Tips for camping in bad weather

Camping 101 – be prepared.

It’s easy to get caught up in the excitement of a camping trip but one of the most common rookie errors is not having the correct gear to secure your campsite if a storm hits.

Extra pegs, tarps, ropes, a raincoat, plastic bags and back up towels and blankets can make a huge difference to your trip if the forecast surprises you with showers and wind.

Here are some vital tips to prevent a bad weather forecast from ruining your camp morale. 

Peg everything down

Firstly, make sure you have the correct pegs on you and pack a hammer. If you are camping on the beach you will need sand pegs and if you are camping in the bush you will need steel pegs. Always peg into the ground at a 45-degree angle and use a hammer to secure them into the ground.

Secure your gazebo

One of the best ways to secure your gazebo in windy conditions is to peg the feet into the ground at all four or six legs. For maximum strength, use two pegs per foot. Secure the gazebo by using the included eyelets and guy ropes from each of the corners to rope it from the top. If you have a tarp or awning attached to the side of the gazebo, make sure that the wind isn’t pulling the side of the gazebo down or damaging the interior structure.

Use your car to block the wind

If your campsite is fully exposed and is not hidden behind a sand dune, try to park your car next to the gazebo to block the wind. Only do this if it is safe to do so.

Keep your tent or swag fully closed

It’s a good idea to get into the habit of zipping up your tent or swag before leaving your campsite. There’s nothing worse then arriving back to camp to find your bedding and clothes are drenched from the rain. If your bedding does become wet, take advantage of any sunlight during the day to try and dry it out. You can use a rope to create a clothesline between trees and hang your sheets on it. It’s always handy to pack pegs!

Use a tarp to block wind and rain

A large durable tarp can be a lifesaver on a camping trip as it can provide projection. Tarps are ideal protection for camping gear in a storm or when a tent or swag is damaged. It can be used as an easy ground sheet, awning, picnic blanket or wind break.

When camping, everything you take should have a purpose.