4th Of July Camping: Trip Tips, Destinations, Activities, Decorations & Food
Want your July 4th camping holiday celebration to scream “Festive and Fun”? Sure you do! Go all out with these 4th of July camping ideas.
Fourth Of July This Year
July 4th 2024 falls on a Thursday.
The fourth of July weekend begins on the last weekday before the official holiday on Thursday. This year the holiday weekend starts on Wednesday, July 3 and runs through Sunday, July 7, 2024.
4th Of July Camping Tips
Make your RV or tent camping reservations as early as possible and don’t forget to pack your campground reservation information.
The first camping destinations to get booked before the month of June are often National Parks and State Parks so you’ll need to reserve early to secure one of the tent sites, RV sites or one of the cabins or a yurt.
You can often find a great spot in smaller RV parks or unusual destinations like wineries and private property where landowners open their own backyard to guests in campers.
Hipcamp, The Dyrt and Campendium are some of the FREE best camping apps to find unique destinations. From CA ocean views, to Montana big sky views, to North Carolina seashore and light house views, these apps can help you find the perfect place to spend the holiday.
Finding “no vacancy” signs?
You don’t have to go backcountry camping to enjoy the holiday without a reservation.
If you’re wondering what are “walk-up only campsites?”, you’re in luck because we can help you understand what they are and how to get the best spots in these types of camp grounds.
You may need to adjust your expectations if you’re used to camping with full hookups and amenities like:
- camp stores,
- power,
- waste & water hook-ups,
- picnic tables,
- fire rings,
- garbage dumpsters,
- restroom facilities with flush toilets and showers,
- fire pit,
- hiking trails.
Camping on summer holiday weekends is really popular so reserve your campsite early. If you waited too long and everything is booked, just go remote camping. If you’ve never done that before, check out these tips on Boondocking: How And Where To Go Dispersed Camping.
July 4th camping in National Forests
One of the best places to camp on July 4th is in National Forests. If your favorite campgrounds are booked, you can easily find a remote camping site available inside the Forests.
For our family, it is actually our preferred style of camping but if you have never done it before, there are rules you need to be aware of before you go … you’ll find tons of tips so you are legally camping in National Forests.
Also, the authorities place fire restrictions on National Forest land when the conditions are dangerous and they are especially cautious when the crowds are big and camping on July 4th is one of those times.
Grab your copy of our FREE printable camping trip planner template to help you with planning your route, activities and meals!
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Fire Restrictions While Camping On July 4th
Depending on the location where you will be camping on July 4th, you may be faced with restrictions because of hot and dry conditions.
Make sure you are prepared for fire restrictions when planning your celebration activities and cooking methods.
We have lots of information and resources when camping fire restrictions are in place.
Menus & Recipes
If your hot summer day cookouts start with hot dogs and end with hamburgers, it may be time to try something new!
We have tons of super fun and totally yummy 4th of July camping food ideas you have to try! Some are red, white and blue while others are just summertime favorites, many of which can be made in less than a half hour!
Making food during fire restrictions
If campfires and charcoal are prohibited during your July 4th camping trip, you don’t want to plan meals that uses those fuels. If you create a menu that uses propane grills or stoves, you won’t have to worry.
I have a huge list of camp stove recipes … all can be made using a propane stove but many can also be made with a camp fire or charcoal briquettes.
Those recipes are perfect if you think you’ll be able to cook with fire but find out at the last minute that you can’t … you won’t be stuck re-doing your entire menu.
Holiday Activities
If you want center your trip around a fourth of July celebration, think about finding the best camp site that has easy access to historically significant locations, attractions and events. Some ideas:
- Attend a local Fourth of July parade.
- View a fireworks display. Many annual fireworks events are jam-packed with day-long activities the whole family can enjoy including games in open fields, wildlife exhibits, food trucks, face painting, live bands and more.
- Camp Planning Tip: Be prepared with other festivities in case firework shows are cancelled due to inclement weather. In the summer months, rain can be a problem in wet climates and fire hazards can be a problem in dry climates.
- Car shows are popular in small towns.
- Local non-profits host pancake breakfasts to raise funds for local charities.
- Participate in and and water sports competitions like marathons, mountain biking, kayak races and fishing tournaments.
- Cool off by splashing around in the local swimming hole pond.
- Explore miles of trails in the local recreation area while listening to patriotic music during your hike.
Celebrate the holiday with the National Park Service
The northeastern states of the country are the gateway to experiencing a living history of America. But, you can find patriotic celebrations within the NPS throughout the entire United States. See how the NPS is celebrating Independence Day.
Visit a National Park or National Memorial that honors America’s independence from Great Britain.
To find the places with events near you just visit the National Park Service website and check out the events calendar. You’ll find special events like these:
- Colorado: BENT’S OLD FORT NATIONAL HISTORIC SITE – Old-fashioned 4th of July at Bent’s Old Fort
- Delaware, Pennsylvania: FIRST STATE NATIONAL HISTORICAL PARK – Independence Day
- District of Columbia: ANACOSTIA PARK – What to the Slave is the 4th of July?
- Iowa: HERBERT HOOVER NATIONAL HISTORIC SITE – Old Fashioned Fourth of July
- Kansas: FORT LARNED NATIONAL HISTORIC SITE – Fourth of July Living History Weekend
- Kansas: FORT SCOTT NATIONAL HISTORIC SITE – Independence Weekend Celebration
- Kentucky: ABRAHAM LINCOLN BIRTHPLACE NATIONAL HISTORICAL PARK – Independence Day
- Maryland: FORT MCHENRY NATIONAL MONUMENT AND HISTORIC SHRINE – War on the Chesapeake Talk
- Massachusetts: BOSTON NATIONAL HISTORICAL PARK – Independence DayCelebration
- Massachusetts: MINUTE MAN NATIONAL HISTORICAL PARK – Battlefield In A Box Program
- Massachusetts: MINUTE MAN NATIONAL HISTORICAL PARK – North Bridge Battlefield Walk
- Michigan: ISLE ROYALE NATIONAL PARK – Passage Island Sandy Boat Tour from Rock Harbor
- Nebraska: HOMESTEAD NATIONAL HISTORICAL PARK – July 4th Heritage Campfire Program
- New Jersey: MORRISTOWN NATIONAL HISTORICAL PARK – July 4th Celebration
- New York: FORT STANWIX NATIONAL MONUMENT – Independence Day the 18th Century Way!
- New York: SAINT PAUL’S CHURCH NATIONAL HISTORIC SITE – Independence Day Celebration
- New York: SARATOGA NATIONAL HISTORICAL PARK – Public Reading of the Declaration of Independence
- New York: SAGAMORE HILL NATIONAL HISTORIC SITE – Celebrating The 4th of July at Sagamore Hill
- Pennsylvania: VALLEY FORGE NATIONAL HISTORICAL PARK – Independence Day Programming
- Pennsylvania: GETTYSBURG NATIONAL MILITARY PARK – Gettysburg History Hike
- Pennsylvania: GETTYSBURG NATIONAL MILITARY PARK – First Shots on McPherson Ridge
- Pennsylvania: GETTYSBURG NATIONAL MILITARY PARK – Living on Freedom’s Edge
- Pennsylvania: HOPEWELL FURNACE NATIONAL HISTORIC SITE – Independence Day Commemorations
- Pennsylvania: HOPEWELL FURNACE NATIONAL HISTORIC SITE – Declaration of Independence Commemoration Ceremony
- Pennsylvania: INDEPENDENCE NATIONAL HISTORICAL PARK – Ceremony: A Celebration of Freedom
- Pennsylvania: INDEPENDENCE NATIONAL HISTORICAL PARK – Salute to AmericaIndependence Day Parade
- Pennsylvania: INDEPENDENCE NATIONAL HISTORICAL PARK – Walking Tour: “Celebrating Independence”
- Pennsylvania: INDEPENDENCE NATIONAL HISTORICAL PARK – Ceremony: Let Freedom Ring
- South Dakota: MOUNT RUSHMORE NATIONAL MEMORIAL – Independence DayCelebration
- Virginia: CEDAR CREEK & BELLE GROVE NATIONAL HISTORICAL PARK – Middletown 4th of July Parade & Celebration
- Wyoming: FORT LARAMIE NATIONAL HISTORIC SITE – Annual “Old Fashioned” Fourth of July Celebration
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Red, White & Blue Shopping Guide
I’ve hand-picked the items in this shopping guide so you can easily bring a red, white and blue color theme to your entire celebration while camping on July 4th!
Straws
American Flag Red Blue White Paper Straws, Patriotic Party Celebration
Red, White and Blue Independence Day Drink Straws. Cute straws with fun colors and designs are an easy way to spruce up your drinks.
Food Picks
If your July 4th camping menu does not include lots of red, white and blue colored food, just add a little R,W&B to your table with Flag Food Picks. It’s fun to use festive food picks in fruit and cheese trays as well as cupcakes. Whatever food you can poke, pick and eat is good for picks!
Party Packs
Patriotic American Stars and Stripes Plates, Cups, Napkins, Tablecover
You can serve any food or drink with Patriotic Party Plates, Napkins And Cups and make the meal feel like it fits the red, white and blue holiday theme. Disposable plates, napkins and cups make clean-up a breeze while the stars and strips add to the party.
Drink Holders
VictoryStore Can and Beverage Coolers – USA Patriotic American, Set of 6 Different Designs
4th of July Patriotic American Flag Koozie Set. On a hot summer July Fourth party, it’s really important to keep your cold drinks cold with patriotic koozies.
Drink Coolers
American Flag Patriotic Inflatable Cooler. Inflatables are lightweight and easy to pack and this cooler is so festive with its red, white and blue stars and stripes theme. It’s a must-have for your July 4th camping bash.
Table Covers
American Flag Plastic Table Covers Patriotic Party Supplies
Patriotic Party Table Cover. It’s easy and inexpensive to get a big splash of red, white and blue at your July 4th camping celebration when you use a tablecloth with a patriotic pattern.
Serving Trays
Creative Converting American Flag Plastic Serving Tray, 10 x 14, Red/White/Blue
Red, White and Blue Patriotic Plastic Serving Tray. Serving trays are always handy no matter if you have a huge crowd or just a small intimate group and the stars and stripes add to the holiday. I like using plastic trays when camping because they are lightweight and easy to pack.
Decorations
4th of July Patriotic Party Pack Decorations. Easy decorations always put a snazzy spin on any July 4th party. When camping, you can hang banners and decorations from trees, awnings, shade structures, tents and RVs. Just be careful they don’t get too close to your campfire or other flames.
Kids Activities
Holiday Book
The Night Before the Fourth of July
In addition to normal camping activities for the kids, add some patriotic fun with a book like The Night Before The Fourth Of July
Non-Fire Hazard Patriotic Glow Wands
Why Celebrate The Fourth?
Now that we have all of the bases covered, let’s all go have a great July 4th celebration. And, don’t forget the real meaning of the Independence Day holiday, as per Wikipedia:
The Meaning Of The Holiday
Independence Day, commonly known as the Fourth of July or July Fourth, is a federal holiday in the United States commemorating the adoption of the Declaration of Independence on July 4, 1776, declaring independence from Great Britain. Independence Day is commonly associated with fireworks, parades, barbecues, carnivals, fairs, picnics, concerts, baseball games, family reunions, and political speeches and ceremonies, in addition to various other public and private events celebrating the history, government, and traditions of the United States. Independence Day is the National Day of the United States. Read more…
Hope to see you camping, hiking and cooking during this Fourth of July holiday!
What do you think?
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