14 Camping Romance Books That’ll Make You Want to Pitch a Tent (for Love)
When I think of camping romance books, I think of forced proximity turned up to eleven. Shared tents. No service. Someone forgot the bug spray. You’re stuck in nature with a grumpy love interest and too many feelings.
And the best ones? They balance the roughing-it vibes with real emotional stakes. Below are the ones that made me laugh, swoon, and occasionally scream into a pillow because the tension was that good.
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Best Camping Romance Books
That Summer Feeling by Bridget Morrissey
Adult sleepaway camp + queer summer of self-discovery = absolute win. Garland is fresh off a divorce and ready to reset but falling for her roommate, a former park ranger and her ex-crush’s sister, complicates things in the best way. It’s soft, outdoorsy, sapphic, and full of heart.
Grab That Summer Feeling on Amazon
Cloudy with a Chance of Bad Decisions by Fae Quin
Two words: emotional whiplash. George and Alex are forced to share a tent at a wedding-week camping trip, and what starts as bickering quickly turns into banter so good you’ll forget they’re technically rivals.
Grab Cloudy with a Chance of Bad Decisions on Amazon
Into the Woods by Jenny Holiday
Imagine you’re done with dating, and you take a summer job as a camp dance instructor…only to be paired with a grumpy rockstar hiding from a PR disaster. This one gave me enemies-to-something-more plus all the nostalgic camp vibes.
Fish Out of Water by Katie Ruggle
If you love wilderness survival meets slow-burn chemistry, this one is for you. Dahlia blackmails a grumpy mountain man into helping her find her sister, and let’s just say things heat up faster than the campfire. I added this because the trope combo is irresistible: forced proximity + reluctant hero + competent woman.
Grab Fish Out of Water on Amazon
Wildfire by Hannah Grace
Yes, it’s part of the Maple Hills universe. Yes, it’s another “oops we hooked up before camp started” setup. But Russ and Aurora’s counselor romance goes beyond the initial spark, this one dives into emotional baggage, rule-breaking, and the kind of connection that burns slow but strong.
Wish You Weren’t Here by Erin Baldwin
The sapphic hate-to-love summer camp book I didn’t know I needed. Juliette just wants one last summer at her happy place, but her old rival becomes her cabinmate. Enemies-to-lovers meets teen camp drama and every moment of awkward forced bonding is perfection.
Grab Wish You Weren’t Here on Amazon
Starry Eyes by Jenn Bennett
Zorie and Lennon are stuck in the wilderness together after a group camping trip goes sideways. What follows is witty, romantic, and surprisingly emotional. I added this one because it captures that teen angst + outdoor adventure combo so well.
Happy Trail by Daisy Prescott
She’s been dumped mid-hike. He’s the quiet ranger assigned to rescue stranded hikers. You can probably guess what happens next, but this still felt fresh. Olive and Jay’s slow burn while snowed in together made me believe in second chances and shared cabins.
Cubs & Campfires by Dylan Drakes
This one is all about soft masculinity and chunky, cuddly men in the forest. Luca is supposed to be celibate (long story) and Artair is the reason that vow gets complicated. It’s sweet, spicy, and so full of cozy mountain charm you’ll want to move to the woods.
Grab Cubs & Campfires on Amazon
Overexposed by Megan Erickson
This one hits emotionally. Levi’s hiking the Appalachian Trail to grieve his sister. Thad is doing the same for reasons I won’t spoil. It’s quiet and tender with just the right amount of angst and heat.
Love, Naturally by Sophie Sullivan
Presley is dumped on her romantic nature getaway, but decides to go anyway. It’s a fish-out-of-water, opposites-attract romance with an unforgettable setting. She’s all glam, he’s all rugged lodge vibes.
Grab Love, Naturally on Amazon
Exclusively Yours by Shannon Stacey
If you like the chaos of large family camping trips and second-chance romance, this is for you. Keri has to survive the outdoors and her ex’s family just to get an interview. I added it because it’s got fun camp shenanigans and serious chemistry.
Grab Exclusively Yours on Amazon
Just One Tent by Jacqueline Snowe
Friends-to-lovers + one small tent = magic. Maddie and Matt finally act on years of tension during a family camping trip. This one’s pure feel-good romance with the kind of intimacy that only builds over years of friendship.
My Favorite Bad Decision by Elizabeth O’Roark
It’s not traditional camping, but a grueling hike up Kilimanjaro with your nemesis-turned-lover counts in my book. Their banter is everything and the emotional beats sneak up on you. If you love enemies who are clearly obsessed with each other, this is it.
Grab My Favorite Bad Decision on Amazon
FAQs About Camping Romance Books
What’s special about camping romances?
Because the wilderness strips away distractions and pretense. It’s hard to stay guarded when you’re soaked from a rainstorm and stuck in one tent with your ex. These stories bring out vulnerability, survival instincts, and forced honesty in the best ways.
Are these all traditional camping stories?
Not always. Some are sleepaway camps, some are hikes, some are off-the-grid retreats. But they all tap into that outdoorsy forced proximity magic.
What tropes should I expect in camping romance books?
Only one tent or sleeping bag (obviously)
Grumpy/sunshine
Forced proximity
Survival adventures
Summer flings
Second chances in the wild
Final Thoughts
Camping romance books aren’t just about roughing it. They’re about finding clarity, chemistry in close quarters, and sometimes, love where you least expect it.
Have a favorite camping romance book I missed? Drop it in the comments. I’m always looking for another book that makes the great outdoors feel like the perfect setting for falling in love.
Read More
- Adventure romance books
- Romance books set at the lake
- More summer reading recommendations
- Find the perfect book for your mood with our trope guide
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