Checklist for Winter Camping

Camping is a great way to go beyond simply hiking to really inundating oneself in the wilderness. Whether you’re planning to pitch a tent as a ‘base camp’ for a few nights or are opting to camp in addition to backpacking (which may involve establishing a new camp site every night), camping with the use of a tent can be an exciting experience.

Winter camping in particular can put special strains on your equipment, as it’s required to withstand cold temperatures and frozen climates as well as the weather conditions that may accompany those types of areas. Similarly, the camper themselves may need to pack additional items to ensure safe, warm comfort during their outdoor stay. Winter camping requires forethought and preparation in order to ensure a safe and comfortable trip, so be sure to review this checklist for all of your essentials.

Click here  to download a printable PDF shopping list.

Winter Camping Essentials

There are certainly many items that one can stock in their pack for a camping trip, but depending on your route, your experience levels, and your planned activities during your hiking excursion, you may need to bring some or all of these essentials along for the journey. Different seasons, geographical locations, and camping styles could require more or less of these items, but be sure to review this list in its entirety if you’re planning to camp primarily with your tent. Remember that winter camping will involve the purchase of specialty items that are built to withstand the colder climates.

Cooking Gear

When camping, you’ll want to ensure that you’ve packed the appropriate items in order to sustain yourself. While trail mix and other snacks are good for day hiking trips, longer camping trips will likely require more preparation for hot, sustaining meals.

Winter Camping Basic Gear

Beyond the essentials, many will also opt to stock for a variety of additional hiking activities that may happen along the route. Those who plan to backpack for days, weeks, or months at a time will obviously need to plan for larger gear loads than those who may only seek to explore for a few days at most. When backpacking with a group, you can likely divvy up many shared items among the members so that no one person is carrying the bulk of the party’s goods.

Gear for Activities

Some people simply camp as an essential to sustaining long backpacking trips, but many others opt to participate in tent camping as a way to establish a base camp as a springboard to other outdoor winter activities. Here are some additional items to consider in your tent camping stash.

Clothing

Winter camping typically involves colder, snowier climates which requires heavier clothing items. Keep in mind that there can be drastic temperature swings, especially when one is camping at different altitudes. Additionally, those participating in other activities during their winter camping trip may find that they’ll warm up during their excursion and will also want to pack lighter clothing options for those times.  

First Aid/Emergency Gear

As with any outdoor activity, you’ll want to ensure that you always bring your first aid essentials along for the trip. Hiking, backpacking, and camping in general can expose adventurers to the elements as well as unfamiliar territory, so pack to prepare for accidents or emergencies that may occur.

A good rule of thumb is to leave your trip itinerary with a friend as well as in your vehicle (under your car seat) in case you become disoriented, lost, or injured. In this manner, not only will your friends have your information, but emergency personnel can also have quick access to documents should they come across your vehicle.