Great American Campout
June 27
About Great American Campout
The Great American Campout takes place on Saturday, 27 June 2026. Run by the National Wildlife Federation, it encourages people across the United States to spend a night under the stars, whether in a national park, a local campground, or simply the back garden. The campaign celebrates the simple act of camping as a way to connect with nature and support wildlife conservation.
How to Take Part in the Great American Campout
You do not need expensive gear or a remote wilderness to join in. Here are plenty of ways to get involved:
- Pitch a backyard tent – The easiest way to take part is to set up a tent in your own garden. It is perfect for families with young children who want the camping experience without travelling far.
- Book a campground or park – For a fuller adventure, reserve a pitch at a state park, national park, or local campsite and spend the night surrounded by nature.
- Take the pledge – The National Wildlife Federation invites people to pledge to camp out, helping track how many happy campers take part across the country each year.
- Cook over a campfire – Toast marshmallows, make s’mores, or grill a simple supper outdoors. Cooking in the open air is one of the great pleasures of camping.
- Go stargazing – Away from indoor lights, take time to spot constellations, planets, and shooting stars. A simple star chart or app makes it more rewarding.
- Watch for wildlife – Listen for owls, frogs, and crickets after dark, and keep an eye out for the creatures that share your patch of the outdoors.
- Leave no trace – Camp responsibly by clearing up litter, respecting wildlife, and leaving your spot exactly as you found it.
- Make it a group event – Invite friends, neighbours, or a scout troop and turn the night into a shared community adventure.
What is the Great American Campout?
The Great American Campout is a nationwide initiative from the National Wildlife Federation that encourages Americans to camp out for at least one night and reconnect with the natural world. It is aimed at families, scouts, schools, and outdoor enthusiasts of every level of experience. The campaign’s underlying message is that spending time in nature is good for our health and wellbeing, and that people who enjoy the outdoors are more likely to protect it.
When is the Great American Campout?
The Great American Campout is held on the fourth Saturday of June each year. In 2026 that date is Saturday, 27 June. Because the date shifts slightly from year to year, the table below shows when it falls over the next five years.
| Year | Date |
|---|---|
| 2026 | Saturday, 27 June |
| 2027 | Saturday, 26 June |
| 2028 | Saturday, 24 June |
| 2029 | Saturday, 23 June |
| 2030 | Saturday, 22 June |
The History of the Great American Campout
The Great American Campout was launched by the National Wildlife Federation, a non-profit conservation organisation founded in 1936 and based in Virginia. The campaign began more than twenty years ago, and in 2025 the Federation marked two decades of what it calls happy campers, celebrating “20 Years of Happy Campers” since the programme’s early days.
It grew out of the Federation’s wider mission to connect people, particularly children, with the outdoors. Concerned by research showing that families were spending less time in nature, the organisation created the campaign to make camping feel accessible to everyone, whether they had a tent and a campsite booking or simply a garden and a sense of adventure.
Over the years the campaign has encouraged hundreds of thousands of people to pledge to camp out, and it has become a fixture of the early-summer calendar. Its inclusive, low-barrier approach, where a backyard counts just as much as a national park, has been central to its lasting appeal.
Fun Facts About the Great American Campout
- The campaign is run by the National Wildlife Federation, founded in 1936 and one of America’s largest conservation organisations.
- In 2025 the Great American Campout celebrated its twentieth anniversary, marking “20 Years of Happy Campers.”
- A garden tent counts just as much as a campsite, making it one of the most accessible outdoor campaigns of the year.
- The event always falls on the fourth Saturday of June, close to the summer solstice when daylight is at its longest.
- Participants are encouraged to take an online pledge, helping the Federation track the scale of involvement across all fifty states.
Why the Great American Campout Matters
Spending time outdoors has well-documented benefits for physical and mental health, from better sleep to reduced stress. The Great American Campout taps into this while serving a deeper conservation purpose: people who form a connection with nature are far more likely to care about protecting it. For families, it is also a screen-free way to share an adventure together. If you love the outdoors, you might also enjoy National Canoe Day, which falls the day before in late June.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the Great American Campout?
It is a nationwide campaign from the National Wildlife Federation that encourages people to camp out for a night, in a park, campground, or back garden, to connect with nature and support wildlife conservation.
When is the Great American Campout in 2026?
It takes place on Saturday, 27 June 2026. The event is always held on the fourth Saturday of June, so the exact date shifts slightly each year.
Do I have to go to a campsite to take part?
No. One of the best things about the campaign is that camping in your own back garden counts just as much as staying at a national park, making it easy for everyone to join in.
Spread the Word
Join the celebration and share your campout photos, backyard tents, and starry skies on social media with #GreatAmericanCampout and #GreatAmericanCampout2026. Tag your friends and challenge them to spend a night under the stars!
Related Awareness Days
- National Canoe Day – A late-June celebration of paddling and getting out onto the water.
- National Hop-A-Park Day – A July date encouraging people to visit and enjoy their local parks.
- National Camp Day – Another date dedicated to the joys of camping and the great outdoors.
Links
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