20 ways to heat a tent safely and stay warm
When you’re spending lots of time out in the open air on a camping trip it’s important to have a nice cosy place to retreat to – staying warm in your tent will keep you healthy (avoiding the risk of things like hypothermia) and allow you to get a good night’s sleep to be fresh for the next day’s activities.
Keeping your tent insulated is particularly important if you’re camping in winter, but cool nights can happen at any time of year (especially when the sky’s been wonderfully clear by day), so it’s worth being prepared whenever you’re travelling.
In this article we’ll look at some options for heating your tent safely – both with and without electricity, and general tips for staying warm outdoors.
Safety first
The number-one rule when thinking about how to heat your tent is to make sure you’re doing it safely. Unless you have a tent that is specifically designed for this feature, you should NEVER just bring your gas stove or heater into your tent – even into the porch area. Not only is there a risk of fire but there’s also the possibility of lethal carbon monoxide poisoning when these heaters are used in an enclosed space. Make sure any heat sources are well away from flammable materials, for example, and not in danger of being knocked over by children or dogs.
11 ways to heat a tent safely (without electricity)
If you’re camping somewhere that doesn’t have an electrical connection, try some of these ideas for heating your tent for maximum insulation.
1: Pick a sheltered pitch
Staying out in an exposed spot might give better views, but a sheltered pitch close to trees, hedges or buildings will be better at protecting you from wind and rain, and therefore keep you warmer inside. You could also use your car as a windbreak if strong winds are consistently coming from one direction.
2: Avoid pitching up in the centre of a valley
If you’re pitching up in a valley, try to avoid the centre (or the lowest point) of the site, as the shape of the land will funnel cold winds through the centre of your camp.
3: Use a footprint or layer of tarp
The ground often feels colder than the air when the temperature drops, so adding an extra layer underneath your tent when you pitch it will help insulate you from that. You can buy specially designed ‘footprints’ for this, or simply use a layer of tarp.
4: Drape a rain fly over your tent
Part of keeping your tent warm involves making sure that it’s protected from all the elements, including wind, rain and snow. Draping a rain fly cover over your tent will deflect breezes and stop rain soaking into your tent.
5: Use a thermal mat, rug or blanket in your tent
Another layer of tarp or a thermal mat inside your tent will insulate your tent further; if you don’t have one, an old rug or a blanket laid across the floor will also work.
6: Use a self-inflating air mattress
Even a thin air mattress will add a layer of insulation to keep you off the cold ground and help you to stay warm while sleeping.
7: Keep your tent compartments tightly sealed
Just as a small tent will conserve your body heat, keeping your compartments tightly zipped up will split your tent into several smaller spaces and keep them warmer, especially when they are occupied.
8: Use a hot water bottle
Boil up some water and use it to fill a hot water bottle for long-lasting warmth. If you don’t have one, a metal or heavy-duty plastic bottle will have the same effect but you’ll need to wrap it in some material to avoid burns (and don’t use single-use plastic bottles, which will simply split).
9: Warm rocks around the firepit
Rocks will absorb heat when placed close to a campfire – once they’re moderately warm, wrap them in cloth and place inside your tent, where they’ll let off a small amount of heat for a few hours.
To do this safely, place your rocks around the edge of the fire rather than in the middle (where they might explode), and don’t use porous or wet rocks. The key is moderate heat – rocks should be warm to the touch (rather than hot) and shouldn’t scorch any cloth you place them in.
10: Carry hand warmers
Small, lightweight reusable hand warmers are very useful items to pack for a camping trip – just rub them between your hands or pop the button when you need them (and then drop them in hot water to ‘recharge’ for next time).
11: Bring a propane gas heater
Small propane heaters are safe to use in a tent as long as they’re marked ‘indoor-safe’ and used carefully. One canister of gas can emit between four and seven hours’ worth of heat, depending upon the size.
5 ways to heat a tent safely (with electricity)
If you’ll be camping at a pitch with electricity, you may like to buy or borrow an electric heater or other electric gadget to keep your tent warm. Make sure you choose one that’s suitable for camping (typically something that uses under 1000 watts, to avoid tripping your connection) and understand how to connect to the campsite’s electricity safely.
Electric tent heaters are usually effective and quite easy to use – just position the heater off the ground and away from tent walls to ensure that it doesn’t come into contact with damp or water from leaks.
There are three main options available for electric tent heaters – we’ve listed the pros and cons of each option here, so you can choose the right one for you.
Another alternative is to use a heated blanket or rug – blankets are handy pieces of kit for almost-immediate warmth, and particularly useful if you’re in a couple or group where people feel the cold differently. Again, make sure you’ve picked one that’s designed for outdoor use, not a standard electric blanket from home.
1: Heated camping blanket
Pros:
· Quick to heat up
· Can often be run from battery power
· Compact, cheap and easy to pack
Cons:
· Should not be used overnight
· Only useful for one person at a time
2: Camping fan heater
Pros:
· Quick to heat up a tent
· Lightweight, compact and portable
· Inexpensive
· Can help to guard against condensation by drying out the air in your tent
Cons:
· Can be noisy, especially when they turn on and off automatically (which they should do, to ensure that they don’t overheat during the night)
· Can dry out the air, causing dry eyes and skin
3: Electric camping radiator
Pros:
· Quieter than fan heaters
· Give off heat for a short amount of time after being turned off
· Don’t dry out the surrounding air
Cons:
· Larger and heavier to transport around
· Heat may not spread far into the tent
· Can take a few minutes to warm up
4: Electric halogen camping heater
Pros:
· Emit a lot of heat, quickly and efficiently
· Also provide lighting
· Lighter and more compact than radiators
Cons:
· Ground-based versions are a fire hazard, so you’ll need to find a hanging halogen heater
· Only warm one space at a time
5: Heated tent rug
Pros:
· Provides a gentle heat throughout the tent
· Doesn’t dry out the air like a fan heater
· Provides extra insulation against the cold ground
Cons:
· Can be too warm under a sleeping bag
· Can’t be used under a carpet in case of overheating
· Expensive and more difficult to get hold of
For most uses, we’d recommend a fan heater as a safe, portable option that’s easy to transport and switch on for immediate heat, or a heated blanket to wrap yourself in for added cosiness.
4 tips for keeping warm while camping
As well as generating heat inside your tent, there are several steps you can take to maximise your chances of staying warm while camping.
1: Wear warm clothes
Putting on warm clothes should be your first move to stay warm while camping – start with thermal base layers, then add more layers and accessories (like a fleece-lined hat and wool socks) rather than relying on one thick jumper.
2: Buy a four-season tent
If you’ll be camping in winter, look for a tent that’s labelled as a ‘four-season’ tent – these have enhanced waterproofing and ventilation designed to keep you warm and dry even in extreme weather.
3: Downsize your tent
A smaller tent is easier to insulate or warm up than a large one because the smaller space will trap your body heat more effectively, turning you into something like a human radiator.
4: Choose the right sleeping bag – and use it well
Invest in the best sleeping bag you can afford to keep you cosy while you sleep. For extra warmth, add extra layers of fleece or blankets inside, and add a hot water bottle to warm it before you go to sleep. Plan ahead by putting tomorrow’s clothes in the bag before you go to sleep, so they’ll be nice and warm (and you might be able to get dressed without even leaving your sleeping bag…)
Choosing suitable equipment and following the above tips will mean you’ll be able to heat your tent safely and effectively, and stay warm during your camping trip.
FAQs for heating a tent safely
Is there a safe way to heat a tent?
Electric and propane heaters can be used to heat a tent safely as long as they’re properly secured, kept away from flammable materials and well maintained. Hot water bottles and ground insulation are among the other ways to keep warm while camping without the need for a heater.
What’s the best way to heat a tent?
A small electric fan heater is the best way to heat a tent if you’ve got an electric connection – they are lightweight, compact and effective, as the fan disperses heat well around the tent. If you don’t have electricity, indoor-safe propane heaters are also effective but must be used carefully.
How cold is too cold for a tent?
Experienced campers suggest that temperatures below 5ºC require specialised equipment to guard against hypothermia. However, many inexperienced campers will be used to warmer temperatures at home, so it’s worth having a plan to keep warm to make sure you’re not cold and miserable.