25+ Winter Camping Tips to Keep You Warm Year Round

Camping in the winter months can be wonderful but you’ll need to prepare for the harsh UK weather. We’ve compiled our top winter camping tips for you below so you can enjoy feeling crunchy leaves underfoot, snap snowy photos and snuggle up in your sleeping bag on one of our campsites this winter.

1. Set up camp while it's still light

With the sun setting earlier in the winter, it’s a good idea to pitch up your tent or hook up your unit while it’s still light outside. Not only is it much easier to see, but the temperature also drops as the sun goes down, making it much colder at night. So, set up your unit beforehand and then wind down and enjoy the evening with a warm meal and hot cuppa. 

2. Don’t wait until you’re cold to take action

If you start to notice your feet or hands getting chilly, take action right away. Getting on top of being cold immediately is the best way to prevent it from taking over your camping trip.

3. Insulate from the ground up

If you’re tent camping in winter, one of the most important elements of your sleeping area will be the insulation between you and the ground. In the summer, a ground mat suffices, but in the winter, the ground will be much colder. You can either double up on camping mats and use two to protect you from the ground or purchase specific winter mats and beds. View our camping mat guide for more information. The same rule applies to dogs, make sure their sleeping area is insulated.

4. Take extra blankets

You can never have too many blankets when camping in the colder months. They’re useful for throwing on the ground as extra sleeping insulation, layering up when you’re relaxing on the campsite or taking out on walks and using it for a place to sit.

5. Wear layers

Tight clothing can reduce circulation, which will make you feel cold quickly. Instead of bundling up tightly, wear layers made up of materials designed to keep you warm. Thermal base layers are a great idea, as well as items made from wool, silk and polyester. Down jackets are a good option for winter jackets, but they’re not waterproof. Check out our waterproof jacket recommendations to find something right for you.

6. Keep your shoes inside

When you’re summer camping, leaving your shoes in your porch or awning is fine to prevent the mess from coming inside your unit. However, when you’re camping in the winter, you’ll want to make sure your shoes are kept inside, in a warm area in your tent, to prevent them from freezing. If your shoes are wet, make sure you dry them before putting them inside your tent.

7. Maintain ventilation

It may seem unproductive to open your vents in cold weather, but the added airflow will reduce condensation, which could lead to damp conditions. You’re much more likely to remain warm when you’re dry, so keeping moisture at bay should be your top priority.

8. Stay dry

If your clothing, shoes or bedding gets wet, it’ll be much harder to stay warm. Many materials lose their insulating properties when wet, rendering them useless. Take extra clothing and keep it in a waterproof bag so you always have dry clothing available.

9. Carry a torch and extra lights

Don’t get caught out by the early nights. Although camping is perfect for stargazing, seeing your surroundings is difficult once the sun goes down. Make sure you carry an extra torch with you so you can see where you’re going at all times.

10. Take a tent just big enough

A small tent is much easier to keep warm in the winter with reduced air space to heat up.

11. Eat yourself warm

Foods that take longer to digest should help your body stay warm for longer. Oats, almonds, bananas, potatoes and caffeine can help raise your body temperature. At night, cook high-fat and high-protein meals as they burn slower than carbs and will keep you full and warm for longer. During the day, pack snacks like nuts, cheese and granola bars which will keep you fueled, filled and warm throughout the day. If you’re looking for some food inspiration, discover our winter camping recipes for tasty meals. Read our information on camping safety for tips to prevent accidents when cooking while camping, including understanding the danger of carbon monoxide.

12. Stay hydrated

Drink plenty of water and don’t overdo it on the alcohol. Look after your body to keep it performing optimally.

13. Carry an emergency kit

A shovel, first aid kit, emergency blanket, and hand warmers or heating pads are a few things you might benefit from in a pinch.

14. Sleep warm

If you get into your sleeping bag cold, you’ll find it hard to warm up. Try and get yourself warm before climbing in, and you’ll find it easier to get comfortable.

15. Choose your pitch carefully

If there is a prevailing wind, an ideal pitch will be one that gives an element of natural shelter; fences and bushes can provide handy windbreaks, but avoid camping under trees where there’s a risk of falling branches and where dripping water will continue a long time after the rain stops. Also, be mindful of pitching your tent on low ground, which is prone to flooding.

16. Invest in a winter tent

If you intend to camp out regularly at the coldest time of the year, it’s worth considering investing in a 4-season tent. Compared to 2 and 3-season (level 1-3) shelters, these models offer the twin benefits of walls that maximise heat retention and a sturdy build to withstand beating winds.

Although it’s a wise camping option in the harshest conditions, it can, however, start to get warm and stuffy in a 4-season tent when it’s slightly milder. As such, if you plan to only ever camp out in chilly — but not sub-zero — conditions, then a 3-season model could be the way forward. A good one will give you decent strength and insulation, but shouldn’t get too hot in warmer weather, making it a versatile year-round option.

Of course, even if the forecast is favourable, the chance of rain — or snow — can never be discounted in our British weather. If a tent leaks in summer, at least there’s the option of putting your wet things out to dry in the warm air once the rain stops. Winter doesn’t give you this luxury, so waterproofing becomes even more of a priority. On new models, look for the Hydrostatic Head (HH) rating; the standard measure of waterproofing on tents. A 3000 HH rating or above model should effectively protect against heavy, prolonged downpours.

17. Take suitable footwear

Chances are that winter camping will involve walking through mud, snow, and rain. There’s nothing worse than having wet or cold feet when you’re camping so keep your feet warm and dry with walking boots and remember to take plenty of socks.

18. Purchase a good winter sleeping bag

A good winter sleeping bag is one that traps heat effectively and keeps you snug and warm throughout the night. Once you're in the sleeping bag, use the hood to cover your head, and pull the drawcords to secure everything in place, leaving only your eyes, nose, and mouth uncovered. If this feels too claustrophobic or you need to use your hands to access your phone, you can pull the drawcords tight under your armpits to keep the heat from escaping. If you do that, make sure you wear a hat or fleece to keep your head and arms warm.

19. Check the weather

Keep an eye on the weather leading up to your camping trip. If there’s heavy snow or a windy storm forecast, you can prepare accordingly.

20. Stay on the grid

If you’re solo camping, let someone know where you’re going, especially if it’s a remote campsite and the weather is particularly bad. Check in with them once a day so they can raise the alarm if you get into trouble.

21. Purchase a camping heater

A camping heater is an excellent way to stay warm during really cold nights and mornings. When you choose the right one and use it correctly, camping heaters are very safe for tent campers and are invaluable on those days when you just can't get warm. Check out our camping heaters guide to find one that's perfect for you.

22. Bring a camping stove

Designed to make delicious meals on your camping getaway, a camping stove can be used in more than one way. Use it to heat up water for your hot water bottle or for a cosy cuppa. You can also roast marshmallows on it and create delicious soups.

23. Visit the toilet before you sleep

The only thing worse than needing to visit the toilet when you're comfortable in bed is having to walk in the cold to the toilet, dodging guy lines along the way, and then struggling to warm up enough to fall asleep again once you're back in your tent. To avoid this hassle, make sure to pee before bed—even if you don't feel like you need to.

24. Bring a hot water bottle

A hot water bottle is a great way to stay warm through the cold nights. Leave it in your sleeping bag for a few minutes before climbing in, or place it by your core to heat your body throughout. Be very careful when dealing with hot water bottles, as they can cause burns if misused.

25. Cover your head

Although the saying of losing most of your body heat from your head has been debunked, it’s still important to wear some form of head covering to keep your head and ears protected. A wooly hat or hoodie with drawstrings can work wonders.

26. Make your own winter packing list

Using the tips in this guide and our camping checklist, put your must-have items on a list that you can refer to each time you go winter camping.

Pack up your cosy camping gear to enjoy frosty mornings and walks in the crisp winter air. If you haven’t already booked your winter camping trip, view our open all year campsites.