Yes, but vent it.

Dry ice works great in a cooler — keeps things frozen, no watery mess. But you need to treat it with respect because it’s not regular ice.

The main risk is carbon dioxide buildup. Dry ice sublimates (turns from solid to gas) and that gas pushes out oxygen. In a sealed cooler, pressure can build up and pop the lid or even burst it. In a car or small room, that CO₂ could displace enough air to make you dizzy or worse.

Precautions are simple: never seal the cooler airtight. Leave the drain plug open or crack the lid slightly. Use gloves or tongs to handle it — dry ice will burn your skin just like frostbite. And don’t put it in a glass or ceramic container inside the cooler; the extreme cold can shatter it.

One more thing: dry ice is colder than regular freezer ice (about -109°F), so it can freeze things you don’t want frozen. Keep drinks and soft items separated by a layer of cardboard or towel.

Bottom line: great for camping or shipping frozen food, but don’t get casual with it.