Are you excited to experience the longest day of the year while camping in the great outdoors? The summer solstice is a magical time when nature is at its peak. Celebrating this event while camping outdoors is sure to add a unique touch to the experience.
While there are many ways you can mark this day, we have compiled a comprehensive list of things you can do to make this summer solstice the most memorable day of the year and in the best spots that nature has to offer.
Here are the top 15 ways to make the most of the summer solstice this year.
1. Watch the Sunrise and Sunset
The summer solstice offers the longest daylight, making it a perfect day to witness both sunrise and sunset. However, for the best experience, you choose a campsite with a clear view of the horizon. In places like the Joshua Tree National Park in California or the Rockies in Canada, you can enjoy stunning views as the sun paints the sky in vibrant hues.
Start your day with the tranquil beauty of dawn. Take some time for personal reflection or meditation as the first light of day spreads. At sunset, gather your friends or family and reflect on the day while the sky transitions to night, basking in the glow of the setting sun.
Bring a blanket, a thermos of coffee or tea, and perhaps some breakfast snacks for sunrise. For the evening, pack a picnic dinner or some snacks and drinks for sunset.
2. Host a Bonfire
A bonfire is a quintessential summer solstice tradition as many cultures have historically used fire to symbolize the sun. Gather wood, build a safe fire pit, and enjoy the warmth as the day cools. This could also be a great opportunity to tell stories, sing songs, and enjoy the company of fellow campers.
Campsites near the Adirondacks or the Great Smoky Mountains offer great spots for bonfires. However, ensure you have enough wood and kindling to keep the fire going without any trouble. Bonus points for bringing along instruments like guitars or drums, marshmallows for roasting, and a few good stories or songs!
Just make sure to follow all local fire regulations and safety guidelines. Additionally, have enough water and a shovel nearby to extinguish the fire completely when you’re done.
3. Go for a Midnight Hike
Take advantage of the extended daylight by embarking on a midnight hike. Trails in national parks like Banff or Yosemite are particularly enchanting under the solstice moon. Bring a flashlight or headlamp, dress warmly, and explore the nocturnal wonders of the wilderness.
Keep in mind to choose a trail that is safe and familiar, such as those in popular national parks or nature reserves. Wear sturdy hiking boots, bring a flashlight or headlamp with extra batteries, and dress in layers to stay warm.
For a truly memorable experience, immerse yourself in the nightcall. Listen to the sounds of the night and observe how different the landscape looks under moonlight. Just be mindful of nocturnal wildlife while enjoying the serene atmosphere.
4. Practice Yoga or Meditation
One of the best ways to embrace the solstice’s energy is by practicing yoga or meditation. You can find a serene spot in your campsite, preferably with a scenic view. Perhaps somewhere near a lake or overlooking a valley could provide an ideal setting for inner reflection.
Start your day with a sunrise yoga session, focusing on sun salutations to honor the solstice. Alternatively (or additionally), unwind with evening meditation, allowing the sounds of nature to enhance your practice.
If you’ve got a yoga mat, great! If not, a blanket works great. A guided meditation app or playlist can make this experience even more magical.
5. Organize a Nature Scavenger Hunt
Planning a nature scavenger hunt to explore the local flora and fauna can be a great way to celebrate the summer solstice with kids.
Areas around campsites and campgrounds are rich in biodiversity. You will need to make a list of items to find, such as different types of leaves, flowers, insects, animal tracks, or rocks. Also remember to provide each participant with a list, a small bag, and a guidebook for identification.
This activity not only entertains but also educates your family or fellow campers about the local ecosystem. Last but not least, remember to celebrate the findings with a small prize or a shared treat at the end.
6. Cook a Solstice Feast
Celebrating the solstice with a feast featuring seasonal ingredients is a historic ritual. KOA campgrounds’ cooking facilities make the perfect setting for a comfortable feast.
You can also bring portable grills and cooking equipment if you plan to feast in seclusion. A menu that includes fresh, seasonal produce is the way to go to really get in touch with nature. You may want to consider grilling vegetables, making fruit salads, and preparing meats for you and your fellow campers to enjoy.
Once cooked, gather around the campfire, share recipes, and enjoy a meal that honors the bounty of summer. This communal meal may be the highlight of your solstice celebration as you wind down from a day of activities.
7. Star Gazing
After the sun sets on the summer solstice, the night sky offers its own spectacular show. The reduced light pollution in remote camping locations makes an excellent spot for stargazing.
Regardless of where you are, find a spot away from artificial lights with a clear view of the sky. You can also bring a telescope or binoculars for even better views, or just lie back on a blanket and enjoy the sky with the naked eye. For a more interactive experience, use stargazing apps to help identify constellations and planets. This can be a fun bonus for kids to partake in and learn a lot while doing so!
The summer solstice is also a good time to spot planets and meteor showers. This activity can be both relaxing and awe-inspiring, offering a chance to connect with the vast universe.
8. Hold a Drum Circle
Activities like drum circles always create a sense of community and rhythm. As an ancient tradition, it is both therapeutic and exhilarating. Drums, tambourines, or even create makeshift instruments will do the trick. Just something that can work as a drum to gather around the campfire and play.
Find a spacious area where everyone can sit comfortably in a circle along with their instruments. You can also use portable speakers for background rhythms. Let the beat connect you with nature and each other to celebrate the solstice. The shared rhythm can be a surprisingly powerful way to bond.
9. Explore Water Activities
With the warm weather and long days, water activities are at their peak. Lakes, rivers, and coastal areas offer kayaking, canoeing, and swimming opportunities.
Choose a campsite near a body of water, such as a lake, river, or ocean. Or plan a day trip to water nearby. Don’t have your own equipment? Look into rentals for kayaking, canoeing, or paddleboarding. Just don’t forget swimsuits, towels, and safety gear.
You can spend the day paddling, fishing, or simply relaxing by the water. The refreshing experience of being in or near water adds a delightful dimension to your solstice celebration.
10. Wildflower Walk
As you camp or roam the outdoors, you will find that the summer solstice is when wildflowers are at their height in many regions. Most national parks and nature reserves have designated wildflower areas where you can take a guided walk. If you opt to take your own route, protect the flowers and area as much as possible to not do damage and allow others to enjoy it, too.
For a more interactive experience, bring along a field guide to identify different species. Don’t forget your camera and maybe even a sketchbook to draw what you see!
The vibrant colors and diverse species add beauty and interest to your hike, making it a perfect solstice activity. Rather than rushing from one spot to another, really take your time to observe and appreciate the delicate details of each flower. They’re so much more beautiful than we give them the time to notice.
11. Capture the Moment
If you’re a photography enthusiast, you will find endless opportunities to capture some of nature’s most beautiful moments during the solstice. The extended daylight and stunning landscapes provide ideal conditions for photography.
National parks and scenic areas like Yellowstone or the Canadian Rockies are perfect for photography. Chances are you’ll be snapping loads of pictures, so don’t forget some extra batteries and memory cards. If you’ve got a tripod, bring that too! It will be great for stable shots or even long-exposure captures of the night sky.
Whether it’s the sunrise, wildlife, or a panoramic view, take the time to frame your shots and experiment with different angles and lighting. Mother Nature is your model and she is the most epic one! It will be so fun to share your photos with friends and family or even just keep them as a personal memento of your solstice adventure.
12. Craft Natural Art
Enjoy this time to make some art out of nature. You can use natural materials found around your campsite to get creative. Having a bag on hand to collect leaves, rocks, twigs, and flowers is great. This allows you to gather a bunch of different items so you can make mandalas, sculptures, or collages back home. Add in some basic arts and craft supplies from home like strings, glue, and paint, and chances are you’ll get lost in the fun that is making art.
Areas rich in natural beauty, such as the Olympic Peninsula or the forests of Nova Scotia, provide plenty of inspiration and materials.
This activity is great for all ages and creates a unique way to connect with nature. Once your art is complete, you can display it at the campsite or bring it back home along with the memories.
13. Read or Tell Stories
Few things feel better than storytelling around a campfire. And what better time to do it than the summer solstice?
Bring along books of myths, legends, or nature-themed stories, and ask your fellow campers to do so as well. Or, if you’d rather pull from your own archive, you and your companions can also share personal anecdotes or traditional tales around the campfire.
Opt for stories that are engaging and, of course, appropriate for your audience. Tales that reflect the themes of nature, the sun, or the solstice are even better at this time of year.
Make your storytelling even more meaningful by choosing to do so at locations with historical or cultural significance. Places like the Grand Canyon or Cape Breton can enhance the storytelling experience even further.
This activity fosters a sense of connection and is a beautiful way to keep the magic of the solstice alive.
14. Perform a Solstice Ritual
Nothing above strike your fancy? Don’t worry! There is still a great way to celebrate solstice: by creating your own solstice ritual. This is a way to develop an even more personal relationship to this time of the year by making it whatever you want.
Not sure where to start? Consider lighting candles, writing down intentions, or creating a circle of stones.
For a ritual like this, you may want to choose a secluded area where you won’t be disturbed. Think about what the day means to you and the elements that you may want to include in your ritual. Things that are meaningful to you – whether they are spiritual, cultural, or personal.
The serene environments of places like Zion National Park or the wilderness of Yukon offer the perfect backdrop for these rituals. Creating your own ritual is a great way to make your solstice celebration deeply personal and meaningful.
15. Dance Under the Stars
You know life is good when you find yourself dancing under the stars. What better way to end a wonderful day filled with fun activities? Dancing under the stars, singing together with your fellow campers, and just letting loose is what summer is made of. All you need to do is find a flat, open area where you can move around freely without obstacles to get in your way.
A portable speaker is a must for this activity. And if you’ve got a playlist in mind or want to make one? Even better.
The open spaces of campsites in places like the Mojave Desert or the prairies of Alberta provide a perfect dance floor.
Dancing is a joyful way to connect with others and celebrate the abundance and light of the solstice. Let the music and movement uplift your spirits and end your solstice celebration on a high note – literally!
Celebrating the summer solstice while camping is an enriching experience that brings you closer to nature and the rhythm of the seasons. Whether you prefer adventurous activities, serene moments, or communal gatherings, there’s something for everyone. Embrace the longest day of the year with your favorite activities and create unforgettable memories in the great outdoors.
Leslie, a.k.a. Copy Girl, is a copywriter who gets butterflies from telling stories through words.
Her voice comes from a place filled with passion, dreams, and lots of sugar. “Cake over steak” is her go-to motto.
With over 10 years of experience in crafting words, and years of embarking on travels that have taken this Montana girl to some incredible places, Leslie love the adventures of both body and mind her writing takes her on.
Everywhere she goes, she takes this advice with her:
“Hold on to your divine blush, your innate rosy magic, or end up brown.” – Tom Robbins, Jitterbug Perfume
To see what Leslie’s up to in the writing world, visit her website here.
