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Whether you are having a few RV neighbors over for happy hour or hosting a tailgate for the big game, there is nothing better than a good campsite party. After years of living full time on the road, we have learned how to throw a fun and relaxed get-together without overcomplicating it.
Here is how to get your campsite party-ready with just a little prep and a few great products.
This post is sponsored by etrailer.com. They’re my go-to for everything RV-related, from campsite gear to hitches and replacement parts. I’ve been ordering from them for years and always get great customer service. I especially love their detailed product descriptions and video tutorials. They make it easy to get the right gear the first time.
Contents
Food and Drinks
A party is only as good as the snacks. Chips and dip are a start, but a real campsite hangout needs something fresh off the grill and drinks that stay cold all day.
Cold Drinks
Instead of running in and out of the RV fridge, keep a cooler outside packed with ice and cold drinks. Most RV parties happen when it is hot outside, so make sure your cooler can hold ice for more than an hour.
The Bulldog Winch Sportsman Cooler has extra-thick side walls and a foam-insulated lid that helps keep drinks cold longer than standard coolers. It also has a hard surface that can be used as a cutting board, strap handles with foam for easy transport and a built-in bottle opener. Plus with 27.5 gallons of space, it has plenty of room for the whole party’s drinks.
Good Food
Grilled kabobs, burgers, or hot dogs are always crowd favorites. If your rig does not have an outdoor kitchen, bring a portable grill you can set up at the picnic table or beside the fire.
The Camco RV Olympian 6500 Stainless Steel Grill is perfect for campsite parties. The included quick connect hose allows campers to quickly fire up the grill using their RV’s propane supply. The grill can be attached to your RV’s grill mounting rack, or its legs can be extended for tabletop grilling.
With 316 square inches of cooking surface, the grill can fit 8 burgers, the perfect compromise between portability and being able to cook for a crowd.
Fun Plates
At a good party, even the plates are fun. We don’t have enough plates in our home on wheels to feed a crowd, but we don’t like using disposable dishes that aren’t good for the planet.
Camp Casual Paper Plates are the perfect solution. They have a fun camping print for parties, and they are made of compostable material.
Campsite Party Basics
You do not need fancy decor to make your site party-ready, but a few small touches can make it a lot more inviting.
Cute Base
Lay out a big outdoor rug to keep dirt down and make the space feel like an outdoor living room. We use this huge charcoal and gray outdoor rug at our campsites. The pattern matches our RV, making for an adorable campsite patio.
In addition to looking great, the rug provides a comfortable place to hang out with friends and helps keep everyone’s shoes clean so they don’t track dirt inside our RV.
Comfy Seating
If you are having a big party, you may need some friends to bring their own chairs, but providing some seating is a great way to make your campsite feel inviting.
My favorite option is the Kelty Low Loveseat. This camping couch has plenty of room for two people. Plus, there are attached blankets on both sides, which is perfect for helping guests stay warm at fall tailgates.
Lights for Vibes and Safety
Once the sun goes down, lighting is everything. Place string lights around the campsite, add a lantern to the table, or clip small lights around the seating area.
If you are throwing a Memorial Day or 4th of July party, string up some red, white and blue star-shaped party lights to make your campsite look more patriotic!
Fun and Games
The drinks are cold, the food is grilled, now it is time to have some fun. Keep it casual but make sure there is something to do besides sit and sip.
Campsite Games
Every campsite party needs some games to get everyone up and socializing. Once the food is gone, games keep everyone busy and entertained!
We love this portable table tennis set for our campsite parties. The set comes with a net, paddles and balls. The net easily attaches to any table, so you can turn any campsite picnic table into a ping pong table!
Magnetic darts, croquet, and a colorful tumbling tower game are all fun but unique game options that aren’t found at every campsite.
Music
Every party needs a good playlist. A small Bluetooth speaker is perfect for background music. Just remember to keep the volume low enough for campground quiet hours.
Other Campsite Party Accessories
If you want to make sure your campsite party is the best party ever, add these accessories to show you thought of every little detail.
Outdoor Trash Can
A collapsible trash can gives partygoers a place to toss their cans and leftover food without having an ugly trash bag tied to the side of your camper. After the party, the can folds flat for easy storage.
Insect Repellents and Covers
Mosquitoes and flies can quickly bring down the mood at any campsite party. Use citronella candles to repel bugs, and use covers to keep flies off your tasty snacks.
A great campsite party does not need a theme or a schedule. Just some good food, a few cozy touches, and a little something fun to do.
Want to grab the same gear we use to host campsite happy hours? Shop our favorite party-ready picks from etrailer.
Happy Camping!
Christina Pate is a seasoned full-time RVer who, along with her husband Justin, has journeyed across the US, Canada, and Mexico. Drawing from her extensive travels, RV repairs and RV renovations, she founded Travels with Ted to guide and inspire fellow RV enthusiasts. Christina is also the co-author of The Owner’s Guide to RV Maintenance and the creator of My RV Log Book.
