With cooler air and milder weather in much of the United States, fall offers the perfect opportunity to plan a camping trip. In many regions, October is one of the last seasons to enjoy these comfortable temperatures before breaking out your winter camping gear. Aside from the wonderful weather, October brings along one of the most fun holidays of the year: Halloween!
Decorating a campsite is something you can do all year round to create a comfortable and stylish space to enjoy the outdoors. While you may have never thought to go the extra mile and decorate for holidays that coincide with your camping trip, there’s plenty of good reason to do it. Decorating for festivities like Halloween is a great way to engage kids at camp, get in the holiday spirit yourself, and jazz up an otherwise boring campsite. Plus, the wilderness, especially at an old campground, already gives off an eerie element that fits any Halloween theme.
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Whether you’re planning a holiday backyard tent party or just want to get in the spooky spirit in the wilderness, here are some fun DIY decorations and Halloween camping ideas to transform your campsite this October!
Set the Foundation
Every successful campsite starts with a solid foundation composed of a suitable tent and sleep setup, thoughtful storage of your gear and belongings, and a comfortable place to hang out inside and outside of your shelter. Ideally, decorating should only begin after you’ve taken care of these basics.
When picking a tent for a campsite you plan to decorate, it’s vital to choose one that’s sturdy, durable, spacious, and weather-resistant. Sturdiness and durability will come in handy if you’re hanging decor from your tent, whether it be string lights, lanterns, or something else festive. The last thing you want to do is hang a heavy piece of decor from a tent pole and break it or rip the tent fabric. As for spaciousness, you should plan for your decor to take up some space. You’ll need ample room for you and your fellow campers, your everyday gear, and your decorations. All tents should offer some form of weather resistance, but this is especially important if you want to keep your decor in good shape. A canvas glamping tent offers all of these qualities and more, making it a great option for a Halloween camping trip.
Because you’ll be adding more items to your packing list with decorations, it’s a good idea to ensure your normal camping gear is organized and easily accessible yet out of the way. On top of that, spend time creating comfortable spaces around camp – from where you’ll sleep to where you’ll hang out. It’ll be hard to enjoy your decorations if you can’t get comfortable, after all.
Capture the Mood With Lighting
With a solid foundation set at your campsite, it’s time to start decorating! Lighting is fundamental to any campsite, and the first thing you should consider with your Halloween decor. Not only does it help you navigate the wilderness at night safely, but it also goes a long way in creating ambiance at camp. Since you’ll need lighting anyway, you might as well make it match your decor aesthetic. Stringing fairy lights between trees and placing electronic candles around the ground can create a whimsical effect at camp, while lanterns with colored bulbs like purple and green can produce a spookier feeling. If you don’t have an electrical hookup at camp, be sure to bring battery-powered light sources or a portable power supply.
Decorate Around a Theme
There’s a wide variety of Halloween decor to choose from, from magical and whimsy to spooky and straight-up horrifying. Choosing a theme can make it easier to pick out decorations and curate your campsite. Here are a few fun Halloween themes to consider for your trip!
Graveyard
Probably the most classic theme on this list, Graveyard decor can be anything from skeletons and tombstones to ghosts and spider webs. If you have the space, set up an extra camp chair or hang a hammock and leave a skeleton to hang out with your crew. Ghosts are super easy too – simply thread a fishing line through a white sheet and hang it from the trees.
Witches and Warlocks
Anything you might find in a witch’s den makes perfect Halloween campsite decor! Cobwebs in the bushes set an eerie tone, while caldrons can double as storage containers for camping gear or sweet festive treats. Lay old broomsticks around and use potion bottles as drinking cups.
Earthy Autumn
If you’re not a fan of in-your-face Halloween decor but still want to decorate, an Earthy Autumn aesthetic might be what you’re looking for. Think of fall foliage patterns, pumpkins and other harvest foods, and Earthy colors like yellows, oranges, and browns to achieve this aesthetic.
Day of the Dead
Day of the Dead decor is awesome for those who love bright colors in their decor. Deck your space out with electric candles, marigold flowers, and sugar skulls for an authentic homage to this ancient holiday.
Carnival of Terrors
For those looking to create a more horrific scene, consider designing a carnival of terrors at your campsite. Hang scary clown masks from nearby trees, opt for red and white stripes to replicate a circus tent, and switch your lawn games to creepy carnival-themed ones.
Whimsy Magic
Maybe you love the magic of witches but don’t like the sinister undertones. If that sounds like you, Whimsy Magic is a great theme that embraces the fantastical without the element of fear. Floating candles are a fun piece of magical decor that you can hang from trees, or hang string lights for an easier alternative.
Remember To Leave No Trace
Calling the great outdoors your temporary home is a privilege, and it’s our duty to treat it with respect. If you plan to decorate your campsite, always clean up after yourself and follow the principles of Leave No Trace. This is especially important when it comes to Halloween decor like synthetic cobwebs that can easily get stuck and left in campground foliage. Add trash bags, brooms, and other cleaning supplies to your packing checklist, and be thorough in cleaning up at the end of your trip. Not only does this ensure a pleasant experience for the campers that come after you, but it’s also the responsible thing to do to minimize your footprint and impact on the environment.
Final Thoughts
Decorating your campsite for Halloween is a unique way to celebrate the holiday, for kids and adult campers alike. Successful decorating starts with creating a foundation for your campsite by picking and pitching the right tent, organizing your gear, and putting together comfortable spaces to hang out. Once these basics are taken care of, you can start getting creative! Capture the mood of Halloween with thoughtful lighting choices and pick a theme to make decorating easier to accomplish. Whether you’re designing a spooky graveyard scene or a whimsical outdoor oasis, following the tips above will give you the tools you need to create the Halloween campsite of your dreams.
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