How to camp in the rain - 10 easy tips

Don’t let a downpour put a dampener on your New Zealand camping trip. Make the most of the great outdoors by using our top ten tips on how to camp in the rain!

Our guide to camping in the rain covers everything you need to survive the wet - from choosing the perfect campsite to drying out your wet shoes. But remember, camping in the rain is a lot more bearable if you arrange campervan hire in New Zealand. There’s nothing cosier than laying in bed in your campervan and listening to the pitter-patter of rain on the roof!

10 tips on how to camp in the rain

1.Pack your wet-weather camping gear

It’s important to prepare for all seasons before you leave for your New Zealand camping trip, no matter what time of year it is. Include the following wet-weather items on your packing list and minimise the impact of the rain on your camping experience:

• Raincoat, poncho or waterproof jacket

• Gumboots or hiking boots

• Spare set of clothing

• Old towels for absorbing water

• Tarpaulin to protect campsite from rain

• Plastic bags for wet clothes

New Zealand can get bitterly cold in winter and camping in the rain will chill you to the bone if you’re not dressed appropriately. Make sure you read our guide on what to wear camping in winter in NZ.

The best places to buy rainproof camping clothing in New Zealand include Bivouac, Mountain Warehouse, Torpedo 7, Complete Outdoors and Gearshop.

2. Choose your camping spot carefully

On a dry day, there are several factors to consider when choosing a good camping spot: proximity to facilities, shade, shelter, overhanging branches, noise and price.

However, when it’s raining, there are even more things to think about. If possible, it may be best to opt for a hardstand campsite (e.g. concrete slab or gravel) when it’s wet. This will prevent water from pooling around your campsite and your shoes won’t get as muddy. It will also prevent your campervan from getting bogged.

Also, check that your campsite is not sitting within a natural bowl. It’s preferable to camp at a high point (e.g. on top of a slope), so that water drains away from your campsite.

3. Plan your activities around the rain

There’s no point knowing how to camp in the rain if you can’t enjoy it fully! Make sure you pack and plan some fun things to do while camping in the rain. Bring some books, magazines, board games, cards, portable gaming consoles and toys for the kids. Also, research some fun indoor activities in the area such as museums, galleries, bowling alleys, cinemas, cave systems and more.

If you have your heart set on visiting certain outdoor attractions and it’s raining, go along anyway. You never know, it may even be a better experience in the drizzle. There’ll be fewer crowds and you might get to see the attraction in a way that most others don’t. For example, many National Parks around New Zealand have waterfalls that only come to life in the rain!

4. Use newspaper to dry wet shoes

Newspapers are priceless when camping in the rain. When you get back to your camp after a day out in the rain, scrunch some newspaper up in a ball and stuff it in your shoes to help them dry faster. Once the newspaper has absorbed all the moisture, simply throw it in the bin. And once it’s dry enough, this newspaper also doubles as a great firestarter!

5. Stay safe in the rain

If you come across flooded creeks, rivers or waterways whilst camping, never try to cross by foot or in your campervan. It’s best to try and find another way around or simply turn around and go back the way you came. Flooded waterways can be a lot deeper and more powerful than they appear on the surface.

Similarly, if it has been raining heavily, don’t approach cliffs or sheer ledges. The water in the soil can make the cliff structurally weak and it may collapse under your feet.

6. Designate a drying area

If you have a waterproof awning, pull it out when you first arrive at camp and allow some time for the soil underneath to dry out. You can now use this area for cooking, sitting outdoors or simply drying your wet shoes and clothes.

If your shoes are soaked through, you may also want to consider leaving them underneath your campervan so that you don’t drag mud indoors. And if the underside of the campervan is still warm after a day of driving, this will help your shoes dry out a little!

Don’t forget, once you get home you should immediately dry out all your wet clothing and camping gear to prevent it from becoming mouldy.

7. Ventilate your campervan

Your campervan or caravan will most likely have a fan vent or roof hatch. Try to crank this open slightly when camping in the rain (enough to allow some ventilation without letting water in!). Ventilating your motorhome will help moisture escape the interior and prevent mould from growing. This tip is particularly handy on muggy summer days in New Zealand.

8. Quick-fix a campervan leak

If you find that your campervan, caravan or motorhome is leaking during heavy rain, place a tarpaulin over the roof so that the water runs off onto the ground. If the tarpaulin is long enough, pin each corner to the ground like you’re pitching a tent over the campervan.

9. Carry plastic bags in your camper

This is an essential tip when it comes to how to camp in the rain. Plastic bags are another affordable but invaluable item to have when camping in the rain. If you want to go for a walk in the rain, prevent your backpack from getting soaked by wrapping it up in a large bin bag and poking holes for the straps.

If you have wet items of clothing or shoes that you don’t want to pack amongst your dry things, you can also wrap the wet stuff up in a plastic bag.

Plus, if you have time to collect dry timber before the rain starts, you can store it in a plastic bag for later use!

10. Cooking whilst camping in the rain

Most campervans, motorhomes and caravans include a camping stove for cooking hot meals. However, if you don’t have a fixed stove in the kitchenette, never try to bring your portable stove inside the van (for obvious safety reasons!).

If you’re desperate for a hot meal whilst camping in the rain, cook up a feast underneath your van’s awning or lift up the back door so it acts as a makeshift shelter!

Hire a van for your New Zealand camping trip

Now that you know how to camp in the rain, it’s time to start planning your trip properly! Camping in a tent in the rain is a recipe for disaster. It’s messy, it’s cold and it’s the quickest way to ruin your trip. Save yourself the stress and arrange campervan hire in New Zealand instead!

Camplify is a platform that allows holidaymakers to quickly search through hundreds of privately-owned motorhomes, campervans and caravans around New Zealand. It’s never been easier to find the ideal rental van for your camping trip.

Simply enter your pickup location (plus heaps of optional filters) and within seconds, you will find the perfect van for your vacation!

Arrange for van hire on the South Island or van hire on the North Island today.

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By hiring with Camplify, you are also helping local families who share their van on our platform and supporting many local companies across New Zealand in addition to ours. So we are very grateful to you.

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