How to Sleep in Cold Weather While Camping: Tips and Tricks

Anyone that has camped in winter can tell you that falling asleep is remarkably difficult when you are too cold. If you can’t feel your hands and feet or you’re shivering, THAT’S too cold! 

With vast, dramatic landscapes, winter camping can be magical. There aren’t any bugs to worry about, you can enjoy cozy campfires, and waking up to pristine landscapes and blankets of snow is nothing short of spectacular. 

However, camping in winter can be tricky, and if you’re on an overnight ski tour or ice climbing trip, you’re going to have to work harder to get a good night’s sleep. 

Fret not! We’re here to help. In this blog post, we’ll share all our tried-and-tested tricks on how to sleep in cold weather while you’re camping! 

1. Pick Your Camping Spot 

Picking a camping spot in winter can be tricky, especially if there’s a ton of snow. First, pick a spot that’s far from slopes that could have avalanches. Also check the wind direction and try to find shelter from the wind. 

Then, you’ll have to pack down any loose snow before you pitch your tent. Loose snow can be melted by your body and you’ll have trouble staying warm. Just stomp around the spot where your tent is going to go to harden the surface. 

Make sure your tent is securely staked down with snow stakes if necessary. You don’t want your tent blowing around while you’re sleeping in high winds! 

Lastly, if you have anything that could damage your tent like ice axes or crampons, keep them far away. Having a ripped tent on a cold winter’s night can be the end of your trip! 

2. Have a Good Sleeping Bag 

Needless to say, a thin summer sleeping bag will not suffice in subzero temps. You’ll need a proper four-season bag that’s rated for cold temperatures. Try going for a bag that’s rated at least 10°F less than what you anticipate you’ll camp in.

You can also use a silk liner. The liner doesn’t just provide additional insulation but it will also keep your bag clean and you’ll just need to wash the liner instead of the whole bag. In addition, get a bag of the appropriate size. If you’re small, get a smaller sized bag. The less dead space there is, the easier it is to trap and retain heat. 

3. Layer Down

You’d be surprised how much heat is lost from the bottom, so as much as you want to pile all the blankets and layers on top, don’t forget to insulate between your back and the ground. 

If you have a sleeping mat, that should cut much of the heat loss out, but if you have a thick blanket to spare, you can layer it under you in the bag or place it with your mat.

4. Don’t Sleep in Wet Clothes

If you’re just back from your outdoor adventure for the day and can’t wait to crawl into bed, first, change your clothes! Moisture is not your friend in winter, and staying dry is the first step to staying warm. 

5. Eat a Bunch

If there was ever a time to pig out, this is it! High-fat diets are suited for winter and will keep you warm as your body burns fuel. 

Eat a nutritious meal that’s high in healthy fats like fish, avocado, nuts, and beans. Not only does your body need it to keep warm but it also converts it into energy so you can charge ahead the next day. 

6. Hydrate Well Before Bedtime  

You’ll need to stay hydrated, but you also want a good night’s sleep that isn’t interrupted by constant peeing. Drink plenty of fluids three hours before bedtime, and limit your water intake after that. 

Pee it all out then hit the hay, or you’ll have to get out of a warm sleeping bag and go outside to frigid temps multiple times during the night! 

7. Don’t Go to Sleep Cold 

If you curl up into your sleeping bag cold, you’re going to remain cold for a while and it’ll take a long time for your body to heat up. Instead, try jogging on the spot, do some pushups, crunches, or anything that will get your blood flowing and raise your core temperature. 

Be careful, don’t break a sweat! If you go to bed with wet clothes, you’re going to be miserable. Evaporative cooling during winter is NOT your friend! 

8. Keep Your Head Out  

As much as you want to tuck your noggin’ in the sleeping bag, keep it out, but protect it with a beanie or use the hood of your sleeping bag.

You lose a huge percentage of heat through your head, so be sure to keep it warm. However, if you tuck it into the bag, the moisture from your breath could accumulate in the bag. 

9. Take a Good Tent 

A cheap tent from Walmart isn’t gonna cut it! You’ll need a quality four-season tent that’s designed for cold weather use. Also, try to get the appropriate size for your typical camping adventures. If you’re often alone, a one or two person tent will suffice.

Family tents are roomy and comfortable, but big tents are more difficult to keep warm in because of the vast space and air. Like small sleeping bags, small tents make it easier to trap and retain heat. 

While this might sound strange, you’ll want to keep your tent slightly vented during the night. When you sleep, your breath releases moisture into the tent, and if it isn’t vented, the tent should accumulate water which can freeze. Open the vents partially to avoid waking up in an icebox! 

10. Have Heat Sources in Your Bag  

If you have an alternate source of heat, you’ll find it way easier to heat up and stay warm. You can use a hot water bottle designed specifically for that purpose, something like a Nalgene which can tolerate heat, or throw in a couple of hand warmers. 

Place the heat source near your core instead of your toes which are usually the coldest part. By warming your core, the blood circulating through your body will be heated and reach your extremities. Be careful to use only bottles that can tolerate heat and don’t burn yourself! Also, crank down on the lid to make sure there aren’t any leaks and always test it first before bringing it into your bag. 

11. Layer Up

What you sleep in is important. Too little and you’ll be cold, but too much and you might break a sweat and you want to keep moisture out. Experiment with your clothes and see what works for you. 

Even on a day trip, when you reach the top or are done with the uphill part of the day, change into a dry base layer and you’ll be way more comfy. Try it, you’ll see! 

12. Stay Dry

Lastly, be sure to pack plenty of clothes in a dry bag. The last thing you want is to have insufficient clothes and have to wear something that’s wet. Anything that gets wet like your bag, tent, clothes, or shoes will be disastrous and you’ll have big problems keeping warm.

Final Thoughts on How to Sleep in Cold Weather While Camping

While it takes more planning and gear, winter camping can be extremely rewarding. You’ll probably have the area to yourself, the landscapes are magical and pristine, and there are way fewer pesky critters to bother you.

With these tips, you can safely and comfortably enjoy your winter overnight adventures with a good night’s rest. Have fun and happy camping! 

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