Winter is an amazing time of year to go camping and it’s easier to get started than you think! People are constantly telling me how they would love to try winter camping, but don’t have the gear for it, and that it is too expensive to buy new gear. When I first started winter camping, however, I didn’t go out and purchase any special gear, or rent equipment. Everything I used for my first few winter camping trips was either gear I already owned, or items I had at home. With a bit of effort and some imagination, you can try your hand at winter camping without spending a fortune, and stay warm and enjoy yourself in the great outdoors. In this article, I am going to share how I started winter camping and the items I used, and hopefully inspire you to give it a try!
By: Christina Scheuermann, Camper Christina
Table of Contents
Choosing a Tent Site
The first time I winter camped, I camped at a hydro (power) site at a car campground in Algonquin Park. I had accumulated many tips and tricks from experienced winter campers and was anxious to give it a try, even though I hate the cold. My friend and I arrived at the campground and began setting up. We first looked for the electrical outlet box, so we wouldn’t be too far from it; then sought out a spot for the tent. We wanted a spot somewhat sheltered by trees to keep too much snow from accumulating on top of the tent. Summer/three-season tent poles are prone to cracking and shattering in the cold, so if you are not using a tent made specifically for winter, you need to avoid having too much weight on top of the tent.
Setting Up The Tent
After deciding on a location for the tent, we placed a blue tarp on top of the snow and proceeded to set up my 9’ x 12’ summer tent on top of it. Remember to be gentle with the poles (and anything plastic), especially if it’s extremely cold out, so they don’t crack. Bring a repair kit including duct tape and zip ties just in case.
Note: A smaller tent will warm up faster, and dome-shaped tents can withstand wind and snow better than very large/tall tents.
Winter Camping Sleep System
Once the tent was set up, we began setting up our sleeping areas. For this particular trip, we had cots, but they are definitely not required. One of the most important steps in keeping warm while sleeping in the winter is insulating yourself from the cold ground below. You can buy closed cell foam mats specifically made for this and layer them with your sleeping mat, based on R-Values (insulation rating), but we’re not going to get that technical here. If you don’t have a closed cell mat or a sleeping mat with a higher R-Value than your summer mat, you can add layers to increase the insulation, to keep you warmer when you’re on top of the snow. Some suggestions are yoga mats, foam puzzle pieces you might use in a home gym, car sunshades with the reflective backing, several sleeping mats stacked on top of each other and mylar bubble wrap. Layer as many of these insulating items as you can, between yourself and the snow, until you are comfortable, and don’t feel the cold coming up from the ground any longer. Even the blue tarp adds a bit of insulation.
You can also layer comforters or blankets on top of one another. Wool works best, but a nice down comforter or fleece blankets will also do. Similar types of blankets can also be used for the layer(s) you add to cover yourself, once you are lying down (but a winter-rated down mummy bag will keep you warmest).
You should always be prepared to stay warm without any added heat sources, just in case there is a power outage or other issue. Back up plans are always required and suggested. Hot water bottles (or Nalgene bottles filled with hot water) are great for adding heat, hand warmers and foot warmers can warm chilled extremities, many car campgrounds have a comfort station that is heated; and if car camping, you can warm up in your vehicle as a last resort.
Keeping Warm
Once you have your bedding set up, you can put a heater in the tent if you choose. Some people use gas heaters, but I do not recommend them, due to the carbon monoxide they give off. Instead, bring a heavy duty, outdoor rated 50’ extension cord, weatherproof power bar, and electric space heater. I recommend bringing an extra extension cord, because on my first trip I accidentally broke one. Things are more brittle in winter and crack much easier than in the warmer weather, so handle anything plastic with care.
I usually bring some electrical tape to wrap the cords if I need to attach them outside; but in most cases, one 50’ cord will make it from the box to the tent without having to connect to another one. A power bar will allow you to plug in other items inside the tent (just don’t cook inside the tent!). Place a metal cookie sheet or something similar beneath the heater to prevent the tent floor from getting too hot.
To make the tent extra warm and cozy, you can cover it with a tarp. Leave a vent slightly open to release condensation keeping in mind that the more people are in the tent, the more condensation there will be.
Storing Food and Water
Make sure to bring any water, contact lens solution, or anything else that might freeze and is unscented into the tent, to keep it from freezing. Any food or items with a scent that you don’t want to freeze, can be kept in the vehicle in a cooler with a hot Nalgene bottle, to keep them from freezing. Keeping cold food cold in the winter isn’t an issue. Keeping items from freezing is, however.
Conclusion
Now, you should have a nice warm, cozy place to sleep while you are winter camping. It is recommended you test everything out at home, in advance, to ensure you will be okay once you arrive at the campground. This will provide a bit of confidence and experience before you leave your house, and hopefully give you the chance to work out any issues or kinks. Remember, you will need your hands to set up the tent, so it is recommended to have a good pair of gloves to keep your hands warm. I generally wear gloves so I can set up more easily, and bring a pair of mittens to put over top when it’s extremely cold.
For More Information
There are a lot of things to learn before heading out on your winter camping trip, but knowing you have a warm place to sleep is a great start. To learn more about winter camping, check out my online course: Winter Camping For Beginners.
About the Author
Camper Christina is a year-round outdoors enthusiast who has been backcountry camping for over 20 years, and solo camping and winter camping since 2015. She has created two online courses: 1) Winter Camping For Beginners, and 2) Backcountry Camping for Beginners. Christina loves to share her adventures through her Youtube videos and social media platforms, and also presents at a variety of outdoors shows throughout the year. Find her online at CamperChristina.com, Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter.
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