Staying cool while camping in a heatwave: here is how
Keep your tent cool by pitching it in the shade, closing it during the day and ventilating it wide open in the early morning and evening, and by spraying or dousing it with water at the end of the day so the evaporation cools the fabric. Keep yourself cool by drinking plenty of water (even without thirst), avoiding exertion between noon and 4pm, and cooling your wrists and neck with cold water. That keeps both your pitch and your body bearable, even when it climbs toward 35 degrees outside.
A heatwave on a campsite quickly feels like sleeping in an oven, especially in a tent that catches the sun all day. With a few simple moves (smart ventilation, wetting the fabric and drinking on time) you can keep your pitch and yourself cool. This how-to walks through the key tips, grounded in advice from the Red Cross and camping experts.
Shade and ventilation: the basics
The first win is in the pitch itself. Put your tent, camper or caravan in the shade wherever possible, for example under a tree or on the side where the midday sun does not hit the wall directly. If there is no natural shade, rig a tarp or shade cloth above or beside the tent so the sun does not beat straight onto the fabric.
Do watch where you pitch under a tree: choose a healthy tree without dead branches, and keep your distance in storms or thunder. Shade also moves with the sun, so a spot that is cool in the morning can sit in full sun by the afternoon.
How to keep your tent cool
Timing is everything when it comes to ventilation. Early in the morning and in the evening, throw open all doors, windows and vents so hot air can escape and cooler air flows in. During the day, close the tent and the mesh instead (just like closing the curtains at home on the sunny side) so the heat cannot build up inside.
The best-known trick comes from the NU.nl article: spray or douse your tent with water at the end of the day. The evaporating water draws heat out of the fabric, so the tent cools noticeably. A plant sprayer or empty spray bottle spreads the water into fine droplets that cling better than a single bucketful. A cotton tent also breathes better and holds less heat than polyester, and a blackout tent blocks both light and warmth.
Your body and hydration
Keeping your tent cool is pointless if you overheat yourself. The Red Cross is clear: drink plenty, even when you are not thirsty, and choose water. Avoid alcohol, which dehydrates you. Cool your body by running cold water over your wrists or using a fan; a frozen bottle of water placed in front of the fan cools the air further.
Protect your skin with sunscreen (reapplied every two hours), a cap and sunglasses, and wear light clothing made of cotton or linen. Keep a close eye on children and older people, as they are more prone to overheating.
Timing activities and keeping food cool
Plan heavy exertion wisely. The Red Cross advises against exercising or hauling gear between noon and 4pm, the hottest hours of the day. Save bike rides, walks and pitching the tent for early morning or the cooler evening instead.
Your food suffers in the heat too. Keep perishables in a well-packed cool box with plenty of ice packs, out of the sun and preferably in the shade or under the awning. If you have power, freeze bottles of water or drinks overnight; during the day they double as extra ice packs and as a cold drink once they thaw.
Sleeping cooler
The night is often the hardest, because heat lingers in the fabric. Swap your thick sleeping bag for a thin sheet or a light summer bag, and cool your neck and wrists with cold water just before bed. Leave the mesh open where you can for airflow, and switch on a (battery) fan to keep the air moving.
Go to bed a little later if you can, once the temperature has dropped. Combine this with the evening water-spray trick: a cooled tent plus good airflow is the difference between tossing and turning and actually sleeping through.
Frequently asked questions
Does spraying your tent with water in the evening really work?+
Yes. Water evaporating off the fabric draws heat out of the tent, cooling it down. Use a plant sprayer or spray bottle for fine droplets; they cling better than a single bucket of water and evaporate more evenly.
Should I keep my tent open or closed during the day?+
Keep it closed on the sunny side during the day, just as you would draw the curtains at home, so the heat cannot build up. Ventilate wide open early in the morning and in the evening so hot air escapes and cooler air comes in.
How much should I drink during a heatwave while camping?+
The Red Cross advises drinking plenty, even when you are not thirsty, and preferably water. Avoid alcohol, which dehydrates you. Keep a bottle within reach and sip throughout the day rather than gulping all at once.
Which type of tent stays coolest?+
A cotton tent breathes better and holds less heat than polyester. A blackout (or CoolDark) tent blocks both light and warmth and stays noticeably cooler inside, which is ideal for sheltering in during the day too.
What should I do if someone overheats?+
Move the person to a cool, shaded spot, give them water and cool the skin with cold water or wet cloths on the neck, wrists and groin. If symptoms persist or confusion sets in, call a doctor or emergency services. Children and older people are at extra risk.
