When I first started camping in winter, I quickly realised it could be amazing… or miserable, depending on how prepared we were. I actually really enjoy camping in the colder months now: it’s quieter, there are fewer crowds, and sitting by a campfire feels extra special. But staying warm and comfortable is key because I absolutely hate being cold (and mind you, I’m cold when it’s under 25°C/77°F!). Here’s how I do it.
Pick your campsite wisely and check the weather
For us, a campfire is non-negotiable in winter as it’s the best way to stay warm and actually enjoy being outside at night. So we only camp where fires are allowed and safe to light.
We also look for spots sheltered from wind (the feels like temperature can be very different to the air temperature!) and avoid damp valleys or high altitudes where the cold really bites. Pitch your tent where the morning sun hits first to feel more comfortable when you wake up. If needed, protect it from the wind using your vehicle.
Safety always comes first, so check the forecast and only go if the weather is stable (or if you’re experienced!). We don’t invest in fancy gear for the cold since winter here is short and mild; we just make the best of what we have and pack smart. If you plan to camp in harsh winter weather, ensure you have gear that matches the conditions (and you won’t find this in my tips!).
Responsible travel tip: Always camp in designated spots, respect local rules and leave no trace. Be mindful of noise and campfire restrictions (make sure you’re familiar with these tips to minimise your campfire impacts), and take all rubbish with you. Responsible camping keeps these beautiful places open for everyone.
Pick a small all-weather tent
A smaller tent is easier to keep warm with your body heat, and you want to make sure it’s of good quality to protect you from wind and rain. You might look at your tent’s season rating and wonder if it’s good enough for winter. Season ratings are really about the weather a tent can handle, not the month of the year. We use a 3-season tent for winter camping because our winters are mild and we don’t camp in harsh conditions.
Here’s what we looked for so that we could camp both in hot summer and winter:
- Good ventilation: crucial for managing moisture all year. Ours has lots of mesh – a bit too much in winter – but we adjust with extra layers, and some extra vents can be closed to reduce cold air coming in.
- Double walls: better for controlling condensation and keeping heat in. I love that it dampens rain noise too!
- Dome shape: handles wind well.
Some want a small living space inside, but we prefer compact models. We camp to enjoy the outdoors, so if bad weather is predicted, we’d rather cancel.
Upgrade your sleep setup for the cold
A warm night’s sleep makes or breaks a winter camping trip. We use good Lafuma sleeping bags that we zip together or separate if we need more warmth. We also bring thermal sleeping bag liners as they don’t take up space but are excellent at trapping warmth around you.
I always wear just thermals or merino inside – no bulky layers or cotton. A good sleeping bag traps your body heat best when you don’t overdress. I may wear warm socks and a beanie, and I absolutely love having a hot water bottle tucked in with me.
If I’m really worried about the cold, I’ll lay my warm jackets over the sleeping bag instead of wearing them – they add extra insulation without trapping sweat and preventing my sleeping bag from feeling cold.
Keep in mind that it’s really the ground stealing your warmth. Without good insulation underneath, all your warmth just seeps away, even with a good sleeping bag. So match your insulation to the conditions; you may need to consider insulating mats for cold weather.
We camp in cool and dry weather, nothing extreme (3°C/37°F). We know our hiking mats have a low R-value (a measurement of thermal resistance to understand how well a sleeping mat resists heat loss), so we stack them under our thick foam mattress (so far, it’s been our best tent camping hack to boost comfort). It’s not high-tech but works fine for our dry winters. We also lay blankets on the tent floor to make it feel cosier. Some campers use silver emergency blankets under mats; they can help a bit, but I find them flimsy and noisy.
Dress smart: layers, layers, and more layers
Warm camping is all about smart layering. I pack thermals, merino tops, leggings, track pants, light jackets, puffer jackets, and even a ski jacket – all easy to layer up or peel off. I sometimes bring reusable pocket warmers you can boil and reset; they’re perfect for cold hands.
We avoid sweating at all costs; too many layers by the fire can backfire fast. That’s why I like clothes I can quickly swap out or peel off as I move around camp. If we get wet (from rain or sweat), we change straight away. Breathable, quick-dry clothes are essential for camping in winter.
Good boots are a must. Warm, sturdy shoes keep your feet happy when you’re standing around the fire or wandering around in the cold. I cannot imagine not having waterproof shoes while camping in winter. I also like to pull my beanie or hood over my head, especially when I sleep, as it stops a lot of body heat from escaping.
Keep clothes and shoes warm and tidy
One of my favourite cold-weather tricks is sleeping with the clothes I plan to wear the next day tucked inside my sleeping bag. It keeps them warm overnight, so I don’t have to put on freezing clothes in the morning – a small comfort that makes a big difference when you’re camping in winter.
It’s the same with shoes: cold, damp boots are the worst way to start your day. We never leave ours outside overnight. Instead, we keep them just inside the tent vestibule or in a small bag so they don’t bring dirt and dust inside the tent. If you’re worried about mess, bring a little mat or spare cloth to set your shoes on, or stash them in a soft bag or plastic tub.
A warm pair of socks tucked inside your boots overnight can help them to feel a bit warmer when you slip them on for your morning camp coffee.
Also, it might be tempting to leave a towel or socks outside to dry after use, but don’t count on anything drying overnight in winter. Even if it doesn’t rain, dew and condensation can soak your gear and make things damp and cold by morning. We usually hang things inside the car when we need to dry them. If the sun is out during the day, that’s the time to dry anything, but not overnight.
Cook warm, comforting meals
While waiting for dinner or warming up in the morning, we love a hot instant soup (the Continental Soup Sensations are my absolute favourite) or a big mug of hot chocolate, and a tea infusion works just as well. Bring an insulated bottle so you don’t have to reheat water every time you want a warm drink.
Cooking is one of my favourite parts of winter camping. Sometimes I think our cooking gear (fire pit barbecue, rotisserie and pizza oven) is the reason I want to camp as we can make easy gourmet meals! But if you don’t love cooking from scratch, you can still eat well. Pre-made meals work brilliantly: bolognese pasta, burgundy beef stew or a hearty cassoulet in a can can feel like luxury in the bush and are perfect in winter.
We even have a raclette kit for camping, the ultimate French winter treat, and you can get one for fondue too (cheese or chocolate!).
Just make sure you eat as soon as it’s ready as dishes get cold almost immediately in winter and you want the feeling of warm food in your body.
Be smart about showering
While hot water can warm you up, showering can backfire if you don’t time it right, especially if you’re camping somewhere with no proper facilities (see our hygiene equipment here). If you’re relying on a basic camp shower or a bucket wash, try to shower during the day when the sun is out and it’s warmer.
I absolutely avoid having wet hair at night; it’s a quick way to feel cold and miserable. I actually try not to wash my long hair when we’re camping in winter; I tie it up and wear a beanie instead. Don’t be fooled by dry shampoo either: it doesn’t actually clean your hair, but it can help give it a fresher look if that’s all you need for a couple of days.
If it’s really too cold to shower properly, I just use a warm wet towel. It’s quick, keeps me feeling clean enough, and means I don’t have to get fully undressed in the cold. Wet wipes can be another handy backup.
Don’t forget about your batteries
One thing many campers overlook is that batteries drain faster in cold weather. If you’re just camping for a short weekend, it might not be a big deal, but it’s still worth planning for. We like to use rechargeable batteries whenever we can and use our solar panels to keep them topped up during longer trips.
For shorter trips, we rely on a big power bank and an auxiliary battery to keep devices and lights going. If you’re using your phone for navigation or taking lots of photos, keep it warm inside your sleeping bag or pocket when you’re not using it, as the cold zaps battery life fast!
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