Camping in the Rain: 7 Tips for Keeping Your Tent Dry
Rain might seem like a death sentence for outdoor activities, especially camping, but it doesn’t have to be that way all of the time. Camping in the rain, on the other hand, may be a very quiet and, yes, even dry experience. Accomplishing the difficult task of keeping your tent dry in wet weather may become your badge of honor and help you become more in touch with the environment, perhaps more in touch than you had intended to be. Here are seven suggestions for staying dry in your tent and having a great experience when camping in the rain.
1.
A groundsheet, which may also be referred to as a ground cloth or even a ground fly by some, is simply a piece of waterproof material that is used to cover the footprint (or the bottom) of your tent.
The use of a groundsheet is essential for staying dry.
- However, a sturdy tent combined with a groundsheet can keep you dry even in light rain or even moderate drizzle.
- If you don’t have a groundsheet, you may make due with an old tarp that is somewhat larger than the footprint of your tent.
- Do not leave additional tarp protruding from below the tent or fold the extra corners of the tarp over themselves.
- 2.
- Besides being incredibly handy as rain gear in survival situations, lightweight tarps are also an excellent camping essential in general because of their portability.
- They’re an absolute must-have piece of camping rain gear.
- This will function as an additional barrier against the wind and rain, allowing you to stay dry.
- Make sure you angle your “extra tarp roof” downhill to avoid damaging your home. In other words, make certain that any extra water drains off the tarp and downward rather than uphill from your tent. There’s no use in diverting rainfall below your tent
- If you’re short on trees, consider using trekking poles, sticks, or other lightweight camping poles to keep the water away from your tent’s floor. Ensure that they are properly planted in the ground and that the tarp is strung between them. The top point of your tarp should be angled away from the wind. Other than that, your tarp can be caught in the wind and be carried away
3. Take into consideration your campfire If at all possible, get your fire going before it begins raining. If you start your fire early in the day and prepare your fuel store in advance, your fire will withstand rain and offer you with some heat for the rest of the evening. Following that, you may lay up tarps near to (but not immediately above–there is no need for a fire danger) the campfire to provide additional dry cooking area as well as dry firewood storage (if necessary). This will allow you to come closer to the fire without getting wet, enjoy the warmth after a long day of hunting or hiking, and dry your clothing while you are doing so.
Only a good camping stove, hand warmers, and a change of dry clothes are required.
4. Take a weather-related tack. Think about angles throughout your whole camp set-up: the angle of the ground, the angle of your tarps, and even the angle at which the wind will blow the rain into your camp. As an illustration:
- Create a little inclination in your tent’s setup (but not so extreme that you end up sliding downhill in your tent), so that water flows by instead of accumulating below you. When setting up your campfire, angle it slightly to the side, if feasible, to avoid water collecting beneath the coal bed. Make certain that your tent is securely fastened with guylines, and that your guylines are taut and at opposing angles (so that equal strain is applied to both sides of the tent)
- Put up your tent with the entrance facing away from the wind if you foresee any wind
- Otherwise, attempt to set up your tent with the entrance facing toward the wind. Camping near or below a body of water is not a good idea since you never know where the water will flow if it floods.
5. Hammock camping is an option. Are you thinking of going on a kayaking or hunting trip that would need you to camp on ground that might flood or accumulate water? Hammock camping is a great way to create your own non-traditional tent. With hammock camping, you and your belongings are kept above the ground, which is a significant advantage. Set up a tarp over your hammock and suspend all of your stuff from a string of paracord strung between the tarp and the hammock. In this manner, even if the earth is actually covered with water, you will still wake up completely dry.
- In the event that you’re planning a kayaking trip in the early fall, this may be a great option to camp in a fashion that is rain-ready.
- Keep all of your equipment in dry bags.
- Invest in something waterproof to store your dry clothes and devices if you want them to stay dry.
- You will be lot happy as a result of having purchased one.
- Invest in high-quality rain gear.
- Invest in a decent pair of waterproof pants, a dependable rain jacket, and a sturdy tent.
- While there is no way to ensure that you will not get wet, you can plan for it and use common sense to help you stay safe.
- It is possible, as a result, to discover or enhance characteristics of the landscape that you would otherwise overlook.
- It causes you to pay attention, to open your eyes, and to see things that you otherwise wouldn’t see or notice at all.
How to Keep Your Tent Dry: A Guide to Keeping the Rain Out
Anyone who has been caught in a sudden downpour while camping understands the importance of having a dry tent! When spending time in the great outdoors, moisture may enter from a variety of sources. Even in the arid desert, you must take steps to ensure that your campsite and tent remain dry and sheltered from the elements.
Main Components of a Dry Camp and Tent
A dry tent keeps moisture from getting into the tent from both the interior and the exterior of the tent. Furthermore, it’s crucial to understand that moisture problems might still arise even if you don’t experience any rain throughout your camping vacation.
Clothing
Contrary to popular belief, the moisture content of your garments when you step into the tent at the end of the day will have a significant influence on how dry the tent remains during the night. One of the most important tasks in keeping your tent dry is to reduce the amount of moisture that enters it from outside. Regardless of the reason for your wetness, if you climb into your tent with wet clothing, the water has nowhere to go but back out. As a result, it will evaporate and accumulate within the walls of your tent, in your sleeping bags, and in the surrounding air.
If it’s raining, put on a waterproof outer barrier and take it off outside the tent before going inside. It may be necessary to remove your first layer of clothing and leave it outside the tent if the weather is hot and humid.
Transition Zone
During this procedure, the transition zone is an important component. It’s hardly much use taking off your Gore-Tex jacket while standing in the rain, and then you have to figure out where you’re going to store it. It is essential to have a dry buffer zone between the outdoors and the tent interior if you want to keep dry. Some tents are equipped with a big awning or a screened-in vestibule that may be used exclusively for this purpose. In other cases, you’ll have to improvise using tarps and rope or a tiny canopy made of poles to keep yourself protected.
Remove all damp garments, socks, and shoes and place them on a drying rack overnight to dry.
Alternatively, wet garments can be placed inside to keep the moisture confined in a worst-case situation.
Sleeping Arrangements
The usage of items that will assist you keep as dry as possible when sleeping while camping is an important consideration while going camping. Save in mind that the purpose of keeping a tent dry is also to keep oneself from getting wet in the process. While deciding on sleeping gear for the driest tent possible, keep the following considerations in mind:
- When down sleeping bags get wet, they become utterly unusable. Bags made of synthetic materials should be used instead for optimal warmth and dryness
- Elevating yourself will also help to keep you drier as well. While you are on your camping excursion, even if the skies are clear, the earth will still retain moisture. This moisture will build on everything that is in close proximity to the ground. Airbeds or cots may be an option to consider in order to keep your sleeping bags away from the moisture of the ground.
Tent Set-Up
To guarantee that your tent stays dry while you’re camping, there are a few important considerations.
- To guarantee that your tent stays dry while you’re camping, there are a few things to keep in mind.
Selecting a Tent
When buying for a tent, it is vital to grasp the difference between water-resistant and waterproof materials and how they differ. Basically, water-resistant fabrics will wick away tiny quantities of water, but if they are exposed to too much water, they will get saturated. Waterproof items are required if you are to be genuinely protected from the elements during a storm. At the first sign of a decent rain, even the most water-resistant tents will start dripping on your head. It is also critical to understand how your tent’s seams are constructed.
To avoid this, the seams must be completely sealed with tape or sealant.
If you are serious about tent camping and willing to brave the elements, the finest tent camping advice is to go to REI.
Protect Yourself and Your Gear
Knowing the difference between a water-resistant tent and a waterproof tent is crucial when searching for a camping tent. Essentially, water-resistant fabrics will wick away modest quantities of water, but if they are exposed to excessive amounts of water, they will get saturated. Waterproof items are required if you want to be really protected from the elements during a storm. At the first sign of a big rain, even the most water-resistant tents will start dripping water on your head. Also crucial is understanding how the seams on your tent are constructed and how they function.
It is necessary to completely seal or tape the seams in order to avoid this from occurring.
Ensure that you ask the salesman how to accomplish this if you are unsure how. Visiting REI is your best bet if you are serious about camping in the tent despite the elements. In terms of waterproof tents, they have one of the greatest selections available on the market.
7 Proven Ways to Keep your Tent Dry in the Rain
When I hear of someone getting wet when camping, it’s usually because they’re having a bad time. They sleep in their tent at night with a beautiful warm sleeping bag, and when they wake up in the morning, they find themselves in a puddle of water inside their tent. This is, without a doubt, one of the most typical catastrophes that may occur while camping while it is raining. Because of the nature of camping, you are unable to adjust your plans at the last minute due to a little rain. So, what are your options?
Fortunately, there are a variety of approaches that you may use to accomplish your goal.
1. Choose the Right Site
The most important piece of advice is to set up your camping tent in the proper location. Pitch your tent high on a ridge where water will drain off and away from the tent. I’ve seen ancient tents that do leak, but if they’re put in the proper location, they stay somewhat dry and comfortable. I’ve also seen really expensive tents that were completely submerged in water because they were positioned in the improper location. As a result, it is not so much the quality of the tent as it is the location in which it is placed.
You’ll want to make sure your tent has a good bathtub bottom, which is what they call it.
It is preferable to have a lovely 3 to 6 inch bathtub floor all around your tent.
However, I’m able to get away with having a very thin floor.
2. Use a Groundsheet
This is an issue that is a bit contentious. I’ve seen a number of people that carry groundsheets use them inside their tents, and it seemed to work. Many of the people that do this have a lot of expertise in their field. They bring a sort of plastic groundsheet with them, which they use to cover the floor of their tent. That bathtub bottom is being recreated on the inside, which is what they are doing. If their tent gets wet, they have a plastic barrier between the water and their sleeping gear, which works well for them in their situation.
On most occasions, the groundsheet is placed on the ground first, followed by the tent on top of the groundsheet.
If you are not anticipating rain, it is still a good idea to use a groundsheet because there is moisture in the ground that can be absorbed by your tent if you don’t.
3. Use a Tarp
Another vital step is to cover the top of your tent with a tarp or rain fly to keep the elements out. This will protect the top of the tent from rain that comes down rather than only coming up, as is the case with the ground fly and the ground fly only. This also works in places that have recently seen rain, where you may be confronted with water dripping from the trees for hours or even days after the rain has ceased. Simply ensure that the top of your tarp is tilted downward so that it slides off the top and away from your tent before setting up camp.
4. Try a Seam Sealant
The fact that your tent is rated waterproof does not imply that it is completely water-proof or water-resistant. Aseam sealant will eliminate the weak points in your home’s construction that are most prone to allow moisture and rain to seep in as you sleep. Fill up any holes or hems, as well as the areas around doors and windows, or anywhere else on your tent that may be opened. You should pay particular attention to these areas since they will be the weakest and bring you the most troubles.
5. Use Water Repellant
Another alternative for keeping the rain at bay and your tent as dry as possible is to use a tarp or similar material. Spray the water repellent on the tent’s outside to ensure that it is properly protected from the elements during rainy weather. This will assist to improve the waterproof quality of the tent, which will make you feel a whole lot better and allow the rain to just roll off the exterior of your tent in the same manner as it would on a raincoat. This will help to keep you warm and dry on the inside as well.
6. Vent the Interior
While you may not be aware of it, every time you breathe, little droplets of vapor are released into the surrounding air. That vapor has the potential to create condensation. The water seeps inside your tent, and even if you have it completely zipped up, the condensation will cause moisture to build up in your tent during the night. Instead, be sure to leave a small vent of some kind, such as a little crack in a door or a window that is slightly open. As a result, the moisture will be able to escape and will not be trapped within your tent, keeping you dry.
7. Choose a Clearing
Picking the ideal site to camp involves a number of considerations, one of which is choosing an area that is in a clearing. Staying beneath cover may seem like a smart idea, but it is not always a good idea. You’ll wind up with rain pouring down on you from the trees for a considerable period of time after the rain really begins. Furthermore, if it’s still raining and there’s any type of lightning, hiding behind the trees isn’t going to be a good idea. In a clearing away from the woods, you’ll be much more comfortable.
Stay Dry All-Around
In addition to figuring out the best ways to keep your tent dry, it’s crucial to figure out how to keep yourself dry. That entails remaining as much as possible inside the tent. In addition, it ensures that you have warm and dry clothing to wear at all times. Always make sure that you pick clothing that is waterproof, or at the very least that your outer layers are waterproof. These two things are diametrically opposed to one another, which will become even more apparent once you’re out in the rain.
- The ground fly will keep moisture from getting into the tent’s floor and causing it to leak.
- However, using a sleeping mat will keep you even further away from the squishy ground.
- All night long, this will keep you warm and dry.
- Do all in your power to keep your tent and yourself dry.
And you’ll certainly appreciate the fact that you’ll be warm and dry as a result of the operation. With a little forethought and preparation, you can ensure that your tent remains dry throughout the whole evening.
Tips and Hacks for Camping in the Rain
It does rain occasionally. However, there’s no reason to let it spoil your camping trip altogether. If you’re planning on camping in the rain, here are some ideas to keep you happy and dry when the liquid sunlight begins to pour from the sky.
1. Find the Right Tent Site
Choose a campground that has a slight elevation gain and is not adjacent to a river or lake. If you wake up in three inches of water during a downpour, it’s not a pleasant experience. Having your tent oriented such that it faces the rising light will make getting out of your sleeping bag on misty mornings a little bit less difficult. In addition, avoid setting up under a tree at all costs. Raindrops will continue to flow on your head for a long time after the rain has ceased, and fallen limbs might cause injury if the wind kicks up during the night.
2. Light Up the Night
A campground with some elevation, but not next to a river or a lake, is ideal for backpacking. If you wake up in three inches of water during a downpour, it’s not a pleasant feeling. Having your tent oriented such that it faces the rising light will make getting out of your sleeping bag on misty mornings a little less difficult. In addition, avoid setting up under a tree at any cost. Raindrops will continue to flow on your head for a long time after the rain has ceased, and fallen limbs might cause injury if the wind comes up in the evening.
3. Create an Outdoor Living Room
When the day’s events are completed, don’t allow everyone to withdraw to their tents; instead, establish an outdoor living room for everyone. Make a rain shelter for your camping trip by draping a tarp or two above your head and another on the ground. Then set up camp chairs, pay attention to the ambient lighting, pull out the drinks and munchies, and start playing some music and games. Anyone up for a round of Cards Against Humanity?
4. Power (Food) to the People
After returning from your trek, eat some comfort food to keep the damp and cold at away for a while. On rainy afternoons, a cup of hot chocolate may make a world of difference. Aztec hot chocolate with chilies takes things a step farther yet. Do you have a great recipe for campfire pizza or Dutch-oven lasagna? It’s time to bring it out into the open. When it’s chilly outside, we humans require extra calories to keep our bodies warm, so keep the carbohydrates flowing. It’s always good to toss some vegetables into the mix, but do yourself a favor and prep them beforehand in the comfort of your own house rather than peeling and chopping in the freezing weather.
5. Layer Up
The proper camping rain gear, as well as a well-designed layering system, will aid in the regulation of your body temperature by wicking moisture away from your skin while you’re active and conserving body heat when you’re not. Base and midlayers made of polyester or wool should be worn underneath a waterproof jacket or rain poncho. If you get cotton wet, it will stay wet, which will cause your body temperature to drop quickly.
Polyester is a better option. Always take an additional pair of base layers and wool socks in a waterproof bag for when you’re hanging out in the evenings back at camp, when you’ll need dry clothing to change into and a cup of something hot to warm yourself.
6. Opt for Orange
Getting ready to brave the rains during hunting season? Do not forget to dress in vibrant hues such as red or orange. As a precaution, you should leave your urban color scheme at home and instead wear an orange parka that draws attention to your bright blue eyes and piercing brows.
7. Hang Up, Then Hang Out
You might be tempted to throw your drenched garments in a corner and wrap up in your sleeping bag after they’ve been wet for a while. Consider putting any damp garments on the line first. You’ll be grateful to us the next day when you have dry garments that don’t smell like mildew on you. Pack a clothesline and tie it to a tarp or the vestibule of your tent so that you can hang all of your damp stuff to dry while you’re camping. The time you spend managing the moisture element will make your journey far more enjoyable.
Overnight, the heat from your body will dry them.
8. Add a Bivy Bag
When the ground is damp and chilly, it’s a good idea to have a bivy sack to keep warm. This additional layer of insulation will aid in the protection of your sleeping bag against moisture, as well as the retention of a small amount of heat. If you want to stay warm, you can use two sleeping pads at the same time. As soon as you’ve tucked yourself down for the night, attempt to keep your face hidden. Taking a breath into the bag may cause the down insulation to become wet, which will reduce its effectiveness.
9. Preheat to 98.6 Degrees
Pre-heat your garments to 98.6 degrees to avoid having to put them on in the cold! Organize your clothing for tomorrow into a tiny, breathable bag and tuck it under your sleeping bag so that it remains pleasant and toasty next to your body during the night. When you wake up in the morning and have warm clothes to put on, it makes chilly mornings a whole lot better.
10. Whip Out the Hand Warmers
When it’s drizzly outdoors, poor circulation might be a contributing cause. Make a beeline for the hand warmers. Make breakfast even cozier by stuffing a couple inside your boots, and then ride those warm, happy feet into your morning trek.
11. Flip and Sip
Have you ever woken up to discover that your water bottle has frozen over night? Make a 180-degree turn with your water bottle. Water always freezes from the top of the container. Alternatively, if temperatures drop below freezing overnight, turn the water bottle upside down so that the bottom freezes instead of the top, and you’ll be able to get at least a few drinks out of it the next morning.
12. Save the Day With Gaiters
Consider donning rain pants or bringing gaiters to protect yourself from the elements. Wet leaves and dew in the morning may get you soaked in a fast, and they can even soak your jeans all the way through.
Rain pants and gaiters might come in handy in a pinch. What is the best way to remain dry while camping in the rain? Please share your camping advice and techniques in the comments section below. More information about camping may be found here.
9 Tips for Camping in the Rain to Avoid Getting Soaked
Camping is the ideal pastime for obtaining some fresh air in wide-open places with no one else around except for the people you want to spend time with. The prospect of spending time in the great outdoors after being cooped up at home for a lengthy period of time may be exhilarating, but it also increases the likelihood of being on the receiving end of severe weather. Camping in the rain, on the other hand, does not have to be a horrible experience. Because of contemporary technology, there is a plethora of budget-friendly camping equipment available on the market to assist you keep comfortable when camping in inclement weather.
In the event that you don’t have all of the necessary waterproof gear on hand, remembering a few simple tactics for setting your campsite as well as a few clever rainy-day camping hacks may convert your sodden outdoor experience into a delight, no matter how heavy the rain or drizzle.
Related Guides
- How to Sleep Outside
- Camping Hacks for Reluctant Campers
- Tent Buying Guide
- How to Sleep Outside
Wear the Right Clothing for Camping in the Rain
Layering is essential while camping, and it is much more important when camping in severe weather. When it comes to rain camping apparel, you’ll need at the absolute least the appropriate pants, weather-resistant boots, and a water-resistant jacket or rain shell. Utilize a poncho: In an ideal situation, you would have brought along a poncho. As an alternative to the jacket in the event that it becomes broken, dirty, or wet through, the poncho can be used to assist cover a pack. Besides that, a wide-brimmed hat will keep more water away from your face than would a hood.
Pack additional layers of clothing: Pack as many layers as possible, especially when it comes to base layers and socks.
Even if your outerwear does an excellent job of keeping you dry, it will almost certainly cause you to perspire, so always have a change of clothing on hand.
It absorbs water rapidly, provides little insulation while wet, and takes an inordinate amount of time to dry out.
Carry Waterproof Bags
Our other rainy-day camping recommendations include storing your belongings in a weather-resistant or even waterproof bag to keep them safe from the elements. When it comes to water resistance, you shouldn’t rely on your standard camping tent or hiking gear. When camping in the rain, you must enclose all of your essential items in a waterproof bag, even if they are contained within your purportedly waterproof tent.
“Critical items” include a sleeping bag, a change of clothes, food, any electronics, and medical or emergency supplies. Consider investing in a water-resistant dry bag designed specifically for boats, a dependable backpack, or even a few plastic trash bags!
Pack Foods That Don’t Require Cooking in the Rain
Hot camp meal is delicious. However, if it’s raining too heavily, a hot lunch is most likely out of the question. If all of the meals you brought were dried meals that required boiling water, you’re in a bit of a pickle, to keep the culinary puns coming, to put it mildly. Always bring a few ready-to-eat meals, often known as MREs, along with some trekking snacks, because you won’t be able to create a fire or use a camp stove in your tent if you don’t have one. For those of you who are daring enough to camp in the rain, however, building a fire in the rain while camping is possible with a little practice.
Check out our list of quick and easy camping meals that you can eat anywhere, at any time.
Pitch Your Tent on High Ground
Despite the fact that it may seem obvious, no list of rain camping recommendations would be complete without a mention of the fact that water flows downhill. As a result, do not set up camp at the bottom of a hill. For sleeping comfort, you’ll want to set up your camping tent on the flattest piece of ground that you can find. It is recommended that you build part of your campground on gently inclined ground, however this is not always practicable. Given that there will be no pools of water anywhere on a hill, it’s best to set up your cooking, gear maintenance, and other activities on a slightly sloped location where you can hang a tarp.
Lay a Tarp Down Inside Your Tent
Despite the fact that it may seem obvious, no list of rain camping recommendations would be complete without a mention of the fact that water always flows downward. Consequently, do not set up camp near the base of a hill. To sleep comfortably in your camping tent, you’ll want to set up your tent on the flattest terrain possible. It is recommended that you construct part of your campground on slightly inclined ground, though. Given that there will be no pools of water anyplace on a hill, it’s best to set up your cooking, gear repair, and other activities on a slightly sloped location where you can hang a tarp.
Be Careful on Wet Terrain
No matter if you’re trekking through miles of squishy terrain or merely making your way a few feet out of your tent to drop some of your own water, damp ground is treacherous. In the worst-case situation, falling over on wet ground might result in significant harm. In the best-case scenario, you will be wet and muddy, which is still not ideal. While the terrain is slippery or muddy, try using trekking poles to increase your stability, particularly on wet rocks or when crossing streams. You might also consider adding some extra traction to the bottoms of your shoes or boots when the ground is slick or muddy.
Despite the fact that you don’t need to put on a pair of ice crampons, I’ve used my YakTrax Pro Traction Cleatson boots, trail runners, and casual shoes, since they give outstanding traction on wet, slick terrain. A pair of them may be tucked away inside a jacket pocket with relative ease.
Don’t Forget to Bring Stuff to Do
Raining too heavily for hiking, bicycling, fishing, or even simply sitting around the campfire may make even the great outdoors feel uninteresting or downright oppressive when it’s too wet to accomplish anything outdoors. That doesn’t mean that has to be the case. Another one of our favorite camping recommendations for rainy weather is to bring along novels, playing cards, board games, and other activities that you and your campmates can do to pass the time while you’re out in the rain. Although it may be tempting to cuddle around an iPad to watch movies, this is not a good idea since your valuable tablet may be damaged by dampness or direct rain and also because you are out in the wilderness, after all.
If You Do Get Soaked …
Get dry and warm as soon as possible. In the event that you do not have dry clothing and your tent is sufficiently warm, you should consider being nude to allow your skin to completely dry. Alternatively, strip down to your underwear and crawl into your warm, dry sleeping bag. Hand warmers, clothing, a campfire made beneath a tarp outside, or anything else you need to do to keep your body temperature stable are all good options to consider. Wet garments should be hung up to dry under a tarp, but don’t hold your breath.
In damp rubber boots or water-resistant socks, you may stuff balled-up newspaper to keep your feet warm.
Re-Waterproof Your Tent for Next Time
When you return from a tent excursion in the rain, you’ll want to make certain that your gear is in good condition for the next expedition. To begin, you might make use of the Nikwax Tent and Gear Solarproof. With this product, you can extend the life of your tent and improve its efficacy. The term Solarproof may be a touch deceiving, but it provides lasting water repellency (DWR) and helps to protect your tent from harmful UV rays. When you come home from a camping vacation, make sure to allow your tent to dry completely before storing it.
Editors’ Recommendations
- The best bargains on affordable tents for February 2022
- The Season’s Best Buyer’s Guide for Skiing and Snowboarding Equipment
- There are eight of the world’s most dangerous hikes, and they are as follows: There are seven best air mattresses for camping in comfort, and they are as follows: In 2022, the best camping quilts will be available for your next adventure.
How to Keep Your Tent Dry While Camping in the Rain
In February 2022, the best offers on inexpensive tents will be found! The Season’s Best Buyer’s Guide for Skiing and Snowboarding Equipment. There are eight of the world’s most dangerous hikes. Air Mattresses for Camping in Comfort: The 7 Best Options; For your next adventure in 2022, these are the best camping quilts to take with you.
Invest in a Waterproof Tent
Investing in the appropriate tent might be the difference between being soaked to the skin and remaining dry and comfortable. But what style of tent will be most effective in keeping you dry? For starters, you’ll want to invest in a tent that is designed to be weather resistant. Waterproof, not water-resistant, is the term used here. In contrast to water-resistant tents, waterproof tents should be able to keep you dry even if you are caught in the thick of a tropical storm. Most waterproof tents are equipped with a rainfly, which is effectively a sheet that is stretched over the top of your tent to keep rain and snow from getting inside.
You won’t have to be concerned about any water dripping into your tent when you have the entrance open like this.
If you’re not familiar with the term “vestibule,” it’s just a portion of the rainfly that extends out and over the tent’s opening and/or sides to provide additional protection.
A bathtub bottom is created when the material on the floor of your tent extends up the side of your tent anywhere between 3 and 6 inches, creating the appearance of a bathtub bottom.
When it’s raining and the ground is soaked, this provides a barrier that prevents water from entering your tent and damaging your belongings.
Reapply Waterproof Sealant and Coating
No matter how well your waterproof tent works, you will need to reapply a waterproof sealer and coating to it from time to time to guarantee that it stays watertight. If you wish to re-waterproof your tent, you’ll need to purchase three products: seam sealer, fabric sealer, and water repellent spray. Seam sealer is the most important thing to purchase. In the tent industry, seam sealer (also known as seam sealant) is a waterproof sealant that is used to prevent water from seeping through the seams of the tent’s seams.
Alternatively, fabric sealer is a waterproof sealant that may be applied on the interior of your rainfly or on the floor of your tent, depending on the situation.
This product should only be used if you see flaking off of the prior coating on the inside of your rainfly or on the floor of your tent after using the previous coating.
The usage of this product will become necessary when you realize that rain is not beading up on the exterior of your rainfly any more.
Set Up In a Good Location
If you want to keep the inside of your tent dry when it’s raining, choosing a good location for your tent setup is critical. So, what actually constitutes a desirable location? The following are six suggestions for ensuring that you set up camp in a suitable place.
- Set up your tent on high ground so that water will run downhill away from it. Establish a little slant for your tent’s setup so that water does not collect beneath the tent’s floor. Set up your tent such that the entranceway is facing away from the wind as much as possible. You should avoid putting up your tent near a body of water (think about where the water will go if it rains)
- When setting up camp, keep an eye on the trees above you to ensure that nothing falls on you. When you’re resting or relaxing in camp, keep an eye out for any hazardous branches (widowmakers) that might fall on your head. Whenever lightning and thunder are in the area, avoid setting up camp at the highest point on the ground.
Establish a high point for your tent so that water will flow downhill away from it; Establish a little slant for your tent’s setup so that water does not collect beneath the tent’s floor; Set up your tent such that the entranceway is facing away from the wind; this will help to reduce wind resistance. Set a tent away from bodies of water (consider where the water will end up if it floods); During the process of putting up camp, keep an eye out for the trees above you. When you’re resting or relaxing in camp, keep an eye out for any potential branches (widowmakers) that might fall on your head.
Use a Plastic Ground Sheet
The use of a plastic ground cover is another useful advice for keeping your tent as dry as possible throughout the rainy season. A ground sheet (also known as a ground cloth or groundfly) is a waterproof plastic tarp that is normally placed beneath the floor of your tent to function as a barrier between the ground and your tent. It is also known as a ground cloth or groundfly in some circles. In addition to preventing water from seeping through the floor of your tent, using a ground sheet can help to provide warmth (by adding an extra layer between you and the ground) and extend the lifespan of your tent’s bottom by preventing abrasions from rocks, branches, and other sharp objects from scratching the surface of your tent.
This may be accomplished by making the ground sheet 1 inch shorter than the diameter of your tent.
In the above example, if the floor of your tent is 7′ by 7′, your ground sheet should be 6’11” x 6’11”.
In order to achieve the bathtub effect, you may also install a ground sheet inside your tent that is somewhat larger than the footprint of your tent.
So, if any water seeps through the bottom of your tent, it will merely collect beneath the ground sheet rather than going into your sleeping bag and other camping goods.
Set Up Tent as Quickly as Possible
The use of a plastic ground sheet is another useful advice for keeping your tent as dry as possible during inclement weather. It is customary to position your ground sheet beneath the floor of your tent in order to provide an additional barrier between the ground and your tent. A ground sheet (also known as a ground cloth or groundfly) is a waterproof plastic tarp designed to function as a barrier between the ground and your tent. In addition to preventing water from seeping through the floor of your tent, using a ground sheet can help to provide warmth (by adding an extra layer between you and the ground) and extend the lifespan of your tent’s bottom by preventing abrasions from rocks, branches, and other sharp objects from scratching the surface of your tent’s floor.
Making the ground sheet one inch shorter than the diameter of your tent is a simple method to do this.
The reason you don’t want your ground sheet to extend past the bottom of your tent is because any water that falls onto it will travel inside and puddle up beneath the floor of your tent, which is not ideal.
So, if any water seeps through the bottom of your tent, it will just stay beneath the ground sheet rather than going into your sleeping bag and other camping goods.
Cover Your Tent With a Tarp
By simply erecting a tarp directly over your tent, you may provide an additional layer of protection from the elements. A good rule of thumb is to acquire a tarp that’s approximately double the size of the footprint of your tent as a general rule of thumb. In addition to ensuring that you have plenty of space to wander about outside your tent, it will also provide you with additional weather protection. When you’re setting up your tarp, you want to make sure that it’s positioned such that the majority of the rain flows downhill away from your tent and not uphill toward it.
- Additionally, having your tarp sloped will prevent precipitation from accumulating on top of your tarp, which will save you money on your insurance.
- You’ll need several large trees or several sets of trekking poles to help you lay up your tarp over your tent.
- Or it might be a combination of the two.
- These are little devices that assist to guarantee that the grommets on the tarp remain in excellent condition even when it’s beautiful and breezy outdoors.
While you may have to be creative when it comes to laying up a tarp over your tent, I believe it is well worth the effort if it is going to be raining a lot during your camping adventure.
Make Sure Your Tent Has Enough Ventilation
By simply erecting a tarp directly over your tent, you can create an additional barrier between you and the elements. If you’re buying a tarp, the general rule of thumb is to get one that’s approximately twice the size of the footprint of your tent. This will ensure that you have plenty of space to move around outside of your tent, as well as providing you with additional protection from the elements. In order for the majority of the rain to fall downhill from your tent, you want to position your tarp in such a way that it falls downhill from your tent.
- It will also be easier to keep rainwater from pooling on top of your tarp if your tarp is slanted slightly.
- You’ll need several large trees or several sets of trekking poles to help you set up your tarp over your tent.
- Alternatively, a combination of the two options may be employed.
- When it comes to putting a tarp over your tent, you may have to get a little creative, but in my opinion, it is well worth it if it is going to be raining heavily.
Pack Your Gear in Plastic Bags
If you anticipate that it may rain during your camping vacation, you may want to carry along some waste bags as well as some resealable plastic bags to assist keep your belongings from getting wet while you are away. Pack all of your camping goods into resealable plastic bags once you’ve lined the interior of your backpack with a trash bag. The way I organize my stuff is to break everything into distinct categories (such as electronics, food, and clothes) and place each category in its own resealable plastic bag.
Dress for the Weather
As well as keeping the interior of your tent dry, it’s important to remember to keep yourself dry as well. After all, there’s no use in going inside a dry tent if the things you’re wearing are dripping wet from the inside out. This will just result in the evaporation of the water on your garments and the formation of condensation in your tent. Which brings us to the question of what sort of clothing to bring on your camping trip if it’s likely to rain. I propose that you dress in water-resistant apparel, such as a rain jacket, rain trousers, and maybe even a poncho, to protect yourself from the elements.
Aside from that, you should avoid wearing any form of cotton underneath your waterproof clothes since it will absorb water in a way that no other type of fabric would.
If you anticipate that it will rain on your camping vacation for a number of days, you should bring at least two pairs of waterproof gear.
A clothesline outside of your tent and underneath your tarp will assist you in drying your clothing more quickly. Especially if you’ve lit a fire outside to keep warm.
Build a Campfire
While a bonfire may not be able to prevent your tent from being wet, it may assist in drying your clothes and giving warmth. It is critical, however, that you construct your fire at a distance sufficient to keep your tent and tarp from being damaged. I recommend that you lay up your tarp at least 7 feet above your fire to provide you adequate space to prevent your tarp from catching fire and catching on fire. Assuming you are unable to raise your tarp high enough above your fire to prevent it from catching on fire, you will need to devise alternative methods of preparing your meal and providing yourself with warmth.
27 Insanely Easy Tips for Camping in the Rain (Plus Rainy Day Camping Activities)
If you have ever gone camping before, I am confident that you have done it in the rain. If you’ve been fortunate or if you’re a first-time camper, believe me when I say that you will end yourself camping in the rain before the season is up! The weather may be beautiful and blue when you depart for your camping excursion, but it may soon turn sour if the wind picks up. Alternatively, you may have scheduled a camping trip and realized it was too late to cancel (or that you just did not want to) since the weather prediction indicates rain.
Prepare for Camping in the Rain
It is likely that you have gone camping in the rain in the past if you have ever done so. Whether you’ve been fortunate or you’re a first-time camper, believe me when I say you’ll be camping in the rain before the season is up! When you go for your camping vacation, the skies may be clear and blue, but the weather can suddenly turn sour. It’s possible that you’ve scheduled a camping trip and that you’ve realized it’s too late to cancel (or that you just don’t want to) since the forecast calls for rain.
Rainy Day Camping Activities
Even if it rains, your camping vacation may be a lot of fun. Maintain a container packed with materials and games that will be used just during inclement weather.
- Play board games and cards, such as Go Fish, Old Maid, UNO Wilderness, Dutch Bllitz, Monopoly DEAL, and so on
- Watch movies. Check out a book or a magazine
- Conversational games such as 20 Questions, I Spy, Would You Rather?, and Just a Minute can be played. Sing the song ‘Rain, rain, go away.’ Seriously, though, have a good time belting out some camp songs or any of your other favorite tunes. Inform them about your life by telling them amusing and/or emotive anecdotes, particularly about former exploits
- Keep a diary to record your thoughts. Draw on it and add stickers on it to make it more interesting. Pray and record your thoughts in a prayer notebook. Consider spending some of your downtime with God. Design and make crafts: leatherwork, trekking sticks, jewelry, paracord constructions, coloring, and so forth. This may be entertaining for both children and adults. Improve your knot-tying abilities (which I am hopeless at! )
- Take a little snooze. You may take a break
- You are not required to be always amused. Make a plan for your next camping trip. After the rain has stopped, look at trekking maps to find out about local excursions. If there is a clubhouse on the campground, you should take use of it. (Be aware that it may be packed!) If you are staying in a national park, make sure to stop by the visitor center. Take a drive to see some of the local sites
Go Fish, Old Maid, UNO Wilderness, Dutch Blitz, Monopoly DEAL, and other card games are recommended. Book or magazine reading is recommended. Games such as 20 Questions, I Spy, Would You Rather?, and Just a Minute can be played to stimulate dialogue. “Rain, rain, go away,” you can sing to the heavens. On a serious note, though, have a good time singing some camp songs or any of your other favorite tunes. Inform them about your life by telling them amusing and/or sentimental anecdotes, particularly about your previous travels.
- Add drawings and stickers to make it more appealing.
- Consider spending some of your down time with God.
- Color is also an option.
- ); Lie down and rest for a few minutes.
- Make a plan for your next camping vacation.
- If there is a clubhouse at the campground, take use of it.
- If you’re staying in a national park, make sure to visit the visitor center.
- Pack your tarp and canopy last if you’re going to leave in the rain so that you may work beneath them if at all feasible. Even if the rain has stopped, there is a strong probability that your tent and gear will still be wet when you pack it up. Garbage bags are in helpful for storing tarps, tents, and other gear that has been wet on the way home. Don’t forget to pack up your wet gear. You should hang your tent up or pitch it in your yard when you return home, so that it can dry completely. Sleeping bags may be wet and must be dried as well as the rest of the bedding. The majority of the time, you may simply hang them outside. Make careful to thoroughly dry any camp stoves and cooking equipment. If you packed your camping goods in a hurry at the wet location, you should reorganize your things.
Share Your Camping in the Rain Hacks and Stories
Do you have any tips or tricks for staying dry when camping in the rain? What if you found a tent you really liked that was water and leak proof? Please share your favorite (or worst) camping memories in the comments section below!
Related Camping Posts:The Big List of Camping Tips
