Tips for camping in the rain

While the rain in Spain might fall mainly on the plane - the rain in the UK mainly falls on my tent!

So if you enjoy camping for more than one sunny weekend in July, then you are likely going to experience a wet camping trip.

Here are our top tips for making the most of camping in the rain.

Prepare

The key to a good trip is to prepare - whatever the conditions are. Before you set off make sure all of your waterproof gear is actually still waterproof and if it is not re proof.

If you know you are going to be exposed to very wet weather make sure your key gear (such as your sleeping bag) is going to stay dry.

Pack the right gear

Taking the right gear will help keep you warm and dry on the wettest of days. 

Make sure you have enough clothes so if your clothes get soaked, then you can change into something dry.

Keep your clothes, electricals and anything else you can't afford to get soaked in a good quality dry bag so you know they will be dry when you need them.

You can also use dry bags to keep your wet and dirty clothes or gear separate from stuff you need to keep clean and dry.

The rain won't last forever - so make sure you can dry your wet gear once it does clear up. A washing line is a handy thing to take to get your clothes dry. (Our Lite Line Clothesline weighs only 25gs and doesn't need pegs)

Tarps and Footprints

While a good tent will keep you dry in a downpour sometimes you need more protection. Tarps and Footprints (or groundsheets) give an added layer of protection and can increase the dry liveable space of your camp.

Footprints and extra groundsheets protect you from soggy ground and out an extra layer between you and the cold wet ground.

A tarp is super versatile, providing shelter while you pitch your tent or extra room for you to spread out around camp without getting wet. Our Poncho Tarps can also be worn to keep you dry enroute to camp or while setting up.

Pick the right camping spot

Nature is your friend here. Find natural shelter such as large boulders and trees to help protect your tent from the elements, but make sure you check which way the wind is blowing.

Also consider the right location for your camp - you'll find more natural protection from the elements in a valley then you will on an exposed hilltop.

Make sure you are not camped in an area where water naturally pools or runs through to the lower ground - you don't want to wake up to realise your campsite now resembles a river.

Pitch the tent right

If you have time and are able to, it is sometimes best to wait for a break in the weather or the worst of the rain to stop before pitching your tent.

Start with the outer first so you can keep your inner as dry as possible and stash your gear inside to keep everything as dry as possible. 

Enjoy the rain

Rain on a camping trip is almost unavoidable in the UK - so you need to embrace it. Enjoy the southing sound of rain on canvas whilst you are warm and comfy in your tent.

Enjoy the peace and quiet once the less hardy have gone home and search for rainbows once the rain has cleared.