Many outdoors people refer to "camping season" as any time of year when there's no snow on the ground. Those who are in the know welcome winter as one of the best camping seasons of them all.
Winter camping means zero crowds, unrivaled winter scenery, and activities that are only possible in the cold, such as ice fishing and snowshoeing.
Many people avoid camping during winter because of the nighttime temperatures. Nobody likes shivering to sleep or awakening in the middle of the night searching for more blankets.
Blankets and layered clothing help keep you warm while camping in the winter. However, the best and safest way to stay warm throughout the night is to insulate your tent.
This step-by-step guide to tent insulation will make your next winter camping excursion the best one yet.
- Wetness on your body or inside your tent can be dangerous and even life-threatening, as hypothermia and frostbite are concerns when winter camping.
- Eat well and often to keep your energy up and your body warm.
- Simple, hot meals are satisfying and warming.
- Use your water bottle for warmth.
- Exercise quickly before hitting the sheets.
- Prepare for tomorrow's warmth.
What to Consider Before Winter Camping
Winter camping is more complicated than camping in the warmer months. This is due to weather that can be dangerous if you haven't prepared properly. The following are several points you'll want to consider before embarking on your first winter camping getaway.
The Climate
The climate is the No. 1 thing to consider before going winter camping. Research the typical weather patterns at your destination this time of year. Understanding local weather patterns can help you prepare more thoroughly and help you decide if you want to camp at a particular destination now or wait for more desirable conditions.
The Campsite
Choose your winter tent camping site carefully. The right campsite will provide more comfort and protect you from the elements.
Research avalanche zones before your trip and steer clear of areas with a slope of 40 degrees or more. Do not set up camp below snow-covered branches that can snap and fall onto your tent.
Search for a campsite near running water and naturally protected from the wind. Remember that cold air flows downhill, so the bottoms of canyons and valleys are some of the most frigid camping areas.
Size and Type of Tent
Small tents are ideal in the winter months, while big, breezy tents are better for the summer heat. Now is the time to leave your three-season tent at home and invest in a four-season tent.
A smaller 4-season tent will hold warm air inside longer. However, remember the tent needs to be large enough to house all of your winter clothing and gear. Keeping most of your gear inside the tent, apart from snowshoes, crampons, and other pointy items adds insulation.
Choose a tent with ventilation panels on the tent wall that you can unzip to allow a small amount of airflow. Poor ventilation can result in a damp tent due to your exhalations or from wet items inside, such as clothing or snow.
The Quality of Your Sleeping Bag
Your sleeping bag plays a critical role in keeping you warm at night while winter camping. Choose a sleeping bag that's rated for 10 degrees colder than the temperature you're expecting. A sleeping bag liner or wool blanket as an extra layer on top of your sleeping bag will add 15 to 25 degrees of added warmth.
Other Winter Camping Items for Warmth
Hand warmers and toe warmers will help you stay comfortable while adventuring during the day or sleeping at night. Additionally, a balaclava, or hooded mask, will shield your face from the wind and biting cold at night.
Clothing for Camping
Your winter camping clothing plays an essential role in containing your body heat and keeping you warm. Layering is the key to enjoying your winter camping excursions to the fullest, but you need to do it correctly to provide optimal warmth.
Do not wear too many layers when performing physical activity. Wear minimal layers while exercising, then layer up while resting or when you return to the campsite. Sweating too much, because you're wearing too many layers can create wet clothing that is chilly later.
A base layer, such as moisture-wicking long johns, is ideal for winter camping. Top your long underwear with a middle layer, such as a fleece, warm sweater, or light puffy jacket. The top layer should be waterproof and warm, such as a breathable parka and bib snow pants.
Wet clothing can be dangerous and even life-threatening when camping in the winter months. Pack an additional set of base layers if your current layer gets wet (or sweaty).
How to Insulate a Tent for Winter Camping
Understanding where to place your tent and how to insulate it will help you stay warm. A cozy, comfortable night's sleep is what fuels the best winter camping adventures.
Step 1 - Choose an Ideal Spot
The campsite you choose affects your warmth. A flat site is always desirable, but it's even more important during winter.
Flat areas are less susceptible to avalanches and more comfortable for sleeping. Leveling your campsite is easy in the winter months because you can always add or remove snow.
Wind can lower your body temperature by pulling heat away from your body through convection. Limit the amount of wind reaching your campsite by camping near trees or other natural windbreaks. Be careful not to camp underneath snow-covered trees or limbs.
Camping near a body of water can provide recreational activities (like ice fishing) and a water source. Melting snow can use a lot of propane, so camping near a river or lake is ideal for numerous reasons.
Angle the door of your tent downhill to keep cold air from entering through the doorway, and look for an area that will see the sun at sunrise. This will warm your tent earlier than a shaded area.
Step 2 - Inspect the Tent Once
Inspect your four-season tent before you leave home. Check for any holes, tears, faulty seams, or warping of the tent material and have them repaired before you go camping.
A damaged tent can put an end to your winter camping escape before you even set up camp.
Step 3 - Construct Wind Breaks
We already mentioned that you should set up camp near trees or another windbreak if possible. One of the best parts of winter camping is that you can often enhance your campsite by making what you want out of snow.
Snow and other natural items like branches or bushes can create a barrier to protect your tent from cold winds. You can also bring a tarp or floorless tent from home for added protection.
Step 4 - Waterproof Your Tent
Waterproofing is most important when camping in cold winter temperatures. A heavy-duty tarp can cover the roof of the tent to prevent it from becoming moist due to snowmelt. Moisture inside an insulated tent is the No. 1 hazard to avoid when winter camping.
A thermal blanket (or space blanket) is an affordable waterproofing option that can double as added warmth in the case of an emergency.
Step 5 - Lay Your Insulation
Frigid air can enter your tent through the cold ground, especially when the ground is frozen or wet. Place a ground mat or tent footprint under your tent floor to protect it from moisture and the cold.
Line the floor of your tent with foam padding or a sleeping pad to ensure you're not sleeping directly on top of the hard, cold ground.
Step 6 - Employ the Right Bedding
Your bedding can make or break your winter camping experience. Bedding begins with the padding you place underneath yourself for comfort and tent insulation.
Double your buffer from the cold by placing a foam pad underneath a self-inflating pad. Two pads add extra protection from the cold, and the closed-cell foam pad will provide sufficient comfort if the self-inflating pad fails.
Check the insulating performance (R-value) of your air mattress to make sure it's sufficient for the climate you're visiting. An R-value of 4.0 or higher is ideal for winter camping.
Choose a sleeping bag that's rated for weather colder than what you're expecting. Add a sleeping bag liner or warm blankets to ensure warmth even if temperatures unexpectedly plummet.
Step 7 - Use the Right Clothing
Properly insulating the human body is essential in preparing your tent for a good night's sleep. The most important part of insulating while cold-weather camping is to use waterproof clothing.
Wetness on your body or inside your tent can be dangerous and even life-threatening, as hypothermia and frostbite are concerns when winter camping.
Other accessories like thermal socks, gloves, a hat, and face protection can add prevent heat loss while adventuring and when you return to camp.
Additional Tips for Staying Warm While Winter Camping
A few additional tips can keep you warm during your next winter camping trip.
Eat the Right Foods, Often
Your body uses more energy while adventuring in the cold. Eating well and hydrating often are essential.
Simple, hot meals are satisfying and warming. Use as few dishes as possible, so you don't have to get cold and wet while washing them later.
Hot drinks like hot chocolate or tea can help you stay hydrated if you find yourself drinking less due to the cold temperatures. Broth and light soups can also help with hydration and warmth.
Keep snack and lunch breaks short. Stopping to prepare meals while adventuring can lower your body temperature quickly. Save meals that take longer to prep for when you're back at camp with all of your clothing layers.
Use Your Water Bottle for Warmth
Your water bottle can become a mini heater and alternative to heating packs for your sleeping bag. Fill it with boiling water, secure the lid tightly, and wrap it in a towel. Place the hot water bottle at the bottom of your sleeping bag to add warmth to your feet and your entire body.
Exercise Quickly Before Hitting the Sheets
Performing a simple exercise, like a quick round of jumping jacks, can get your blood flowing before you jump into your sleeping bag. This initial warmth from your body will remain close due to your insulating layers, including your clothing, sleeping bag, and liner or blankets.
Prepare for Tomorrow
Tomorrow's warmth is just as important as today's. Place your warm socks, base layers, boot liners, and gloves into the bottom of your sleeping bag to warm them with your body heat. Slipping into warm clothing in the morning will start another day of winter camping off right.
Consider an Electric Heater
Electric heaters can provide the warmth you need when you need it most. However, a tent heater should not take the place of a 4-season tent, tent insulation, and cold temperature sleeping bag. Choose a tent heater with an automatic shut-off feature.
Is Winter Camping for You?
Winter camping is not for everybody. Every camper has limits regarding what temperature is too cold for camping sleeping outdoors.
Fortunately, a lot of top-quality, cold-weather gear, including safe tent heaters and more, is available for those who are willing to brave the elements. Pay attention to the R-value on insulating items and ensure you're using cold-weather gear properly to create warmth.
Thoroughly examine the weather forecast before leaving home. The temperature at your destination may be even lower than expected due to an upcoming storm, icy winds, and a variety of other factors. Predicting the temperature at your destination can help you decide if you're ready to camp or would rather wait for warmer conditions.
Your Winter Camping Adventure Awaits
Knowing how to insulate your tent and your body will help you make the most of your next winter camping adventure.
Staying comfortable in cold weather conditions allows you to enjoy all the benefits of adventuring outdoors in the winter, including pristine natural beauty, uncrowded destinations, and unrivaled winter adventures.
It's time to get cozy and enjoy the wonders of the outdoors in the wintertime.
