5 Tips for Winter Camping

Learn how to have a fun and safe time while winter camping.

Camping is a staple summer activity. It can even be a fun time for the whole family in fall. But you can also go winter camping.

Camping in winter is a great way to get outdoors when you’re fighting cabin fever. With the right equipment and preparation, you can have a blast in the snow.

Properly prepare yourself for winter camping with these five tips from Blain’s Farm & Fleet.

1. Layer Up

When you’re winter camping, you need to keep your body warm and dry. Start with a moisture-wicking base layer. Thermal underwear that can wick away sweat is your best option.

Next, you need a middle layer. Your middle layer should act as insulation to help you keep your body heat. Go with fleece or microfleece shirts or jackets.

You want a breathable, waterproof, and windproof outer layer. If you’re camping in the snow, you want clothes that will dry quickly.

Also bring things like hats, mittens, and hiking boots.

2. Prep Your Tent & Sleeping Bag for Snow

Go with a winter sleeping bag. Winter sleeping bags are temperature rated to be used in 10° F or below conditions.

Consider adding a sleeping bag liner, too. It’s better to be too warm and take off layers than being cold throughout the night.

Use at least two sleeping pads under your sleeping bag. It will keep you off the cold ground and puts another layer between you and the snow.

It’s best to use a four-season tent if you’re snow camping. It’s also a good idea to line your tent with a tarp to keep moisture out.

3. Consider Cold-Weather Health Concerns

In the summer, you must be wary of bugs, poisonous plants, and sunburn. When you’re cold-weather camping, there are other health concerns to consider.

Hypothermia can happen when your body temperature decreases in cold conditions. Some of the warning signs of hypothermia include shivering, slurred speech, and lethargy. It’s important to stay dry warm, and hydrated.

If you think someone in your camp has hypothermia, have them put on dry clothes. Put hot water bottles in their sleeping bag, or have another person warm them up.

Frostbite is also a concern when winter camping. Frostbite is when body tissue freezes, usually on the face, fingers, or toes. Common symptoms include numbness and loss of sensitivity. Skin can appear red and turn to white or eventually purple.

To prevent frostbite, stay warm and dry. Use heat packs and hand warmers. Go with your instinct; if you’ve been out in the cold too long or your body can’t handle it, don’t push it.

Always seek medical attention when you think it’s necessary.

4. Don’t Forget to Eat & Drink

Eating regularly will help give you energy. To warm yourself up, eat hot meals. And make sure you snack throughout the day.

Even though it may be cold outside, make sure you’re still staying hydrated. In addition to drinking plenty of water, you can make hot drinks like tea, hot chocolate, and coffee.

5. Have a Winter Camping Plan

When it comes to winter camping, there are a lot of safety precautions to take.

If it’s your first time camping in winter, don’t go too far from home. This way, if you run into inclement weather or you discover you’re not really into the whole winter camping thing, you can easily pack up and go back home.

Don’t go alone, and have a travel plan. Let others know where you’re going and when you’ll be there. If you have an emergency, others will know where you are and where to look for you.

It’s also important to be aware the winter conditions in the area. For example, if you’re up in the mountains, you need to know if there are any avalanche warnings.

Winter camping can be fun when you plan ahead and are equipped with the right winter camping gear. For more tips on braving the outdoors, check out our Camping Blog.