How to Set Up a Tent for Camping

Camping. If you are the type to jump at the chance to commune with nature, camping is the way to go! To be comfortable is the main objective in setting up your tent, so that you can enjoy a good night's sleep.

Difficulty: Moderately Easy

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• Tent with waterproof topper
• Waterproof tarp (tarpaulin)
• Bedding
• Inflatable mattress
• Hammer

1. You're off to go camping and have an outdoor adventure! This will make sure that you are snoozing in a dry and comfortable make-shift home-away-from-home. The first thing you want to do is survey the campsite. You want to find the flattest spot possible that is an open area. You don't want to be under a tree or any structure that will constantly drip on you if it starts to rain. If it doesn't rain you have to be wary of tree sap, bird droppings and/or tree needles.

2. Unravel your tarp and lay it out on your chosen spot. Your tarp will keep the floor of your tent as dry as possible, as you can bring it up around the base of your tent if it rains extremely hard. Even if it doesn't rain, the tarp will make sure that dew doesn't soak into the fabric of your tent and creep up the sides. It's amazing how damp everything will get inside the tent from the smallest amount of moisture.

3. Once the tarp is laid out, start rolling out your tent. Many of the tents from outdoor speciality shops don't need to be pegged into the ground unless there is an extreme wind. Their bendable tent bars build a free-standing tent. With this type of tent, you can set it up and then pick it up and put the front door in the position you choose. Once this is done, put the waterproof topper or fly on.

4. If you have a tent that requires stability from tent lines pegged into the ground, make sure you lay out your tent with the front door in the appropriate spot. Get your tent set up and use your hammer to secure your pegs. If the ground is hard you'll be thankful for the hammer because you can't bring a shoe heavy enough to do that kind of work!

5. Once your tent is set up and your topper/fly is on, then inflate your mattress. This can be a queen-size mattress that you inflate with an inflater that plugs into your lighter or the 2-inch ones that self inflate (they're amazingly comfortable). Throw in your sleeping bags or bedding, making sure that nothing touches the sides of the tent as this will draw in unwanted moisture. You are set! Happy trails.

Tips & Warnings

• If you've just purchased a new tent, make sure that you test setting it up before you leave home. If you end up having to set up your tent in the dark, you want to have some idea of what needs to be done.
• If you think you may end up setting up your tent at night, make sure you have few lanterns and flashlights.
• If you think you are going to have measurable rain, then bringing along a king-size tarp, lots of rope (to secure the tarp to neighboring trees in the campsite) and a pole (to hold up the middle) will be a life saver.
• If you set up an overhead tarp, make sure that your campfire is still well away from it so that you don't burn holes in it from flying embers.

Resources

• U.S. Forest Service Campsite Reservation System