It’s always advisable to research some tips for camping in the rain before embarking on your adventure. Rainy seasons seem like the ideal time to stay indoors. However, you can choose boredom at home or enjoy a myriad of camping activities with friends and family. Camping in the rain has unique challenges that call for practical solutions.
Whether you are camping with friends, kids, or have a pet, it is essential to pack enough supplies and the right gear. More importantly, you should ensure it is safe and fun to go out, as it makes no sense hitting the roads knowing there’s torrid weather.
Here are 15 tips for camping in the rain:
#1 Identify your unique camping needs
Every camper has unique requirements, depending on the experience sought. For instance, if you are bringing kids or your favorite pet, it is essential to plan a camping trip and include a separate checklist for all additional requirements. This includes food, clothes, fun activities, medicine, and so forth. Similarly, if you are camping alone or with a group of friends, the requirements will differ.
The goal is to envision your camping experience and identify everything you will need to make it smooth and memorable. Whether you are bringing an RV or using your convertible, it is vital to outline specific requirements and how they will be fulfilled. This ensures all areas are covered, eliminating surprises and unforeseen situations. Researching all about camping in the rain is a good start, but you should focus on areas that apply to your case.
#2 Find the best camping ground
There are several camping grounds you can visit to have a wonderful exploration. However, only a few are ideal for use during rainy seasons. It is important to do your diligent research and identify the top-recommended grounds for camping in the rain. Some sites are also restricted during rainy seasons, so researching options in advance is crucial.
The priority is to find safe camping grounds with better proofing. Avoid trees and open fields exposed to wind. You should also check if there is parking or if pets are allowed. Compare all the top-rated camping grounds recommended for rainy seasons and identify the differences.
#3 Buy high-quality waterproof camping tents
A tent is the most important item you can bring to a campsite. Building your own tents can be overwhelming and uneconomical. The feat is even harder to achieve in the rain, so ready-to-install tents make more sense.
For a rainy day, you need high-quality and rainproof camping tents with extra lining and weatherproof elements. It should also withstand the wear, tear, and other challenges that come with the rain.
Also, make sure you purchase the correct tent size for your needs. And, it’s important to ensure that you have everything needed to set it up. Some tents come with all the needed accessories, while others will require you to get some items separately.
When it comes to the tent design, ensure that it is rain-friendly and also easy to set up. Look for unique features befitting a rainy day, such as extra lining, self-forming tarp and instant installation.
Other vital areas to inspect include durability and ease of cleaning.
#4 Plastic bags / waterproof bags
Camping in the rain will require effective ways to keep your items safe and dry. Heavy plastic (woven) bags or the usual big black garbage bags and air-tight ziplock- style bags offer a cheap solution when you need to prevent moisture and humidity damages. You can keep food, supplies, phones and other consumables that require cool, dry storage.
Also, you don’t want to have wet clothes lying around in case you’re caught outside by the rain. With these bags, you can easily separate the wet clothes from the dry ones.
It is also recommendable to bring case covers, which are basically thrown on top of a carrying case to keep its contents dry.
You can use the camping checklist to identify items you can put in the plastic bags and those that require other proofing materials. Nonetheless, carrying a couple of plastic bags for your ingredients and small electronics is one of the popular tips for camping in the rain.
#5 No cooking – pack pre-cooked food
Some sites allow you to prepare your food onsite, which is a great way to enjoy camping. However, cooking when it’s raining is a tall order, especially if you rely on campfire and firewood. The best solution is to finish preparation at home and pack meals that require little to no cooking. You can still manage to cook when camping in the rain, which is recommendable if you fancy a challenge.
Nonetheless, packing pre-cooked meals is a better option, especially if you are camping with kids and family. You should pick your meals carefully to ensure your family gets proper nutrition and hydration. Remember to pack some meals that require preparation you can accomplish when the rain stops.
#6 Stove and firewood
Pre-cooked and packed takeaways may suit camping in the rain, especially during a torrential downpour. However, nothing beats a freshly prepared camp meal. Most people look forward to the cooking part and your goal is to pack all necessary items.
Since the rain will disrupt your outdoor kitchen and make it harder to find dry wood, you can bring a cooking stove. Review existing offers to find the best camping stove for use during rainy seasons.
You should also pack dry firewood and some old newspapers to help you with starting the campfire. If you plan to camp for several days, you can collect firewood when the rain stops and keep them dry for later use.
#7 Camping clothes
Investing in the right camping gear is essential, especially when it’s raining. You need to stay warm and comfortable to have the best camping experience.
As such, you should bring enough clothes, jackets, coats, hats, socks, hand gloves, and so forth. Make sure you have the best rain boots and enough covers/bedding to keep you warm.
This includes clothing, footwear, towels, hand warmers, pillows/headrest and blankets, among others. There are offers for camping gear and apparel, so you should review carefully to avoid paying extra for features you don’t need. Remember to pack extra if it gets too cold, or when you need a quick change of clothes.
#8 Dig furrows to direct flowing water
Flowing rainwater is one of the main challenges when camping in the rain. If water floods your tent, all items housed inside will be exposed to various damages. You may also have to relocate to dryer or higher grounds, which can be challenging to find when it’s raining.
One effective way to prevent rainwater from flooding your camping grounds involves digging small furrows and grooves to direct the water away. You can bring a small digging tool to create drainage channels around the tent area. Another method is to form a tarp below the tent to collect water that would otherwise seep into your dry space.
#9 Keep Tent Temperatures warm
Extreme cold is one of the widespread concerns when camping in the rain. If you are bringing kids or a pet, make sure you have adequate measures to keep them warm.
Clothes and socks might not be enough, so you should focus on other ways to keep the tent warm. Cooking stoves and campfire heat provide great starting points. You can also stay closer to each other to avoid losing heat. Some manufacturers offer insulated tents and camping apparel that helps you stay warm at night.
These choices are recommendable if you have the budget, but not always necessary. Simply make sure you pack enough clothes, keep the campfire close to your tent and stay covered to avoid losing heat. You can also bring a portable generator or AC if you plan to camp for several days or weeks.
#10 Bring the necessary supplies
There are several supplies needed for a typical camp day, let alone a week in the woods during rainy seasons.
Some typical supplies that you will need when camping in the rain include a waterproof flashlight, digging tool, shovel, extension cables, artificial lighting and cooler, among others. You will also need other supplies, such as toothpaste, mosquito creams, lotion, camera, mobile or radiophone and electronics.
Camping grounds have varying requirements, so it is vital to research your destination before leaving home. You may need ropes, scissors, pliers and several other tools, depending on the experience you seek.
#11 Always secure the tent on the ground
Rain is often accompanied by heavy wind, which can easily lift loose tents and expose your items to water damage. As such, it is important to keep the tent secured on the ground and seal all spaces.
If you stay for more than a day, inspect the tent and make sure it is still safely fixed on the ground.
Some tents include grounding hooks and accessories you can use to secure it on the ground. If your tent lacks such parts, there are various ways to improvise using ropes, sticks and boulders. However, it is essential to determine this during the early stages. Inspect the tent before leaving to explore the surrounding and once more before you retire to sleep.
#12 Stock your first aid kit
A first aid kit is essential whether you are camping in the rain or not. When exploring rugged terrains in the wild, you are always vulnerable to falls, scratches, insect bites and other minor injuries that aren’t necessarily life-threatening.
Having a fully-stocked first aid kit can help you take care of such injuries, preventing small bruises from escalating to full-blown tetanus infection.
Make sure the kit has enough bandages, antibiotics, painkillers, disinfectants and topical creams. You should also pack all your prescriptions and medications or check if there’s a drugstore a few miles from the camping grounds.
Other essential items to pack include sanitizers, repellants, ethylated spirit and supplements. If you think you might need anything for the trip, it is better to pack it.
#13 Keep the campfire burning
Lighting fire can be daunting when it’s rainy outside. Unfortunately, camping is almost incomplete without the good old campfire burning through the night. Keeping the campfire burning is one way to stay warm and keep crawlers and animals away.
You should pack some dry firewood to help start the fire and throw in some wet wood for a thick smoke. This will help you chase insects and other crawlers.
Heavy rainfall will kill the campfire, so you should identify a secure spot or build a temporary cover for your fireplace. Alternatively, you can purchase a portable campfire stove, which doubles up as a cooking stove for grilled meals. The goal is to keep an active campfire you can use for heat or cooking.
#14 Enjoy camping activities
The fun of camping in the rain is encapsulated in the numerous activities you can pursue. Whether you are camping alone or have company, there are several things you can do for fun.
Some of these fun camping activities include: cooking, singing, playing cards, dancing and sitting by the campfire are a few obvious options for groups. You can also explore the jungle or campgrounds, go hunting, collect firewood, join other hikers on stunning trails, and so forth.
However, make sure you remain inside the tents if the downpour is heavy. Whether you prefer to watch a movie, or engage in group activities, plan the trip in advance to identify all the fun activities you can explore.
#15 Know when to go camping
While camping in the rain can be fun, it is crucial to determine whether it is safe. Research all camping grounds and identify safety measures you can adopt to ensure your camping exploits remain fun. If reports predict terrible weather, it is safer to wait it out or consider other indoor camping options.
Rainy weather may not suit young kids or those with certain medical conditions. As such, you should camp in the rain only when it is safe and recommendable. Also, remember to pack all essential supplies, food and medication, as well as a means for communication.
Final Words
Hopefully you have found our tips for camping in the rain helpful in preparation for your adventure. There are several other things you can do to stay safe and comfortable when camping in the rain. It all depends on the experiences you seek and the company you have. As such, you should always start with a checklist that features all the essential requirements and activities.
Make sure you invest in high-quality waterproof camping gear, whether clothes, shoes, tent, and other supplies. Not all rainy seasons are safe to go camping. If the weather seems a bit violent, you are better off indoors. However, when things calm down, the above tips should help you enjoy a memorable experience camping in the rain.
We would like to know how your camping experience was and which of the tips came in handy. Leave us a comment in the comment section and also share any other tips you thick could be of help to anyone planning a similar adventure. Cheers!
