Summer’s in full swing, and there’s no better way to make the most of it than spending a night under the stars. Whether you’re camping deep in the backcountry or parking your setup just off a forest road, the goal is the same: good food, good company, and gear that works just as hard as you do.
We’re sharing tips to help you prep smarter, light your site like a pro, and cook up two simple camp meals that’ll keep you full from dusk ‘til dawn.
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Step 1: Pack and Prep Before You Leave
Great trips start before you ever hit the road. A little prep at home saves time, cleanup, and stress at the site—especially when daylight is short and appetites are big.
Lighting Gear to Pack
- CL27R Rechargeable Lantern: With both spotlight and floodlight modes, adjustable brightness and color temperature, and a magnetic base, this is your all-in-one camp light. Hang it from your tent, mount it on a tripod, or stick it on your truck bed.
- HM70R Rechargeable Headlamp: With 1600 lumens of output, red light mode, and an easy-to-use glove-friendly switch, this headlamp is built for fire-starting, cooking, and campsite chores.
- PD35 V3.0 Flashlight: Powerful and compact, the PD35 V3.0 delivers 1700 lumens with a beam distance of 1171ft (357m). It’s a solid choice for lighting your way to a sunrise overlook or scanning the site before bed.
Food Prep Tips
- Slice, marinate, and measure your ingredients at home.
- Store everything in labeled containers or ziplocks to stay organized.
- Bring a compact cutting board, foil, and a durable cooler with ice packs or block ice for better retention.
Pro Tip: Don’t waste precious daylight trying to dice onions on a wobbly camp table. Do it at home and keep your evening chill.
Step 2: Set Up Camp with Confidence
Once you roll into your site, it’s go time. Use your CL27R Lantern to bathe your setup area in soft, adjustable light while you get your bearings. Pitch your tent, stash your cooler in the shade, and collect firewood before the sun dips too low.
If you arrive late, no problem—your HM70R Headlamp will help guide every stake you hammer and log you haul.
Step 3: Cook Dinner After Dark
Cooking outside is one of the best parts of camping—and the right lighting setup makes it even easier. Use a headlamp to keep both hands free while you chop, stir, or check your food. A lantern like the CL27R can brighten the entire cooking area with a wide, adjustable floodlight—perfect for lighting up the table, camp stove, or picnic bench without casting harsh shadows.
Colorado Surf & Turf
A Colorado classic—wild elk sirloin and fresh rainbow trout, seasoned light and fired over open flame.
Ingredients:
- Elk sirloin steaks (or marinated venison)
- Fresh trout (cleaned and gutted)
- Worcestershire sauce, salt, pepper, onion powder
- Lemon slices and fresh thyme
- Olive oil
- Foil (for trout or sides)
Instructions:
- Marinate elk with Worcestershire, salt, pepper, and onion powder. Let rest.
- Stuff trout with lemon and thyme, then season with salt and pepper.
- Grill elk steaks over flame to medium-rare; let rest 5 minutes.
- Grill trout 3–4 mins per side or until meat flakes easily.
- Optional: Wrap chopped potatoes and onions in foil with oil, salt, and pepper. Roast on coals for 30+ mins.
Serve with: Firelight, a clear sky, and a deep breath of pine air.
Step 4: Cleanup Before Bed
Before you crash for the night, take a few minutes to clean up your site. Your headlamp will be essential here—both for visibility and to keep your hands free.
Pack away food and trash (don’t invite critters to the party).
Wipe down surfaces and stash dishes in your cooler or a sealed bin.
Do a quick scan of the area before turning in—if you drop a headlamp battery or forget your coffee pot, now’s the time to find it.
If nature calls in the middle of the night, your HM70R is already on your nightstand (or sleeping pad). Trust us.
Step 5: Morning Light and Mountain Mornings
If you’re an early riser—or if the birds wake you up before the sun does—the PD35 V3.0 Flashlight is your new best friend. It’s compact enough to keep within reach, but powerful enough to light up your entire cooking setup or trail to the overlook.
Boil water, prep breakfast, or just wander to your favorite overlook for a solo sunrise moment.
Fireside Breakfast Burritos
Ingredients:
- Scrambled eggs (pre-whisked and stored in a bottle)
- Pre-cooked sausage or bacon
- Shredded cheese
- Grilled peppers and onions
- Salsa
- Tortillas + foil
Instructions:
- Heat sausage and peppers in foil over the fire.
- Pour eggs into a pan and scramble over heat.
- Layer everything in a tortilla, wrap in foil, and heat to melt the cheese.
Add coffee and a little morning mist and you’ve got the perfect start to the day.
Lighting That Keeps Up with the Adventure
From twilight setup to breakfast burritos at sunrise, your lighting should be as ready as you are. Whether you’re pitching camp in the dark, navigating midnight bathroom breaks, or rustling up coffee at first light, you need a light that’s built to keep going.
Fenix camping lights combine high lumen output, long runtimes, and durable, weather-resistant builds so you’re never left in the dark—literally. Rainstorm rolling in? No problem. Dusty trails and rugged terrain? Bring it on. With rechargeable batteries, red light modes for preserving night vision, and versatile mounting options, Fenix lanterns and headlamps are built for everything the backcountry throws at you.