Winter Camping Gear Checklist: What to Pack for Cold

Packing for a winter camping trip is different from packing for summer. The stakes are higher, because forgetting a warm hat or a spare pair of gloves can turn a fun night into a miserable one. This checklist covers everything you need for a typical cold-weather trip, whether you’re car camping at a winter campground or heading a short way into the snow.

It’s built on top of the basics. If you need the core list of camping gear first, see our essential camping gear checklist for beginners, then use this list to winterize it. Copy it, print it, or keep it on your phone and tick items off as you pack.

How to use this checklist

• Adjust for your trip. Car campers can bring more comfort items. If you’re carrying everything on your back, focus on the essentials.
• Check the forecast right before you leave, including overnight lows and wind, and pack for a little colder than predicted.
• Test new gear at home or in the backyard first. Winter is a bad time to discover your stove won’t light or your pad leaks.
• Pack in waterproof bags. Keep your sleeping bag and dry clothes protected from snow and condensation.

Shelter

• Tent suited to the conditions. A sturdy 3-season tent can work for sheltered, mild winter car camping; a 4-season tent is better for heavy snow and strong winds.
• Rainfly and all poles (count them before you leave)
• Snow stakes or extra stuff sacks to use as buried anchors
• Guylines
• Footprint or groundsheet
• Small shovel for leveling a tent platform and clearing snow
• Small brush or whisk broom for sweeping snow off gear before it goes in the tent

Sleep system

Your sleep system matters more than almost anything else on this list.

• Sleeping bag suited to the expected lows. See our guide to choosing the ideal sleeping bag for winter camping.
• Closed-cell foam pad
• Insulated inflatable pad (use both pads together)
• Sleeping bag liner (fleece or similar) for extra warmth
• Extra blanket or quilt (car camping)
• Pillow or a stuff sack you can fill with clothes
• Hard-sided, leak-proof water bottle for a hot water bottle at night
• Dedicated dry sleep clothes: base layers, warm socks and a hat

Clothing: the layering system

Skip cotton. Choose wool or synthetic fabrics that stay warm when damp.

Base layers

• Midweight base layer top and bottom
• Spare base layer set for sleep

Insulation

• Fleece jacket or pullover
• Insulated puffy jacket (down or synthetic)
• Insulated pants or fleece pants for camp
• Optional heated layer such as a USB heated vest for sitting around camp

Shell

• Waterproof, windproof jacket
• Waterproof pants or snow pants

Head, hands and feet

• Warm beanie, plus a spare
• Neck gaiter, buff or balaclava
• Sunglasses or goggles (snow glare is strong)
• Liner gloves
• Insulated gloves or mittens, plus a spare pair
• Insulated, waterproof boots
• Wool socks (one pair per day plus a dedicated sleep pair)
• Gaiters for deep snow
• Camp booties or warm camp shoes

Kitchen and water

• Stove that works well in the cold. Canister stoves can lose pressure in low temperatures, so keep canisters warm or consider a liquid-fuel stove for very cold trips.
• Extra fuel, since melting snow and cooking in the cold uses more
• Lighter and waterproof matches (bring a backup)
• Pot big enough for melting snow if there’s no water source
• Insulated mug and spoon
• Insulated bottle sleeves or a thermos
• Easy, high-calorie meals and plenty of snacks
• Hot drink supplies: cocoa, tea, coffee, soup
• Cooler or bin (useful even in winter to keep food from freezing solid or being reached by animals)

For more ideas on setting up a kitchen at a drive-in site, see car camping essentials: the camping kitchen.

Lighting and power

Winter nights are long, so you’ll rely on light and batteries more than in summer.

• Headlamp, plus spare batteries
• Lantern for the tent or campsite (battery-powered for inside the tent)
• Power bank(s), fully charged
• Charging cables
• 4-in-1 hand warmer and power bank: warms your hands and charges small devices
• Small insulated pouch to keep batteries warm

Cold-weather battery care: Lithium-ion batteries lose capacity quickly in the cold, so a phone or headlamp can die sooner than you expect. Keep batteries in an inside pocket during the day and in your sleeping bag at night. Let cold batteries warm up before charging, since manufacturers generally advise against charging lithium batteries below freezing. On longer trips, bring more battery capacity than you think you’ll need.

Safety and navigation

• First aid kit, including blister care and supplies for cold-weather injuries
• Map and compass or GPS, plus a paper map in case your phone dies
• Fully charged phone; consider a satellite messenger for remote areas
• Emergency blanket or bivy
• Whistle
• Fire-starting kit
• Knife or multi-tool
• Repair kit: duct tape, pad patch kit, spare cord
• Sunscreen and lip balm (winter sun and wind can burn)
• Trip plan left with someone at home, including when you expect to return
• Carbon monoxide alarm if you’re camping in an RV or camper with fuel-burning appliances

Comfort extras

These aren’t essential, but they can make cold evenings much more enjoyable, especially when car camping.

• Insulated camp chair or foam sit pad
• Heated shoulder and neck shawl blanket for evenings around camp
• Heated neck and shoulder massage pillow for relaxing in the car or camp chair after a day out
• Reusable or disposable hand and toe warmers
• Cards, a book or a small game for the long evenings
• Thermos of something hot for the morning
• Extra towels or rags for wiping condensation and snow

What not to pack

• Cotton clothing, especially jeans and cotton socks.
• Fuel-burning heaters for inside the tent. Never run a propane, gas or other fuel-burning heater inside a tent while sleeping. The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission warns about carbon monoxide from fuel-burning appliances in enclosed spaces. Battery-powered warmers don’t burn fuel and are a safer way to add comfort. For outdoor heater options around camp, see choosing a camping heater.
• Untested gear. If you haven’t used it before, try it at home first.

Packing tips for cold weather

• Pack your sleeping bag and sleep clothes in a waterproof bag at the core of your pack or bin.
• Keep snacks, water, a warm layer, hat and gloves easy to reach.
• Store water bottles upside down so the lids don’t freeze shut.
• Put fuel canisters and batteries in your car’s cabin, not the trunk, on the drive in.
• Pack a “warm-up bag” with dry socks, a hat and a hand warmer that you can grab the moment you reach camp.

Quick printable checklist

• Shelter: tent, fly, poles, snow stakes, guylines, footprint, shovel, brush
• Sleep: winter sleeping bag, foam pad, inflatable pad, liner, pillow, hot water bottle, sleep clothes
• Clothing: base layers, fleece, puffy, shell, snow pants, hats, buff, sunglasses, liners, mittens, boots, wool socks, gaiters, booties
• Kitchen: cold-weather stove, extra fuel, lighters, pot, mug, thermos, high-calorie food, hot drinks
• Power: headlamp, lantern, power banks, cables, hand warmer power bank, battery pouch
• Safety: first aid, navigation, phone, emergency blanket, whistle, fire kit, knife, repair kit, sunscreen, trip plan
• Comfort: chair or sit pad, heated shawl, heated pillow, hand and toe warmers, games

Frequently asked questions

What’s the most commonly forgotten winter camping item?

Spare gloves and a dedicated set of dry sleep clothes. Both make a huge difference when you need them.

Do I need special gear for winter car camping?

Mostly you need warmer versions of what you already have: a warmer sleep system, more insulation under you, better layers and more battery power. Car campers can bring extra blankets and comfort items.

Are heated products worth packing?

They’re comfort extras, not essentials. A hand warmer, heated vest or heated shawl can make long evenings much more pleasant, as long as you plan for charging and keep batteries warm.