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A4 checklist with all illustrated steps. Tick the boxes on paper as you go.

FeatherSticks · Shelter

Camping in the Rain: How to Stay Dry, Warm and Cheerful

Rain does not ruin a trip. A wet sleeping bag does.

Quick facts

Core rule
Tarp first, gear second, dry set sealed
Difficulty
Moderate: needs practice before a long rain
Best for
Tarp, hammock and tent campers in wet weather
You need
Tarp, cord, dry bags, pack liner, dry clothes

What you need

  • Tarp with enough coverage for the pitch, plus a groundsheet cut to size
  • Cord for a ridgeline, guylines and drip lines, plus spare pegs
  • Heavy-duty pack liner and several dry bags
  • Rain shell with a hood, plus a warm hat and spare socks
  • Dry set (base layer, socks, warm layer, hat) in a sealed bag
  • Wet sack or stuff sack for dripping gear
  • Stove and fuel for reliable hot water; headlamp

Step by step

  1. Read the forecast and decide

    1 Read the forecast and decide

    Check rain, wind and temperature for the whole trip. Steady rain is manageable with a plan; storm warnings or heavy cold rain are reasons to postpone.

  2. Pick a site that drains

    2 Pick a site that drains

    Choose a slight rise, away from hollows, rising streams and dead branches. Water must be able to run past your shelter, not into it.

  3. Pitch the tarp first

    3 Pitch the tarp first

    Keep your shell on and the pack closed. Rig the ridgeline, hang the tarp, stake the windward side low, add drip lines. Only then unpack.

  4. Floor and gear under cover

    4 Floor and gear under cover

    Lay the groundsheet so it ends inside the tarp edge. Bring in the pack, pad and sleeping bag once the roof is done.

  5. Wet outside, dry set inside

    5 Wet outside, dry set inside

    Hang wet clothes and boots at the edge. Change into the dry set, kept sealed all day, and wear it only for sleeping.

  6. Pack up wet, dry out at home

    6 Pack up wet, dry out at home

    Pack the wet tarp separately from dry gear. At home, hang everything up and let it dry fully before storing it, or mildew follows.

Common mistakes

  • Unpacking the pack in the rain before the tarp is up, so the sleeping bag is wet before the roof exists.
  • Letting the groundsheet stick out past the tarp edge, which turns it into a gutter under your pad.
  • Wearing the dry set during the day, so nothing is dry when you actually need it.
  • Cooking or running a stove under low fabric or inside a tent: fire and carbon monoxide risk.
  • Sealing every opening in a shelter and waking up to condensation dripping on the sleeping bag.
  • Camping in a hollow or beside a stream because the spot looked flat and sheltered.
  • Wearing cotton in cold rain, which stays wet and cold and steals body heat.
  • Stuffing a wet tarp into a bag and leaving it for days, which means mildew.