A tarp provides much-needed dry space on an otherwise soggy campsite (Photo by Steven Burke)
One reality of fall camping is that you are likely to run into at least a few hours of rain. Camping in the rain can be a really enjoyable experience, provided you take the proper steps to ensure that you and your family are prepared. Here are some tips for planning to camp in the rain.
Tarps
Unless you have a really big tent, a secondary rain shelter is very convenient for changing clothes, cooking and playing games. Even if you do have a big tent, it’s a lot more enjoyable to get outside. A well-positioned tarp will let you enjoy the outdoors while still keeping dry.
Waterproof bags
During the summer you can get away with suffing your clothes and belongings into the bottom of a backpack and forgetting about them. Come fall, however, it’s guaranteed that the one leak in the tent will be directly onto wherever your clothes are stored. Make sure they’re in a waterproof bag.
Hot drinks
Nothing shakes the damp chill quicker than a steaming cup of coffee, tea or cocoa. A Thermos® bottle will allow you to keep beverages (or water) hot through the night, so you don’t even have to wait on the fire in the morning.
Camp shoes
Nothing makes you colder, quicker, than wet feet, so pack extra socks and a pair of “camp shoes” that you can wear around the campsite, while your regular shoes or boots are drying out from the day’s activities.
Stick to your leave-no-trace principles
A little rain is not excuse for breaking out the shovel and trenching around your tent! Avoid trenching by siting your tent away from likely drainage paths.
See also…
- Essential Gear: the underappreciated big blue tarp
- How to Start a Fire with Magnesium, Cotton and Petroleum Jelly
- Best Waterproof Bag. Period.
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{ 18 comments… read them below or add one }
Uggh…leave no trace. That means I can't bury the inlaws in the middle of the night, either…doesn't it?
No way, VE – who would send you Birthday cards?
Roy,
I remember camping in the rain like yesterday. War Zone D, 1967 Vietnam, in an over grown French Rubber Plantation.
The good thing was that the bad guys did not hit us because of the rain.
Ted
C.I.B.
The best rain ever! Thanks for your service, Ted.
Good advice.
A way to make the tarp option easier to adjust and size is the use of EasyKlip tarp clips. Especially important when you need to make a quick tarp adjustment to improve rain coverage as these are instantly slipped on and give a super strong grip. Makes using cords or bungees simple, regardless of the size of the tarp.
Very handy to have in your backpack for just such an occasion.
Those look pretty cool!
Those look pretty cool! http://www.tarp-clips.com/
Are there any tents out there that will keep you dry without a tarp?
Absolutely, Russ – all of the major brands use quality materials and most have taped seams and a full-length rain fly that goes all the way to the ground. I prefer a design with a vestibule area that shelters the entrance-door from rain and provides a transition area for removing shoes and jackets.
Absolutely, Russ – all of the major brands use quality materials and most have taped seams and a full-length rain fly that goes all the way to the ground. I prefer a design with a vestibule area that shelters the entrance-door from rain and provides a transition area for removing shoes and jackets.
Love the boardwalk!
Wood must be cheap up there in Ontario!
Hi, I am from Upstate New York and when we camp we know we are going to get at least one day of rain. We have to plan for that as much as we plan the clothes or food we take. But, it is fun and it is beautiful here so it is worth it. We tent camp as well as RV it. They have great easy-up shelters that are not too pricey now but you are right about the tarps. We even use them on new tents that have a fly. Great advise and Happy camping.
Thanks, Caroline. We have used one of those pop-up canopies, on a few summer camping trips, for some shade over the picnic table and it also came in handy during a small train shower in Oregon, this fall. We do not use it much, but it sure is handy when you need it.
Is there anything to use to clean off mold that has set in on a tent that was stored?
You can try, but the problem is the mold gets between the nylon and the waterproofing, causing it to separate. The manufacturer should have some cleaning recommendations on their website (i.e. http://www.eurekatent.com/tent_care.aspx) or in the instructions that came with the tent. You can go a bit further than the typical manufacturer's instructions by soaking the moldy area in a mild solution of bleach, or Lysol, and water. You will need to repeat soaking in the solution, followed by a thorough rinsing in fresh water, several times. Good luck!
I agree tarps are great for keeping the rain off but I have issues with the wind.
Good article though, keep them coming
http://www.gonecampinguk.com
well the idea of camping in rain is itself very exciting. but i will prefer to do that with my family as than i can enjoy most. plus children will learn a lot from these kind of experiences and learn a social intimacy too.