Mom Goes Camping

The 14 Best Board Games for Camping (Or for Anyone Who Loves Nature)

best camping board games

If you are looking for the best board games to take camping, the games below are fantastic options.  They all have camping or wilderness themes.  Some of the camping board games also have amazing artwork featuring national parks or wildlife.  I’ve made sure only to include the board games which are highly-rated as well as games for various age groups from little kids to adults.

So here are the camping and nature-themed board games, in no particular order. If you know of any other camping-themed board games, let us know in the comments section below.  And, if you are still worried that your kids will get bored, check out this post of 30 Camping Activities for Kids which Require Zero Prep.

 

Parks by Keymaster 

parks board game

Age: 10+
Number of Players: 1-5

Description:

Players are hikers who trek on different trails in national parks.  The hikers have to do actions and collect memories which are represented by tokens of mountains, forests and wildlife. Memories allow you to visit a National Park at the end of a hike. Each trail represents one season of the year, and each season, the trails will change and grow steadily longer. The trails, represented by tiles, get shuffled in between each season and laid out anew for the next round. Resources can be tough to come by especially when someone is at the place you’re trying to reach! Campfires allow you to share a space and time with other hikers. Canteens and Gear can also be used to improve your access to resources through the game.

Buy Parks Here


 

Photosynthesis

Photosynthesis board game

Age: 8+
Number of Players: 2-4

Description:

Photosynthesis is one of the best environmental board games referring to the life cycle of trees, for science and biology enthusiasts. This best-selling board game has an amazing table presence with an ever-changing forest

Photosynthesis uses an Action Points Allowance System mechanism. Take your trees through their life-cycle, from seedling to full bloom to rebirth, and earn light points as their leaves collect energy from the revolving sun’s rays. Carefully pick where you sow and when you grow, as trees in the shadows are blocked from light, and from points. This game features realistic gameplay and beautiful graphics.

Buy Photosynthesis Here


 

Wingspan

wingspan board game

Age: 10+
Number of Players: 1-5

Description:

This is one of the most gorgeous wilderness-themed board games and it comes with 170 unique cards plus colorful eggs and tokens.  It rightly has won number awards.  You play as a bird enthusiasts who wants to attract the best birds to your wildlife preserve. seeking to discover and attract the best birds to your network of wildlife preserves. Each bird extends a chain of powerful combinations in one of your habitats (actions). These habitats focus on several key aspects of growth:

  • Gain food tokens via custom dice in a birdfeeder dice tower
  • Lay eggs using egg miniatures in a variety of colors
  • Draw from hundreds of unique bird cards and play them

Buy Wingspan Here


 

AmericanFlat National Park Adventure

National Parks adventure game

Age: 7+
Number of Players: 2-6

Description:

Created by National Park enthusiasts, this board game lets you explore all 62 National Parks. Share your love of the great outdoors and create new memories with a board game that really gets the competitive juices flowing. Play by traveling across the board, collecting either 1 of every keeper card (aquatic, bird, animal, landmark) or 4 of the same category before your opponents. Winner is the first to the center! There are two playing styles depending on players’ ages.

Buy National Parks Adventure Here


 

Shadows in the Forest

shadows in the forest board game

Age: 8+
Number of Players: 2-7

Description:

Shadows in the Dark is an especially good board game for camping because it is played in the dark. One player moves the LED lantern around in search of Shadowlings, mysterious creatures who avoid the light. The lantern illuminates the forest and trees, casting real shadows on the game board. The rest of the players work together, strategically moving their Shadowlings to stay out of the light in this innovative board game for kids and families.

Buy Shadows in the Forest Here


 

Hive

hive

Age: 9+
Number of Players: 2

Description:

The object of the game is to surround your opponent’s queen bee while trying to block your opponents from doing the same. Each Player has 11 tiles; representing 5 different insects. Each insect has a unique way of moving and resembles the movement of the insect depicted on the tile.  Games last only about 10 minutes and there is no board (only tiles), so it is very travel-friendly.

Buy Hive Here


 

Trekking the National Parks

trekking the national parks board game for camping

Age: 10+
Number of Players: 2-5

Description:

Trekking the National Parks is a spirited family board game (note it’s not a trivia game) that lets players experience the U.S. National Parks in a fun and competitive way. Players compete for points by claiming Park Cards and collecting trail stones as they race across the country experiencing the wonders at each of these magnificent landscapes.

The game was specially designed to be both entertaining and educational. Every park card features an interesting fact and gorgeous photograph that will inspire players to explore the protected natural wonders of America. Each game also begins with a unique setup that alters the play experience in surprising ways, allowing for endless replayability.

Buy Trekking the National Parks Here


 

Mountains

Age: 8+
Number of Players: 2-5

Description:

The hiking season has begun! Do you have the right equipment for the hike you picked? If not, the swap negotiations begin! A good memory, some luck, and a favor or two from your fellow hikers will help you collect the most stamps in your Summits Book to win the game. Game length is about 20-30 minutes.

Buy Mountains Here


 

National Parks Opoly

National Parks Monopoly

Age: 6+
Number of Players: 2-8

Description:

Get ready for a Junior Ranger adventure! Travel all over the USA exploring famous National parks and their most iconic animals. Spot growling Grizzlies, wild wolves, and more… all in their native habitats. As you collect National parks, learn unique facts about each one on the back of the card. Just make sure you don’t miss the bus or get lost along the way. Discover awe-inspiring landscapes and amazing animals with National parks opoly Junior.

Buy National Parks Monopoly Here


 

The Alpha

The Alpha board game for camping

Age: 10+
Number of Players: 3-6

Description:

Send your wolves to hunt in various regions and outnumber rival packs to become dominant. Roll the dice for the region to determine the success of the hunt. But beware, if a rival pack is in region you must decide to fight or share the food. To win, collect the most food at the end of 5 rounds to be… The Alpha!  Game time is about 45 minutes.

Buy The Alpha Here


 

Wildcraft!

Wildcraft board game

Age: 4+
Number of Players: 1-4

Description:

This is a game that adults will actually enjoy playing with their little kids. It teaches kids about medicinal plants in a fun, exciting way.  Players go on quests through ecosystems and have obstacles like waterfalls to slide down, logs to cross and deer trails to follow.  They learn about medicinal plants when choosing the right ones to heal their “trouble”.  It is a cooperative game so players win by helping each other.

Buy Wildcraft Here


 

National Parks Matching Game

National Parks matching memory game

Age: 3+
Number of Players: 1+

Description:

This is a wilderness version of the classic memory matching game. It has 18 matching pairs of cards featuring wildlife and camping themes.  The illustrations are really gorgeous.

Buy the National Parks Matching Game Here


 

Camp

Camp board game

Age: 4+
Number of Players: 2-8

Description:

Camp is a game where both children & adults can play & learn fun facts about the great outdoors.  It’s not a trivia game though – the cards are simply educational. Designed to grow with the player, starting at level one questions; animal identification.

Buy Camp Here


 

Bears

Bears dice game

Age: 7-15
Number of Players: 2-4

Description:

This is a bear and camping-themed dice game.  You roll five white dice and start making pairs.  Valid pairs including things like a sleeping bag and tent.  Each game lasts about 20 minutes.  There is no board and the game is travel-friendly. There is an expansion so you can play with more people.

Buy Bears Here

About the author /


Diane Vukovic grew up camping and backpacking in upstate New York. Now, she takes her own daughters on wilderness adventures so they can connect with nature and learn resiliency. With dozens of trips under her belt, Diane is an expert in minimalist camping, going lightweight, planning, and keeping her kids entertained without screens.

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