How to Keep Warm When Camping
Even during summer, temperatures can fall surprisingly quickly once the sun goes down. A warm afternoon on the campsite doesn’t necessarily mean you’ll have a warm night inside your tent.
Getting cold can make sleeping difficult and quickly take the enjoyment out of a family camping trip. Fortunately, staying comfortable usually comes down to having the right sleeping equipment, wearing suitable clothing and understanding how to reduce heat loss during the night.
You don’t need to fill your tent with heaters or complicated equipment. A good sleeping setup and a little preparation can make an enormous difference.
Check the Overnight Temperature
When checking the weather before a camping trip, don’t just look at the daytime forecast.
Pay particular attention to expected overnight temperatures.
Conditions can vary considerably depending on:
- The time of year
- Your location
- Altitude
- How exposed the campsite is
- Changes in the weather
A campsite that feels warm and comfortable during the afternoon may become much colder after sunset.
Knowing what temperatures to expect helps you choose suitable sleeping bags, clothing and additional layers before leaving home.
Choose the Right Sleeping Bag
Your sleeping bag is one of the most important pieces of equipment for keeping warm.
Sleeping bags are designed for different temperatures and seasons, so make sure yours is suitable for the conditions you’re expecting.
When comparing sleeping bags, look at the manufacturer’s temperature guidance rather than choosing solely by thickness or appearance.
Children should have sleeping bags appropriate for their size and the conditions.
A sleeping bag that’s far too large can leave unnecessary space for the body to warm, while unsuitable bedding can make it difficult to stay comfortable through the night.
Insulate Yourself From the Ground
Many people concentrate on what goes over them and forget about what they’re sleeping on.
The ground can draw heat away from your body throughout the night.
A suitable sleeping mat, self-inflating mat or other insulated camping sleep system provides a barrier between you and the ground.
Depending on your setup, you might use:
- Camping mats
- Self-inflating mats
- Insulated sleeping mats
- Camp beds combined with suitable insulation
- Airbeds with additional insulation where required
An airbed can be comfortable, but the air inside it can become cold. On cooler trips, adding suitable insulation between you and the bed can help.
Wear Suitable Clothing to Bed
You don’t need to wear every item of clothing you brought with you, but suitable nightwear can make a significant difference.
Choose clean, dry clothing rather than wearing the same clothes you’ve had on throughout the day.
Depending on the temperature, this might include:
- Comfortable base layers
- Pyjamas
- Warm socks
- A lightweight fleece
- A warm hat in colder conditions
Avoid going to bed in damp clothing.
Even slightly wet clothes can make you feel considerably colder once temperatures drop.
Keep Dry Clothing Dry
On wet camping trips, protecting your night-time clothing becomes particularly important.
Keep sleeping clothes and spare layers somewhere dry inside the tent.
Storage bags or boxes can help protect them from:
- Wet waterproofs
- Muddy shoes
- Damp towels
- Condensation
- Accidental spills
Having a completely dry set of clothes available before bed can make a miserable wet evening considerably more comfortable.
Don’t Go to Bed Already Cold
It’s much easier to stay warm than to warm yourself up once you’re already cold.
Before getting into your sleeping bag, make sure you’re reasonably warm.
A little gentle movement can help, but avoid vigorous exercise that makes you sweaty.
Having a warm drink before bed can also be comforting, provided you’re using cooking equipment safely and appropriately.
The aim is simply to get into your sleeping bag warm and dry.
Eat Properly During the Day
Camping holidays can involve a lot of activity.
Walking, cycling, swimming and simply spending more time outdoors can leave everyone using more energy than expected.
Regular meals and suitable snacks help keep energy levels up.
Make sure children in particular are eating and drinking properly throughout the day rather than becoming tired and hungry by bedtime.
A warm evening meal can also be particularly welcome as temperatures begin to fall.
Use Additional Layers Sensibly
Extra blankets can be useful on colder nights.
Rather than taking one extremely heavy sleeping setup for every trip, some families prefer a flexible system that allows additional layers to be added when required.
You might bring:
- Extra blankets
- Sleeping bag liners
- Additional dry clothing
- Spare warm socks
This makes it easier to adapt when the forecast changes.
Don’t pile so much bedding around children that they become uncomfortable or overheated. Choose appropriate sleeping equipment and adjust layers according to the conditions.
Keep the Tent Ventilated
It may seem logical to close every vent when the temperature falls, but completely sealing a tent can increase condensation.
Several people sleeping inside a family tent produce moisture throughout the night.
Without adequate ventilation, that moisture can collect on the inside of the tent and make the environment feel damp.
Use the ventilation system as the manufacturer intended.
Good airflow helps manage condensation while your sleeping equipment provides the insulation needed to keep you warm.
Choose Your Tent Pitch Carefully
The location of your pitch can influence how exposed your tent feels.
Where you have a choice, consider:
- Wind exposure
- Low-lying areas
- Damp ground
- Natural shelter
- The direction of the prevailing weather
Always remain within the campsite’s designated camping areas and follow any pitching instructions.
Don’t pitch directly underneath potentially dangerous branches simply to gain shelter from the wind.
Keep Sleeping Bags Dry
A dry sleeping bag is essential.
Keep drinks, wet clothing and damp equipment away from sleeping compartments.
Try to prevent sleeping bags from pressing against wet or heavily condensed tent walls.
If bedding becomes damp during the day, take advantage of suitable dry weather to air it before nightfall.
Once sleeping bags become wet, their ability to keep you comfortable may be significantly reduced.
A Hot Water Bottle Can Help
A suitable hot water bottle can provide additional warmth inside a sleeping bag on colder nights.
If you use one, follow the manufacturer’s instructions carefully.
Make sure:
- The bottle is in good condition
- The stopper seals correctly
- Water is at a suitable temperature
- Children are supervised appropriately
- It cannot leak onto sleeping equipment
The aim is comfortable additional warmth rather than excessive heat.
Never Use a Barbecue to Heat Your Tent
Never bring a barbecue into a tent to provide warmth.
Charcoal and other fuel-burning equipment can produce carbon monoxide, a dangerous gas that cannot be seen or smelled.
A barbecue can continue producing carbon monoxide even when it appears to have stopped burning.
There is also an obvious fire risk from using unsuitable heating or cooking equipment around tent fabrics.
Use suitable sleeping bags, insulated beds and clothing to stay warm rather than attempting to heat the inside of the tent with equipment not designed for that purpose.
Know When Conditions Are Too Cold
Camping should be enjoyable, particularly when you’re introducing children to it.
If temperatures are expected to fall below the level your equipment is designed for, reconsider the trip or upgrade the sleeping equipment before travelling.
There’s nothing wrong with deciding conditions aren’t suitable.
A miserable freezing night is unlikely to encourage anyone to look forward to the next family camping holiday.
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Final Thoughts
Keeping warm when camping is mainly about insulation, suitable sleeping equipment and staying dry.
Choose sleeping bags appropriate for the expected temperatures, insulate yourself from the ground and keep dry clothing available for bedtime.
Don’t make the mistake of sealing every tent vent or trying to heat your tent using unsafe cooking equipment.
Prepare for the overnight temperature rather than the daytime sunshine and everyone has a much better chance of waking warm, comfortable and ready for another day outdoors.