Essential Tips for a Successful Tent Camping Adventure

While some people have it down to a science, tent camping can be quite intimidating if you’re new to it. Getting a tent with lousy instructions, for example, can make assembling it as fun as putting together IKEA furniture. Even if you manage to pitch your tent without any major hiccups, there are still many do’s and don’ts that can make or break your trip. For instance, did you know you don’t have to use the cheap plastic stakes that come with your tent? You can buy heavy-duty aluminum stakes on Amazon for as little as $10. Whether it’s your first time camping in a tent or you just want to know what you might not know, here are 11 game-changing tent camping tips.

Choose the Right Tent

Tents come in various sizes and styles, and selecting the right one is crucial for a comfortable camping experience. Before you shop for a tent, consider what kind of camping you plan to do. Will you be backpacking or needing to carry it long distances? Is it important to you that you’re able to stand up inside it? What seasons will you be camping in? Do you need a footprint or a rainfly? And speaking of rain, make sure you know the difference between water-resistant and waterproof. Waterproof tents completely block out moisture, while water-resistant ones only deter it.

Opt for a Larger Tent

If you’re concerned about having enough space, always choose a tent that’s larger than the advertised capacity. For example, a tent labeled for two people is typically comfortable for just one person. If you’re backpacking or concerned about weight, you’ll need a smaller tent. But as a general rule of thumb, buy big. However, never purchase a footprint that’s larger than your tent as it can collect rainwater that seeps inside, causing dampness.

Enhance Your Tent’s Durability

Tents usually come ready-to-use, but treating them with additional products can extend their lifespan. Spray your tent with an insecticide like Permethrin before each camping season. Use a durable water repellent spray like Nikwax to keep water out, block UV rays, and protect the tent fabric. Additionally, applying sealant to the seams ensures water stays out, providing an extra layer of protection against the elements.

Practice Setting Up Your Tent

Conditions may not be ideal when you arrive at your campsite, so practice setting up your tent at home in your yard or even in your living room. Even if you have a tent that’s simple to set up, there’s usually a slight learning curve, and practicing at home will pay off in the field. Also, before you leave for your trip, make sure you have all of the parts. Few things are worse than arriving at the campground only to find you’re missing a pole.

Find the Ideal Campsite

The location where you pitch your tent can greatly impact your camping experience. Ensure the ground is level, or if that’s not possible, position your tent so you’re sleeping with your feet downhill. Avoid areas with standing water and look for natural windbreaks. Pitch your tent in the shade to stay cool and prevent sun damage. Remember, there’s a famous saying in Africa that you never want to pitch your tent beneath a tree that an elephant eats from.

Secure Your Tent Properly

Driving stakes into the ground, especially if it’s frozen, can be challenging, but it’s an essential step. Don’t skip this step or do a half-hearted job with your hands. Use a hammer if you can. The most common mistake that new tent campers make is not staking their tent securely to the ground. Few things are as embarrassing as having to chase down a tent that’s been picked up by a gust of wind. Most sources say stakes should go straight in, but if you have guy lines to keep taut, a 45-degree angle may work better.

Keep Your Gear Dry

Even if your tent is waterproof or has a rainfly, water can still seep in through mesh windows. Humidity from your breath and the air outside can also cause condensation to form on the inside walls of your tent. Pretend the walls of your tent are hot lava and don’t let anything you don’t want to get damp touch them. Keeping your sleeping bag and other gear away from the tent walls will help keep them dry and comfortable.

Store Your Tent Correctly

How long your tent lasts depends on how well you store it. “I’ve seen broken-hearted campers who have set up their tents on the first day of camping season only to have the tent material literally disintegrate in their hands from mildew, mold, and compression stress,” says Joe Bassett, founder of Valiant Outfitters. He recommends airing out your tent by hanging it up for several days as soon as you get home, even if it’s dry. Instead of putting it back in its bag, store it in a large storage bin or a big blue IKEA bag. “The material needs to breathe,” explains Bassett. “Keeping them compressed stresses the material at the creases, which creates weak points.”