How to get a Good Night's Sleep Outside
Sleeping under star speckled skies sounds dreamy but once the dark night creeps in many campers struggle to get a good night’s sleep. Spending the night outside is a big adjustment from a cozy bed and nighttime routine and there are so many factors that can contribute to a restless outdoor sleep - the sounds of scurrying creatures, a cold hard ground, more extreme temperatures with no air conditioning (or heat) and an imagination running wild with possibilities of what might lurk outside tent walls.
Getting enough shut-eye is especially important when jam-packed activity schedules or lengthy hiking days await the end of a long night. A good sleep can determine whether you walk away from a tent-toting trip with blissful memories or a headache from lack of sleep. After years of experience and hundreds of nights in a tent, we have rounded up the best tips and tricks for a restful night of five-star accommodation sleep in the great outdoors.
Choose Your Campsite Wisely
First and foremost, it is important to choose a campsite that follows Leave No Trace principles in a previously impacted area away from trails and water sources. Choose an area that is not at risk of flash floods, mudslides or rockslides so you do not have to question your safety overnight. Once you have identified safe and traceless campsite options in the area, choose the site which is most level to avoid feeling like you are slowing sliding down your air mattress over the course of the night. If you cannot find a site that is flat, be sure to position your head on higher ground and your feet on lower ground. Choose a site which is free of rock, roots or lumps in the ground and clear away any downed brush (note: do not uproot rock or alter the environment to make a good site!). Try to position your tent in a protected area where you are blocked by trees or rock to keep wind, rain and other elements at bay. This will reduce the sound of fluttering tent flaps or pattering rain drops. If possible, choose an area away from other campers to reduce human-made noise. This is key in a car camping campground as other groups are not always respectful of quiet hours.
Get Comfy
Similar to your sleep set-up at home, the more you invest in creating a comfortable sleep space the easier it is to relax and drift off into dream land. Gear is expensive but it is worth saving up to invest in pieces that will help you sleep soundly. The keys to ultimate comfort while camping are your tent, air mattress, sleeping bag, pillow and pajamas. Choose a tent with good ventilation to regulate temperature and avoid excessive condensation. Pick a sleeping bag which has the right temperature rating for your trip. On a car camping trip you can be more liberal with your packing list and bring additional blankets or quilts to layer on top of your sleeping bag for chilly nights or on top of your air mattress for added comfort. Use an inflatable, insulated sleeping pad that makes as little noise as possible when you move around. If you are car camping, bring a pillow (or multiple) from home and if you are backpacking, bring a lightweight inflatable pillow - it makes all the difference from a pile of clothing. It is also important to layer properly before heading to bed. A sleeping bag is designed to trap body heat not create body heart so too many layers will reduce the bag’s insulating power. Avoid bulky clothing to allow your bag to do it’s job and layer clothes on top of your bag if you need the extra warmth.
Use Sleep Accessories
The sun rises early in the summer months, if bright morning light will wake you up (or if bright moonlight will keep you from falling asleep) bring an eye mask to cover your eyes. Use ear plugs if you would like to block out all the little noises your mind might imagine are big, scary creatures (usually just wind or small critters that sound large overnight). Using ear plugs is personal preference as some people prefer to be able to hear what is happening around them. If you use a white noise machine at home, download an app to your phone to use in your tent.
Prepare for the Night Ahead
Be vigilant throughout the evening to keep tent zippers closed to avoid bugs buzzing around in your tent. Put on a clean set of clothes, use a body wipe or take a dip in a nearby water source to feel clean before bed. Most campers sleep better when they aren’t feeling sticky from a day in the wilderness. Prepare for rain by putting on your rain fly and tucking your items into the tent vestibule. Use a food storage system overnight that you are confident in and make certain all human food and scented items (toiletries, trash) are in the storage system. Before tucking away, go to the bathroom to minimize the chance of having to get up overnight. Locate a good bathroom spot, place a pair of shoes beside your tent door and keep your headlamp nearby in case you do need to go in the middle of the night. Keep a water bottle near your sleeping bag in case you want a sip overnight and keep your bear spray in an easy to access spot for peace of mind.
Enjoy a Nighttime Routine
Follow any nighttime routines you stick to at home or create a new routine for camping or backpacking trips. This could be a cup of tea or a sip of whiskey by the fire (be careful not to drink too much liquid, especially alcohol as it is a diuretic and might disturb your sleep), a kindle or book, a stretch or meditation . If need be, take a natural melatonin tablet or ibuprofen for aching muscles. Whatever it is that might help you wind down and feel drowsy before hitting the hay!
Sweet dreams, campers!