I love to go camping in the winter. But a crucial part to having fun on these campouts is staying warm. Everything can go bad real fast if you get wet or extremely cold. I follow these basic rules to stay warm.

Step 1: Bedding

Crucial to keeping warm is having a warm place to sleep. You should always have a warm sleeping bag, as well as a good pad to insulate you from the cold ground. Blankets are always a good thing to have, as you can use them as padding inside your sleeping bag, as well as to keep warm. Fleece blankets are good to keep warm, but most often they won't be big enough. I usually bring an extra blanket to go with that. Personally I like to bring pillows, but some people just consider them a waste of space.

Step 2: Clothing

Clothing is a huge part of winter camping. The trick to staying warm is being like an onion, so you can peel off layers when it gets too hot. Another key is keeping sweat off your body. If you get sweaty, then you will become extremely cold. Always keep extra socks, shirts, and underwear on hand in case you start sweating. Good boots with extra socks are key to keeping your feet warm. Gloves, coats, jackets, and snow pants are all a good choice.

Step 3: Other Things to Keep in Mind.

Other things that will prove useful include hand warmers, a good tent, a pack, wood to build a fire, food, and, if you hike in, a sled. I currently am working on a guide on building campfires as well. If you think I forgot anything, comment and I will add it.