How To Hang Lights In A Camping Tent: The Only Guide You’ll Ever Need

If you learn how to hang lights in a camping tent, you can significantly improve your camping experience. Instead of spending the nights in complete darkness or depending on a flashlight to see, you can have a hands-free experience. 

Although I used to depend on a small torch to light up my tent in the past, I’ve recently embraced the idea of hanging lights instead. My young daughters are still a little scared in the dark so having soft lighting helps them fall asleep in the tent. 

After trying multiple approaches, I’m confident that I can hang up lights in any camping tent In this article, I’ll teach you everything I’ve learned about lighting a camping tent, with various options for you to choose from.

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A Guide To Stringing Rope Lights In A Camping Tent

In my opinion, stringing rope lights (the kind you use on a Christmas tree) is the best way to light up your camping tent. Not only is the lighting soft, but they are also fairly easy to pack away and won’t shatter or break.

So here are several methods you can string rope lights in your camping tent:

Using Magnets

It’s very easy to attach magnets to your string of lights, and some brands even have magnets already attached to the string. All you need to do is place magnets on the other side to hold up the string. My best method is to tape the opposing magnets on the outside of my tent after I’ve set it up. Then, simply hang up the string of lights by lining up the magnets on the inside. 

Some people like to use a more permanent solution of gluing the magnets in place on the outside of the tent. However, some camping tents won’t fold up properly if you add the magnets permanently. Still, using glue to permanently stick the magnets to the string lights is a good idea.

Using Velcro

What if you’re looking for a more permanent solution to hanging string lights in your camping tent without making it too difficult to fold up the tent? Don’t worry, I’ve got just the solution but it will require some DIY crafts. 

Get yourself some velcro pieces and cut them into inch-square pieces. Then, glue the velcro to the inside of your tent and along the string lights. All you have to do is attach the two velcro pieces when needed, and rip them open when you’re ready to pack up.

Using Hooks

For larger tents that aren’t as foldable, I suggest installing hooks on the inside of the tent. Some brands sell tents with pre-installed hooks that you can use to string a rope of lights through. These hooks are also handy for hanging equipment and clotheslines when needed. Otherwise, it’s simple enough to install hooks inside your camping tent.

Using A Pole or Tree

If you would like some soft outside lighting try hanging your string lights between a tent pole and a tree to create some nice ambient lighting around your campsite.

If you tie your lights to your car, just be mindful of taking them down first before driving away.

A Guide To Hanging Lantern Lights In A Camping Tent

If you need more than the soft ambient brightness of string lights, you may want to consider hanging up a lantern inside your camping tent. Keep in mind that lanterns are heavier and so you cannot hang them up using magnets or velcro. They’re likely to fall or even collapse the tent. 

But what kind of lanterns are suitable for hanging in a tent? Here are two options to consider:

Solar Lanterns

The last things you want is to reach your campsite, set up your tent, only to find that your lanterns are out of power. That’s why I believe solar lanterns are you’re best friend. Keep them hanging from your backpack all-day, and the lantern should be ready to light up the tent for you at night. 

It’s best to hang lanterns from hooks in your tent, for additional support.

DIY Mason Jar Lanterns

If you don’t want to buy camping lanterns (or can’t find any that you like), you may want to consider making lanterns out of mason jars. It’s actually pretty simple:

1. Get as many mason jars as you need, preferably in smaller sizes.
2. Fill the mason jars with reusable (solar powered) glow sticks.
3. Use glue to stick strong magnets to the inside of the jar lids.
4. Hang the jars in your tent using magnets glued to the other side. 

Note that you shouldn’t hang too many mason jar lanterns inside your tent because they tend to be heavy. Also, try not to hang them in the middle of the tent to avoid potential injury.

Rechargeable Lantern

We use a rechargeable camping light that has 3 different brightness settings. Once it is turned off it also glows which is great for climbing into your sleeping bag after you turn it off.

Ours comes with a hook so it’s easy to hang from one of the pre-installed loops in our tent. It can also be used as a table lamp while we are hanging out outside before we go inside the tent.

It also comes with a USB charging cable so we charge it at home before going camping or recharge it in our car if it runs out of lighting while we are camping.

Battery Operated Light

We also use a simple battery-operated hanging light bulb that is simple to hang from any loop on the tent. I like to hang ours at the entrance of our tent so we can see our shoes as we are taking them off and putting them back on. 

Having a light at the entrance of the tent is useful when camping in the rain so you don’t step in any puddles of water and get a wet sock. They are also great to have when you need to go to the toilet in the middle of the night. 

Other Factors To Consider

Now that we’ve gone over a few easy ways you can hang lights in a camping tent, there are a few more things you need to keep in mind. 

Light Bulb Type

You may be wondering whether it’s better to use string lights, round bulbs, lanterns, or glow sticks to illuminate your tent. While this mostly depends on your preferences, the following questions will help you decide what type of light bulb to use:

• Do you need bright lights to do any work inside the tent? Round bulb and lanterns tend to provide more brightness and will help you see your equipment and read your notes better.
• Is soft lighting sufficient for your needs? String lights and glow sticks provide softer lighting that can help you get to sleep faster.
• Do you need to carry a lighter load? Heavier options like lanterns and solar lights will add to the weight of your backpack, so you may prefer lighter options such as string lights.

Power Source: Solar vs. Electrical

Going on a short trip probably doesn’t warrant purchasing a solar-powered light because they tend to be slightly more expensive. If you’re using battery-powered lights, a couple of batteries will suffice. However, for longer trips it may be worth it to invest in solar power.

I also believe you should invest solar powered lights (regardless of the type) if you intend to go camping frequently. It’s the more eco-friendly solution, albeit a little more difficult to manage.

If you do decide to use solar-powered lights, make sure you have a back-up power source because you might not always be able to recharge them if it’s rainy or cloudy.

Tents With Integrated Lighting

We used to have a darkroom tent that came with integrated strip lighting. It was easy to put a few large D sized batteries inside the power pack and connect the lighting cables.

However, it was very dark inside the tent during the day so we had to use the lighting to find our clothes and things but the lighting never worked in one of the rooms so we ended up returning this tent. 

Having a tent with integrated lighting is a smart option if you like to sleep in and not be woken by the morning light. 

How To Hang Lights In A Camping Tent FAQs

Is It Better To Hang Lights In A Tent Or Use A Flashlight?

Hanging light in a tent is preferable because you can illuminate the entire tent, while keeping your hands free to do whatever you need.

How Do You Light A Campsite At Night?

Flashlights, LED lights, lanterns, or even the headlights of your vehicle can be used to light a campsite at night if no permanent lighting is installed.

Are You Safe In A Tent With Lighting?

Tents with lighting are no safer than tents without lighting, but a campfire will keep animals at bay.

Final Thoughts On How To Hang Lights In A Camping Tent

Learning how to hang lights in a camping tent isn’t as difficult as it sounds. Whether you use hooks, magnets, or velcro; the process is relatively simple. 

There are multiple options available, so having a few different lanterns is good before your next camping trip. 

For more camping articles check out this page.