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The ultimate guide to winter camping in Illinois during COVID-19

The great outdoors provided a much-needed respite for many coronavirus-weary folks this summer. But as temperatures drop and snow makes its way into the forecast, some might be contemplating a chillier camping season extending into the winter.

Cold-weather camping carries its own set of challenges, as issues like insulating your tent and finding dry firewood can be much more difficult to overcome than in the warmer seasons. And with COVID-19 restrictions adding to the hurdles, it’s important to do your research before venturing out.

As of late November, Chicagoans are advised to avoid out-of-state or unnecessary travel due to the fall spike in COVID-19 cases. Be sure to check on travel restrictions ahead of your trip, as the city requires people coming from some states to quarantine for two weeks.

First time venturing out into the cold? Here’s everything you need to know about winter camping.

What to bring

There’s one thing every expert agreed on: Gear is everything.

“The most important thing if you are tent camping in the winter is to have the right equipment, hands down,” said Mitch Ingold, field education coordinator for the Illinois Department of Natural Resources.

Tents

At the top of the list: a tent. If you’ve mostly done fair-weathered tent camping, you probably have a three-season tent, which is more likely to have mesh on its upper walls for ventilation.

Four-season tents will have features like smaller windows and almost no mesh; rainflies to protect from cold rain or snow but allow ventilation; tougher bases, known as tubs, that might be insulated or coated for better waterproofing; and large covered vestibules outside the door for added shelter.

If you don’t own a tent, start shopping soon; production delays at the start of the pandemic mean tents have been in short supply, said Richard Eisloeffel, manager of the Uncle Dan’s Outfitters store in Lakeview.

Under the tent, consider an extra tarp or other ground cover, like a tent footprint, to further separate you from the ground.

Sleeping bags and pads

A warm sleeping bag is just as important. Sleeping bags come with temperature ratings, which are often in the product name. Options reach as cold as the negative double digits, with features like frost-preventing snorkels and windproof fabric — although exposure to such extreme temperatures can quickly become dangerous.

“They should be rated for at least the temperature you’re going to be in,” said Jeff Alt, a Cincinnati-based hiking expert. “They don’t rate sleeping bags for comfort; they rate them for survival.”

It’s a good idea to get one rated for 10 degrees colder than forecast for added comfort, Eisloeffel said. Mummy-style sleeping bags will zip entirely shut for better insulation, with small openings over the face.

Sleeping pads will elevate campers off the cold ground and provide comfort. Pads also have temperature ratings, known as R-values, with higher numbers offering more insulation. If you don’t have a sleeping pad, thick blankets and quilts can work too.

Other equipment

Don’t forget that during the off-season, stores, visitor centers or state park facilities might be closed. Firewood or other supplies campers commonly pick up near their campsite might be scarce, so be sure to plan ahead.

Extra batteries are a good idea, as well, since they can drain faster in the cold, Alt said.

To keep toes warm, many campers will boil water and pour some into heat-safe Nalgene water bottles tucked into the end of their sleeping bags.

“And then in the morning, you’ll have not-frozen water you can drink,” Eisloeffel said.

If you want to use a camp stove, propane will be easier to manage in cold weather, he added.

Because cell service might be patchy, bring an extra portable battery charger, and keep your phone on airplane mode when possible, so searching for a signal doesn’t drain the battery faster.

For regular campers, accessories like headlamps, first-aid kits and multipurpose tools can make the experience more enjoyable.

One tool that will never run out of battery? A good, old-fashioned map.

Renting gear

If you don’t want to buy expensive equipment as a first-timer or infrequent camper, renting is a cheaper option.

Colleges like the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign and Illinois State University offer rentals, including some to nonstudents. Some schools, including many in Chicago, have suspended their rental programs due to the pandemic, so check before you head out. The Forest Preserves of Cook County also offer rentals, including complete gear packages.

Both the Lincoln Park and Vernon Hills locations of REI offer rentals of gear for camping, hiking and snow-related activities. Sites like Lower Gear also rent equipment, with tents starting at $29 for three nights.

REI also sells used gear on its website, providing a less expensive alternative to buying new.

What to wear

Layering is key to staying comfortable while out in the cold, said Theresa Salus, who organizes REI experiences like group hikes for the upper Midwest. She suggests starting with warm socks and a wool base layer under fleece, followed by an outer layer like ski pants and a puffer or down jacket.

“The thing about being out, especially here in the Chicagoland area, is the wind,” she said. “If you can insulate and cut the wind, that’s going to make you feel warm.”

Snowshoers should consider a pair of gaiters to keep feet dry and snow-free. Overnight, a balaclava or winter hat can keep heat from escaping through your head.

Alt, who has backpacked the Appalachian Trail, across Ireland and through countless national parks, prefers synthetic or wicking fabrics to cotton, which he said can retain moisture and lower body temperature. Gore-Tex, a waterproof fabric made of the same material as Teflon, is another favorite.

“Nine times out of 10, if hypothermia is setting in, people aren’t wearing the right clothing,” Alt said.

For people who backpack or hike frequently, Alt recommends buying high-quality boots at an outfitter who will help choose the right weight and fit the boots.

If you’ll be hiking in icy conditions, there are webbed traction devices with spikes or cleats that can be pulled over a boot and keep you from slipping (they also work on slippery Chicago streets).

Where to go

Many Illinois state parks remain open for camping year-round, as do some campgrounds at the Forest Preserves of Cook County. Some have capacity restrictions due to COVID-19, or have closed for the off-season.

The farther south you go, the warmer the temperature, Ingold said. The southernmost parts of Illinois are less than two hours from Tennessee, and the area enjoys higher attendance in the winter. It tends to be around 10 degrees warmer than northern parts of the state, he estimated.

State parks do seem to have experienced an uptick in visitors during the pandemic, he said. While attendance drops with reports of a spike in COVID-19 cases, the nice fall weather has kept people coming out.

Some parks also have cabins that can be rented through Reserve America. Some may be heated, while others are simpler shelters, Ingold said. The cabins have been incredibly popular since the DNR began adding them a decade ago, and they book up fast.

Giant City State Park, Dixon Springs State Park and Rock Cut State Park are among Ingold’s top recommendations for winter camping. Starved Rock State Park offers guided hikes and typically will have special winter events like sunset hikes and Native American toolmaking lessons, but most have been canceled this year.

Shawnee National Forest and Mississippi Palisades State Park offer expansive stretches of nature, Salus said. Closer to the Chicago area, Salus said she enjoys Camp Bullfrog Lake, but prefers Sag Valley trails for hikes, as they are less frequented by mountain bikers.

If you’re planning to visit a state campground, research ahead of time whether it has closed down restrooms or other facilities during the winter. Many do to avoid freezing pipes in the off-season. Some trails may also close due to flooding or icy conditions.

For easier stays, established structures like Airbnb yurts or remodeled school buses offer the retreat into nature without as much exposure to the elements.

What to do

Before you head out, make sure to check the forecast, Ingold said.

“In the summer months, it’s good to know the weather, but in the winter, it’s much more important,” he said. “If you don’t have the proper equipment and you don’t prep, that can get real dangerous real fast.”

Once you arrive, be sure to dry off the surface of your fire pit and clear it of snow before starting a fire. Tents with large vestibules can provide shelter for stoves while cooking food, protecting the flames from wind, Eisloeffel said.

As for daytime activities, “I don’t shy away because of winter, but you do have to think through a few extra things,” Alt said. “I’d say it’s for the hearty souls.”

He emphasized that people will exert more energy in the cold, which can wear them out faster than they’d expect. It’s important to tailor physical activities to the harsher conditions.

“Plan a distance that’s doable. If you’ve never walked 10 miles and you’re looking at a map of terrain you’ve never been in, it might not be a good idea,” he said. Park experts or guide books can provide more detailed information on what to expect before you venture out.

But the benefits are worth the effort, Alt said.

“Just being out there, it’s so exhilarating,” he said. “Your mind goes into a transitive state almost. You have this positive euphoria like a runner’s high, and your creative juices start flowing. When I’m writing, that’s where I get my ideas.”

REI offers day trips and classes on cross-country skiing, winter hiking, snowshoes tours and other cold-weather activities.

“People want to get out, and whether it’s hiking or learning navigation, every class we have is full,” Salus said. “All year, the store has seen an increase in gear that helps people get outside, whether it’s selling out of bikes, kayaks or camping gear.”

During its classes, more of which will be added into early 2021, the company provides equipment like skis and poles for events peppered across attractive winter destinations in the state like the Kettle Moraine State Forest or Starved Rock State Park, as well as closer locations like Deer Grove Forest Preserve.

Birding can also be particularly satisfying in the winter, as some are easier to spot when trees are bare, she said.

“I’m not an excellent cross-country skier, but if I can put my skis on and go out on the lakefront and move around a little bit, that feels good to me,” Salus said. “As long as you’ve got the right gear, you can be out in this winter weather.

What to eat

It’s just as important to hydrate in the winter as the summer, particularly for those doing physical activities like hiking. If using melted snow or water from other natural sources, Alt added, be sure to boil it before drinking to make it safe from parasites like giardia and other dangers.

Drinking warm water can also help warm you internally, Eisloeffel said.

“It doesn’t matter what temperature it is; you can always get dehydrated,” he said.

Eating well gives your body enough caloric energy to stay warm. Lipton’s soup packets are easy to bring and prepare, as are hot cocoa mixes, Alt said. For coffee, he uses a MSR Mugmate filter, although a pour over coffee maker or French press would also work. He brings Gatorade powder packets to replenish electrolytes depleted by dehydration.

“You’re exerting more energy than you think,” he said. “Regardless of the season, bring more food than you think you’re going to eat.”

A mix of nuts, candy and dried fruit is easy to prepare in advance, or bring some trail bars. Bagels will hold up better in a backpack, and deli meat and cheese will stay cold in the winter temperatures, Alt said.

“And the cool thing is, in the winter, most of the animals who like your food are hibernating, so you’re not going to have a bear following you down the trail,” Alt said. “So there’s an added perk.”

How to stay safe

It’s easier than people think to fall prey to hypothermia, Alt said.

“It happens when it’s not (just) subzero; it happens at 40 degrees when it’s raining out,” Alt said. “I’ve come across families suffering from hypothermia, and they literally didn’t realize they had it.”

Early signals include losing your train of thought, lips turning bluish or purple, trembling and confusion, Alt said.

If your clothes get wet or you start to get too cold, change into something dry, get into a sleeping bag and try to drink something warm and eat, he said.

Before going to bed, campers should change into a fresh pair of dry clothes to avoid moisture from the day’s activities. Doing jumping jacks or other physical activity right before getting into a sleeping bag will generate extra body heat, Salus said.

And, above all, it’s important to not camp or hike alone in the winter, Alt said. It’s also smart to leave your itinerary with someone at home.

“Make sure you say where, what trailhead, where you’re leaving your car, and what to do if you’re not home by (a certain time),” Alt said. “They can let the park service know. You want someone who is reliable and will look after you.”

archeung@chicagotribune.com