Looking to get a better night’s sleep when backpacking or camping? Check out my guide to sleeping well when outdoors!
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When I first started thinking about going backpacking, my number one concern wasn’t animals or getting lost or not showering. It was not getting a good night’s sleep. I am a monster when I don’t sleep enough and hiking double digit mileage after sleeping like crap seemed like an objectively bad way to spend a weekend.
However, I love backpacking and I’ve gotten myself to a point where I can have a restful night’s sleep that allows me to wake up ready to tackle miles the next day!
Read on for more tips on getting a good night’s sleep while sleeping outside!
As always, follow the principles of leave no trace when you're out exploring! Pack out all trash, leave wildlife alone, and generally leave it better than you found it - for more information visit the Leave No Trace Center.
Choose Your Gear Well and Practice
Sleeping well comes down a lot to the gear you have. A leaky tent will lead to a terrible night’s sleep.
Gear that will impact your sleep include the following:
- Sleeping bag – what is the temperature rating and is it rated for conditions you’re planning to backpack in?
- Tent – proper weatherproofing and ventilation can assist with a good night’s sleep
- Sleeping pad – see more below!
I also highly recommend practicing with any new gear prior to using on trail. Nothing is worse than waking up in the middle of the night with a deflated sleeping pad or a collapsed tent. Making sure that you know how to use your gear and it works well before a trip is vital to your trip’s success, but will also help with a good night’s sleep.
For more information about selecting backpacking gear, check out my guide to must-have backpacking gear!
Invest in a Good Sleeping Pad
This one was an absolute game changer for me and how I feel about backpacking. I started off with a foldable pad because that’s what I saw everyone else using. However, it was not the right fit for me. I got the worst night’s sleep on my first backpacking trip and woke up every hour feeling every vertebrae of my spine.
Then on my second trip, I borrowed a friend’s Therm-A-Rest inflatable sleeping pad. It completely changed how I slept. This sleeping pad allows me to sleep on my side, back, or stomach and it doesn’t deflate in the middle of the night. Investing in a good sleeping pad changed backpacking from something where I expected to have a terrible night’s sleep to something I looked forward to sleeping well.
If you're looking to get backpacking gear without breaking the bank, check out my guide on how to get hiking gear on a budget!
Pick Your Campsite Carefully
If you’re sleeping in a tent instead of a shelter, picking a campsite for an ideal night’s sleep is important. Look for level ground that is clear of roots and roots. Nothing is worse than waking up with a knot in your shoulder because you slept on a rock.
Avoid camping too close to trail or high traffic areas so that you can avoid being woken up by hikers rolling into camp. When picking permits for my campsites on the Trans Catalina Trail, I made sure to check campsite maps to avoid sites too close to the bathrooms or the trails going in and out of the campsite.
Make sure to follow all rules of the area and principles of Leave No Trace you’re backpacking in when setting up camp. Standard rules for choosing a campsite are the following:
- Camp on durable surfaces like rock, compacted dirt, or sand
- When possible, camp in an existing campsite rather than creating a new one
- Stay at least 200 feet from trails and water sources
For more tips about choosing a campsite, check out this video from LeaveNoTrace.org.
Stay Hydrated but not TOO Hydrated
Everyone hates that feeling when you wake up all cozy in your sleeping bag in the pitch dark and think “crap – I have to pee”. This happens to me basically no matter how dehydrated I am but other friends swear by limiting water about an hour to ninety minutes before bed.
If you are like me and will need to get up no matter what, I highly recommend the pStyle if you’re a woman. This allows you to pee standing up, which I like because it makes me feel less exposed than squatting. Which is really helpful in the middle of the night!
Use a Sleep Aid
When backpacking with friends, I often take half a melatonin on the first night of the trip. This is just enough of a sleep aid to help me adjust to sleeping outside. Often the first night of sleep on a backpacking trip sets the tone for the rest of the trip so I like to help myself start off on a strong foot.
Block Out Light and/or Sound
Personally, I love the sound of nature to fall asleep to, but sometimes, campsites can be noisy. I bring my wired headphones and have downloaded a 10 hr box fan Spotify playlist to use in a pinch.
When the days are long, I like to have something to block out light as well. Beanies double as a sleep mask when you pull them over your eyes! I always pack my Carhartt beanie to stay warm and it’s the perfect size for slipping over my eyes like a sleep mask.
If you're looking for more for advice on backpacking clothes, check out my guide to the best clothes for backpacking.
Adjust Your Temperature Accordingly
I am someone who cannot sleep when their feet are cold. It’s weird, but I just cannot fall asleep with cold feet. When backpacking, I pack extra warm socks specifically for sleeping. I also bring layers that I can fall asleep in and then take off if I get too hot.
One of the recent additions to my backpacking sleep kit is a sleeping bag liner. I like this piece of gear for multiple reasons. In summer months, it allows me to still be covered when sleeping without being too hot. In colder months, it adds another layer of warmth to my sleep setup. In all seasons, it helps keep my sleeping bag clean and protected from my unshowered body. It’s a win-win!
Pack a Little Bit of Luxury
This advice will be anathema to the ultralite backpackers out there, but I pack for comfort on backpacking trips. Most of my luxuries are related to sleep. I always pack my Kindle so that I can read before bed, which is my normal routine at home. This helps me wind down (I just recommend picking a nice romance novel and not a horror – trust me on this one!)
I also pack a pillow for all backpacking trips. A lot of folks like to use a stuff sack with their extra clothes, but since I sleep cold, I’m usually wearing all my extra layers! Having a dedicated pillow helps me sleep extremely well.
Manage Expectations
At the end of the day, when you’re backpacking, you are sleeping on the ground outside. It’s not going to feel like a luxury hotel. Expect to be a little uncomfortable and if you get a bad night’s sleep, well, it’s just part of the adventure!
Hopefully with these tips you’ll be able to sleep more comfortably on your next backpacking trip! Did I miss anything that helps you sleep? Let me know in the comments!
Updated December 11, 2024