Ice camping is a fantastic method to go outside and hunt for night-feeding fish. Ice camping can be a fun way to pass the wintertime hours with the correct equipment and a little outdoor flair. Try taking a bath in the icy lake or floating on an ice sheet, because the cure for cabin fever is ice camping!
If you’re not very experienced, March and April are the best months to get out into the land. In this post, we will guide you comprehensively about the essentials of ice camping, and how it can help you overcome your cabin fever!
So, winter camping can be divided into three categories: warm camping, cold camping, and cabin camping.
Cabin Camping
Camping in a cabin is an alternative to camping in a tent, where you sleep in a shelter instead of a tent. The cost of renting a cabin varies greatly; it can be as little as $30 per night or hundreds of dollars for a cabin with many bedrooms and facilities. Most cabins are furnished with cooking appliances, a barbecue or fire pit, and inside conveniences like cable TV.
Warm Camping
Warm camping needs to figure out a means to warm your tent’s interior. Wood-burning stoves are brought by hot tent campers to locations in the woods that are already popular with outdoor enthusiasts during the other three seasons. You’ll need a tent made of fire-resistant fabric or one that has been treated with a fireproofing chemical.
Cold Camping
When people say winter camping, they typically mean snow camping, though it can also apply more broadly to camping in milder temperatures. Winter camping is defined as camping that takes place in winter weather. Campers can go climbing, snowshoeing, ice skating, and skiing, in snowy places.
Despite the fact that campers often cover less ground in the winter than they do in the summer, hiking is frequently a part of a camping vacation. Some individuals take pleasure in playing in the snow or building insulating buildings out of it.
Essential Ice Camping Item Reviews
Here are some of the essential items to must-have during ice camping. Let’s review some of the items that will help you make an informed decision.
Heater
We have listed down a few heaters optimal for ice camping here. Please take a look!
Dewalt Portable Heater
The Dewalt Portable heater is a fantastic battery-powered propane choice that comes in the traditional yellow and black color scheme. You may use identical flex batteries to power this if you already own Dewalt power tools. A built-in LED light adds adaptability and allows for other uses.
Benefits of Dewalt Portable Heater
- It has a built-in light strip in case it has to be used in dark areas.
- It has three USB connections for charging smartphones and other electrical devices.
- Built-in heating is powered by dependable Dewalt batteries with a runtime of roughly 7 hours.
The Disadvantages
- It requires both battery power and propane to operate all functions simultaneously, so more batteries could be needed.
- It weighs 14 pounds, therefore, it is not an ideal choice for someone who is constantly on the move.
Mr. Heater Little Buddy
The greatest portable heater to keep you warm and cozy is “Mr. Heater Little Buddy”. It can deliver continuous heat for up to 5-and-a-half hours using 1-pound disposable propane cylinders. This heater has an automated shut-off mechanism and is suitable for use indoors and in tents. It won’t be difficult to bring along with its small size and lightweight.
Advantages
- Lightweight and small enough for tents, vans, vehicles, hunting blinds, truck campers, RVs, and a variety of other indoor and outdoor applications.
- It can run for at least 5 hours on a single tank.
Disadvantages
- Not suitable at high altitudes above 7,000 feet; it may be too tall for cars with low roofs or small tents.
- Only one heating option is available.
- In cold climates, 1-pound propane tanks will need to be refilled or replaced often since the plastic base is not strong enough to survive the rigors of subzero temperatures.
Our Recommendation
Our vote goes to Dewalt portable heater due to its high-efficiency feature and great value for money!
Read Also: Ice Camping and Backpacking Basics
Warm Sleeping Bags
Western Mountaineering Versalite
Western Mountaineering’s Versatile 10F sleeping bag weighs about 2 pounds and keeps sleepers warm down to 10 degrees Fahrenheit. The 850-fill fill is lofty and compact. A clever collar design and interlocking draft tubes help in keeping air flowing within. It’s a tough bag, due to the taffeta on the interior for added sturdiness.
Advantages
- Great ventilation
- Highly comfortable
Disadvantages
- A bit costly
Marmot Col -20
The 37.5 ounces of 800-fill power down in this bag make it ideal for traveling through unpleasant weather. The draft tube filled with down and the glow-in-the-dark zipper pull are clever design elements. Although it’s a little hefty, if you pack it tightly enough, it can easily fit within a larger pack.
Advantages
- Basecamp ready.
- Fitting friendly
Disadvantages
- Heavier compared to other warm sleeping bags.
- The zipper touches the chin.
Our Recommendation
We recommend the Western Mountaineering Versatile due to its flawless functionality; making the money worthwhile.
Camping Cots
Intex Dura-Beam Deluxe Comfort Plush Air Mattress
By pressing a button, an integrated 110-120 volt inflation pump will inflate and deflate the airbed. The inflation process takes about three minutes and it is a practical queen-sized carry bag that is ideal for storing and transportation.
Advantages
- Quick inflation with built-in electric pump.
- thick vinyl eliminates the need for sheets
- Adjustable air levels
Disadvantage
- lack of warranty
King Camp Camping Cot
It is perfect for tall adults, heavy people, young children, toddlers, and family members. No assembly is necessary, and it is a LIGHTWEIGHT mobile design. The adult sleeping cot is simple to assemble and takes only 10 seconds to collapse into the provided storage bag. The pack weighs 4.4 pounds and is 14″ x 5.1″ x 5.1″.
Advantages
- Easy-to-set-up
- Quiet sturdy
- Lowkey cozy
Disadvantages
- Less storage
Our Recommendation
We will suggest to you the best, in this case, the vote goes to King Camp Camping Cot. It is ready to hop on after a long day of hiking/camping; what else matters than a good sleep?
Hot Tents
DANCHEL OUTDOOR Mountain Cattle Hot Tent
It can accommodate two to three people and has an opening of 10.5 feet (3.2 meters) by 5.2 feet (1.6 meters). Its storage size is 4 inches in diameter and 14.5 inches long. It is portable and lightweight, weighing only 3.6 lbs. The performance of the anti-tear 210T patterned polyester, which is used to make the tent, is superior to that of nylon.
Advantages
- Contains a stove
- Waterproof
- Ultralight and compact
Disadvantages
- The tent is heavy and hard to move.
Coleman Cabin Tent
This instant tent sets up in only one minute and is made of 100% polyester. Rugged Polyguard two times the double-thick fabric is used in the WeatherTec system, which has innovative welded floors and inverted seams to keep you dry and is made of durable, long-lasting fabric. It has an integrated vented rainfly that enhances ventilation without requiring any further setup.
Advantages
- High Ventilation
- additional tarps for more light, rain, and snow protection
Disadvantages
- A bit pricey
Our Recommendation
Having highly positive and reasonable functionality including the cost; we are biased towards the Danchel Outdoor MountainCattle hot tents. Compared to the latter; it is affordable and offers handsome utilization.
Hand Warmers:
Zippo 12-hour Refillable Hand Warmer
Having easy-filled technology and flawless and flameless warmth, these refillable hand warmers are the ultimate keepers during ice camping. It has a sleek and extremely unique design; enough to fit into the smallest space.
Advantages
- Gives the perfect warmth
- Refillable
- 12-hour holding capacity
Disadvantages
- Melodramatically expensive
Hot hand’s Super Hand Warmers
These are long-lasting odorless, air-activated warmers. A single hot hand super warmer claims to end the heat effect after 16 hours.
Advantages
- Super convenient to use
- Highly affordable
- Multipurpose warmers
Disadvantages
- The warmers work up to 10 hours.
Suggested Product:
We have got a situation here, if you are okay with compromising the heating duration then the second one is your ultimate partner; it is cheap, disposable, and does its work. While if you are looking towards a long-term investment, then you should definitely try Zippo’s 12-hour refilling hand warmer.
Food
If you don’t have a portable fridge, it might be quite difficult to keep food cold when camping (an expensive purchase, especially for beginners camping).
You should factor in what has to be chilled before eating when arranging your trip’s meals. Your cooler must have enough room to hold all of the food items you want to bring along if you want to keep it cold. For all the beverages and food, why not just use one cooler? You should practice making meal plans that take insufficient refrigeration into account.
- Cold meals will be helpful
- Carefully pack your cooler
- Layer the food in your cooler so that the things that require the least amount of refrigeration, such as fresh fruit and vegetables, are at the top.
- Fill your cooler with frozen food and raw meats toward the bottom and next to the ice packs. When you open your cooler, you want to keep the food that needs to stay cold toward the bottom so that it remains there.
Speakers
Bose SoundLink Micro Bluetooth Speaker
It has a loud but clear sound, waterproof, and has unbelievably deep bass. It has a tear-resistant strap with which your micro speaker can be attached to your handbag, cooler, or handlebars. The SoundLink Micro is made of sturdy materials, including a rubberized silicone exterior, and is resistant to drops, dents, fractures, and scratches. Additionally, its soft-touch texture hardly ever reveals a mark.
Advantages
- Long-lasting battery
- Phone calls can be assisted.
- Bose Connect App allows it to upgrade the speakers and add the newest features to it automatically.
Disadvantages
- It has a USB port charger which is too old for 2022.
- Quite costly compared to the product’s functionality
Margaritaville Cooler Bluetooth Speaker
It is a two-in-one; wireless, portable cooler chest speaker having a capacity of 12 bottles. Since we are focused on ice camping you can use this cooler as a refrigerator for your food and still have a musical night.
Advantages
- Great built-in speakers with a high-capacity cooler
- Has an extended range
- Long battery life
Our Recommendation
We will definitely recommend you the Margaritaville cooler Bluetooth speaker. It is cheap and double-purposed; you can roam within 33 feet without the fear of disconnection. Solely the Margaritaville speakers are a perfect choice if you want to have a great time.
Pillows
Klymit Travel Pillow
These comfortable, inflatable pillows for camping keep your head straight and provide a restful night’s sleep. This little cushion may be inflated or deflated to the optimum support level in 1-2 breaths. It can be folded and just takes up a tiny bit of room.
Advantages
- Can also be used as cushions and even as side support during boat activities
- Compact; portable pillow; that can be compressed to the desired levels.
- Very comfortable
Disadvantages
- Needs a pillowcase
Ergonomic Sleep Most Comfortable Zoned Memory Dough Pillow
Molded Premium High-Density Memory Foam effectively relieves pressure points over your neck, shoulder, and back muscles, relieving you of neck, shoulder, and back pain. Its MODEL Fabric is naturally soft and cool, and it is approved as safe for infants and toddlers up to three years of age. It takes up too much space.
Advantages
- Safe foam material (free of any toxins)
Disadvantages
- It may stimulate pain instead of eliminating it.
- Non-adjustable
Our Recommendation
The vote goes to the klymit travel pillow for its flawless adjustments and low space filler.
Wide Range Gears
Gear Guide Insulated Cooler
The Guide Gear Cooler Box is intended for usage in outdoor environments. When going camping or hunting, place it in the back of your truck to keep food and drinks cool. Contains about 18 cans; it is Ideal for keeping hunting animals and fish, as well as using it as a portable beverage cooler. It has extra-thick walls that provide 2″ of insulation and can regent up to 3 days of ice. The ice cooler has a tough construction made of rot-molded plastic that is incredibly sturdy and has an integrated UV stabilizer. Gera Guide insulated Cooler is strong enough to store with your hunting equipment while being suitable for usage outdoors.
Advantages
- Portable
- Bear Resistant
Plano Sports Truck
With room to spare, this 68-quart sturdy storage container can accommodate all of your camping equipment and tools. Utilize the tie-down attachment points to secure them before driving. If you require more than one, you may stack them at home thanks to the molded grooves.
Advantages
- Stacking with molded grooves is secure.
- Sturdy latches
Disadvantages
- Four clamps at each side; don’t lock stiffly.
Our Recommendation
We will strongly recommend the Gear Guide insulated cooler for a secure ice-camping experience.
Water
You want to not dehydrate yourself during your adventure. Water is an essential ice-camping item; you ought to bring the water according to your days of ice camping. You better not consider water as a side necessity; keep yourself hydrated to have a splendid trip.
Read Also: Best Cool Box For Camping
Top 5 Winter Destinations
Choosing a great spot to camp in winter can be a hectic deal. But fret no more, we have broken down the ethereal sites for you to camp in winter. Without wasting another bit let’s dive right into the locations.
Red Cliffs Campground, Utah
Red Cliffs is a real treasure. The campground is situated amid the picturesque Red Cliffs Recreation Area, a wildlife sanctuary, 14 miles (23 kilometers) northeast of St. George. Numerous historical, cultural, and ecological resources are also accessible, including the endangered Mojave Desert tortoise. Red cliffs campground is the perfect spot for recreation and memorable adventure.
Padre Island National Seashore, Texas
On Padre Island, which has the longest stretch of an unspoiled barrier island in the world (70 miles, or 113 kilometers), all campgrounds are open year-round. Unsurprisingly, a wide variety of ecosystems may be found there, including rare coastal grassland, dune system, wind tidal flats, and the Laguna Madre, one of the few hypersaline lagoons still in existence.
Yosemite National Park, California
One of the godfathers of the American National Park System is Yosemite. It was one of the country’s original wilderness parks and is renowned for its numerous waterfalls, historic sequoias, and expansive meadows. It should come as no surprise that it’s a popular choice for summer visitors, but when the weather turns cold and the snow starts to fall, the crowds disappear. Plan your trip during the months of December through March, when snow is practically assured to cover much of the park. Once you have set up your camp, you can look forward to skiing and snow hiking.
Antarctica
How strong are you? Step into a tent set up on Antarctica’s ice sheets to find out; there is no other way. You can accomplish it if you have the funds. An optional camping expedition may be available if you make your reservations through the cruise line Antarctica Bound. Following a magnificent dinner prepared by your guides, you’ll fall asleep in sleeping bags zipped into tents anchored into the Errera Channel’s coast. It almost seems like cheating, but they’ll even set up a portable bathroom.
Great Sand Dunes National Park, Colorado
Never heard of sand dunes in Colorado? Well, now you have. And they are in fact North America’s tallest dunes. Great Sand Dunes National Park, located in the southern part of the state 35 miles (56 km) northeast of Alamosa, includes enormous sand dunes in addition to a diversified terrain that provides for grasslands, marshes, forestland, alpine lakes, and tundra. In both the summer and the winter, sandboarding, sledding, or even skiing on the dunes is one of the most popular pastimes. You never have to worry about rocks or trees, and it is a really interesting experience. Dune hiking is also possible all year long. What an exciting place to ice camp.
