February 24, 2025
December through February can be the best months for enjoying the great outdoors. Those who seek solitude delight in the departure of warm-weather visitors from their most beloved boondocking spots, while hunters and anglers look forward to bringing home the bacon or harvesting ice-fished trout. Of course, you need the right gear and know-how to stay toasty and make your excursion a success. Here’s how to make the most of winter camping.
Winter camping offers multiple advantages. For one, it enables hunting and ice fishing. Deer predominate in the late fall and early winter in many states, while January and February open for squirrels, rabbits, quail and pheasant. Check with your local Fish and Game Department for specifics, as the U.S. has 10 separate federal hunting regions. When you do, ensure you have the proper license to hunt or fish.
However, winter camping isn’t only for Elmer Fudd. It’s perfect for anyone who seeks the solitude that’s become harder to find, even on the most remote public lands, in recent years. Say goodbye to neighbors with noisy generators, booming speakers and racing off-road vehicles who depart when summer does.
You might be the only person for miles when winter camping. Test your survival skills or simply enjoy the silence of the winter woods — just check the weather forecast before departure to ensure you don’t get snowed in.
Staying warm is your first order of business when winter camping. Doing so means wearing the right clothes and having proper shelter.
You’ve probably mastered the basics of dressing in layers:
This method works in many conditions if temperatures don’t dip much below the freezing point. However, the harshest cold winter days require a different approach. Including an inner vapor barrier layer protects your insulating layers from the damp by keeping sweat near your skin. Doing so can increase skin surface temperatures by up to 20 degrees Fahrenheit.
Therefore, substitute plain underwear and a vapor barrier for your inner layer on the coldest winter camping days. Remove your outer insulating layer the minute you start to sweat so you don’t end up overheating. The vapor barrier also serves as a wind and rain break to protect you from outside elements.
Frostbite is a considerable concern when winter camping. You need to protect your extremities, including your ears and nose. A balaclava is ideal for the coldest days, but a hat that covers your ears is often sufficient. Bring several pairs of socks and gloves so you can keep your fingers and toes warm and dry. Hand and boot warmers are also wise investments — they can last for hours, keeping your tootsies toastier overnight.
You have several options for staying snug while sleeping. One is to bring a portable heater with you for your tent. Some camping setups get quite extravagant, and you might invest in a multifamily tent complete with a center woodstove if you have a large clan.
However, most winter campers do best with a portable propane heater. Propane qualifies as clean energy as it reduces carbon dioxide and other pollutants, including carbon monoxide and nitrogen oxide. Many people shy away from propane, fearing fumes or explosions. However, it has a limited range of flammability, and many manufacturers add a noxious odor to this otherwise odorless gas to warn of leaks.
Another alternative is to bring a portable solar generator sufficient to run a small space heater or electric blanket in your tent. Be aware that even these tiny HVAC systems require significant juice. You might need a bigger, bulkier model than you think, making alternative fuels like propane a more attractive option for traveling light.
You may not need a separate tent HVAC solution with the right sleeping bag setup. For example, the average person loses 2-4 pounds of sweat overnight. Your sleeping bag typically absorbs this, making it damp and cold. However, adding a vapor barrier layer beneath the insulating fabric traps warmth and humidity inside, keeping you cozy without a space heater. You’ll wake up plenty toasty.
Checking the forecast in your planned winter camping spot is a must. Some locations allow you to check closure information online. For example, some parts of the Pacific Crest Trail can see several feet of snow accumulation, temporarily shuttering popular camping sites. Otherwise, use your judgment. Understand the limits of your abilities — and your vehicle’s. Bringing snow chains and engaging four-wheel drive is wise, but it’s even better to stay out of the deepest drifts.
Alternatively, you could fly south. Some winter camping hot spots rarely see snow, although some might get unpleasantly crowded. However, the folks you encounter share your enthusiasm for the great outdoors, and you can often have a blast winter camping at the following locations:
Winter camping is de rigueur for hunters but can offer peace and serenity for any lover of the great outdoors. The right gear for staying warm and choice of location ensure a happy getaway, even in subzero temperatures.
Jack Shaw is the senior writer for Modded, a men’s lifestyle publication. An avid outdoorsman, he’ll often find himself taking retreats out into nature to explore his environment and encourages others to do the same. His writings have been published by Duluth Pack, Trekaroo, Lehman’s and more.
Find the perfect expedition grade tents for your upcoming adventures
