Are you ready to start camping again? You are not the only one!
It is no secret that Americans love heading into the wilderness and setting up camp there every fall. This popular outdoor activity has its perks but it can also be tricky to plan. If you don’t have much camping experience then you might make some rookie mistakes on your first trip. That’s okay, though, because camping only gets easier with time. However, you should at least learn to properly handle your camping gear if you spend hundreds of dollars on it as many Americans do. Camping tent safety is particularly important to focus on as a new camper.
If you are not familiar with the correct way to prep your campsite before setting up your tent, keep reading!
What is Tarp Used for in Camping?
Have you ever had to put a tarp over the chairs or BBQ grills in your backyard when it starts raining? Well, a tarp is used for a similar purpose in camping.
Most campgrounds in the US are situated in national parks and forests. You can easily find a campsite surrounded by large trees, grasslands, and/or barren land. The problem with such campsites is that they can quickly become dangerous in stormy weather. Rainwater can pool around your campsite and soak your tent and everything in it. Even if it’s not rainy, you might still have to deal with harsh direct sunlight heating up your tent. Most experienced campers put a tarp or any kind of ground cover underneath or over their tents to combat such problems.
Why Should You Put a Tarp Under Your Tent?
Admittedly, you might not need to put a tarp under your tent based on a few factors. If you are camping in a dry climate where rain and direct sunlight are not big concerns, you will be fine without a tarp. However, using a tarp for ground covering can significantly help in other cases. Here are the top benefits of using for camping tent safety:
1. Protects from the Rain
Let’s face it, many campers do not actually mind camping in the rain. Gloomy skies during the rainy season can add a special ambiance to your camping trip that you won’t experience otherwise. This is why many campers do not let the rain stop them from going camping!
However, it is crucial to exercise caution and prioritize camping tent safety when camping in the rain. Don’t hesitate to invest in the necessary camping gear to stay safe during your trip. Putting a tarp under your tent can prevent rainwater from pooling around your tent. Without a tarp, it would be easier for rainwater to enter your tent and moisten up the ground underneath it. You can even put a tarp over your tent to act as a waterproofing mechanism.
2. Prevents Tent Tearing
You will likely move around a lot when you are inside your tent. Many people tend to twist and turn when sleeping, too. The movement inside your tent can cause the floor of your tent to rub against the rough ground underneath it. This can cause tears and holes in the bottom of your tent. A ground cover or tarp under your tent will help prevent this from happening. Any twigs, broken tree branches, small rocks, or other debris on the campsite will be covered up by the tarp. This way, it will not rub against your tent harshly enough to cause tears.
3. Reduces Moisture inside the Tent
Hot weather paired with rainy nights often causes condensation inside camping tents. If your tent does not have good ventilation, the moisture inside it can be hard to get rid of. The better solution to this problem is to simply prevent it in the first place. Place a tarp under your camping tent so that it doesn’t come in contact with wet soil or dew-covered ground. Another good solution is to simply invest in a camping tent that has good ventilation. You can choose from these top Amazon tents for campers:
4. Makes Cleaning Easier
Backpacking is becoming more popular than regular hiking in the US. The people engaging in this outdoor activity go on hiking trips that last for a few days. During backpacking, you need to keep moving your hiking gear and camping setups from one location to another. It becomes difficult to clean a camping tent if it comes in direct contact with muddy ground. Using a tarp as a barrier between the dirty ground and your camping tent can make disassembling and repacking it so much cleaner.
5. Keeps You Safe
Did you even go camping if you did not get bitten by mosquitoes or poked by tree branches? Insects and cluttered grounds are the worst part of camping for every American. Unfortunately, there is not much you can do about them other than setting up some protective mechanisms. You can invest in the best budget sleeping bags for campers to stay protected while you sleep. The REI Co-op Trailbreak 30 and Feathered Friends Hummingbird UL 30 are great options to choose from.
Another protective measure to take is using a ground-covering tarp. It offers great protection against campsite debris and creepy crawlies that might slide into your tent. It can also cover any holes in your tent floor and protects your sleeping bags from tears in the process.
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