Winter Camping in Canada

Camping in winter is a great option for outdoor enthusiasts. This one-of-a-kind experience allows you to unplug from your daily grind. It immerses you in nature’s beauty during the calm and peaceful winter months.

On this page, we’ll walk you through a useful guide on winter camping to make your adventure more pleasant and safe. So, let’s dive into the realm of winter camping and explore the beauty and fun that awaits you.

The Best Destinations for Winter Camping

Winter camping is an adventure that everyone, from novices to specialists, can enjoy. First, allow us to introduce the best destinations if you haven’t had an idea of where to go winter camping in Canada.

Kouchibouguac National Park, New Brunswick

The Petit-Large campsite is ideal for first-timers and provides a network of cross-country ski trails. To stay warm, bring additional lighters and fire starters.

Fundy National Park, New Brunswick

If you’re worried about the cold, consider using a yurt or an oTENTik tent. Enjoy snowshoeing, fat biking, and tobogganing here with your family.

La Mauricie National Park, Quebec

You can go cross-country skiing, snowshoeing, and winter hiking in this park. In the centre of the forest, camp using an oTENTik tent. For improved performance, use lithium batteries in devices.

Point Pelee National Park, Ontario

Camp in an oTENTik tent and get into the greatest stargazing experience in Canada. Bring along extra gloves and hand warmers.

Riding Mountain National Park, Manitoba

With an oTENTik tent, relax around the wood burner or enjoy electric heating, lights, and outlets. Make your meals outside the kitchen area instead of cooking inside the tent.

Banff National Park, Alberta

The Tunnel Mountain Village II campground offers breathtaking snow-capped Rockies and opportunities to enjoy outdoor games.

Winter Camping Gear Checklist

Camping in winter warrants certain gear like the items below:

Sleeping and Shelter

• Bring sleeping bags designed for colder conditions are ideal
• A compression sack and a dry bag that can keep the sleeping bag dry
• Sleeping pads with a high R-value are must-haves as well as an additional foam pad 

Kitchen Essentials

• Meals that are high in calories but are simple to prepare
• Camping stove with liquid fuel
• Utensils for cooking, compostable soap, and a sheet to protect the cooking area
• Dry bags and ropes for hanging food

Safety Equipment

• Headlamp, first-aid pack, whistle, sunscreen, sunglasses, watch, and knife
• Sleeping pad, tent, and stove repair kits
• Prescribed medicines
• Permit for camping, map, compass, GPS, and multi-tool

Clothes and shoes

• Winter-appropriate clothes, hut boots
• Toothbrush, charger, and other essentials

Snow and travel equipment

A bag, sled, trekking poles, rubbish bags, skis, a shovel, crampons, microspikes, an ice axe, an avalanche transceiver, etc

Winter camping tips

Planning to go on a winter camp? Here are a few tips to help you prepare;

Choosing the Ideal Tent

• Pick a 4-season classified tent to endure wind and snow
• Check for a snow fly and a roofline that permits snow to fall off
• Carry extra poles, pole splints/tape, and a ground covering (tarp). These are essential for safeguarding the tent floor

Choose the Best Sleeping Bag

• Utilize a mummy-style bag with a hood, drafting tube, and neck draught collar
• Consider the ones with filling substances like down, Primaloft, or Microloft
• For comfort, select a bag rated for temperatures lower than those you would usually encounter
• Choose an expedition bag suited to -30 degrees Fahrenheit (-1.11 °C), or add a vapour barrier liner or an over bag to a three-season bag.

Selecting the winter campsite and setting the camp

• Avoid ridge summits, low-lying terrain, and locations with fallen trees or avalanche threats.
• Place the tent on level ground, facing south and close to a water source
• Set up and anchor the tent and kitchen area, arranging the tent with doors at 90 degrees to the prevailing winds.
• Make a porch hole in front of the tent, insert the foam pad, unfold the sleeping bag, and dig another pit for a fire.