Tips for camping in hot weather

It’s no secret that the weather can make or break a camping trip, and many campers keep their fingers crossed for warm, sunny weather during their time away. However, just as you need to be prepared for rain, you also need to be prepared for heat. Here’s our top tips for camping in hot weather:

Bring the correct sleeping bag

Just as duvets come in different weights, so do sleeping bags. It’s worth checking out thinner, more lightweight options, which will not only keep you cooler, but also save space while packing. If it’s really hot, don’t be afraid to ditch the sleeping bag altogether – a bedsheet might be enough.

Take your tent down

Yes, you read that right! One of the best tips to prevent the inside of your tent from becoming a greenhouse is actually to take it down during the day. You can leave your belongings inside and the pegs in the ground, just remove the poles. This won’t be for everyone, but if you’re serious about keeping it cool, it’s worth the effort.

Stick to the shade

When out on walks, or choosing your table in a pub garden, always aim for the shade during the middle of the day. The sun is strongest between 10am and 4pm, but during heatwaves it is still dangerous outside of these times. If you can choose a pitch where your tent will get shade during this time, even better.

Let the air in

Obviously it’s best for your tent to be closed up while you’re out for the day, but when you’re on the park, open those windows and doors! If your tent has mesh fly screens, you can keep those closed to keep the bugs out.

Have a swim to cool off

There’s nothing like a refreshing dip in the sea to cool yourself off, and it’s great fun too. All our parks are on or near to The Jurassic Coast so you can either walk or drive just a few minutes to the beach.

Leave the aerosols at home

More and more people are switching from aerosol cans for environmental reasons, but there’s another reason you might want to leave your aerosol deodorant or bug spray at home if you’re camping in hot weather. Like cars, tents can get much hotter than the air outside, potentially making aerosol cans dangerous.

Remove the outer layer of your tent

If your tent has two layers, taking off the outer layer can prevent the inside from becoming too hot. The outer layer will be the waterproof one, so only do this if you’re sure there will be no rain, and if you don’t mind people potentially being able to see your belongings!

Bring a cool box or camping fridge

Even if you’re not planning on cooking much whilst camping, a cool box is a great idea for keeping drinks cold. Add some freezer blocks (which you can chill using one of our freezers) to keep things extra cold. If you’re on a pitch with an electric hook-up, small camping fridges are a great idea. Whichever you bring, avoid opening them as much as possible as they’ll keep the heat out much better if left closed.

Stay hydrated

In hot weather, you will need to drink a lot more than normal, particularly if you have been out walking. Water is your best option, or sports drinks with electrolytes to replace those lost in sweat. Don’t drink too much alcohol as it will lead to you being dehydrated later on!

Look after your dogs

Dogs aren’t as good at regulating their body temperature as we are, and should never be walked in high temperatures. During heatwaves it’s best to walk your dogs early in the morning or later in the evening. Certain breeds (like brachycephalic types or those with thick fur) or overweight dogs may still struggle – if you’re unsure, don’t walk them! It goes without saying to never leave your dogs unattended in your tent or car.

Avoid disposable BBQs

Disposable BBQs are responsible for 4% of serious accidental fires, as they have direct contact with the grass underneath them, and unfortunately many people do not dispose of them correctly. If you love cooking outdoors, it’s worth investing in a proper portable BBQ for your camping trips – these tend to be easier to cook on too!

Protect yourself from the sun

It might be tempting to wear as little as possible in a bid to stop overheating, however clothes can offer much better UV protection than many sun creams. Stick to loose-fitting, thin fabrics in light colours to stay cool.

Check your sun cream

The above being said, you still need sun cream for the rest of your body! Most people know to check the SPF of their sun cream but did you know to check the expiry date? That’s right, sun cream does expire, so next time you reach for that old bottle in the cupboard, check the date first! Always re-apply sun cream after swimming, even if it’s labelled as waterproof.

Think about your footwear

You might automatically reach for your hiking boots every time you go for a long walk, but if they’re waterproof, they’re unlikely to be very breatheable, despite what the label may have said, and you may end up with very hot feet. Try a pair of sports trainers – they’ll still have lots of cushioning and your feet won’t sweat as much.

Use warm lighting to avoid attracting bugs

When the evenings get dark, you may wish to stay sat outside for a while. If you don’t like bugs, pay attention to the type of lighting or torches you use! Bright white lights will attract significantly more bugs than warmer orange lamps.

Pack a portable fan

This one’s fairly self-explanatory – small battery powered fans can be hung from the ceiling of your tent while you sleep, or larger ones can be plugged in if you have an electric hookup.

Stay alert

Pay attention to how you and your family are feeling and be alert to signs of heatstroke. Signs include: a headache, dizziness, confusion, loss of appetite, nausea, excessive sweating, pale or clammy skin, cramps, fast breathing, a high temperature (38° or above), and being excessively thirsty. In dogs, many of the above also apply, but the main signs are discoloured gums, fast breathing, tiredness and even seizures.

So there you have it! Our list of tips to keep you cool and safe while camping in hot weather. Not all of these tricks will work for everyone, but hopefully you’ve found something here that will improve your camping experience.

West Dorset Leisure Holidays

West Dorset Leisure Holidays are a family run group of holiday parks on or near the Jurassic Coast in Dorset. The parks offer excellent accommodation and facilities and each of them is unique, so you are bound to find one to suit you. Accommodation includes lodges, caravans, glamping and pitches for touring & camping.

Facilities include Martin’s Bar & Restaurant, Highlands End Leisure Club, the Little Fire Station Soft Play and park nature trails. The parks are family friendly, dog friendly and are situated in beautiful coastal and countryside locations with a great range of places to visit and things to do nearby. We also have caravan and lodge holiday homes for sale. Find out more here, or check availability and make a booking.