of it as if you’re creating your own meal kits with your favorite recipes. Once you’ve planned and prepared all of your meals, you can relax and enjoy the process of cooking and eating with your partner.
Extra Tips:
- Make sure to bring enough cooking supplies and utensils.
- If you’re new to campfire cooking, bring a few fire starters so that you can get your campfire up and running fast. When you’re camping, there’s nothing more irritating than spending the majority of your evening trying to build the campfire
Plan a Romantic Evening by the Fire
The beauty of car camping is that you can enjoy all the fun activities in nature. You don’t have to limit yourself to just sitting by the campfire and eating. If you want to make it a romantic evening, sit by the campfire with your favorite wine or whiskey while making s’mores or roast hotdogs.
Extra Tips:
- Put up string lights around the tent or tree to create a romantic ambiance.
- Bring some camping lanterns or flameless candles to place around the camping area without the risk of fire. You can also use it to create a cozy atmosphere inside the tent at night.
