There’s something deeply rewarding about cold-weather winter camping. The crowds disappear, the landscape quiets, and the outdoors feels raw and honest. But winter doesn’t forgive poor planning. When temperatures drop below freezing, small mistakes can quickly turn into serious problems. In true winter regions, temperatures drop well below freezing and landscapes turn white. Terrain changes dramatically, becoming icy quickly, lakes freeze, snow moves in fast and makes trails disappear, and avalanche considerations come into play. Learn how to balance the beauty of winter camping with the risks that often come with it. 

Before you head out to camp, take some time to understand cold-weather risks. Cold environments introduce challenges you simply don’t face the rest of the year. This is where preparation matters most. If you’re new to cold-weather camping, start conservatively and build experience over time. Serious issues you need to consider are hypothermia and frostbite, rapid weather changes, limited amounts of daylight, frozen water, and navigation challenges when trails disappear. 

Preplanning Is non-negotiable because cold weather reduces your margin for error. Choose a destination that is appropriate for your skill level. Before you head out, check short and long-range weather forecasts and storm patterns (Check out Understanding Weather Safety Conditions). If you’re traveling in mountainous regions, review avalanche reports. Know the times of sunrise and sunsets so that you can maximize your daylight but also to keep from having to hike or set up camp in the dark. Plan your hiking mileage according to how many hours of daylight will be available. Review all of the emergency skills you’ve learned and plan for every situation. Always always always share your itinerary with a trusted contact! (Check out First Aid for Campers and Canoeists)

Your shelter system matters more than almost any other gear choice. Four-season tents are ideal, but a sturdy, winterized three-season tent can work in calm conditions. Check the label for ratings and look for wintering features when you purchase your tent. Check and reinforce your guy lines and bring extra lines for high wind situations. Change to snow stakes instead of conventional tent stakes. Determine what you can use for deadman anchors, heavy or solid items that you can bury in the snow to anchor your tent to for additional support. Ventilation is critical to reduce frost buildup inside the tent so be sure to check that you’ll be able to open vents and that they won’t be blocked if it snows. (Check out Making - and Breaking Camp + Camping Necessities)

You’ll need to get a good night’s rest because cold weather steals your body heat fast and can zap your strength and endurance. At the minimum, your sleeping set up should include a sleeping bag rated 0°F/–20°F, liners, insulated sleeping pads with an R-value 4+, and a second pad to keep you from sleeping directly on the ground. Keep a dedicated set of dry sleeping clothes in your sleeping bag. You may be tempted to sleep in the clothes you’ve worn all day but dry clothing will keep you warmer. (Tuck the clothes you’ll wear the next day inside your bag before you turn in.) Include a sock hat to keep your head warm. Hand or foot warmers are comforting when the temps are low, and if you have room, bring along a quilt or wool blanket. (Check out Sleeping Essentials for a Restful Night's Sleep)

When it comes to winter camping clothing, dress for survival, not style! Sweat is dangerous in cold weather so dress in layers and adjust them to keep dry. Layering lets you regulate heat and moisture. Your base layer should be made from moisture-wicking fabric. Avoid cotton products. Midlayer use fleece or garments from wool. For insulation, a puffy jacket that is made with down or synthetic filler plus a shell that is waterproof and windproof. Accessories are critical! Wear insulated mittens over liner gloves. A warm hat, or better yet, a balaclava, will keep your head, ears, and face from getting frostbite. Tuck a neck gaiter between your chin and inside your jacket. To keep your feet dry and snow from getting into your boots, invest in gaiters that go up your legs and cover the top of your boots. These are great for trudging through deep snow.

Invest in tools and gear that earn their weight. Cold conditions make simple tasks harder but the right tools make things just a bit easier. Carry a headlamp with spare batteries (cold drains power fast). A reliable multi-tool can be used in many different ways. We recommend the OLFA Works utility knives for cutting frozen cordage, trimming shelter lines, preparing fire starter, or making quick gear repairs. Cutting tools become especially important when materials stiffen and gloves limit dexterity. In your tool box you should include repair kits for tent fabric, sleeping pads, and stoves. Trekking poles are a necessity for balance and managing on icy trails or lakes. Strap a folding shovel to your backpack and tuck in some lighters or matches into your tool kit, too.

Cold temps burn calories quickly so pack high-calorie and high-fat foods. Plan meals that are easy to prepare with gloved hands. Prepare and package as much food as you can before you leave for camp. For water, melt snow only after confirming that it’s clean. Always boil it or filter it, or both! Use insulated bottles and store them upside down so their caps don’t freeze shut. For cooking, liquid-fuel stoves perform best in freezing temperatures. Canister stoves may struggle unless rated for cold. Take supplies for hot drinks that are also nourishing, such as broth, cocoa mix, dehydrated soups, or oatmeal. (Check out Campfire Cooking)

Where you locate your campsite is important for maintaining your safety so choose your site carefully. Stay out of low valleys where cold air tends to pool. Check overhead for trees with heavy snow loads to avoid a branch landing on you or your tent. Avoid avalanche paths, cornices, and steep slopes where snow, rocks or landslides could overtake you. Shelter from wind is often more important than a scenic view. Search for an area where you can pitch your tent against some kind of natural protection. When you begin to set up camp, pack down snow before pitching a tent or setting up a fire ring to give yourself a solid surface. 

Fire boosts warmth, morale, and comfort but is a little trickier when there’s snow. Never rely on fire as your only heat source. It’s a supplement, not a solution. If a campsite has a fire pit that’s a great feature! Shovel out any loose snow before you begin. If you don’t have a fire ring, dig out the snow down to the ground in a circle that is at least three feet in diameter. Shore it up with some wet logs or rocks to keep it from collapsing. Look for dry wood under downed logs or dense trees. (Check out How to Build, Maintain, and Enjoy the Perfect Fire)

Use a knife—such as an OLFA Works utility knife—to shave tinder or create feather sticks from damp wood. Hopefully you’ve also packed some fire starters. Winter fires are mostly for heating water or cooking food so don’t depend on them completely. They do create some needed ambiance, however, after a day of trekking though snow covered trails. 

Because the temperature drops dramatically during the night, it’s important to plan out how you’ll stay warm while you’re sleeping. Place a ground tarp under your tent before you set it up to give you some insulation and protection from the cold. Place several layers of sleeping pads under your bag. A fleece liner or quilt inside your sleeping bag provides extra warmth. Eat a warm meal before you go to bed. Change out of the clothes you’ve been wearing all day into dry bed clothes. Tuck tomorrow’s clothes at the bottom of your sleeping bag where they will be warm the next day. Fill a collapsible bottle with hot water for inside your sleeping bag. Disposable hand warmers are a quick way to warm up. Toss some at the bottom of your bag to keep your feet warm too. If they’re still warm in the morning, put them inside your boots or gloves. You can also keep your insulted boots inside your sleeping bag to keep them warm, placing them in plastic bags first. Keep electronics inside your bag near your body so the cold doesn’t make the battery lose power. For safety reasons, never use open-flame heaters inside a tent. 

Cold-weather dangers you should watch out for are hypothermia, which happens when your body dips below 95° F, frostbite on skin that’s exposed, even for a short period of time, and snow blindness, so pack sunglasses or goggles to prevent this. Something you may not think about is that you can become disoriented in snowstorms with white outs. Try to shelter as quickly as possible if it suddenly begins to snow. Knowing early warning signs—and how to respond—is essential. 

As with any camping, it’s important to Leave No Trace, even in winter. Snow can hide fragile vegetation so be careful where you walk or dig. Pack out all of your waste. Be mindful when collecting firewood to avoid damaging trees and branches. Winter landscapes recover slowly.

Cold-weather winter camping is demanding—but deeply rewarding. Respect the environment, prepare carefully, and build skills gradually. When done right, winter becomes one of the most peaceful seasons to camp. For other camping advice, follow the OLFA Works blog.  https://olfaworks.com/blogs/news