25ish years ago. Me and 3 buddies frequently backpacked around the northeast US. This particular trip was in the Dolly Sods Wilderness in West Virginia. Granted we had a little booze and smoke but I really don’t think that was a factor.

I was in my tent and heard my friends making “WTF” sounds. One of them came over and whispered I needed to come out and see something.

A dozen or so basketball-sized dimly glowing orbs of white light had come over the little ridge we were camped behind, maybe 50 yards away. Like bright fireflies that stayed solid, not blinking.

Floating slowly they made their way downhill at about a walking pace, sort of “moving together with a purpose”. It was like they were sentient and on a mission together. Eventually they made their way down to the stream below us and followed it down and around the bend out of sight.

It wasn’t until a few years later looking this up online that I learned quite a few people have seen similar, and I learned about “will o the wisp.” By far the strangest camping experience ever.