Camping in 30-degree weather: How risky is it?

Camping in mild weather is nice. Camping in 30-degree weather, however, is something else.

The temperature is just below freezing at 30 degrees Fahrenheit. For us Canadian campers who have trouble with the conversion, that’s -1 degrees Celsius.

That’s cold! But is it too cold?

Is 30 to 35 degrees too cold to camp?

That depends. If you’re primarily a summer camper with summer-specific gear and clothing, then the answer is yes—it’s too cold for you to camp. But if you’re a three-season or winter camper with gear and clothing that are designed to keep you warm when the temperature drops below freezing, then no, it’s not too cold to camp.

Your gear, clothing, trip planning, and experience level are what ultimately determine whether camping in 30-degree weather is right for you. The biggest risks of being unprepared for these temperatures include hypothermia and frostbite.

Hypothermia

Hypothermia sets in when your body temperature drops below 95°F (35°C). It’s a risk even when the temperature of the air is above the freezing mark—up to 50°F (10°C)—although the risk is highest when you fall into water (or decide to go swimming) with a water temperature of 70°F (21°C) or below.

Symptoms of hypothermia include shivering, confusion, and drowsiness. More severe symptoms include slowed breathing, a slower heart rate, dilated pupils, and unconsciousness. If left untreated, hypothermia can lead to cardiac arrest and death.

How long does it take to get hypothermia in 30-degree weather? That depends on several different factors like what you’re wearing, whether any skin is exposed, the windchill, if you’re wearing wet clothes, and more. Hypothermia can occur in as little as five to 10 minutes and your risk greatly increases if you’ve sweat through your clothes or have fallen in water.

If you were to fall in water with a water temperature of 32.5°F (0.3°C), which is just above freezing, your muscles would become so cold that you would start to lose the ability to move them within just two minutes.

Exhaustion would set in and you may lose consciousness within 15 minutes. Your window of survival would be under 15 minutes to as long as 45 minutes.

As soon as you notice yourself starting to sweat, stop and take a break to cool down. Remove any clothing that’s soaked with sweat and put on something dry. This is why it’s so important to dress in layers in colder weather—so you can layer down as your body temperature increases (and vice versa).

If you end up falling in a river or lake, get out of the water immediately and take off your wet clothes as soon as possible. Put on a dry set of clothes, wrap yourself up in an emergency blanket or sleeping bag, light a fire, boil some water and drink it to warm your core, or use somebody else’s body heat to warm up.

Frostbite

Frostbite is an injury to the skin and tissue, similar to a burn, that develops when it’s exposed to freezing temperatures. It usually affects the nose, cheeks, chin, fingers, or toes—and it’s a risk as soon as the temperature hits the freezing mark (32°F or 0°C).

Symptoms of frostbite include cold skin, prickling or numbness, and hard or waxy-looking skin. More severe symptoms include blue or white skin, pain when the area is warmed, and loss of feeling in the affected area.

How long does it take to get frostbite in 30 degrees Fahrenheit? Again, that depends on things like how much of your skin is exposed and for how long, as well as whether there’s a windchill. In temperatures well below the freezing mark, it can take as little as 10 minutes for frostbite to set in.

At a temperature of 30°F or -1°C with a windspeepd of 35 miles per hour, frostbite is possible at around the two-hour mark. We used Wolfram Alpha’s frostbite calculator to estimate this.

To prevent frostbite, make sure to cover all exposed skin—especially your extremities. Wear a scarf or buff, and keep your hands warm with gloves or mittens. If you start to feel any numbness or prickling, go inside and warm up immediately.

If you do get frostbite, don’t rub or massage the affected area—this can cause more damage. Gently warm the area with your breath warm water (not hot water), or by using somebody else’s body heat. Severe cases of frostbite require medical attention.

Fatigue

Fatigue is a general feeling of tiredness or weakness, and it can be both mental and physical. It’s different from drowsiness, which is when you feel the need to sleep.

Dehydration can also contribute to fatigue, as can not eating enough calories. Many people don’t realize that the drier air in cold weather can accelerate dehydration. The cold air doesn’t hold as much water vapour as warmer air, so you end up losing more water just by breathing.

To stay well-rested and avoid fatigue, make sure to drink plenty of fluids, eat regular meals and snacks, and get enough sleep. And take frequent breaks if you’re exerting a lot of energy in the cold—even if you don’t feel tired yet.

Can I sleep in a tent in 30-degree weather?

You can sleep in 30-degree weather as long as you have the proper gear and clothing to stay warm. Here’s what you’ll need:

Your sleep system should consist of a sleeping bag rated for cold weather, an air mattress with a good R-value rating or an insulated sleeping pad (or both), and an optional sleeping bag liner.

Your tent should ideally be a three-season or four-season tent with a waterproof and windproof exterior, plus a breathable interior. The floor of your tent should also be waterproof and taped seams are a must. 30-degree weather is typically cold enough to camp in a hot tent if you have one (or are interested in getting one).

As for clothing, you’ll probably want to dress in layers with a base layer and potentially an insulation layer. Wool or synthetic materials are best. A hat, scarf or butt, and socks are optional to sleep with, but often add more warmth and comfort. Find out more about how to keep your feet warm in a sleeping bag.

An optional propane-powered heater can help warm up the interior of your tent before you go to bed. Just be sure to turn it off before you hit the sack to prevent accidents. It’s not safe to sleep with a heater on overnight.

Camping in the shoulder seasons—especially early spring or late fall—increases your likelihood of experiencing temperatures in the 30-degree range.

Take the cold seriously and be prepared

Keep in mind that the evening and early morning hours are probably going to be the coldest, and if it’s windy, it can feel even colder. It’s better to be over-prepared than under-prepared when camping in cold weather.

How long can you stay outside in 30-degree weather? You can stay out as long as you want if—and only if—you’re dressed properly for these temperatures and have no issues staying warm. Remember to dress in layers, choose wool or synthetic materials, cover up your extremities, and stay dry.

Here are some additional tips for camping in 30-degree weather:

• Use a weatherproof and waterproof tarp to create an extra layer between the ground and your tent.
• Consider using a hot water bottle to preheat your sleeping bag before bed.
• Make sure all of your camping gear is rated for cold weather use.
• Bring at least one extra pair of base layer clothing and mid-layer clothing to change into if you get wet.
• Bring an outer shell layer (a down puffy jacket, rain jacket, rain pants, etc.) to protect against rain, snow, and sleet.
• Pack extra food and water (or water filtration) in case you get stranded (and make sure you know how to prevent your food from freezing)
• Be prepared for emergencies by packing a first-aid kit, a flashlight, and extra batteries.
• Bring extra fire starting tools including extra fuel if you’re using a canister stove or twig stove, a couple of lighters or a full box of matches, and tinder or kindling like birch bark or quick light fire starter bundles.
• Know the signs of hypothermia and frostbite and how to treat them.
• Have a plan to get warm in case you get too cold or wet.
• Invest in a GPS satellite messenger device if you’re backcountry camping in case of emergency.
• Use extra caution when camping in the mountains as conditions can change quickly and unexpectedly.

Consider checking out our guide to camping in 40-degree weather as well, in preparation for temperatures rising and potentially getting especially wet.

If you’re unwilling to upgrade your summer camping gear to three- or four-season gear, camping in 30-degree weather (or colder) probably isn’t for you. Trying to take shortcuts by using summer camping gear in the winter puts you at a much higher risk for camping accidents and emergencies.

Don’t put yourself in a dangerous situation—know your gear and know your limits.

With a little bit of preparation, camping in 30-degree weather can be completely safe and enjoyable. Just make sure to take the necessary precautions to prevent hypothermia and frostbite. And always remember—safety first!