Raindrops and Smiles: Camping on a Rainy Day

You’re going camping on a rainy day? Are you crazy or just brave? 

Either way, we admire your spirit. Rain doesn’t have to ruin your camping trip. It can make it even more fun and memorable. All you need is some preparation, some creativity, and some positivity. This blog post will show you how to camp in the rain like a pro. We’ll share our best tips and tricks for staying dry, warm, and happy when the sky is pouring.

1. Rainy Day Prep – It’s all about that gear

The key to a successful rainy-day camping trip is packing the right gear. You don’t want to deal with wet tents, clothes, or firewood. That’s no fun at all. Here are some essential items for camping in the rain:

• A waterproof tent with a good rainfly. A rainfly is a piece of fabric that protects your tent from rain. Make sure your rainfly covers any mesh vents and windows on your tent. Otherwise, you’ll get water dripping inside. Some tents have vestibules. These are extensions of the rainfly that create a dry space for storing gear or entering and exiting the tent. If your tent doesn’t have a vestibule, you can use a tarp to make one.
• A tarp or two. Tarps are very handy for rainy-day camping. You can use them to make a shelter over your cooking area, picnic table, or campfire. You can also use them to cover your gear, firewood, or bike. Tarps can also be used as ground cloths under your tent to keep it dry and clean. Ensure the tarp’s edges don’t stick beyond the tent’s footprint. Otherwise, they’ll collect rainwater and funnel it under your tent.
• Waterproof clothing and footwear. Nothing ruins a camping trip faster than being cold and wet. Pack clothes made of synthetic or wool materials that are fast-drying and water-resistant. Avoid cotton, which stays damp and lowers your body temperature. Bring layers of clothing that you can adjust according to the weather. For example, base layers, mid layers, and outer layers. Remember to bring a waterproof jacket or poncho, waterproof pants, and waterproof boots or shoes. Bring a hat, gloves, and a scarf for extra warmth.
• Waterproof bags and containers. Use waterproof bags or containers to keep your gear dry inside your tent or backpack. Use ziplock bags, dry bags, trash bags, or plastic bins to store your clothes, food, electronics, toiletries, and other items. Seal them tightly and label them clearly. Also, bring some extra bags for wet clothes or trash.

We recommend investing in high-quality gear that can handle rain and last for many camping trips. Trust us. It’s worth it in the long run. We’ve learned this lesson the hard way after dealing with subpar equipment that failed us when we needed it most. Like when our cheap tent collapsed under a heavy downpour and soaked everything inside. Or when our flimsy rain poncho ripped apart and left us exposed to the elements. Or when our waterproof boots were actually sponges in disguise. 

2. Activities for Waterlogged Campers

So you’ve set up your campsite and are ready to enjoy outdoor fun. But then you look outside and see nothing but gray clouds and raindrops. What do you do? Do you curl up in your sleeping bag and wait for the sun to come out? Do you pack up and go home? No way! There are plenty of activities that you can enjoy despite the rain or even because of it. Here are some ideas:

• Board games, card games, storytelling, and crafting. These classic indoor activities can be easily adapted for camping in the rain. You can play them under a tarp shelter or inside your tent (if it’s big enough). Bring some board or card games suitable for camping, such as Uno, Yahtzee, Scrabble, Monopoly, or Jenga. You can also make up your own games using dice, coins, rocks, sticks, or whatever else you have on hand. For storytelling, you can take turns telling scary stories, funny stories, or personal stories around a lantern or flashlight. For crafting, you can use natural materials like leaves, pine cones, flowers, or mud to make art, jewelry, or sculptures.
• Mud-sculpting competition. If you’re feeling adventurous and don’t mind getting dirty, you can embrace the mud and have some fun with it. You can challenge your camping buddies to a mud-sculpting competition and see who can make the best mud creation. You can use your hands, tools, or molds to shape the mud into animals, people, buildings, or whatever else you can imagine. Using rocks, sticks, leaves, flowers, or berries, you can add some color and texture to your mud sculptures. The winner gets to choose the next activity or the next meal.
• Rain photography. Bring a camera or a smartphone that is waterproof or has a waterproof case. Capture some fantastic photos of the rain and its effects on nature. Take pictures of raindrops on leaves, flowers, spider webs, or your tent. Also, take photos of puddles, streams, waterfalls, or lakes created or enhanced by the rain. Try to catch some action shots of rain falling, splashing, or dripping. You may even get lucky and snap a photo of a rainbow or a lightning bolt.

3. Cooking in the Rain – Yes, It’s Possible

One of the joys of camping is cooking and eating delicious meals outdoors. But cooking in the rain can be challenging… but not impossible. You can prepare tasty meals despite the weather with some planning and creativity. Here are some tips for cooking in the rain:

• Choose simple and easy recipes. Think of one-pot meals that can be cooked over a camp stove or a fire pit. For example, you can make hearty stews, soups, chilis, curries, or casseroles that warm and fill you up. You can also make sandwiches, wraps, salads, or pasta dishes that don’t need much cooking.
• Prepare as much as you can at home. This will save you time and hassle at the campsite. You can chop vegetables, marinate meat, measure spices, and pre-cook rice or pasta at home and store them in waterproof containers or bags. You can freeze some meals and thaw them at the campsite when you’re ready.
• Use foil packets or Dutch ovens. Foil packets are easy to make and easy to clean up. You just need some aluminum foil and your choice of ingredients. You can make foil packets with meat, vegetables, cheese, sauce, herbs, and spices. Add some potatoes, rice, or noodles for extra carbs. Then seal the foil packets and place them over the fire pit or coals for 15 to 30 minutes. Dutch ovens are cast iron pots used to bake bread, cakes, pies, pizzas, or casseroles over a fire pit or coals. You just need to place some coals under and over the Dutch oven and let it do its magic.
• Keep your food and dishes dry by storing them in waterproof containers or bags and covering them with tarps or lids when not in use. 

We’ve had our share of camping cooking mishaps in the rain that we can laugh about now but were not so funny then. Like when our firewood got soaked by a sudden downpour, and we couldn’t start a fire to cook dinner.

4. Embracing the Rain – Why It’s Worth It

You may be wondering why anyone would want to go camping in the rain in the first place. Isn’t it more fun to camp when it’s sunny and dry? Well, yes and no. Camping in the rain has its own advantages and charms that you may not appreciate until you try it. Here are some reasons why camping in the rain is worth it:

• The rain can enhance the beauty and tranquility of nature. Rain can create a magical atmosphere in the woods, the mountains, or the lake. You can see rainbows, waterfalls, misty clouds, and dewdrops that sparkle in the light. You can hear the soothing sound of raindrops on your tent, the leaves, or the water. You can smell the fresh and earthy scent of rain on the soil, the plants, or the fire. You can feel the cool and refreshing touch of rain on your skin and your hair.
• The rain can make you appreciate the simple things in life. Rain can make you slow down and enjoy the moment. You can cuddle with your loved ones in your cozy tent, sip a hot drink by the fire, read a good book under a tarp, or just watch the rain fall and let your thoughts wander. You can also appreciate the comforts and conveniences you may take for granted at home, such as a warm shower, a dry bed, or a sunny day.
• The rain can challenge you and make you stronger. Rain can test your skills, your patience, and your resilience. You can learn to adapt to changing conditions, solve problems creatively, and overcome obstacles. You can also learn how to cope with discomfort, frustration, and boredom. You can discover new things about yourself and your camping companions that you may not have known otherwise.

5. Survival Guide – Staying Dry and Sane

Camping in the rain can be fun and rewarding but also stressful and miserable if you’re not prepared for it. That’s why we’ve compiled this survival guide to help you stay dry and sane during your rainy-day camping trip. Here are some practical tips to follow:

• Set up a proper campsite. Choose a site on higher ground, away from water sources or low-lying areas that can flood or collect water. Ensure your tent is well-secured and has enough ventilation to prevent condensation. Use a tarp or a ground cloth under your tent to keep it dry and clean. Use another tarp or two over your tent or cooking area to create shelter from the rain. Use ropes, poles, stakes, or trees to support your tarps, and make sure they are angled so that water can run off easily.
• Stay away from puddles. Puddles may look harmless or fun, but they can be dangerous or annoying for campers. Puddles can attract mosquitoes, leeches, or other pests that bite or sting you. Puddles can also hide sharp rocks, sticks, or glass that can cut or injure you. 
• Use creative solutions to dry your clothes or gear. If you have wet clothes or gear that need to be dried, don’t despair. There are some creative ways to dry them without using a dryer or a clothesline. For example, you can use a camp stove or a fire pit to heat up some rocks or bricks and then place them inside your wet shoes or boots to dry them faster. You can also use a car heater to blow hot air on your wet clothes or gear. 
• Have fun and make memories. The most important tip for camping in the rain is to have fun and make memories that will last a lifetime. Don’t let the rain ruin your mood or your plans. Instead, embrace it as part of the adventure and make the most of it. Laugh at the mishaps, enjoy the challenges, and celebrate the achievements. Take pictures and share stories of your rainy day camping trip with your friends and family.

Final verdict

Camping on a rainy day may not be everyone’s cup of tea, but it can be an amazing experience if you’re willing to give it a try. With some preparation and creativity, you can stay warm and dry and have a blast in the rain. You can also learn new skills, discover new things, and create unforgettable memories. So don’t let the rain stop you from camping. Instead, embrace the unexpected and make the most of wet weather adventures. You may be surprised by how much you enjoy it!

Before heading out learn how to waterproof your tent!