21 Cold Weather Camping Tips for Staying Warm
Intrigued about cold-weather camping, but not sure you’re up for it? Read our best tips for staying warm and cozy this winter.
Here at Bearfoot Theory, I do my best to not be a fair-weather adventurer, but to love my time outdoors no matter the conditions.
Cold weather camping is a great way to get out and enjoy crisp fall temps, early spring blooms, and even snowy landscapes. These are also the best times of year to enjoy solitude outdoors, since crowds tend to be much smaller.
To successfully stay outside and have fun camping in the fall, spring, or winter, all you need is a good attitude and a few good tips for staying cozy and warm.
Save on camping gear this fall!
Before I dive into my shoulder season camping tips, I want to give you a heads up that REI Co-op’s Member Days are happening now from 9/12–9/22. It’s a great chance to refresh your gear stash at a discount while boosting the rewards you’ll get back later in the year.
- Get $20 savings when you spend $100+ at REI Outlet online (use code OUTFALL25).
- Earn double rewards (10%) with the REI Co-op Mastercard, plus your regular 10% dividend.
- Take an extra 20% off Bike Tune Packages.
- Save 20% in-store on Re/Supply gear to give items a second life!
Join the Co-op today!
Thinking about becoming an REI Co-op Member? Now’s the time! Sign up for just $30 before 11/24, spend $50 in-store, and you’ll receive a $30 bonus card to put toward a future purchase.
Why should you join? Members get 10% back every spring, a generous 1-year return policy, and other exclusive benefits you won’t find anywhere else.
Disclosure: REI has been a trusted partner of mine for many years, and they’re where I turn for nearly all my outdoor gear. I’m grateful to be part of a Member-owned co-op that not only equips people for adventure but also invests in communities – donating more than $3 million since 2021 to organizations dedicated to helping people spend more time in nature.
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1. Layer up
To stay warm, it’s important to wear the right layers that are suitable for cold weather like quick-drying and temperature-regulating base layers followed by insulated mid and outer layers. Down, wool, and synthetic materials are going to be the warmest. Avoid cotton since it doesn’t insulate when it’s damp or wet.
Not sure how to layer properly? Check out my post on cold-weather layering basics for details and suggestions on what to wear when hiking and camping in the winter.
2. Keep your head covered
We tend to lose most of our heat through our heads. Wearing a beanie and/or a hood during the day is a great way to stay warm.
At night, use your sleeping bag to cover your head so that it’s not exposed to the cold. I also like to wear a hat to bed.
A Polar Buff is also handy for keeping your face warm as you sleep. If it’s cold and windy while you’re hiking, a buff can also protect your face from chafing and windburn, too.
3. Bring extra clothes to sleep in
Bring a separate set of clothes to sleep in so that you don’t have to wear the damp clothes you spent the day hiking in. Wearing dry clothes at night not only helps you stay warm when temps drop, but they can also help you get a good night’s sleep.
A warm pair of long johns, a cozy long-sleeve top, and a pair of warm wool socks are really important. Have extra layers handy to put on if you end up feeling cold and also for when you emerge from your tent in the morning.
4. Pack waterproof outer layers
Pack waterproof clothing like gaiters, ponchos, boots, and rain jackets to ward off hypothermia. Even if there isn’t any snow or precipitation in the forecast be prepared and bring a lightweight rain jacket and rain pants just in case.
If it looks like the weather will be wet, check out my tips for hiking in the rain.
5. Keep clothes inside your sleeping bag
Put your clothes for the next day in your sleeping bag with you to keep them warm before you put them on in the morning. This way you don’t have to start your day by pulling on freezing cold layers!
6. Try a sleeping bag liner
A sleeping bag liner extends the life of your sleeping bag by protecting it from wear and tear. Liners also help to keep you warm on extra chilly nights.
Sleeping bag liners are great to have for any camping or backpacking trip but they’re especially handy when camping in winter.
Look for a liner that is lightweight and packable with an added warmth of 10-15 degrees F.
7. Pack a pair of socks just for sleeping in
Leave an extra pair of warm, wool socks in your tent. Never take them out and only put them on just as you are going to sleep.
To keep your feet uber warm in extreme cold try a pair of down booties, like my favorites from Enlightened Equipment.
8. Check your sleeping bag size
Make sure that your sleeping bag is the right size. I once had a sleeping bag that was 6 feet long (I’m 5’5″), and my toes were freezing all night. With too much room in the toe box, the bag won’t be as efficient at trapping heat.
If you aren’t able to swap out your sleeping bag, try to stuff any extra clothing or other items that can help insulate the foot box to keep heat from escaping.
Another option is to try out a double sleeping bag. Sharing a sleeping bag with a partner doubles the body heat and can keep you much warmer than a single bag can.
9. Check your sleeping bag temperature rating
It’s important to know that a 20-degree sleeping bag won’t keep you very warm when it’s actually 20 degrees outside. You shouldn’t get hypothermia, but you won’t be comfortable either.
As a good rule of thumb, always make sure that the temperature rating of your sleeping bag is at least 20 degrees lower than the actual air temperature.
10. Stake a tarp above your tent
Hanging a tarp over your tent will trap additional heat and keep you protected from the elements. This extra layer will catch snow and ice as it falls and can protect your rain fly from condensation that can freeze overnight.
You should also always use a footprint underneath your tent, which will help insulate your tent from the cold ground.
11. Opt for an insulated sleeping pad
Get a sleeping pad with added insulation. Some sleeping pads contain down inside the material and others have a synthetic layer to stay warm.
Another option is to look for a sleeping pad with an R-value of at least 4, which signifies that it is appropriate for cold-weather camping. For backpacking, I use this NEMO Tensor Insulated Sleeping Pad that has an R-value of 5.4.
For car camping, I use the the NEMO Roamer Sleeping Pad. It’s super warm and thick with a very high R-value of 6.
12. Choose calorie-dense foods
Eat snacks throughout the day that are high in fat and protein to keep your internal body temperature higher. Calorie-dense foods take longer to digest and create more heat.
For larger meals, it’s nice to plan hot, rich options like pasta, stews, and curries.
13. Sleep with a hot water bottle
If possible, fill a water bottle like a Nalgene with hot water and wrap it up in a shirt to put it in your sleeping bag at night. This will give off heat & provide warmth against your body.
Hand warmers are also a great addition if you prefer not to use water.
14. Drink hot liquids & stay hydrated
Drink plenty of hot liquids like coffee and tea in the morning to warm you up. I also like to drink tea throughout the day to keep warm.
It’s easy to assume that you don’t need as much water when camping in the winter since you aren’t sweating as much in colder temps, but the opposite is true. It’s easy to get dehydrated, which can interfere with your body’s ability to regulate temperature.
You can use NUUN Sport Hydration Tablets to make sure you’re getting all the electrolytes you need.
15. Don’t try to hold it
Going to the bathroom in the cold can be a pain, but if you gotta go, just go! It’s not fun getting out of your warm cozy tent to brave the cold in the middle of the night. But resisting the urge takes energy to hold it in and will prevent you from sleeping soundly, so it’s best just to get it over with. It’ll feel so good when you get back to your cozy bed and can sleep the rest of the night in comfort.
Alternatively, pack a pee bottle (a Nalgene works well) so you can pee in your tent. Bring along a pee funnel if needed. And just be sure to label the bottle so you don’t accidentally drink it in the middle of the night.
Important: Make sure to pack out your toilet paper or even better, bring a Kula Cloth to wipe with.
16. Get moving
Get warm the old-fashioned way by doing jumping jacks before you hop in your tent or do some crunches to help you warm up once you are inside.
In the morning, give yourself a few minutes to wiggle around and stretch inside your sleeping bag and tent before going outside.
During the day, get warm by going for a hike (get our tips for winter hiking here) or head out for a snowshoe.
It’s also a good idea to use an insulated drinking hose for your hydration pack so it doesn’t freeze.
17. Keep your phone and electronics warm
Your batteries will drain faster in colder environments. Store your cell phone and other electronics inside your sleeping bag or wrap them in an insulated synthetic or down jacket to save battery.
Keep your phone in airplane mode when not needed and turn it off at night to conserve power as well.
18. Bring the right camp stove
Not all camp stoves are created equal when it comes to performing in cold weather. Canister stoves (ex. Jet Boil) rely on pressurized fuel canisters to generate heat and don’t work as well in colder temperatures.
In temperatures 20F and lower, the pressure inside the canister decreases, making it harder for the fuel to properly flow. This results in less heat or even failing to work at all.
If you’ll be camping in cold weather, you have a few options for backpacking camp stoves:
- Heat up the fuel canister before cooking by placing it in your sleeping bag or sticking it in your jacket ahead of time
- Buy a canister stove that has wind-blocking protection, like the MSR WindBurner
- Bring a stove that uses different fuels, such as liquid fuel or a compact wood-burning stove. I have the MSR Whisper Lite Universal Backpacking Stove which can be used with both canisters and liquid fuel, making it versatile no matter what kind of adventure I’m on.
If you are car camping, this is less of a concern, but you’ll definitely want to make sure your stove has a windscreen.
Note: It is extremely dangerous to cook inside of your tent due to the flammable material and carbon monoxide risk. Always cook outside of your tent in a well-ventilated area.
19. Make a fire
When you’re camping in cold weather, fires aren’t just for evenings, they’re nice to have in the mornings too.
Keep a fire going when you’re hanging out at camp to help you stay warm. Just be sure to follow our tips for having a safe campfire.
20. Pack a mylar blanket ‘just in case’
If you’re heading somewhere really cold, it’s a good idea to bring an emergency kit with a mylar emergency blanket just in case. That way you have it as a last resort option if you can’t get warm in your sleeping bag. You can pack it in your first aid kit.
You can also use the mylar blanket underneath your tent for added insulation.
21. Invest in a 4-season tent
Most tents, especially lightweight backpacking tents, are only meant to be used during the spring, summer, and fall seasons. Temperatures and conditions during these months are typically good, aside from an occasional rainstorm.
Four-season tents, on the other hand, are designed for colder temperatures and wintery conditions like wind, heavy rain, and snow.
If you’re only going to be winter camping once or twice, you can probably make do with your regular camping tent, as long as you take extra precautions for warmth like using a tarp overhead and a ground tarp.
Four-season tents are typically more expensive and heavier with less mesh to trap heat inside. However, if you plan on doing a lot of winter camping, investing in one can greatly improve your winter-season adventures.
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Love getting outside in the winter and shoulder seasons? Check out these blog posts to help you plan and prepare for your next adventure:
Have you ever been camping in the winter? Where is your favorite place to go cold weather camping? Leave a comment below.
