Country Vacations & Resorts

It doesn’t take a camping expert to know that one of the more important camping requirements is good artificial lighting. I’ll guess that many who camp for the first time – especially if they are city-dwellers – are surprised at how dark “dark” can get away from even reflected city lights.

You need lighting you can count on and as bright as you can find – not only to add to camping enjoyment, but for your safety. Here are a few good bets to light up your camping environment…

This 14 Day Lantern runs on four D batteries.

The lantern’s LEDs use a fraction of the energy of traditional bulbs, allowing them to produce 160 lumens of bright light for 336 consecutive hours on the lowest setting (175 hours on high). Its cylindrical design provides 360\u00BA of unimpeded illumination, and the bulbs produce almost no heat, making the lantern safe for children and uninteresting to insects. The lantern has a durable waterproof case and it will remain buoyant and operational if dropped in water. An integrated handle ensures ease of portability and can also be used to hang the lantern for hands-free lighting.

9W Rechargeable Hand-held Spotlight

This one is great for camping, but it is also the most used outdoor lighting on my 7-acre, rural property…

Penetrate fog, rain, and darkness to illuminate near or far with this 9W Rechargeable Hand-held Spotlight. Two light modes adapt to the situation: Use the three high-power LED spotlights for long range illumination, or the six standard LEDs for lighting up a task at hand. Handy in emergencies and power outages, on boats and camping trips, or as part of a road-trip kit, it recharges via a 12v DC car plug adapter or an AC/DC wall adapter (both included).

Rubberized ergonomically designed housing withstands vibration and shocks. An always-on lock switch lets you use it as a free-standing light while setting up camp or changing a tire while exploring back roads. A removable red lens helps for spotting wildlife in the dark without disturbing them.

And sometimes, bigger isn’t better, and isn’t handy when you need it “right now.”

This Swiss Army LED Flashlight is a sturdy, shockproof, and water-resistant little flashlight that is a model of efficiency.

Its ultrabright LED lasts virtually forever, since it is nearly ten times more efficient at converting energy into light than regular bulbs. The longer battery life means you won’t have to pack backups.

The beam’s range is 125 feet and can be seen from over 1.25 miles away. Grab a couple of these and stick one in your car’s glovebox and one in your camping backpack. If an emergency arises, you’ll have light – and plenty of it.

Whether you go camping once a month, or are considering your first camping trip, being prepared is critical to your safety and enjoyment of this outdoor experience. A sturdy tent, a warm sleeping bag, and good lighting will enhance your next camping adventure.