How To Stay Warm While Car Camping In The Winter

As aptly said by Ned Stark from Game of Thrones, "Winter is coming." It's an unfortunate reality for those of us who prefer warm, sunny weather. It's especially unfortunate for those who live in their car.

When the temperature drops, car camping can become nearly unbearable, even dangerous. However, there are ways to get by while car dwelling in freezing cold weather.

In this article I am sharing all my tips for car camping in the winter.

*This article contains some affiliate links. If you make a purchase through them I may get a small commission at no extra cost to you. This helps keep my website afloat.

10 Tips for car camping in the cold

Keep yourself fed

If you aren't eating enough, your body has fewer calories to burn to keep yourself warm. Keep yourself full, and enjoy hot food and hot beverages to stay comfortable in frigid weather.

Eating a small, calorie-dense snack before bed can help you stay warm through the night. When you sleep, your body still needs fuel to generate heat. If your stomach is empty, your metabolism slows down and you’ll feel colder.

Warm clothing

It doesn't take a genius to know that staying warm requires proper attire. Layering up is the way to go for those cold days while car camping. Bonus points if you wear thick clothing, especially wool.

For extra insulation, wear some under layers, like long Johns. To keep your extremities warm, don some fingerless gloves and a beanie. Don't forget to add some thick, cozy socks!

These Senker fashion wool socks are made of wool, polyester, and cotton. They are comfortable and breathable, made to keep your feet warm all day.

Hand warmers

Having some hand warmers in your pockets can really make a difference on a cold day. It's hard to use your hands when your ten digits are frozen!

This 10-pack of Hot Hands is just what you need to stay nice and toasty on a chilly car camping trip.

Hot water bottle

Here's a little hack not all people know about. If you heat up some water and put it in a water bottle, you have a little heater by your side to keep you warm throughout the night! Better yet, fill it with hot water and put a sock over it so you don't burn your skin.

Leave it inside your sleeping bag to keep it extra warm.

Run car with heat on for a few minutes

You have to be very careful when running your car to get warm. Leaving it on for too long while staying in one place can cause carbon monoxide poisoning. It's important to keep a window cracked and only leave it on for 10-15 minutes every 2 hours.

Carbon monoxide is odorless, but powerful. If you start to feel funny, or experience dizziness, headache, confusion, or nausea, turn off the car and get out into the fresh air. Safety first!

Have a good sleeping bag

You don't want just any sleeping bag for winter car camping. You’ll want a sleeping bag rated 0 °F for the best night's sleep.

A down insulated sleeping bag will do the trick in preventing you from freezing overnight. It's also a good idea to get one with a water proof outer coating, because condensation can cause your sleeping bag to get wet, which makes you even colder.

The Coleman North Rim is a mummy sleeping bag, designed for maximum warmth and comfort. It keeps you warm in temperatures as low as 0 degrees. It is suitable for campers up to 6'2.

Lots of blankets

This is a pretty obvious solution to being cold while car camping. But it's easy to think one or two blankets will be enough, when in reality you may end up needing more.

Don't just pack a couple throw blankets, make sure to have at least one high quality, thick blanket to ensure maximum warmth while sleeping. A comforter or down blanket is a great option.

Get some exercise

Having been an ice skater for 10 years, I'm well aware of how warm you can get when you are doing something active in the cold. So this tip is to get some exercise, be it at a gym or by hiking up a steep mountain trail.

Exercise warms you because your muscles generate heat as they burn energy to move, raising your body temperature. Not only will exercise warm you up, but it is also great for your mental and physical health. Your body will thank you!

Insulated car

With metal frames, and drafty windows, cars quickly conduct cold. Having some insulation is key to keeping a car camper nice and warm.

Window covers are one way to keep your car insulated if you don't have a fancy vanlife build. You can make your own window covers by cutting out Reflectix in the exact shape of your windows.

It's also a good idea to have a sleeping pad when it's time to hit the hay, instead of sleeping directly on the surface of the car floor.

Ventilation

Cracking open a window may seem counterintuitive when trying to avoid the cold on a winter car camping trip, but it is crucial in keeping the condensation out of your car. Condensation=moisture=cold. So crack that window, and maybe get some moisture eliminators.

------------------------------------------------------------------------------

If you've tried all of those tips and are still struggling to stay warm, there's always the option of moving somewhere warmer. The beauty of car camping is being in a vehicle that can take you almost anywhere. Why not drive to Florida or California?

Those are all my tips for cold-weather car camping. Now you're ready for a winter adventure. Have fun and stay safe!