Tips for Backpack Camping in the Rain: Stay Dry, Warm and Happy

Don’t cancel your next camping trip just because rain is in the forecast. With the right gear and habits, a rainy trip can be quiet, beautiful and surprisingly fun. The trails empty out, the forest smells amazing and everything looks different. In the video below, backpacker Kenneth Kramm shares his tips for camping in the rain. Here’s a practical guide that builds on them.

Before you go

Practice in good weather

Skills like pitching a tarp, setting up your tent quickly and lighting a fire with damp wood are much easier to learn on a dry afternoon. Practice at home or on a sunny trip so they’re second nature when it’s pouring.

Choose your pack and pack liner

A well-fitting, well-made pack matters, but almost no pack is fully waterproof. Line yours with a large trash compactor bag or a pack liner, and use dry bags for the most important things: your sleeping bag, warm layers and electronics.

Check the forecast and the terrain

Light rain is one thing. Thunderstorms, flash flood warnings or heavy rain in steep terrain are another. Know your route, and avoid narrow canyons and low areas that can flood.

Shelter and campsite

Pick your site carefully

• Camp on higher ground or gently sloped terrain where water drains away.
• Avoid low spots and depressions where water pools.
• Look up for dead branches that could fall in wind.
• Use established sites where possible to protect plants and soil.

Choose a tent that handles rain well

Look for a tent that’s quick and easy to pitch, with a full-coverage rainfly and a “bathtub” floor, where the waterproof floor material rises up the sides. Tents that pitch fly-first, or with the fly and inner together, keep the inside drier during setup.

Rig a tarp first

A tarp pitched over your site gives you a dry place to unpack, cook and set up your tent or hammock. Practice several configurations so you can adapt to wind and space.

Keep your gear organized and dry

• Put everything in bags or stuff sacks so you always know where things are.
• Keep a “dry zone” in the tent for sleeping gear and a “wet zone” in the vestibule for rain gear and boots.
• Pack your wet tent fly separately in the morning so it doesn’t soak everything else.
• Use your clothing bag as a pillow.

Dress for the conditions

• Avoid cotton. When it gets wet, it stays wet and cold.
• In warm weather, wear synthetic clothing that dries quickly.
• In cool weather, wool is a great choice because it stays warm even when damp.
• A good rain jacket, and rain pants or a rain skirt, keep you drier on the trail.
• Always keep one set of dry clothes for camp and sleeping. Never hike in them.

Cooking and fire in the rain

A stove is the most reliable way to cook in wet weather. Cook under a tarp or at the edge of a vestibule with plenty of ventilation, never inside a closed tent. If fires are allowed and you want one, bring dry tinder and practice different fire-starting methods. Remember that sparks can melt or burn tarps and tents, so keep fires well away from your shelter.

Enjoy the experience

Rain changes the way trails look and sound, so take time to explore. Hike in a light rain, watch the clouds move through the valleys, or settle in with a book under the tarp. Treat it as practice for real emergencies too. The skills you build on a rainy weekend will serve you well whenever weather turns.

For more about picking a shelter, see our guide to premium features of premium camping tents, and keep your basics covered with our camping survival must-haves.

FAQ

Is it safe to go backpacking in the rain?

Generally, yes, in light or steady rain with good gear. Postpone if there are thunderstorms, flood warnings or very cold, wet conditions you’re not prepared for.

How do I keep my sleeping bag dry?

Pack it in a dry bag inside a pack liner, and only take it out once your tent is pitched and dry inside.

What should I wear for rain camping?

Synthetic or wool layers, a waterproof jacket, and a dry set of clothes saved for camp.

How do I dry my gear afterward?

Unpack everything as soon as you get home, hang the tent and fly to dry fully, and air out your sleeping bag before storing it.