Watching the sun go down when you are camping is one of the simple pleasures in life. However, as the sun dips, so does your ability to see; which makes having suitable lighting solutions for when you’re camping imperative. Struggling to see a metre in front of you is not only an issue for your safety, but can be incredibly frustrating too.

Fortunately for us, technology continues to develop at a rapid rate, and lighting for camping hasn’t been one to miss out. Today, you can comfortably light up your campground from a huge range of technology that is inexpensive, easy to use and economical to run. Camping should be comfortable, and if you are finding a lack of lighting solutions is taking away from that, this post will help you to be better prepared.

What’s changed over the years?

I recall sitting by the river as a young boy, next to a gas lantern, and struggling to see what everyone else was seeing only a few meters in front. They are big, awkward, require fuel, damage easily, and children can burn themselves easily (as I found out!).

Today, lighting for camping is more affordable, durable, brighter, easier to use and more compact than ever before. Batteries have also improved, along with the introduction of LEDs, and the advancement of solar power technology. Remember the old dolphin torches you’d lug around? Now, you can get a torch that will blow them away in both battery life and light output that’s a quarter of the size and weight.

Improvements in LED Lighting

When it comes to lighting, the biggest advance over the years has been LED technology. Otherwise known as Light-emitting diodes, they are bright, use very little power and last substantially longer than their counterparts. As time goes on they’ve become more popular, to the point where they are very affordable.

Almost every light designed for camping today uses LEDs. Some are just bright enough to see inside a tent, and others are powerful enough to see several hundred meters in front of you. I kid you not, some of the tactical torches and headlamps on the market are brighter than vehicle headlights.

Advances in Battery Technology

Today, just about every power tool on the market can be purchased as battery powered – even battery powered chainsaws! Fifteen years ago, people would have laughed if you had suggested that. We’ve come a long way from the standard AA batteries. Batteries are now more compact, can store more energy and last a greater number of cycles.

12V Compatible Lighting

If you have a 4WD or vehicle set up with decent 12V power (a dual battery system is perfect) your options for camp lights are endless. Whether it’s an LED flood light, strip lighting or compact lights, being able to connect to 12V power gives you huge potential.

LED Strip Lighting

One of the most common lights you’ll see when camping these days is LED strip lighting. It’s a length of LEDs in a row that is mounted inside a waterproof film. They are low-cost, bright, draw little power and can be installed by virtually anyone. You can cut them every 10 or so centimeters, join them easily and stick them to pretty much anything. Some stores sell pre-wired LED strip lighting with a cigarette lighter plug on one end, or you can make your own up.

Solar and Wind-up Lights

One thing that can be a right pain regardless of which pathway you go, is changing batteries. There is a heap of torches and lanterns on the market today that you don’t have to change batteries on. Some require you to wind a handle around to generate power, and others charge via inbuilt, or separate solar panels. Of course, these can bring in their own series of problems, but used for the right purpose, they are fantastic.

The wind-up ones, in particular, are great; if you have no light, just wind it up a bit and you are good to go again. For the lower light output lanterns (like what you’d use in a tent) the solar ones are a great option too, providing you remember to leave them out in the sun on a clear day. Keep in mind that if you’re camping in cloudy or rainy weather – you might need a backup option!