How To Take Shelter From Rain While Camping?

When planning the perfect camping trip, we envision bright sky and soft breezes, not drizzle and rainstorms. But, whether you’re a newbie or a regular camper, you need to accept the fact that the weather may change in the blink of an eye when you are camping.

There’s plenty of advanced camping gear on the market to help you survive damp weather conditions. Since the weather forecast isn’t always accurate, you should always pack keeping in mind the possibility of rain. That way you don’t have to go through any unpleasant experiences when it starts pouring.

Make sure you have everything you need before you go. However, even without any waterproof camping gear, remembering a few tactics when setting up your campsite and some creative rainy-day camping hacks can transform your gloomy outdoor experience into a delightful one, regardless of the heavy rainfall.

6 Tips For Camping In The Rain

Camping in the rain does not have to be a dreadful experience. Here are some of the ways you can take shelter and keep yourself dry in the rain while camping.

1. Picking Up The Right Tent

Trust me, while camping in the rain, you don’t want a soppy tent drenched in water. Instead, you want a solid, waterproof tent that’s going to protect you and shelter you during a heavy rainstorm. Hence, before buying a tent, make sure it’s built with waterproof and durable material to withstand any strong winds and rain that may come your way.

Tent materials like polyester and nylon would be great options because of their rigidness and water-resistance capability. Besides, some tents come with so many extra features to shield you from the harsh weather that you can even comfortably sleep in during a storm. Getting a rain shield is also an excellent option as it can prevent water from getting into your tent. 

2. Setting Up Tent On High Ground

The best thing you can do to stay dry is to focus on finding a good spot to set up your tent. When pitching your tent, pay careful attention to the ground and see if the water settles on it. Setting up your tent in a low-lying area is something you don’t want to do during rainy seasons. Avoid flat terrains and steep slopes, and position the tent’s entrance facing downward.

If you want proper shelter from the rain while camping, try to place your tent near the top of a tiny hill or slope, where water is unlikely to gather. If you notice, there are usually no puddles of water in hilly areas. This is a great way to prevent coming into contact with rainwater when camping.

3. Tarp Under Your Tent

Protecting the footprint of your tent is really important. When camping in the rain, tents can become flooded. So, get a tent with a sound flooring system, or you can place a groundsheet or tarp underneath your tent. A tarp or groundsheet will work as a barrier between the wet ground and your tent.

The groundwater can leak into your tent, making the bottom wet. And no one likes damp floors in their tent. Hence, setting up your tent on top of a tarp will ensure that you have a barrier between you and the rainwater, so you don’t have to sleep on muddy ground.

Make sure no portion of the tarp or groundsheet sticks out underneath your tent. The rain shield should protect the tarp’s edges. Otherwise, the tarp at the bottom may funnel water into your tent. You can also create an extra layer by putting a soft blanket over the groundsheet of your tent. That way you’ll be able to sleep with ease while getting shelter from the rain.

4. Rain Shelters

A rain shelter placed above your tent is an excellent way to keep your tent dry, especially if you want to camp in the same area for several days rather than just one night. If you want to cover your tent for extra protection, a rain shelter would be a better choice than a tarp. A rain shelter is specifically made for protecting you and your tent from rainstorms.

Moreover, if your tent is not waterproof, a rain shelter will be helpful. A rain shelter is pretty easy to set up and take out as well. However, do make sure that any excess water drains off the rain shelter downward, not upwards, from your tent. With rain shelters, your tent will get less wet and muddy. Thus, if you want an overhead cover for relaxing and waiting out the storm, a rain shelter is the way to go. 

5. Hammock Camping 

You may not realize it, but hammock camping can also be a great way to protect oneself from the rain. Hammock camping offers the distinct advantage of keeping you and your belongings above the ground. You just need to put a tarp over your hammock, and you’re good to go. Also, you don’t need to worry about the tent footprint or the muddy and wet ground when using a hammock for camping.

You don’t need any extra groundsheets or tarps to put under your tent either. It’s a very easy and convenient way to enjoy the rain when you are camping without compromising your own safety. If you are wondering how to set up a hammock, do check out this article where we have put together a step-by-step guide for you.

6. Waterproof Gear

Waterproofing your tent and campsite is essential, but so is carrying the right camping gear. At the same time, while camping in the rain, bringing the appropriate waterproof gear will ultimately make the difference. A rain poncho and rain boots are a must-have if you want to keep yourself nice and dry. If you’re wondering what the best rain ponchos in the market are, do check out our article where we’ve made a complete guide about it.

When you sense a storm approaching and put on your rain gear, it will make sure your clothes don’t get drenched in water and you stay dry all day long. And nobody likes having wet feet, so waterproof shoes or boots are definitely worth investing in. Also, a large, well-made dry bag is an essential item that might come in handy when camping in the rain. This bag will keep your clothes dry. Try to avoid wearing any cotton material clothes as they soak up moisture pretty quickly.

Ending Thoughts

As long as you are prepared, camping in the rain can be an exhilarating experience. Don’t allow the rainy forecast to ruin your trip. With these handy camping tips, you can stay dry and comfortable during the storm. Camping in the rain can be challenging at first, so this guide can help make your life simpler by telling you what the essential steps you need to take to make the most out of your trip are.