Summer is the perfect time for spending your days camping and enjoying the great outdoors, but the heat may feel unbearable. Here’s how to stay cool while camping in the summer heat.
As the temperature increases, we can go camping more often and bask in the sun’s rays as we soak in the heat we’ve been craving throughout winter. However, some camping spots may have a warmer climate, and the heat may become too much to handle. Read on for some helpful tips on how to stay cool during your summer camping trip and enjoy your time outside.
How To Stay Cool While Camping in the Summer Heat – Use a Reflective Sunshade
The sun is your main opponent during the summer, as anyone can easily risk sunburn. One of the best ways to counter that risk is to use a reflective sunshade to direct the sun’s rays away from you. These shades typically consist of aluminum or mylar and come in foldable screens that you place inside your car’s windshield to prevent the sunlight from heating the dash, seats, and other surfaces.
These portable devices are ideal for van camping and will help you stay cool when relaxing inside, waiting for a heat wave to pass. Additionally, they provide much needed privacy, especially if you’re camping in your car or in a van. If you do hit the road and forget yours, you can always pop into a dollar store and purchase an inexpensive one to tie you over until you can order a proper one.
How To Stay Cool While Camping in the Summer Heat – Camp Near a Water Source
Water is a reliable cooling source for the environment and all living beings. Camping near a small lake or river during the summer will grant you a cool breeze from the lapping water on a windy day. And the bigger the water source, the larger the breeze tends to be.
Swimming or wading near the shore are also helpful ways to beat the heat when living in a camper van. Use sporting equipment such as a kayak or paddle board for a refreshingly good time moving through the water and cooling yourself with the occasional splash. But please use caution when swimming or wading and obey all posted rules. Also, be on the lookout for wild animals that frequent the water – play it safe.
How To Stay Cool While Camping in the Summer Heat – Bring an Inflatable Pool
It’s not always easy to find a water source to submerge into, but bringing the water to dry land with an inflatable pool is possible. Most inflatable pools fit into small boxes and won’t take up much room in your vehicle when deflated. Lay down a tarp to prevent a puncture from twigs or nettles on the ground.
You’ll need a battery-operated pump for convenient pool inflation or a portable generator for corded pumps. It’s best to use an inflatable pool when you have a place nearby to refill your water reserves since the pool will require gallons of water for an adequate depth. Your inflatable pool will be a great way to stay cool while camping in the summer, and when you place it in a shaded area, it will make a relaxing oasis amid a humid landscape. Plus, if you have kiddos ,they’ll love splashing and playing. But, again, always keep your eye on them in case of accidents and remember to use plenty of sunscreen.
Summer is the season for camping and exploration, but the heat may make your campsite too hot to handle. Use these tips to help you feel cool amidst the summer heat and enjoy your time outside before the leaves wither and the cold comes back.