Summer camping is every camper’s dream when the days are long and sunny, so many people are asking how to cool down a tent while camping. On the other hand, hot days can quickly heat up your tent to an unbearable level, both during the day and at night, making sleep difficult.
The sun’s rays are absorbed by the tent, trapping heat inside. Additionally, cooling the interior after it has been heated is difficult, which can quickly ruin your camping trip.
Are you willing to learn how to maintain your composure? Keep your tent cool while camping in hot weather by following these 10 tips.
How To Cool Down A Tent While Camping – 10 tips
1 – Choosing the Proper Tent
The first step toward remaining cool while camping in the summer is selecting the appropriate tent. You’ll need a breathable tent with plenty of ventilation.
Summer tents are smaller and lighter than all-season tents, with multiple mesh windows and rain flaps that can be left open during the day.
Polyester tents are ideal for camping in hot weather due to their resistance to UV rays. Nylon is a superior material to polyester because it allows for greater airflow through the tent.
While cotton tents remain cooler than polyester or nylon tents, they are heavier and more difficult to erect.
If your budget permits, choose a larger cabin-style tent with numerous mesh windows. With the larger space, you’ll get even more ventilation, with cool air circulating to keep the interior cool.
2 – Set up your tent in a shady location.
If you want to stay cool, set up your tent in the shade rather than in direct sunlight. Seek refuge in the shade provided by trees and other vegetation. Bear in mind that the sun moves throughout the day, which means that a shady spot in the morning may be in full sun by afternoon.
Make the most of any breeze, however slight. Even a gentle breeze passing through the mesh of your tent can help you stay cool. Placing the tent near a lake or river usually results in a refreshing breeze, particularly at night when the temperature begins to drop.
3 – Construct a Tent Pit
Bring a shovel and, if possible, dig a two-foot-deep pit in the ground. Pitch your tent in the trench. If you pitch your tent partially in the ground, where the soil is cooler, you will have a more comfortable floor and interior.
4 – Pitch the Tent During a Cooler Period
If you arrive at your campsite on a hot day and immediately begin setting up your tent, it will quickly become hot. It’s almost certain that if you pitch the tent shortly before sunset, the interior will be cool.
5 – Dismantle the Tent During the Day
While it may appear to be a lot of work, removing a tent during the day and re-erecting it at night is a foolproof way to keep your tent cool. If you’re camping during the summer, this is one of the best ways to stay cool.
Dismantle the tent and store it in the shade as soon as you awaken.
6 – Ensure that all vents are open.
Allow air to circulate through your tent by opening vents, doors, and rain flaps. The tent will be able to breathe due to the ventilation and air movement. If you’re concerned about bugs getting in, close the mesh; air will still circulate freely throughout the tent.
7 – Make use of thermal refraction.
By reflecting the sun’s rays away from the tent’s surface, reflective tarps and sheets will keep the interior cool.
The most effective way to use reflective tarps is to secure them to tree branches and suspend them above the tent to act as a roof. Leave a 12-inch gap between the tent’s top and the tarp to allow for circulation.
Reflective tarps are relatively inexpensive and can be found at most camping supply stores. If none are available, a simple tarp will suffice to shade the tent from the scorching sun.
8 – Using a Fan to Cool
In hot weather, camping enthusiasts can be lifesavers. If you’re staying at an electric campsite, use a camping fan connected to an extension cord. Bring a battery-powered fan…or two…to non-electric campsites.
Lightweight fans that can be mounted on the tent’s walls, floor, or ceiling are ideal.
9 – Stir in the ice.
If a fan is insufficient to keep the tent cool, use ice to keep it cool. In a shallow pan, place a block of ice in front of the fan. When the ice begins to melt, pour the water into a large enough pan to catch it.
If you are unable to obtain ice, cold water from a lake or river will suffice to keep you cool and allow you to sleep soundly.
10 – Use Cold Towels
Bring a few small hand towels with you if the weather is hot. Soak a towel in ice water, lake water, or river water for a few minutes. On a hot day, a towel wrapped around the back of your neck can provide instant relief.
At night, place a cold towel on your brow to aid in cooling down if you’re sleeping in a tent that may still be retaining some of the day’s heat.
Were you oblivious to the fact that you forgot to bring towels? Instead, wear a t-shirt.
Final Thoughts
Whether you’re planning a weekend camping trip or an extended backpacking excursion, it can be challenging to keep your tent cool and comfortable when the temperatures are soaring. Luckily, there are a number of strategies that you can use to effectively cool down your tent while camping.
Some tips include pitching the tent near water sources like lakes or rivers, using a fan to circulate air, and adding ice to the fan to create a cooling effect. With a little bit of planning and preparation, you can stay cool and comfortable all summer long!
