Sleeping Tips for Campers

Posted by Jim Thomas on December 26th, 2019

We can enjoy being closer to nature and get the opportunity to shed many modern conveniences by camping.  Also, we'll get rejuvenation and comfort sleep. Under the starry night skies and fresh air, we can sleep soundly with the right gear and preparation.

Gear for Sleeping Outdoors

In the outdoors, how can you sleep soundly whether you're backpacking or camping? The right gear is a good start: 

Sleeping bag: For your destination, choose a temperature rating and stylish sleeping bag.

Car camping bags on extra-chilly nights these bags are not good and for retaining body heat these are less efficient but it offers more roll-around room, good for comfort and usually is cut wider. On milder nights, you can unzip the bag to use as a quilt- some rectangular styles bag offer this.

Backpacking bags generally, lighter in weight, warmer fit and are mummy shaped for a closer. It can compresses more readily than synthetic fill as they are filled with duck down.

Sleeping pad: Air, closed-cell foam and self-inflating— three types of sleeping pads. For comfort you can use a wider and thicker pad— weight is not an issue when it's car camping. Air pad or closed-cell pad could be your choice as they are super-lightweight as weight is important when you choose backpacking camping. 

Pillows: You can use an inflatable camp pillow or a small foam pillow that you can bring from home. You can fold up clothing and have a pocket to hold a pillow in some sleeping pillow.

Eye mask and earplugs: When campgrounds with ambient light or in northern latitudes in summer, eye masks are helpful. To rustling sounds in the bushes, noises ranging from your tent mate’s snoring or dampen, your earplugs can block out them.

Getting Ready for Bed

You can enjoy the evening and get time to relax, before dark if you can organize your camp well. For a good night's sleep, this is very helpful. Here are some more tips:  

Choose a proper tent site: On a durable, pinecones, rocks or on a flat surface make sure to pitch your tent. 

Keep a light handy: At outdoors how dark the night feels, campers are often amazed. You can keep a flashlight handy or wear a headlamp. Inside your tent hang a small LED lantern. When you prepare for bed, you can turn the light. Now, for a gentle glow, some tents come with built-in LED lights.

Repeat familiar routines. Do the same in camp if each night at home you brushing your teeth. On new surroundings, you'll feel of normalcy. 

Store all food and scented toiletries securely outside of your tent. If you're backpacking you may need a bear canister as from park to park, food-storage rules vary. Abide by the rules and learn them. With food or trash, take care and don't be sloppy. Do not sleep in clothes that may have absorbed food odors, where bears are active and you're camping. 

Wear dry clothing. Before going to bed change sweaty or dirty clothes. A good sleepwear choice while camping is clean long underwear, top, and bottom, plus clean socks.

Avoid overdressing before you hop into your bag. The bag can be failed to trap body heat if inside a bag wearing bulky clothing. For an extra layer of insulation, on the outside of your bag drape the items. When car camping, to provide as an extra layer bring an old comforter from home. 

Pee twice before going to bed. To prevent midnight trips, women, in particular, recommend going 20–30 minutes before bed and before getting into the sleeping bag.

Prepare for midnight restroom trips. Near your tent door place a pair of camp shoes or sandals, just in case before you bunk down. To serve as a sandal- or foot-cleaning doormat outside the tent door, put a patch of carpet or a camp towel. And remember where your headlamp is.

Thirst: Keep a water bottle next to your sleeping bag, in the night if you tend to get thirsty.

Night noises: Outside the tent, every little sound listens- some novice campers. It’s wonderful to hear an owl, not so wonderful to think you hear a bear. Try to relax but keep in mind that, at night small critters can sound large. Or if you need, you can grab earplugs. You should be fine if you put away your food properly.  

During the Night How to Stay Warm 

You may not need to zip up your sleeping bag on a balmy, warm night. Often campers will just tuck their feet into the bag's foot box and drape the bag over them. From home bring a light blanket if you expect warm nights. That may be all you need.

In general, if you’re a cold sleeper or for camping in cold weather, to stay warm these tips will help you:

Before bed eats a meal or light snack. Internally, the process of digestion warms you that generates the heat you need to sleep comfortably.

Drink a warm, nonalcoholic beverage before hopping in the sack. (Alcohol dilates blood vessels, spurring heat loss.)

Do a little exercise before finally plunking down and nodding off. You might become sweaty or wide awake so not too much. To heat both you and your bag, an easy way is sit-ups in your sleeping bag.

Again, remember to wear your long underwear and clean, dry socks. Wear a cozy neck gaiter if your neck tends to get cold.

Wear a warm knit hat when you first get in your bag if you’re cold. If you get too warm in the night you can easily pull it off.

Around your head cinch the sleeping bag hood, even if you're wearing a hat. For your nose and mouth, you might only leave an opening large enough on below-freezing nights.

Add a closed-cell foam pad, for extra insulation under your regular sleeping pad.

Stuff dry clothing inside your sleeping bag to fill the empty spaces, reducing the area your body must heat.

Put a warm water bottle close to the core of your body, since your core is your body's chief heat-generating zone. Try putting it next to your femoral arteries (between your legs),  to warm even more quickly.