Camping in the rain is inevitable at some point, and every new camper will need to learn how to handle this experience. Even if you’re planning a trip with sunny blue skies, it’s important to understand that the weather can change quickly. In this article, we will explore some useful tips for camping in the rain to ensure that bad weather won’t ruin your trip.
Gear and Equipment Preparation When Going Camping
The first thing that you need to consider is the state of your tent and other camping equipment. You will need a tent with a good rain-fly that will cover the windows and/or mesh vents. Many cabin tents have a rain-fly that only covers the top of the tent, much like a roof on a home. But, this can lead to rain blowing into the windows if the wind is blowing laterally on the campground.
An extra protective layer can be added with a waterproof spray and a seam sealer if you’re not ready for a tent upgrade. A ground cloth or tarp can be placed under the tent to create an extra layer over the wet ground. But, this should be the same size as the tent footprint or less to prevent water puddling around the tent.
If you’re worried about how waterproof your tent is, it can be protected with a tarp over the entire tent. You will need extra cord to do this, and this is a good way to create a waterproof entrance too.
Check your camping gear before you leave home to make necessary repairs and to evaluate if you need to invest in a new tent with a sewn-in groundsheet for your next trip.
Packing Smart for Rainy Conditions Before Going Camping
It’s essential to pack some rain gear, such as a raincoat, poncho, a hat, and extra pairs of waterproof boots and shoes. There may be times when you’re caught outdoors setting up the tent in the rain, and this is especially hard if you can’t stay dry.
Extra warm clothes should be taken and worn in layers to control moisture and get comfortable. Focus on waterproof fabrics that will dry quickly and keep outer layers in the vestibule.
It’s a good idea to take some waterproof bags, containers, dry sacks, zip-lock bags, and extra trash bags to keep items warm and dry until you’re ready to use them.
Campsite Selection and Setup
When you’re choosing a place to pitch your tent, it should be placed on higher ground and/or a designated pad area on a campsite. If you arrive at a campground and the pitch area is low or at the bottom of a hill, it may be a good idea to change the pitch or move to a different camping area.
This is especially true if the weather forecast is bad for the duration of your camping trip. The tent door should be positioned out of the prevailing winds to minimize the risk of rain entering through the door. Always choose a tent with a vestibule to keep you drier and give you an area to store outdoor gear.
Fire and Cooking Tips When Camping in the Rain
One of the biggest challenges of camping in the rain is cooking. Food should be portioned in advance and packed in waterproof bags to prevent spoilage and soaking. A liquid fuel stove with a wind screen will work well in cold or windy conditions that can make the rain move sideways.
A canister stove is a good alternative, but they cannot be enclosed in a screen because heat buildup can cause them to explode. A simple windscreen can be made with a short rock wall and these can be dispersed around the campsite when you’re done with them.
Water Proof Matches
You should always have waterproof matches and a lighter on hand, and you need to store them in a waterproof bag. The stove, cooking utensils, and fuel should be stored together to prevent leaving the waterproof bag open for long periods.
Create an Under cover area for Cooking
If you’re in a big group, consider bringing along an extra tarp that can be secured on poles or in trees to make an open air cooking area. The tarp edges should be closer to the ground to encourage rain runoff. If you’re camping solo, you can create a simple cooking area under an umbrella if the wind isn’t too strong.
Do not Cook in Your Tent
Although it’s tempting to cook under cover in the tent vestibule, this should be avoided. It’s all too easy to succumb to a build up of toxic fumes, and cooked food odors can encourage animals to enter to investigate the tent.
Caution if Forced to Cook in Your Tent
It’s important to understand that it’s virtually impossible to cook outdoors if the weather is extreme. In this case, you may be forced to cook in the tent vestibule, and extra precautions should be taken. The stove should be primed outside the tent, and the cooking supplies need to be kept close to reduce movement, which could knock over the stove. Two air vents should be opened to bring fresh air into the tent and to exhaust any toxic gases.
A safer alternative and one of the best tips for camping in the rain is to have some food on hand that you can eat without cooking.
Safety Considerations If Camping in the Rain
When you’re camping in the rain, there is always a possibility of injury, hypothermia, rashes, catching a fever, or some other calamity. Even a simple headache or stomach ache can ruin a perfectly good camping trip.
So, it’s important to have a comprehensive first aid kit that includes: painkillers, antiseptic, gauze, bandages, dressings, scissors, a thermometer, and a sewing kit. If anyone in the camping party requires certain medications, such as an asthma inhaler, diabetes medications, or something else these need to be on hand as needed.
Entertainment and Activities in the Rain
Many people enjoy camping because it connects them with nature. But, when the weather turns bad, it can be very difficult to have fun and keep up morale. For this reason, it’s a great idea to take a pack of cards, board games, books, magazines, and other forms of indoor entertainment.
To keep things camping focused, consider learning how to tie knots or study local maps to learn more about the area. Things are much easier if the campground has a clubhouse where you can hang out with other campers.
If there are nearby attractions that are undercover, such as museums, art galleries, caves, and other places, you could spend the day there.
Electronic devices are a viable option, but you may need extra batteries or power banks on hand if the recharging options are limited.
After-Camping Care-Following a Wet Camping Experience
When you return from any camping trip, there is a certain element of work to evaluate and take care of your camping gear. This is especially true if you had a rainy trip and gear that’s packed away wet is susceptible to damage.
When you pack your tent in the rain, try to do it under a tarp if possible, even if it’s stopped raining. Garbage bags are very useful to store wet gear for the trip home, where you can hang it out to dry completely.
Wet sleeping bags can be dried outdoors or under cover and then be packed away when they are dried. Camping stoves need to be fully dried to reduce the risk of corrosion and placed back in the dried storage bags.
When everything is fully dry, take some time to reorganize your camping gear. If you left the rainy campsite in a hurry, it’s likely that some items have been misplaced, damaged, or packed in the wrong places.
Conclusion
Camping in the rain does present some challenges for new and seasoned campers. But, at some point, every camper will need to learn how to deal with inclement weather. If you follow the tips and tricks presented in this article, it will be easier to deal with the rain and even enjoy the experience.
