Independent buying guides for car camping and roadtrips

Lighting

Good camp lighting keeps nights safe and pleasant. Headlamps for tasks, a lantern for the table and string lights for atmosphere cover almost every need.

A rustic lantern hangs, casting warm light amidst lush foliage and camping gear
Photo: Tan Danh on Pexels

How to choose

  • Bring one headlamp per person.
  • Use a warm-light lantern to avoid attracting as many bugs.
  • Check battery type and runtime at the setting you will use.
  • Choose red-light modes to protect night vision.

Common questions

What is the best lighting for car camping?

A headlamp for tasks plus a rechargeable lantern for the camp table covers most needs.

Do warm lights attract fewer bugs?

Many insects are drawn more to cool white and blue light, so warm or amber light tends to attract fewer.