Touring Caravanning

The complete guide to getting a good night’s sleep while camping

Here are our top tips for sleeping well and waking up refreshed the following day!

Sleeping under canvas, canopied by the night sky filled with twinkling stars sounds romantic and idyllic, but it can be difficult to get a good night’s sleep while camping. With some sound planning, though, it is possible to sleep well and wake refreshed the following morning.

Being the correct temperature in bed is the most important factor in getting a good night’s sleep – too hot or cold and you will be restless. Your sleeping bag should be appropriate for the season, and most sleeping bags are rated in seasons as follows:

1 season – these sleeping bags are designed for very warm summer nights

2 season – great for cooler, British summers

3 season – spring to autumn camping

4 season – recommended for winter camping

A 3 season sleeping bag is best and if you find you are too warm, you can undo the zip slightly for temperature control. Our Kampa Dometic Annecy Lux Sleeping Bag is a 3 season bag and is available in large and extra large.

A sleeping bag works by taking your body heat and retaining it within the bag’s insulation – a sleeping bag on its own is not warm and the temperature inside your sleeping bag is important for a restful sleep. It follows then that the warmer you are when you get into your sleeping bag, the more heat the bag has to draw on and store. Warm up before getting into bed by doing some exercise – perhaps go for a brisk walk or do some star jumps to warm up. Once in bed, you need to make sure you stay warm! Wearing layers and dry socks will help, as will a hat in extremely cold conditions.

Once you have the right sleeping bag, and you are warm, the next thing to consider is where you’ll sleep. Always pitch your tent on level ground that is free of rocks, to avoid anything that could wake you by being physically uncomfortable. It’s rare to find a pitch as level as a crown pin bowling green so if you find that your sleeping area has a slight slope, position your bed so that your head is at the higher point. Positioned like this, rather than with your head downwards will prevent blood rushing to your head.

Avoid layering up with too many clothes at night. Rather than keeping you warm, it will make your sleeping bag tight which will affect its insulation. If you need extra layers, put them over the sleeping bag AND under your bed as heat is lost through the ground. An air mattress or slumber mat  will raise you off the ground enough and are a good idea, especially when holidaying with youngsters. If you have a vehicle and are not having to carry all your gear, then consider taking your pillows from home too.

Earplugs are a must-have if you want to sleep well, for although many restful sleep apps and white noise reduction programmes feature sounds of nature, real-life nature can be noisy and unsettling! From the wind blowing through trees and rustling sounds in the bushes, to your campmate’s snoring, noise carries and will reach you even from across the campsite. Draper ear plugs are pre-moulded for a secure fit and are supplied in a plastic box for safe, daytime storage.

Wherever possible, and especially when camping with young children, try to follow your normal bedtime routine. So, if you always brush your teeth just before hopping in to bed, do the same on holiday as this will help your brain to unwind at the end of a long day, and recognise the signs that bed and sleep are imminent. 

Sleeping in strange or unfamiliar surroundings can be unsettling but by following our tips, you will get the best night’s sleep possible. For all your camping needs, browse our online camping and outdoor leisure department now.