Camping during the cold winter months can be a lot of fun. You get to enjoy the outdoors with few other people crowding you. It is quiet and serene camping in Colorado during the winter because much of the mountains will have snow on them throughout the season.The snow-capped Rocky Mountains have a majesty that draws outdoor enthusiasts from all over the world. However, a wise camper never forgets that fair weather can turn harsh quickly. Here at Camp Out Colorado, we want to help you prepare for just such an occasion with our top 10 must have camping items for foul weather.

It is important to keep in mind how fast the weather can change in Colorado, as it can anywhere else, and how severe it can often be. It is always important to keep the weather in mind whenever you go camping. Make sure to stay as informed as possible on the local campground weather forecasts. No matter how diligent you are with keeping up on the forecasts, or how closely you keep an eye on the environment around you, you should always expect, and be prepared for, the worst weather possible.

When camping in Colorado’s great outdoors you can experience any kind of weather at any time throughout the year. I have camped during every month of the year in Colorado and experienced snow every month of the year. July and August can give us 100 degree temperatures on the plains, but if you find yourself at a higher elevation, you may experience snow.   I have seen it snow in July and August but these were both at locations over 9,000 feet in elevation. This doesn’t mean it can’t snow at lower elevations but it probably won’t. Just don’t let your guard down. Be prepared for bad weather any time of the year with these top 10 must have bad weather camping items.

When you’re considering the type of bad weather to plan for, especially in Colorado, you want to think about unusually cold and stormy for the time of year and the place you are camping. These are a few things you will want to bring even when you expect a hot and sunny trip.

Top 10 Must Have Foul Weather Camping Item List

Light My Fire FireSteel 2.0 Camping Fire Starter Waterproof Fire Starter This should be something that can get wet, does not need electricity and can be started even in very cold, high wind situations. I prefer using flint and steel but there are some “windproof” butane lighters along with some battery powered fire starters. Butane can run out and batteries can go dead so I tend to stick with what I know will work every time in an emergency situation.

Columbia Sportswear Glacier-to-Glade II Camping Parka Waterproof Outer Wear Generally a poncho and/or waterproof coat work well. But make sure the clothes will cover you completely. Boots, pants, hats and gloves are also a must to stay warm. If there is a chance of wet weather and/or snow, be sure to have at least one full extra set you can change into if your first set gets wet.

Browning Tactical Hunter Zeta LED Camping Flashlight Flashlight A good reliable source of light can make a bad situation a whole lot better. There are some great, bright, and long lasting LED flashlights out there now. Use these over the traditional flashlights as they are much more durable and last much longer on the same batteries.

Helenbac Advanced First Aid Kit for Camping First Aid Kit It is very important to have a quality first aid kit when camping. Even minor cuts and sprains can turn very serious if they are not treated and handled properly. Make sure to have a clean and sterile first aid kit. If your first aid kit is more than three old, you should check the items’ expiration dates.  At Camp Out Colorado, we suggest buying a new first aid kit every few years. Toss whatever has expired and put the rest in the medicine cabinet at home.

Jetboil Helios Group Camp Cooking System Stove Metal Sanitary Container You must have something in your survival kit to melt and store water. You can go many days without food but just a few days without water can be fatal. It might seem strange but many people have died from dehydration buried under feet of snow. This container can be used for many other things as well but you must have something to store clean water in.

Brunton 15TDCL Mirrored Sighting Compass for Camping Signaling Mirror Something highly reflective like a mirror will work fine for signaling in case of an emergency. It has been proven to be the best way to signal distant search parties and vehicles in almost any environment. To aim your mirror, hold up your hand and make a V with your fingers. Put your target between the two lines of the V in your fingers and reflect the sunlight between the V.

Remington Plastic Camping Whistle Sturdy Plastic Whistle A plastic whistle can be a life saver. You can easily make a lot of noise with a whistle that will carry over wind and other natural noises much better than the human voice. Be sure it is plastic in case you get caught in severe cold weather. You do not want a metal whistle freezing to your lips. Make sure it is study and will not break easily. It will do you no good if it is broken.

Plastic Tarp for Camping Plastic Tarp A piece of plastic tarp can be used for many things. It is can be used as shelter, to capture water, a wind break and much more. It should fit easily into the bottom of your survival kit. It is one of the most versatile items in your survival kit.

Braided Nylon Rope for Camping Rope Pack at least one length of rope, but we suggest 2 lengths of 25 foot braided nylon rope. Braided nylon rope is tough, durable, easy to tie and does not stretch or fray easily. It is vital in any survival kit and has countless uses. At Camp Out Colorado we say you can never take too much rope! Just keep it to manageable lengths (25′ or less).

Camping Multitool Multi-tool These extremely handy tools should be carried and used by every camper. They offer an entire tool box in one small package that easily fits into a pocket. We suggest that everyone out camping carry one on their person but if you do not do that, at least keep one in your survival kit.

Those are the top 10 must have camping items for foul weather we at Camp Out Colorado consider a must for every trip. These few things will take up little space and can literally save your life. There are plenty of other things that you can toss in but these top 10 are the “must- haves” for survival according to the outdoor camping enthusiasts at Camp Out Colorado. Be safe, enjoy the beauty of the great outdoors and always be sure you are prepared for whatever you may face out in the wild.