With its sunny weather, longer days, and school breaks, there’s no better time for camping than summer! While the season may be the ideal time for vacations, it’s also the hottest and most humid time of the year in the United States. Thankfully, there are a plethora of smart ways to stay cool while camping in the summer heat! Read on for the top hot weather camping tips, from the best summer clothes to how to optimize your campsite to beat the heat. Let’s dive right in!
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Outfit Your Tent for Hot Weather
Your tent is the center of your campsite, and ultimately the place you’ll spend the most time when you’re not busy exploring. For that reason, it’s imperative to make it as comfortable as possible for the summer weather. While canvas camping tents are a popular choice for summer camping, thanks to their natural breathability and large windows for ventilation, you can add a few additional items to ensure you stay as cool as possible.
Consider outfitting your tent with the following hot-weather gear:
Portable Fans or A/C Systems
The most effective way to cool down the inside of a camping tent is by using portable fans and A/C systems. Fans should be strategically placed every few feet throughout your tent and situated high off the ground to maximize their effectiveness. If you’re camping with a high-quality canvas tent, check for an A/C port and utilize it if it’s there! For those without this luxury or without the necessary electricity to power it, try the popular DIY of making your own A/C system out of a Styrofoam cooler, ice, and one of your high-power portable fans.
Reflective Rain Fly Sheet
If the forecast is clear of precipitation and the temperature is high, most outdoor experts will recommend you keep your rain fly sheet packed away, as all it does is add a layer of insulation that will make the inside of your tent hotter. The exception to this? A rain fly sheet made from reflective fabric! When set up with the reflective side facing up, this innovative piece of gear will reflect the sun’s rays away from your tent and work to keep the inside cool in hot weather.
Lightweight Sleeping Gear
When camping in hot weather, ditch the heavy-weight sleeping bags and swap them for lightweight blankets. Opting for breathable materials like lightweight cotton and linen will make for a more comfortable night in the heat. Mesh sleeping cots are another great hack, as they allow air to circulate around your entire body, keeping you cool without sacrificing your comfort.
Open the Mesh Screens
Most tents have some variation of mesh screens, often on the windows and doors. Keep these open in hot weather to encourage airflow and enhance ventilation. Not only will the breeze through your tent cool you down, but it will also help reduce condensation in humid environments. If you can manage to detect a steady breeze at camp while setting up your tent, go the extra mile by positioning your tent into the wind for maximum ventilation.
Seek (and Create) Shade at Camp
Seeking shade is the name of the game when it comes to summer camping. Upon your arrival at camp, start by finding a shady spot to pitch your tent. The last thing you want is to have the harsh rays of the sun beating down on your tent all day, creating a hot, stuffy, and uncomfortable interior. Large trees with full foliage are always a great option for shade – just be mindful of dead trees and broken branches to avoid getting hurt if they fall.
If the natural shade around camp is lacking, don’t sweat it! Create your own shade with a tent porch or awning extension. Not only do these tent accessories increase the amount of protected space you have at camp, but they also provide essential shade to shield you from the sun. For campers with plenty of space to spread out, consider making a canopy to create even more shade around camp. To do so, simply tie a light-colored canvas tarp or plastic tarp between two trees or another sturdy structure, and voila, you have some shade!
Pack for Summer Success
Outside of the gear, you’ll need to keep your tent cool and create shade around camp, don’t forget your other summer essentials. Handheld fans are a great accessory to keep in your bag and will make it easy to stay cool when you’re on the go. Bonus points if it has a mister for extra coolness.
Clothing is another crucial element of your camping experience. Opt for lightweight, breathable, and moisture-wicking garments to stay comfortable in the heat and sun hats and sunglasses to keep the sun out of your face. Since dark colors absorb heat and light colors reflect it, try to only pack light-colored clothes if possible. While it doesn’t necessarily keep you cool at the moment, high-SPF sunscreen is another must-have for campers who want to avoid the discomfort and inconveniences of a bad burn.
And of course – stay hydrated! Drinking plenty of water helps to regulate the body’s internal temperature and will help cool you off on a hot day. So bring along plenty of drinking water, replenish your ice often, and pack an insulated water bottle to keep your drinking water cool. To help your body bounce back faster on a hot day, adding electrolyte drink packets to your water can prevent dehydration.
The Bottom Line
Summer is the most popular time to go camping in the United States, but it’s also the hottest season of the year. Staying cool and comfortable can seem like a challenge while camping during the summer time, but by following the advice outlined above, campers can enjoy the many benefits of the season without melting in the heat. By outfitting your tent for hot weather, maximizing shade around camp, and packing the right gear, you’ll be ready to stay comfortable while camping, no matter how high the temperatures soar. So grab your fans, fill your water bottles, and embark on the summer adventure you’ve been waiting for!
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