11 crucial tips for high-altitude camping

By Cheri Sicard
Life on the road brings all sorts of surprises, especially when exploring the mountains in an RV. Bob and Karri from Life Redesigned know this firsthand after three years of crossing the country from north to south and everywhere in between. Their latest adventures at Black Canyon National Park in Colorado inspired a list of the most important things every RVer should know about high-altitude camping.

Altitude doesn’t just change the view; it affects everything you bring with you. RV engines, generators, appliances, and even your own camera notice when the air gets thin. Less oxygen means engines and generators have less power, making uphill climbs and regular tasks tougher. Travelers may feel it, too, with breathing getting harder and simple activities becoming more tiring.

#1 Engines: Engines at higher elevations work harder since they get less oxygen. Acceleration slows, even when it still feels cool outside. Bob and Karri learned that overheating can happen quickly, sometimes even in 50°F weather. Always watch your temperature gauge and treat your engine gently in the mountains, no matter what the thermometer says.

#2 Safe mountain routes: Safe travel through the mountains demands careful route planning. Winding switchbacks, narrow lanes, and steep grades show up everywhere out West. Bob and Karri use the RV Life Trip Wizard to plan safe routes, check elevation profiles, and avoid risky detours. Google Maps isn’t enough. It may send drivers down closed service roads or paths meant for smaller cars.

Route planning tips:

• Choose routes built for RVs by checking grade steepness and elevation.
• Double-check for seasonal road closures.
• Use RV-specific trip planning tools, not regular GPS apps.
• Prepare for long, slow climbs and sudden downhills.

#3 Tires and brakes: Tire pressure creeps up with rising altitude, and that can lead to dangerous overinflation. Tires aren’t the only thing affected. Brakes get a serious workout on mountain roads and can overheat fast, especially if you “ride” them on downhills. Whenever possible, use engine braking or switch to a lower gear instead of just pressing the pedal. Overheated brakes can fail, and nobody wants to get towed off a mountain.

#4 Proper attire: Mountain weather doesn’t fool around. Bob and Karri have watched sunny skies turn into snow showers while they were outside grilling. Temperatures can fall 40 degrees in an afternoon, and hail sometimes arrives with no warning. Dressing in layers, packing backup clothes, and making sure footwear matches the weather each day are necessities, not backup plans.

#5 Propane: RV appliances don’t work the same at higher elevations. Stove igniters may refuse to start, water heaters put out less heat, and propane furnaces burn through fuel much faster for half the warmth. Sometimes, Bob has needed to light the stove with a big lighter just to get it going. When hookups are available, electric heaters can save propane—but always check your wiring and use them safely.

#6 Battery burden: Lithium batteries drain faster in cold, high places. They’re also much harder to charge. Bob and Karri discovered their “house” batteries lost juice quickly, especially on cold nights. Know your systems, monitor charge closely, and avoid surprises by preparing for increased power use.

#7 Altitude sickness: Mountain air is tough on the body. Common side effects include:

• Headaches and nosebleeds
• Extremely dry nose and skin
• Chapped lips
• Racing heart, even with light activity
• Shortness of breath

Karri found it took more than three days to adjust. Saline spray, lip balm, and extra hydration made things easier, but symptoms lingered for more than a week. Always give your body extra time before tackling strenuous activity.

#8 Cooking and eating: The old saying about water boiling slower at altitude rings true. Meals take longer to cook and odd things can happen like crunchy noodles or undercooked food. Wind also makes grilling tricky, cutting grill temps in half in minutes. The couple found great results switching to an Instant Pot or air fryer when the weather didn’t cooperate.

#9 Wildlife: Camping in mountain country means sharing the neighborhood with hot-tempered wildlife: bears, elk, mountain goats, and others. Never leave food out and always store it in sealed containers. Messy campsites attract trouble fast. Safe storage keeps both people and wildlife out of harm’s way.

#10 Black tanks: At elevation, waste breaks down more slowly, especially in the cold. Using high-quality, eco-friendly black tank treatments helps keep plumbing clear and protects the environment. Nobody wants to deal with a clogged tank at 8,000 feet.

#11 Connectivity and supply challenges: Most high-elevation campgrounds open late in spring or early summer due to lingering snowpack. Once there, reliable cell service is rare. Even companies like Verizon and T-Mobile struggle with signal. Bob and Karri found that satellite internet was the only reliable way to stay connected. Also, be sure to bring enough water, food, first aid, and backups for everything. Emergency help might be miles away and signal out of reach.

Despite the challenges, Bob and Karri still find mountain camping by RV a priceless experience. Crisp air, inspiring views, star-filled nights, and the sense of real adventure all make it worthwhile. Preparation and a healthy respect for high-altitude challenges keep the road fun and safe.

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