Camping Sleeping Tips For a Comfortable Night in a Tent

Want to go camping but can’t bear the idea of sleeping under canvas? Looking for some camping sleeping tips? Look no further, this is how I get the best night’s sleep in a tent.

Whenever I mention to my friends that I’m off on a camping or backpacking trip, there are usually two reactions: those who think it’s “fantastic”, and those who would rather stick pins in their eyes than sleep in a canvas tent with “all sorts of monsters” outside.

I love camping. The sounds of the bush at night, the lack of light pollution, and the feeling of breathing air that isn’t full of vehicle fumes or air conditioning normally mean I sleep soundly.

Then again, I’ve been sleeping in tents regularly since I was about 7 years old.

For the novice camper, the idea of trying to get a good night’s sleep in a flimsy-looking tent can be a daunting prospect. However, it can be boiled down to a few simple camping sleeping tips.

Interior view of a tent set up with various equipment and sleeping bag inside inner compartment, and gear in the vestibule, showing a well organized camp for camping sleeping tips

Top Tips for a Comfortable Night
Organize Your Tent
The Right Camping Sleepwear
Before Bed Routine
- Pee Before Retiring to Your Tent – Camping Sleeping Tips
- Consider Earplugs… Camping Sleeping Tips
Your Fitness
Warmth in Your Tent
Choose Your Tent Mates Wisely
Fix Your Sleep Problems at Home
A Perfect Slumber with Camping Sleeping Tips
FAQs
Need More Advice on Gear and Footwear?

Organize Your Tent

When you arrive at your campsite, set up your tent footprint (or have someone do it for you) on a level piece of ground. Make sure there are no spiky plants or stones under your footprint, and clear away any clumps of vegetation.

You’ll have the right tent for the season, won’t you? Have you got a 3-season or a 4-season tent, appropriate for the time of year you’re camping?

Make sure you decide where to pitch your tent carefully, taking into account safety factors. Use proper tent stakes to make sure it’s secure.

Stow your backpack and take out what you will need for the evening: your nighttime clothes (see below), your toiletries, and of course your backpacking sleeping pad and sleeping bag. Stash your hygiene essentials nearby if it’s that time of the month.

Two rugged tents set up in a clearing in a forest, one red and gray and the other orange and gray. The background is trees with fall colors and in the foreground rocks and vegetation.

Keep a camping flashlight or headlamp handy, so that once night falls you aren’t scrambling around wondering where everything is.

If you have enough space, try not to put your sleeping mat right up against the tent wall. This way, you can prevent condensation from forming and dripping on you if it gets chilly or damp during the night.

Lay out your best summer sleeping bag so that the fill can “re-loft” (fluff up) after being packed away in your pack all day.

Find a secure location for your food. If you are camping in bear territory, you’ll have a brought a bear bag or canister (won’t you?).

The Right Camping Sleepwear

Wear dry, clean(ish) clothes. While it’s not always possible to bring your favorite pajamas from home, do at least bring something in case all your hiking clothes are soaking wet after fording that river.

Clean long underwear and socks can make a big difference to how you feel on your first night in an unfamiliar tent.

Remember, that even on the hottest night, actually being outside can be chilly. Well, possibly not if you are camping on a beach at the equator.

Before Bed Routine

Here are some camping sleeping tips to help you unwind and get a good night’s sleep under the stars. If you’re used to having a nightcap before bed, why not bring along a bottle of gin when you go camping?

Three tents, one brown and two red, set up in a forest amongst a lot of rocks. The light is filtering through the trees.

No, don’t. But do make sure you eat – a good freeze-dried backpacking meal at least, and avoid caffeine. (But be sure to have your camp coffee on hand for the morning!)

Making sure you are well hydrated with clean drinking water means you won’t be waking up parched in the middle of the night. If you normally drink water at night – make sure you’ve read our water bottle reviews to have that bottle handy.

Whilst I normally like to switch off electronic devices when I’m out, the one exception is my Kindle. I love reading before I go to sleep – and if it’s something you normally do at home, stick to this routine.

Thankfully, a nice backlit screen is easier to navigate than a head torch shining on a heavy hardback book.

Pee Before Retiring to Your Tent – Camping Sleeping Tips

Twice. And decide what you are going to do about nighttime calls of nature.

Camping Sleeping Tips

Hey, I need some tips for sleeping while camping. You see, I’m not exactly thrilled about the idea of waking up at 2 am, paranoid that every rustling noise is a hungry lion, just as I’m about to leave my tent to relieve myself. Any suggestions?

Another camping sleeping tip is always to keep a wide-mouthed Nalgene “pee bottle” in the tent. Honestly, it’s only pee, you can bleach it out when you get home. If you do need to leave your tent in the night, make sure you’ve got shoes handy by the front of the tent, and your headlamp/flashlight to hand.

Nalgene Sustain Tritan BPA-Free Water Bottle Made...

Consider Earplugs… Camping Sleeping Tips

…if you know that the odd scuffling of a small critter is going to keep you awake with visions of elephants.

Personally, I like to hear the sounds of the bush, and so long as your food is safely stowed, you shouldn’t have problems with bears knocking on your tent door.

If you are in a busy public campsite with people coming and going, and kids screaming, earplugs are an absolute must.

Your Fitness

Make sure you are in shape for the hiking you’ll be doing. If you’re not used to hiking, an 8-hour trek at your campsite can be exhausting and prevent you from getting a good night’s sleep.

A long day on the trail, if you are out of shape, can translate into some aches and pains which won’t help you sleep.

Warmth in Your Tent

But getting cold at night is one of the main reasons that people struggle to sleep when camping. See the top tips for staying warm in your tent.

Glowing tent set up on Kilimanjaro at 17,000ft, surrounded by snow and starlit sky, showcasing extreme camping conditions. — Camping on Kilimanjaro at 17,000ft is extremely cold. Here are some tips to stay warm in those extreme conditions:

Camping on Kilimanjaro at 17,000ft is extremely cold. Here are some tips to stay warm in those extreme conditions:

Obviously, have the right sleeping bag rating and a suitable sleeping pad – Put hot water into your drinking water bottle, and hold that near the core of your body or at your feet
Wear a hat, as much heat is lost through your head
Make sure that the neck baffle and hood of your sleeping bag are secured, preventing heat loss from your neck area
Put (dry) clothes in your sleeping bag with you to minimize air space (and warm your clothes for the following morning). Drink a warm beverage before retiring to warm you from the inside out.

Choose Your Tent Mates Wisely

Tent mates are a thorny issue. Sleeping next to stinky, snoring tent-mates is not going to help your quest for a good night’s sleep. On some trips, it’s inevitable you’ll have to share with someone you don’t know, or have some earplugs on hand.

For this reason, if I’m backpacking with people I don’t normally sleep near, I carry my own tent (and pitch it as far from the others as possible) and on organized trips (eg. Kilimanjaro) I pay up for a single supplement.

Getting to know your tent mates beforehand, whether you are camping in your truck bed or on the ground, if you are planning a trip can be a good idea. Although your spouse may take a dim view of you “practicing” sleeping with them before your trip(!)

Fix Your Sleep Problems at Home

This might seem super-obvious, but if you have difficulty sleeping at home – in your own bed – being in a tent is not going to make it any easier.

Personally, I wouldn’t take prescription medication when I’m camping – and it is certainly NOT recommended if you are sleeping at any elevation.

Sleeping in a tent is not everyone’s idea of a comfortable way to spend the night. Some prefer to sleep in a hammock vs. tent.

But camping can be a wonderful way to get out into nature and take a break from the stresses and strains of everyday life.

A Perfect Slumber with Camping Sleeping Tips

There you have it, my top tips on how to get the best rest you can when you’re out in the wilderness.

Glowing tent illuminated at sunset, creating a serene atmosphere perfect for a restful night's sleep while camping. — Achieve a perfect slumber in the great outdoors with these essential camping sleeping tips to keep you comfortable and well-rested.

Have you got any camping sleeping tips? If so, please share them in the comments below.

FAQs

1. How can I stay warm while sleeping in a tent?

To ensure a cozy night’s sleep, use a high-quality, insulated sleeping pad and a sleeping bag rated for lower temperatures. Layer thermal clothing and wear a warm hat to prevent heat loss.

3. Can sleep aids help me sleep better while camping?

While sleep aids like melatonin or herbal teas can be beneficial, try them at home first to gauge your body’s reaction. Additionally, practicing good sleep hygiene by maintaining a routine and avoiding screens before bed can greatly enhance sleep quality outdoors.

2. What’s the best way to make my camping bed more comfortable?

Maximize comfort by choosing an air mattress or a thick sleeping pad. Consider bringing a pillow from home or investing in a camping pillow. A sleeping bag liner adds warmth and increases the plush feel of your camping bed. Ensure your sleeping area is on flat, smooth ground to avoid discomfort.

If you’re looking for more information on getting a good rest, you might find these guides useful:

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