Camping means being outdoors, and being outdoors means putting your fate into the hands of Mother Nature. Sometimes, it might seem like Mother Nature doesn’t want you there.
When bad weather hits, you need to have a plan.
Below are some tips for camping in the rain, so you and your belongings can stay dry when the weather makes a turn for the worse.
Rain doesn’t have to spoil your trip as long as you’re prepared!
(Affiliate Disclaimer- As an Amazon Associate, we earn from qualifying purchases. If you choose to purchase through one of our affiliate links, we may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you. This helps us support the blog.)
Check the Weather
The first thing you should do before any camping trip is take a look at the weather channel to see what kind of storms might be coming your way.
Plan your trip accordingly. It is also good to check the temperature, so you can ensure that you are dressing and packing appropriately for the heat or cold. Temperatures can drop quickly at night, and 55 degrees feels a lot colder at night.
Take it from me, there is nothing worse than a cold tent at night. Cold weather sleeping bags can be a great way to stay warm.
Checking the weather can help set you up for a successful trip, but remember, weather forecasters can be wrong, and weather can shift rapidly.
Plan for the worst. Just because your weather app says it won’t rain, doesn’t mean you won’t still end up in a downpour.
Have the Right Supplies
A good tent will do most of the grunt work for you, but it is up to you to make sure that your tent has as easy of a job as possible. Camping in the rain is no easy task.
Most tents come with a rain fly, but if yours doesn’t then it might be a good idea to invest in one. Rain flys are an extra layer of protection designed to drape over your tent.
They normally clip into part of your tent’s frame, or you can stake them into the ground. Water will run down the fly and off to the side of your tent, keeping it off of you. A rain fly is a must-have. It is best to use one that covers all of your tent; make sure you are selecting the right size.
Having a footprint for your tent (another layer underneath) will also help prevent water from building up while you are relaxing or sleeping. Lay your footprint down flat and place the tent on top.
If you are feeling ambitious, you can take a tarp and create a roof above you for an outdoor patio area.
Have a towel handy, just in case water does inevitably get inside your tent with you.
Find the Right Location for Your Tent
Your tent placement will contribute to how well you weather the storms. Make sure you are setting up in the best possible spot.
Finding the perfect place to pitch your tent is always the hardest part of setting up at a new campsite, but it’s even more difficult when the weather is bad.
Large trees and other natural elements can be used to provide extra protection for your tent.
Trees make good cover–limiting the amount of rain that makes it through–and rock walls can prevent wind from whipping too hard.
Safety note: Always make sure to check for loose branches or rocks that might break loose during a storm, you don’t want that falling on you or your tent.
You will also want to make sure that your tent isn’t in a spot that might fill with water.
Avoid camping at the bottom of hills, in low spots, or too close to a river that might rise. Some places are steeper or more prone to flooding than others.
Additional Notes
-Avoid river crossings when the weather is bad, water levels can rise to dangerous levels.
If you’re cold weather camping, remember that water and cold do not mix. Your chances of hypothermia increase when you’re wet.
-Keep wet equipment outside of your tent. Bringing it in will only track in more water. You would be surprised how small of an amount of water it takes to ruin your comfort inside.
-Avoid opening your tent flap as much as possible. Water will run from the flap down and into your tent. Covering your entrance will help with this.
-Bring a book or something to do in case you get trapped in your tent for a longer period of time. Camping in the rain can be quite boring, but also quite calming too!
-Avoid bringing food into the tent with you. You are better off leaving it in the car, or somewhere away from your tent. As someone who learned this lesson the hard way, bears will do a lot to get to your food. In the event a bear or other animal does show up, you don’t want them sniffing at your door.
-Stock up on dry wood ahead of time. If you know it is going to rain, store some wood under your car, in your tent, or under a picnic table to keep it as dry as possible. It’s harder to start a fire with wet wood.
-Keep your spirits up! A little rain never killed anyone. (A lot of rain has though) Throw on a dirty pair of clothes, go outside, and lay in the grass if you’re feeling adventurous. You might actually have some fun.
Thanks for Reading!
We’re just two dudes who like camping and have nothing better to do than come on here and write for you guys. Hopefully this post helps keep you prepared for your next rainy day. Follow along for more camping content!
If you want to help support our blog, you can sign up for our email list below!
Leave a Reply