The Low-Tech Camping Trick To Keep Your Sleeping Bag Warm While Camping In The Cold

We may receive a commission on purchases made from links.

If you've never been camping in the winter, you're absolutely missing out. It's quiet without the scores of campers that summertime brings. The cold air is crisp and fresh, and there is nothing better than snuggling into a toasty sleeping bag and listening to the sound of soft snowflakes gently landing on the top of your tent. Plus, roasting marshmallows over a roaring campfire is perhaps the best cure for stress. Of course, it goes without saying that staying warm out in the wintry wilderness is important, especially at night. There is a great, low-tech trick to keep you snug as a bug in a rug once you enter your tent — and it's very easy to do, whether you're feeling a little chilly while winter camping at a beach in California or braving freezing temperatures in a snowy campsite in Maine. All you have to do is heat up dry, foraged stones in your campfire and take them into the tent with you for a warm and snuggly evening under the stars. 

There are some things you need to know before you try the hot stone camping trick. However, this particular technique for warming up your tent and sleeping bag is far easier than fumbling around with an indoor stove or heating system. Plus, if you're hiking into your campsite, or if space is at a premium, this trick involves very little extra gear. In fact, what you need might already be in your pack anyway. Well, other than the stone.

To use the hot stone trick, scout around your campsite while it's still light out for a large, flat stone (or a few smaller rocks). Place the stone at the edge of the fire or on top of a fire grate if your campsite has one. It should get hot in around 30 minutes or so. Once it's heated, don't just grab the rock with your hands and put it in your tent; bring tongs, a potholder, or oven gloves, like Grill Armor Gloves on Amazon that can handle temperatures up to 932 degrees Fahrenheit. Then, wrap the stone or stones up in a towel so the hot surface isn't touching the bottom of the tent or any material that can melt in hot temperatures. Put the towel-wrapped stone(s) inside the tent, or near your feet in a sleeping bag. It should stay warm for between 60 and 90 minutes, though from personal camping experience, I've had stones stay warm longer, depending on the outdoor temperature.

There is one really important caveat for the hot stone trick: You shouldn't use rocks that have any moisture in them, or porous rocks that may have moisture you can't detect. This includes rocks from any body of water like a lake, river, or stream. Hot rocks that hold moisture can explode in the fire. 

To warm up your body beyond what heated rocks can do, a bit of exercise in your sleeping bag can add in some warmth to help you drift off. Finally, while the hot rocks trick doesn't really need much equipment, camping does require a few things that you have to purchase. If you need new gear, Costco has some useful, budget-friendly essentials to upgrade your camping experience.