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Family tent at a snowy campsite at dusk

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Heating and cooling your tent

Heat and cold worry beginners most. In summer, the options are shade, fans and a tent air conditioner; in winter, a tent-rated heater and the right sleeping setup. Heating a tent carries real risks, so safety comes first on every page here.

Electric heater inside a family tent at night START WITH THIS · WINTER Best tent heater

Safety first

  • Never run a fuel heater inside a tent.
  • Opening a flap does not clear carbon monoxide.
  • Keep electric heaters 3 feet from anything that burns.

Stay warm

Carbon monoxide alarm and an electric heater inside a tent How to heat a tent safely Warm sleeping setup with bags and pads in a tent Sleeping warm

Stay cool

Tent with an air conditioner port Tents with an AC port Power station beside a tent Power for a tent AC Battery fan inside a tent Camp fans

Frequently asked questions

Can you use a portable air conditioner in a tent?

Yes, if the tent has an AC port or an opening you can seal around the hose, and you have enough power, such as a powered campsite or a large power station. Size the unit to the tent and vent the hot air outside.

Is it safe to use a heater in a tent?

The CDC says never to use fuel-burning equipment, including gas heaters, inside a tent, and opening the flaps is not enough. Electric heaters make no carbon monoxide, but they need 3 feet of clearance and should be off while you sleep.

How do I keep a tent warm at night?

Start from the ground up: an insulated pad, a sleeping bag rated below the night's low and dry layers to sleep in. A hot water bottle in the bag helps too. Keep fuel heaters out of the tent.

More topics

Cabin tent with a picnic table Tents Cots lined up inside a family tent Sleep

Free camping checklist

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