There are so many different types of camping lights that are used for different purposes, it may be difficult to determine which is best for you.
Some of the most popular styles of campsite lights are called camping string lights and they provide innovative functionality, use different power sources and come in tons of cleverly creative designs.
Psst we’re compensated…see our disclosures.
How To Use String Camping Lights
String lights can be used inside or outside and can range from really bright task lights to dim mood lights.
Determine what you want to light and why, then choose the best lights for your application.
Styles Of The Best Camping String Lights
If most of your camping trips are off-the-grid, you’ll probably want solar powered string lights but there are plenty of 120 volt standard wall plug options too.
Additionally, battery-powered string lights come in tons of styles … some use AA batteries, others have rechargeable internal batteries and there are some that even use external battery packs. Let’s discuss all of them.
Rechargeable Camping String Solar Lights
Solar string lights are awesome if you don’t have access to shore power or batteries BUT you do need to have ample sunshine to keep them charged.
If you camp in areas of minimal sunshine, you may need to look at other options.
Luci String Lights
Most campers are familiar with Luci inflatable solar lights but did you know they have solar string lights too?
This is one of the most compact sets of string lights camping minimalists will find … perfect for the lightweight gear backpacking crowd.
It has a built in 2000 mAh LITHIUM-ION BATTERY that can be charged with the built-in high efficiency solar panel or a quick charge via USB.
When the battery is fully charged it lasts up to 20 hours on a single charge.
The best thing about this model is how the lights are stowed for storage and transportation … just wrap them around the base and collapse it down to its efficient 2 inch size!
MPOWERD Waterproof Luci String Lights
Solar Dog Paw Path Lights
When you think about string lights, you think about the type that hang from tents, awnings and tree branches … but not this set!
These adorable dog paw lights are perfect for path lighting on the ground and to set around obstacles that are difficult to see in the dark.
There are 4 paw lights on each string and the set includes the solar panel and ground stake.
One caution: don’t put these in a high traffic area because the bulbs can get damaged.
Solar Dog Paw Path Lights, 4 Per String
Solar Dog Paw Path Lights, 4 Per String
Solar Outdoor Indoor LED Patio Bulb String Lights
These lights are a really popular look now and this particular set has three different styles of bulbs.
If you don’t move around too much, this slightly fragile set might be just what you are looking for in the trendy style.
The set includes a clip and stake which are interchangeable allowing for the high-efficiency solar panel to be mounted almost anywhere.
There is a built-in day/night sensor that automatically turns the lights on at night and off the next morning to recharge.
Solar Outdoor Indoor LED Patio Bulb String Lights
Water Drop Solar Fairy String Waterproof Lights
If you are looking for a colorful and softer glow, these water drop fairy lights are a nice choice.
It is a 20 foot string with 30 LED lights. The set includes the solar panel on a mounting spike too.
Solar String Lights 20 Feet 30 LED Water Drop Solar Fairy Waterproof Lights
Solar LED Snowball Crystal-Like Globe String Lights
This snowball crystal-like globe string set throws off a nice warm white light so it is functional and stylish at the same time.
The high efficiency solar panel can be used with the ground stake or mounting clip and the built-in day/night sensor turns the lights on and off automatically at dusk and dawn.
Solar LED Snowball Crystal-Like Globe String Lights
Globe Outdoor LED Solar String Lights
You get 30 LED globe lights on almost 20 feet of cord with this set of globe string lights that turn on automatically in the evening that will run up to 8 hours with a fully-charged battery.
There are 8 different modes you can set on these lights that include flashing as well as steady on patterns.
Globe Outdoor LED Solar String Lights
Dragonfly LED Solar String Lights
You’ll get a nice subtle light from these fun dragonfly solar lights.
This playful string light set has 8 different modes that don’t need to be reset every day because the memory chip saves the settings for you!
There are 30 LED waterproof lights on the 20 foot string that includes a solar panel with a ground stake.
Dragonfly LED Solar String Lights
String 12Volt Camping Lights
No-hookup campsite campers and boondockers in the wilderness will love the option of 12v string lights.
Low Voltage Waterproof Edison Vintage Plastic Bulbs Outdoor 12v String Lights
These fashionable string lights are deceiving because they are really camper-friendly in spite of their bistro café stylish look.
The Edison vintage style bulbs are PLASTIC so you don’t have to worry about shattering them … and … they operate on a DC low voltage power source!
This 12 volt set comes with an adapter, includes high efficient LED bulbs and 15 hanging sockets on a 48 foot string.
Low Voltage Waterproof Edison Vintage Plastic Bulbs Outdoor String Lights
Camping String Battery Operated Lights
When considering campsite string lights that are battery operated, you need to know there are designs that have internal batteries and others that use external batteries. Let’s looks at a few styles.
Coleman Camping Lantern LED String Lights
Camping lantern string lights have been around forever and they are still wildly popular.
It makes sense because the cute camping theme of having mini lanterns hanging on a string … is just sort of … funny!
These 10 tiny LED lanterns hang on a string that stretches 6 feet. It takes 3 AA batteries to operate this set for up to 20 hours of runtime.
Coleman LED String Lights
Multi Colored Waterproof Battery Powered Starry Fairy LED String Lights
If you are looking for colorful lights that can put on a “light show”, these fairy lights are a fun option.
You can choose from 8 working modes including: combination, in waves, sequential, slo-glo, chasing/flash, slow fade, twinkle/flash and steady on.
Each strand is over 14 feet long featuring 40 lights and is powered by 3 AA batteries.
Multi Colored Waterproof Battery Powered Starry Fairy LED String Lights
Camping USB String Lights
Camping lights that don’t have an internal power source are often connected to an external power source via a USB cable. Here are a few styles that use that method.
Goal Zero String Lights
This is one style of battery operated string lights that does not have an internal power source so you need to have it hooked up, from any USB Port, to an external power source to operate.
The four 110 lumen LED lights have colored and white shades.
There are two settings, high and low, so you have bright lights when needed but can dim them when you don’t … extending their run time.
The other really cool feature of this Goal Zero string lights set is that you can use one light or any combination of all four by chaining them together so you only use what you need.
The light string is 16 feet long when it is fully chained.
Goal Zero Light Mini 4 Pack with Color Shades, USB Powered LED String LightsGoal Zero Venture 30 7800mAh Waterproof Power Bank, Dual 2.4A USB Ports
Camping USB Battery Powered, Waterproof String Lights
If you want the designer look of café style lighting with the functionality of string lights for camp, this set is a great selection.
The ten LED shatterproof bulbs are plastic and stretch across about 17 feet of a 24+ foot string that is powered by a USB instead of internal batteries.
Just plug it into a standard power pack, the same kind you use for charging phones, and you’re in business.
Camping USB Battery Powered, Waterproof String Lights
Remote Control Battery Operated String Lights
The convenience of using a remote control to operate your camp lights is an option with some models of camp string lights.
Power Practical Luminoodle Basecamp 12V Outdoor LED Light Rope With Remote
Rope string lights are uniquely designed to hang from all sorts of surfaces.
This particular set can be strung across a 20 foot area or wadded up and placed in the rip-stop nylon bag and used as a camping lantern.
The wireless remote makes it really easy to control the lights which can be powered three different ways:
- Plug into a wall outlet using the wall charger,
- plug into a vehicle using the 12v car adapter,
- or plug into the Power Practical Pronto Basecamp 12V battery pack which is sold separately.
Power Practical Luminoodle Basecamp 12V Outdoor LED Light Rope With RemotePower Practical Luminoodle Basecamp 12V Outdoor LED Light Rope With RemotePower Practical Luminoodle Basecamp 12V Outdoor LED Light Rope With RemotePower Practical Luminoodle Basecamp 12V Outdoor LED Light Rope With Remote
In order to be as mobile as possible, you may want to power your Luminoodle Light Rope with a battery pack.
Power Practical Pronto 12V Power Bank and LED Lantern with 2.4A USB Output – Made for Luminoodle Basecamp – 3.35Ah @ 12V (10,050 mAh 3.7V Equivalent) with LED Lantern
Decorative Camping Lights String
Some string lights are more about the ambiance than task lighting. Here are a few styles.
String Fairy Light With Acrylic Stars and Beads
Beads give this set of string lights a little extra glam. This 5 foot strand includes 20 LED string fairy lights along with cute beads.
You only need 2 AA batteries to power this swanky-looking set.
String Fairy Light With Acrylic Stars and Beads Battery
Moroccan Orb Solar Globe String Lights
Enjoy the glamorous feel of these solar powered Moroccan-style balls that run up to 8 hours on a full charge.
The glittery glow of these lights provide a pretty environment and can be set to a steady-on or flashing mode.
Solar Globe String Lights Waterproof LED Fairy Lights
LED Waterproof Solar Powered Outdoor String Lights
Small solar lights with a single color are perfect when you are celebrating camping holidays and events with color-themed décor.
If you get a few different sets you can create different color combinations for multiple celebrations.
Red and blue are terrific for patriotic camping holidays like Memorial Day, Fourth of July and Labor Day.
Red and green are wonderful for camping themed Christmas trips, solid red is great for Valentine’s Day camping and orange and green are ideal for Halloween camping.
These lights will be fully charged after about 6 hours of sunlight and will glow for 8-10 hours. The string lights up automatically at dusk and turns off during daytime.
LED Waterproof Solar Powered Outdoor String Lights
Novelty String Lights For Camping
Unique lights add light and character to your campsite in unusual ways.
Christmas Vacation Wally World Moose Mug String Lights
One of the most beloved RVs of all time was the one Cousin Eddie drove in the National Lampoon’s Christmas Vacation movie.
So, who wouldn’t love a string light set featuring the moose mugs from the wildly popular film?
This set is approved for indoor and outdoor use and is powered using a standard 120-volt wall plug.
National Lampoon’s Christmas Vacation 10-Light Wally World Moose Mug Light Set
RV Retro Lanterns Party String Lights
Some of the most popular camping party lights are shaped like mini retro travel trailers.
This 8 foot strand includes ten lights that are powered through a 120V wall plug with overload protection.
Camco Hanging Festive Party Glow Lights, Indoor and Outdoor Use Retro Travel Trailer Design
Outdoor And Indoor Uses For RV String Lights
Most RVs come equipped with interior and exterior lights but one of the most popular uses for string lights when RV camping is rope or strip LEDS under awnings.
These types of lights are also popular inside closets and cabinetry.
How To Hang String Lights In Camping Tents
Most modern camping tents include Velcro hook and loop fasteners to attach the tent to its frame.
You can simply use that existing fastener to hang your lightweight string lights inside the tent.
Get More Camping Tips
Make camping easier and more fun with tips from expert campers!
Our Cool Camping Products Make Great Gifts!
Cutting MatMat SetShaker SetHammock
If you need camping recipes and menu ideas, you can find them here at the Camping For Foodies Camping Recipes list.
Don’t miss a thing…sign up for Camping For Foodies email updates!
Your purchase of our products will help support World Vision ® Building a better world for children.
The post The BEST Camping String Lights For Your Style Of Camping appeared first on Camping For Foodies.
