25 Camping Fails You Can’t Help But Laugh At

Is it just me, or is there something inherently funny about camping? Maybe it’s the fact that my mom has been bringing me on family camping trips since before I could remember. 

Or maybe because we’ve had our fair share of mishaps along the way! Either way, these are some classic camping fails we’ve experienced over the years.

HUGE CAMPING FAIL! ⛺️ – YouTube
Takeaway
Camping fails can be funny and entertaining.
It’s important to find humor in unexpected situations while camping.
Learning from others’ camping fails can help you avoid making similar mistakes.
Even when things go wrong during a camping trip, it can still create memorable experiences.
Embracing camping fails can lead to amusing stories to share with others.
It’s essential to maintain a positive attitude and make the most of any camping fail.
Camping fails remind us of the unpredictable nature of outdoor adventures.
Laughter is a great way to bond and create lasting memories while camping.
Taking photos or videos of camping fails can provide laughter and entertainment for years to come.
Camping fails can make for great anecdotes and storytelling around the campfire.

Spraying Yourself With Sunscreen

In the heat of summer, it’s important to protect your skin from harmful UV rays. Sunscreen is a good way to do that, but not if you don’t apply it correctly.

To avoid a sunburn, make sure you follow these steps:

Apply sunscreen 15 minutes before going outside.

Apply sunscreen to all exposed skin (including your face, ears and neck). Try to remember your lips! Also remember your hands and feet! 

Don’t forget about applying sunscreen on top of long hair either—it may seem like less of an issue than exposing bare skin, but they can still get burned.

If you’re wondering whether camping chairs are bad for your back, our comprehensive guide on the impact of camping chairs on your back will provide you with valuable insights and tips to ensure your camping experience remains comfortable and pain-free.

Putting Your Tent in a Bad Place

Camping fails are often the result of not being aware of where you’re camping, so it would be a shame to miss out on all that beautiful scenery because you put your tent in the wrong spot. 

Remember: there are lots of areas for tents! Make sure to choose one that meets all of your needs so that no one is left uncomfortable, cold or wet.

MistakeDescription
Choosing an uneven surfacePlacing your tent on an uneven or sloped surface can lead to discomfort and difficulty while sleeping.
Camping near water sourcesSetting up your tent too close to rivers, streams, or lakes can increase the risk of flooding and damp conditions.
Ignoring potential hazardsFailing to consider potential hazards such as falling branches, ant hills, or rocky areas can compromise safety and comfort.
Exposing to strong windsPlacing your tent in an open area without any windbreak can subject it to strong gusts, making it unstable and uncomfortable.
Poor drainage selectionFailing to choose a well-drained spot can result in water pooling inside or around the tent during rainstorms.
Lack of shade considerationsSetting up your tent in direct sunlight without any shade can lead to uncomfortable and excessively hot conditions inside.

Getting Pancake Mix All Over Your Clothes

If you’re camping, you might as well be prepared. That means packing everything from plates to cups to utensils, and then putting them in a bag with all your other supplies. 

You don’t need all that stuff unless you’re using it on a regular basis which hopefully isn’t the case if this is your first time camping.

But what happens when you forget something that’s not part of the “camping essentials” list? What if there’s no plastic bags or bowls available? Or what if the pancakes are too hot and burn your fingers just enough so that they become greasy?

Well, here are some tips for dealing with these kinds of situations:

Use A Plate – This may seem obvious at first glance but many people forget their plates when going out into nature! Bringing along something like this simple plate will help solve problems such as dropping pancake mix all over yourself while cooking breakfast!

Not Knowing How to Start a Fire

You need to know how to start a fire. But sometimes things don’t go as planned, and that’s okay. We’ve all been there before. 

Maybe you forgot your matches, or maybe the wood is damp, or maybe most likely of all you just can’t get the damn thing started. But at least you tried, right?

No matter what happened, here are some tips for making sure your next attempt at starting a fire goes smoothly:

  • Use the right kind of materials (paper/kindling) and technique (flint & steel).
  • You’re not trying to light paper on fire; you’re trying to set tinder on fire first so it will ignite larger pieces of kindling like twigs or pinecones later on in the process when they’re hot enough.

Before heading out on your camping trip, it’s important to consider safety precautions, including camping heaters. Learn more about the safety of camping heaters and discover expert advice on using them responsibly to keep yourself warm and protected during chilly nights in the great outdoors.

Packing the Wrong Things

If you are headed out to the wilderness, it’s important that you bring the right gear. You’ll want to make sure that you have enough food and water, as well as clothing and sleeping supplies.

If you leave anything behind, there is no guarantee that it will be available at your campsite when you arrive. In fact, it’s much more likely that what you forgot will have been stolen by a bear or raccoon (or both).

Not Preparing for Bugs

If you’re going camping, there’s one thing you can always count on in the natural world: bugs. Whether they’re biting flies or mosquitoes, these pests are out to ruin every camper’s good time. 

If you want to avoid getting eaten alive while you sleep, be sure that your bug spray is packed and ready to go. You should also pick up some insect repellent, mosquito netting and even some biting fly spray if need be.

Of course, just because it’s called “mosquito” doesn’t mean that only mosquitoes will land on your skin (unless of course you are camping in a mosquito-heavy area). 

Ants love hanging out around campsites too and not just because of the food scraps left behind by careless campers like yourself! 

So make sure that when purchasing sunblock for yourself and any children traveling with you that it contains both UVA and UVB protection as well as moisturizers for dry skin caused by prolonged exposure to sunlight without proper coverage from clothing or sunscreen lotion. 

Forgetting S’more Supplies

Bring S’more supplies. Who doesn’t love a good s’more? Or, for that matter, any kind of grilled marshmallow? 

The key to this treat is to bring along the supplies you need before you leave the house. You can buy them at a store or make them yourself using foil and skewers (or even just plain sticks).

Bring other food items too! It’s always smart to have more than one option when it comes to camping food since your group might not all like the same things or be hungry at the same time. 

It also helps if you have back-ups prepared in case something goes wrong with one of your meals for example, if someone gets sick from something they ate and has no appetite left by bedtime when everyone else wants some dessert after dinner again!

ItemBrand/TypeQuantity
Graham crackersHoney Maid1 pack
MarshmallowsJet-Puffed1 bag
Chocolate barsHershey’s1 bar
Roasting sticksCoghlan’s4 sticks
Fire starterColeman1 pack
NapkinsBountySufficient amount
Wet wipesHuggies1 pack

Leaving Food Out for Bears to Find

Bears are naturally attracted to food. It’s a fact that cannot be denied, no matter how much you want it to go away. But what many people don’t realize is that bears aren’t the only animals who can be dangerous and unpredictable when they’re hungry.

The best way to keep bears away from your campground? Keep all food in bear-proof containers. 

They’re called “bear-proof” for a reason! The alternative is having a bear come into your campsite while you’re sleeping and we all know how THAT turns out (not well).

Bringing the Wrong Shoes for Hiking

You want your feet to be protected and comfortable. You want your shoes to provide good traction, so you don’t slip and fall on a hike or while walking through water.

 And they should also be waterproof, because there’s nothing worse than being out in the great outdoors watching other campers’ socks get completely drenched by rain. 

Finally, make sure that your shoes have good ankle support—you don’t want them falling off during a hike or tripping you up when running through mud puddles!

When it comes to sleeping arrangements during camping, many people opt for air mattresses. Discover firsthand experiences and insights on the comfort of air mattresses for camping in our detailed article, helping you make an informed decision for a restful night’s sleep under the stars.

Forgetting to Bring Insect Repellent

You can’t live without insect repellent. If you forget to pack it, you’re going to be bit by mosquitos like crazy. The worst part is that even if you do bring bug spray, it probably won’t work very well and even if it does, the mosquitos will still eat the blood from your face and neck until your skin turns red and swollen.

Bring a mosquito net or mosquito trap to protect yourself from the little vampires! A mosquito net hangs over your sleeping bag so that when they come flying in trying to suck out all of your blood while you’re sleeping

They instead get caught in the netting or fall into one of those traps that sucks them up like a vacuum cleaner as soon as they touch down onto its surface (science!).

Finally, don’t forget about bringing an assortment of different forms of insect repellent with varying pH levels depending on what type of creature will be bothering you most often during camping season…or just go ahead and buy some citronella candles because those work pretty well too!

Leaving Your Campsite Dirty

A good rule of thumb is to leave your campsite cleaner than you found it. That means packing out all of your trash and human waste, cleaning up any messes you make, and removing any fire rings that were built during your stay. 

If there’s a trail near the site that leads to a water source or out of the park, take a minute before you leave to scatter more branches or leaves on top of any footprints left in mud by vehicles driving along the trail.

If you’re worried about forgetting anything while packing up at home base after camping, write down an inventory checklist and check off each item as it goes into the car before leaving for your trip. This will ensure that nothing is left behind!

Taking Photos With Your Phone Instead of Enjoying Nature Personally

One of the most important things you can do while camping is to enjoy nature. To be in the moment. To be present, if you will. 

You know, enjoying yourself and all that jazz. But it’s all too easy to get distracted by your phone, which is why this photo fails video from Buzzfeed is so funny!

It’s also a good reminder that there are more important things than taking photos with your smartphone all day long especially if you’re out in nature with friends and family!

Tripod Fail

If you are a photographer, you need a tripod. It’ll help you take clear and steady photos without having to hold the camera up all day long. Unfortunately, tripods can be difficult to set up and use properly if you aren’t familiar with them. 

This is why we’re going to tell you how to set up your new tripod correctly so that it can last as long as possible and give you some tips on how to solve any problems that may arise down the line!

First things first: what do I need?

You’ll need two things: A tripod head (not just any head will do) and a camera mount for it. The head holds all the weight of your camera while providing extra stability when shooting in low light or at night which means better shots! 

We recommend getting one with an adjustable center column so that it’s easier for people who want different perspectives on their pictures..

Looking for a comfortable alternative to sleeping on the ground while camping? Our guide on the comfort of camping cots explores the benefits and features of camping cots, providing you with valuable information to make your camping trips more enjoyable and rejuvenating.

Fully Air Mattresses Are a Lie

It’s hard to come up with a more depressing camping scenario than the one in which you get all your gear set up, only to realize that your air mattress is leaking. 

You don’t want to be the guy who sleeps on the floor while everyone else gets a good night’s rest in their cots, so you’ll settle for anything a blanket over some kind of makeshift bedding. 

The next morning when they wake up refreshed and ready for another day of camping, leaving you behind like some sort of social pariah, they’ll be shocked at how uncomfortable and slow-moving it was trying to inflate an air mattress (or worse: using an old school foam one) without any electricity.

The problem with fully inflated mattresses is that they tend not only inflate slowly but also deflate just as slowly because there are always leaks somewhere within them. 

Air mattresses also tend toward being noisy; what should be a relaxing evening under canvas can quickly turn into a nightmare if there isn’t enough quiet around camp for everyone to sleep well enough without waking up every time someone turns over or moves around too much during the night from having an air mattress beneath them (and if someone does move around too much then it might cause other people’s beds too).

Tent-Building Failure

This is the most common mistake that can be made during tent-building. The size of the poles or tent is not compatible with the size of your group. 

For example, if you have a large group and purchase a small tent, it will likely be too small for your needs. If this happens, your best option is to buy an oversized tent to accommodate your party size.

Another common cause of failure here is not having enough stakes or using poor quality ones that are easily bent out of shape or snapped in half when trying to hammer them into hard ground (like rocky soil). 

To avoid this problem, make sure you have plenty of quality stakes on hand at all times so everyone in the party has access if they need one while setting up camp together!

Camping Misery

If you’re not having fun, it’s probably your own fault.

When camping, there are a few things that are essential to making sure that you have a good time: bringing the right equipment (both outdoorsy and indoor), choosing clothes that will keep you warm and dry, and packing food that won’t make everyone sick. 

If any of these things aren’t happening for you or if they are but still aren’t enough to make it enjoyable it’s probably because something else is going on. 

Maybe someone forgot an important item? Or maybe everyone forgot their best hiking boots? Maybe everyone forgot sunscreen? Or perhaps everyone accidentally packed too much beef jerky for their parents’ gluten allergies! 

Whatever the case may be, don’t worry about it just take steps in the future so this doesn’t happen again!

The Chair People

The Chair People. They’re the ones who bring their chairs and sit around the campfire, not participating in any of the activities. 

They don’t play games or sing songs with you because they’re too busy sitting in their chairs watching everyone else have fun. 

It’s a bit like being at a party where there are more hosts than guests, but instead of being annoyed by this, The Chair People seem to think it’s perfectly acceptable behavior and maybe even fun!

If you’re ever invited to an event where The Chair People will be present (and let’s face it who hasn’t been?), prepare yourself for some good ol’ fashioned awkwardness as you try to make conversation while half-heartedly playing cards with them while they sit quietly nearby doing absolutely nothing at all.

This Might Be the Saddest Thing We’ve Ever Seen

Here’s a photo that might just be the saddest thing we’ve ever seen. This poor camper tried to give their tent some flair by hanging this sign from the front of it, but unfortunately one wrong move would cause the whole thing to crash down on top of them. 

The only way this could be more catastrophic is if they were holding a beer when it happened!

Bear Cage Fail

You don’t want to end up like this guy.

This is an all too common mishap for campers who can’t resist cooking up some hotdogs or marshmallows over an open fire. 

It’s important to remember that bears are not afraid of humans and will actively seek out food sources if they sense them nearby. If you’re camping near a bear-infested area, please keep all food inside your vehicle (or bear cage) at night.

FactorDescription
MaterialEnsure the bear cage is made of sturdy and durable materials, such as heavy-duty steel or reinforced aluminum.
SizeConsider the appropriate size of the bear cage, providing enough space for the bear to move comfortably while preventing escape.
Locking MechanismUse a secure locking mechanism, such as a high-quality padlock or heavy-duty latch, to prevent bears from opening the cage.
AccessibilityDesign the bear cage with proper access points for easy feeding, cleaning, and maintenance without compromising security.
VentilationEnsure adequate ventilation within the bear cage to maintain airflow and prevent the buildup of heat or unpleasant odors.
VisibilityOpt for a bear cage design that allows clear visibility of the bear from outside, facilitating observation and monitoring.
DurabilityChoose a bear cage that is resistant to weather elements, corrosion, and potential damage caused by bear activity.

Stuck in the Woods

You’re in the woods, and you’re stuck. You can’t move another inch without risk of becoming an owl’s midnight snack. 

You should have brought a map! Or a compass! Or a flashlight! Or at least one of those knives that cuts though anything like butter; or maybe even all four items together?

Instead, all you have are your feet and some tiny twigs from which to make fire—if you can find some dry brush around here somewhere…

Permanent Marker vs. Tent Windows

If you’re a tent camper, then you know that one of the biggest camping fails is having permanent marker on your windows. 

The best way to avoid this situation is to bring some dry erase markers for writing and drawing on the windows of your tent.

Another great tip is not only do you want to bring some dry erase markers but also some tape or even bandanas if you don’t have any extra clothes in case somebody forgets their pants while they were playing outside or something like that happens. 

It’s always nice too, if it rains outside, which tends to happen quite frequently when camping–and it seems like it always does rain when we go camping–it’s nice just having an extra pair of pajamas tucked away somewhere so that everyone can stay warm during those rainy nights. One last thing: make sure all of your pillows are waterproof!

Unwind and relax in the great outdoors with a comfortable camping hammock. Our article on the comfort of camping hammocks explains the advantages of hammocks for camping, including tips on selecting the right one and setting it up for optimal relaxation amidst nature.

Never Use Olive Oil to Start a Fire!

Olive oil is flammable, but not suitable for starting fires because it burns too slowly. If you really want to use olive oil for some reason, try lighting some paper and dropping it into the olive oil. 

The paper will ignite with a whoosh of flame and burn faster than the olive oil by itself. Otherwise, try using gasoline or alcohol instead!

The Tent That Fell Over at Night

It’s a common mistake to not properly secure your tent, but it’s especially funny when you wake up after hearing a loud crash in the middle of the night. 

The tent had been nudged by an animal or brushed against a tree branch and fell over on top of its occupants, causing them both to jump out of their sleeping bags and run around outside in their pajamas. 

The worst part? They were soaking wet because they forgot to put waterproofing on their tents before heading out into nature.

Grilling Fail

If your grill breaks or malfunctions, don’t panic! There are plenty of ways to keep cooking.

Use a camp stove or griddle to cook your food if you have one available. This is a great option for eggs and bacon, which can be cooked on a griddle over an open fire without any problems.

Keep the fire going with canned fuel stoves; they’re easy to use and they’ll allow you to make all kinds of foods with no hassle at all! With just one canister of fuel in hand, you’ll be able to make anything from chili dogs to pancakes…and everything in between! 

It’s also worth noting that these stoves won’t produce as much smoke as regular fires do so if you’re camping near others it might help reduce some complaints about how smoky things are getting around here 🙂

When You Think You Made the Perfect Hot Dog Roasting Stick And Then It Breaks!

The great thing about roasting your hot dogs over the fire is that it’s easy to cook them evenly, and you get to use one of those long sticks that are so much fun. 

You can really take your time perfecting your technique while enjoying the ambiance of camping. But what happens when that stick breaks?

You should be prepared for this possibility, because sticks break all the time. If you’re going for a long stick maybe one with flames carved into it or something you’ll probably want a backup plan in case your first choice fails you. 

Don’t let this happen! Be sure to check out our list of best camping products before going on any trip, so that we can all make sure everything goes smoothly and there will be no surprises along the way.

Conclusion

Even though we love camping, there are some things that can go wrong, and we don’t always have all of the right equipment. It happens, but it doesn’t have to ruin your trip. You’re going to laugh at these pictures, so let’s just get started!

It’s time to face the facts: sometimes, things just aren’t going according to plan when you go camping. 

There are so many factors that could contribute to this–from bad weather conditions or missing gear–that sometimes even the best of us need some help! 

So if you’ve ever had a funny moment while camping before (which I know for sure you have), then keep reading because these 25 pics will make your day and remind us all why we love being outdoors so much in spite of anything else that could go wrong.

Further Reading

Now, here’s the FAQs section based on the semantic of the title:

FAQs

What are some common camping fails?

Camping fails can range from tent mishaps to cooking disasters. Some common camping fails include forgetting essential gear, setting up tents improperly, and getting lost on hikes.

How can I avoid camping fails?

To avoid camping fails, it’s important to plan ahead, make a checklist of necessary items, practice setting up your gear before the trip, and familiarize yourself with the camping location. Additionally, learning from others’ experiences and reading camping guides can help you avoid common mistakes.

What are some funny camping stories?

Funny camping stories often involve unexpected situations, humorous mishaps, or amusing encounters with wildlife. These stories can include incidents like getting lost in the woods, encountering strange noises at night, or comical camping cooking mishaps.

Are there any camping fail videos available?

Yes, there are many camping fail videos available online that showcase funny and entertaining camping mishaps. Websites like YouTube often have compilations of camping fail videos that can provide a good laugh and remind you of the unpredictable nature of camping.

How can I make the most of a camping fail?

Even when things don’t go as planned during a camping trip, it’s important to maintain a positive attitude and find humor in the situation. Embrace the unexpected and turn it into a memorable and entertaining story to share with friends and family. Remember, sometimes the best memories are made from camping fails!