The forecast is for rain and you’re planning your first camping trip. Can you still go? Should you still go? You don’t want to go to all the trouble of packing, getting there, setting up, and having a miserable time. So what do you do?
You prepare for a camping trip in the rain! We’ve got a great list of the things that you will need for any camping trip and highlight all the extras that can make camping in the rain a good experience!
A camping trip in the rain is one you will remember forever! Just use our handy camping in the rain checklist to make sure you have everything you need to make good memories of that rainy camping trip by packing all the essential rainy day gear!
Sleeping Gear
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Waterproof Tent, poles, stakes/pegs, mallet, rainfly, or tarp
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Groundsheet, footprint, or tarp
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Sleeping bag, sheets, blankets
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Sleeping pads or air mattresses
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Pillows
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Doormat to go in front of tents to stop mud and dirt from coming inside
- Add new
Related: Looking for a tent that can handle a big family? Find out what the top family tent for camping tent is.
Kitchen Packing List
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Camp table
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Camp chairs
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Tarp or shelter
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Portable camping stove or campfire materials
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Extra stove fuel, lighters, matches, firewood, firelighters
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Cooking pots and pans
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Large bowl
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Stovetop kettle
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Cooking utensils (Wooden spoons, tongs, flippers, spatula)
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Can opener, corkscrew, bottle openers
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Cutting board and knives
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Cooler with ice or ice packs
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Rubbish bin/bags
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Bucket for dishwashing, scrubber, detergent, tea towels, dishcloth
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Large drinking water container with potable water or water purification system
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Food containers and resealable plastic bags for food storage.
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Foil and paper towel
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Marshmallow cooking sticks
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Dustpan and brush
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Food and Drink
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Plates and bowls
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Knives, forks, and spoons
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Mugs and water cups
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Wine glasses!
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Water bottles
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Food that can be eaten cold
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Food that can be cooked on a camp stove
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Rain Protection and Gear
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Tarp, poles, ropes, stakes
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Rain jackets and/or waterproof hooded ponchos
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Umbrellas
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Slip-on shoes
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Waterproof backpack cover
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Clothesline and pegs
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Wet Weather Clothing and Footwear
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Bag for clean clothes
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Quick-drying suitable outdoor clothing for the season
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Suitable nightwear
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Sun protection (Hats, sunglasses, sun shirts)
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Snow protection (Jackets, boots, thermal underwear)
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Cold weather protection (Hats, gloves, scarves)
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Trekking boots, water shoes, slip-on shoes
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Socks
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Swimming gear (swimsuit, towel)
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Plastic bags for dirty/wet clothes
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Toiletries List
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Toothbrush & toothpaste
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Deodorant
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Soap, shampoo
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Quick-dry towels
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Hairbrush
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Shaver
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Toilet paper
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Medications
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First aid kit
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Insect repellent
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Sunscreen
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Chapstick or lip balm
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Reading glasses/contact lenses
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Toilet shovel
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Waterless hand sanitizer
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Baby wipes
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Lighting
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Lanterns
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Candles
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Matches/lighter
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Headlamps
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Rechargeable torches
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Flashlights
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Spare Batteries
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Portable solar panel for recharging
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Entertainment for Rainy Days
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Field guides, star charts, and books
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Binoculars
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Notebook and pencils (pencils write on wet-ish paper)
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Music player, Bluetooth speakers, phone, tablet, etc
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Musical instrument
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Ball, frisbee
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Watercrafts
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Hammock
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Camera
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Fishing gear, bait, license
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Deck of cards, Jigsaw, board games
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Day pack for short hikes
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Useful Accessories
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Phone charger
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Watch or clock
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Rope – thick and thin
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Spare tarp
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Multi-tool/Pocket knife/Scissors
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Duct Tape
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Extra guy ropes
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Bungee/shock cords
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Tent pole repair
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Hammer/saw/axe
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Compass or navigation device
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Reflective blanket
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Mosquito net
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Credit card/cash/Identification
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Repair kits for tents, tarps, water toys, blow-up mattresses
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Bear spray for errant bears also works well on unwanted human intruders
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Whistle
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Camping hacks and tips for camping in the rain for the first time
- If you know it’s going to rain on your trip, re-waterproof your camping tent and fly and check the tape seam and repair or replace if you need to before you go.
- Make sure you have a footprint or a tarp that is slightly smaller than your tent base to go under the tent to keep the groundwater away from the floor of your tent.
- Make sure your fly is nice and taut and there are no wrinkles in it. The water needs to flow straight off your fly onto the ground (not your footprint) without pooling even in the wind.
- Extra tarps can be a lifesaver when you camp in the rain for your outdoor cooking and sitting areas. It’s good to be able to get out of the tent and be off the wet ground from time to time.
- It can be hard to cook on a campfire in heavy rain so take prepackaged foods that you can cook on a camp stove, or cold if you have to.
- If you are going to walk in the rain, waterproof your trekking boots before you leave and wear woolen socks to stay warm.
- Bring waterproof matches and a number of lighters. Keep them in a waterproof bag with a ziplock so they stay dry.
- Bring inside things to entertain you and your family for long periods, books, games, cards, musical instruments or sit and really talk to each other.
- Take lots of plastic bags to keep dry and wet things separate!
- Plan to go home or to a hotel if things aren’t going well or the weather is worse than expected. Don’t put yourself in danger.
- Go with a good attitude and remember – it’s just water!
And a few things to do before you leave
Always check the weather forecast before you leave and make sure you can cope with what’s predicted. While you are online, find out what dangerous animals or toxic plants you may encounter also in your campsite and what fires you are allowed where you plan to camp.
It’s a good idea to make sure you have the campsite booking number, address, phone, direction, and a printed confirmation with you. If phone coverage is patchy where you are planning to camp is patchy a paper-based map will ensure you actually get there!
Always leave home with a full tank of gas in the car and remember to tell someone exactly where you are going and when you’ll be back. Email them your itinerary too, if you like.
Stay safe! Happy Camping 😊
Next up: If you’re heading out camping then you better make sure you’re prepared for the worst! Check out our camping first aid kit checklist.