Summer camping in 2025 sounds like a vibe where you and your friends take nice pictures and make good memories. But the sun!! The sun can be so frustrating and hot that it feels like a punishment. Now, you find yourself sweating in the day and drenched at night.

But all these won’t be a problem with the right summer camping hacks. As much as these hacks are smart, they’re also useful, especially when the weather is hot. So here are the 16 best summer camping tips you’ll need during your camping trip.

16 Best Camping Tips For Summer for Everyone

1. Set Camp In A Shaded Area  

One of the things you look out for when camping in the summer is areas where trees are creating natural shade. And these are the places where you should plan to set up your camp. So, look out for areas with big tree canopies or rock outcrops that can give shade, especially during the peak sun hours.  

2. Camp Facing The East  

This summer camping tip will make sure you feel a bit cooler during your trip. So by facing your tent to the east, you’ll be able to get the cool morning sun and avoid the hot afternoon sun.

This may not seem like much, but when you’re camping during summer, your body and sanity will thank you for it. Now, you can even go ahead to use shaded areas, so you can get better natural shade and cooler air.

3. Use Reflective Tarps or Emergency Blankets As Sunblocks

Most tents don’t come with materials on the roof to reflect the sunlight away, and that’s why the hot afternoon usually feels like fire. But by simply making use of your reflective tarp or silver emergency blanket, you’ll be able to avoid the afternoon heat. So, hang your tarp or blanket just above the tent like a canopy. This summer camping tip is shiny, simple, and surprisingly effective.

4. Create a DIY Shade Canopy  

Sometimes inside the tent can get so hot that you just want to come out, but when there’s not enough shade to relax, what do you do? Simple. You create a DIY shade canopy. For this summer camping hack, you just need to drape a tarp between trees or poles. This can be your cooking area, your eating area, or your chilling zone. 

5. Ventilate Your Tent Like a Pro

Most tent manufacturers make tents that will keep the rain out and trap the hot air in. But this is not a good thing when you’re camping in the summer, so instead, you learn to ventilate as much as possible. So, open that zipper, roll up the rainfly, open the windows, and use the built-in vents. And if your tent comes with mesh windows, roof, and doors, it’s even better. 

6. Bring a Hammock Instead of a Tent

This camping hack for summer will not just leave you lighter, but will also save you the stress of setting up your tent just to feel like a warm oven. At least, with the hammock, air will flow better, and you’ll sleep more comfortably. But you’ll also need a bug net, a light camping blanket, or a sleepy bag liner so you’ll sleep even better.  

7. Create a DIY Tent AC  

This DIY summer camping hack will leave your tent feeling like you just turned on a mini AC. It’s also very simple to do. You just need a fan and a cooler or a bowl full of ice. If you can position it so it blows directly to where you’re sitting, it’s going to be even better. Yes, your tent won’t be as chilled as a hotel room, but it can be a cooling savior during the hot days and nights.

8. Freeze Water Bottles  

This summer camping tip comes with a double reward. First, the frozen water bottles can be used as ice packs to make your cooler colder. And second, when the water melts, you get to enjoy a cold drink of water. You can also place one when sleeping at night or during the day, just to feel cool. So, on your next camping trip, don’t forget to freeze your water bottles and put them in your cooler. 

9. Soak the Bandana in Cold Water

Just imagine everywhere is so hot and you’re sweating, then you feel a cool bandana on your head, neck, and even rest. Cooling, right? This simple camping tip should not be underestimated. It’s just like you’re wearing a portable air conditioner. To make it even better, you can soak the bandana in very cold water before placing it on your body.  

10. Pack High-Water Foods

When you’re camping in the summer, you’ll need to be eating food that will give you energy but still keep you hydrated. Food that is delicious, portable, and packed with plenty of water. You can also get fruits like watermelon, cucumber, oranges, and grapes. And these fruits taste even better when they’re a bit cold. So, place it in the cooler before the time.

11. Pre-make No-Cook Meals

Are you planning to cook from scratch during this summer heat? The sun will so frustrate you that you might end up giving up. But with this summer camping tip, you won’t have to go through so much. Now you have meals like cold pasta salad, tortilla wraps with veggies, overnight oats, and snacks all ready to be eaten. This might be stressful to arrange before your camping trip, but later on, you’ll come to appreciate prepping the no-cook meals at home.

Suggested Reads- 22 Easy Camping Dinners for Everyone in 2025

12. Use Biodegradable Wet Wipes   

Sometimes when the sun is so hot and you’re sweating badly, you’ll be glad you packed your wet wipes. Now you can easily wipe down your face, neck, underarms, and everywhere that feels swanky. It’s not like taking a shower, but it will make you feel fresh again. And since you’re going out into the wild, it will be best to bring biodegradable wet wipes. It will save you from heat rash and skin reactions. 

Suggested Reads- 7 Best Camping Showers of 2025

13. Use Solar-Powered Showers

This summer camping hack makes sure you can still take your shower during this camping trip, with or without electricity. You just need to bring along a solar-powered shower bag, fill it up, and keep it in the sun. By the time you’re done exploring for the day, you can then have a warm, satisfying rinse. This will remove the sweat of the day, make you cool, and make you sleep better.

14. Use Natural Bug Repellents

Do you want to go camping in the summer and still smell of harsh chemicals? Yes, they keep the bug away, but the smell is too strong for this heat. So instead, get plant-based bug repellents that are gentle on the skin and smell nice. You can get lemon eucalyptus oil, peppermint spray, or even citronella bracelets. They have a calming scent and are powerful enough to keep the bugs away.

15. Store Sunscreen in a Cooler

Do you know high temperatures can make your sunscreen ineffective? And before you know, your sunscreen is all hot and runny. That’s why this summer camping tip is very effective. It doesn’t just have a beauty benefit but also a cooling benefit. Now, your sunscreen is still active and is surprisingly cooling when applied to your body.  

16. Bring Solar-Powered Fans with USB Ports

With solar-powered fans, you won’t ever have to worry about the heat while camping. And some also come with lanterns and USB ports. So you can light up your tent, receive cool air, and have somewhere to charge. And since it’s solar, you won’t have to worry about charging it. This summer camping hack is a surprising game-changer during the night.

Conclusion

You can choose anywhere for your summer camping- the beach, the forest, or on open plains. But what you’ll need at all these campsites is good shade and airflow. And you can get all of these with these summer camping hacks.

Now, you can set up camp under a good shade, and use the cooling tips and tricks to feel even just a bit better. So go on, plan your next trip. At least you can use these summer camping hacks to make sure you’re not just having fun but you’re also cool, comfortable, and bug-free.