Tent Camping in Hot Temperatures: How to Deal with the Heat

A lot of popular campgrounds and National Parks need to be booked months in advance. And not all of us have the luxury of changing our vacation dates or plans. So, what do you do if a heat wave hits during your planned camping trip? Instead of canceling, here are some expert tips on how to stay comfortable when camping in hot temperatures.

1. Go to Higher Elevation

If you haven’t booked your campground yet, look for one which is at a high elevation. It is significantly cooler at high elevations than at low elevations.

As a general rule, temperature decreases approximately 5.4°F for every 1000 feet in elevation.

For example, the average July high temperatures at the Grand Canyon South Rim (7,000 ft) is 84F. At the North Rim (8,000 ft), the average high is 77F.

2. Prevent Your Tent from Becoming a Greenhouse

Tents trap heat and can make for a miserable camping experience. There are a few things you can do to prevent this…

Set Up Your Tent for Shade and Breeze

Try to pitch your tent in a cluster of trees so it has shade during the morning and evening. If you only have one tree, then carefully consider whether you prefer shade during the morning (sleep in a bit longer) or the evening.

If you don’t have any trees for shade, you can use a tarp over your tent to create some shade. See these tarp shelter setups.

Also position your tent so it will get a good breeze. Unfortunately, the same trees which give you shade can also block the breeze. If you have to choose between shade and a breeze though, always choose the shade.

Remove the Tent Fly

If you have a two layer tent, don’t bother using the fly since it traps heat. Or just partially attach the fly so you can quickly cover the tent if it starts raining. Another option is to use a tarp shelter instead of the fly. Make sure the tarp is pitched high enough so it doesn’t restrict airflow.

Of course, this means you aren’t going to have much privacy. The sun will also wake you up earlier if you don’t have the tent fly to block light.

Keep the fly off the tent for better ventilation!

Break Down Your Tent during the Day

A lot of campers will completely break down their tent during the day so it doesn’t trap the hot air. Obviously this is an annoying step to do, especially if you have a complex tent setup.

Ditch the Tent Completely

Consider sleeping under the open stars instead of in a tent. You can use a cot to keep you off the ground (and away from creepie-crawlies). There are bug tents that can be pitched like tarps to keep flying insects off.

3. Use a Hammock Instead of a Tent

Hammocks are great for camping in hot temperatures. They don’t turn into saunas like tents do, and you get airflow above and below you in a hammock. Try to choose a hammock made from loose cotton material instead of a thick nylon, as this will get better airflow.

4. Sleep on a Cot

Sleeping pads are terrible for camping in hot weather. Their insulation will trap your body heat against you, making you feel even warmer. Air mattresses don’t trap heat like sleeping pads – but the plastic material feels terrible against your skin.

A better solution is to use a camping cot. Because the cot gets you off the ground, you have more air flow underneath your body and will stay cooler. As an added bonus, some of them are really comfortable and they give you storage space underneath.

Also read: Best camping cots for adults and for kids

5. Use a Shade Shelter

When camping in hot weather, a sun shade is not optional! Get one big enough for everyone in your camping group to sit underneath. There’s no need to spend a fortune on a special sun shelter though. You can just buy a cheap tarp and use rope to set it up.

Warning: Bug Tents Have Terrible Airflow

While mesh bug tents do provide shade, they also reduce airflow and hot in heat. This might mean you have to choose between dealing with uncomfortable heat or annoying insects. I would opt for a tarp shelter and copious amounts or bug spray. Or treat your clothing with permethrin to keep bugs away.

6. Bring a Tent Fan

Pretty much everyone who goes camping in very hot temperatures recommends bringing a fan. It can literally save your camping trip by making it bearable to sleep in the tent.

Also read: Best Options for Tent Fans

What about Portable AC Units for Tents?

I personally have never used an air conditioner in a tent. But, if you are camping in hot and humid temperatures, an AC unit might be the only way to stay comfortable.

You’ll probably have to cut a hole in your tent window for the AC unit. Prop it up on a cooler or milk crate outside of the tent to keep in in place. Just be warned that AC units are LOUD and the constant turning on/off can annoy you (and your camping neighbors).

A better alternative might be to make a swamp cooler for your tent (here are instructions). But I also have never tried one of these, so can’t say whether they work well or not.

7. Skip the Sleeping Bag

The nylon material on most sleeping bags is really uncomfortable and sticky in hot weather. If you are certain it won’t get cold at night (remember that temperatures can drop suddenly at high elevations, even in summer!), then just bring a sheet for sleeping.

Choose a sheet with a lower thread count so you get better air flow. Silk sheets feel really good against your skin too. There are even some nice silk sleeping bag liners which you can use instead of a sleeping bag. The Sea to Summit one is really nice but stupidly expensive. Cheaper silk liners will also work.

8. Drink Electrolytes

Obviously you need to drink lots of water when camping in hot weather. But even drinking water all day long might not be enough to keep you hydrated – especially since you will be sweating out salt and minerals like crazy.

Instead, opt for sports drinks. Or add electrolyte tablets like Nuun to your water bottle (available on Amazon and at REI). I always keep electrolyte packets in my camping first aid kit too in case someone gets dehydrated from sickness.

Pro Tip: Bring a separate cooler just for drinks. If your water gets hot, you probably won’t drink enough.

9. Plan Daytime Activities Wisely

Water play is the best way to stay cool outdoors when it’s this hot!

When camping in really hot weather, you’ll have to accept the fact that every activity may be compromised. It can be disappointing not to go on the hikes you wanted or see certain attractions – but it’s better to be disappointed than get heatstroke. You’ll have to figure out some hot-weather camping activities instead:

Water activities: Swimming is the obvious best activity. But even choosing a hike next to a stream so you can stick your feet in it can make a huge difference.
Indoor activities: Plan to spend more time in visitor centers, museums or even the town’s local library.
Become nocturnal: If you aren’t camping with little kids or in a campground (which will have no-noise hours), you can do your activities during night instead. Like hiking at nighttime, cooking at night, or staying up with your friends to watch the sunrise. Then sleep in the shade all day long.

Pro Tip: Use Weatherbug to find cooler places.

Go the map feature on the Weatherbug website or app. Choose “now” and then select “temperature” from the options. This will let you find places nearby which are cooler. You might be surprised how much cooler some places – such as shady canyons or next to bodies of water.

10. Plan Quick, Easy Meals

For starters, you can forget about cooking over a campfire when it’s that hot outside. Even standing next to a camping stove can be miserable, so try to choose meals which don’t take a long time to cook.

Think simple salads, sandwiches, wraps and instant meals which aren’t too fatty (and thus difficult to digest). Here are some quick camping meal ideas.

11. Don’t Get Sunburnt

Be extra diligent about applying sunscreen, wearing UV clothing and staying out of the sun as much as possible. Getting sunburnt will make you feel even more hot and uncomfortable.

12. Setup Camp Chairs in Water

Need a place to hang out during the day? Put waterproof camping chairs in a stream or lake. Or bring a small kiddie pool to camp, fill it with water, and put your chairs right in it. Even just sitting with your feet in the water will feel great.

13. Other Tips for Camping in Hot Weather

Pack Dresses: Dresses aren’t usually considered camping clothing, but they make the heat much more comfortable. Men might even want to consider a hiking skirt!
Cooling Towels: Dip a towel or bandana in water and put it on your neck, face, etc. This results in evaporative heat loss and cools you down. There are special ones made out of “hyper-evaporative” materials which hold water but don’t feel wet. The Frogg Toggs cooling towels get good reviews.
Misting bottles: If it’s not humid, then bring a spray bottle for misting yourself with water. You can add peppermint, rosemary and other cooling essential oils (just be warned that this might attract insects!).
Don’t eat before bed: Your body creates heat when digesting, which will make you feel even hotter and more uncomfortable. Plan to eat your dinner a long time before going to bed.
Stay out of the AC before your camping trip: This will help you acclimate your body to the heat before your trip.
Keep emergency supplies in your car: Including extra water (in a sturdy water canister so it doesn’t melt!), non-perisable foods, a first aid kit and a tarp for shade. If you get stranded in the heat, these items could save your life.
Bring extra socks: Wearing wet, sweaty socks will give you trench feet. Bring spares and sandals to wear around camp.