The Lebanese Mountain Camping Season Guide — When to Go, What to Pack
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By CAMPassion — Lebanon's Camping Store for Gear, Rental & Event Supply
Lebanon is one of the only countries in the world where you can go camping 12 months a year — if you know what you're doing.
The mountains change completely season by season. Same campsite. Completely different experience. Different gear requirements. Different risks. Different rewards.
This is the only guide you need to plan your trip by season — with real temperatures, honest advice, and exactly what to pack for each one.
Lebanon Mountain Temperatures — Quick Reference
| Season | Months | Day Temp (mountains) | Night Temp (mountains) | Camping Rating |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Spring | March – May | 15°C – 22°C | 8°C – 14°C | ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ Best |
| Summer | June – August | 22°C – 28°C | 14°C – 18°C | ⭐⭐⭐⭐ Great |
| Autumn | September – November | 14°C – 22°C | 7°C – 13°C | ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ Best |
| Winter | December – February | 0°C – 10°C | -5°C – 3°C | ⭐⭐ Experts Only |
Temperatures based on Lebanese mountain altitudes between 900m and 1,500m above sea level. Higher altitudes such as Bcharre (1,400m) and Ehden (1,500m) will be 3–5°C cooler than lower mountain sites like Chahtoul (930m).
🌸 Spring Camping in Lebanon — March to May
The Best Season Nobody Talks About
Spring is the secret best season for camping in Lebanon. The crowds aren't there yet. The mountains are green. Wildflowers everywhere. And the temperatures are perfect — warm in the sun, cool at night.
What to expect:
- Daytime temperatures of 15°C – 22°C in the mountains
- Night temperatures dropping to 8°C – 14°C — cool but very manageable
- Occasional rain in March and early April — bring a waterproof tent
- April and May are the peak of Lebanese mountain beauty — everything is green and flowering
- Low crowds — you'll often have campsites to yourself
Best sites for spring: Chahtoul, Oaktown Lehfed, Skylodge Feytroun
Avoid in early March: High altitude sites above 1,200m — snow still possible
What to Pack for Spring Camping
- 3-season tent — waterproof rated, not a summer-only shelter
- Sleeping bag rated to 5°C minimum
- Inflatable mattress — ground insulation is essential in spring
- Warm layers for the evening — temperature drops fast after sunset
- Compact camping stove — mornings are cool, hot coffee is non-negotiable
→ Shop spring-ready camping stoves | → Shop sleeping bags and mattresses
☀️ Summer Camping in Lebanon — June to August
Escape Beirut. The Mountains Are 10 Degrees Cooler.
While Beirut swelters at 30–38°C, the mountains sit at a comfortable 22–28°C during the day. Summer is the most popular camping season in Lebanon — and for good reason.
What to expect:
- Daytime temperatures of 22°C – 28°C — warm but never unbearable
- Night temperatures of 14°C – 18°C — always bring a light layer
- Zero rain from June to September — dry ground, clear skies
- Stunning stargazing — no light pollution in the mountains
- Busy weekends — book campsites in advance especially in July and August
Best sites for summer: All 5 on our list — Chahtoul, Paul's Haven, Oaktown Lehfed, Skylodge, Vigno Bcharre
Pro tip: Go mid-week if possible — weekends at popular sites like Chahtoul get crowded in July and August
What to Pack for Summer Camping
- Lightweight tent — ventilation matters in summer
- Sleeping bag rated to 10°C – 15°C — don't overheat
- Inflatable mattress or sleeping pad
- Sunscreen and hat for daytime — UV is strong at altitude
- Light camp chair and hammock — summer evenings are long and beautiful
- Compact stove — even in summer, morning coffee in the mountains hits different
→ Shop camp chairs and outdoor furniture | → Shop camping stoves
🍂 Autumn Camping in Lebanon — September to November
The Other Secret Season — Arguably Better Than Spring
Autumn is the second-best kept secret in Lebanese camping. September still feels like summer. October turns the mountain forests gold and orange. November gets genuinely cold but dramatically beautiful.
What to expect:
- September — essentially summer conditions, warm days, cool nights
- October — daytime 14°C – 20°C, nights dropping to 7°C – 10°C
- November — first rains return, temperatures unpredictable, stunning colours
- Crowds thin out after mid-September — nature at its most peaceful
- Cedar forests turn golden — Bcharre and Tannourine are spectacular in October
Best sites for autumn: Vigno Bcharre, Paul's Haven Tannourine, Oaktown Lehfed
Avoid in late November: High altitude sites — early snow possible above 1,200m
What to Pack for Autumn Camping
- 3-season waterproof tent — October and November bring rain
- Sleeping bag rated to 5°C — nights get cold quickly in October
- Thermal base layer — temperature swings between day and night are large
- Windproof camping stove — autumn winds pick up in exposed mountain locations
- Inflatable mattress — ground gets cold and damp in October
- Rain jacket — always
→ Shop wind-resistant camping stoves | → Shop cold-weather sleeping gear
❄️ Winter Camping in Lebanon — December to February
Not for Everyone. Unforgettable for Those Who Try It.
Winter camping in Lebanon is serious business. Above 1,000m the temperatures drop below zero at night. Snow is common from December through February at high altitudes. The Cedars at 2,000m can have metres of snow.
But if you know what you're doing — camping under snow-capped Lebanese cedars on a clear winter night is one of the most extraordinary experiences you can have in this country.
What to expect:
- Daytime temperatures of 0°C – 10°C in the mountains
- Night temperatures of -5°C – 3°C — genuinely cold
- Snow above 1,200m from December through February
- Rain at lower altitudes — sites like Chahtoul (930m) stay accessible
- Completely empty campsites — you will have the mountains to yourself
Only recommended sites for winter: Chahtoul (930m), Skylodge Feytroun — lower altitude sites with facilities
Avoid in winter: Paul's Haven, Vigno Bcharre, high altitude sites without winter facilities
What to Pack for Winter Camping
- 4-season tent — rated for wind, snow and heavy rain
- Sleeping bag rated to -10°C minimum — do not compromise on this
- Insulated sleeping mat — cold ground in winter drains body heat fast
- Portable gas heater — essential for comfort in below-zero nights
- Wind-resistant stove with flexible hose — cold canisters lose pressure
- Full thermal layers, waterproof jacket and trousers
- Headlamp — winter days are short, darkness comes early
→ Shop the portable gas heater | → Shop cold-weather sleeping gear
Season vs Campsite — Quick Match Guide
| Campsite | Altitude | Best Season | Winter Safe? |
|---|---|---|---|
| Chahtoul Camping | 930m | Spring, Summer, Autumn | Yes — lower altitude |
| Skylodge — Feytroun | ~900m | Spring, Summer, Autumn | Yes — facilities on-site |
| Oaktown Lehfed | 1,000m | Spring, Summer, Autumn | Check ahead |
| Paul's Haven — Tannourine | ~1,200m | Summer, Autumn | No |
| Vigno — Bcharre | 1,400m | Summer, Early Autumn | No |
The One Rule That Never Changes
Whatever season you camp in Lebanon — always bring warmer gear than you think you need.
Mountain temperatures in Lebanon drop fast after sunset. A 25°C afternoon in July becomes a 14°C night by midnight. A 20°C October day can drop below 7°C by 3am.
The campers who have a bad time are always the ones who underestimated the night.
Need Gear? CAMPassion Has Everything You Need.
Whatever season you're camping — we stock the right gear for Lebanese mountain conditions.
- Tents, sleeping bags and inflatable mattresses for every season
- Camping stoves from ultralight trail burners to full double burners
- Camp chairs, tables and outdoor furniture
- Gas canisters, heaters and accessories
We also rent gear — perfect if you're trying camping for the first time or heading out for a one-off