Camping in 100-Degree Weather: Expert Tips to Stay Cool
Camping during the hot summer months can be an uncomfortable or even dangerous experience without proper preparation. But with some planning and the right gear, you can still have an enjoyable camping trip even in 100-Degree Weather.
In this article, we will cover:
- Choosing shaded campsites near water
- Setting up tents strategically
- Staying hydrated
- Taking cooling dips
- Wearing breathable fabrics
- Eating strategically
- Resting in shade shelters
- Using battery-powered fans
- Checking weather forecasts
- Preventing overheating emergencies
- Additional useful tips for keeping cool while camping in 100-Degree Weather.
Follow these tips to keep your tent cool, stay hydrated, regulate your body temperature, and beat the heat for a fun and comfortable camping adventure even when it feels too hot.
Tips to stay cool while camping in 100-degree weather
1. Choose a Shaded Campsite Near Water
One of the most important decisions you’ll make to stay cool while camping in hot weather is picking the right campsite location. Finding a spot with plenty of tree cover and close to a lake, stream, or other water source will allow you to better regulate your temperature during the hottest parts of the day.
The shade from trees and shelters creates natural cooling and protection from the blazing overhead sun. And proximity to water gives you easy access for swimming, wading, splashing, or simply gazing at a cool blue oasis.
If camping in a park or campground, look for sites tagged as shaded or chose spots on the campground map that are closest to water frontage. For backcountry camping, plan your route and shelter locations to take advantage of forests near creeks, lakes, and rivers.
2. Set Up Your Tent Strategically to Maximize Shade
Once you’ve selected a shaded campsite, take advantage of any natural shade features by setting up your tent in the optimal spot. Make sure to position your tent so that you maximize tree cover and avoid direct sunlight exposure, especially in the hot afternoon.
Look for shade patterns and note how they shift throughout the day. Try to set up on the east side of large trees, rocks, or hillsides so your tent has shade in the morning that lasts into the late afternoon as the sun tracks west.
If there are no natural shade structures around your campsite, bring tarps, portable pop-up canopies, or improvise with spare blankets or sheets to create artificial shade. Anything that casts a shadow and blocks the intense overhead sunlight will help.
And don’t forget to think vertically for shade sources too. Hanging a tarp overhead or draping blankets over ropes tied between trees can generate shade down below. For car camping, a portable canopy set up next to your vehicle can provide extra refuge from the sun.
3. Stay Hydrated and Avoid Alcohol
Dehydration intensifies heat stress, so maintaining proper fluid levels is crucial for staying cool while camping in hot weather. Aim to drink at least 1 quart (1 liter) of water per hour when temperatures climb over 90°F. Drink even more if you’re particularly active, sweating heavily, or showing early signs of heat sickness.
Plain, cool water is best for hydration. Avoid sugary juices or sodas as well as alcohol and caffeinated drinks which act as diuretics, dehydrating you further.
Make sure you have an abundant water supply through nature or prepared stock. For car camping, bring along extra bottled water and several water jugs. For remote camping, utilize water filters, chemical treatments, or boiling to ensure natural water sources are potable and safe.
Drink steadily throughout the day, not just when thirsty. Dehydration can creep up quickly. Urine color is one way to gauge if you’re drinking enough water. A light lemonade color is ideal. Dark yellow means you need to drink more.
4. Take a Dip Whenever Possible
Immersing yourself in water is one of the most direct and powerful ways to cool down on a hot summer day. When camping in extreme heat, take every chance you can to take a dip in a lake, river, stream, or other swimming hole.
Splashing water over your entire body creates an immediate cooling effect as heat is absorbed. Swimming and wading give you exercise without overheating since water regulates body temperature. And nothing beats the refreshing feel of diving into a cool mountain lake when camping in 100-degree weather!
If you don’t have a large body of water to swim in, you can still reap cooling benefits. Fill up a bucket or pot with creek water and use it to pour over your head, feet, and wrists. Sitting in a partially shaded creek allows the moving water to draw away excess warmth. And portable camping showers can provide a makeshift cold rinse-off.
Read about: How to Make a Camping Shower
5. Wear Lightweight, Breathable Fabrics
What you wear while camping in hot weather can make a big difference in keeping your body’s temperature regulated. Fabrics that are lightweight, moisture-wicking, and breathable will keep you much cooler than materials that are heavy, trap heat, and restrict airflow.
For hot weather tents, look for models made primarily from mesh netting rather than nylon walls and rainfly. Mesh tent fabric allows for maximum ventilation and air circulation. Other hot weather camping shelters like tarps and hammocks are also more breathable than traditional tents.
For clothing, choose light-colored, loose-fitting shirts and pants made of moisture-wicking synthetic blends or cotton fabrics. Avoid dark colors which absorb heat. Prioritize shirts and pants with UPF sun protection built in. And don’t forget wide-brimmed hats and bandanas to shield your head, neck, and face from direct sunlight.
6. Cook and Eat Strategically
Another element under your control is what, when, and how you cook and eat while camping in hot conditions. Some smart strategies can help you stay cooler around meal times.
Avoid cooking large, hot, heavy meals that will make you feel sluggish in the heat. Prioritize lighter fare like vegetables, fruits, salads, sandwiches, and cold pasta dishes. Hydrating foods with high water content also help replace fluids lost sweating.
Cook staples like grilled meats, stews, or pancakes during the cooler morning and evening hours rather than intense midday heat. But you can still eat prepared cold foods conveniently during the hottest parts of the day without firing up a stove.
When cooking, rely on compact grills and stoves rather than big shared campfires which throw off radiant heat. And set up your cooking area in a shadier spot so you stay cooler while prepping and eating meals.
Keep perishable foods properly chilled in insulated coolers with ice packs. Only open the cooler when absolutely needed and avoid leaving it sitting in direct sun.
7. Rest and Recover in a Hammock or Canopy
The midday hours when the sun is at its peak tends to be the hottest time for camping in extreme heat. Rather than trying to push through discomfort, listen to your body and take breaks to rest and recover in the shade.
Escape the confines of your tent which can hold in heat and moisture. A breezy hammock strung under trees or a portable open canopy provide cooler alternatives. Their open-air design and airflow from all sides keeps you cooler as you read, nap, or lounge in the shade.
Don’t forget to top up on hydration and splash water over your head, neck, and wrists during these rest breaks. Catching some relief during peak heat can re-energize you for more activities once temperatures become less intense.
8. Use Battery-Powered Fans for Cooling Air Circulation
One convenient way to generate an artificial breeze just about anywhere is bringing compact, battery-powered fans designed for camping. Small, portable fans can provide a cooling airflow whether hanging in your tent at night or directed right on your body during the day.
Look for battery-operated fans made sturdy enough for outdoor use. Many come with multiple speed settings, pivoting heads, and even water misting attachments. Fans that can be hung from tent ceilings or poles work well to circulate air inside shelters. And handheld or clip-on fans are great for cooling relief on the go.
Solar-powered camping fans are also available for those who want to draw power from the sun rather than disposable batteries. Just make sure to hang them in an area receiving direct sunlight for optimal performance.
9. Check Weather Forecasts and Be Flexible
When planning a camping trip during months prone to extreme heat, keep a close eye on long-range weather forecasts. Monitor reports from the National Weather Service leading up to your trip.
Pay close attention to any excessive heat warnings predicting temperatures above 90°F or 100°F. Be ready to shift plans, delay travel, or modify activities if seven-day forecasts call for potentially dangerous heat approaching.
While already camping in 100-degree weather, continue checking short-term forecasts and adjust accordingly. Take advantage of any storms or cold fronts bringing clouds, rain showers, and cooler conditions. Be cautious if thunderstorms are predicted by seeking shelter rather than open areas.
Remaining flexible and recognizing when to alter plans due to severe weather can help you better manage risks. Don’t let a hot forecast deter you completely if you stay vigilant. But also know your limits in the face of extreme heat.
10. Prevent Overheating Emergencies
While diligently staying hydrated, keeping cool, and listening to your body are paramount for preventing heat-related illness while camping, you should also be able to recognize symptoms of when someone is severely overheated. Heat exhaustion and heat stroke are true emergencies requiring rapid response.
Early signs of heat exhaustion include heavy sweating, cold or clammy skin, dizziness, nausea, rapid weak pulse, and intense thirst. If exhibiting these symptoms, immediately get the person to shade, remove excess clothing, drink fluids, and apply wet compresses or ice packs. If not improving within 30 minutes, seek medical help.
With heat stroke, the body’s core temperature shoots above 103°F and vital organs are under duress. Signals include extremely high fever, rapid heartbeat, difficulty breathing, confusion, loss of consciousness, seizures, and potential organ failure or brain damage. Cool the person as much as possible with any means while waiting for emergency personnel.
By staying vigilant for signs of heat exhaustion progressing to heat stroke, you could help save someone’s life. Don’t take chances in extreme heat. Prevention and early reaction to overheating are critical.
Additional Tips
Here are some final techniques for remaining cool, comfortable, and properly prepared while camping in hot weather conditions:
- Prioritize a shaded site near water as much as possible. Shade and water access are your best natural cooling assets.
- Schedule activities during cooler times of day; mornings and evenings rather than midday.
- Allow your body to acclimate to the heat for the first couple of days before extensive exertion.
- Have a medical plan if anyone has a pre-existing condition affected by heat stress.
- Use a food thermometer kept in the cooler at all times to ensure perishables stay under 40°F.
- Freeze water bottles and portable ice packs ahead to help keep food chilled for longer.
- Soak bandanas and hats in water for a cooling evaporative effect as they dry.
- Take occasional cooling showers or sponge baths using solar camp showers when possible.
- Use battery operated fans both inside tents at night and pointed on your body during activities.
- Spend as much free time hammocking or resting in shaded spots instead of direct sun.
- Learn to set up impromptu sun shelters from tarps, blankets, poles, and rope to create shade anywhere.
- Monitor local heat advisories and adjust plans according to extreme temperature predictions or warnings.
- Pack an emergency heat sickness first aid kit with cold compresses, electrolyte mixes, thermometer, and medications.
Read about: How Hot is Too Hot While Camping?
You Can Beat the Heat While Camping in 100-Degree Weather
Camping in hot weather may require more preparation and precaution, but it can still be an enjoyable outdoor experience. The key is choosing shaded sites with water access, utilizing cooling clothing and gear, adjusting activities to avoid midday heat peaks, and vigilantly staying hydrated.
With adequate shade sources, breathable fabric shelters, battery powered fans, and smart eating and hydration strategies, you can comfortably beat the heat even when camping in 100-degree weather days. Just be flexible and don’t take chances with heat illness in extreme conditions.
