With the spells of bad weather coming in, many people might decide to call off their camping trips. But, this doesn’t have to be the case.
As long as there are no weather warnings and it is still safe to go outside, camping can be just as fun in the rain (if not more) as long as you go prepared!
Checking The Weather
If the rain is already expected during your trip, it’s always good to know how much rain and when it will fall. The weather forecast will also tell you whether to expect wind which will be important to know when it comes to setting up your tent.
You’ll want to take extra measures to prevent the tent from getting damaged or blowing away due to wind (if the wind is very heavy – it could be best not to travel).
It’s also good to check the weather to ensure that you can pack your belongings correctly with waterproof clothing and the right amount of spares.
Preparing Your Tent
Your tent is your temporary home for the trip and you’ll want to make sure that it can keep you protected from the weather. It’ll be your cosy retreat in the evenings and therefore if water gets inside, you’re not likely to have the best time.
If you have had your tent for a long time, it’s possible that the waterproof coating could have broken down, making it more susceptible to leaks. Check your tent waterproofing and if you find it is not as effective anymore, you can either re-proof your tent or look into buying a new tent to last you for many more years of camping fun.
The same goes with tears and rips which could allow water into the tent. It’s a good idea to set up your tent completely to look for damage. If there is a small hole or tear, there are plenty of tent repair kits on the market to solve this.
Setting Up the Tent
Choosing where to set up your tent can be crucial in avoiding water or ending up in a puddle before the trip is over. Ensure that you are at the highest point possible before setting up.
As it begins to rain, the water will run into the lowest parts of the field and so that’s last place you want your tent.
Many people head straight for the trees when they camp, and this should also be avoided. Wind and rain can cause branches and leaves to fall from trees and either of these could damage your tent or cause injury.
You should ideally camp using a hedge as a wind barrier but ensure that there is nothing above you that could be a safety risk.
When setting up the tent, you may require some more heavy duty tent pegs to ensure that it won’t blow away whilst you’re out for the day.
Cooking in the Rain
Cooking in the rain can prove more difficult, as the chances of a fire are less. You could either ensure that where you are camping has on-site facilities where you can get cooked food – or cook your own.
As an alternative to this, you could take a gazebo. This will allow for an electric barbecue or grill underneath (ensure that it is electric, not producing smoke or flame) where you can cook your own food in the great outdoors.
Camping Activities for the Rain
With the downpour, some activities that you had planned might not be possible or may even be cancelled. But don’t fear, there’s always other activities which can fill your time and get the family involved.
- Board Games
- Reading
- Painting with leaves & nature
- Charades
- Card games
Or, take some spare clothes specifically for having fun in the rain!
Storing Equipment & Clothing
Wet clothes and shoes can ruin a camping trip quite quickly and so this is why you’ll want to keep them as dry as possible when stored in your tent. Plastic bags are the cheapest way to keep your items from getting wet.
Things such as mobile phones, iPads, cameras etc. are the things you’ll want to protect most from the rain as these will sustain the most damage if wet. We recommend wrapping these individually in plastic bags and placing them inside a plastic tub to be extra safe.
Then, you’ll need to think about your clothing and shoes for your trip. If it constantly rains you’ll have no way of drying them out. Put these in plastic bags too, ensuring that there are no holes in the bags and that they are tightly wrapped and sealed.
What to take with you
Everyone has their own preferences for what they take on their camping trips, but there are some things we can recommend for camping in the rain if you’re not quite sure.
- Blankets
- Plastic Bags/Dry bags
- Torch
- Spare Pegs
- Waterproof clothing
- Tarpaulin
- Spare socks and shoes
- Groundsheet
- Coat, hat, scarf (if it’s chilly when it rains)
Have you ever been camping in the rain? What are your thoughts? Why not share them with us below in the comments…
Happy Camping!