Winter Beach Camping Tips

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To me, there’s never an off season for the beach .. or camping. I’ll find a way to make it work in any weather!

Let me give you some TIPS for winter beach camping .. since you always make an excuse not to go. & no matter the season, being prepared will make any camping experience more enjoyable.

Side note : I often prefer “off season” because there are way less people 😉

Winter Beach Camping Tips

Thermals! - Probably the most essential thing, I don’t leave the house without thermals in the winter (by winter I mean under 50 degrees). But in general, as for any cold weather camping, wear layers & be prepared. Don’t wait until you are cold to get warm .. I learned the hard way last year at Harker's Island and ended up getting sick from what I thought was “getting used to” the cold.

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Firewood – Gathering wood is a bit more difficult on the beach than in the woods, if not impossible (depending on the beach). & everyone knows you cant camp without a fire.. especially in the winter! So bring plenty of firewood. They sell it at most gas stations and grocery stores during the winter months.

Warm Food – Obviously you’re gonna need to eat. Eating warmer foods will help to keep your body warm. I like to keep things simple and bring things to cook on the fire like soup, chili, etc. (Beginner tip: anything canned can be cooked/heated up simply by cracking the lid, placing it near the fire and waiting til you hear that nice bubble boiling sound). If you don’t have a camp stove, jet boil, or a way to heat your food, cooking on the fire is great.

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click here to purchase Jet Boil

An SUV/Van -although I love sleeping in a tent, and have done it both in the winter and on the beach … would recommend making a warm, comfy pallet in the back of an SUV or Van vs. fighting the beach winds in the winter. Esp. if you’re not accustomed to camping. Car camping can be a great compromise.

Make sure you have 4 wheel drive … & know how to turn it on. Unlike myself, who ended up getting stuck during my first experience and having to flag someone down in the middle of the night … only to look like an idiot and find out that I didn’t even have the 4x4 turned on.