Cozy Adventures in the Mountains: Essential Items for Cold Weather Camping
If you are looking for essentials to keep you warm and toasty during cold weather when RV camping, then you’ve come to the right place! Last March, we kicked off our camping season with a memorable trip up to Elk Ridge Campground. Even though it was early spring, there were still snow patches on the ground and nighttime temperatures dipped below freezing. In our quest to stay warm and cozy inside our RV, we ordered a few must-have items from Amazon that transformed our chilly nights into toasty memories. Here’s a rundown of our top picks that made all the difference!
1. The Small Ceramic Electric Space Heater
One of the best affordable investments we made for this trip was a small ceramic electric space heater. Unlike our RV’s main propane heater—which, although effective, was noisy and consumed propane at a rapid rate—this compact space heater delivered warmth quietly and efficiently. Most of the time we had it in the main living area during the day. At night before we went to bed, we placed it near the bathroom, which passes through to our bedroom. It was the perfect solution for maintaining a cozy, quiet atmosphere inside the RV.
2. The Electric Heated Mattress Pad
Nothing beats the feeling of crawling into a warm toasty bed after a long day outdoor adventures, and our electric heated mattress pad delivered just that. We turned it on a few minutes before bed and were instantly greeted by a comforting warmth that not only made our cold room feel inviting but also eased our achy backs (we’re in our mid-40’s and feeling every bit of it!). The pad runs for about 10 hours once you turn it on, gradually cooling down from its initial high setting, and comes with adjustable controls so you can tailor the heat to your liking. Each side of the mattress comes with it’s own controller. With the way our electrical outlets are situated in our bedroom in our RV, we had to have both controllers plugged into the same power outlet. Admittedly, sharing one power outlet for both sides of the bed was a bit inconvenient, and figuring out which control adjusted which side took a little trial and error—but the overall warmth made it well worth the hassle. This heated mattress pad was a game-changer for cozy sleeping in the cold and was my favorite purchase for this trip!
3. Heated Camp Chairs
For those who dream of sitting by the campfire in complete comfort, heated camp chairs are an enticing option. We purchased a pair with the idea of enjoying a toasty seat, especially during the crisp nights. However, despite our high hopes, the chairs didn’t quite deliver the warmth we anticipated. The extra padding of the chairs and the layers of our winter coats may have dampened the heat transfer a bit. Still, there was a noticeable warmth on the lower back, and on milder nights, they could be a comfy addition to your camping gear. I think that it also made it warmer because there was a fully wrapped seat that blocks drafty breezes when sitting in them. Plus, it was a reminder of the importance of reading reviews and being prepared with rechargeable battery packs to power them. Check out my Product Review to get all of the details about these heated camp chairs.
Final Thoughts
Our first camping trip of the year was an adventure in staying warm and comfortable amidst the chill of early spring. Each of these essentials for cold weather (the ceramic space heater, the electric heated mattress pad, and the heated camp chairs with rechargeable battery packs) played a role in creating a cozy retreat within our RV, allowing us to fully enjoy the crisp mountain air without sacrificing comfort. If you’re planning a cold-weather camping trip, we highly recommend considering these essentials. They might just be the key to turning a freezing night into a snug, memorable experience.
Happy camping, and stay warm!
