Campers can never be scared of camping in the rain. But when your clothes get wet, your gear is drenched, and your campsite is flooded, you won’t love camping anymore. But with the right camping tips, you could have avoided all these.
You’ll be warm and dry, and enjoy your adventure without the rain stressing you or making you frustrated. But it’s not everywhere you can find smart rain camping hacks. And that’s what this guide contains. Continue reading to find hacks that will make your rain camping trip even better.
18 Camping Hacks In The Rain You Must Try
1. Put Clothes & Electronics In Dry Bags
When camping in the rain, the last thing you would ever want is to deal with soaked clothes or electricity. What then will you wear? What electronics are you going to use? So, a rain camping tip to be safe is to put your clothes and electronics into dry bags and zip-top bags. They act as a waterproof barrier and protect your things from unexpected rain.
2. Pack Fast-Drying Clothes
What can be worse than waiting for your socks and clothes to dry before you step out when camping in the rain? Nothing that’s for sure. It will surely ruin your adventure. That’s why carrying extra socks, base layers, and fast-drying clothes is a good camping hack. These clothes will dry quicker and keep you warm even when they’re damp.
3. Always Carry A Backup Rain Jacket
It’s a good rain camping tip to always bring a rain jacket or poncho, but the main tip is to bring an extra one. This backup rain jacket will make sure you won’t be left shivering. So when the first jacket is soaked or damaged, you’ll always have a dry jacket to use. This will keep you cozy and comfortable all through your camping trip.
4. Pack Clothes In Layers
Camping in the rain hack you have to follow before your camping trip is to pack clothes for the rain. Clothes that will get you wet fast should be kept up or outside of the bag. Then, the most important and fragile things should be kept inside to be better protected. Packing clothes in layers will make sure the important gear is kept dry and ready, even during unexpected rain.
5. Camp on High Ground
Have you ever been rain camping and your campsite turned into a swamp? That is why this rain camping tip will not just keep you dry but also save you the stress of all your gear getting soaked. High ground means you’ll also get better air and fewer bugs, and another insect won’t be so much. This camping hack can make your experience even better.
6. Use A Tarp Or Footprint
There’s an extra confidence you get when there’s a tarp or footprint under your tent. It makes your shelter more protected against wetness and dampness. But the main rain camping tip is to always make it smaller than your tent’s base. If the tarp or footprint sticks out, your tent floor might end up getting scarred.
7. Your Tent Should Have a Good Rainfly & Ventilation
It’s possible you already know this, but using a tent with a full-coverage rainfly is a must when camping in the rain. The full-coverage rainfly will act as an umbrella and keep you safe from the rain and the wind. But to be more comfortable, you’ll need a tent with mesh panels, windows, and doors for ventilation. Yes, you need to be dry, but you also need to breathe well during your trip.
Suggested Reads- 8 Best Camping Tents For Two in 2025
8. Hang A Tarp Above Your Tent
If you’re camping in the rain, then you’ve probably got a tent with a full rain fly. Yes, this is good, but it will be even better if you place an extra tarp on the tent. This will even make a roof-like structure, keeping the spots around the tent dry. But you’ll have to hang it properly. It must be placed well so the rain can flow easily.
9. Create Gutter Channels
Sometimes when you go camping in the rain, the rain can become unexpectedly relentless, causing pooling and flooding in your campsite. That’s why this rain camping tip is quite useful. These gutter channels will drain the rainwater away from the camp. Yes, it’s extra work, but it is 100% worth it.
10. Seam-seal Your Tent
This camping in the rain hack is a lifesaver, but it must be done before your camping trip. It’s extra stressful, but seam-sealing your tent can save you from unexpected leaks. Even new tents can have tiny gaps that you’ll need to seam seal. Seam sealing will fix all the leaking spots, so now your tent is truly waterproof.
11. Keep Wet Gear Outside In the Vestible or Gear Hammock
This rain camping tip is what you’ll need to know when your camping gear, like boots, jackets, and backpacks, is soaked. Keeping your wet gear in the tent’s vestibule or hanging on a gear hammock will make sure it dries properly without staying on the floor. This camping in the rain hack might not seem necessary, but it will keep your tent fresh, clean, and dry.
12. Bring A Microfiber Cloth Or Sponge
Some things, like condensation, that can affect your camping trip cannot be avoided. It doesn’t matter how well-ventilated your tent is; once it rains, condensation will build up. Before you know, water will be dripping on you, or your gear will be soaked. That is why once it’s raining, you’ll quickly use the microfiber cloth or sponge to wipe down the walls and windows.
13. Cook Under A High Tarp Or Pop-Up Canopy
Thinking of ways to cook when camping in the rain can be frustrating. That’s why you’ll need to set up a popup canopy or create a DIY high-tarp kitchen zone. This way, no matter how it rains, you’ll still be able to cook. Make sure the tarp is high enough to drive away the smoke and steam while giving you enough space to cook.
14. Use Shields Around Your Stove
Do you know how annoying and frustrating it can be when you’re cooking and the rain or wind makes it harder? This can be easily resolved using this rain camping trip. So with either a wind or rain shield, your stove is better protected from the wind and rain, so your food cooks faster. For space and weight, you can get a foldable metal shield or make one from aluminum foil.
15. Change Out Of Wet Clothes Immediately
It’s understandable when you get soaked while walking in the rain, but once you get into your tent, you must remove those clothes immediately. Then wear dry ones. This will make sure you don’t get cold, and it will still keep you cozy and warm. Plus, wet clothes cause skin irritation and make you feel yucky.
16. Elevate Your Food & Essential Items
This rain camping tip will keep your food and essential stuff safe from dirt, water, and bugs. So you can easily elevate them with crates, bins, or even a sturdy rock you find around your campsite. This won’t just preserve your food, but it will also make your camp look cleaner and more organized.
17. Designate “Wet Zone” and “Dry Zone”
Following this rain camping hack will save you from a lot of unnecessary water stress. The wet zone should be close to the entrance of your tent or under the tarp where you keep rain jackets and boots. Then your dry zone should be the main tent where you sleep and relax. This small boundary will make sure the wetness and dirt don’t spread everywhere on the tent.
18. Get Entertainment For Rainy Days
Just because you’re camping in the rainy season doesn’t mean you won’t be able to explore outdoors. But on those days when the rain is very consistent, you’ll need entertainment to save you from boredom. That is why you’ll need to bring offline books, games, music, and podcasts.
Conclusion
You can’t camp in the rain if you’re not truly prepared, cos it will test your comfort, safety, sanity, and survival skills. That’s why these rain camping hacks don’t just keep you safe and dry, they also make sure you enjoy your camping trip.
Now you can camp with more confidence knowing that you won’t get wet or have soggy gear anymore. So go on, plan your next camping trip. Just cos it’s raining doesn’t mean you shouldn’t be exploring the great outdoors.