Top Tips For Camping In Wet Weather

An enjoyable camping trip in wet weather isn't the challenge many people think it is. Armed with the right kit and our expert tips, you'll be getting out there come rain or shine.

Weather forecasts are an obvious place to start when you are planning a trip. If it is going to rain, make sure you have all the right kit for keeping dry. Check the taping of your tent’s seams before leaving and top up with sealant if needed. Check out our Tent Care Guide for more information.

Even if only a few showers are forecast, it's always better to be safe than sorry. Remember to pack your waterproof jacket and trousers, having checked our care guide to make sure they're still up to the job.

Keep checking the forecast for the area right up until you plan to go; if there are warnings of severe weather, you should consider moving your trip to another time.

Top Tip: To ensure you keep all your clothing and sleeping bag nice and dry, store them in a separate dry or waterproof bag. 

Consider your surroundings before you pitch your tent. Which way is the wind blowing, so you can position your porch in a sheltered position? Can you camp behind a wall to provide some protecton? Where is water likely to gather? Finally, make sure your tent outer is as streamlined as possible and there aren’t any parts which are likely to flap and keep you awake at night.

Tents are designed to be stretched firm and taut to effectively fend off wind gusts or downpours. So, if you can stretch your ground sheet that bit further or make sure the guyline is a little tighter, your chances of a comfortable dry night are that bit higher.

Many tents have a porch area and a separate bedroom area. Make sure you use the porch area to store wet gear well away from the bedroom area, or some tents even come with gear lofts for you to dry clothes on.

Cooking in the rain and wind can be a real challenge. Getting hold of a wind shelter for your stove can be invaluable for cooking in all weather conditions. Some people prefer to take an extra tarp to shield themselves from most of the elements when cooking.

Tip: No matter how tempting it might be, you should never cook inside a tent!

Rain and water from the outside aren’t the only ways to get wet and cold when you are camping. If you seal all the doors of your tent, over time water will condense on the inside.

To avoid this, open any vents your tent might have (most tents will come with dual zips to form an easy vent), especially if you are sharing a tent with someone else. If you are still finding condensation an issue, leave a little gap when zipping up the doors of your tent.

Packing up and moving your tent after a rainy night can be unpleasant and result in water getting into the tent. It’s important to unpeg the tent and shake the excess water off with the poles still in to avoid this for the next night!

Tip: It can be very useful to pack the wet outer of your tent separately into a dry bag and the dry inner into another section.

If you're carrying this for a few nights, place your fly sheet in the top of your bag to help it dry off in warmer weather.