Camping gives us the chance to shed a lot of modern conveniences and relax in nature. It does not mean you have to give up the comfort and rejuvenation of sleep. We can enjoy starry nights as well as fresh air and sleep soundly when we have the right gear and preparation.
On camping trips, many variables can affect how well you sleep. Nature's sounds, the rising sun, and changing temperatures, among many other things, can interfere with your sleep cycle. There are several things you can do to ensure that you get a good night's sleep while camping. We've gathered our top tips and tricks for sleeping outside to help you make the most of your camping trip.
Gear for Sleeping Outdoors
Whether you're camping or backpacking, how can you ensure that you'll sleep well? The right gear is the first step:
Sleeping bag: Select a sleeping bag with a style and temperature rating suitable for your destination.
• Car camping bags are typically cut wide, offering more room to roll around (good for comfort), but less ability to retain heat (not so good on especially cold nights). On milder nights, rectangular styles can be unzipped to serve as a quilt.
• Backpacking bags are shaped like mummies to offer a warmer fit, and they're generally light in weight. Some are filled with goose or duck down, which compresses more readily than synthetic fill.
For more information, read our articles on sleeping bags for camping and backpacking, and shop REI's selection of sleeping bags.
Sleeping pads: are available in three types: self-inflating, air-filled, and closed-cell foam. With car camping, weight is not an issue, so you can enjoy a thicker, wider mattress or pad. Weight is crucial when backpacking, so you may want to consider an air pad or a closed-cell pad that is super lightweight. To learn more, read Sleeping Pads: How to Choose and shop REI's selection of sleeping pads, cots, and hammocks.
Pillows: Bring your own or use a small foam or inflatable pillow from home. The sleeping bag may have a pocket for a pillow or folded clothing, such as a down jacket or fleece sweater.
Eye mask and earplugs: A good eye mask is especially useful when camping at northern latitudes or in campgrounds that have ambient lighting. From your tent mate snoring to rustling sounds in the bushes, earplugs block out or at least dampen such noises. They're popular among some campers. Shop for sleep accessories at REI.
Getting Ready for Bed
You can have a relaxing evening when your camp is well-organized before dark, especially your tent and sleeping arrangements. Just that may be enough to get you to sleep well at night. The following tips can help you:
Choose a proper tent site: The first step is to make sure your tent is pitched on a flat, durable surface that is clear of sticks, rocks, and pine cones. To learn more about setting up a tent, see How to Set Up a Tent.
Keep a light handy: Camping is often an enlightening experience due to the darkness outdoors. Make sure you wear a headlamp or keep a flashlight handy. As soon as you set up your tent, hang a small LED lantern inside it so you can turn it on when you go to bed. LED lights are now built into some tents for a soft glow. Browse REI's selection of camp lighting.
Repeat familiar routines: If brushing your teeth is your last act before retiring at home, do the same in camp (brush far enough away from camp). Routines impose a sense of normalcy on your otherwise unfamiliar surroundings. A familiar bedding item from home can provide reassurance to children.
Store all food and scented toiletries securely outside of your tent: Food-storage regulations vary from park to park, and you may need a bear canister if you're backpacking. Follow the rules and learn what they are. Food and trash should not be handled sloppily. When camping near bears, do not sleep in clothes that may have absorbed food odors.
Wear dry clothing. Remove any dirty or sweaty clothes. While camping, it's a good idea to wear clean long underwear, a top, and bottoms, as well as clean socks.
Avoid overdressing before you pack your bag. In fact, bulky clothing inside a bag can reduce the bag's ability to trap body heat efficiently. For an extra layer of insulation, drape an item such as a jacket on the outside of your bag. When car camping, you can bring an old comforter from home to serve as an extra layer.
Pee on twice before going to bed. For some campers, women, in particular, it is helpful to go 20 to 30 minutes before bed and again as soon as they get into their sleeping bags. Taking this precaution can help you avoid late-night trips.
Prepare for midnight restroom trips. Place a pair of sandals or camp shoes near your tent door before you bunk down. As a sandal- or foot-cleaning doormat, place a patch of carpet or a camp towel outside your tent door. Don't forget your headlamp.
Thirst: You should keep a water bottle near your bed if you tend to become thirsty during the night.
Night noises: Some novice campers listen anxiously to every sound outside their tent. When you hear an owl, it is wonderful, but when you hear a bear, it is less so. You should try to relax at night since small animals can sound very large. You should be fine if you put your food away properly or grab earplugs if you need them. (If you're lucky enough to have a rushing stream nearby, you may be lulled to sleep by the white noise.)
How to Stay Warm During the Night
During warm, balmy nights, you may not even need to zip up your sleeping bag. Most campers simply place their feet in the foot box of the bag and drape it over themselves. Take a light blanket and a sheet from home if the weather looks warm. You may not need anything else.
These tips will keep you warm during a camping trip in cold weather or if you do not like sleeping cold:
• Eat a meal or light snack before bed. Digestion warms you internally, providing the heat you need to sleep comfortably.
• Drink a warm, nonalcoholic beverage before going to bed. (Alcohol dilates blood vessels, which causes heat loss.)
• Do a little bit of exercise before you fall asleep. You might become sweaty or startle easily if you drink too much. Sitting up in your sleeping bag is an effective way to heat yourself as well as your bag.
• Make sure you wear clean, dry socks and long underwear. Wear a cozy neck gaiter if you tend to get cold at the neck.
• Wear a warm knit hat when you first enter your bag if you are cold. If it gets too warm at night, you can easily take it off.
• Even if you're wearing a hat, wrap the hood of your sleeping bag around your head. You may only leave an opening large enough for your nose and mouth on below-freezing nights.
• Under your regular sleeping pad, add a closed-cell foam pad to increase insulation.
• Dry clothing can be stuffed inside your sleeping bag to fill empty spaces, which will reduce the area which your body has to heat.
• Warm a water bottle and place it close to your core; this is the area in your body that generates the most heat. It will warm even faster if you place it next to your femoral arteries (between your legs).
Conclusion
While camping is a fun activity, there are many tips to ensure your safety during a fun-filled weekend or adventurous weekend trip. It provides more guidance on how to make the most of your next expedition journey, keeping everyone safe and comfortable. so good luck.
