How to Camp (or Vanlife) Through Winter Without Freezing

Winter camping and vanlife are a special kind of outdoor adventure, and a special kind of difficult and joy. The silence after a fresh snowfall, the way stars look brighter in cold air, the joy of your pee jug freezing solid, it’s an entirely different flavor of outdoors. But winter also demands respect. If you’re not intentional about preparation, the cold will find its way in… and it will win.

Here’s how to stay warm, safe, and comfortable while adventuring through winter, whether you’re sleeping in a tent or cozying up in a rolling home on wheels.

1. Clothes – Layer up!

Your clothing is your first line of defense. Winter comfort starts before you even zip up your sleeping bag.

Base layer: Moisture-wicking merino or synthetic. Cotton is the enemy, it holds moisture and steals heat.
Mid layer: Fleece, puffy, or wool. Think insulation.
Outer layer: Waterproof and windproof shell. Wind chill steals warmth faster than you think.

Pro tip:

Have a pair of sleeping clothes (INCLUDING SOCKS) that stay dry, and you only wear to bed. I love a huge pair of cozy socks, a buff around my neck, a beanie, and when it’s really cold I even wear the puffy to sleep. 

2. Sleeping Comfortably

A comfy night outside starts with a good sleeping setup.

Sleeping bag:

Choose a bag with a comfort rating lower than the lowest temperature you expect. This is super important. Sleeping bags are rated to the degree in which you will be able to survive, NOT BE COMFORTABLE. If it’s going to get down to 15 degrees at night, you actually want a 0 degree bag. 

In the van, I also have an emergency sleeping bag for really cold nights, I get into it under my covers for extra warmth. 

Sleeping pad:

This is where people often get it wrong. The ground pulls heat out of you fast. Look for an R-value of 4 or higher, and consider stacking two pads for extra insulation. When sleeping outside, I like to put a Z-Lite down and then a Nemo pad on top of that. Adding in a sleeping bag liner to your whole set up makes you significantly warmer. And if you have access to a hot water bottle, putting one inside your bag before you get in is extremely nice 

3. Vanlife Must-Haves

Your van should be cozy, AND designed for cold.

When building out your van make sure to add insulation behind the paneling. Focus on the walls, the ceiling, the sliding doors, and especially the foot well and cab area as much as possible. Heat is constantly escaping through the vehicle windows, so pay extra attention to the places you can insulate. 

Speaking of windows, window covers are a game changer. Reflectix or insulated window covers trap heat and provide privacy. You can make some that magnetically attach to the inner lining of the van, that way they can be removed easily. And don’t forget the windshield, it’s a giant cold sink!

4. Food and Beverages

Your body is a furnace, and you should feed it to keep it warm. Cooking around a gas stove or a fire also generates heat, which can help warm your fingers before you crawl into your bed for the night. I like to eat heavy meals like chili-mac or a gussied-up ramen (adding my own veggies and fried eggs), to get my core temperature up. You can also make yourself a hot cup of tea, or better yet bone broth to sip on as you get cozied up. 

Cold Camping pro tip:

Fill a pot with water and put it on your stove before bed. That way if your water jugs freeze at night you have a way to melt the ice in the morning and make yourself a piping hot cup of coffee. 

5. Choose the Right Campsite

Rolling up to the right campsite can make a huge difference in your evening. Even small location choices change everything. Make sure to avoid valleys where the cold will settle in and stay trapped even after the sun has fully risen. At the same time also avoid ridgelines where you’ll be buffeted by the wind all night long (and possibly into the morning). 

I like to find natural wind breaks like trees, big rocks, or just small hills to park my van next to. This can also keep the wind down, and can also help create a nice ambiance the next day.

Finally, if you want to maximize warmth, camp and park away from bodies of water. Water naturally chills the air and can make you extra cold throughout the night. 

In a van, park with your windshield facing east if you want to wake up with the sun warming you. This can make a huge difference when van camping! A sunrise coffee feels absolutely incredible after a long night of burrowing into your blankets.

6. Embrace the COLD

Expect earlier nights, longer stays around the campfire, slower mornings, and long stretches of calm. Bring a book, a journal, comfort food, insulated mugs, fairy lights, or anything that makes dark evenings feel special. 

If you prepare well, winter camping and vanlife become some of the most rewarding outdoor experiences you can have. You see familiar landscapes in entirely new ways. The trails are quieter. The world is calmer. 

With the right gear, mindset, and preparation, you’ll stay warm enough to enjoy every moment, without freezing your toes off.

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Photo Credit: Kaya Lindsay