Tips for camping in the rain

Rain can put a damper on any camping trip, but it doesn’t have to spoil a getaway with the tent. With our tips, you’ll be prepared.

We had picked a perfect spot by Lake Pühajärv in the south of Estonia. But just when the fire started crackling, we felt a drop. And another one and another one. We fled into the tent we had borrowed from friends. Only then did we notice how small that tent was, a shelter for dwarfs? It would not stop raining for the next nine hours. As small puddles started forming in the corners of the tent, our stuff got soaking wet.

Rain is no fun when you’re camping. But if you keep a few tips in the back of your head, it doesn’t have to be a disaster. Read on to find out how to stop rain from ruining your camping trip.

Check the weather forecast before you leave

Forewarned is forearmed. You will not stop the rain, but you can anticipate it. If you know it will be clearing up in the evening, for example, you can wait a little longer to pitch your tent. Or time a break strategically at a covered picnic bench during your hike to your next bivouac spot.

[Read how we found out the hard way that the weatherman’s word is not holy during a coastal hike south of Pärnu.]

Choose the right gear

The ‘water column’ of gear indicates the degree of waterproofness in millimetres. That measure is linked to the method of testing: placing a long tube against a fabric and slowly filling it with water until a drop seeps through. The height the water has reached in the tube at that point determines the water column. A height of three metres means a water column of 3000 millimetres. In other words, it says something about the pressure the material can handle.

So much for the theory. In practice, a tent is waterproof from a water column of 800 millimetres. It is, however, advisable to opt for a higher value, at least 1500 millimetres for the fly sheet, the outer tent fabric. Or 3000 millimetres if you intend to use the tent intensively. Wear and tear can reduce the waterproofing – opting for a tent with a higher water column will keep you dry for longer. The tent we used in Estonia probably had too low a value.

The water column of the fly sheet usually differs from that of the ground sheet. As you’re lying on the groundsheet, you exert more pressure on it. You should aim for a water column of 5000 millimetres. For the same reason, the water column of clothes should be higher than that of a tent: you move around in a raincoat, which means it’s under more pressure than a fly sheet.

Camp on an elevated area

At the risk of winning the No Shit, Sherlock Trophy: rain flows downwards. Idyllic spots next to the water, like ours in Estonia, are nice on sunny days. But when it rains cats and dogs, you risk being ankle-deep in water every time you leave the tent. So, if possible, it is best to set up camp in an elevated area when it rains. This does not have to be a mountain top; as long as you don’t choose the lowest spot on the campsite, you’re basically safe. Don’t think you’re smart by putting your tent under a tree. Yes, you are protected for a while during a shower. But it also means endless dripping when the rest of the camping is already dry.

Don’t forget the guy lines

Especially in stormy weather, guy lines can make a big difference. Not only to keep your tent upright when a gust of wind threatens to sweep it away but also to ensure that there is sufficient tension on the fly sheet. This reduces the chances of it raining inside.

An extra (separate) ground sheet can be useful, but choose one of the same size as your tent. As soon as the ground sheet peaks out from under the tent, water can accumulate – in which case the ground sheet causes more inconvenience. If you have to pitch your tent in torrential rain, a cap or a wide-brimmed hat will come in handy. A sponge or a microfiber cloth can quickly and efficiently dry a wet tent floor.

Create an ‘outdoor’ room

When you’re camping in the rain with friends, it might be tempting to all crawl into your own small tents. With one or more tarps, however, you can create a small room in which you can all play cards, read or tell tall tales. A tarp in front of your tent can also act as a porch, a place where you can take off your shoes and cook.

Or you can quickly set up a tarp first and then put your tent under it – that way it is guaranteed to stay dry. Under a tarp, you can also attach a clothesline or parachute cord to dry your clothes. Note: even though most tarps don’t weigh much, they still add extra load to your backpack.

Dress in layers, but avoid cotton

Layers ensure that your sweat is wicked away when you’re active, but at the same time maintain your body heat when it cools down. Under a rain jacket and rain pants/kilt, choose breathable base layers made of (merino) wool or polyester. Wool retains your body heat even when it gets wet. So you can keep your wet clothes on and they’d still dry. Avoid cotton – it stays wet.

A poncho is an alternative for rain clothing – cheap, light and takes minimal space in your backpack. In heavy weather, gaiters can save you from getting your feet wet. If you do get soaked, make sure you are dry and warm as soon as possible. It’s better to get into your sleeping bag naked than in wet clothes. The combination of wet and cold can lead to hypothermia, which can be fatal in extreme cases.

Plastic bags can save your camping trip in the rain

Take plenty of plastic bags – big trash bags as well as small Ziploc freezer bags. The latter will keep small essentials dry, think mobile phones, wallets and matches. Trash bags not only keep your equipment dry, but they’re also ideal to separate wet clothes and shoes from the rest of your gear. You can also put dry wood in them before the rain, so you can still make a fire afterwards.

Don’t bother with fire

Talking about flames: making a fire when it rains is quite a task even for Bear Grylls. If necessary, make sure you have waterproof lighters or matches. If you know it will rain, collect tinder in advance. Or look under pine trees – buried under a thick pack of needles, there is usually still dry material. Birch bark burns well, but strip only from dead trees – a way to reduce your impact on nature. Look for bigger firewood under trees. Or keep it simple and cook on a gas fire.

Long live hot chocolate!

In cold weather, your body requires more calories to stay warm. Opt for a hearty meal, like camping pasta. If you want to cook, it can help to peel and cut vegetables at home. That way you won’t be caught cold. And the best pick-me-up in rainy weather remains a hot chocolate, with or without a shot of jenever or rum.

Dry whenever you can

Bring a clothesline or parachute cord to hang between two trees and dry wet clothes as soon as you can. If you’re desperate, you can take damp clothes with you in your sleeping bag. Your body heat should dry them by the morning. Beware: this trick may not work when your shirt is soaking wet. Remember to let your tent properly dry after your trip. If not, it might get mouldy.

Avoid condensation

Do not keep wet gear in your tent and always open the ventilation flaps. Otherwise, condensation will lead to a damp and cold night.

When camping in the rain, keep your spirits high

Alright, rain might not be what you dreamed of. But you’re on holiday. Provide a book or a travel game to keep you entertained while the shower passes. Enjoy the raindrops on your tent, the lightning lighting up the sky. Feel the proximity of nature. And remember the folk wisdom: after rain comes sunshine. In Estonia, we woke up with the sun on our faces. The lake looked peaceful, a few fishermen rowed by in boats. We laid our wet gear out to dry and… jumped in the water. The rain, it was already forgotten.

This blog post first appeared in Dutch on Kampeertijd.