Have you planned a camping trip and you want to be sure it gets off to the perfect start? Besides just packing up all the essentials, there are other things you can do to help get you into the camping mood and spirit. For all the scary movie lovers out there, nothing quite beats watching some classic horror films right before your camping trip. Sure, it’s not for those who frighten easily but for others, it can be the perfect kick-off for your trip. Here are four scary movies to watch before you head out on your camping adventure. Warning: these aren’t for the faint of heart.

For those of you who were around during the 1999 release of The Blair Witch Project, you may remember just what a stir this one caused. Filmed as first-person footage and meant to feel like a documentary, this movie is extremely realistic. It also takes place in the woods, which will hit close to home as you pack up your camping gear…

Let’s take it old-school with the original Friday the 13th movie, which was released back in 1980. This one takes place at a summer camp which, again, may be hitting close to home. In this movie, you’ll watch all the horror unfold as camp counsellors are being ruthlessly murdered in true horror-slasher style. This franchise stars the infamous Jason Voorhees who was a young victim of drowning at the camp. Of course, the Friday the 13th franchise went on to spark many more movie instalments, video games and a massive fandom.

Have you ever wondered what may happen if you were to take a wrong turn and end up in an unexpected location? That is the premise of the 2003 horror film Wrong Turn. A group of young adults mistakenly ends up on the property of a strange family who end up being cannibals. This one is filled with heart-pounding suspense and horror. Oh, and a 2021 reboot also exists!

Backcountry is another must-watch before your camping trip. It follows two campers who set out for a relaxing and romantic retreat in the woods. Of course, all does not go according to plan and they end up getting lost with no access to a phone, water or food. This is where the horror starts to unfold as they do what they can do to survive against a bear whose favourite food is humans. Lovely.

Why not engage in some horror-themed games while you’ve got some downtime on your camping trip? There are plenty of horror-themed casino games worth checking out that you can easily play on your mobile device. They can add just the right level of fear mixed with fun. You can also pack some horror-themed books to read in the tent at night, but be warned, this could be enough to keep you up all night!