Camping is one of the most popular outdoor activities in the United States. Surveys show that around 48 million households went on camping trips in 2020, which was a 6 million bump from 2019. Most of these households went on a camping trip for the second or third time, showing an increasing love for camping. Even though camping can be an enjoyable experience and a good bonding opportunity between friends, couples, and families, campers need to carry light camping gear to be prepared for the trip. One of the most important things you need to consider is the possibility of rain on the trip. If you don’t focus on camping and rain preparation, water pouring from the sky can ruin your trip, damage your belongings, and drench you and your fellow campers.

This blog discusses how to prepare for sudden rain on a camping trip.

Ensure That Your Tent and Bags Are Waterproof

One of the most crucial things you should do is ensure that you’re carrying water-resistant backpacks. This will allow you to keep all your belongings secure instead of seeing them getting spoiled due to the drizzle. Additionally, it’s advisable to carry additional waterproof covers that you can place on your bag if the rain starts to pour out of nowhere. You can also purchase water-resistant tents to keep you and your fellow campers dry when it rains.

Besides ensuring that you’re getting a waterproof tent in nylon or polyester, you should also ensure that the flooring of the tent is also waterproof, or the water can seep through the flooring and ruin your gear. Some camping tents also come with additional covers that you can put on to get extra protection from harsh environmental conditions like rain and snow. A waterproof camping tent and daypack will allow you to enjoy the trip without worrying about the rain putting a damper on your plans.

Get Groundsheets

Even if you get a camping tent with waterproof flooring, you might need an extra layer of protection to keep the tent’s interior dry. You can purchase a couple of groundsheets and take them with you on a camping trip. When you set up the camping tent, it’s advisable to place a groundsheet on the ground beforehand. Additionally, you can also place a groundsheet on the tent’s flooring from the interior.

Keep Track of the Weather

Even when you’re prepared for camping out during the rainy season, there’s no use camping outdoors when water is constantly pouring from the sky. Camping in the monsoon season can be highly challenging since you can’t participate in any outdoor activities like outdoor cooking, hiking, or even exploring the site.

Therefore, it’s advisable to keep track of the weather, and if you see a possibility of constant rain during your camping trip, it’s better to cancel it. Your water-resistant tent might be able to withstand drizzle for some hours, but camping out in a long-lasting rainstorm and constant lighting is never a good idea. Wait for the clouds to clear up before making new camping plans.

Take Plastic Bags

Besides taking water-resistant camping gear, it’s also advisable to take several plastic bags in various sizes. You or fellow campers might get drenched in the rain while setting up your camping tents or securing your camping gear. In this case, you’d have to change clothes and get warm and dry. However, don’t throw your wet clothes and shoes on the camp’s flooring, as that can get wet. Instead, take plastic bags with you and store any wet items in them.

When the weather turns sunny or windy, you can take out these drenched clothes and footwear and leave them out to dry. It’s advisable never to bring anything wet indoors as that can make your camping tent, and you’ll have to ventilate it to make it dry again.

Get Waterproof Apparel

Many people make the mistake of forgetting to pack waterproof apparel. This results in them getting drenched and then making everything else damp when the rain starts suddenly. Therefore, take waterproof trench coats, jackets, or trousers that you can wear quickly if it rains. This will allow you to focus on securing your belongings and setting up the tent without worrying about bringing your wet self inside the camping tent later.

Always Pack Several Socks

One of the worst things about camping outdoors during rain is having cold and wet feet. Therefore, it’s advisable to pack several pairs of socks. Through this planning technique, you can just change your socks if they get wet. Additionally, this will allow you to step out and explore the damp ground without worrying about your socks getting wet.

Don’t Take Untrained Pets

Even though it’s understandable to want to take your furry friends with you on a camping trip, it isn’t a good idea if there’s a rain prediction. Restricting your pets to staying indoors when it’s pouring outside is challenging. Additionally, they might rush outdoors, get wet, come back inside the camp, and get the interior wet. Therefore, it’s only advisable to take your pets with you if they’re well-behaved, trained, and prefer the indoor environment.

Want to Ensure Maximum Camping and Rain Preparation? Get Started with Light Hiking Gear

With the help of these tips, you can camp outside even when it’s raining. However, the right light camping gear can take your camping and rain preparation to the next level. At Light Hiking Gear, we have a collection of camping equipment and accessories for hikers, campers, and outdoor adventure enthusiasts. We have a water-proof automatic camping tent that can fit around 4-5 people and is designed with durable material. Additionally, we have a fire-starting canister that can start a fire even during rain. Our light hiking gear also includes waterproof and lightweight Aarn hiking backpacks. We also have soft and cozy camping socks online that can keep your feet warm when it’s pouring outdoors.

Get in touch with us and enhance your camping and rain preparation by purchasing the required light camping gear.