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7 Tips To Stay Cool While Camping In Hot Weather

May 17, 2023 1 Comment

How to stay cool while camping?

Photo by Lesly Derksen on Unsplash

Every summer vacation can be greatly enhanced if you know how to stay cool while camping.

Summer is the most popular season for camping. But camping in hot weather does come with its own set of concerns. It can be downright miserable to camp outdoors when the temperature soars above 30°C/86°F. There’s also a high risk of experiencing heat exhaustion and heat stroke. Meaning your dreamy escape can quickly take a turn for the worst if you are not able to tolerate the sweltering summer heat. And staying cool during the hot summer days can be a challenge. So, figuring out how to stay cool when you have limited resources and no AC available is a must for hot weather camping.

Below is the list of some useful tips that can help you stay cool while camping in hot weather.

1. Drink lots of water

how to stay cool while camping

Photo by Globelet Reusable on Unsplash

One of the best ways to stay cool while camping in hot weather is to drink plenty of water frequently. It is good to drink at least 4 liters of water per day when you’re dealing with sky-high temperatures. Check out the color of your urine to know whether you are hydrated or not. Dehydration is your number one enemy during hot weather. And it can lead to a myriad of health problems. Staying hydrated will help you cope with super-hot conditions and ensure that you do not experience heat stroke or heat exhaustion. It is highly recommended to put your water in an insulated bottle so that it remains cool all day long. Remember to drink more than you think is necessary. Not sure how much water to bring on your summer camping trip? Just go through this blog post by Small Car Camp and you'll be all cleared.

Related: Want to learn how to avoid dehydration in summer? Check out this blog post!

2. Choose a cool tent

tips to stay cool while camping in hot weather

Choosing a cool tent should be a top priority for those searching for camping hacks to stay cool. Before actually heading outdoors, you should put a lot of effort into choosing a tent that is made to handle extremely hot temperatures. Keep “ventilation” in mind whenever you’re trying to buy a tent for a summer camping trip. Not much air gets circulated inside a tent so buying one that offers high ventilation should be your top priority. Also, look out for features such as windows and make sure it offers a great amount of space. A larger spacious tent with mesh windows is probably the best one. If you’re not expecting rain then it is better not to use the rainfly as it will trap heat in the tent and limit air circulation.

Related: Need help packing for a camping trip? Check out this blog post: 10 Best Camping Essentials: The Ultimate Packing List

3. Pitch your tent in a shaded spot

how to stay cool while camping

Photo by Peter Vanosdall on Unsplash

Another great way to stay cool while camping is by pitching your tent in a shaded spot. Warm weather can turn your tent into a furnace. So, you should never set up your tent in direct sunlight. Always make sure to camp in a shaded spot. Search for shaded spots with a constant breeze before deciding to set up your tent. Position your tent so that it will gain the most shade possible between 12pm to 3pm. The best spot should have shade and a constant breeze to keep you cool. If you’re camping in a forest, stake your tent in an area that’s covered by a large tree. That way you won’t have to deal with the harsh sunlight throughout the day.

4. Pack light & loose clothes

tips to stay cool on summer camping trips

Photo by mohammed idris djoudi on Unsplash

One of the best ways to stay cool while camping is by wearing light & loose clothing. When it comes to clothing, the looser the better. So, it’s best to pack light and loose clothing if you want to keep your body heat to the minimum while outdoors. Dark colored clothes should be avoided at all cost. Instead, go for the ones with light colored fabrics as they can reflect sunlight and will keep you cool. Wear minimal jewelry and keep your stiff jeans at home. Tight and restrictive clothing will only make your camping holiday more miserable. Baggy pants, skirts, shirts, and sandals are highly recommended. Don’t forget to take a few spare outfits.

Related: Best Tent Fans For Camping

5. Camp near a body of water

how to stay cool while camping

Photo by Alí Díaz on Unsplash

This one should be obvious! If you are lucky enough to set up a campsite near a body of water, then you don’t need to worry about too much about the warm weather. The places close to water bodies are usually a lot cooler than other spots. Staying near a lake or river means you’ll get to enjoy the cool air and take a dip whenever the temperature rises. Plus, camping near a body of water will provide you with a steady supply of water for things such as cooking & drinking.

6. Use a reflective tarp

It’s unlikely that you will find a shaded place every time you go camping during summer. That’s why it pays to bring a reflective tarp just in case you have pitch your tent directly in the sunlight. Depending on the quality of the reflective tarp or blanket you bring, you will be able to reflect most of the heat and keep your tent cool. Just be sure to place them on the roof of your tent before the temperature rises.

7. Bring a portable fan

Bringing a portable fan is one of the last options that you’ve to stay cool on a summer camping trip. Although a portable fan will never cool your tent entirely, it will improve the air circulation and keep the temperature from rising excessively. It shouldn’t cost you more than $30 to get one. We highly recommend the BaseCamp F235100 Tent Fan with LED Light as it can run for more than 24 hours and features foam blades.

My Favorite Camping Gear

Tent: Click here to check out my favorite

Sleeping Pad: Click here to check out my favorite

Camping Chair: Click here to check out my favorite

Camping Stove: Click here to check out my favorite

Multi-tool or Knife: Click here to check out my favorite

Conclusion

Well, that’s it, folks! To beat the oppressive summer temperatures while enjoying time outdoors during your next vacation: be sure not only to bring sufficient supplies but also to remember these helpful tips! I hope this list helps you stay cool during your summer camping holiday.

But this is by no means an all-inclusive list and I’m sure I missed a lot of tips. So, if there are any extra tips that you’d want to share, please do leave them in the comments below.

If you are totally new to camping and want to avoid making amateur mistakes then don’t forget to read our blog post about “10 Common Mistakes To Avoid While Camping Outdoors“.


1 Response

SNK Creation
SNK Creation

May 13, 2022

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