How to Stay Warm in a Tent

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When we were tent campers (feels like it was yesterday… oh wait, it pretty much was!), I felt so limited as to where and when we could go camping because I didn’t want to freeze at night. Then one year, we went camping at Meeks Bay in Lake Tahoe at the end of June, and we absolutely froze. After that trip, I was determined to learn how to stay warm in a tent.

After a few key purchases, we are now prepared to camp in any kind of weather. Make sure you check out my tips for camping in the rain as well.

How to Stay Warm in a Tent: Cold-Weather Sleeping Bags

We bought a new sleeping bag that was designed for 20-30 degree weather. Since we mostly camped in warmer weather, we just used sheets and blankets rather than individual sleeping bags. The kids had sleeping bags, but they were more like slumber party, lightweight sleeping bags.

Investing in cold-weather sleeping bags for the kids and for ourselves made a world of difference. And now we can stretch our camping season out even longer. (Check out our favorite fall camping destinations.)

Sleeping Pad or two (There are even heated options!)

The ground can get especially cold at night. Besides just extra comfort, sleeping pads can provide greater insulation and warmth. And two sleeping pads will provide even more than just one. Consider doubling up if you are going to be camping somewhere particularly cold. We really like the self-inflating sleeping pads because they don’t take up a ton of space, especially if you are packing two per person.

I recently discovered a heated sleeping pad that runs off of a rechargeable battery. It’s thin, so it might not provide the most cushion. But it’s perfect to lay over your sleeping pad or just inside of your sleeping bag. And, if you splurge on a top-rated sleeping pad, they are designed to keep you warmer in all weather. Check out this list of the best sleeping mats for camping.

Consider Tent Size

There are many different types of tents and things you should consider when choosing a family tent. We have a big family tent that is designed to sleep 10, however, larger tents tend to be colder for a variety of reasons.

If you want to capitalize on body heat for extra warmth, you might want to consider a smaller tent for your cold-weather camping trips. We didn’t go out and purchase a new tent, but we were always sure to use our tent rain fly for a little extra insulation and warmth (and obviously, protection from rain when needed).

Extra Blankets – Most obvious strategy for keeping warm in a tent

The easiest way to stay warm in a tent is to bring lots of extra blankets. Even when you have the best sleeping bags, you can always use extra blankets for even more warmth and comfort.

Long Johns or Thermal Underwear

Layering up and wearing extra warm pajamas is an easy way to stay warm while camping in cold weather. When we were in Lake Tahoe, once the sun went down, we had to be right next to the fire or we were freezing. Investing in thermal wear or long johns is another easy way to stay warm and comfortable in cold weather.

Tent Heater

There are a variety of tent heaters that you can purchase to help keep you and your family warm while camping. However, they should all be used with caution and never while sleeping. Both propane tent heaters and electric tent heaters exist. These can be used to heat the tent prior to sleeping. When using a tent heater, extra precautions should also be used. Extra air ventilation and a portable carbon monoxide detector are great safety strategies.

Once you have your tent picked out, be sure to check out the Top 10 Things You Need to Bring Tent Camping.

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