Some of the best times spent camping are gathered around a campfire. Here are 30 of the best campfire songs to keep you entertained…
Whether you will accompany your song with the dulcet tones of an acoustic guitar, radio, or sing a capella, sitting around the campfire is a great time to share a new song or an old favorite.
The following is my list of the best camping songs to sing during your next camping trip.
I have organized them into two groups. The first is a list of family-friendly favorites that the kids in your group will love.
The other list comprises popular songs that are easy and catchy for adults to sing along to. Kids would like many of these as well!
(I give a bonus list at the end, too!). UPDATE: Hipcamp created an Ultimate Campfire Playlist on Spotify, too! I've linked to it at the end of this post.
8 Best Campfire Songs for Families
These family-friendly traditional campfire songs are some of the best pieces to get everyone singing while enjoying a warm fire. You may even remember some of them from your days spent at summer camp.
I've linked to the lyrics so you can print or screenshot them before your next trip.
Enjoy these fun songs with your children or grandchildren. I guarantee you will be singing along with these oldies, but goodies!
1. “On Top of Spaghetti”
This great song is sometimes called “The Meatball Song” and is set to the same tune as “On Top of Old Smokey.” It tells the fun story of a meatball that falls off a plate of spaghetti and onto the floor.
2. “B-I-N-G-O”
Who doesn't know this favorite about a farmer and his dog? It's a fun interactive song with clapping and repeat lyrics, making it great for all ages.
3. “Five Little Speckled Frogs”
This catchy jingle helps kids learn to count to five in a fun way- by singing about frogs!
4. “John Jacob Jingleheimer Schmidt”
If this beloved family-friendly tune is not already, it is sure to become one of your kids' or grand kids' favorite songs. It is so fun to sing! Especially when you whisper leading up to JOHN JACOB JINGLEHEIMER SCHMIDT!
5. “Boom Chicka Boom”
Everyone around the fire will love this fun, nonsensical song.
6. “The Campfire Song Song” by Spongebob Squarepants
It may seem funny to bring up Spongebob around the campfire. I'm not the biggest fan of Spongebob but this song is loved by kids (of all ages). It's a fun one to bring out when enjoying that bonding time.
7. “Home on the Range”
An old country song is perfect for spending time in the outdoors. It tells the story of cowboys and pioneers from the old American west.
This reminds me of our article on Retracing Lewis and Clark and the Pioneer Routes West.
8. “Going on a Bear Hunt”
What better way to celebrate the outdoors than to sing about finding bears through all sorts of different outdoor terrain? Kids will love this interactive tune.
It's a great way to segue into teaching kids about Camping in Bear Country, too.
15 Best Campfire Songs for Adults
These classic songs were instant hits when they hit the radio waves. They stayed favorites because they are good, catchy, and sometimes deeply meaningful. Most adults will recognize these classic hits.
9. “Ring of Fire” by Johnny Cash
This catchy tune is an iconic favorite and has been covered in many different genres over time. This hit is a must at your next campfire.
10. “Take Me Home Country Roads” by John Denver
What a good song! So good that many different country singers have covered this hit. Not only is this popular in cities across America. West Virginia made it an unofficial anthem!
11. “House of the Rising Sun” by The Animals
This well-known song from the 70s is iconic, and most people will recognize it right when it starts.
12. “Brown Eyed Girl” by Van Morrison
Van Morrison's signature song is a beloved love anthem for any couple. It also has a fast tempo that is fun to sing and clap along with.
13. “Fire and Rain” by James Taylor
This sad but beautiful song has three verses all about different types of heartbreak. It covers suicide, drug addiction, and mental illness. Despite that, many love it and make a great sing-along tune for camping.
14. “True Colors” by Cindy Lauper
This lovely song is all about being true to yourself and has been remade several times. All generations love this simple song.
15. “Hotel California” by The Eagles
This hit by the Eagles describes an unforgettable landscape and experience. Some rumors claim that it has a deeper meaning, but one thing is sure. It is an excellent time to sing with a group!
16. “American Pie” by Don McLean
When it was released, this hot by Don McLean stayed on the number-one hit chart for four weeks. Even at 8-minutes long, this song is considered an American rock-n-roll anthem. It is beloved by so many that in 2015 the handwritten lyrics were auctioned off for 1.2 million dollars!
17. “No Woman, No Cry” by Bob Marley
This sad song is still beloved by many and is one of Bob Marley's most famous tunes.
18. “Wagon Wheel” by Old Crow Medicine Show
You may be familiar with Darius Rucker's newer version of this excellent song. Either way, it is a catchy and fun song to sing around the fire.
19. “Sweet Caroline” by Neil Diamond
This power ballad is always a crowd pleaser! Neil Diamond wrote this in 1969 for his then-wife, Marsha. He needed a different name to make the lyrics work with the melody, and “Caroline” was born!
20. “Maybe I'm Amazed” by Paul McCartney
This is one of the most memorable songs ever written and talks about a romantic favorite!
21. “(Sittin' On) the Dock of the Bay” by Otis Redding
Conjuring up images of a great day spent seaside, this classic song is a perfect way to end a great day outdoors.
22. “Yellow Submarine” by The Beatles
Children and adults of all ages love this Beatles song. Everyone will love to sing along with this fun tune.
23. “Chicken Fried” by Zac Brown Band
This country song is bound to get everyone standing and clapping. It is a fun and catchy tune that is most definitely a crowd-pleaser.
Best Campfire Songs – A Few Bonus Songs
If you still need some tunes to include in your campfire playlist, consider these other bonus hits for your list!
- “Good Riddance (Time of Your Life)” by Green Day
- “Heart of Gold” by Neil Young
- “Imagine” by John Lennon
- “Free Fallin” by Tom Petty
- “Sweet Home Alabama” by Lynyrd Skynyrd
- “I'm Yours” by Jason Mraz
- “Daydream Believer” by The Monkees
We'd love to add to this list of the best campfire songs! Please share your favorites in the comments below.
Update: Hipcamp's Campfire Songs Spotify Playlist
I recently learned of a Hipcamp post of the 100+ Best Campfire Songs, According to Spotify Users. Quite a few of the songs overlap with our list, plus they have dozens more songs listed.
Better yet, Hipcamp actually put the “Ultimate Campfire Playlist” together on Spotify so you can listen to it at your next outdoor gathering.
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- Best Portable Camping Fire Pit
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Explore our 7 Day Adventure Guide to Colorado
When Jennifer and I first went to Colorado, I felt like I finally understood what John Denver meant by his song: I've now been Rocky Mountain High.
And like Denver, exploring all that Colorado has to offer made me want to sing, too.
This is a fully designed and edited guide that you can download and start reading immediately on your phone, tablet, computer or e-reader.
February 07, 2022at1:34 pm, Davis Freeman said:
“Don’t fence me in.” Cole Porter
“I’m a old cowhand.” Johnny Mercer
February 06, 2022at8:23 am, Susan Paterson said:
These are great choices. How about Kumbaya?
February 04, 2022at4:38 pm, Allen Meng said:
Another song that sang on the farm (eight kids), especially on hay rides to put the hay into the barn, was “Henry the Eighth” by Herman’s Hermits with infinite verses as the second verse is the same as he first.
February 04, 2022at12:19 pm, Van Darby said:
You are my sunshine
February 04, 2022at9:02 am, Jackie W said:
What an eclectic mix of music. I love it!