8 Tips for Camping in the Rain

It can be frustrating to plan a camping expedition only to have to cancel on account of rain. But if you do not mind getting a bit wet, you can enjoy a rewarding camping experience in the rain. Of course, to make it enjoyable, you need to take the right approach. Here are some helpful tips to stay as warm, dry and comfortable as possible while camping in the rain.

1. Do not set up at the base of a slope.

A good starting tip is to make sure that you do not try to set up your campsite at the base of a slope. If you do, water will be running down into your campsite. It is better to set up at a site where water can run off from your site instead.

2. Use natural shelter.

If you can get some protection from an overhang or some trees, that can help you ward off some of the rain. It may even be helpful if there is a rock wall or such to one side, as that can screen off some sideways rain in windy conditions. Blocking out some of that wind itself will be beneficial too.

3. Set up a pop-up canopy tent for your gear.

To keep your gear handy, but dry, set up a pop-up canopy tent near your camping tent. You can store your gear under it. If there is sideways precipitation to deal with, you may want to add one or more sidewalls to the tent. Your tent will also need air vents if you are expecting to deal with significant gusts of wind.

4. Make use of tarps.

Tarps are your best friends when you are camping in the rain. A well-placed tarp can provide you with a dry corridor you can use to walk between your camping tent and your pop-up canopy tent. You can also use a tarp as a covering for items you are storing out in the open.

While a lot of people pack just one tarp by default, it is a good idea to pack at least two. Even three tarps may sometimes be worthwhile.

5. Choose a camping tent with a vestibule.

When you are picking a tent to sleep in at a rainy campsite, you should make sure that you select one that includes a vestibule. This is a little area at the entrance of the tent that is sheltered from the outdoors, but is a separate compartment from the main area where you sleep.

A vestibule functions a bit like a mudroom in your tent. You can strip out of wet, dirty attire in the vestibule without dragging it into the main section of the tent, which can be a huge help.

It is also wise to get a tent that is fairly roomy, if you can. The more space you have to get comfortable when you need to settle in during heavy precipitation, the better.

What if you cannot bring a tent with a vestibule for whatever reason? One alternative would be to get out of your wet, dirty shoes and clothes under the canopy tent. If you can set up a tarp on the ground between the two, that gives you a surface you can walk on that isn’t the ground, which you can then use to get to your sleeping tent.

6. Keep your gear dry.

One of the main challenges of camping in the rain is keeping your gear dry. We have already addressed a few recommendations for how you can do this. In terms of others, you should be packing your gear in dry bags. Another thing that can help is to line the interiors of your packs with trash bags to provide one more waterproof layer.

7. Be efficient.

While our focus has mostly been on specific supplies you can pack as well as how you can set up your tents, one more thing that you can try to reduce your exposure to precipitation is managing your time. That means looking for ways to camp in the rain with efficiency.

That starts with the tents you choose, actually. You want to purchase tents that allow for rapid and easy setup, even if you are working on your own. The more quickly you can set up your tents and tarps, the sooner you can get out of the rain.

Another task you are going to be glad you can accomplish quickly is cooking. If you think it will rain while you are camping, it is best not to plan elaborate meals. At the same time, you probably will appreciate being able to eat something hot. So, try and figure out meals that you can warm up, but quickly and with minimal effort or logistical issues.

8. If something gets wet, keep it away from dry stuff.

Sometimes, despite your best efforts, you are going to find yourself in scenarios where some of your clothing or gear does get wet. When that happens, make sure that you can isolate those items from the rest of your stuff. The worst thing you can do is spread the dampness around, particularly inside the tent where you will sleep.

It is Possible to Be Comfortable Camping in the Rain

Some people worry so much about getting even a little bit wet while camping that they will rearrange their entire schedules just to avoid camping in the rain.

But if you do that every time, you are probably ultimately going to inconvenience yourself a lot more than if you just started learning how to camp in the rain.

The recommendations in this post are simple, practical, and effective at helping you to keep your campsite as dry as possible, even during a downpour.

So, do not let fickle weather hold you back from your plans any longer. Your next outdoor adventure is waiting for you, rain or shine, and it is up to you to seize the moment.

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