Surviving the Heat: Essential Tips for Camping in 100-Degree Weather

Some of the most popular camping destinations in the United States regularly reach upwards of 100 degrees in the summer months. Think Zion National Park, the Grand Canyon, and Joshua Tree National Park. The Southwest alone has hundreds of beautiful destinations that draw campers year-round, and many of them will brave the extreme heat of summertime. If you have your eye on a campsite in one of these regions, you’ll need to take precautions to ensure a safe and comfortable adventure. Read on for essential tips for your next 100-degree tenting trip!

Pack the Appropriate Camping Tent

A weather forecast predicting 100 degrees or more at your location is a sure sign to leave your four season tents at home. There’s a time and place for heavy-duty shelters and hot tents, and the blistering heat of the desert in the peak of summer isn’t one of them. Instead, opt for a luxury tent built for three seasons. Unlike most four season tents, three season tents will have a plethora of mesh incorporated into their design. You can think of a tent as a sort of greenhouse, trapping in warm air and creating a sauna-like effect on the hottest days. If you’ve ever awoken to the sun beating into your tent on a summer morning, you know what we mean! Choosing a mesh-dominant tent over the thick walls of a four season shelter will result in better airflow and mitigate this greenhouse effect. Plus, the mesh will allow for those coveted cool breezes to pass through in the night. Prioritizing a spacious tent is also recommended since it will provide more room for air to circulate, and open up the space for the addition of fans to keep you cool. 

Equip Your Shelter for Hot Weather

Don’t stop at picking the right tent – equip it for the heat, too. Fans will be your holy grail on a hot weather trip. At a minimum, place one at your bedside to stay cool at night. If your shelter has the space, place more than one throughout the tent to maximize the effect. Generally, a fan will be more efficient when it’s unobstructed and up off the ground. Battery-powered fans are the most convenient, but you can also invest in a portable power bank to use with plug-in alternatives. 

When it comes to your sleep setup, ditch the sleeping bag. Instead, go for a mesh cot and lightweight blanket combo. The mesh cot will raise your body off the ground and allow air to circulate around you, keeping you cooler than a sleeping pad on the floor. As for your blanket, lean into lightweight options with fabrics known for breathability, like cotton and linen. 

On the outside of your tent, consider a UV-reflective fly sheet. This innovative piece of camping gear will reflect the sun and help to keep the inside of your tent cool during the day. If the forecast is clear of rain for the night, remove it once the sun goes down to increase airflow inside.

Be Thoughtful in Your Campsite Selection

It’s always important to be thoughtful in your campsite selection, but this is especially true in the heat of the summer. If you can, look for campsites near bodies of water. Whether it’s a nearby stream or a full-on lake, swimming water will give you a place to cool off at camp. Larger bodies of water will also mean more frequent, cool breezes. Once you actually arrive at camp, scope out the area. Look for shade and consider how the sun will move through the site throughout the day and pitch your tent accordingly. 

Stay Hydrated and Healthy

Camping in extreme heat can pose a few serious dangers, from dehydration and exhaustion to heat stroke. It’s crucial to drink more water than you normally would, and more than you think you need. You can even add electrolyte packets to your water to replace what you lose through sweat. If you run low on storage space for drinking water, freeze it and use it as an ice pack in your cooler until it melts and is ready to drink. To avoid exhaustion and heat stroke, keep your strenuous activities to a minimum during the peak hours of the sun. Stay on the lookout for signs of these health conditions in yourself and your fellow campers, and be ready to take action when necessary. 

Pack The Essential Hot Weather Camping Gear

The gear you need for hot weather camping is not much different from any other camping trip, but there are a few things you should remember to pack. Use the following list to make sure you’ve packed all of the essentials necessary in extreme heat. 

• 3 season tent with plenty of mesh
• UV-reflective fly sheet
• Tent awning extension or sunshade 
• Mesh cot
• Lightweight linen or cotton blankets
• Battery-powered fans with extra batteries or fans with a portable power bank
• Water bottles
• Plenty of drinking water
• Electrolyte packets
• First aid kit
• Lightweight, breathable cotton or linen shirts
• Lightweight, breathable cotton or linen pants
• Swimwear and water shoes
• Sunglasses
• Hats and bandanas
• Ponytails or other ways to tie your hair up
• Sunscreen and SPF lip balm
• Bug spray and citronella candles (only burn these outside of your tent)
• Cooler with plenty of ice and ice packs

This is of course not an exhaustive list of everything you need for a successful campsite – reference this just for those hot weather essentials!

Travel to a Worthwhile Destination

If you’re going to brave the heat, make it worth it! Here are a few top destinations across the U.S. for a worthwhile hot-weather camping trip.

Big Bend National Park in Texas

Known as the hiker’s paradise, Big Bend is a camping gem located in the deserts of Texas. This National Park has four developed campgrounds alongside plenty of backcountry camping options. While hiking may be out of the question during extreme heat seasons, this park is famous for its dark skies that are perfect for stargazing. 

Moab, Utah

Moab is home to both Arches and Canyonlands National Parks, two iconic destinations in the United States. Choose from campgrounds right inside the National Parks, or reserve a unique site from one of the many private campgrounds in the region. The variety of natural beauty and outdoor activities make Moab a go-to location for outdoor lovers. 

Valley of Fire State Park in Nevada

The famous red sandstone formations of the Mojave Desert give this state park its name: Valley of Fire. This name might also be a hint to the extreme heat you’ll experience during the summer months here. If you’re looking for unique scenery with a rich geological history, this park is for you! 

Joshua Tree National Park in California

A bucket list destination for campers across the globe, Joshua Tree National Park delivers a true desert camping experience. With the desert experience, however, comes extreme heat and excessive cold. You’ll love Joshua Tree if you’re an avid rock climber thanks to the park’s countless boulder formations. 

Everglades National Park in Florida

Everglades National Park is the destination for wildlife thanks to its diverse ecosystems. Besides the world-renowned wildlife viewings, the activities of the Everglades are more unique than most. Whether you’re kayaking through the wetlands or attending one of the many guided tours put on by park rangers, there’s no shortage of experiences to be had here. Just don’t forget your bug spray!

The Bottom Line

Camping in 100-degree weather is no joke, and it poses real risks to your safety and comfort. Dehydration, exhaustion, and heat stroke are just a few of the dangers to be aware of, alongside the fact that you’ll likely have to lean into the discomfort of being hot most of the time. By understanding the basics of camping in extreme heat, however, you’ll be equipped to not only survive in the heat but thrive. By sourcing the appropriate tent, equipping it to minimize the heat, picking a campsite carefully, staying hydrated and healthy, and packing hot weather essentials, you’ll be prepared to experience some of the best camping in the world, even in their record-breaking high temperatures.