Who doesn’t love staying up late, making s’mores, and sharing campfire stories, funny or spooky?
If you’re in charge of entertaining a group during your next camping trip, here are 22 campfire stories to set the mood and kick off the nighttime fun. The best part is, there’s something for kids of all ages in this collection.
Legends and Folklore
1. “Chipmunk and Bear”
Experience the legendary tale of “Chipmunk and Bear” from Ultimate Camp Resource, where Chipmunk challenges Bear to stop the sun from rising. When Bear fails, he takes out his frustration on the smaller animal, explaining how the chipmunk got its stripes.
2. “Ballad of Johnny O’Dell”
Enjoy the rhyming verse of “Ballad of Johnny O’Dell” from Boy Scout Trail, a fast-paced story of a fearless Pony Express rider with an unexpected funny twist at the end.
3. “How Bear Lost His Tail”
Delight in the clever Ojibwe legend “How Bear Lost His Tail” from the University of Wisconsin Oshkosh, where Otter outsmarts Bear into using his tail as a fishing rod, leading to a frozen tail left behind at sunset.
Funny Campfire Stories
17. “Gloop Maker”
Embark on the funny tale of “Gloop Maker” from Camping Dude, recounting the story of sailors who hire a gloop maker without truly understanding his job, leading to a humorous outcome.
18. “Sneakers”
Follow the story of a boy determined to win a smelly sneaker contest in “Sneakers” from Ultimate Camp Source, where his efforts result in a surprising consequence of losing his feet.