How To Beat The Heat While Camping

Now that it’s officially summer, I thought I’d provide you with a few tips for beating the heat while camping because it’s no fun to leave the confines of air conditioning if you’re just going to suffer in triple digit heat while you’re out camping.

1) Location Location Location

If you haven’t decided where you want to go camping, I’d recommend you take a look at going some place where the temperatures aren’t blisteringly hot in summer. That means southern states like Arizona, Texas, and many others aren’t as good of choices as Montana, Wyoming, the Rocky Mountains where it doesn’t get as warm in the summer.

However, picking a more temperate location isn’t always feasible so let’s talk about how to pick a campsite that will help keep you cool. Look for a campsite in the shade or one that will be in the shade in the afternoon when it will be the hottest outside. If you’re camping on the water, get a campsite close to the water as you can get a nice cool lakeside breeze (provided the lake is large enough) when you camp next to it.

2) Drink like a sailor (sort of)

Okay, so I didn’t mean to get your hopes up that you should spend your entire time in a drunken stupor with the intention of beating the heat. Instead, drink water and plenty of it. Sodas don’t hydrate as well as good old water, and alcohol is actually dehydrating so you may wanna lay off the sauce at least until the evenings when the temperatures are cooler.

3) Stay Outta The Sun

The sun is great for a lot of things. Without sun we’ld all die. However, there is such a thing as too much of a good thing and if you’re out in the intense summer heat without protection you’re not gonna be too happy later on. Wear a wide brimmed hat, sunglasses and sunscreen if you’re going to be out in the sun for extended periods of time. And if you’re pasty white like I am, then just make sure you don’t go out in the sun without sunscreen at all. 4) Be a cool dresser

They say you’re not supposed to wear white after Labor Day. Fortunately, it’s well before Labor Day so you’re in the clear. Wear whites and light colored clothing to stay cool. Also, wear breathable clothing like nylon and polyester and if you’re going to be highly active, leave the cotton at home.

5) Schedule wisely

If you love to hike or bike, plan those activities in the morning or for the early evening when things will have cooled off a little. During the day, water based activities like swimming and jet skiing will keep you cooled off. You could also do one of my favorites and take a trip to local wineries which are air conditioned, and not only that, you usually get free wine samples (yes, I know that breaks rule #2, but don’t look at ‘em like rigid rules, more like suggestions). Read more at campingearth.com