Think camping means giving up your morning coffee, dead phone batteries, and no lights after dark? Not anymore. Having electricity while camping is totally possible, and you don’t have to rough it just because you’re outdoors.
If you want to keep your gear charged—phones, mini fridges, fans, or even just your favorite Bluetooth speaker—you’ve got options. Electric hookups at campgrounds are a game-changer for RVs and tent campers alike. These are basically outdoor outlets you can plug into, usually just like plugging in at home. But what if you’re out in the wild, far from established sites? Solar panels, portable power stations, and even your car can step in to keep things humming.
The trick is knowing what’s available and how much juice you actually need. There’s no point lugging a beefy generator if you just want to keep a couple of phones topped up. But if you’ve got kids streaming movies or a portable heater running, you’ll need to plan ahead. Let’s go through what camping with electricity really looks like, so you can stay powered up no matter where you pitch the tent.
- What Exactly Is an Electric Hookup at a Campsite?
- Choosing the Right Power Source for Your Trip
- Smart Gear for Running Devices Off-Grid
- Safety Tips When Using Electricity Outdoors
- Extra Tricks to Make Camping Power Last Longer
What Exactly Is an Electric Hookup at a Campsite?
If you’ve ever seen a camper or RV plugged in at a site, that’s what an electric hookup looks like in action. It’s basically a safe, dedicated outdoor outlet you’ll find at many public and private campgrounds. Instead of searching for that one working plug in a bathroom, you get your own setup right at your pitch—super handy for charging, cooking, or running a fan on a hot night.
Most electric hookups in the US provide either 30-amp or 50-amp power, meant for different needs. A 30-amp outlet handles most campers and small RVs, while 50-amp hookups can run bigger rigs and more devices at once. Some campsites still offer old-school 15- or 20-amp options, which are fine if you’re just running something small like a phone or a light.
Check out the common types of power setups at campsites:
- 30-amp hookups: The most common, good for tents, pop-ups, and travel trailers.
- 50-amp hookups: For bigger RVs and people running heavy appliances.
- 15/20-amp hookups: Standard home-style plugs, mostly for low-power stuff.
Here’s a quick look at what you might find when you show up at a typical campground:
| Amps | Devices Supported | Typical Use |
|---|---|---|
| 15 or 20 | Single phones, small lights | Basic tent camping |
| 30 | Mini fridge, microwave, coffee maker | Common for travel trailers |
| 50 | AC, large fridge, multiple devices | Large RVs, motorhomes |
When you book, check the site details—campground maps usually spell out if a site has an electric hookup. If you’re tent camping, confirm you can actually use it. Some places only allow power for RV pads. And don’t forget to bring the right extension cord; those short little home ones won’t cut it. Go for a thick, weather-safe outdoor cord that matches your hookup—nothing ruins a trip like a cord meltdown at night.
Choosing the Right Power Source for Your Trip
Before grabbing anything with a plug, ask yourself: Where are you camping and what do you want to power? The right choice depends a lot on your setup, trip length, and what’s actually available at your site. Let's break down the main options so you don’t waste cash (or back muscle) hauling stuff you don’t need.
- Electric hookups at campgrounds: If your campground advertises an electric hookup, you’re in luck. These typically offer 15, 30, or 50-amp outlets, just like the ones at home. RVers usually go for the 30- or 50-amp spots, while tent campers can easily get by with 15 amps for simple stuff like lights, phone chargers, or a mini fan. Always check if you need to bring your own extension cord and adapters—most plugs at campgrounds are the three-prong RV type, not standard household plugs.
- Portable power stations: Picture a big battery with outlets on it. These charge at home or from your car, and some modern models (from Jackery, Goal Zero, and others) will run a CPAP, small fridge, or a laptop for hours. The watt-hour rating tells you how much juice you’ve got—look for the one that fits your needs so you don’t run out in the middle of a movie night.
- Solar panels: Great for long stays off-grid if you get sun. Folding solar panels can top up your portable power station during the day. Don’t expect to run a hairdryer or toaster on solar alone, but charging phones, lights, and batteries is totally realistic.
- Car inverters: Plug these into your cigarette lighter. They’ll convert your car battery’s DC juice to AC power. Good for quick charges on small gadgets while you drive, but don’t run them too long parked or you’ll be jumpstarting the car in the morning.
- Traditional generators: Super powerful, but heavy and noisy. Some campgrounds don’t allow them. Only use these for big power needs and remember to keep them outside for safety—carbon monoxide is a real danger.
It helps to list out what you’ll actually be powering and for how long. Here’s a quick look at how much juice everyday camping gear uses (rounded for real-world use):
| Device | Average Wattage | How Long on 500Wh Power Station |
|---|---|---|
| Smartphone (charging) | 5W | 100+ charges |
| LED Lantern | 8W | 60 hours |
| Mini Fridge | 50W | 10 hours |
| Laptop | 60W | 8 hours |
| CPAP Machine | 30W | 16 hours |
So, planning out your electric needs makes it way easier. Not sure? Go with a bigger battery or pick a site with that camping with electric hookup. Charging needs sneak up fast if everyone in camp is sharing!
Smart Gear for Running Devices Off-Grid
If your plans don’t include a fancy campsite electric hookup, don’t sweat it. There’s a whole range of gear that keeps devices powered up while you’re off the grid—and it’s way more reliable (and quieter) than those old gas generators.
First up, portable power stations are the top pick right now. Think of them as big batteries with built-in outlets. The Jackery Explorer and Goal Zero Yeti are two of the most popular. They come with standard AC outlets, USB ports, even 12V car ports, and you can charge them at home before your trip. Some models even recharge with solar panels, making them super flexible for longer stays. Just remember, the bigger your power station, the heavier it’ll be—so look for something that matches your needs.
Solar panels are another go-to. They’re game-changers for longer trips or areas where you won’t be near any plug. Good portable solar kits fold up small and set up in minutes. Something like the Renogy 100W suitcase panel can top up a power station, while a simple phone-sized solar charger gives you enough power to keep your phone alive for emergencies. If you want to charge during the day and use power at night, you’ll want a solar panel charging a power station rather than plugging devices straight in.
Don’t forget your car’s potential. If you have a campsite close to your vehicle, a 12V socket inverter (sometimes called a car power inverter) can turn your car battery into a mini charging station for laptops or a camera. Just be careful not to run your battery dead—a good tip is to only use the inverter when the engine’s running.
There’s a smart reason for bringing small battery banks too, like Anker or Mophie packs. These are perfect for topping off headlamps or phones without taking up much space. And for the ultimate backup, toss in a set of extra AA or AAA batteries for flashlights and headlamps.
Big power-hungry gear, like mini coolers or heated blankets, will use up a portable power station fast. If you plan to run something beefy, check how many watts it draws (the sticker or manual should have this) and compare it to what your power source can handle. There’s nothing worse than plugging in a coffee maker only for the system to shut down before the water even gets hot.
Whether you’re camping out of your car or far from civilization, these off-grid setups make it easy to stay connected—without relying on noisy generators or giving up your creature comforts. When picking your gear, think about what you really want to power and choose the smallest, smartest solution so you’re not hauling extra weight. When you’re ready, you’ll see why camping with smart devices is getting more popular every season.
Safety Tips When Using Electricity Outdoors
Electricity can make camping way more comfortable, but it comes with some basic risks, especially when you’re dealing with wet grass, rain, and unpredictable weather. Every year, folks run into trouble because of things like frayed extension cords or plugging in the wrong gear. Here’s how to stay safe without making your trip stressful.
- camping with electricity means using cables and devices where they weren’t really designed to go: outdoors. Only use extension cords and power strips that are rated for outdoor use. Look for the “UL Listed” sticker or certification, which shows it’s been tested for outdoor conditions.
- Never run cords through puddles or let plugs sit on wet ground. Water and electricity aren’t friends, and it doesn’t take much to cause a short or even a nasty shock. Put cords on dry, raised objects or use cord protectors designed for outdoor use.
- Don’t overload the hookup. Each power source will have a max limit, like 15 or 30 amps. Check before you start plugging in the microwave, heater, and a bunch of lights. Overloading can trip breakers or even start a fire.
- If you need to plug in more than one device, use a power strip with built-in surge protection. Cheap power splitters or dollar-store strips can overheat or fail in wet weather.
- Inspect all your cables before you leave home. Look for cracked plastic, exposed wires, and loose prongs. Toss anything sketchy. Out on the campsite is not the place to discover your cord is falling apart.
The National Fire Protection Association warns:
“Power strips and extension cords are meant for temporary use only and should never be used in place of permanent wiring.”That goes doubly true outside, where the wind, rain, and critters can chew up your stuff faster than you expect.
One trick a lot of regular campers use: cover all plug connections with a plastic bag or a purpose-made weatherproof cover if rain’s on the radar. It takes two seconds and can save your whole setup.
And, of course, if something does spark, smell weird, or make a popping sound, unplug everything right away. Safety always comes before convenience, especially at a campsite.
Extra Tricks to Make Camping Power Last Longer
If you’re tired of scrambling for outlets or watching your gadgets sputter out halfway through the trip, a little planning can make your camping power stretch a lot further. It’s not just about what kind of power source you bring—how you use it matters even more.
- Unplug When Not in Use: Many folks don’t realize that chargers and appliances sip power even when you’re not using them. Unplug everything once it’s done charging—especially bigger items like portable fridges or lanterns.
- Switch to LED: Swap any old incandescent bulbs in your camping setup for LEDs. They use 80-90% less energy, last way longer, and still put out plenty of light.
- Charge During the Day: Solar panels and power stations tend to work best or recharge fastest with full sunlight. Power up your gear before sunset when your batteries are happiest.
- Save Battery on Devices: Turn on power-saving modes and dim your screens on phones, tablets, and headlamps. Turn off WiFi and Bluetooth if you’re not using them.
- Group Device Charging: Try to charge all your smaller devices at the same time. This cuts down on wasted energy from power converters ramping up and down.
If you really want to go all-out, consider a camp-friendly battery monitor so you know exactly how much juice you’re using and what’s left. Some folks cut their power needs in half just by tracking it.
Packing smarter helps you keep the power running too. For example, bringing fully charged power banks gives you a backup. An average 10,000mAh power bank can charge a phone about 2-3 times. Check out this quick guide to typical power usage when out camping:
| Device | Average Power Used (per hour) | How Long on 300Wh Power Station |
|---|---|---|
| LED Lantern | 5 watts | 60 hours |
| Smartphone Charging | 10 watts | 30 charges |
| Mini Fridge | 40 watts | 7 hours |
| Laptop | 45 watts | 6.5 charges |
One last tip—if you’re sharing a campground electric hookup, use a surge protector. Power can spike when lots of campers plug in at once. It’s a cheap add-on that can save your gear from getting fried on busy weekends. Use these tricks to keep your trip smooth—and keep the lights (and coffee) running as long as you need them.