Top Tips For Camping In Summer & Hot Weather

When we head away on a camping holiday, we cross our fingers for sunny and warm weather.

If you live in the UK, chances are you’ve experienced camping in the cold and the rain – and it’s nowhere near as much fun as sitting back and relaxing in the sunshine!

However, if it gets too warm – it can become a little uncomfortable, particularly inside your tent if you don’t ventilate it properly. We’ve put together a list of top tips to consider when venturing out camping in hot weather conditions.

Read on to discover our top tips for camping in summer and hot weather…

Our top tips for camping in summer & hot weather

Comfort is key to enjoying any camping experience. See below for our best top tips for summer and hot weather camping.

1. Pitching location & timing matters

The best way to stop your tent from getting too hot and stuffy is to ensure you pitch up in a shaded area.

First things first, always pay attention to the time of day. The shade will move, so aim to have your tent in the shade for the hottest peak of the day.

For example, when pitching up or packing away, it’s advisable to do this early or late in the day to avoid the midday sun!

1. Pitching location & timing matters
The best way to stop your tent from getting too hot and stuffy is to ensure you pitch up in a shaded area.
First things first, always pay attention to the time of day. The shade will move, so aim to have your tent in the shade for the hottest peak of the day.
For example, when pitching up or packing away, it’s advisable to do this early or late in the day to avoid the midday sun!

2. Let some cool air into your tent or campervan

By keeping everything zipped up, your tent will get incredibly hot and stuffy – so open up the windows and doors to let the cooler air circulate!

If you have awning poles, these will be very handy for ensuring you can keep the front or side doors open.

2. Let some cool air into your tent or campervan
By keeping everything zipped up, your tent will get incredibly hot and stuffy – so open up the windows and doors to let the cooler air circulate!
If you have awning poles, these will be very handy for ensuring you can keep the front or side doors open.

3. Your tent’s interior curtains are for more than privacy

Most tents (especially the larger ones with separate bedrooms) come with interior curtains for added privacy.

However, these curtains can do much more than that, reducing direct heat from entering your tent being a great example.

If your tent is stuffy, you can always open them to let some fresh air through. It’s a small tip, but it’ll work wonders.

3. Your tent’s interior curtains are for more than privacy
Most tents (especially the larger ones with separate bedrooms) come with interior curtains for added privacy.
However, these curtains can do much more than that, reducing direct heat from entering your tent being a great example.
If your tent is stuffy, you can always open them to let some fresh air through. It’s a small tip, but it’ll work wonders.

4. Buy a polycotton tent

Polycotton tents (or canvas tents) are more breathable in warm weather, letting more air pass through the tent.

So, if you haven’t purchased a tent for your next trip, we recommend looking at this type for a summer adventure. Click here to read more in our polycotton tent buying guide.

To check out the Outdoor Revolution Kalahari PC 7.0 Air Tent, click here.

4. Buy a polycotton tent
Polycotton tents (or canvas tents) are more breathable in warm weather, letting more air pass through the tent.
So, if you haven’t purchased a tent for your next trip, we recommend looking at this type for a summer adventure. Click here to read more in our polycotton tent buying guide.
To check out the Outdoor Revolution Kalahari PC 7.0 Air Tent, click here.

5. Get a Roof Protector or SkyShield for your tent

Currently only available on Outwell and Vango tents, this additional piece of material helps shield your tent from harsh UV rays, which can usually lead to premature wear and tear.

An optional extra on the tents, it’s something you can leave at home if you don’t think you’re going to need it, but it could come in handy if it’s cracking the flags out there.

5. Get a Roof Protector or SkyShield for your tent
Currently only available on Outwell and Vango tents, this additional piece of material helps shield your tent from harsh UV rays, which can usually lead to premature wear and tear.
An optional extra on the tents, it’s something you can leave at home if you don’t think you’re going to need it, but it could come in handy if it’s cracking the flags out there.

6. Choose the right season sleeping bag

Sleeping bags come in different season ratings, so it’s essential to double-check the rating information before purchasing.

For warm weather, a 1 season sleeping bag should be adequate, although if it’s unbearably hot, you could ditch a sleeping bag altogether and just sleep under a sheet – particularly if you’re on an airbed.

6. Choose the right season sleeping bag
Sleeping bags come in different season ratings, so it’s essential to double-check the rating information before purchasing.
For warm weather, a 1 season sleeping bag should be adequate, although if it’s unbearably hot, you could ditch a sleeping bag altogether and just sleep under a sheet – particularly if you’re on an airbed.

7. Stay hydrated

Staying hydrated may seem obvious, but it is easy to forget when you’re having fun on an outdoor adventure.

We recommend having water with you at all times, with no exceptions. For example, hydration is a non-negotiable if you’re planning on hiking or doing anything active in the sun.

8. Buy a cool box

It’s not much of a secret that food goes off quicker when it’s warm, so invest in a good cool box or camping fridge to keep food fresher for longer.

You can also utilise your freezer at home by freezing things like milk, water and some food the night before. They’ll last longer and stay cooler!

Click here to check out our range of cool boxes and camping fridges.

8. Buy a cool box
It’s not much of a secret that food goes off quicker when it’s warm, so invest in a good cool box or camping fridge to keep food fresher for longer.
You can also utilise your freezer at home by freezing things like milk, water and some food the night before. They’ll last longer and stay cooler!
Click here to check out our range of cool boxes and camping fridges.

9. Put your drinks in a cool bucket of water

A nice cold beer in the sunshine is one of life’s simple pleasures – but even if you don’t like a beer, just keeping your drinks nice and fresh in a bucket of ice and water is a great idea. And remember, keep the bucket in the shade!

10. Put a wet flannel inside your cool box

So you’ve got your cool box, but another great tip is to pop a wet flannel in there, as it’ll likely come to great use.

If you get too hot, you’ll have the ultimate cooling tool for your neck or forehead.

10. Put a wet flannel inside your cool box
So you’ve got your cool box, but another great tip is to pop a wet flannel in there, as it’ll likely come to great use.
If you get too hot, you’ll have the ultimate cooling tool for your neck or forehead.

11. Take your tent down in the daytime

Have you ever left your car in the sun on a warm day? The same applies to your tent. Leaving your tent up during the day will likely create an interior comparable to a sauna!

Our advice would be (if it’s not too inconvenient) to take your tent down throughout the day and re-pitch when the temperatures start to drop.

11. Take your tent down in the daytime
Have you ever left your car in the sun on a warm day? The same applies to your tent. Leaving your tent up during the day will likely create an interior comparable to a sauna!
Our advice would be (if it’s not too inconvenient) to take your tent down throughout the day and re-pitch when the temperatures start to drop.

12. Go camping near the water

Camping nearer to water will, in theory, have a lower temperature than water-free locations. So, if your plans aren’t set in stone – why not check out coastal campsites?

Although camping close to bodies of water has its cons (more insects), there usually are ways around them. So, for example, if you’re worried about creepy crawlies – we cover what you can do to avoid attracting them later in this article.

If you’re looking for some inspiration, click here to check out our article on some of the best summer camping spots.

12. Go camping near the water
Camping nearer to water will, in theory, have a lower temperature than water-free locations. So, if your plans aren’t set in stone – why not check out coastal campsites?
Although camping close to bodies of water has its cons (more insects), there usually are ways around them. So, for example, if you’re worried about creepy crawlies – we cover what you can do to avoid attracting them later in this article.
If you’re looking for some inspiration, click here to check out our article on some of the best summer camping spots.

13. Protect yourself from harsh UV rays

When camping in warm weather, don’t forget to protect yourself against harsh UV rays. Always apply sun cream and wear sunglasses (or a hat) when out and about in hot weather.

And remember, UV rays are still present when the weather is overcast. So, don’t be fooled if the sun isn’t out in its full glory!

13. Protect yourself from harsh UV rays
When camping in warm weather, don’t forget to protect yourself against harsh UV rays. Always apply sun cream and wear sunglasses (or a hat) when out and about in hot weather.
And remember, UV rays are still present when the weather is overcast. So, don’t be fooled if the sun isn’t out in its full glory!

14. Use warm lighting to keep insects away

If you’re using lighting in and around your tent, expect bugs and insects to flood your way. However, don’t fret just yet! It’s easily avoidable if you use a particular type of lighting.

Bright white lights attract bugs like a moth to a flame, but warmer orange lighting is much less appealing to insects.

Alternatively, ensure you’re topped up with insect repellent and not pitching too close to ponds, rivers or lakes. It’s also beneficial to ensure your tent’s fly mesh doors remain closed as much as possible.

14. Use warm lighting to keep insects away
If you’re using lighting in and around your tent, expect bugs and insects to flood your way. However, don’t fret just yet! It’s easily avoidable if you use a particular type of lighting.
Bright white lights attract bugs like a moth to a flame, but warmer orange lighting is much less appealing to insects.
Alternatively, ensure you’re topped up with insect repellent and not pitching too close to ponds, rivers or lakes. It’s also beneficial to ensure your tent’s fly mesh doors remain closed as much as possible.

15. Look after your pets

Many of us enjoy taking pets, specifically our dogs, away camping with us. However, hot weather can be particularly problematic for them as they can’t sweat like we can, thus making it much harder for them to regulate their body temperature.

Here are our top tips for looking after your furry friends in warm weather conditions:

Ensure they have access to plenty of shade.
Ensure they have constant access to drinking water.
Take a portable drinking bowl with you everywhere.
Never leave pets locked inside a hot tent and NEVER leave them in a hot car – even for a few minutes.
Touch the ground with either your bare hand or foot. If it’s too warm for you, it’s too warm for them.
Learn to spot the signs of heat stroke in dogs.
Invest in cooling pads for their beds.
Avoid taking any dog beds or coats that are thick and fluffy.

15. Look after your pets
Many of us enjoy taking pets, specifically our dogs, away camping with us. However, hot weather can be particularly problematic for them as they can’t sweat like we can, thus making it much harder for them to regulate their body temperature.
Here are our top tips for looking after your furry friends in warm weather conditions:

Ensure they have access to plenty of shade.
Ensure they have constant access to drinking water.
Take a portable drinking bowl with you everywhere.
Never leave pets locked inside a hot tent and NEVER leave them in a hot car – even for a few minutes.
Touch the ground with either your bare hand or foot. If it’s too warm for you, it’s too warm for them.
Learn to spot the signs of heat stroke in dogs.
Invest in cooling pads for their beds.
Avoid taking any dog beds or coats that are thick and fluffy.

SHOP SUMMER CAMPING EQUIPMENT AT WINFIELDS OUTDOORS TODAY

1 Comment

Liz Flynn

November 12, 2018 at 2:37 pm

This is great. There is loads of information out there about how to keep warm in your tent or sleeping bag, but much less info about keeping cool in hot weather. The heat in my tent is awful on a summer afternoon. Fortunately, we are usually out and about during the day, so we do not suffer too much.

Reply ↓

Liz Flynn

November 12, 2018 at 2:37 pm

This is great. There is loads of information out there about how to keep warm in your tent or sleeping bag, but much less info about keeping cool in hot weather. The heat in my tent is awful on a summer afternoon. Fortunately, we are usually out and about during the day, so we do not suffer too much.

Reply ↓