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Last Updated on August 22, 2024 by Paul Clayton
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10 Easy Tips How to Stay Dry Camping in Rainy Weather
Camping in the rain is fun, but it comes with a set of challenges. Two of the biggest ones are staying warm, and keeping dry.
But is it really possible to overcome these while sleeping under the stars?
Read on to find out more. In this article, we’ll provide a few practical tips to help you stay warm and dry while camping in rainy weather:
How to Stay Warm and Dry When Camping in Rainy Weather
1. Choose an Ideal Campsite
The first step to keeping warm when camping in the rain, is picking the right campsite. A campground with a higher elevation will protect you from floods that usually happen during a downpour.
You also want to ensure that the campsite is away from a waterbody like a river or a lake as the water may rise while you are asleep and put you in a life-threatening situation.
A location with several trees is an excellent option, as you won’t have to deal with strong winds. It also lets you quickly set up a tarp or cover for your campsite before everything gets wet.
You may think that camping under a tree is a great idea, but the truth is that it’s not. Camping under a tree when it’s raining is dangerous as lightning may strike anytime. Moreover, dead tree branches may drop and damage your tent. The falling tree branches could also injure someone inside the tent.
2. Set Up a Quick Shelter with a Tarp
If you plan to camp during the wet season, pack several tarps and paracord since they are handy for survival in such weather.
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The good thing about tarps is that they are compact and lightweight, so bringing a few extras without necessarily overloading yourself is possible. You can also get a clear plastic sheet to make a transparent shelter if you don’t have a tarp.
Your campsite will remain dry and free of distractive wind with a tarp set up. It will help you stay dry and carry out different activities within the campground, such as cooking and cleaning.
When tarping up, it’s crucial to be strategic with the set-up by considering the wind direction. Otherwise, your tarp will blow off in the wind, exposing you to outdoor elements.
It’s also essential to slant your tarp tactically to ensure water flows away from your campsite rather than pooling underneath it.
3. Put Hot Water Bottles in Your Tent
Having hot water bottles in your tent when it’s raining is an effective way to stay warm since it will raise the temperature inside your shelter. You can put them inside your sleeping bag to cuddle your feet and keep them warm.
Besides warmth, hot water bottles will provide warm drinking water when the temperatures are freezing.
Nevertheless, it’s crucial to double-check the bottles before putting them inside to ensure they are well-capped lest you end up with wet items when you most need them dry.
4. Pee in a Bottle Instead of Going Outside
When camping in the rain, getting out of the tent to pee will only get you wet and cold. So, the best thing to do is to pee in a bottle and discard the urine later.
If you don’t have space to pack an extra bottle, bring a compact cook-in bag that seals properly and pee in it when camping in the cold weather.
For women, you might need a funnel for a pee bottle and a cook-in bag to avoid making a mess in the tent.
It may not be the most hygienic way to relieve yourself, but it’s practical for staying warm and dry when camping in rainy weather.
If you don’t want to do this more than once at night, you’ll want to limit your water intake in the evening.
5. Keep Wet and Cold Items Outside the Tent
In rainy weather, you are bound to have wet items, from rain jackets to waterproof bags. And if you are not careful, you may bring your wet items into the tent.
Having wet and cold items in the tent is a bad idea as it lowers your shelter’s temperature.
So, if you must bring your belongings inside, consider wiping them with a towel. Then hang the wet towel under the tarp.
In snowy weather, shaking your tent or tarp before sleeping is vital to remove excess snow, which could tear or collapse your shelter.
6. Sleep in a Hammock
When camping on land with poor drainage in the rainy season, sleeping in a hammock is one of the best ways to get off the ground and stay dry.
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You can set up a tarp and hang a hammock beneath it to make a comfortable sleeping area.
You’ll need adequate insulation if you don’t have a hammock and have to sleep on the ground. You can spread the groundsheet before setting the tent on a wet campsite.
In this case, a combination of a sleeping bag, air mattress, and warm blankets will provide the needed warmth.
7. Layer Your Clothing Appropriately
If you want to stay warm during the rainy season, your camping clothes should match the weather. A cozy outfit topped with a waterproof jacket, pants, and boots will keep you warm and dry when it rains.
Instead of being trapped in your campsite on a rainy day, wearing a raincoat will help you engage in various outdoor activities without getting wet. You can wear it when going to collect firewood or even mushroom hunting.
Along with a warm outfit and waterproofs, extra socks are a must-have when camping in rainy weather. If you have only one pair and it gets wet, your feet will freeze, making you uncomfortable.
Keep dry clothes, including warm socks, in your sleeping bag. This outfit will come in handy when it’s time to sleep, as it’ll keep you fresh and warm when it’s raining outside.
8. Bring a Camping Stove
Lighting a campfire in the rain can be tricky, especially if you don’t have good gear. And since you’ll need warm water or even cooked food during your camping trip, a camping stove can be a lifesaver.
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You can effortlessly prepare hot cocoa, coffee, tea, or warm drinking water in your shelter with a camping stove.
However, if you don’t have a camping stove and still have to light a fire, search for dry firewood and tinder under shelters of rocks, caves, bushes, or large trees. Remember, you’ll need a reliable igniter like waterproof matches or a lighter for each method.
9. Get a Quality Waterproof Backpack
Staying warm in rainy weather is hard if you lack any dry gear. So, it helps to invest in a quality waterproof backpack to keep all your gear in the proper condition regardless of the weather.
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If you have a non-water-resistant backpack, layering it with a plastic trash bag or dry sack is an excellent way to keep your items dry.
10. Camp With Your Partner
Camping with your partner will help you stay warm and comfortable. You can cuddle in the tent to generate more heat and relieve stress.
This way, you’ll enjoy your camping trip together, improve your bond, and quickly solve the challenges you face during your excursion.
What to Do to Avoid Being Sick After Being Caught in the Rain When Camping
If you get caught in the rain, it’s easy to get sick, especially when camping in the wild where you have limited resources.
Rainwater will not necessarily make you sick, but being wet attracts many viruses that can cause a cold.
Fortunately, you can do a few things to reduce the risk of getting sick:
Take off the Wet Clothes Immediately –
If you don’t have a raincoat, chances are that your clothes will get wet when caught in the rain. So, it helps to remove them immediately after you find or make a shelter and wear dry ones. If you can access a bathroom, you’ll want to shower with warm water to regulate your body temperature before wearing your dry outfit.
Dry Your Hair –
Wet hair can make you feel dizzy and catch a cold, so you must dry it immediately. When camping in the wilderness, you can light a fire to warm yourself up when the rain stops.
Stretch Your Body a Bit –
Doing some stretches can warm your body and improve blood circulation, making you feel much better after being rained on.
Consume Warm Drinks and Food –
Once you clean and dry yourself, you can consume warm foods and drinks to warm your body. Hot water or tea mixed with lemon and honey is one of the most practical options as it will warm you and provide vitamin C, which is vital for preventing flu and the common cold.
FAQs
Q: How Do You Stay Warm When Camping in the Rain?
A: You can stay warm when camping in the rain by wearing warm clothes and waterproofs, having a reliable tent, layering up your sleeping bag, putting bottles with warm water in the sleeping area, and consuming hot drinks and foods.
If you want to go outside the tent and it’s raining, consider wearing a raincoat on your warm outfit and waterproof boots to stay dry.
Q: How Do You Keep Camp Dry in the Rain?
A: The best way to keep your camp dry in the rain is to make a shelter before setting up your tent. You can create a temporary shelter with tarps or a transparent plastic sheet.
If you don’t have a dry spot to camp on, you can lay a plastic sheet or tarp on the ground and pitch your tent on it.
Q: How Do I Keep My Tent Dry When It’s Raining?
A: To keep your tent dry in rainy weather, you’ll need to rig a tarp on the ground and above you. The sheet will be a barrier between the wet environment and your tent, ensuring water won’t seep into your shelter from below.
The tarp above the tent will keep your tent dry and provide extra protection from wind. If you have a large one, you’ll have adequate working space to do various activities outside the tent.
Conclusion
Rainy weather can quickly ruin your trip, especially without the right gear and technique. However, you can still have a fantastic trip with adequate preparation.
For most survival enthusiasts, there’s no such thing as bad weather. You only need to bring the right gear and equip yourself with the right skills to overcome outdoor challenges like rainy weather while out there.
These tips will help you stay warm and dry when camping in rainy weather. Enjoy your adventure!
