It may be your first time camping outdoors, or you may have done it before, but you’re having trouble sleeping at night and wondering, “Who is going to give me this magic answer on how to Sleep securely in a Tent while Camping? And while I’ll be the first to admit that I don’t have a miraculous cure, I’ll explain how I’ve been able to sleep in a tent all night without experiencing discomfort. Individuals who trek a lot and are interested in frequent camping experiences must do it with proper gear and enjoy a good night’s sleep.
How to Sleep Securely in a Tent While Camping? 10 Best Tips
Following are the best tips to sleep securely in a tent while camping.
1. Let’s start with the Camping Sleeping Pad
What should I use as a camping bed? It is the most asked question and the most important one also. There are many options on the market, and you can choose and buy a mattress that suits your preferences and budget. The camping pad should be cosy and designed to feel like a home bed.
Knowing if you are comfortable with an inflated or foam mattress is also essential. Each type of mattress has its merits and demerits, but the ideal mattress is the one that makes you comfortable and homely. You can also visit our blog and look for the best camping air mattresses.
2. Wear Suitable Clothes
It is a very simple but helpful trick for a peaceful sleep. Your clothes should be comfortable enough for sleeping and fit for your campsite’s weather conditions. What I wear and some advice for choosing what to wear outdoors are provided below.
Starting with tops, we’ll move on to what I wear while hiking, backpacking, and camping. I have my Uniqlo HeatTech Base Layer in black and white, which is incredibly useful when it’s much colder, and I need just that skin-type base layer. I’ll even use this when it’s cold in the city and I need something to stay extra warm.
When it’s snowing, and the temperature is, let’s say, 30 or 40 degrees Fahrenheit, I typically wear my Columbia long sleeve underneath my smart wool mid-layer. You can always wear these things, and it keeps you warm.
It would be best if you also had a heavy covering to keep your body warm. It shields you from the cold and allows you to stow other useful and convenient materials.
3. Keep Bugs Off Your Tent
Inspect your tent before you go camping; examine your tent for tears and broken zippers, and repair these to help ensure bugs can’t slip inside. You must choose the right campsite when picking a place to set up your tent. Choose a spot away from standing water and dense vegetation. These are places bugs are likely together. Keep your tent shut; leaving your tent open increases the chance of dealing with bugs.
Make sure the door is zipped shut completely. Keep your tent cool. Bugs love warmth, so keeping your tent cool will encourage them to go elsewhere. Keep your windows open if there is a screen, and bring a portable fan to cool things down.
Refrain from storing food near your tent. If bugs can find food, it will be hard to get them to leave. You must store food in sealed containers. Also, check for bugs before entering your tent, as you want to avoid carrying any bugs in. And keep bug spray with you because you may need it.
Read More: Best Tents to keep bugs out
4. You must have a pillow and comfortable bedding.
I have tried over 30 camp pillows. I don’t know anyone who has been that much crazy about the pillows, but I like a good night’s sleep. Just like the camping pads, you can also find a lot of variety in the camping pillows. These can be filled with foam or air and can be a combination. So, the decision lies at your end to pick the best pillow type most suitable for you.
Here I’ll discuss two very comfortable and best pillows for bedding. The first one is a Nemo Fillo Pillow, and what makes it super comfortable is it has about an inch-and-a-half or two-inch thick foam topper on it and is made with memory foam. It is amazing to put your head on this pillow because of that foam topper, but the trade-off is that it is heavy and bulky, weighing over 250 gm. It also has loops on the other side; you can attach a shock cord to make a homemade pad strap.
Now I have another pillow that costs only twenty dollars. It is the Hikenture Pillow that has a lot of features, making it great for trekking and backpacking. It also has a little foam insulation on top of it to add warmth to the pillow and a little comfort.
5. Picking the Proper Tent
A quality camping tent is one of the biggest purchases for every camping enthusiast. You need to consider some specs before buying one because you will enjoy your camping to the fullest only if you buy the right camping tent. Following are some crucial factors to consider before buying your camping tent.
6. Tent Capacity
First, let’s talk about space and shape when choosing your tent. You need to go for the one based on the number of people and the gear. It can accommodate, for instance, one person, two persons, or eight persons, and the list goes on. However, there are no existing industry standards to define per-person tent dimensions. The gear space you need or the pets you have adds to the indoor space required.
The peak height is also important for better liveability.
Here you have two options: cabin-style tents and dome-style tents. The cabin-style tents have more space with maximum peak height and near-vertical walls. On the other hand, dome-style tents offer superior strength and wind resistance.
7. Tent Fabric
The tent fabric should be waterproof and durable to withstand rigorous outdoor conditions. It should also be breathable to keep the interior cool in the summer and prevent condensation in the winter. The other important properties of a tent fabric are being lightweight and UV resistant. Nylon, cotton, and polyester are the commonly used fabrics.
Read More: Canvas vs Nylon Tent
8. Tent Setup
It would be best if you chose a quick and easy tent to set up. Remember, smaller tents are easy and quick to set up than large ones. Also, ensure that the rainfly can be pitched easily in bad weather.
9. Choosing the Right Location
You’re probably sleeping on the ground when camping
The ground below matters a lot when you are sleeping in a tent. Even if you use an inflated bed, you will feel uncomfortable on uneven or sloped ground. Therefore, choosing a flat ground for pitching your tent is extremely important. If a flat base is impossible, put your head on the higher side.
Another thing to watch out for is that the ground should be free from debris, rocks, and sharp objects. Otherwise, it will damage the tent base and your sleeping mattress too. These unwanted objects will also make you uncomfortable and lumpy while lying down.
Using a tent tarp or groundsheet is very beneficial as it can protect you from the hard and cold ground and compensate for any irregularity or unevenness of the ground.
Wind
To prevent strong and chilly winds, camp close to the trees. Also, ensure that your tent is not directly across from your campfire if you can’t prevent the wind.
Water
To prevent the risk of rainwater seeping into your site, keep your campsite away from hills or elevated grounds. Make sure the water source is also easily accessible from your campsite so you can get it when you need it.
Wood
Avoid standing dead trees near your camp because they can topple anytime. Make sure there is access to dead wood nearby that you may also use for firewood.
If you find yourself in a bug-free situation, think about setting up camp among tall trees or next to evergreens for some degree of cover. But such locations may be noisy at night and usually contain bugs. So, be careful about that too.
10. The Temperature
Camping in extremely cold or hot weather can be a real challenge. So, better be prepared for it. Campers in our region have to fight the freezing temperatures more often. The hot temperature is usually a daytime problem, and the nights are usually cooler to provide a restful slumber.
If you have ever had the experience of camping in sub-zero temperatures, you can understand the importance of a warm and cosy shelter at night. I will share a few tips on how to stay warm in your tent in cold weather.
The simple steps to staying warm when sleeping in a tent
First, choose your tent wisely and design it to withstand extreme weather conditions. A four-season tent is a preferable choice in this regard.
- Use an insulated sleeping bag for adequate protection from the cold ground. The sleeping bag must be rated as per the temperature at the campsite.
- Don’t solely rely on appliances like tent heaters to keep you warm. Use proper winter gear like warm clothes, a sleeping hood, and gloves, as these are necessary to keep you warm.
- Before going to bed, first, warm up your body with a little bit of exercise or using a tent heater. Avoid getting into bed while you are cold.
- Keep a hot water bottle inside the sleeping bag.
On the other hand, if it’s hot where you’re camping, your tent needs to be breathable and have lots of ventilation. Tents having multiple doors, windows, and air vents are preferable for hot-weather camping. Also, pitch your tent in a shady and cool spot to prevent direct exposure to sunlight and heat. It’s better to use a sleeping bag only if the weather is sweltering. However, if you use a sleeping bag, ensure it is designed for hot weather use.
Light and Sound distractions
The various sounds of the wilderness, especially at night, can be alarming and keep you from getting a decent night’s sleep. Also, your tent is lit up by the first light of the day outdoors, which is highly upsetting. Most people need complete silence and darkness while they sleep.
Ear plugs and eye masks are fantastic and inexpensive solutions to this problem. These little gadgets don’t cost you anything but are extremely important for a heavenly night’s sleep outdoors. Therefore, we advise you to include these supplies in your camping gear.
Can you relax?
When you go to your tent after a strenuous day, you will probably be exhausted enough to fall asleep quickly. But if this is not the case, then you are the kind of person who is used to a particular bedtime routine. And one of the main reasons for having an uncomfortable sleep outdoors is the change of routine. So, it is important to follow your home bedtime and your usual routine in your tent too. Here are a few activities that most people enjoy before going to bed.
- Consider bringing a book with you if you enjoy reading before bed.
- Some people take a bath before sleeping. They should take a hot shower at the campsite too. Although it could seem like a luxury when you’re out in nature, you cannot have a restful sleep without it.
- Drink tea, coffee, or a glass of wine as you do it at home.
- If watching shows and movies is your thing before going to bed, make sure to have something on your smartphone or tab.
- When camping with children, having entertaining content on your phone, such as audiobooks or cartoons, can help put the kids to sleep.
A few more ‘comfortable ways to sleep in a tent tips
Following are the more comfortable ways to sleep securly in a tent.
Space
Sleeping in a tent that does not have enough space is the worst nightmare. Your tent must have adequate sleeping space for the campers and their gear. Otherwise, you may wake up cramped and tired in the morning.
The Tent Bottom
A comfortable tent bottom means a highly comfortable indoor space. You can put a rug or carpet on the floor. It will make you sleep warm and cosy and protect the tent’s thin bottom from wear and tear.
The Tent
Choose your tent wisely and best suited to your needs. A tent is a primary barrier between you and the outdoors, so it should protect you from the outdoor elements and keep you comfortable, especially during the night. Your tent should keep you warm in the winter and cool in the summer to ensure a peaceful night’s sleep.
Moisture
Sleeping in a damp tent during camping is a dreadful experience and not easy to forget. Complete dryness is what you would want inside a camping tent. So, look for a highly waterproof tent that is appropriate for the weather conditions at your campground.
And, the most important tip for a comfortable night’s sleep?
The last but not the least tip is to test all the gear before camping. You can easily do a mock-up in your backyard and see if everything works as it should. Is the indoor space comfortable enough for you to enjoy a deep slumber?
You should also test your air mattress, pillow, sleeping bag, etc., to see if everything fits inside the tent and is in working condition. It is time to inspect and fix all the problems rather than during your camping expedition. In addition, the practice session will make setting up things at the campsite much easier and quicker.
Final Thoughts : How to Sleep Securely in a Tent While Camping
Sleepless camping nights are a very common problem and can ruin your outdoor experience. I used to answer commonly asked questions on how to sleep securely in a tent while camping. My answer is always that with proper knowledge and preparedness, you can easily enjoy a peaceful sleep inside your tent. The above tips will make your camping experience much more comfortable and similar to sleeping in your bedroom.
Also, sleeping habits and experiences vary from person to person. So, it is a good idea to personalize some things according to your home routine.