Board games by the campfire are a blast when camping. After a day on the trails and breathing in the fresh air, they bring everyone together for a cozy, fun time with friends and family.
And I’m not alone – according to a recent study by Statista, board games are more popular than ever, and this trend shows no signs of slowing down.
Expect to see an even wider variety of games hitting the shelves in the next few years, with industry sales reaching an estimated $3.51 billion by 2027. This shows how many people are finding extra magic during their adventures thanks to these games.
If you’re looking for some great options to pack for camping activities, I’ve got you covered with a mix of my top picks. Whether you’re in the mood for strategy, card games, or a bit of laughter, there’s a perfect camping board game waiting for you. Let’s dive into some fantastic choices!
New to camping? Check our Complete Camping Guide for all you need to know.
1. Settlers of Catan
Settlers of Catan never grows old for me, and I think you’ll feel the same! In this game, 3-4 players race to build settlements on the island of Catan.
You’ll gather resources like wood, brick, and sheep, trade with others, and strategically place roads and settlements across the board. Catan keeps things tense and exciting with each roll of the dice.
Why it’s great for camping:
- Portable and easy to pack
- Offers plenty of strategies to keep you and your older camping buddies engaged
- The variable game board means each game is different, providing long-term fun
Tip: If you’re camping with a larger group, snag the 5-6-player expansion pack.
2. The Appalachian Trail Game
If you’re the hiking type, you’ll love The Appalachian Trail Game. This one puts 2-5 players on the iconic 2,190-mile trail, racing to be the first to trek from Georgia to Maine. Along the way, you’ll face realistic challenges like weather, injuries, and gear malfunctions – just like on a real trek! [1]
Why it’s great for camping:
- Fun and educational; you’ll learn loads about the trail
- Super portable, fitting with that minimalist camping vibe
- Easy to learn with simple gameplay
3. MicroMacro
Micromacro is a unique find in the world of camping board games and one I really enjoy. This cooperative detective game has 1-4 players scouring a giant, intricately illustrated map of a city to solve crimes.
You search for clues, piece together events, and uncover those hidden details that crack the case. It’s perfect if you’re into puzzles and mysteries.
Why it’s great for camping:
- Highly portable – essentially, just one big map
- Encourages teamwork – everyone gets involved, and it’s super fun
- Offers hours of entertainment, especially with multiple cases to puzzle out
4. Bananagrams
Bananagrams is my go-to for some quick word-building fun around the campfire. It’s like a portable Scrabble where everyone races to use up all their letter tiles to create a crossword grid. [2]
No board, no scorekeeping, just fast-paced and lighthearted competition. Trust me, the laughter starts as soon as someone shouts “Peel!” to kick off a new round.
Why it’s great for camping:
- Super compact – it comes in a banana-shaped pouch!
- Simple and fun for all ages
- Games are quick, perfect for shorter attention spans or a little pre-dinner entertainment
5. Yahtzee National Parks Edition
I love classic Yahtzee, and the National Parks Edition gets extra points for outdoor vibes. You’ve got your dice and scorecard, aiming for those full houses, straights, and of course, a Yahtzee!
This special edition replaces numbers with gorgeous icons of beloved national parks like Yellowstone and Yosemite.
Why it’s great for camping:
- Evokes that sense of exploring America’s great outdoors
- The travel-sized cup makes it easy to play anywhere
- Familiar to many – even new campers likely know the classic Yahtzee rules
6. Mysterium Park
Mysterium Park brings a spooky carnival setting to your campsite. In this cooperative game, one player becomes the ghost, offering visual clues through beautifully illustrated cards.
The rest of the players (2-6) are psychics working together to decipher the ghost’s clues and solve a murder mystery. It’s got an intriguing atmosphere and encourages creative thinking.
Why it’s great for camping:
- Collaborative – helps to build team spirit among your crew
- Visually engaging, offering unique gameplay
- Offers a good story that unfolds over playtime
Tip: Lanterns make Mysterium Park feel even more immersive, casting shadows and heightening the mystery.
7. Codenames
Codenames gets my vote for a strategic word game perfect for camping. You split into two teams with a “spymaster” on each side who knows the location of secret agents.
Spymasters give one-word clues, trying to guide their teammates to identify their agents using word association. It gets hilarious fast – just choose your clues wisely, or you might accidentally tip off the opposing team!
Why it’s great for camping:
- Encourages creative thinking and hilarious misinterpretations
- Compact and easy-to-pack
- Works for a group, as you can create large teams
Tip: For larger groups, try the Codenames: Pictures version instead of words for something slightly easier.
8. Mancala
Mancala is one of the world’s oldest board games for camping, and I find its simplicity perfect for relaxing during downtime between hikes or walks. Two players move beads or stones across a board with small pits, capturing their opponent’s pieces in a strategy challenge.
This one teaches patience and helps me really tune out while taking in the peaceful vibes of the campsite.
Why it’s great for camping:
- Many travel Mancala sets fold neatly for easy transport
- Classic game to introduce kids to strategic thinking
- Calming, with low pressure that fits the outdoor lifestyle
9. Cards Against Humanity
Okay, hear me out: Cards Against Humanity with the right camping crew can be crazy fun. It’s definitely for grown-ups only, with players competing to fill in the blanks with the most outlandish card combinations.
I personally prefer it after dark – sometimes getting a little silly around the fire creates unforgettable laughs.
Why it’s great for camping (under the right circumstances):
- Highly portable – just a deck of cards
- Sparks humor – but best suited to groups of adults with a similar sense of what’s funny
- Great for letting loose after a long day on the trail
10. Monopoly
Everyone knows Monopoly! When camping, I bring a travel-sized version for a dose of nostalgia. You roll the dice, buy properties, build houses and hotels, and try to become the kingpin of the campground.
This one gets competitive fast, perfect for bringing out that sibling rivalry while reminding you that sometimes fun’s more important than winning.
Why it’s great for camping:
- Travel-sized versions are super compact
- Familiar to most folks, so there’s no complicated rulebook to explain
- Great for multi-generational campsite hangs
11. Ticket To Ride
Ticket to Ride has me planning scenic adventures across the map instead of trails! Each player collects color-coded train cars to claim railway routes between cities.
You score points by completing routes and collecting destination tickets. I love that each game feels fresh because every map layout is different.
Why it’s great for camping:
- Many travel editions (like Ticket to Ride: Europe) for portability
- Offers enjoyable strategy without being overly complex
- Gorgeous game boards help you explore new parts of the world from your picnic table
12. Beat The Parents
Beat the Parents brings out a lighthearted competition between adults and kids at the campsite, which I find pretty entertaining. Kids and adults answer trivia questions in different categories, betting points they think they can score.
It’s fun to see kids get the chance to (maybe) outsmart the grown-ups, and some questions really bring the laughs.
Why it’s great for camping:
- Good for families or multi-generational camping trips
- Easy-to-understand questions keep most ages engaged
- Compact packaging means this board game won’t hog space in your bag
Tip: Make your own silly awards for winners – everyone is in it for the fun with this one!
13. Telestrations
For pure, side-splitting chaos, Telestrations is my choice. Imagine a mix of Pictionary and the “telephone” game where you alternate between sketching and guessing silly phrases.
The misinterpretations along the way make it impossible to keep a straight face! I personally guarantee laughter echoing into the woods with this one.
Why it’s great for camping:
- Portable – just small sketchbooks and dry-erase markers
- No limit to how many people can join in the fun
- Brings out spontaneous creativity at any age
14. Sushi Go!
Sushi Go! is a fast-paced and adorable camping card game perfect for quick sessions on a picnic blanket. Players pick and pass cards representing different sushi dishes, aiming to create high-scoring sets.
I love that this one involves simple math and strategic thinking as you balance different combinations to earn the most points.
What makes it one of the best camping card games:
- Compact tin means it goes anywhere
- Quick to learn but still exciting, making it perfect for mixed ages
- The sushi theme is bright and cheerful, which I just find relaxing
15. Guess Who?
Guess Who? has stood the test of time because it’s always a blast, and I always pack my travel version.
Everyone gets a board with different faces, and by asking yes-or-no questions about characters’ appearances, you narrow down the options to guess your opponent’s mystery person. A game of deductive reasoning, and an easy win on those buggy nights at camp!
Why it’s great for camping:
- One of the most portable board games
- Simple gameplay for younger family members or groups with varied ages
- Mosquitoes can’t bite through that game board to distract you!
Tip: Make it interesting with funny voices or accents while taking turns asking questions.
16. Coup
Coup packs a strategic punch in a tiny deck of cards – perfect for those ultralight campers! In this card game, everyone assumes secret roles to bluff, bribe, and steal their way to power.
You must manipulate and outsmart your fellow campers by claiming to have certain powers you might (or might not) actually possess. I love the fast-paced and unpredictable nature of Coup – just be prepared for some playful accusations around the campfire!
What makes it one of the best card games for camping:
- Minimal space needed – it’s just a few cards
- Encourages social interaction with a dose of friendly deceit
- Quick rounds so it’s ideal for shorter attention spans
17. Jenga
It’s hard to go wrong with the classic thrill of Jenga! Everyone knows the rules: carefully pull wooden blocks one by one and stack them on top, the loser is the one who topples the tower.
I pack my travel Jenga for those times when you want a low-key but engaging way to enjoy the evening by the fire. Plus, sometimes those woodsy skills translate surprisingly well to Jenga strategy.
Why it’s great for camping:
- Great for all ages and works with both small and big groups
- Encourages focus and hand-eye coordination
- The suspense builds naturally as the tower grows taller
And here’s a tip from podcaster Josh Crowe on how to increase your chances of winning at Jenga:
“Move your body close to the tower so that your hands have a short extension. This will make them more stable.”
by Josh Crowe
18. Battleship
Battleship holds a special place in my heart – there’s just something satisfying about firing those shots and discovering hidden ships. The travel version keeps things compact for camping.
You guess positions to hit your opponent’s cleverly placed fleet, making this a two-player strategy game of anticipation and surprise. Bonus: even when those pesky mosquitoes buzz around, nothing distracts me from a close game of Battleship.
Why it’s great for camping:
- Brings up friendly rivalries on long campouts
- Requires concentration – helps me forget about any minor frustrations after a hike
- Travel-sized versions fit almost anywhere
19. Azul
If you want a visual treat at the campsite, Azul fits the bill. Players act as artisans laying beautiful tiles, aiming to create eye-catching patterns. Strategy comes into play when picking just the right colors and avoiding getting stuck with tiles you can’t use.
I adore the vibrant pieces and find myself focusing on tile arrangements during a game – something quite relaxing!
Why it’s great for camping:
- Visually appealing game pieces help to de-stress after a hike
- Offers a quiet type of competition, great for evenings
- Easy enough to learn and enjoy, even after a long day
Tip: Play with the firelight reflecting off those gorgeous tiles for an extra bit of ambiance.
References:
- https://www.washingtonpost.com/lifestyle/travel/what-i-learned-on-a-6-month-2200-mile-hike-across-the-appalachian-trail/2016/02/18/d7294088-9d1b-11e5-a3c5-c77f2cc5a43c_story.html
- https://gamerules.com/rules/scrabble-board-game/
Prices in this article are approximate and updated annually. Check the retailer for current rates.
