Camping is the rare family trip where the packing list is longer than the drive. Children help load the tent, the marshmallows, the flashlight that will be the single most important object of the weekend, and then spend the first hour at the campsite discovering that dirt is a toy, that a stick is better than a stick you bought, and that the bathroom is very far away. Then the sun goes down, the woods start making noises nobody can identify, and every kid has the same private question at the same moment: what exactly is out there, and how thin is this tent?
Drawing from Bookroo’s collection of 273 camping books, our editors chose twelve that cover the whole arc — the packing, the campfire, the dark, the bear, and the long drive home. The shortlist below runs from a wordless picture book lit by a single flashlight beam to a middle grade novel about a week in the woods, with the first-tent story, the reluctant camper, and the world’s most famous camping trip in between. Below that, the board, picture, and chapter book shelves hold everything else worth checking out before you leave.
Ernestine has never camped before, and the weekend turns out to be nothing like the plan.
A camping trip with dad becomes an unforgettable adventure.
A boy's flashlight reveals the hidden magic of the night.
Two friends try to overcome their fear of the dark during a backyard campout.
A man and his dog go on a camping trip, but their adventure takes an unexpected turn when a bear accidentally sends their camper rolling down a hill.
A cautious squirrel's quest for TV power leads to unexpected outdoor adventures.
Fatima’s family heads to a state park for their first camping trip, and she is in charge of the tent.
Two men camp in Yosemite, sparking the birth of National Parks.
Join a boy and his dog on a camping adventure filled with nature's wonders.
A camping trip turns magical when a vampire-fairy meets a mysterious sea friend.
A family camping trip turns into a watery disaster. Can they escape the rising tide?
A school trip turns dangerous. Can rivals unite to survive?
S’mores, tents, campsite sounds, and goodnight-to-everything routines for the youngest campers, ages 0–4.
Two raccoons compete to prove who loves the other 's'more.' Who will win this pun-filled contest of affection?
Discover camping's wonders with simple facts and vibrant illustrations.
Count along with squirrels on a whimsical camping adventure.
Dog learns patience while waiting for s'mores on a camping trip.
Discover camping adventures with chipmunks, fireflies, and marshmallows.
First tents, backyard campouts, bears in the food bag, and campfire stories that go too far — read-alouds for ages 3–7.
A young girl goes on a camping trip with her friends and their ponies, learning about responsibility and friendship along the way.
Two friends go on a camping trip in the woods.
A group of friends go on a camping trip, but things don't go as planned.
A group of animal friends have various outdoor adventures together.
Duck refuses to join the camping fun. Can Farmer Brown unite them all?
Bear and Ranger clash over camper treats in a hilarious park showdown.
Camping chaos ensues as friends struggle to fit into a tiny tent. What's that popping sound?
What if Bigfoot lurks just beyond the campfire's glow?
A boy breaks a rule, unleashing a mysterious beast at a campground.
Four dragons go on a camping trip to Ghost Island, where they encounter a basilisk and her babies, and get caught up in a ghostly haunting.
Papa Bear teaches cubs the secrets of camping.
A raccoon's campfire feast attracts unexpected, hungry guests.
Wilderness trips that go sideways, campground mysteries, survival close calls, and family vacations under canvas, for readers ages 6–11.
A girl and her mom face nature's challenges on a 100-mile hike, seeking strength and survival.
Hilda discovers a hidden world of misfits as a dark specter threatens Trolberg.
A sleepover looms, but something holds Grace back. What could it be?
Two friends, Andy and Terry, go on a camping trip and get into various misadventures, including an encounter with mysterious creatures called hobyahs.
A desert campout turns chaotic with crocodiles and a diamond heist.
Survive a wild outdoor adventure or face being held back a year. Can he make it through?
Lost in the woods, a dogg and a katt must overcome rivalry to survive.
A camping trip turns chaotic with uncontrollable burps.
A boy joins the Beaver Scouts and learns about teamwork and survival skills.
An autistic girl faces friendship challenges on a week-long school trip away from home.
A family goes on a camping trip and meets a deaf puppy.
A grizzly attack shatters peace in Glacier Park. Can Melody survive the terror?
