Winter Camping - Getting Started
Even for folks with summer camping experience, the first foray into hot tent winter camping can feel a little bit daunting. Hot tent winter camping does present some additional challenges, and requires a different set of gear, but wilderness adventures in the winter landscape also provides an entirely new experience that many find even more enjoyable than summer camping.
This Getting Started primer is intended to provide some introductory ideas for people interested in starting their winter camping journey, but does not at all attempt to be a comprehensive guide to all the various aspects of winter camping. We do provide some useful links to guides with more detailed descriptions, gear checklists, etc. and informative winter adventure video series, at the bottom of the page.
A couple ways to get out there the first time:
LOTN Training Camp/Vast Horizons - Ok, clearly we’re biased, but we truly do believe that the hands down best way to get experience with traditional winter travel and camping methods is to do a Lure of the North Training Camp course. This week-long course will go over all the fundamental knowledge, methods, and skills required to travel and camp comfortably and safely in the winter boreal forest environment. After a few days of skill development at base camp, the group travels a four day loop through the rugged and majestic landscape of the La Cloche Range, including the summit of Mt. Ararat. Upon completing Training Camp/Vast Horizons, former greenhorns are en route to independent winter camping and/or longer and more challenging LOTN expeditions.
Front-country camping - Many Provincial Park and private campgrounds are open for winter camping with sites easily accessible by car, and often have firewood available for purchase (or allow campers to bring their own locally-sourced wood). This type of camping eliminates the complication of hauling gear long distances, finding a backcountry campsite with suitable wood and water source, and hours of wood processing, enabling the novice camper to focus on setting up camp, running the wood stove, and stovetop cooking. Furthermore, you’ll have the peace of mind that you’re near a park office and your vehicles and roads if anything goes wrong. Much of the sleeping and cooking gear translates easily from summer camping, and with the car near by you can bring extra pads, blankets etc to stay warm and comfortable. You can rent a canvas tent and stove package and other accessory items from various outfitters (including us) for less than the cost of a cheap motel. Once you get a few nights under your belt, you can expand your horizons and venture into the backcountry for progressively more challenging winter travel and camping adventures.
Check out our Where To Go page, for a list of Provincial Parks that offer Front-Country Winter Camping. These parks offer car-accessible campsites, often with amenities like heated washrooms or yurts.
Useful Links for Getting Started
Ripples And Leaves - Winter Camping Guide
Ontario Parks - Winter Camping 101