This study examines the extent to which camping experiences influence campers' restoration, psychological capital, and life satisfaction and the role psychological distress plays in this process. Survey data were collected from 420 Chinese campers and analyzed using multigroup structural equation modeling. Four categories of experiences (i.e., escapist, entertainment, esthetic, and educational experiences) positively impacted restoration, which then contributed positively to psychological capital and life satisfaction. Psychological capital influenced life satisfaction and mediated the relationship between restoration and life satisfaction. The association between restoration and psychological capital was weaker in the group with higher psychological distress. The study calls for a broader application of psychological capital in outdoor recreation and tourism research.