10 Bad Weather Camping Tips

Tip 1: The right pitch

Tip 2: Use a groundsheet

Many campers rely mainly on waterproof tent walls when camping in the rain. But it is at least as important that you protect yourself from water from below. Therefore, place a robust tarpaulin under the tent or awning before pitching. Make sure that there is a sufficiently high rim at the edges so that the water cannot overflow.

It is best to measure your tent or awning before your holiday so that you can buy a sufficiently large groundsheet. Please note, however, that waterproof and therefore air-impermeable tarpaulins are not permitted on all campsites. In order not to harm the vegetation, tarpaulins are generally forbidden on grassy pitches, but on concreted or gravelled pitches they are usually not a problem.

You can find more information about the right awning floor here.

Tip 3: Take your time setting up

The better prepared you are, the better protected you are from wind and rain in bad weather.

• Check all zips for proper functioning. Does every zip open and close easily? Is a little tooth missing or is the slide hanging? Cobblers or saddlers can quickly repair such things.
• It is best to impregnate your tent walls before departure. But it's never a bad idea to have a waterproofing spray with you. We'll show you how to waterproof your tent properly here.

• Make sure that all tent pegs are firmly anchored in the ground. Secure them with heavy stones if necessary. Learn all about pegs here.
• Use guy lines to additionally secure your tent or awning against gusts of wind.
• Tension the awning especially well so that no puddles of water form on the roof during heavy rainfall.

Tip 4: Wetness stays outside

Wet clothes or shoes increase the humidity in tents or campers enormously. They prevent it from being really dry inside the tent, as the moisture condenses on the inside of the tent wall and cannot escape when it rains. It is therefore best to always let your soaked clothes dry in the awning. Alternatively, you can leave a plastic box outside to store wet shoes. You can also hang up clothes in the laundry room at your campsite if you can't find a suitable place otherwise.

Tip 5: Sufficient Ventilation

Of course, if it's pouring outside, you should avoid open windows or vents that are directly exposed to the rain. However, it is important to ventilate your tent or mobile home.

In the motorhome or caravan, you can leave the windows open, which are protected by the awning. Also roof hatches can often only be opened a crack so that no water can penetrate. In the tent you can prop the door open if the rain is not too heavy. Many tents also have well protected ventilation slits.

Tip 6: Establish order

When the sun is shining, the surroundings tempt you to go on an excursion or the sea is calling you for a swim, cleaning up is certainly the last thing on your mind when you're camping. But if you have to stay in your tent or mobile home for a long time because it has rained, you can tidy things up a bit. You can use the time to put away laundry or tidy up camping equipment. If it's tidier, you can also stand it better under the tent roof.

Tip 7: Don't become a couch potato

Continuous rain while camping can lead to "camp fever" after a while. The good news: You don't necessarily have to stay in a tent or camper van until the weather improves. Equipped with an umbrella and rain jacket, you can move around outside even in the rain. Many animals only come out when it rains and so crabs can be observed undisturbed on the beach. Rabbits and many birds are not bothered by the rain either.

Tip 8: Find indoor activities

Is there a climbing hall, an indoor swimming pool or perhaps a gym nearby? Then you can pass the bad weather with a little physical activity. Not quite as sporty, but also associated with variety, are city strolls. Shopping and drinking coffee are also fun! Or take the opportunity to visit a museum or other places of interest nearby. Or how about a delicious meal in a restaurant?

Tip 9: Change of location

If you are lucky enough to follow the weather forecast ahead, you can consider taking the opportunity to move on when the weather changes. You won't miss out on anything if it rains or the weather is bad, but make the most of it by planning this phase as a travel time. This way you can leave and explore other beautiful corners of your holiday region.

Tip 10: Cosiness

Bad weather phases can be annoying, but they can also offer opportunities. If you can't do anything outside anyway, use the time to read or relax. Make yourselves comfortable! Get something tasty to nibble on and listen to music. Just do whatever makes you feel good.

Conclusion: bad weather is fun

There are things we can change and things we have no influence over. The latter include a period of bad weather.

What we can do, however, is arm ourselves against bad weather with the right preparation and equipment. If it's raining or windy, there are plenty of options for not letting the weather spoil your camping fun.