Hunting season, powder days, and winter adventures don't have to mean giving up camping. Here's what you need to know about staying warm and comfortable in a rooftop tent when temperatures drop.

For hunters, skiers and snowboarders, and anyone else who spends their winter chasing adventures outdoors, cold weather camping is sometimes just part of the deal. And if you're anywhere near some altitude, you know that Fall has truly settled in here in the Northern Hemisphere and winter is on its heels. Whether you're trying to get into elk country before first light, or you want to be parked at the resort when the snow starts falling, having a comfortable place to sleep can make a big difference.

But camping in December isn't quite the same as camping in July. Cold temperatures, wet gear, shorter days, and unpredictable weather all add a few complications. The good news is that you don't need an elaborate setup to make winter camping doable. A little planning, the right gear, and some experience figuring out what works for you goes a long way.

Insulating Your Rooftop Tent

A good sleeping bag is essential, but it's only one piece of the puzzle when you're camping in freezing temperatures. Your tent itself plays a role in how comfortable you'll be, especially when the wind picks up or you're spending several nights out.

Just for this reason, we created insulation kits for a few of our more rugged rooftop tents. These quilted liners use a synthetic poly-cotton blend with 195G insulation to add another layer of protection between you and the cold. They also help cut down on wind noise and condensation, which can become an issue during winter camping. The liners are designed to work with the existing tent, so you still have access to the windows, doors, and HVAC pass-throughs.

If you're spending a few nights at elevation during hunting season, or using your tent as a basecamp for skiing, the extra insulation is worth considering. Just remember that an insulated tent isn't necessarily a warm tent. You'll still want a sleeping bag rated for the conditions, a good insulated sleeping pad, and probably an extra blanket.

Heating Your Tent: Propane vs. Diesel

If you've spent a few nights camping in temperatures well below freezing, you've probably thought about bringing along a heater. And while a heater isn't a necessity with the right sleeping setup, it certainly makes winter camping more enjoyable.

Two options you'll commonly see around overlanding campsites are propane heaters and diesel heaters. They work quite differently, and there are some important safety considerations with both.

Propane Heaters

Portable propane heaters are relatively inexpensive, easy to transport, and can put out a surprising amount of heat for their size. They're handy for taking the edge off the cold while you're hanging around camp after a long day.

The downside is that burning propane produces moisture, along with the potential for carbon monoxide exposure and fire. That makes portable propane heaters a poor choice for heating the inside of a tent.

Even heaters with built-in safety shutoffs shouldn't be operated inside a tent or left running while you're sleeping. Save these for appropriate outdoor applications and follow the manufacturer's operating instructions.

Diesel Heaters

Diesel heaters have become a popular option for winter camping, and for good reason. Unlike a portable radiant propane heater, a diesel air heater can deliver a steady stream of warm, dry air into your tent while keeping the combustion process outside. Note the dry air, this is very helpful for drying wet gear overnight. 

The basic setup uses a heater with a combustion chamber and heat exchanger, along with ducting to deliver the heated air. Roofnest's Condor 2 and Falcon 3 EVO tents have HVAC pass-throughs that make routing warm air into the tent more convenient.

There is a little more involved in getting one of these systems running. You'll need fuel, a power source, and a safe place to position the heater. Exhaust placement is especially important. It needs to stay well away from tent openings and air intakes, and the entire system should be installed and operated according to the manufacturer's instructions.

A battery-powered carbon monoxide alarm is also a smart addition to your winter camping kit.

And don't make the mistake of relying on a heater as your only means of staying warm. If it runs out of fuel or your battery dies in the middle of the night, your sleeping bag and other insulation still need to be up to the task.

Dress for the Weather

Anyone who's spent time hiking uphill in cold weather knows how quickly you can go from freezing to sweating, then right back to freezing again once you stop moving.

That's why managing moisture is just as important as staying insulated.

Start with a good base layer. Merino wool and synthetic fabrics like polyester are both solid choices, especially when you're doing something active. Synthetics tend to absorb very little water and dry quickly, which makes them particularly useful for long days in the field or multi-day trips where you might not have a great way to dry your gear.

Over that, add an insulating layer like fleece or a puffy jacket. Synthetic insulation is worth considering for winter camping because it generally does a better job of retaining warmth when damp compared to traditional down.

Finish things off with a waterproof, windproof shell that can handle whatever the weather throws at you.

And leave the cotton hoodie at home. Cotton holds onto moisture, takes forever to dry, and loses much of its insulating ability when wet. It's comfortable around the house, but it's not doing you any favors when you're miles from the nearest heated building.

Extra Dry Clothes and Shoes

This might be one of the simplest things you can do to make cold weather camping more comfortable.

Keep an entire set of dry clothes that you only wear around camp and while sleeping. Not just an extra pair of socks or a backup jacket, but a complete change of clothes.

After a day of hiking through snow, skiing, or hunting in cold weather, there's a good chance your clothing is holding onto more moisture than you realize. Even if you don't feel particularly wet, that moisture becomes a problem when you stop moving and your body starts cooling down.

Pack a dedicated set of base layers, warm socks, a hat, and an insulating layer in a waterproof dry bag. Don't touch them until you're back at camp and ready to change.

The same goes for footwear. Getting out of wet hunting boots or stiff ski boots and into a pair of warm, dry camp booties is a pretty great feeling after a long day.

If you're camping for multiple nights, you'll also want a plan for drying your daytime gear. Pull the liners out of your boots when possible, hang clothing somewhere with airflow.

A vehicle awning can be a useful place to change clothes and organize equipment when the weather isn't cooperating. Keeping a separate storage bin for wet boots and outerwear also helps prevent moisture from finding its way into your bedding.

Whatever you do, resist the temptation to wear your dedicated sleeping clothes during the day. Having something completely dry to change into at night will help keep you out there longer.

Don't Forget About Condensation

Even when it's not snowing or raining, moisture can build up inside your tent overnight.

Breathing, damp clothing, and the temperature difference between the inside and outside of your tent can all contribute to condensation. Wake up after a particularly cold night and you might find moisture collecting on the walls or around the windows.

Your first instinct might be to close every vent and window to keep the heat in, but that can actually make the condensation worse.

You need some airflow, even when it's cold outside. Crack a vent or window, keep wet equipment out of the tent, and avoid introducing unnecessary moisture into the sleeping area. Or, another great benefit of having a diesel heater blowing warm dry air into your tent all night.

Roofnest's insulation kits can also help reduce condensation on interior surfaces by adding another barrier between the warm air inside and the colder tent shell. They won't eliminate moisture entirely so ventilation is still important.

Before packing up in the morning, wipe away any accumulated moisture and give the tent a chance to air out when conditions allow. If you have to pack it away wet, make sure you open it back up to dry thoroughly during the day or once you're back home.

A Little Extra Planning Goes a Long Way

Winter camping adds a few variables that aren't always a concern during the warmer months.

For starters, daylight disappears quickly. That campsite you planned to reach before sunset might be a lot farther away than you expected once you factor in snow-covered roads or slower travel. Don't forget to check the forecast, pay attention to road conditions, and have a backup plan in case you can't reach your intended destination.

If you're heading into avalanche terrain, check the local avalanche forecast and make sure you have the proper equipment and training. And even if you're not planning to ski or travel through avalanche terrain, it's worth being aware of the conditions around your campsite and access roads.

A few extra things worth keeping in your vehicle include a shovel, traction equipment, extra fuel, a reliable headlamp, and a backup power source. Cold temperatures can be tough on batteries, so plan accordingly.

You'll also want plenty of drinking water. It's easy to forget about hydration when you're not sweating in the summer heat, but you still need to drink water throughout the day.

For rooftop tent campers, pay attention to wind exposure and snow accumulation. Find a reasonably sheltered campsite, stay away from trees with heavily snow-loaded branches, and clear accumulated snow from your tent according to the manufacturer's guidelines.

And as tempting as it might be to make coffee or cook breakfast from the comfort of your sleeping bag, keep all cooking outside the tent in a properly ventilated area.

Winter Might Be the Best Time to Get Out There

There's something pretty great about waking up at camp on a cold winter morning. Maybe you're getting ready to hike into a hunting spot before sunrise, or you're watching snow fall while you make coffee before heading to the ski resort.

The crowds are smaller, the scenery is different, and some of the best outdoor experiences of the year happen when most people have already put their camping gear away.

Cold weather camping takes a little more preparation, but it doesn't need to be complicated or uncomfortable. Figure out a good sleeping setup, keep your clothes dry, dress in layers, and make sure you're prepared for changing conditions.

Gear Checklist:

Rooftop Tent & Sleeping Gear

• Four-season-capable rooftop tent, appropriate for expected conditions
• Tent Insulation
• Cold-weather sleeping bag with an appropriate comfort rating
• Insulated sleeping pad
• Extra blankets
• Battery-powered carbon monoxide alarm

Heating & Power

• Diesel air heater with proper exhaust routing
• Fuel and power supply for heater
• Portable power station or auxiliary battery
• Charging cables and backup batteries
• Headlamp or lantern

Clothing & Footwear

• Synthetic or merino wool base layers
• Insulating midlayers (fleece or puffy jacket)
• Waterproof and windproof outer shell
• Insulated gloves and warm hat
• Extra wool or synthetic socks
• Complete set of dry clothes reserved for sleeping
• Insulated camp booties or dry camp shoes
• Separate storage bag or bin for wet gear

Camp & Vehicle Essentials

• Snow shovel
• Tire chains or other appropriate traction equipment
• Extra vehicle fuel
• Ice scraper and snow brush
• Weather-appropriate emergency supplies
• Vehicle awning for sheltered gear storage and changing
• Tow strap and vehicle recovery equipment

Food, Water & Safety

• Plenty of drinking water and insulated water storage
• Camp stove and fuel for outdoor cooking
• High-calorie meals and snacks
• Insulated thermos for hot drinks
• First aid kit and emergency blanket
• Offline maps or GPS navigation
• Satellite communicator or emergency communication device
• Weather and road condition reports
• Avalanche safety equipment and training when traveling in avalanche terrain