Imagine waking up in the backcountry on a February morning. It's -15°C outside, snow is falling, but you're toasty warm in a t-shirt, sipping coffee while a wood stove crackles beside you.
This is hot tent camping—and it's completely changed the way people experience Ontario winters.
If you've been intimidated by winter camping (or tried it once and froze), hot tent camping might be exactly what you need. Let's break down everything a beginner needs to know.
What Is Hot Tent Camping?
Hot tent camping uses a canvas tent with a wood-burning stove inside. The stove provides heat, a cooking surface, and completely transforms winter camping from an endurance test into a genuinely comfortable experience.
Unlike traditional winter camping where you huddle in a sleeping bag trying to stay warm, hot tent camping lets you:
- Hang out in a t-shirt inside your tent
- Dry wet gear overnight
- Cook meals comfortably
- Actually enjoy winter evenings (not just survive them)
The setup is simple: canvas tent + wood stove + chimney pipe that vents through the tent roof. That's it.
Why Hot Tent Camping Is Perfect for Beginners
If you're new to winter camping, starting with a hot tent has huge advantages:
1. Margin for Error Forgot an extra layer? Your sleep system isn't quite warm enough? The stove compensates. Traditional winter camping is unforgiving—hot tent camping gives you a safety buffer.
2. Comfort Builds Confidence When you're warm and comfortable, you can focus on learning other winter camping skills without the stress of staying alive through the night.
3. Social Experience Hot tents are spacious. You can actually hang out with your camping partners, play cards, cook together. Traditional winter camping = everyone retreats to their sleeping bags at 6pm.
4. Gear Testing Ground Want to try winter camping but not sure about investing in expensive gear? Hot tent camping lets you test the waters with less specialized (and less expensive) equipment.
5. Ontario-Perfect Ontario winters are humid. Hot tents dry out gear, eliminate condensation issues, and handle our specific winter conditions beautifully.
The Gear You Need
The Hot Tent Itself
What to Look For:
- Canvas construction - breathable, fire-resistant, durable
- Stove jack - reinforced opening for your chimney pipe
- Size - 2-4 person tents for groups, bigger for more space
- Pitch style - wall tents or tipi-style (more on this below)
Price Range: $500-2,000 (our favourite is Esker, plus they're made in Canada)
Rental Option: At Tripshed, we rent complete hot tent setups so you can try before you buy. Check availability →
The Wood Stove
What to Look For:
- Titanium or stainless steel - lightweight, durable
- Size appropriate for tent - too big = overheating, too small = insufficient heat
- Spark arrestor - critical safety feature for the chimney
- Damper control - lets you regulate heat output
- Legs or stand - keeps stove elevated off tent floor
Price Range: $200-600 (quality options: Winnerwell, Pomoly, Kifaru)
Critical: Never use a stove without a proper spark arrestor. Sparks + canvas tent = bad news.
Chimney Pipe
You'll need 4-6 sections of stovepipe (usually 12-18 inches each):
- Enough to get above your tent peak
- Sections that nest together for transport
- Heat shield where pipe goes through tent
- Rain cap for the top
Price Range: $100-200 for complete pipe system
Essential Accessories
Firewood Saw or Axe You'll be processing a lot of wood. Options:
- Folding saw (Silky or Bahco) - lightweight, efficient
- Small axe (Hults Bruk or Fiskars) - faster but heavier
- Both - ideal combo
Heat-Resistant Gloves For handling the stove. Welding gloves work great ($15-30).
Stove Mat or Platform Protects tent floor from heat. Options:
- Metal sheet (cheap, heavy)
- Heat-resistant mat (lighter, more expensive)
- Rocks/wood platform (free, bulky)
Pot Gripper For moving pots on the hot stove surface.
Fire Starter Kit
- Waterproof matches or lighter
- Fatwood or commercial fire starters
- Birch bark (nature's best fire starter)
- Small kindling (processed at home)
Types of Hot Tents: Wall Tent vs. Tipi
Wall Tents
Think traditional prospector tent - vertical walls, peaked roof, rectangular floor.
Pros:
- Maximum usable space
- Stand up anywhere inside
- Easy furniture setup
- Better for basecamp-style camping
Cons:
- Heavier (usually 30-50 lbs)
- Takes longer to set up
- Needs more stakes and guylines
- Not ideal for backpacking
Best for: Car camping, winter basecamps, groups, extended trips
Tipi Tents
Conical shape, single center pole, circular floor.
Pros:
- Lighter weight (15-30 lbs)
- Faster setup (one pole)
- Better wind resistance
- More packable for backpacking
Cons:
- Sloped walls reduce usable space
- Can only stand in center
- Circular floor plan is less efficient
- Stove placement trickier
Best for: Backpacking, solo trips, high-wind areas, weight-conscious campers
Our recommendation for beginners: Wall tent if car camping, tipi if you want backpacking flexibility.
How to Set Up a Hot Tent (Step by Step)
Site Selection
Look for:
- Flat, packed snow or clear ground
- Wind protection (treeline, natural windbreak)
- Deadfall access within 50m for firewood
- Safe distance from water (100m minimum)
- Snow depth awareness - will your tent floor sink overnight?
Avoid:
- Under dead branches (widowmakers)
- Low spots where cold air pools
- Areas with overhead hazards
Setup Process
1. Prep Your Site (30 minutes)
- Stomp down snow or clear ground
- Create a packed platform for your tent
- If snow camping, let packed area harden for 20 minutes
2. Pitch the Tent (20-40 minutes)
- Lay out tent and stake corners
- Insert poles/set center pole
- Ensure stove jack placement makes sense for your site
- Guy out all lines (wind can pick up overnight)
- Make sure tent is TIGHT - loose canvas flaps in wind
3. Install Stove and Pipe (15 minutes)
- Position stove inside (usually near center or back wall)
- Set up heat shield on tent floor
- Thread pipe through stove jack
- Assemble chimney sections
- Install spark arrestor and rain cap
- Ensure pipe is vertical and stable
4. Test and Adjust (10 minutes)
- Start a small test fire
- Check for smoke leaks
- Verify draft is working (smoke goes up, not into tent)
- Check pipe stability
- Open vents if tent gets too hot too fast
Total Setup Time: 75-105 minutes for beginners (gets faster with practice)
Running the Stove: Temperature Control
Starting Your Fire
1. Create an Ember Base
- Small kindling and fire starter
- Get a bed of coals going before adding larger wood
- Don't rush - good coals = steady heat
2. Build the Fire Gradually
- Small sticks → finger-sized → wrist-sized
- Never overfill the firebox
- Leave space for airflow
3. Adjust the Damper
- Open = more heat, faster burn
- Closed = less heat, longer burn
- Find the sweet spot for your comfort
Maintaining Heat Through the Night
This is the art of hot tent camping.
Option 1: Overnight Burn (Advanced)
- Load stove with large logs before bed
- Close damper most of the way
- Logs burn slowly for 4-6 hours
- Requires practice to avoid overheating or dying out
Option 2: Middle-of-Night Reload (Beginner-Friendly)
- Let fire die down to coals before bed
- Set a quiet alarm for 2-3am
- Reload stove (takes 5 minutes)
- Back to sleep
Option 3: Let It Die (Easy Mode)
- Enjoy heat until bedtime
- Let fire die out overnight
- Restart in morning
- Still way warmer than no stove
Pro tip: Keep a headlamp and pre-cut wood by your sleeping area for easy middle-of-night reloads.
Wood Consumption
Expect to burn:
- 2-3 cubic feet per day for moderate use
- 4-5 cubic feet per day for continuous heat
- More in extreme cold (-25°C+)
Translation: You'll spend 30-60 minutes per day processing firewood. Budget time accordingly.
Safety: The Non-Negotiables
Hot tent camping is safe when done properly, but there are real risks. Follow these rules without exception:
Carbon Monoxide Safety
The Danger: Wood stoves produce carbon monoxide (CO). It's odorless, colorless, and deadly.
The Protection:
- ALWAYS have ventilation - crack a vent or door, even in extreme cold
- Carbon monoxide detector - battery-powered, keep near sleeping area ($25-40 investment that could save your life)
- Never seal tent completely - some air exchange is mandatory
- If you feel drowsy, nauseous, or headache-y - GET OUTSIDE immediately
Fire Safety
Spark Protection:
- Always use a spark arrestor on chimney
- Keep stove door closed when not tending fire
- Maintain 2+ feet clearance between stove and tent walls
- Never leave stove unattended with door open
Emergency Prep:
- Keep a fire extinguisher or snow shovel near stove
- Know where your knife is (to cut your way out if needed)
- Have an exit plan
- Never block tent exits with gear
Burns and Heat Injuries
The stove gets HOT (500°F+). So does the pipe.
Protection:
- Use heat-resistant gloves
- Mark hot areas with reflective tape
- Keep sleeping bags and gear away from stove
- Teach everyone in your group: NEVER touch the stove or pipe without gloves
- In tight quarters, hang a fabric "wall" between stove and sleeping area
Best Practices
- Let stove cool completely before packing - hot stoves in tents = melted fabric
- Check pipe connections before bed - vibration can loosen them
- Monitor weather - high winds can affect draft and spark risk
- Don't drink heavily - impaired judgment around fire and CO = dangerous
- Have an evacuation plan - practice getting out of tent quickly
What to Wear Inside Your Hot Tent
One of the weirdest parts of hot tent camping: you'll strip down to base layers or even a t-shirt.
Typical Hot Tent Wardrobe:
- Light merino base layer or t-shirt
- Camp pants (not your puffy snow pants)
- Warm socks (feet are still on cold ground)
- Fleece jacket (for when fire dies down)
The Strategy:
- Wear light layers inside tent
- Keep your puffy/shell near entrance for venturing outside
- Change into dry sleep layers before bed
Why this matters: If you wear all your warm layers inside the tent, you'll sweat. Sweat = wet clothes = cold when fire dies down.
Sleeping in a Hot Tent
You don't need the same extreme sleeping bag as traditional winter camping.
Sleeping Bag Requirements:
- 0°C to -10°C comfort rating usually sufficient
- Hot tent provides 10-20°C of warmth depending on fire
- Still need a quality sleeping pad (R-value 4+)
Overnight Strategy Options:
Warm All Night:
- Load stove heavy before bed
- Close damper 3/4 of the way
- Wake once to reload (set quiet alarm)
- Stay comfortable all night
Let It Die:
- Enjoy heat until 10-11pm
- Let fire die to coals
- Sleep in a warmer bag
- Restart fire in morning
Most beginners choose option 2 - it's simpler and safer while you learn.
Food and Cooking in a Hot Tent
The stove top becomes your kitchen. This changes everything.
What You Can Cook
Literally anything:
- Coffee/tea - morning necessity
- Eggs and bacon - breakfast on stovetop
- Dehydrated meals - rehydrate directly in pot
- Fresh meals - stir fries, pasta, stews
- Baked goods - bread on top of stove
Pro tip: Keep a pot of water on the stove. It adds humidity (good for breathing), provides hot water anytime, and helps regulate temperature.
Kitchen Setup
Organization Tips:
- Designate a "kitchen area" away from sleeping zone
- Use the stove as your prep surface (when cool)
- Hang a gear organizer for utensils
- Keep food in a pack near entrance (bear safety)
Safety:
- Never cook with stove door open (sparks + grease = fire)
- Use pot gripper for moving hot cookware
- Vent tent well when cooking (steam and condensation)
Morning Routine in a Hot Tent
One of the best parts of hot tent camping: wake up, light the fire from your sleeping bag, doze for 10 minutes, wake up to a warm tent.
Typical Morning:
- 5:30am - Wake up cold
- 5:35am - Reach over, restart fire from embers
- 5:45am - Tent is warming up
- 6:00am - Hang out in comfort, make coffee
- 6:30am - Actually want to get up
Compare this to traditional winter camping where you dress inside your sleeping bag, force yourself into the cold, and immediately start moving to stay warm.
Cost Breakdown: Buy vs. Rent
Buying Complete Setup
Minimum Investment:
- Canvas tent: $500-800
- Wood stove: $200-400
- Stovepipe: $100-150
- Accessories: $100-200
- Total: $900-1,550
Quality Setup:
- Premium tent: $1,200-2,000
- Premium stove: $400-600
- Complete pipe system: $150-200
- All accessories: $200-300
- Total: $1,950-3,100
Renting at Trip Shed
Complete hot tent package: $119 per night
- Includes: tent, stove, pipe, heat shield, all setup gear
- Try before you buy
- No storage hassles
- Perfect for 1-2 trips per year
Check hot tent rental availability →
Break-even point: If you hot tent camp 3+ times per year, buying makes sense. Less than that? Renting is smarter.
Common Mistakes Beginners Make
Mistake #1: Starting with a cheap stove Cheap stoves warp, leak, and break. A quality stove lasts 10+ years. Worth the investment.
Mistake #2: Insufficient ventilation Yes, it's cold. Yes, you want to seal everything. DON'T. CO poisoning is real.
Mistake #3: Overfiring the stove More heat ≠ better. Find the comfortable temperature and maintain it. Overfiring wastes wood and risks damage.
Mistake #4: Poor site selection Setting up in a wind tunnel or where snow will collapse your tent = miserable experience.
Mistake #5: Not practicing setup at home Your first hot tent setup should not be in a blizzard at 4pm when darkness is coming. Practice in your backyard.
Mistake #6: Forgetting a carbon monoxide detector $30 device that could save your life. No excuses.
Mistake #7: Wet firewood Dry wood is ESSENTIAL. Wet wood = smoke, no heat, frustration. Process and store wood properly.
Best Locations for Hot Tent Camping in Ontario
Crown Land Options (Free)
Ontario has vast crown land where you can hot tent camp for free (with some restrictions):
Great Areas:
- Near Algonquin Park (crown land surrounding the park)
- Kawartha Highlands
- Temagami region
- Haliburton Forest (some areas)
Check regulations: Some areas restrict open fires or camping. Always verify current rules.
Provincial Parks (Permit Required)
Winter Camping Permitted:
- Algonquin Park - backcountry camping available
- Killarney Provincial Park
- Frontenac Provincial Park
Note: Some parks have restrictions on wood-burning stoves. Call ahead to confirm.
Private Land and Campgrounds
Some private campgrounds now offer winter camping with hot tent setups:
- Less remote but more amenities
- Good for first-timers
- Often include firewood
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: Is hot tent camping safe? A: Yes, when done properly. Use CO detector, maintain ventilation, follow fire safety rules. Thousands of people do it safely every winter.
Q: Do I need winter camping experience first? A: No, but basic camping skills help. Hot tenting is actually easier than traditional winter camping.
Q: How long does firewood last? A: Depends on stove size and wood size, but expect 1-3 hours per load. You'll reload 4-8 times per day.
Q: Can I hot tent camp solo? A: Absolutely. Just be extra diligent about safety protocols.
Q: What if I run out of firewood? A: Bring more than you think you need. Deadfall is often buried in snow or wet. Pre-cut and bring your own for first trips.
Q: Is it loud? The stove, I mean. A: Some crackling, occasional pop. Most people find it soothing. Much quieter than wind flapping a tent.
Q: Do I need snow camping experience? A: Helpful but not required. Start in early winter (November) when snow depth is manageable.
Ready to Try Hot Tent Camping?
Hot tent camping transforms winter from something to endure into something to genuinely enjoy. Once you experience the comfort of a warm tent on a February night, regular winter camping feels needlessly harsh.
The learning curve is real—your first setup will be slow, your fire management will be imperfect, and you'll make small mistakes. But by your second trip, you'll wonder why anyone winter camps any other way.
Rent a Hot Tent Setup
Want to try it yourself? We rent complete hot tent packages with everything you need:
- Canvas tent with stove jack
- Quality wood stove and pipe
- All setup accessories
- Setup instructions and safety guide
Check Hot Tent Rental Availability →
Have questions about hot tent camping? We've spent hundreds of nights in hot tents across Ontario and love talking gear and techniques. Email us at info@thetripshed.ca.