So Camping horror books offer something for all of us still longing for the great outdoors just a wee bit longer.
This post may contain affiliate links, which means I’ll receive a commission if you purchase through my links, at no extra cost to you. Please read https://bookedandbewitched.com/disclaimer/” full disclosure for more information
Hello, fellow campers! Welcome to my little cozy corner of the web, Booked and Bewitched, where we chat about all things comfy, horror, spicy, and mystery-related!
This week we are talking about all things Camping Horror-related.
For those of you who don’t normally read this genre, a little information. Camping horror fiction combines the isolation of the wilderness with the fear of the unknown, making it a subgenre that offers both thrills and chills. These stories often take place in secluded forests, remote campsites, or isolated cabins, where characters are cut off from civilization and must confront terrifying forces, whether they be supernatural, human, or something in between.
So without further ado, let’s get into these Camping Horror Books! And if you need more horror-themed entertainment choices. Go check out-
🧟♀️🎮25 Nintendo Switch Horror Games🧟♀️🎮
🎃😹20 Horror Comedy Books To Split Your Sides And Your Mind🎃😹
🔪25 Must-Watch Teen Slasher Movies to Rattle Your Nerves 🩸🔪
🔥🏕️Camping Horror Books🔥🏕️
1. Bible Camp: Unholy Secrets in the Wilderness
In “Bible Camp,” a group of teenagers is sent to a remote religious retreat for a week of spiritual guidance and reflection. However, what starts as a peaceful getaway quickly turns into a nightmare when they discover that the camp’s leaders are hiding dark and sinister secrets.
Why You Should Read It: This book combines religious overtones with classic horror elements, creating a unique and unsettling atmosphere. It’s perfect for fans of psychological horror with a twist of the supernatural.
by
When a group of young people are sent by their church to clean up an old bible camp in the mountains, none of them knows the secrets of the tragedy that happened there decades earlier. Meeting with the camp’s caretaker, they soon learn some of the tales, but it’s only when night falls and death strikes that they discover true pain and terror.
2. Camp 1985: The Summer of Terror Returns
So “Camp 1985” takes readers back to the height of the 1980s. What they don’t realize is that the camp has a dark history of its own.
Why You Should Read It: This book is a nostalgic nod to the slasher films of the 1980s, with all the blood, gore, and suspense that fans of the genre crave.
by
Enter the nostalgia-laced world of CAMP 1985, A bogus new summer program where parents send their social-media-addicted teens to unplug and make face-to-face connections without the help of a screen.
Ander expects a fun weekend getaway with other influencers but instead finds himself trapped in a radical landscape without wifi. Just when Ander gives in to camp life and starts crushing on a cute gamer boy, a little fun with a spirit board unleashes a vengeful spirit of a bygone era. Now, with danger lurking behind every tree, Ander and his fellow campers must navigate a twisted game of survival against a retro evil determined to off them one by one.
3. Camping with the Dead: Ghouls of the Wilderness
In “Camping with the Dead,” a group of paranormal enthusiasts sets out on a camping trip to investigate a haunted forest rumored to be the site of countless deaths. Armed with their ghost-hunting equipment, they hope to capture evidence of the supernatural.
Why You Should Read It: This book is a must-read for fans of ghost stories and the paranormal. The eerie setting of a haunted forest, combined with the suspense of a camping trip gone wrong, creates a terrifying atmosphere that will leave you sleeping with the lights on.
by
A videographer stumbles onto the story of a lifetime, now he just has to survive it. A fun weekend with friends dodging “zombies” takes a sinister turn when the real undead shows up, but no one knows what’s real. It was supposed to be a game, now one wrong move could be the difference between life and (un)death.
4. Heads Will Roll: The Ultimate Nightmare Unleashed
So “Heads Will Roll” follows a group of college students who decide to spend their spring break at a secluded campground. What they don’t know is that the camp has a dark history involving a series of brutal murders. When they start finding decapitated heads around the camp, they realize that they are being hunted by a sadistic killer with a penchant for collecting trophies.
Why You Should Read It: The gruesome imagery and relentless pace make it a thrilling and terrifying read. If you enjoy stories where the body count rises with each chapter, “Heads Will Roll” is the book for you.
by
After sitcom star Willow tweets herself into infamy and stumbles blind-drunk into a swimming pool, her agent ships her off to Camp Castaway. Nestled deep in upstate New York, Castaway is a summer camp for adults who are desperate to leave their mistakes behind. No real names, no phones . . . no way to call for help.
Willow’s fellow campers seem okay. Her favorite actress is even here, making a s’more. And did that jaded writer, Dani, just wink at her? But the peaceful vibe is shattered when one of the campers vanishes and Willow finds a mutilated doll in her room with a threatening message rolled up inside its mouth. Terror grips the group, campers begin to lose their heads—literally—and disturbing past deeds come to light.
5. North Woods: Into the Heart of Darkness
In “The North Woods,” a group of friends embarks on a camping trip deep in the wilderness of northern Canada. What starts as a fun adventure quickly turns into a nightmare when they encounter a mysterious creature that begins stalking them. As they struggle to survive in the harsh wilderness, they must confront the terrifying reality that they are not alone.
Why You Should Read It: This book taps into the fear of the unknown and the terror of being hunted by something beyond comprehension. The remote and unforgiving setting of the North Woods adds to the sense of isolation and dread, making it a gripping read for fans of creature horror.
by
When two Marines and their Corpsman reunite after a decade apart, they find themselves caught up in the mystery of their former squad leader’s disappearance. With little more to go on than a handful of disturbing charcoal sketches and the whispers of a local legend, they plunge into the depths of one of America’s last truly wild places.
But the trees themselves begin to whisper dark secrets. Secrets of trafficking and violence. Of rotten science and blood. Of something else that lurks in the shadows of the pines — something ancient, savage, and hungry.
6. Camp Firwood: Creature or Haunted by the Past
“Camp Firwood” tells the story of a summer camp with a dark past. Years ago, a tragic accident claimed the lives of several campers, and the camp has been haunted ever since. When a new group of campers arrives, they begin experiencing strange and terrifying events. As they uncover the camp’s history, they realize that the spirits of the dead are not at rest.
Why You Should Read It: This book is a classic ghost story with a twist. The combination of a haunted camp, restless spirits, and unsuspecting campers creates a chilling atmosphere that will keep you hooked from beginning to end.
by
When the rebellious teenager Kevin gets sent to a summer camp by his parents, he initially has no idea what’s in store for him. Every two weeks, the camp organizes an event called The Trial. The campers all dread it. They don’t want to spend the night in the woods with the Firwood Wraith roaming around. And the more they misbehave, the higher the chances they’ll be chosen.
7. Camp Lanier: Secrets Buried in the Shadows
So in “Camp Lanier,” a group of teenagers is sent to a disciplinary camp in the middle of the wilderness as a last resort to straighten out their behavior. However, the camp’s harsh rules and brutal punishments are the least of their worries. When they start disappearing one by one, the remaining campers must band together to uncover the truth behind the camp’s dark secret.
Why You Should Read It: The isolated setting of a disciplinary camp, coupled with the suspense of a deadly secret, makes for a gripping and intense read. If you enjoy stories where the stakes are high and the tension is palpable, “Camp Lanier” is a must-read.
by
Urban legends say that an all-Black town was forced out to create the lake, and it has been cursed ever since.
Taylor’s too old to believe in ghost stories.
But if the ghosts aren’t real, why is she the only one who can hear someone crying at night? Why are kids disappearing? And the whispers of a serial killer named the Atlanta Ripper stalking the woods… that can’t be real, can it?
8. Horror in the Woods: Fear Lurks Beyond the Trees
“Horror in the Woods” follows a group of friends who decide to go on a camping trip to celebrate their graduation. However, their celebration is cut short when they stumble upon a hidden cabin in the woods that holds a horrifying secret. As they try to leave, they realize that something evil is preventing them from escaping.
Why You Should Read It: So the combination of a remote cabin, an evil presence, and a group of friends trapped in the woods creates a tense and frightening atmosphere. It’s a great read for fans of horror stories that keep you guessing until the very end.
by
Four friends spend a weekend hiking in the woods, getting back to nature, never imagining they would end up being hunted.
But they soon stumble into the territory of the sick and twisted Webb family—psychopaths with a taste for human meat.
And these monsters are hungry.
9. Bible Camp: Unholy Secrets in the Wilderness
In “It Came from the Woods,” a small town is plagued by a series of mysterious disappearances. When a group of locals decides to investigate, they discover that the source of the terror is an ancient creature that has awakened from its slumber. As the creature begins hunting them, they must find a way to stop it before it destroys the town.
Why You Should Read It: The combination of a small town, an ancient monster, and a group of determined locals creates a fast-paced and exciting read. If you love stories about monsters lurking in the woods, “It Came from the Woods” is the book for you.
by
What was supposed to be a simple college assignment has turned into a week-long camping trip, filmed and documented by eight friends. Their target? Bigfoot.
The footage they captured on their trip has been a matter of heavy debate for almost forty years now. To move on with her life, Nancy Miller is inviting a filmmaking crew to her home, where they will interview her while she watches her own complete and unedited copies of the footage for the very first time.
Watching the people she leaves get slaughtered in the woods and reliving her greatest nightmare will be one of the worst experiences she will ever have, but getting the world to believe that Bigfoot killed your friends is not an easy task.
10. Camp Scare: Terror Awaits in the Woods
“Camp Scare” takes place at a summer camp where the campers are told ghost stories around the campfire every night. However, when the stories start coming true, the campers realize that something sinister is at work. As they try to uncover the truth, they must confront their worst fears and survive the night.
Why You Should Read It: The combination of spooky tales, a creepy camp setting, and a mysterious force at work creates a chilling atmosphere that will leave you questioning what is real and what is not. It’s a great read for those who enjoy horror with a twist.
by
Parker Nelson can’t wait for summer camp. She’ll have fun and make amazing memories, far away from the bullies who made seventh grade unbearable.
But then something terrible happens: The mean girl who made life a living nightmare is in Parker’s cabin. Soon all the other girls turn on Parker, too—no one wants to be her friend. Except Jenny.
Jenny’s the only one who is willing to listen. The only one who understands. The only one who feels the same way Parker does: that there’s a deep, dark secret to making friends and she’s the only one who doesn’t know it.
But there’s something else Parker doesn’t know. Something bad happened at the camp a long time ago, and it just won’t stay buried. . .
11. Camp Slaughter: Where Survival is a Game
So in “Camp Slaughter,” a group of friends decides to spend the weekend at an abandoned summer camp that was the site of a series of brutal murders years ago. So what starts as a fun adventure quickly turns into a fight for survival when they realize that the camp’s cannibal killer has returned and is determined to finish what they started.
Why You Should Read It: This book is a classic slasher story with all the blood and gore that fans of the genre crave. The abandoned camp setting, combined with a relentless killer, makes for a thrilling and terrifying read.
by
It’s a local legend. No one is sure if this “Camp Slaughter” place is real or not. But a group of college kids renting out a cabin deep in the woods of Pennsylvania will soon realize the truth. They’ll realize the danger, too. Or rather, the cannibal out in the woods will bring danger to them…
12. Summer Camp for Slasher Victims: A Killer’s Playground
So “Summer Camp for Slasher Victims” is a unique take on the slasher genre. In this book, a group of horror movie enthusiasts is invited to a summer camp where they will be trained in the art of slasher survival. However, when the camp’s instructors start turning up dead, the campers realize that they are being hunted by a real-life slasher and must use their newfound skills to survive.
Why You Should Read It: This book is a fun and meta take on the slasher genre. It’s perfect for fans of horror who enjoy a mix of humor and suspense.
by
Unveiling the tragic pasts of her fellow counselors and the campers under her care, she stumbles upon a world more chilling than her darkest fears. As the summer descends into a terrifying spiral and the camp’s serenity crumbles, they discover that a killer driven by a sinister secret is lurking among them.
13. The Camp: Where Camping Horror Nightmares Come to Life
So in “The Camp,” a group of teenagers is sent to a summer camp that is rumored to be cursed. As they settle in, they start experiencing strange and terrifying events. So, when they discover that the camp’s counselors are hiding a dark secret, they must band together to uncover the truth and survive the night.
Why You Should Read It: The combination of a cursed camp, dark secrets, and a group of determined teenagers creates a suspenseful and thrilling read. If you enjoy horror stories set in remote locations, “The Camp” is the book for you.
by
There are always stories told around the fire at summer camp—tall tales about gruesome murders and unhinged killers, concocted to scare new arrivals and lend an extra jolt of excitement to those hormone-charged nights. At Camp Luft-Shawk, nicknamed Camp Love Shack, there are stories about a creeping fog that brings death with it. But here, they’re not just campfire tales. Here, the stories are real.
Happy reading, and may your campfire stories be as chilling as the ones in these books!
This website is a participant in, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to multiple .com sites. Visit our legal page for full details.
