How To Stay Warm Camping In 30 Degree Weather

One of the most important parts you’ll want to keep warm when camping are you neck and ears. Those are typically the most exposed areas during a camping trip. By simply using a scarf and/or a beanie you can keep that whole area warm. So, as I mentioned earlier, we recently went camping when it was right around freezing temperatures and things were going great. Me and my wife were sleeping warm and we weren’t having issues. If you’re a beginner cold-weather camper, try it out in your backyard or at a campground that is closer to home.

I’m planning to do some car camping in Yellowstone next week and looking at the forecast, it’s going to be quite chilly at night, reaching as low as 33 degrees. I have a 2 person 3-season tent with rainfly, along with an air mattress that I’m planning to use. I don’t own a sleeping pad or nice sleeping bag, however since I am car camping, saving space and weight is not a concern. Would I be able to substitute a nice sleeping bag and pad with common household bedding items? Anyone on here do any ultralight backpacking/hiking? I am doing miles in a couple weeks on the Suwannee river Fl Trail section if anyone wants to make it a group thing.

Avoid Sleeping Bag Mistakes

Along withwindandrain,temperature is one of the “Big 3” that tent campers learn to adapt to in order to enjoy successful camping trips. You could also try foam pieces or blankets between your clothing, both of which are much warmer than newspaper. If you have nothing else, dry leaves will even work. Tent camping in 30 degree weather because cotton doesn’t work as an insulator. However, dresses made of merino wool will be a better option, which is excellent to lock the warmth inside. Seems obvious, but change into a dry set of clothes before you head to sleep.

And by paying attention to your body, your diet, bringing the right gear, and following a few simple tips, you can be both safe and comfortable while winter camping. Put the next day’s clothes in your sleeping bag with you at night. You’ll thank yourself the next morning when you get dressed, and you’ll preserve the valuable internal heat you retained through the night.

How Do You Keep A Tent Warm At Night?

A tent is much colder to sleep in at night than a car. A car is sealed and any heat that may enter during the day will get retained, absorbed, and further trapped within the car. When you get into your car at night, you will still be warmer in your car than in a tent, as a tent is not sealed to the same level. Although caused by your sweat, the wetness can turn cold and cause your body temperature to plummet. For best results, bring extra pants, socks, and shirts to change into after you’ve finished the day’s activities. As tempting as it might be to sleep in all your clothes, this might not be the best idea when you want to stay warm while camping.

So, in addition to being in a cold camp spot, it gets extra colder when you are at a high location. If you plan to head out and camp soon, you might want to know what temperature is too cold for camping. Now another point to make here, is that I wouldn’t advise going cheap on a sleeping bag unless you camp very infrequently. Use terrain, buildings, and even the layout of your tents at your campground to block the wind you’re exposed to. However, when referring to tent camping in various regions and climates as a whole, these ranges are effective and practical for dividing the temperature spectrum. A basic knowledge of temperature ranges is useful for family tent campers when making preparations and decisions.

How Do Backpackers Stay Warm At Night?

I do this because it eliminates any moisture that may be in the clothes you wore which will make you cold during the night. Make sure you have a high R rated pad under your sleeping bag. Use sleeping pads, mylar blankets, tarps, a foam yoga mat, or even a bed of pine needles under your tent where the mattress will be placed. Investing in a quality sleeping mat can not only save you room, but it can help keep you warmer in your tent.

Yes – we recently came back from Colorado where my sister and brother-in-law van camped. They went to salvation army and picked up blankets and they were fine. I would get more than you think you need just in case. Perhaps add an e-blanket or cheap fleece blanket you already own underneath if worried, but I feel you’ll be good with nice long johns and some fluffy fleece pajamas. Camping is one of those activities that they recommend you overpack. Worst case scenario you’ll just go home with the extra stuff you brought.

State parks and city campgrounds vary in their rules about sleeping in your car. In fact, in some Texas State Parks, there are specific rules against it–many popular parks in fact will have rangers going from site to site to ensure compliance with rules. Call before planning a trip at an established campground if you don’t want to bring a tent. The last thing you want is to drain your own car battery. You will need this gear to help you stay dry when camping in cold, rainy weather.

Dont Get Too Warm

Generating heat inside your car means nothing if you cannot keep it there. Here are a few tips to keep much-needed heat where it needs to be. From constantly heating and cooling your engine by using heat and then turning off the heat you run the risk of freezing your engine. If there is anything blocking your exhaust pipe, such as snow, there is the possibility that you will die of carbon monoxide poisoning. Candles do not give out a good amount of heat energy. They give out about 80 BTUs per hour, as opposed to a propane heater which is able to give out about 12,000 BTUs.

For clothes to sleep in, again, you want wool, or polypropylene (like the Patagonia Capilene. There are cheaper versions too). Not cotton, and not anything that will make you sweat, because then you’ll get way colder. And make sure you keep the clothes you’ll wear in the morning close to you and dry, you could keep them inside your bag or under your blankets. A wool or fleece hat, and merino wool socks, are a must. When tent camping in 30-degree weather you need to make a hydration schedule for yourself. The rule of thumb I use is one bottle of water every two hours.

Hydration is also a key factor in how well your body functions in the cold. Allowing yourself to become dehydrated only strains your ability to stay warm. If all that water causes the need to go in the middle of the night, do so. Your body spends energy to heat the liquid in your bladder, so the trip outside is worth it. If you’re hardcore , turn an old WIDEMOUTH water bottle into a pee bottle that you can use without going outside.

But during the day, it may still be tolerable at 30 to 60 degrees. However, there is one caveat to camping in the cold weather. The temperature dips pretty fast, and the last thing you want is to shiver underneath your thick blanket. These temperatures are beyond the scope of family tent camping and are suitable only for expedition equipment. Tent campers at higher elevations in the mountains may experience cool temperatures at night even during the Summer. Family tent camping season is generally when and where these temperatures prevail.

Ensure each clothing layer is a combination of waterproof, windproof, and as warm as needed. Also, when I go to sleep it is very important that you use an appropriate degree sleeping bag. Of primary importance is to get out of the clothes you wore that day. I typically strip and change into new underwear, shorts and shirts and especially new socks before going to bed.

As these temperatures rise, campers will need to take further measures to stay cool . Campers may be quite limited as to what they can do in hot temperatures. They should camp on days where they can enjoy activities in the mornings and evenings. If you’re a beginner in camping in the cold, then you must avoid choosing a camping partner who is a beginner as well.

You can read our in depth guide on the differences between 3 and 4 season tents here. You’ll be grateful to have easy-to-prepare items or one-pot meals in case the weather conditions turn for the worse and food preparation becomes difficult. Good fats like fish, nuts and avocados are also helpful as you burn calories on the trail. All of your extra outdoor activity will do the trick. Don’t forget to bring insect repellent and sunscreen for lingering biters and intense sunsets.

If one sleeping pad is not enough- try using two. Some sleeping pads have extra layers or metallic films to reflect heat, making them more suitable for winter camping. I was warm and had slept well, and Amy continued to sleep soundly in her cocoon of down and synthetic insulation next to me. We have slept comfortably at -55 degrees and have helped many novice winter campers sleep comfortably at -40 degrees over the last decade. Through the years, we have discovered some tips and tricks that will help you sleep more comfortably during your next cold weather camping trip.