Camping Over Winter In The Woods: A Survival Guide

Camping in the woods over winter is challenging because of the low temperatures and relative lack of resources (compared to spring or summer). As such, if you’re planning a stint in nature over the festive break, it pays to go into the situation prepared. 

But what, exactly, should you be doing to minimize risks? 

Well, that’s the topic of this guide. We look at some of the survival strategies you can use to overwinter in the woods without affecting your health or putting your life at risk. 

Prepare For Emergencies

The first step is to prepare for emergencies. Getting ready for the worst potentially happening is an excellent strategy and means you’re ready even if things go seriously wrong. 

Preparing for emergencies means bringing: 

• A well-stocked and equipped first aid kit (that doesn’t have bits missing)
• Supplies for dealing with frostbite and cold, like hand warmers and emergency blankets
• Extra layers of clothing for keeping warm in the evenings
• A flashlight so you can find your way around your camp during dark winter nights
• Extra batteries for the tools you need to use to signal help 

Having these to hand gives you peace of mind and helps you feel more prepared for whatever could go wrong. 

Make Sure You Can Navigate Winter Landscapes

It’s also worth thinking about the profound challenges in navigating conventional winter landscapes. If there’s snow on the ground, regions can look quite different from the summer months. 

Because of this, it is always worth bringing a map, compass, and GPS with you on expeditions. These keep you in the loop and help to prevent you from getting too far off your target (or losing your campsite). 

If you can, familiarize yourself with the area first before setting up your camp. Know where the ridge lines and rivers are so you can navigate more effectively if there’s an issue. 

Invest In A Headlamp

It’s also a good idea to put some money into combat-grade tactical gear, like headlamps. These help you see wherever your head points at night time, giving you more visibility and control. 

Headlamps are particularly helpful when managing your camp or trying to find things in your tent. These make life so much easier and make more of the day productive. 

Be Wary Of The Wildlife

You also want to be careful around the wildlife (depending on where you want to camp). Many forests are teeming with creatures that could cause you harm. 

The biggest risk is hibernating bears. Disturbing these can cause serious issues. 

You also want to be on the lookout for wolves and male deer. These creatures can be aggressive, especially if they are hungry or believe they are guarding females. 

Sprays, lights, and whistles can help with these. 

Leave No Trace

Lastly, when camping in the woods over winter, maintain the policy of “leave no trace.” Don’t leave litter lying around or evidence of your pitch. Instead, clean up after yourself and ensure that the environment is as pristine as you found it.