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20 Vintage Photos of Camping Life (1920s-1970s)

Vintage Photos Nostalgia Travel May 21, 2025

Last Updated on May 21, 2025 by Matt Staff

People love to embrace camping as a lovely escape from the rush of industrial society. The reality is that people have long loved camping as far back as we can remember. What’s great is that there are plenty of vintage camping life photos of people enjoying their camping time dating back to the 1920s.

1. Camping in the 1970s with style was a whole scene

Four people are camping by a van with flame decals and motorcycles. Two men, one standing and one squatting, and two women, one standing and one sitting by a sleeping bag, are gathered around a small campfire outdoors.
mbman

The styles across the board here are electric.

2. This whole crew looks like they’re having a wondrous time camping back in 1965

A group of boys in sweaters and shorts sit and stand around a campfire in a wooded area, some eating or talking, with trees and sunlight filtering through the forest.
deleted

The colors in this scene really make everything pop.

3. Yes, the s’mores scene was on point back in the ’70s

Three kids sit around a campfire at a stone grill outdoors. Two boys are roasting marshmallows, while a girl in glasses waves at the camera. Camping gear and clothes are scattered around. Trees are visible in the background.
heirloomcloud

Marshmallows over a campfire always seem to hit the spot.

4. Someone’s mom on a camping trip in the ’70s

A young woman sits on grass in a clearing, surrounded by trees and bushes. She wears a light-colored jacket and jeans, looking thoughtfully at the camera. A bag rests on the ground beside her. The photo is black and white.
deleted

She certainly was ready to strike the serious camping trip pose.

5. Looks to be a solid family reunion at the camp in the 1970s

A group of seven adults sits around a picnic table outdoors, enjoying a meal together. There is food and drinks on the table, and a car is parked in the background. Everyone appears relaxed and smiling.
mks113

Good ole family reunions and camping trips seem to make for the best of times.

6. Station wagon car camping in the ’60s was a special time, indeed

Two boys are lying in the back of a station wagon, covered with blankets, smiling at the camera. The car is parked outdoors, and the front seats are folded down to make space for them to lie down.
iamungoogleable

The station wagons were really built for amplifying the camping trip experience.

7. Hanging at the campground in the late 1970s

Three children sit at a picnic table with a red and white checkered tablecloth outside a camper van, talking and eating at a campsite surrounded by trees.
mydoggoldi

Just kids being kids.

8. Group at Smith’s Holiday Camp in Paihia, New Zealand, January 1976

Three women in swimwear sit on benches outside a large camping tent, smiling and relaxing. Vintage cars and trees are visible in the background, suggesting a campsite scene from the past.
anonymous

New Zealand seems like a very fun place to camp out.

9. A group of campers have a proper good-old fashioned time back in 1978

A group of people in swimsuits gather around a folding table at a campsite, with a tent and car in the background. Trees provide shade, and the mood appears relaxed and social.
fromyesterday

Those moments when you put plans together during a camping trip can truly be so much fun.

10. A group of campers in it for the long haul outside of Wimbledon in 1978

Six young people lie in sleeping bags on the sidewalk, smiling and relaxed, apparently camping out in line by a wall with signs. The scene appears to be from past decades, given the black-and-white photo style and clothing.
fromyesterday

Yes, Wimbledon really would inspire that level of dedication.

11. Two fans stake out a music festival a week in advance of a music festival in 1970

Two women sit on the ground among bags and blankets, one wearing a hooded jacket and the other sunglasses and a hat, at what appears to be an outdoor event or festival.
fromyesterday

Now that’s true dedication to the music festival scene.

12. Two friends out enjoying a camping holiday in 1930

Two women sit on the grass, smiling and making tea over a small kettle. Three cups and two plates are in the foreground. The scene appears relaxed and outdoorsy, with trees blurred in the background.
fromyesterday

Here we go again with the porcelain mugs scene.

13. A group of campers talk outside of their tent in 1932

Five people gather at a campsite table by a river, drinking tea or coffee under a canvas canopy, with tents and leafless trees in the background. The scene appears to be from the early 20th century.
fromyesterday

I just wonder what it is they were discussing? Probably their respective plans for “summering.”

14. A family camps in caravans in 1934

Four adults sit and talk outside a vintage caravan, while a child lies on the grass in front of them. Trees and other caravans are visible in the background, suggesting a relaxed, outdoor camping scene.
fromyesterday

Camping out in caravans was a whole mood back in the day.

15. A group of boys shaves outside while camping in 1935

Four young men in sleeveless shirts sit on grass outside a tent, shaving their faces with razors and using small mirrors, appearing relaxed and smiling on a sunny day.
fromyesterday

Nothing like pulling off a close shave while on a camping trip, I say.

16. A group of people make tea from the water of a mountain stream while camping in 1931

Three people crouch by a small waterfall outdoors, one filling a jug with water while the other two watch and smile, holding cups and a teapot. The scene suggests a moment of leisure by the stream.

Yeah, because what other way is there really to do it?

17. A couple sets up a camping tent in 1936

A woman uses a mallet to hammer a tent peg into the ground while a man holds a tent rope nearby. They are setting up a canvas tent outdoors.
fromyesterday

That hammer is better suited for an actual carnival.

18. Two girls set up their camping tent in 1938

Two women in vintage swimsuits smile and work together to pitch a canvas tent outdoors. One woman is kneeling, holding a rope, while the other stands, tying a line, with trees and a wooden structure in the background.
fromyesterday

Setting up camping tents back in the day was a much more difficult task.

19. A group of campers drinks from porcelain cups while camping in 1936

Four women sit on the ground having tea and a picnic near tents in a campsite. They appear to be enjoying themselves, surrounded by camping equipment and trees in the background. The image is in black and white.
fromyesterday

The porcelain cups was certainly a bold aesthetic for a camping outing.

20. It’s the 1920s and everyone is really ready for that camping trip.

A vintage car loaded with supplies, including bags and a rolled-up tent, is parked outdoors. Three people stand nearby, with trees and other vehicles visible in the background. The image is in black and white.
fromyesterday

That goes without saying, that the camping trips back in the 1920s could prove grittier than modern times.

Interested in more vintage content?

For even wilder vistas, step into 20 Vintage Photos of America’s National Parks (1870-1920) or chill lakeside with 23 Vintage Photos of 1980s Family Vacations. Wherever you wander next, may your sleeping bag be cozy, your marshmallows perfectly toasted, and your sense of nostalgia packed for the journey.

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