If you love the look of dirt under your fingernails, the smell of pine needles mixing with campfire, and the feeling of waking up to the rising sun, then you, my friend, really love camping. And what better way to honor your passion for nights spent in the great outdoors than with some permanent ink? If you’re looking to formalize a committed relationship with your tent by getting a camp-themed tattoo, we’ve got lots of ideas for you to consider.

Camping Tattoo Ideas for Every Type of Camper

There are many different types of campers, from the solo adventurer to the family vacationer to the free camping van-lifer –and there are even more types of tattoos. We’ve narrowed them down into camping categories that should help you decide which camping tattoo is perfect for you.

General Camping Tattoos

Camping is full of tradition and these tattoos embrace the traditional imagery, from the tent that feels like home, to your trusty lantern. Anyone who loves to camp will find lots of memories and inspiration in these camping tattoos.

Find Your Place in Nature

 

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A post shared by NEYÜN TATTOO VALPARAISO (@neyuntattoo) on May 30, 2019 at 1:36pm PDT

Camping with Aliens

 

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A post shared by El Pantano Tattoo (@elpantanotattoo) on Apr 17, 2019 at 1:30pm PDT

A Sweet Campfire Scene

Super fun camping tattoo for @emiilylh , thanks! #heroesandghoststattoo #rva #rvatattoo #carytown #blackwork #dotwork #blackandgrey #stippling #campingtattoo #blacktattoo #blackandgreytattoo

A post shared by Dylan Mott (@dolladolladill) on Nov 2, 2016 at 12:19pm PDT

Colorful Stars

 

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A post shared by Jeff Naumann (@shadowofjeff) on Apr 10, 2019 at 12:23pm PDT

Almost as Real as a Photo

 

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A post shared by Martie Mitges (@martiemitges) on Apr 17, 2019 at 4:44am PDT

A Reminder to Relax

Got to do a fun blackwork camp scene on @shittinginthenameof’s mama. Something she can look at to remind herself. ✨Thanks for looking! #campfiretattoo #campingtattoo #breathetattoo #musearttattoo #sprkltattoo

A post shared by ✨?Ash Valentine?✨ (@tatts_n_ash) on Mar 30, 2017 at 5:59pm PDT

Camping in a Bear Track

Thanks Abby, you made it to my instagram! #rockstartattooco #wisconsintattoo #milwaukeetattoo #beartattoo

A post shared by Pete Silva III (@thundabeast) on May 10, 2017 at 7:09pm PDT

A Peaceful Family Gathering

Always enjoy doing something different and a great tribute to family fun camping #campingtattoo #tattoo #camping #camp #bush #family #fire #fun #tatt #tatts #ink #reestyletattoo #reestyle #lakesentrance #3909

A post shared by REESTYLETATTOO (@reestyletattoo) on Apr 10, 2017 at 6:16am PDT

Life in Tents

 

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A post shared by Ben Lenton (@ben_lenton) on Jun 13, 2019 at 5:20am PDT

Landscape and Nature Tattoos

The whole point of camping is to get away from our sheltered lives and reconnect with nature. Embrace the elements with your camping tattoo, and celebrate the beautiful landscapes we love to explore. 

Pinecones are Perfect

 

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A post shared by Gavin Meeker (@gmeektattoo) on May 8, 2019 at 8:31am PDT

Michigan Camping

 

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A post shared by David Gee Tattoo Art (@_davegee) on Apr 27, 2019 at 5:22pm PDT

Two little Mountains

 

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A post shared by Fotini (@fotini_8) on Jun 7, 2019 at 3:41am PDT

Mount Hood and Dot Design

Mount hood. Thanks Tiff! … .. . #mountaintattoo #naturetattoo #floraltattoo #delicatetattoo #finelinetattoo #dotworktattoo #ianreynold #botanicaltattoo #sfink #sfblackwork #sftattoo

A post shared by Ian Reynold (@ianreynold) on Jul 10, 2017 at 10:43am PDT

Canoeing in a Simple Diamond

☁??? #naturetattoo #scenicviewtattoo #campingtattoo #familytattoo #canoetattoo #cottagetattoo #dotwork #blackwork #customtattoo #hydraneedles #griffintubes

A post shared by LAUREL (@winstonartwork) on Jun 13, 2017 at 9:18am PDT

The Colors of Lakeside Camping

Officially a hardcore glamper ? thanks @adamcornishtattooer I love it ? #campingtattoo #tattoos #girlswithtattoos #instahappy

A post shared by Lauren ?✨ (@colourful.camper) on Apr 8, 2017 at 7:15am PDT

Thank you again @whitneyhavok ! This turned out so well and I love it so much! #Repost @whitneyhavok (@get_repost) ・・・ Fun #seattletattooartist #lineworktattoo #blackwork #blackgreytattoo #blackink #stallionink #woodcuttattoo #naturetattoo #pnwtattoo #mountaintattoo #mountrainiertattoo #forearmtattoo #illustratedtattoo #paradoxtattoo #paradoxtattoostudio #paradoxtattoogallery #cheyenne #cheyennepen #cheyennetattoo #cheyennehawkpen

A post shared by meganpeterson28 (@meganpeterson28) on Jul 10, 2017 at 8:29am PDT

Trail Life tattoo by @ezequielsamuraii at Samurai Tattoo in Barcelona, Spain #ezequielsamuraii #samuraitattoo #barcelona #spain #traillife #trailtattoo #naturetattoo #hikingtattoo #tattoo #tattoos #tattoosnob

A post shared by TattooSnob (@tattoosnob) on Apr 13, 2016 at 3:27pm PDT

Tonight’s jam! Thanks Kat!! #undertheneedle #utn #seattletattooartist #seattle #pnw #arrowhead #pnwtattoo #arrowheadtattoo #nature #mountaintattoo #mtrainier #naturetattoo

A post shared by Britaini Albin (@britainitattoos) on Jul 8, 2017 at 11:07pm PDT

Travel/Camping Tattoos

Travel and camping go together like chocolate and marshmallows. If you prefer to sleep under the stars when you travel, embrace your wanderlust with one of these travel/camping-themed tattoos.

?⌚ @kray912 #compas #travel #tattoo

A post shared by travel tattoos (@traveltattoos) on Sep 29, 2015 at 11:33am PDT

My vanlife inspired travel tattoo. Now Miles is always with me ?❤ Drawing by @david_rollyn

A post shared by Life on the road with Miles (@miles_downunder) on Jun 29, 2017 at 4:29pm PDT

Buenos días! ?? Si yo tuviera una Wolksvagen de estas, me iría a pasar hoy el día a la playa y vería anochecer con el portón abierto… que no? planazo! ❤ Confío en que Isra estará disfrutando de la suya, que para eso quiso sellar su amor por este tipo de vida con el tattoo que le hice el viernes ?? Gracias por la confianza, chicos! ??[Para consultas debéis escribirme a mi mail,que respondo cuando buenamente puedo: tattoosbymeri@gmail.com, aunque lo ideal y más rápido es que os paséis por Trece Tattoo Málaga (Carreteria 58) o llaméis de 5 a 9 (952220280) que es donde trabajo y os atenderemos encantados]

A post shared by Meri (@tattoosbymeri) on May 28, 2017 at 4:13am PDT

Camping with Animals

You’re sleeping in their habitat–it’s only right to pay homage to the critters that we meet while camping. (And the ones we bring with us.) Check out these animal tattoos that are perfect for the camper who loves to meet creatures in the forest.

Squirrel-Style Smores

 

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A post shared by ✨Samantha Croston✨ (@missmoth_tattoo) on May 29, 2019 at 12:36pm PDT

A Treat for a Good Camping Dog

 

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A post shared by Ayhan Karadag (@ayhankrdg) on May 9, 2019 at 12:49pm PDT

Bears and Bedtime Stories

Sweet tattoo done by @suflanda! #tattooprodigies #beartattoo #foresttattoo #campingtattoo #blackandgreytattoos #customtattoo

A post shared by Tattoo Prodigies (@tattooprodigies) on Jul 6, 2017 at 11:13am PDT

Squirrel!

Get outta here with that cuteness ❤. Thanks so much Anne. #squirrel #squirrelsofinstagram #squirreltattoo #torontowildlife

A post shared by Ash Timlin (@ashtimlin) on Nov 10, 2016 at 3:20pm PST

Mystical Deer

#Repost @mary_garageinkmanor ・・・ Thanks Alex? #missmary #garageink #garageinkmanor #garageinktattoo #swashdrivebrush #deertattoo #deer #blackandgreytattoo #pineforest

A post shared by Garage Ink Manor (@garageinkmanor) on Jul 10, 2017 at 1:09am PDT

Geometric Animal Art

Have a good week! #impulseinktattoo #jessie翰zhang #outlinetattoo #eagletattoo #deertattoo

A post shared by Impulse Ink Tattoo (@impulseinktattoo) on Jul 10, 2017 at 3:09pm PDT

A Pup Enjoying the Campfire

 

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A post shared by Robert Casper (@tattoosbycasper) on Jul 12, 2019 at 7:25am PDT

Howling at the Moon

 

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A post shared by 𝕻𝖆𝖚𝖙𝖟𝖎𝖓 🌸 (@pautzink.tattoo) on Jun 25, 2019 at 2:11pm PDT

Camping Tattoos with Text

Pictures might be worth 1,000 words, but words are still powerful–especially when you’re looking to make a statement with your camping tattoo. These tattoos get straight to the point with inspiring messages that are for and from the camping-obsessed.

200$ tattoo black and gray #campingtattoo #getlost #findyourself #coloradotattoo #mountainstattoo #spiturallymodified

A post shared by Patrick Sirbin (@patattoo138) on May 26, 2017 at 3:27pm PDT

Super fun piece from my book with clients quote! Thank you Michelle! You were great! #pittsburghtattooers #mountain #mountains # mountaintattoo #neotraditionaltattoo #campingtattoo #colortattoos #outdoorstattoo

A post shared by Jessica Jordan Kreh (@theregoesthenight) on Apr 2, 2017 at 11:29am PDT

Sweet and Simple Camping Tattoos

Whether it’s your first tattoo or your fifteenth, these camping tattoos say a lot with just a little ink.

I’ll Just Have One

 

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A post shared by Moon Child 🌙 (@nomade.bine) on Apr 24, 2019 at 7:51am PDT

All You Really Need

 

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A post shared by @kaattootattoo on May 15, 2019 at 5:27am PDT

Follow the Trail

 

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A post shared by Henna Tattoo (@hennatattoo.co) on May 25, 2019 at 6:19pm PDT

#Vanlife

 

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A post shared by jessica valentine (@jesvalentinetattoos) on May 13, 2019 at 12:09pm PDT

Just a lil Campsite

 

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A post shared by Cécé [ 쎄쎄 ] (@cecetattooer) on Jun 16, 2019 at 10:51pm PDT

Walk in Wednesday Great Outdoors Tattoo By @gart_tattoo #blackcatink #lafincagolf #algorfa #alicante #costablancatattoo #greatoutdoors #camping #campingtattoo

A post shared by BlackCatInk_? (@blackcatinktattoo) on May 17, 2017 at 1:53pm PDT

#smalltattoo #mountaintattoo #mountain #freshink #gotink #newtattoo #painforsale #painforpleasure #armtattoos #tattoosbydustin #tattoodesign #tattoostudio #tatted #tattoo #tattoos #tymetattoo #tattoosfromwyoming #lovetattoos #loveink #ink #inked #inkart #inkedup #inkaddict #cleantattoo #outdoortattoo #summit #summittattoo #art #blackandwhitetattoo

A post shared by Tyme Tattoo Laramie Wyoming (@tymetattoodustinburrowes) on Sep 6, 2015 at 7:04pm PDT

Do you have a camping-themed tattoo? We’d love to see it! Tell us about it in the comments below, or tag us in a photo of your tattoo on Instagram!

 

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