Camping In The Rain Rocks If You Know These Little Tricks

Many a camping trip has been cancelled because of poor weather. And for most this is probably the right call. If you’re ill prepared or don’t know how to cope with wet conditions then camping can be a very miserable experience.

I know this because I’ve learned the hard way. When I first began to camp I would only stick to summer months when the chance of rain would be less but I would still get caught off guard sometimes resulting in the camp being cut short. Sometimes I wouldn’t even go if I thought it was going to rain.

Thankfully, I have come a long way from that. Over the years I have learned ways to not only cope with poor conditions but to thrive in them. There is something nice about sitting in a camping chair under a tarp looking out at the rain. I find it so relaxing for some reason.

So if you would like to know how to thrive in poor condition then read on. You will never have to cancel another camping trip again.

Be Prepared!

Like most things in camping, being prepared is half the battle. You will have to invest in some extra gear so if you’re only a once a year type of camper then it may not be viable for you to go to all the extra expense. However, if you camp frequently, even during the winter, then these are some of the “must haves”.

The right tent- The first thing you should get right is your tent. I’ve created a post about everything you need to know about tents here but basically make sure it is waterproof. You would be suprised how many people turn up to a campsite with a tent that isn’t waterproof.

Many people take the rain fly out of their kit during summer months to try to keep the weight down but this can be a mistake. Rain can start unexpectedly and even if your tent gets only a few minutes of rain then everything could be ruined inside. Having a tent with a vestibule (the porch area outside the door) is also great for keeping damp gear. You could hang up wet clothing here if needed.

Use synthetic sleeping bags– Synthetic insulation might be slightly bulkier and have less insulation than down insulation but if down insulation gets wet it doesn’t work as it should. Synthetic insulation will still work even if it gets wet and it is easier to dry. Of course, you would prefer not to get anything wet at all but accidents can and will happen. For more information about sleeping bags then read this post.

Extra tarps– This is a big one. If you have read many of my posts then you will know how much I love tarps. They can be used for lots of things but when it starts to rain then you will love them as much as I do.

The more you have the better. If you know it is going to rain for the whole weekend of your camp then you know you will have to have enough tarps to cover everything or you could be stuck in your tent. Use them under your tent, over your tent, over the front of your tent and even set up a living area and have a tarp overhead. You will also want to keep firewood dry. Plan out what you need and decide how many tarps you will need and then take one more.

Groundsheet – These are great for keeping the dirt down and stop you dragging dirt back into your tent. You could use tarps here again but tarps are waterproof so the rainwater will likely pool on them if your on flat ground. Groundsheets will let the rain through but keep the the dirt at bay.

Waterproof bags– You don’t have to buy expensive water proof bags. Heavy gauge bin bags will do the same job as long as you close them properly. Wrap everything before you leave the house. Wrap specific items of clothing separately. This will mean you won’t be exposing everything to the rain every time you need something.

Put electronics in re-sealable lunch bags, even the one in your pockets. If you’re hiking in the rain then you will want to keep your backpack dry. Even if you have everything in it wrapped and safe if the backpack gets soaked then you will be carrying extra water weight.

A trick I have done in the past is to unbuckle the bottom of you shoulder strap, slip the backpack into a heavy duty bin bags upside down, make two cuts in the bin bag at the top of the shoulder straps so you can feed the straps through and then rebuckle the straps at the bottom. This will make you bag nearly completely waterproof. Just make sure you have everything packed into your bag first or you will have to take it off again.

Rope/Paracord– Always take more rope or paracord than you think you will need. This can be used to help hang your tarps and even be used as a clothed line under a tarp to help dry out wet clothes.

Gazebo– This isn’t essential but can definitely add a level of comfort. They are only suited to car camping because of their weight. The only time I have seen a benefit for using a gazebo instead of just a tarp is if you are camping in a place where there aren’t any trees for you to hang your tarp from.

They can also be useful during driving rain when the wind can blow the rain in under the tarp. You can put walls around the gazebo to stop this which will create a room where you can wait out the rain without having to sit in your tent.

Just make sure you have it well tied down. A gazebo can turn into a kite if the wind get under them and they aren’t secured properly.

Extra Blankets– although these won’t be used to keep you dry they can be used to keep you warm if your main kit gets wet and you have to hang it up to dry.

Ponchos– these are great for emergencies. If you get caught off guard in a rain shower just put on a large poncho that covers everything, including your backpack. I always keep a lightweight disposable type in the front pocket of my backpack. If you’re arriving at your campsite in the rain then a poncho is ideal until you get your tarps set up.

Duct tape – as you may know duct tape can be used for lots of things. In this occasion it can be used to repair leaks and tears in a instant. It’s one of those items that you hope you won’t use but you shouldn’t leave home without.

Gas Stove – if you want to be able to cook while it’s raining then a gas stove is the best option. Although a fire will stay lit during a rain shower you will have to stand in the rain to cook on it because you can’t put a tarp over an open fire for obvious reasons.

That being said, you would never use a gas stove in a tent. It could be easily knocked over and ignite the tent quickly. At best you have a pretty big hole in your tent that even duct tape would struggle the patch. You could end up getting burned or even die due to gas asphyxiation.

Have a look at the stove I use here.

Waterproof clothing – even though you have the camp site ready and all of your stuff is dry there will become a time when you will want to leave camp. Having proper waterproof clothing can make a big difference. This is one place where you get what you pay for.

You can get really cheap waterproof outer layers. That are 100% waterproof and will keep you dry but if you intend of going hiking in these cheap waterproofs then you will quickly learn the meaning of breathability.

As you exert yourself your body will perspire. It does this to help control body temperature. This happens every day even as you walk down the street. You don’t notice it most of the time because it normally evaporates as quickly as you perspire. If you wear a waterproof layer that isn’t breathable then your sweat will become trapped inside leaving you just as wet on the inside. The same goes for a cheap breathable layer. They will let the sweat out but that won’t be fully waterproof.

I use Gore clothing and found it very good. It’s a little more expensive but you will be glad you got it when your walking through the rain in relative comfort.

Know the weather forecast– before you go camping it is always good to check the weather forecast for the duration of your camp. If you see that there is a storm coming then maybe it would be best if you didn’t go camping.

However, just because it says that there is no rain forcast doesn’t mean it won’t happen. You don’t have to go to the extremes of taking multiple tarps and wrapping everything in plastic but make sure you at least take your rain fly and a poncho.

And even if it does say there is rain on the way then I don’t let that deter me any more. With the right gear you can still have a great camping trip.

Knowing what to do!

Now that you know what you need I want to go through exactly what you should do when camping in the rain.

The good thing about winter camping or camping in poor weather conditions is that you will have your choice of camping spots in nearly any campground. If you’re using a campground then pick a site close to the toilet facilities so you won’t have to walk far in the rain. I don’t normally camp too close to the toilets in busy and hot times due to the extra “traffic” and possible smells. However, this shouldn’t be a problem if there aren’t many people around.

For other important factors to consider when picking a camping spot then read this post.

Pick the right campsite

Pick a camping spot with a slight gradient and away from rivers, lakes and ponds. Make sure you aren’t in a hollow or at the bottom of a hill where the water can pool. I want to stress having it a slight gradient. If you have a gradient that is too much the you will all wake up in a ball at the bottom of the tent as you slide down during the night. I have discussed ways to help prevent this sleeping bag slippage here.

Setting up your tent in the rain

The first thing you need to do after you have picked your camping spot is to put up a tarp over where you intend on pitching your tent. The important thing to remember here is to have the rain run off the tarp on the lower side of the slope. If it runs off top side the the water will run off the tarp and then down through your campsite.

If you’re car camping then try to park right beside where you are pitching your tent. Once you have the tarp up you can start to relax as you won’t be getting wet any more. Have the back of you car under the tarp so you can access all of your stuff while staying dry.

The next thing to do is to lay your ground sheet or tarp. After clearing away any sharp object just lay out the ground sheet where you will be doing most of your walking.

If its a ground sheet that water can seep through the it’s ok to pitch your tent on top of it. If you are using a waterproof tarp then use a separate tarp under the tent and make sure it’s tucked in under your tent. More on that later. Now your ready to pitch your tent. Just pitch it as normal making sure the door is pointing downhill.

Now decide your living area. Place a tarp over this area before taking chairs and table out of the car. Collect and store firewood under a tarp to keep it as dry as possible.

From this point on you must keep all dry clothing inside the tent and never take wet clothes inside the tent. Unpack your backpack at the entrance to the tent. Put all night gear into the tent. This includes sleeping bag, blankets, pillows, pyjamas and extra warm clothing.

If you need go into the tent for any reason, even for a second, you must take off all wet gear in the vestibule before entering. If you don’t you will drag water into the tent and wet all of your dry stuff. Trust me, you will thank yourself later when you’re all snuggled up nice and dry and listening to the rain hit your tarp.

When you’re calling it a day make sure you have everything you need in the tent. Take off all clothing in the vestibule or at the entrance to the tent before entering. Don’t take the clothing into the tent with you. Try to hang them up under the tarp so they will be semi-dry in the morning. Again, don’t be traipsing in and out but try to stay in the tent when you get in.

Once you’re inside your nice dry tent it time to keep it that way. If you are in a single walled tent then you will have an issue with condensation collecting on the walls.

You can reduce this by making sure the ventilation is open. If that isn’t enough then keep all dry clothing away from the walls of the tent. If you fall asleep touching the wall you will wake up soaked.

Consider using a hammock

Hammocks a very handy for wet condition. Once you set up a tarp like above you can then set up your hammock between any two trees. You don’t have to worry about the ground condition because you won’t be sleeping on it. And you will always have somewhere comfortable and dry to sit in an relax during the day.

Passing the time!

After you have the campsite set up it’s time to relax and enjoy your time. But what can you do? All the normal things you normally do while camping are more than likely not an option.

Keep it simple and don’t try to do too much. It’s ok to just sit around and talk. In fact I recommend it. I have had some of the most meaningful conversations with my family while camping and having the extra restraint of the rain means there is literally no outside distraction. The sound of the rain can be relaxing so don’t forget to just relax.

After that there are the usual games you can play such as card games, board games (I recommend chess) and even charades. If you’re camping with children make sure you take plenty of arts and crafts. And don’t forget that kids love splashing in muddy puddles. If it’s warm enough, why not let them run around in the rain. I guarantee they will love it. Just make sure you have something dry for them to change into or you will be going home early.

Extra little tips

Newspaper– take a newspaper and keep it dry. It can be used to help dry out your boots if they get wet. Stuff the boots with paper and the moisture will be drawn into the dry paper. Another use is to use it as dry tinder to start a fire whenever the rain does finally stop.

Roll of bin bags – You should always take bin bags to clean up your rubbish but make sure you take a few extra to use if the weather turns bad. Wrap your clothing and electronics in plastic bin bags to keep things dry. If you’re caught without a poncho the cut holes in a bin bag for your arms and head and put it on like a sweater.

Collect water – Finding clean water to drink can be hard, especially during flooding. I always recommend purifying water before drinking it but water from your tarp should be ready to drink, assuming your tarp is clean. I talk more about purifying water in this post.

Tarp under tent – You should always have a trap under your tent to protect it but when camping in wet weather it’s even more important, which I have discussed here. Just make sure the rain can’t get between the tarp and your tents ground sheet. Make sure the tarp in tucked in under the tent and if you’re camping on flat ground then you would be better using the extra tarp inside you tent instead of outside.

Keep your fire going – if you have a fire going and its about to rain put some large logs on the fire before it starts. Place them across the top of the fire and close together you’re trying to create a roof over the flames. Just remember to leave to side open for air to get in.

Hopefully the rain will have stopped before the fire burns through the logs. And while I’m on the subject of fire. Make sure not to make the fire in a hollow and don’t make a deep fire pit but just make a fire ring with stones if you think heavy rain is coming.

Lightning – lightning can be hazardous for obvious reasons but you can minimize your chances by not camping on top of hills. I know I said not to camp at the bottom of hills because of flooding risk but camping halfway up a hill is the best of both worlds. Also don’t camp near the tallest trees.

Seal old tents– old waterproof tents can start to let in water at the seams but there’s no need to buy a new one. You can buy waterproofer spray that will seal your joints again. It can even be used on waterproof clothing to improve their waterproofness.

Air everything once the rain has stopped – if anything gets wet then don’t roll it into a ball and through it into a bin bag. Hang everything up and open your tent wide to get air blowing through. Even if you don’t intend on wearing the clothing again carrying wet clothing home means you’re carrying extra weight. Make sure everything is dry as possible before packing it away.

Take extra tent pegs – tent pegs can easily get lost in soft wet ground. And you will need extra to hold your tarps in place.

What to do when nature calls – I’ve already talked about what to do when needing to pee the wild in this post but it’s a little different when camping in the wet.

This will depend on your location and the duration of rain expected. If you are in a campground with facilities then you are just going to have to run for it. Have a poncho ready to put on to keep you dry from the tarp to toilet.

If there aren’t any facilities then you could invest in a camping toilet and set up a tarp around it for some privacy. Of course you don’t need one of them but if you are expecting long periods of rain then you will want to plan ahead.

When your planning where to hang tarps around your campsite don’t forget to hang one behind a few bushes or somewhere out of sight where you can answer the call of nature without getting soaked.

Packing up

When it’s time to go home and your gear is still wet then make sure you air it out when you get home. You will obviously throw your clothes into a wash and then hang them out to dry but don’t forget about your tent, tarps, sleeping bags and even your backpack.

Be sure to have them completely dry before storing them away. If you don’t you run the risk of them being ruined by mildew and other fungus that thrives in damp conditions.

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