How To Keep A Tent Cool In Summer [2024 Update]

Find A Shade During The Daytime

If you happen to pitch your tent during the day, it’s advisable to find shade. Shade can protect you from the sun's radiation and also ensure that the space inside your tent does not heat up quickly.

While looking for a shade, consider the following:

• Find shade under tall or broad trees that can cover a larger area. If they have dense canopies, you can stay protected from the sun throughout the day.
• If you’re camping on a hill, the shade from neighboring hills and mountains would likely block the sun.
• Try pitching your tent under a large rock’s shadow. These are easy to find and can save you the trouble of melting under the sun’s rays.
• If you’re traveling solo, you can pitch your tent under small bushes or shrubs. Since they cover smaller areas, they are ideal for resting spots.

Pitch Your Tent The Right Way

Pitching your tent correctly can go a long way in making it comfortable and cool. If you’re a first-time camper or just wondering whether you’re doing it right, follow the below-mentioned steps:

Step 1: Flatten The Ground

Before laying out your tent, remove any stones or pebbles that might be making the ground uneven. Flatten the ground with your hand and ensure that the twigs and stumps are separated from the leaves.

Step 2: Use The Footprint

Once set, spread out the ground tarp or footprint of the tent. You need to keep the shiny side upwards.

Step 3: Lay Out The Tent Body

After the footprint is set, add your tent’s body and match each corner with the footprints. Check the direction in which the wind is blowing to ensure your tent is facing the right way.

Step 4: Secure The Poles

Now, add the poles of the tent to every corner and secure it firmly. Make sure it is dug deep into the ground so that it doesn’t naturally dismantle due to a loose fit. You can then attach each corner of your tent to every pole.

Step 5: Add A Stake

Use stake pegs to ensure that your tent doesn’t dismantle or fly away in rainy weather or storms. Push the stake through the tie-down loop at a 45° angle. Add pegs to every corner of your tent to secure it firmly.

How to Keep A Tent Cool in Summer

Summers are great for adventures where camping becomes the ideal choice for a quick and affordable getaway. If you are headed out solo or going for a summer camp with your family, it is important to understand how to keep your tent cool in the heat.

You can cool a pitched tent in just a few minutes through six easy ways.

Use a Cooler with Ice

If you’re carrying beverages, you must store them in a cooler. You can use the cooler box full of ice to your advantage to get some respite from the summer heat.

• Ensure that your tent is closed and there are no gaps
• Open the cooler box and let the cold air circulate through the tent
• Within a few minutes, the space inside the tent will be much cooler than the temperature outside
• To prevent your ice cubes from melting, you can separate a few of them and store them in another box or cooler

Use A Cooling Fan

Battery-operated cooling fans are readily available in most locations. You can pick up one or two on your camping adventure and place them at the back of your tent to lower the temperature. You can choose between purchasing static and oscillating fans depending on how much circulation you will need in your tent.

Mini fans would also be comfortable alternatives to carry while staying in a camp.

Avoid Using A Rainfly

Unless there’s a rain prediction, you can enjoy camping without having your rainfly on. You can securely remove it from the tent to prevent its fabric from creating unnecessary moisture and heating your tent. Usually, you can camp without a rainfly since the tent's tarp keeps rain at bay.

Use A Sunshade

Reflective shades or a tarp can work as a blanket to secure your tent from unwanted heat. You can set one up before pitching your tent to block the sun’s radiation and enjoy a cool space.

Use A Tent with A Mesh

While shopping for a tent, ensure that you get a mesh-layered tent that can help prevent bugs from entering the tent space. This will allow you to keep your tent door and vents open. If your tent does not have a mesh layer, you won’t be able to keep your tent open for a longer time, which can become unbearable in the summer heat.

Use A Sleeping Bag

Known for their heat-resistant properties, sleeping bags ensure a good night’s sleep without discomfort. If your tent feels too warm, lay the sleeping bag on the fabric to stay cool.

How to Keep Yourself Cool in Camping

Now that you know how to keep a tent cool in summer, you need to find ways to keep yourself naturally cool as well. Sweltering in the summer is not ideal. With a few smart and easy tips, you can maintain a lowered body temperature during the day and night while camping.

Carry & Drink Lots of Water

You have to stay hydrated during summer, especially when you are traveling and camping outdoors. Ensure you carry lots of water—the more, the merrier! Have a few sips of water every 30-45 minutes to keep your body temperature naturally cool. It is recommended to have at least 64 ounces of water daily. By drinking water at consistent intervals, you can avoid dehydration and blacking out.

Use A Wet Towel

You might be feeling hot despite setting up your tent the right way. In extreme conditions, when the heat becomes unbearable, you can soak a towel in cold water and lay it across your forehead. This will instantly relieve you of the warm weather, as the cold water gets absorbed by your skin and lowers your body temperature.

Try Showering with Cold Water

If you have the means to take a cold shower or spot a nearby lake next to your camping site, rinse your body off the accumulated sweat. The shower will refresh you and lower your body temperature, helping you enjoy a comfortable sleep.

Use Frozen Water Jugs

You can carry frozen water in jugs, which can act as alternatives to coolers and cooling appliances. Laying the jugs out in a closed tent can significantly reduce the temperature in the space. Moreover, the surface area of a jug is small and sturdy. This ensures that the chilled water doesn’t become warm soon. If you have a jug full of ice cubes, they will take longer to melt.

Wear Light-Colored Clothing

When picking your fabric, it is advisable to wear cool and light colors. Avoid wearing black, gray, or any darker shade of primary colors. Darker colors absorb and retain heat, raising your body temperature. Lighter colors, in comparison, do not absorb heat at the same intensity, maintaining a normal body temperature.

Go To Bed Early

In the summer season, utilize the sunset hours to sleep. While camping out, it’s recommended to avoid sleeping during the day. Sleeping early and waking up before the sun rises can keep your body cool and provide a comfortable sleep.

How to Keep A Tent Cool without Electricity

You can camp outdoors without relying on electricity. Through a few strategic tips, you can make camping on a hot day manageable.

Choose The Pitch Location Wisely

If you’re unsure where to pitch your tent, don’t hesitate to ask the site owners for the best camping spots. They will help you choose a breezy corner south of the sun's direction.

Look For Breeze

It’s advisable to find a breezy location to set up your tent. If you assemble your tent facing the breeze, you will be able to create a cooler space. Check the weather conditions before stepping out. You can also do a finger test by licking your finger, raising it upwards, and seeing which side cools off first.

Pick The Right Type Of Tent

The quality and material of your tent are good deciding factors in understanding how to keep your tent cool in summer without electricity. Polyester and nylon are recommended options due to their breathable properties. You can use tents made of these materials to ensure consistent air circulation on a humid day.

Pick A Spot Close To A Water Body

Choosing a camping spot next to a water body like a pond or lake ensures that the ground around it is cooler. The water below the surface naturally cools off the floor, ensuring that you sleep peacefully at night.

At times when a power source might not be available, you can use solar energy to charge your devices. Jackery Solar Generators can charge your cooling appliances, like battery-powered fans, to keep your tent cool in summer. These generators use green and clean energy, with 9 temperatures to adjust and a 30% dissipation energy rate.

They are also equipped with an intelligent BMS system to provide 12 layers of protection for your devices. You can easily carry them in hot and cold climates, ranging between 14°F and 104°F (-10°C to 40°C).

Jackery Solar Generators Explained

Many people love camping in remote locations to connect with nature and escape the busy city life. But the direct sunlight shining on the tent can make it hard to camp outside. That's where the solar generators come in handy. They can charge various cooling equipment, such as portable ACs, portable fans, ice makers, air coolers, and dehumidifiers.

Jackery is a leading solar brand that offers a wide range of high-quality solar generators, solar panels, and portable power stations. The Jackery Solar Generators are portable and powerful, helping you charge most of the cooling appliances during tent camping. They combine highly efficient Jackery Portable Power Stations and foldable Jackery SolarSaga Solar Panels that can supply steady power to appliances whenever required.

The solar generators are easy to use. All you need to do is unfold and place the solar panels under direct sunlight to convert solar energy into DC electricity. The DC to AC conversion occurs when it passes through the pure sine wave inverter of the Jackery Portable Power Stations. The AC  electricity is then supplied to the appliances for safe charging.

Jackery Solar Generator 2000 Plus

If you often plan outdoor adventures like tent camping or RV living, you may consider this expandable and large-capacity solar-powered generator. The Jackery Solar Generator 2000 Plus has an ergonomic design with a flat top, foldable handle, and pull rods. You can quickly move the solar generator anywhere to keep powering the low to heavy-duty appliances for long hours. If you want to switch completely to off-grid living, you may consider expanding the battery capacity from 2kWh to 24kWh with multiple Jackery Battery Pack 2000 Plus.

Appliances Running Time

• Portable AC (700W) = 2.4H
• Portable Fan (50W) = 34.7H
• Ice Maker (150W) = 11.5H
• Dehumidifier (100W) = 17.3H
• Air Cooler (150W) = 11.5H

Customer Review 

"I went off-grid with it, and we love it. We live in a camper and power up everything for at least 2 days without charging but using everything so I'm very happy that we got it. We have a small jackery that we relied on but now we have no problem with power." — Marcin Powichrowski.

Jackery Solar Generator 1000 Plus

The Jackery Solar Generator 1000 Plus offers more power in a small size, supporting the charging of 99% of your outdoor appliances. It has a foldable handle and portable design to move the solar generator to camping locations and charge cooling equipment, such as ACs, fans, etc. You can also power outdoor kitchen appliances, such as kettles, ice makers, toasters, blenders, etc., for a comfortable stay. If you want more power, the battery capacity can be expanded from 1.2kWh to 5kWh for longer outdoor trips.

Appliances Running Time

• Portable AC (700W) = 1.5H
• Portable Fan (50W) = 21.4H
• Ice Maker (150W) = 7.1H
• Dehumidifier (100W) = 10.7H
• Air Cooler (150W) = 7.1H

Customer Review

"We recently took it with us on a trip and used it for an electric blanket to get through the cold nights. Each night, after about 4 hours of use, it still had more than 50% power remaining. And since it has quick charging, we can get it back up to 100% within 2 hrs, and have the option to use our solar panels." — Casey Touhy.

Jackery Solar Generator 1000 v2

The Jackery Solar Generator 1000 v2 offers a remarkable output, helping you charge most cooling equipment and keep the tent tool. For instance, you can run lights, coolers, portable ACs, and even a portable stove. It's lighter than other mainstream products and can easily fit into the rear compartment of the vehicle. The whisper-quiet charging ensures the solar generator will keep charging appliances at night without disturbing your sleep.

Appliances Running Time

• Portable AC (700W) = 1.2H
• Portable Fan (50W) = 18.1H
• Ice Maker (150W) = 6.0H
• Dehumidifier (100W) = 9.0H
• Air Cooler (150W) = 6.0H

Customer Review

"We love this thing. We can run our Dometic 35 for well over a day on a full charge. Charging it is easy when there is sun. Jackery has changed the way we think about food storage during long trips off the grid. I'm gonna tell everybody I know about it. Thank you so much!" — Linda Rios.

How to Choose The Right Tent to Keep Cool

It is imperative to pick the right type of tent to have a memorable camping experience. Consider certain factors when selecting a tent for your upcoming adventure.

Size

If you are recommended to purchase a 3-man tent for a family of 3, that means that the tent would not accurately fit 3 people. It would just fit right or become a bit stuffy for 3 people during the summer months. Always purchase a larger tent size than you require. This will give you and your travel partners room to breathe, naturally helping maintain the temperature inside the tent area.

Material

To camp in the summer, opt for breathable tent materials like polyester or nylon. Since they help block radiated heat from the sun, they are more likely to maintain a cooler temperature inside the tent. Moreover, they help with consistent air circulation, helping you sleep comfortably throughout the night.

Weight

Ranging from nearly 450 grams to up to 20 kilograms for a tent that can fit 10-15 people, the weight of your tent will be an important factor in your purchasing decision. Plan accordingly, and make sure you don’t buy a tent that might be too heavy for you to carry.

Seasonality

Camping tents have season ratings for different brands. When purchasing them, have a look at the below-mentioned ratings:

• If you’re heading out on a fair weather day, opt for a season 1 or 2-rated tent.
• If the weather is windy and it looks like it can rain, head out with a season 3-rated tent.
• Four—and five-season-rated tents are ideal for summer and winter nights when the temperature can reach extremes.

FAQs

What size of solar generator do I need for my tent?

The size of the solar generator required to charge the cooling and electronic devices inside a tent would depend on the number of people going camping. To understand how to keep a tent cool with solar power, let’s take an instance.

Say you are using the Jackery Solar Generator 500 to power up a battery-operated fan (50W) and portable refrigerator (50W) for your tent. The running time of the solar generator can be calculated using the following formula:

Working Hours = Battery Capacity in Wh × 0.85 ÷ Operating Wattage of the Appliances = 518Wh × 0.85 ÷ 100W = 4.4H.

Note: We have multiplied the battery capacity by 0.85 since there will be some power loss when charging the devices.

How do you keep a tent cool at night?

To understand how to keep a tent cool at night, you can use a meshed tent and keep the doors and vents open. This will prevent bugs and insects from coming inside while simultaneously allowing you to have a good night’s sleep. You can also keep the rainfly away if rain is not predicted. The absence of this material will allow natural air circulation without making the inside of a tent too hot.

How do you trap heat in a tent?

Tents are made of polyester, poly cotton, cotton canvas, or fiber. These materials are breathable and absorb and retain heat inside the tent. They work well for colder months but might make staying in a little uncomfortable during summers.

Why is it so cold in my tent?

If you leave the tent door and vents open, your tent might be cold. Ensure that it is properly sealed before camping inside. Moreover, if you have a cooling device or a cooler box in the tent, shut them off completely to make the tent warmer.

How hot is too hot for camping?

As per the National Weather Service, if the outdoor temperature rises to three digits, camping should be reconsidered. The study indicates that outdoor temperatures of 103°F (39.4°C) and above are detrimental to human survival.

Final Thoughts

Camping can be a beautiful experience, especially during the summer months, when summer camps are trending at unique destinations. While planning a solo trip or adventure with your family and friends, ensure you understand how to keep your tent cool, set it up in different ways, camp in a tent without electricity, and choose the right type of tent. Jackery Solar Generators can help you charge camping appliances, ensuring you remain comfortable in a remote location.