15 Helpful Tips For Camping In The Rain

One of the joys of life is making a plan and seeing it all come together. But sometimes, events spiral out of our control, and our hopes and expectations get dashed. Have you ever made plans for going on a camping trip, expecting beautiful sunny skies and fresh air, but somehow the sky turns grey and heavy rainfall is on the horizon? Fear not because it is possible to camp in the rain – and enjoy yourself – so long as you come prepared for the elements.

To brave the odds and make the best out of the prevailing circumstances, here are our top 15 tips for camping in the rain

• 1. Prioritize a natural shelter

The location of your campsite is of great importance, especially when dealing with adverse weather conditions. Pitching your tent in a naturally sheltered location (like in a forest) is often the best choice. Taking advantage of the available landscape helps to increase weather protection and preserve your resources.

• 2. Use the proper equipment

The key to overcoming weather challenges is having the right equipment.  This includes waterproof-breathable fabrics that will ease basic activities like hiking and moving around camp. Other items include rain pants, rain jackets to help keep you dry at all times. Ensure the rain jackets and rain pants have side zippers or pit zips. This facilitates ventilation in warm conditions.

• 3. Use a waterproof tent

Tents that enable weatherproofing come in different varieties. Some are suitable for hot, dry climates, while others are meant for wet conditions. When purchasing a tent for camping, make sure you check its waterproof rating (usually measured in millimeters). A high value infers to a high water pressure resistance. This ensures that the rain is kept out and your tent stays dry and cozy.

• 4. Pack camping gear in dry Bags

To keep your clothes and equipment dry, make sure you use heavy-duty dry bags. Dry bags help to keep out moisture and rainwater from seeping in and dampening your clothes or damaging your equipment.

• 5. Keep handy a power storage device

Depending on the number of days you intend to spend on your trip and the gadgets you plan to use, it is advisable to go along with a portable power generator to keep your appliances powered up. For this, the AceVolt 700 is a good recommendation because its 672Wh batteries should last for the entirety of the trip. It also comes with as many as 12 ports to power most types of devices. Ensure that it is fully charged as you may be unable to set up the solar panel units due to the weather conditions. Also, keep the device clean, dry, and away from moisture.

• 6. Take along a disposable paper-based reading material

Having paper-based reading material like a newspaper or a magazine keeps you abreast of current happening. It can also be used as fuel to start your fires. Paper can also be used to absorb moisture and to clean wet surfaces and equipment

• 7. Keep firewood dry

Even in wet conditions, a camping fire is a must, so keeping a dry supply of firewood is very important. Heavier logs may be difficult to move and don’t necessarily need to be fully out of the rain. However, ensure you split pieces of the wood which can become damp and harder to burn. Place your supply of firewood under your tarp, picnic table, or pop-up canopy. If your tent has vestibules, tuck firewood there to keep them out of the rain.

It’s worth noting that it can be difficult to get a fire going with wet wood, so quality fire starters are a must if camping in the rain. You’ll also want to bring a camping stove for cooking purposes, too, just in case you can’t get your fire going in particularly damp conditions. No worries, here is a guide to starting a campfire, even in wet season.

• 8. Hang a dry line

String up a dry line for wet clothes, towels, and other gear that may need to be hung across to dry when the sun eventually comes out. Use a thin, strong rope that won’t stretch much after getting wet.

• 9. Take advantage of the sun

Regardless of the intensity of rainfall, chances are pretty high that the rain will subside for at least a brief moment during your adventures. When this happens, make sure you take full advantage of these moments to enable the sun to try to dry your gear before the rain starts up again.

After the rain stops, set up a clothesline in camp and hang up your wet clothes and every other item that can be hanged and in need of drying so the moisture can dry off. If your sleeping bag feels dam. Stay vigilant all through the drying process, and do not at any point leave your gear as it dries. Most rainstorms are windy, and leaving your gear unattended can be a big issue if a gust of wind suddenly sweeps through the camp, sending your gear sprawling around your campsite. 

• 10. Divert and channel rain water away

When it eventually starts to rain heavily enough, water will find its way downhill through the landscapes to other bodies of water like lakes and streams. Do all in your power to divert these streams away from your tent and other gear. Should the ground be muddy enough, use a stick and carve out a path that diverts rainwater around and away from your gear.

• 11. Use dry sacks for vital gear

Taking an extra measure to protect your gear is a step in the right direction. You may want to use dry sacks for a further layer of protection for your most valuable gear. This includes not only your flashlights, mobile phone, headlamp, GPS, and other electronics, but also your summer sleeping bag and any other gear you just can’t get wet. For very important pieces of gear, you cannot overcompensate.

• 12. Bring games, lots of games

The waiting period during camping for the storm to clear out can be boring. At these moments, it feels as though one isn’t achieving the purpose of the trip. A smart way to remedy this is by taking along board games. Board games are structured to help enhance your espionage, social deduction, or cooperative play skills. The different time ranges for the completion of these board games can keep campers happily busy. Popular games to try out are Citadels, Deal, Splendor, Carcassonne, Monopoly, and Ticket to Ride. We have prepared a camping game list for you. 

• 13. Have dry sleeping clothes in your tent

Having dry sleeping clothes inside your tent helps you to stay warm at night. Sleeping in wet clothes can be uncomfortable. Therefore, it is of great importance to have a set of hiking clothes pre-packed in a stuff sack for in-tent use only.

• 14. Bring quick-dry towels

Quick-dry towels can be really handy and efficient while camping. They can be used to wipe the moisture of your gear and yourself. You can also ring them out, reuse and repeat the cycle as many times as you please. Quick-dry towels come in different varieties and sizes. While smaller ones are good to keep in a tent to wipe away condensation, larger ones are great to dry yourself off with after a dip in the lake. Using the already made line, they can be hung up and dry very quickly under the sun or next to a fire.

• 15. Embrace the elements, let loose and have fun

After all is said and done, keep in mind that it’s okay to get wet while camping in the rain. It is expected that you will get a little wet in a rainstorm. Even though many of the points mentioned above will, in a way, keep you dry, embracing the elements and the experience is critical if you want to enjoy yourself while camping in any weather condition. Come prepared, keep an open mind, and go into the experience with a positive attitude. At the end of the day, rain is just water, and it will, eventually, dry up.