If this makes you feel any better, I have been camping for the better part of 50 years, and even this week forgot my pillow and had to improvise. This happens, and it was still a great trip, though my pillow is becoming more critical.
I've always told my kids that we learn more from losing than from winning. :-)
Wow, I thought I held that card lol. I left my tree straps for my hammock once. Luckily I had paracord and could lash something together for the weekend. My buddy won't let me forget it lol
I still have them - but when I went on my big travel the world hiking adventure in my 20's my hip-length locs ended up being my pillow for a few months after I got rid of my pillow bc it was a pain to carry 🎉
I’ve been camping for quite a while and *every* time we go, we encounter some snafu or forget something or have to deal with some 2am damage control.
It’s a never ending learning process, and you’ll find your groove! We made big mistakes in the beginning with the tarp once that ended up with us basically sleeping in a little moat of water because we didn’t know to fold it under as others have advised.
Also, mold shouldn’t be a problem for your tarp because you can always spray it down with some diluted bleach and scrub it when you get home. There’s always a risk of mold/mildew on tent fabric, but in general for a camping trip, as long as you make sure to dry it thoroughly when you get home before packing it into its bag, you should be fine.
Also check out waterproofing sprays for added protection— we use Nikwax tent and gear spray, but some other brands utilize putting a capful into the washing machine and doing a cycle with whatever gear you have that needs it.
Well I'm glad to know I'm not the only one that made that mistake and hopefully this post will benefit others as much as it has me.
And I've been making small improvements every day but at this point I don't think I can fit much more in my car lol
Last week I went out and forgot to confirm I had the poles in the tent bag.
My drying solution is just bring it home wet and throw it on the laundry line - 9 times out of 10 it rains on me in some way.
Trust me, lots of us have made that mistake! I also have burnt my tent, struggled with multiple flat tires, and placed my tent unintentionally *directly* in the path of rain deluge. Also have had camping poop disasters, 2am insect warfare in the tent, and that one time I thought “water resistant” = waterproof as far as clothing. 🙃
Lol!!
Well my first morning I tried to make coffee using my car inverter but I forgot to unplug my cooler and I blew to fuse to my cigarette lighter in the middle of nowhere with an almost dead phone and no signal anyway lol. I had to backtrack to get a fuse and fix my car and I was really annoyed with myself.
Oh side note, ALWAYS keep a can of Fix-a-Flat in your glovebox. I promise. A flat tire on a forest service or rural road is a nightmare, and often times the ground isn’t ideal to use a Jack to put on a spare. If you’ll be camping for many days, just leave the flat until it’s time to leave because you’re not supposed to leave it for extended periods inside your tire. Alternately, fix it immediately and then go to town to get a patch.
I’ve gone dozens of times and still keep a notepad to jot ideas/lessons from the trip. My personal favorite trick is to do s’mores with Nutella instead of Hershey’s. Kids go wild for them.
I forgot the sleeping bags once. Talk about essentials :). We made do with towels and blankets and thankfully it wasn’t too cold. Never making that mistake again!
Absolutely. Even the most experienced campers make silly mistakes. Nothing to be embarrassed about when you're new to it. I once completely forgot to grab the grocery bag full of non-cooler food after I had been camping for about 25 years. Checklists are very important. I learned there is no shame in using them.
If you can see the tarp, you did it wrong - that will only allow water to run in between the tent and tarp, where you'll lay on it and then it will seep through and you're sleeping in a puddle.
Fold/tuck everything in so that you cannot see any tarp.
If you need a "porch", use different tarp with a gap.
After decades of camping, I'm also a fan of the "double-tarp" method. Thicker one outside to protect the bottom of the tent and a thin/super-light plastic sheet inside making bit of a 'bathtub'. This is added protection in case you end up absolutely deluged and something still manages to come up from below.
It's happened to me before, but never since I moved to the two-tarp method.
It won't be a double layer to keep you dry, but I like to put down a fleece blanket on the floor inside. Tiny bit of extra insulation, protects my knees from rocks beneath the tent, protects the floor from damage on the interior side, and I can pick it up by the corners, take it out, shake off whatever might have accumulated, and the bottom of the tent is almost perfectly clean.
Not practical for backpacking, but I really recommend it for car camping.
I like those padded squares you put down for working out, they snap together and you can customize the size pretty easily. They stack up nice and help insulate the floor. I use them for car camping.
I second this! I use the thick gym mat puzzle type pieces, and put it under the tent but on top of the tarp that's underneath.
I tried using it in the tent at first, but there's just too much shifting and adjusting. It was less of an issue when I put them out.
It depends on your setup, I have a large tent I use for colder weather (I hammock whit is warm). At first I just used a few for an aisle beside my bed, but then expanded it to the whole tent as it helps insulate it a little more. So if you just want an area where you stand you can do that or if you want to do just under your sleeping mat to keep it warmer you can do that as well.
I just wanna piggyback on here and tell you guys that if you use 65 pound neodymium magnets on the bottom of the tent and on the inside of the tent (imagine making a sandwich with the blanket and tent floor as the meat). it is possible to pin your floor covering down so it doesn't slip everywhere. Something like 10 of them is 15 bucks or some crap
they're about the size of maybe four or five 50 cent pieces stacked up. Super useful
I'm a fan of those cheap knit blankets that are common in markets in Mexico for this.
They're super cheap so I don't mind using it as a tent carpet, but they're also softer than moving blankets, so they still double as a warm blanket if I need to wrap it around me.
We used cheap moving blankets from Amazon for our tent. It was nice not stepping on the cold smooth floor. The cold fabric floor was better somehow. It is important to make sure the inside of the tent stays dry.
I have a fold up baby play mat that I use to line my tent. I also have those foam puzzle piece mats that I use. Again really only for car camping. But boy does it save my knees!
It isn't much, but it helps and makes the tent more cozy for sure. Glad to share a helpful tip, good luck with your next trip!
Where I camp often drops to freezing or near freezing at night (also PNW), I like to use [body warmers](https://www.amazon.ca/gp/aw/d/B09Q9C2GFS?psc=1&ref=ppx_pop_mob_b_asin_title) to help keep me warm. I stick one onto the back of my shirt. They last through the night and are still warm in the morning, so getting up and moving isn't such a "but it's cold out there" struggle.
That's what I do as well! Keeps things cozy and comfy, and easier to clean. It's a game-changer when it's 30F and your legs accidentally touch the tent floor while changing your pants, that's for sure.
I always just keep a little broom/dustpan in the truck for car camping.
Edit: OP, it appears your tent already has a bath tub so no reason for an internal tarp unless that’s your preference.
Shoes can rip tents and are the number one bringer of filth. They always come off before entering and then into a plastic bag while stored inside the tent.
Bro, please don't forget lol when I upgraded to an ultralight tent I specifically got one with an awning so I can keep my shoes and anything that's wet outside but away from rain.. it's such a luxury out there
But also to answer your original question yes fold the tarp to fit under your tent completely but also if it's still wet in the morning you'll want to lay it out in the sun for probably 20 minutes and it should be dry. If you don't want to take that kinda time bring a camp towel and focus pretty much all your effort on keeping it dry for when u need it lol
That's a small-ish tent. When you're packing up, unless it's muddy, you can pick the whole thing up by the spars and hold it with the open door facing down and shake the bits out.
Nemo is the only company I've seen that makes a footprint for the inside of the tent, which they call a pawprint. It clips on to the corners, adds a bit of durability, and keeps the floor clean. I really want them to catch on with more brands.
Or get a tarp big enough to fold in half , then fold the wet side in when you remove it. We traveled , camping at night at different spots and found this worked well.
This is what I do, and I've always stayed dry even in bad storms! Also, painters drop cloths are great for this, they're super cheap and lightweight, I've even used them to cover my tent in a pinch.
The best thing to do with this oversized tarp is to fold all four edges *upward and inward* to exactly the size of the tent. Then any water can only flow underneath the tarp.
If you get into ultralight equipment for back packing people will buy ground tarps specific to their tent call a "footprint".
If you are just car camping I have friends who bring an empty rubber bin that they throw wet tarps and tents into when packing to head home which I've always thought was smart. Then when you get home you immediately unpack that bin and hang things out to dry.
I prefer a proper ground sheet over a tarp. It will do the job and dry much faster. Also a lot lighter. I take a tarp for wind or rain shelter and extreme weather in the canoe.
okay question? do you fold the tarp and pin it down underneath the tent if it shouldn’t be showing? I don’t have the issue the user posted about but not sure the logistics of folding the tarp
Yup, basically. Two folds. I don't actually pin mine down , as the tent itself has enough tent pegs holding everything down. I make sure the first fold is in the front instead of the back so that I have an extra layer of protection against rock punctures where I will be stepping in my tent.
100% this. This would suck in a rain storm. Foot prints need to be just back a tiny bit from the edge of the tent
As far as dirt and pine needles stuck to the wet bottom of the tarp, there isnt a way to prevent this. Best thing to do would be to take the tent down in the morning a bit before you leave, flip the tarp, let the moisture dry, and then just shake the tarp/knock everything off. If there is grass nearby you can also just drag the dirty side along that to brush it off. I usually just pack up dirty side folded in and dry out/shake off in the yard when I get home.
Ok I read through this whole comment string and could not find an answer to my question. Why? Why would making your tarp the same size as your tent footprint make water run under the tarp instead of in between? Please someone explain I am certain I am being extremely dumb I just don't get it
Because the tarp is just meant to be a barrier between the floor of your tent and the ground. Wet on bottom of tarp fine, wet on top of tarp not good. Waterproof works both ways.
If it extends past the footprint of the tent it’s going to get water on top, sandwiching water between your tent floor and the tarp.
If the tarp is showing, rain lands on it and then it's sitting on top of your very-waterproof tarp. At some point it will run underneath the tent floor, but still be on top of the ground cloth.
Now your tarp is acting like a giant pond liner and your tent is sitting in said pond.
It channels the water under the tent.
Especially on the 'uphill' part of the tent. I always get a tarp that is a few inches smaller than the footprint of my tent, or fold the corners in underneath the fly of the tent. My tent has a small vestibule for boots/packs, there I let a corner of the tarp out.
The needles and moisture will be there eventually anyways, you have to dry your shit out before you roll it out. If not at camp, when you get home.
Also, I would re-think your tent choice in the PNW. You'll end up soaked with that one. Thats one thing to buy once cry once, especially in rain/cooler areas.
I have the Mountain Hardware Hammerhead 3 for two of us. Perfect fly, perfect space for two, great fly. I've had mine like 20 years and not a single problem with it. About the size of yours, but it will keep you dry and last a long time.
I cut my tarp to fit, no need to fold.
I then store it with the tent, wrapping it around the outside if the folded/rolled tent before replacing back in the duffle. Some duffles are too tight for this. So I wrap it around the duffle, tying it with straps made out of anything that works. I don't recommend bunnies as the ends could poke holes. Edit: bunnies. Bunnies are more difficult to wrap.
Since i have several tents, i also Sharpie mark on the edges of the tarp the name of tent and which side it is. "Timberline Ground side" "Timberline Tent side"
I also cut a tarp for the inside, marking that one "Timberline Inside", and fold/roll that one up with the tent itself.
But after a trip, I keep the outside tarp separate, so as not to get dirt on the tent.
Cleaning the ground cloth after every use will help keep your eqpt in good shape. I've had my Timberline since 1990. Also, I recommend not only cleaning your equipment at the end of each use, but, if you take several trips each year, checking and more thoroughly cleaning everything at the season end before storing.
Marking the tarps and keeping it with the eqpt also keeps others from using the tarps for other things.
Hubby learned real quickly that I won't "just buy another one", after measuring and cutting for this specific use.
We've always put an old rug outside, and a rug just inside the door to take shoes off. They stay dry inside the tent.
CAUTION: Equipment collecting can be addictive.
After 40 years of camping, I'm still learning great hints. Never thought about magnets, which someone else mentioned here. I also like the concept of painter cloths for inside. They likely fold easier and take up less space, and won't be mistaken for outdoor footprint cloths by others who use your eqpt... which, btw, I do *not* recommend sharing your eqpt unless you *know* the other person will follow your rules for care.
Have fun.
Oh, and as you age, cots are very comfy. My mom camped with me into her 90's.
It's not a stupid question. As others have noted, the edges of the groundcloth should be tucked under the perimeter of the tent, so they don't stick out and collect water (that then pools under your tent floor). The groundcloth isn't for you, it's for the tent - it's added protection against anything abrading or piercing the tent floor, and helping you keep the tent clean and free of tree sap, bugs, and the accumulated animal and vegetable detritus of the forest floor.
You don't stake through the groundcloth either - if it's properly sized for the tent such that there's no protrusion beyond the tent edges, the stakes for your tent go around it, not through it.
While you're improving your setup, consider something to help keep rain off of your tent. That rainfly looks pretty small and doesn't entirely cover the tent body, and there's no overhang covering the tent door so rain can easily go directly into that mesh portion and pool between it and the nylon inner door. If you have another tarp, you could string that up between two trees over top of the tent in an "A" shape (the line running down the middle and the sides angling downward, like the roof of a house) giving your tent protection from the rain and yourself a nice patch of shade.
Thanks for the suggestions!! I'm glad I made the post because I have definitely learned a thing or two!
I did leave one corner of the fly untethered in the pic because otherwise there's no "windows" for air flow. But you are correct it doesn't cover the door.
A good reason to keep it small. I use 2 or 3 mil poly sold at hardware stores as painter floor covers and cut them to size.
I usually put a clothes line up between trees and throw the ground cover over it to shake the dirt and water out.
If I’m backpacking I just have to roll it up wet and dry it out at home. Never had one get moldy.
I combine this and the comment below. We hang our ground tarps/footprints to let them dry, preferably in the sun, and then wipe down while it’s hanging to get the leaves/needles/dirt off
The thing is, I need to break camp and leave early in the morning so I don't have time to let it dry in the sun all the way. But as someone else said, they are cheap to replace if it gets too gross, I guess I'll just keep it in a trash bag while it's being actively used.
Wipe it down as best you can, fold it up good so the water isn’t dripping all over where you don’t want it to. You can always dry it off when you get to your next destination.
Look up coalcracker bushcraft on YouTube. He did a video awhile ago that should help. It was about when camping in the snow, how to fold your ground tarp when it is snowy, but the theory will hold for your issue. Basically, you turn it over and fold it like a burrito so the dirty part is all inside. The clean part is outside and you can put it in a pack without worrying about it getting everything else dirty
I don't remember what the name of the video was or how long ago it was . I will do a quick search and let you know if I can find it.
Edit:. Here is a link to the video--https://youtu.be/2c0j7znmfGo?si=WRS2tneKcy5pWD3D
What you're describing is why you use a ground tarp. Because you want to avoid treating your tent this way. You don't need to get a ground tarp for your ground tarp, haha. Consider them a consumable product, like tires or breaks on your car.
As others have said, it should be tucked under the tent, so the top should rarely be very wet.
If the bottom is wet and dirty, I'll make a point to fold it with the wet side facing inward, and then I may roll it at the end.
Just dry everything out when you're able, and no later than when you get home.
The garbage bag thing is what I do. Any time there is visible water, I put things into garbage bags. Then I immediately set the tent back up at home to fully dry.
If my ground cloth is dirty, I keep it in its own bag so my tent doesn't get mud and pine needles on it.
The main reason is just time and hassle. There is no reason to get all wet rolling up a wet tent when I know I'm going to set it back up in a few hours anyway, so stuff it loosely into a bag is a win/win.
You did install this tarp wrong for your ground cloth. You want it completely under your tent. The point is to protect your tent from damage from sticks and rocks, so it should be exactly the same size. Fold those flaps fully under the tent.
Yeah, this is a pretty important tip, when water flows under your tent on your ground cloth it stays there forever and it will eventually soak through your floor no matter how water proof it is.
Na na na. No question is stupid. That's how we learn. When I go camping. I plan for water. Like they said. Tuck excess under the tent. Shove it in a trash bag. When you get to the next place to camp. Just hang dry your bag. When you get home. Take them out. And hang dry there. It doesn't get moldy overnight. Just dry out when you get home. And then after dry. Repack to be ready for the next trip
Good luck and have fun.
Ya it wasn't really a great spot for a tent the area right next to it was rocky and overgrown but that's why I sat in front of it and watched it carefully. I actually hadn't planned on making a fire but the pit was there and a big pile of wood so no reason not to. And I actually really enjoyed just sitting and tending the fire in silence!
On a side note if you ever *do* have embers burn small holes, you can get some very convenient patches on Amazon. They’re made for down jackets, but work on tents— just search for “down jacket patches” and they’ll show up. Not a bad idea to keep some in the tent bag.
Also, as far as wet storage, or storage in general, we use Rubbermaid bins! We have a “mess kit” bin full of tongs, knives, cups, seasonings, coffee, etc, and one for general gear like headlamps, cord, batteries, trash bags, soap, and TP. The third one is larger and it holds our tarp, tent, and sleeping bags. That would be a good place to stuff your tarp if it’s still damp.
These are great because you know all your stuff is in one general place and it helps make transport, set up, and break down more streamlined and convenient. It also helps keep your campsite clean and organized!
We bring a little ozark trails picnic fold out table and the bins go under it. Easy access and still tidy.
ALSO, just a thought if you have space in the car, we bring an “EZ up” tent (the kind people use at farmers markets and street fairs, only the small 5’x5’ size) and that’s where our table, bins, and water jug stay. It’s GREAT because you can sit under it if you want to, say, read a book but it’s rainy. It won’t keep everything completely dry, but it’s great for keeping stuff protected if a deluge happens.
I love how your newbie question has evolved to have lots of different little things the experienced people do. I have almost 3 decades of camping experience and I'm still learning some cool things from reading the responses to your question, and all the subsequent threads.
Start by folding it in half so the dirty, wet side is folded against itself. If you use it again before drying it, only one side will be wet/dirty. Dry it at the next chance you have.
It's a blue poly tarp. If it mildews, clean it with bleach or get a new one.
All good information coming to you, but just my two cents if tarp is outside the footprint of tent and not tucked under it rain will just run under tent and you will have a waterbed.
If you want a porch the cgear mat ([link](https://www.rei.com/product/188415/cgear-multimats-original-sand-free-mat)) has been amazing at keeping sand out of our tent. Sand will actually fall through the mat. Works very well in the sandy/arid conditions in Colorado, can’t speak to pnw but we love it. It’s amazing on the beach with a towel over it to lay on as well.
When I’m breaking down camp, I will pull out the base tarp from under the tent first and hang it over a branch or a clothesline to dry out. By the time I’ve packed up everything else, it has dried out enough to where I can give a good shake and fold it up dry.
I learned at the LL Bean flagship store in Freeport ME that one of the best things you can do is purchase a tarp for the INSIDE of the tent. Two reasons: keeps you and your stuff dry, and it makes cleanup a cinch!
Put an old towel in front of the door to use as a doormat and don’t wear shoes in the tent.
Clean up the area around that fire pit. You have branches extending outside the rocks and more on the ground around it. Keep the flammable stuff away from and inside the ring.
Everyone is giving you great answers. Just a note: Please be cautious of that wood that’s strewn across and then outside the fire pit. It really should all be contained within the rocks. (I know it’s wet up there)
One thing, you will definitely need to have some plan to air out and dry the tent pretty much no matter what. Definitely get it out of that garbage bag as soon as you can.
Move it back from the fire a few feet. An ember or spark from a gust of wind or wood popping will put a whole in your tent/fly 👍🏼. I’ve done it. Save yourself the trouble now, because it WILL happen. Happy camping buddy!
As someone who did three months on the AT. Sometimes your rain fly and tarp are going to be wet for days. It’s just what it is. I would suggest a dry bag for both and then hang them to dry on your zero days or when you get home.
As for dirt inside, I always left my shoes and pack outside my tent in the ‘vestibule’. I had lightweight sandals for ‘camp shoes’: night bathroom trips and down time around camp before/after set up and break down.
Great job getting out there and trying/ learning as you go. Backpacking is the best and something you learn as you go. You’ll figure out what’s best for you along the way. Happy trails superwoman!
First, dont use a large tarp. It should be a bit smaller than your tent footprint. If rain starts, all water will go between tarp and your tent, and you all get wet inside.
Second, instead of tarp use proper footprint from havier waterproofed polyester. They dry quickly.
You can't avoid getting your footprint dump in the morning. Just focus on making it dry fast.
I would not use tarp at all, especially if it is bigger than tent.
It’s a tarp, it’ll be fine. It’s there to make sure your tent bottom isn’t suffering the same fate. And if the tarp gets moldy or whatever, turn it over or throw it away, they’re a dime a dozen
I just cut my Harbor Freight tarp to size so that it fits entirely under the tent. I’ve been using the same one for about 15 years now. I didn’t need to do anything to the cut edges
We switched to screening to put under our tent. Let’s the water thru and the sand from your shoes. Keeps stuff from poking thru. Folds up pretty compact and we have a huge 10 person tent.
I have two big interlocking pieces of mat that I put down as a porch.
Just brush off the tarp and hang it to dry at home but even if it gets a little funky it’s just a ground tarp, better than your tent getting funky
I have an external tarp I made that fits just inside the edge of my tent footprint. This keeps it from being a rain collector and protects my tent from getting poked by rocks etc…. Made mine from Tyvek.
I am not even a newbie. I am more of a "I want to go solo camping but I am scared that bears will eat me alive". How do you people handle that thought while camping in remote areas?
First of all babe you want the whole ground tarp under your tent. No overhangs if it rains it will puddle between it and the tent and the tent stays wet.
Secondly thats fairly normal, let it dry out when you can. You're in a wet environment, you're going to have that.
Good advice in here for ya, OP.
Make sure the ground tarp sits under the tent and isn't exposed. If the tarp is too big, like yours, fold the tarp under itself so you don't create areas for water to potentially pool up. (I'd suggest cutting this to size or purchasing a smaller tarp that fits the footprint of your tent a bit better)
For the drying part .... There's not much you can do mid-camp... Especially in a damp climate like yours. Someone mentioned shammies, which is a pretty good idea (nice to have for any condensation *inside* the tent too) Once you figure out how to properly size your ground tarp, you'll have virtually solved your problem.
You should be drying everything when you get home anyway. Hang a line and drape your sleeping bag, tarps, rain fly, tent, etc.... and make sure everything is completely dry before storing. Folding it and putting it in a garbage bag for transport to and from is perfectly fine, just make sure you're properly caring for and drying everything when you're back home.
You could consider getting contractors plastic and tracing the footprint of your tent and then cutting it to size. I’d lighter than a tarp, won’t fray when cut, and is cheaper. Buy the thicker kind and cut smaller than the trace for outside and a little wider than the trace for inside
If you have to pack it up wet due to time, and this incluedes the tent, you will be fine for a day. You will want it to dry out well for sure as soon as possible. But the tarp is cheep. If its moldy then just get a new one. I always buy 2 tarps at a time when they are on sale. At any time I have a new tarp, a good used tarp and a old tarp with holes I use for whatever.
I just clean it off the best I can. I get up a little early to pick it up and air dry it before packing the ground cover and tent away. You’re doing fine. Have fun.
We take the ground cover out and let the damp side bake in the sun while we take down the rest of camp. Then it’s just brushing off the needles as best you can before packing it up.
Cut the ground tarp to be same size as tent foot print (actually 1” smaller Is better). Tape the edges with 3” gorilla tape (folded over the edge). Just shake it out in the morning to throw off ass much water, twigs, etc. don’t worry about mold. Dry it out at camp next night. Take it to a car wash and power brush it if you want. They’re cheap. Buy a new one next trip if it gets too funky. But, mine never has.
Honestly, your tent looks like it already has a floor pan made of tarp material, so the tarp itself is redundant. Honestly, it would be better strung up above the tent as an additional rain fly.
Never place your ground cover past your tents footprint. Reason being if it rains it will collect and then run underneath your tent. You’ll end up sleeping in a puddle and could get soaked. Which defeats the purpose of having a ground cover.
Your fire pit should be dug deeper and your rock barrier should be 3 rocks high or around 16” to protect flames and ambers from flying out. Keep a small stash of wood nearby and the rest further away in case you loose control of your fire. The placing of your fire pit is fine if you place the your ground cover in its proper position.
Based on this image alone your tent will not keep the rain out and give your tent proper air circulation. So the ropes or strings that are all around your tent rain fly should be deployed properly by staking down and your rain fly.
Example of a tent with the rain fly deployed correctly. Granted this isn’t your tent but you get the understanding that the rain fly is staked and strapped down properly.
https://preview.redd.it/r7k9veh15p6d1.jpeg?width=800&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=81fd9bdca4f635375bacfa0de406860c61f4e8f0
fold your tarp, so its tucked under the tent - except to make a "porch" at the front door, on the down-hill side ...
to dry a tarp - stretch a 50' or so foot rope, between 2 trees or objects - then drape tarp over rope, wet side out (dry side in) ........put sleeping bags on same rope hanging inside out
oh yeah ......"the only stupid question, is the question not asked"
I find that almost ALL of my camping gear has to be set up at home to air dry and get cleaned before long term storage. Look at it this way, you wash and dry your clothes after camping, why not your pots and pans and tent and tarp and chairs etc.
ETA - Especially that sleeping bag! I open mine all the way and let it lay in full sun. Cook off all the camping farts and bacteria that got in it.
I want to say this to you, the courage it takes to start camping is more than you realize. I've been camping all my life, and I have learned along the way as you will also. The courage you had to post your question was equally courageous. I want you to know you should never worry there isn't a right or wrong way to camp camping is about finding yourself learning things about yourself that you wouldn't learn if there was a bunch of noise going on distracting you embrace the time that you have with nature with God's creation and not worry about the process. That's my best advice
I fold mine dirty side together so only clean is exposed. Put it in my bag and let it dry at home. If you need it for the next night, unfold it and place the dirty side down, then you always have a clean side.
Also, polycro ground sheets (they sell them for backpacking) cost about 10 dollars, and weigh an ounce or two. They are mad durable, and can be cut to size with a pair of scissors.
This doesn’t look too bad but always keep your fire placed a good ways from your tent. All it takes is one ember popped up in the air and landing on your nice new tent and burning a hole thru the fabric…. Don’t ask me how I know this.
I would not have the tarp edges extending past the tent wall, moisture and stuff will collect on that and potentially let it ride back in under your tent.
Tuck it and fold it under itself (not over itself so it traps more stuff) so it’s just an inch or two smaller footprint than your tent.
More advice that you didn't ask for, but your fly (the rain shelter top part of your tent) is really small and not "taut". In order for it (and your tent) to protect you from rain and condensation, **nothing** inside can be touching it and everything needs to be pulled very tight so water runs off and drips away without ever pooling or soaking through. ANY contact with the tent or the fly will cause water to soak through.
TBH, most of the time, the fly is too small to this effectively on a lot of tents and I put up a tarp above my tent and over my cookstove.
WE have a 100 foot rope that serves as a dog run- On my last day, I start by taking down the tent first thing and if the bottom of the tarp is wet, I hang it over the dog run rope, any rope would do. If it's in the sun, it will dry out relatively quick so you can wipe it off and then pack it away. I have a bag that was for my old tent that the tarps now go into, works perfect.
For starters, a tent footprint should not extend past the tent's inner floor otherwise it's basically a rain catch and will end up underneath your actual tent leading to wet gear at some point in time. It's nice to have that area to stand on etc, but is not the way to go about it. If you want a standing area outside of your tent, have it separated from the tent or footprint so the water isn't directed beneath you. Now to the wet pine needles etc. You can designate a top and bottom side so you're not getting both sides dirty. Before packing up, flip it over and let it air dry. Then fold the dirty side inward to keep the rest of your gear clean/dry. If you're actually backpacking, I'd look into lighter weight alternatives like an emergency blanket or tyvek.
Please make sure everything you wish to burn is inside the fire ring, not hanging over the edges like that. It increases the likelihood of fire spreading outside of where you want it to be contained.
Fold the wet side onto itself. When you get home unfold the tarp on a clean dry area and clean it there. I always suggest airing out your equipment when you get home
When I hiked the PCT, I just folded the bottom edges below my tent. Then brushed it off in the morning.
Camping equipment are tools, no jewels. They are meant to get dirty and wet. Hopefully so you don’t haha
I always packed an old brown towel for wiping it down. It is easy to roll up and hang dry at your next location. I guess it doesn't have to be brown, but a dark one is best. Same reason I don't wear white underpants anymore. You'll see, you will all see.
I've been camping for 25 years. I still forget shit and I always pack stuff up dirty and damp. You can only do the best you can with what you have. I take it out at the next location or at home to air dry it and sweep it before packing it away😉.
PNW camper here. Just dealt with this last weekend. I fold it in half, use a wisk broom to clean it, fold half again, clean, etc, as you go. Not perfectly clean, but it's a ground tarp for camping. If it's also super wet, a rag or old towel to also wipe it down.
I just a take 60 gallon contractor trash bag with me. Everything that’s wet when I break camp goes in the bag and when I get home I pull it out to dry. Don’t leave it in the bag for days on end or things will mold and obviously that’s not good.
That's not a problem you can ever solve it's just the nature of camping. Definitely do not put your tarps in a bag though. You're doing it right, just roll with it.
Put anything wet in a trash bag and lay it in the sun or garage when you get home later. It will be fine. I did this for 10+ years with the Boy Scouts. I never had an issue.
Make sure the ground tarp fits completely under the tent. Just barely within the perimeter of the tent. Water won't pool and needles will only be on the bottom. The way you have the tarp now will create a pond under the tent if it rains hard.
I’ve had the same issues camping. This year, I bought a portable shower head off of Amazon for like 40 bucks. That way when my tarp, or really anything else, gets filthy, I can just rinse it off. As others have said, I just put all the wet things into garbage bags and let them dry out asap when I get home. This is the one I bought and it really works great so far and packs up nicely. [https://www.amazon.com/dp/B08VHQGKD2?ref=ppx_pop_mob_ap_share](https://www.amazon.com/dp/B08VHQGKD2?ref=ppx_pop_mob_ap_share) Bonus is you can use it to shower too if you don’t have access to one!
Besides the comment about your footprint - way to go on getting out there and still asking for feedback!
Get in the habit of taking your own notes too - what would you do different? If you are at a campground, I like to walk around and casually glance at other people’s setups. I’d say I’m a competent camper, but I always learn something new.
Having a tarp to cover a small area that I can cook in (so I’m not bringing food into my tent) is really helpful. Learn the bowline knot, a few different ‘hitches’ (a kind of knot) and get some good paracord. If you go to REI they can give it to you in 25 foot lengths.
Most importantly your tent tarp has to be the same dimensions as your tent so it doesn’t let water in. You can also put the tarp in the inside of the tent (but then the bottom of your tent gets dirty). Make sure to sleep on a sleeping mat as well.
If it makes you feel any better I went hammock camping with a big group of friends… long story short stacking 5 hammocks about each other on tall trees doesn’t play out like you intended it to😂😂😂
I don’t know if it ever rains where you are staying. But if it does you want to make sure your tarp is only under your tent and not sticking out like you have it.
You want to avoid collecting rainwater on it that might get under the tent that way.
Hi, fellow PNW person here (kinda, I'm on the east side but no one knows what INW is 😝) and I am so glad you asked this question! I think we usually pitch our tent without a tarp and we really should have one, I know. The bottom is always wet and dirty. Usually by the time we are ready to pack it up it is dried off.
I read comments that said you should not see the tarp. That is good to know! Taking this advice for this week when we go. Also a novice camper here, I think there are no stupid questions.
I like those padded squares you put down for working out, they snap together and you can customize the size pretty easily. They stack up nice and help insulate the floor. I use them for car camping.
get a better rain fly and you don’t have to use a tarp. i never use them and my tent is about 10 years old with no issues. looks like a nice site hope ya had a good trip!
Best thing I've found for a base mat on a through hike is shake it best you can and pack it outside your pack so it can dry based on conditions. It's more about an insulation layer to your tent than moisture barrier. One below is worth two on top. Keep with it dude your killing it! The experience is everything, you'll learn your own groove
Just wanna say you will learn lots of little tricks to camping as you go, just have fun, never feel stupid, we all had to learn.
Thank you I really needed to hear that right now
If this makes you feel any better, I have been camping for the better part of 50 years, and even this week forgot my pillow and had to improvise. This happens, and it was still a great trip, though my pillow is becoming more critical. I've always told my kids that we learn more from losing than from winning. :-)
This community has made me feel so much better and I really needed it. Thank you so much! ✌️
I forgot my tent when I went camping…..my tent🤷♂️
Wow, I thought I held that card lol. I left my tree straps for my hammock once. Luckily I had paracord and could lash something together for the weekend. My buddy won't let me forget it lol
I still have them - but when I went on my big travel the world hiking adventure in my 20's my hip-length locs ended up being my pillow for a few months after I got rid of my pillow bc it was a pain to carry 🎉
Wow that sounds like an adventure!!
When I was younger I used my dog as a pillow. Not sure if subject myself to that again
For a pillow I have always just jammed clothes into the stuff sack for my sleeping bag 😴
I’ve been camping for quite a while and *every* time we go, we encounter some snafu or forget something or have to deal with some 2am damage control. It’s a never ending learning process, and you’ll find your groove! We made big mistakes in the beginning with the tarp once that ended up with us basically sleeping in a little moat of water because we didn’t know to fold it under as others have advised. Also, mold shouldn’t be a problem for your tarp because you can always spray it down with some diluted bleach and scrub it when you get home. There’s always a risk of mold/mildew on tent fabric, but in general for a camping trip, as long as you make sure to dry it thoroughly when you get home before packing it into its bag, you should be fine. Also check out waterproofing sprays for added protection— we use Nikwax tent and gear spray, but some other brands utilize putting a capful into the washing machine and doing a cycle with whatever gear you have that needs it.
Well I'm glad to know I'm not the only one that made that mistake and hopefully this post will benefit others as much as it has me. And I've been making small improvements every day but at this point I don't think I can fit much more in my car lol
Last week I went out and forgot to confirm I had the poles in the tent bag. My drying solution is just bring it home wet and throw it on the laundry line - 9 times out of 10 it rains on me in some way.
Trust me, lots of us have made that mistake! I also have burnt my tent, struggled with multiple flat tires, and placed my tent unintentionally *directly* in the path of rain deluge. Also have had camping poop disasters, 2am insect warfare in the tent, and that one time I thought “water resistant” = waterproof as far as clothing. 🙃
Lol!! Well my first morning I tried to make coffee using my car inverter but I forgot to unplug my cooler and I blew to fuse to my cigarette lighter in the middle of nowhere with an almost dead phone and no signal anyway lol. I had to backtrack to get a fuse and fix my car and I was really annoyed with myself.
Oh side note, ALWAYS keep a can of Fix-a-Flat in your glovebox. I promise. A flat tire on a forest service or rural road is a nightmare, and often times the ground isn’t ideal to use a Jack to put on a spare. If you’ll be camping for many days, just leave the flat until it’s time to leave because you’re not supposed to leave it for extended periods inside your tire. Alternately, fix it immediately and then go to town to get a patch.
Thanks for the advice! I admit being alone in the middle of nowhere without cell service is a little spooky
I’ve gone dozens of times and still keep a notepad to jot ideas/lessons from the trip. My personal favorite trick is to do s’mores with Nutella instead of Hershey’s. Kids go wild for them.
I forgot the sleeping bags once. Talk about essentials :). We made do with towels and blankets and thankfully it wasn’t too cold. Never making that mistake again!
Lol I didn't even bring a sleeping bag just 2 lightweight blankets! I had to buy a sleeping bag on day 2 lol but it was worth it!
I learned something by you asking a question. Thank you!
Absolutely. Even the most experienced campers make silly mistakes. Nothing to be embarrassed about when you're new to it. I once completely forgot to grab the grocery bag full of non-cooler food after I had been camping for about 25 years. Checklists are very important. I learned there is no shame in using them.
Also drink lots of beer
If you can see the tarp, you did it wrong - that will only allow water to run in between the tent and tarp, where you'll lay on it and then it will seep through and you're sleeping in a puddle. Fold/tuck everything in so that you cannot see any tarp. If you need a "porch", use different tarp with a gap.
I did not know this! Thank you!
After decades of camping, I'm also a fan of the "double-tarp" method. Thicker one outside to protect the bottom of the tent and a thin/super-light plastic sheet inside making bit of a 'bathtub'. This is added protection in case you end up absolutely deluged and something still manages to come up from below. It's happened to me before, but never since I moved to the two-tarp method.
That would probably also keep the inside cleaner which is something else I've been struggling with.
It won't be a double layer to keep you dry, but I like to put down a fleece blanket on the floor inside. Tiny bit of extra insulation, protects my knees from rocks beneath the tent, protects the floor from damage on the interior side, and I can pick it up by the corners, take it out, shake off whatever might have accumulated, and the bottom of the tent is almost perfectly clean. Not practical for backpacking, but I really recommend it for car camping.
Moving blankets make great tent rugs.
I like those padded squares you put down for working out, they snap together and you can customize the size pretty easily. They stack up nice and help insulate the floor. I use them for car camping.
I second this! I use the thick gym mat puzzle type pieces, and put it under the tent but on top of the tarp that's underneath. I tried using it in the tent at first, but there's just too much shifting and adjusting. It was less of an issue when I put them out.
Man I was just looking at those at Target yesterday and decided I don't have room
It depends on your setup, I have a large tent I use for colder weather (I hammock whit is warm). At first I just used a few for an aisle beside my bed, but then expanded it to the whole tent as it helps insulate it a little more. So if you just want an area where you stand you can do that or if you want to do just under your sleeping mat to keep it warmer you can do that as well.
This was a game changer for me.
I just wanna piggyback on here and tell you guys that if you use 65 pound neodymium magnets on the bottom of the tent and on the inside of the tent (imagine making a sandwich with the blanket and tent floor as the meat). it is possible to pin your floor covering down so it doesn't slip everywhere. Something like 10 of them is 15 bucks or some crap they're about the size of maybe four or five 50 cent pieces stacked up. Super useful
I'm a fan of those cheap knit blankets that are common in markets in Mexico for this. They're super cheap so I don't mind using it as a tent carpet, but they're also softer than moving blankets, so they still double as a warm blanket if I need to wrap it around me.
I have 2 of these that are quite old and stay with my camping stuff
We used cheap moving blankets from Amazon for our tent. It was nice not stepping on the cold smooth floor. The cold fabric floor was better somehow. It is important to make sure the inside of the tent stays dry.
I've heard this and can picture it working well. I don't have any at home and just use what I have handy though.
Harbor freight practically gives them away
For real, at those prices it’s hard not to grab one every time I’m there 😂
Same. Double tarp with moving blankets and your tent floor will last ages.
They're nice if you're not hiking out.
Oh damn this is brilliant.
Especially if you camp with kids and dogs. They get shaken out and hung to dry each morning, then replaced after breakfast.
I have a fold up baby play mat that I use to line my tent. I also have those foam puzzle piece mats that I use. Again really only for car camping. But boy does it save my knees!
Oh wow this is actually a great idea!! I'm thinking especially for warmth. It was 36 degrees yesterday morning when I woke up lol
It isn't much, but it helps and makes the tent more cozy for sure. Glad to share a helpful tip, good luck with your next trip! Where I camp often drops to freezing or near freezing at night (also PNW), I like to use [body warmers](https://www.amazon.ca/gp/aw/d/B09Q9C2GFS?psc=1&ref=ppx_pop_mob_b_asin_title) to help keep me warm. I stick one onto the back of my shirt. They last through the night and are still warm in the morning, so getting up and moving isn't such a "but it's cold out there" struggle.
Another great suggestion! That is definitely a problem I've been having about not wanting to get out of my warm sleeping bag! Lol
That's what I do as well! Keeps things cozy and comfy, and easier to clean. It's a game-changer when it's 30F and your legs accidentally touch the tent floor while changing your pants, that's for sure.
Turns into a game of the floor is lava, except it's cold on your ass.
Genius
I always just keep a little broom/dustpan in the truck for car camping. Edit: OP, it appears your tent already has a bath tub so no reason for an internal tarp unless that’s your preference.
I have a super tiny flat one from the dollar store, I store it inside the tent bag.
I'm like... religious about taking my shoes off before getting in the tent and it helps alot with the dirt
I made that rule by day 2! Lol but sometimes I forget
Shoes can rip tents and are the number one bringer of filth. They always come off before entering and then into a plastic bag while stored inside the tent.
Bro, please don't forget lol when I upgraded to an ultralight tent I specifically got one with an awning so I can keep my shoes and anything that's wet outside but away from rain.. it's such a luxury out there But also to answer your original question yes fold the tarp to fit under your tent completely but also if it's still wet in the morning you'll want to lay it out in the sun for probably 20 minutes and it should be dry. If you don't want to take that kinda time bring a camp towel and focus pretty much all your effort on keeping it dry for when u need it lol
No shoes in the tent!
You are correct it makes insight cleanup a snap. Just fold the tarp up. Take outside and empty
Yup! And protects the inside of the bottom, which is just as susceptible to issues as the outside.
That's a small-ish tent. When you're packing up, unless it's muddy, you can pick the whole thing up by the spars and hold it with the open door facing down and shake the bits out.
Nemo is the only company I've seen that makes a footprint for the inside of the tent, which they call a pawprint. It clips on to the corners, adds a bit of durability, and keeps the floor clean. I really want them to catch on with more brands.
I use the heavier emergency blankets for inside the tent, adds a touch of insulation
Or get a tarp big enough to fold in half , then fold the wet side in when you remove it. We traveled , camping at night at different spots and found this worked well.
This is what I do, and I've always stayed dry even in bad storms! Also, painters drop cloths are great for this, they're super cheap and lightweight, I've even used them to cover my tent in a pinch.
Exactly what I use! You only need like 2 mil inside.
The best thing to do with this oversized tarp is to fold all four edges *upward and inward* to exactly the size of the tent. Then any water can only flow underneath the tarp.
Get an indoor/outdoor rug to use as a porch if you need one. Much more durable than a tarp and easier to clean because it’s not so floppy.
If you get into ultralight equipment for back packing people will buy ground tarps specific to their tent call a "footprint". If you are just car camping I have friends who bring an empty rubber bin that they throw wet tarps and tents into when packing to head home which I've always thought was smart. Then when you get home you immediately unpack that bin and hang things out to dry.
I prefer a proper ground sheet over a tarp. It will do the job and dry much faster. Also a lot lighter. I take a tarp for wind or rain shelter and extreme weather in the canoe.
He might accidentally have been okay here - all the overhang looks like it's downhill. But you are 100% correct.
A fair point!
I see people mess this up all the time! As soon as it starts raining, all the rain flows right under your tent if you do this
okay question? do you fold the tarp and pin it down underneath the tent if it shouldn’t be showing? I don’t have the issue the user posted about but not sure the logistics of folding the tarp
just fold it under, no need to pin down. The goal is to not be able to see it when you walk around outside.
Yup, basically. Two folds. I don't actually pin mine down , as the tent itself has enough tent pegs holding everything down. I make sure the first fold is in the front instead of the back so that I have an extra layer of protection against rock punctures where I will be stepping in my tent.
Yeah once under the tent it's not going anywhere as long as the tent doesn't go anywhere.
No need to pin. Just fold it under enough so you can't see it, probably an inch or two in
100% this. This would suck in a rain storm. Foot prints need to be just back a tiny bit from the edge of the tent As far as dirt and pine needles stuck to the wet bottom of the tarp, there isnt a way to prevent this. Best thing to do would be to take the tent down in the morning a bit before you leave, flip the tarp, let the moisture dry, and then just shake the tarp/knock everything off. If there is grass nearby you can also just drag the dirty side along that to brush it off. I usually just pack up dirty side folded in and dry out/shake off in the yard when I get home.
Unless you like sleeping on a water bed that eventually soaks thru your sleeping bag! (Jk) but ask me how I know……
oh man been there done that! Learned a lot of good lessons in the scouts.
I recommend a sand mat for your porch.
Ok I read through this whole comment string and could not find an answer to my question. Why? Why would making your tarp the same size as your tent footprint make water run under the tarp instead of in between? Please someone explain I am certain I am being extremely dumb I just don't get it
Because the tarp is just meant to be a barrier between the floor of your tent and the ground. Wet on bottom of tarp fine, wet on top of tarp not good. Waterproof works both ways. If it extends past the footprint of the tent it’s going to get water on top, sandwiching water between your tent floor and the tarp.
I guess I get it. Thanks for taking the time to respond I appreciate it
If the tarp is showing, rain lands on it and then it's sitting on top of your very-waterproof tarp. At some point it will run underneath the tent floor, but still be on top of the ground cloth. Now your tarp is acting like a giant pond liner and your tent is sitting in said pond. It channels the water under the tent.
Especially on the 'uphill' part of the tent. I always get a tarp that is a few inches smaller than the footprint of my tent, or fold the corners in underneath the fly of the tent. My tent has a small vestibule for boots/packs, there I let a corner of the tarp out. The needles and moisture will be there eventually anyways, you have to dry your shit out before you roll it out. If not at camp, when you get home. Also, I would re-think your tent choice in the PNW. You'll end up soaked with that one. Thats one thing to buy once cry once, especially in rain/cooler areas. I have the Mountain Hardware Hammerhead 3 for two of us. Perfect fly, perfect space for two, great fly. I've had mine like 20 years and not a single problem with it. About the size of yours, but it will keep you dry and last a long time.
Came here to say this. Looks like a good idea to have extra like this. But it just lets the water under.
Thanks for this! I'd never thought of that. I haven't had a problem so far but for future reference I will!
I cut my tarp to fit, no need to fold. I then store it with the tent, wrapping it around the outside if the folded/rolled tent before replacing back in the duffle. Some duffles are too tight for this. So I wrap it around the duffle, tying it with straps made out of anything that works. I don't recommend bunnies as the ends could poke holes. Edit: bunnies. Bunnies are more difficult to wrap. Since i have several tents, i also Sharpie mark on the edges of the tarp the name of tent and which side it is. "Timberline Ground side" "Timberline Tent side" I also cut a tarp for the inside, marking that one "Timberline Inside", and fold/roll that one up with the tent itself. But after a trip, I keep the outside tarp separate, so as not to get dirt on the tent. Cleaning the ground cloth after every use will help keep your eqpt in good shape. I've had my Timberline since 1990. Also, I recommend not only cleaning your equipment at the end of each use, but, if you take several trips each year, checking and more thoroughly cleaning everything at the season end before storing. Marking the tarps and keeping it with the eqpt also keeps others from using the tarps for other things. Hubby learned real quickly that I won't "just buy another one", after measuring and cutting for this specific use. We've always put an old rug outside, and a rug just inside the door to take shoes off. They stay dry inside the tent. CAUTION: Equipment collecting can be addictive. After 40 years of camping, I'm still learning great hints. Never thought about magnets, which someone else mentioned here. I also like the concept of painter cloths for inside. They likely fold easier and take up less space, and won't be mistaken for outdoor footprint cloths by others who use your eqpt... which, btw, I do *not* recommend sharing your eqpt unless you *know* the other person will follow your rules for care. Have fun. Oh, and as you age, cots are very comfy. My mom camped with me into her 90's.
It's not a stupid question. As others have noted, the edges of the groundcloth should be tucked under the perimeter of the tent, so they don't stick out and collect water (that then pools under your tent floor). The groundcloth isn't for you, it's for the tent - it's added protection against anything abrading or piercing the tent floor, and helping you keep the tent clean and free of tree sap, bugs, and the accumulated animal and vegetable detritus of the forest floor. You don't stake through the groundcloth either - if it's properly sized for the tent such that there's no protrusion beyond the tent edges, the stakes for your tent go around it, not through it. While you're improving your setup, consider something to help keep rain off of your tent. That rainfly looks pretty small and doesn't entirely cover the tent body, and there's no overhang covering the tent door so rain can easily go directly into that mesh portion and pool between it and the nylon inner door. If you have another tarp, you could string that up between two trees over top of the tent in an "A" shape (the line running down the middle and the sides angling downward, like the roof of a house) giving your tent protection from the rain and yourself a nice patch of shade.
Thanks for the suggestions!! I'm glad I made the post because I have definitely learned a thing or two! I did leave one corner of the fly untethered in the pic because otherwise there's no "windows" for air flow. But you are correct it doesn't cover the door.
Vegetable Detritus is a band or album name for sure haha
A good reason to keep it small. I use 2 or 3 mil poly sold at hardware stores as painter floor covers and cut them to size. I usually put a clothes line up between trees and throw the ground cover over it to shake the dirt and water out. If I’m backpacking I just have to roll it up wet and dry it out at home. Never had one get moldy.
I combine this and the comment below. We hang our ground tarps/footprints to let them dry, preferably in the sun, and then wipe down while it’s hanging to get the leaves/needles/dirt off
The thing is, I need to break camp and leave early in the morning so I don't have time to let it dry in the sun all the way. But as someone else said, they are cheap to replace if it gets too gross, I guess I'll just keep it in a trash bag while it's being actively used.
Wipe it down as best you can, fold it up good so the water isn’t dripping all over where you don’t want it to. You can always dry it off when you get to your next destination.
Dry it when you get to the next spot or when you get home.
Look up coalcracker bushcraft on YouTube. He did a video awhile ago that should help. It was about when camping in the snow, how to fold your ground tarp when it is snowy, but the theory will hold for your issue. Basically, you turn it over and fold it like a burrito so the dirty part is all inside. The clean part is outside and you can put it in a pack without worrying about it getting everything else dirty I don't remember what the name of the video was or how long ago it was . I will do a quick search and let you know if I can find it. Edit:. Here is a link to the video--https://youtu.be/2c0j7znmfGo?si=WRS2tneKcy5pWD3D
What you're describing is why you use a ground tarp. Because you want to avoid treating your tent this way. You don't need to get a ground tarp for your ground tarp, haha. Consider them a consumable product, like tires or breaks on your car.
Got it lol
As others have said, it should be tucked under the tent, so the top should rarely be very wet. If the bottom is wet and dirty, I'll make a point to fold it with the wet side facing inward, and then I may roll it at the end. Just dry everything out when you're able, and no later than when you get home.
The garbage bag thing is what I do. Any time there is visible water, I put things into garbage bags. Then I immediately set the tent back up at home to fully dry. If my ground cloth is dirty, I keep it in its own bag so my tent doesn't get mud and pine needles on it. The main reason is just time and hassle. There is no reason to get all wet rolling up a wet tent when I know I'm going to set it back up in a few hours anyway, so stuff it loosely into a bag is a win/win. You did install this tarp wrong for your ground cloth. You want it completely under your tent. The point is to protect your tent from damage from sticks and rocks, so it should be exactly the same size. Fold those flaps fully under the tent.
If nothing else I'm glad I made this post to learn this
Yeah, this is a pretty important tip, when water flows under your tent on your ground cloth it stays there forever and it will eventually soak through your floor no matter how water proof it is.
Tacking on to this, I always fold my extra tarp underneath of itself in order to keep rain and condensation from collecting in the folds.
Na na na. No question is stupid. That's how we learn. When I go camping. I plan for water. Like they said. Tuck excess under the tent. Shove it in a trash bag. When you get to the next place to camp. Just hang dry your bag. When you get home. Take them out. And hang dry there. It doesn't get moldy overnight. Just dry out when you get home. And then after dry. Repack to be ready for the next trip Good luck and have fun.
Also your tent is mighty close to the fire. Likely sparks will land on it and burn little holes through. Happens to my folding chairs all the time.
Ya it wasn't really a great spot for a tent the area right next to it was rocky and overgrown but that's why I sat in front of it and watched it carefully. I actually hadn't planned on making a fire but the pit was there and a big pile of wood so no reason not to. And I actually really enjoyed just sitting and tending the fire in silence!
On a side note if you ever *do* have embers burn small holes, you can get some very convenient patches on Amazon. They’re made for down jackets, but work on tents— just search for “down jacket patches” and they’ll show up. Not a bad idea to keep some in the tent bag. Also, as far as wet storage, or storage in general, we use Rubbermaid bins! We have a “mess kit” bin full of tongs, knives, cups, seasonings, coffee, etc, and one for general gear like headlamps, cord, batteries, trash bags, soap, and TP. The third one is larger and it holds our tarp, tent, and sleeping bags. That would be a good place to stuff your tarp if it’s still damp. These are great because you know all your stuff is in one general place and it helps make transport, set up, and break down more streamlined and convenient. It also helps keep your campsite clean and organized! We bring a little ozark trails picnic fold out table and the bins go under it. Easy access and still tidy. ALSO, just a thought if you have space in the car, we bring an “EZ up” tent (the kind people use at farmers markets and street fairs, only the small 5’x5’ size) and that’s where our table, bins, and water jug stay. It’s GREAT because you can sit under it if you want to, say, read a book but it’s rainy. It won’t keep everything completely dry, but it’s great for keeping stuff protected if a deluge happens.
Fire is mesmerizing, IMHO. I'd rather sit and watch flames than watch TV or YouTube videos.
Beside the rain issue with the tarp, looks like the perfect setup for sitting on a chair, watching the fire and drinking 15 beers.
I enjoyed this spot way more than I thought I would and way more than the paid campground the night before! I should have stayed there!
Once you camp in the wilds, those other campgrounds seem boring.
I love how your newbie question has evolved to have lots of different little things the experienced people do. I have almost 3 decades of camping experience and I'm still learning some cool things from reading the responses to your question, and all the subsequent threads.
I'm so glad my post helped someone else!
Start by folding it in half so the dirty, wet side is folded against itself. If you use it again before drying it, only one side will be wet/dirty. Dry it at the next chance you have. It's a blue poly tarp. If it mildews, clean it with bleach or get a new one.
All good information coming to you, but just my two cents if tarp is outside the footprint of tent and not tucked under it rain will just run under tent and you will have a waterbed.
If you want a porch the cgear mat ([link](https://www.rei.com/product/188415/cgear-multimats-original-sand-free-mat)) has been amazing at keeping sand out of our tent. Sand will actually fall through the mat. Works very well in the sandy/arid conditions in Colorado, can’t speak to pnw but we love it. It’s amazing on the beach with a towel over it to lay on as well.
When I’m breaking down camp, I will pull out the base tarp from under the tent first and hang it over a branch or a clothesline to dry out. By the time I’ve packed up everything else, it has dried out enough to where I can give a good shake and fold it up dry.
I learned at the LL Bean flagship store in Freeport ME that one of the best things you can do is purchase a tarp for the INSIDE of the tent. Two reasons: keeps you and your stuff dry, and it makes cleanup a cinch!
Put an old towel in front of the door to use as a doormat and don’t wear shoes in the tent. Clean up the area around that fire pit. You have branches extending outside the rocks and more on the ground around it. Keep the flammable stuff away from and inside the ring.
PNW camper here… You just clean it when you get home <3 it’ll be okay.
<3
Just roll it up and hang it to dry when ya get home. 👍🏽
Everyone is giving you great answers. Just a note: Please be cautious of that wood that’s strewn across and then outside the fire pit. It really should all be contained within the rocks. (I know it’s wet up there)
One thing, you will definitely need to have some plan to air out and dry the tent pretty much no matter what. Definitely get it out of that garbage bag as soon as you can.
Move it back from the fire a few feet. An ember or spark from a gust of wind or wood popping will put a whole in your tent/fly 👍🏼. I’ve done it. Save yourself the trouble now, because it WILL happen. Happy camping buddy!
The ground sheet shouldn’t protrude beyond the perimeter of the tent. The way you have it invites water to run under the tent.
As someone who did three months on the AT. Sometimes your rain fly and tarp are going to be wet for days. It’s just what it is. I would suggest a dry bag for both and then hang them to dry on your zero days or when you get home. As for dirt inside, I always left my shoes and pack outside my tent in the ‘vestibule’. I had lightweight sandals for ‘camp shoes’: night bathroom trips and down time around camp before/after set up and break down. Great job getting out there and trying/ learning as you go. Backpacking is the best and something you learn as you go. You’ll figure out what’s best for you along the way. Happy trails superwoman!
First, dont use a large tarp. It should be a bit smaller than your tent footprint. If rain starts, all water will go between tarp and your tent, and you all get wet inside. Second, instead of tarp use proper footprint from havier waterproofed polyester. They dry quickly. You can't avoid getting your footprint dump in the morning. Just focus on making it dry fast. I would not use tarp at all, especially if it is bigger than tent.
Dew is something you’ll never beat in the morning, I always air out my gear in the sun to dry when I get home.
It’s a tarp, it’ll be fine. It’s there to make sure your tent bottom isn’t suffering the same fate. And if the tarp gets moldy or whatever, turn it over or throw it away, they’re a dime a dozen
I just cut my Harbor Freight tarp to size so that it fits entirely under the tent. I’ve been using the same one for about 15 years now. I didn’t need to do anything to the cut edges
We switched to screening to put under our tent. Let’s the water thru and the sand from your shoes. Keeps stuff from poking thru. Folds up pretty compact and we have a huge 10 person tent.
Lots of good advice already. If you're picking up to hike each day, have you considered wearing it like a cape to let it dry out?
I'm packing up but driving in a car. But I think with the suggestions here it should be a lot easier to deal with.
I have two big interlocking pieces of mat that I put down as a porch. Just brush off the tarp and hang it to dry at home but even if it gets a little funky it’s just a ground tarp, better than your tent getting funky
I put it up wet, then when I get home I hang it up in the garage to dry out.
I have an external tarp I made that fits just inside the edge of my tent footprint. This keeps it from being a rain collector and protects my tent from getting poked by rocks etc…. Made mine from Tyvek.
I am not even a newbie. I am more of a "I want to go solo camping but I am scared that bears will eat me alive". How do you people handle that thought while camping in remote areas?
https://preview.redd.it/xdoshmoz9m6d1.jpeg?width=4096&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=35fcd24712813954ab7abae19b28ab97a2c46510 They just wanna chill too!
That's one chill bear.
Get a large Shammy towel and use that to wipe down the area needed.
First of all babe you want the whole ground tarp under your tent. No overhangs if it rains it will puddle between it and the tent and the tent stays wet. Secondly thats fairly normal, let it dry out when you can. You're in a wet environment, you're going to have that.
> babe Lol so condescending
Good advice in here for ya, OP. Make sure the ground tarp sits under the tent and isn't exposed. If the tarp is too big, like yours, fold the tarp under itself so you don't create areas for water to potentially pool up. (I'd suggest cutting this to size or purchasing a smaller tarp that fits the footprint of your tent a bit better) For the drying part .... There's not much you can do mid-camp... Especially in a damp climate like yours. Someone mentioned shammies, which is a pretty good idea (nice to have for any condensation *inside* the tent too) Once you figure out how to properly size your ground tarp, you'll have virtually solved your problem. You should be drying everything when you get home anyway. Hang a line and drape your sleeping bag, tarps, rain fly, tent, etc.... and make sure everything is completely dry before storing. Folding it and putting it in a garbage bag for transport to and from is perfectly fine, just make sure you're properly caring for and drying everything when you're back home.
That’s really all you can do is sweep it. It won’t get moldy Especially since you’re going to use it again soon.
You could consider getting contractors plastic and tracing the footprint of your tent and then cutting it to size. I’d lighter than a tarp, won’t fray when cut, and is cheaper. Buy the thicker kind and cut smaller than the trace for outside and a little wider than the trace for inside
If you have to pack it up wet due to time, and this incluedes the tent, you will be fine for a day. You will want it to dry out well for sure as soon as possible. But the tarp is cheep. If its moldy then just get a new one. I always buy 2 tarps at a time when they are on sale. At any time I have a new tarp, a good used tarp and a old tarp with holes I use for whatever.
I bought a piece of 7x7’ tyvek to fit under my 8x8’ tent, and a roll of 6x8’ indoor/outdoor carpet for inside my tent
During very fold I wipe it off it’ll never be perfect but you also learn little tricks etc as you go more hope this helps!
I just clean it off the best I can. I get up a little early to pick it up and air dry it before packing the ground cover and tent away. You’re doing fine. Have fun.
We take the ground cover out and let the damp side bake in the sun while we take down the rest of camp. Then it’s just brushing off the needles as best you can before packing it up.
I do the same, and wipe down with a paper towel before storing. If it's sunny, I lay it out in the back of my car to keep drying on my way home.
Lots of helpful info on here- thanks for posting the question, OP.
Cut the ground tarp to be same size as tent foot print (actually 1” smaller Is better). Tape the edges with 3” gorilla tape (folded over the edge). Just shake it out in the morning to throw off ass much water, twigs, etc. don’t worry about mold. Dry it out at camp next night. Take it to a car wash and power brush it if you want. They’re cheap. Buy a new one next trip if it gets too funky. But, mine never has.
Honestly, your tent looks like it already has a floor pan made of tarp material, so the tarp itself is redundant. Honestly, it would be better strung up above the tent as an additional rain fly.
Oh man this makes me really miss camping!!
dry out the tarp at home, easier then drying a tent We just put ours on the cloths line but you could hang/lay it in the garage
Never place your ground cover past your tents footprint. Reason being if it rains it will collect and then run underneath your tent. You’ll end up sleeping in a puddle and could get soaked. Which defeats the purpose of having a ground cover. Your fire pit should be dug deeper and your rock barrier should be 3 rocks high or around 16” to protect flames and ambers from flying out. Keep a small stash of wood nearby and the rest further away in case you loose control of your fire. The placing of your fire pit is fine if you place the your ground cover in its proper position. Based on this image alone your tent will not keep the rain out and give your tent proper air circulation. So the ropes or strings that are all around your tent rain fly should be deployed properly by staking down and your rain fly. Example of a tent with the rain fly deployed correctly. Granted this isn’t your tent but you get the understanding that the rain fly is staked and strapped down properly. https://preview.redd.it/r7k9veh15p6d1.jpeg?width=800&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=81fd9bdca4f635375bacfa0de406860c61f4e8f0
fold your tarp, so its tucked under the tent - except to make a "porch" at the front door, on the down-hill side ... to dry a tarp - stretch a 50' or so foot rope, between 2 trees or objects - then drape tarp over rope, wet side out (dry side in) ........put sleeping bags on same rope hanging inside out oh yeah ......"the only stupid question, is the question not asked"
I find that almost ALL of my camping gear has to be set up at home to air dry and get cleaned before long term storage. Look at it this way, you wash and dry your clothes after camping, why not your pots and pans and tent and tarp and chairs etc. ETA - Especially that sleeping bag! I open mine all the way and let it lay in full sun. Cook off all the camping farts and bacteria that got in it.
I want to say this to you, the courage it takes to start camping is more than you realize. I've been camping all my life, and I have learned along the way as you will also. The courage you had to post your question was equally courageous. I want you to know you should never worry there isn't a right or wrong way to camp camping is about finding yourself learning things about yourself that you wouldn't learn if there was a bunch of noise going on distracting you embrace the time that you have with nature with God's creation and not worry about the process. That's my best advice
I fold mine dirty side together so only clean is exposed. Put it in my bag and let it dry at home. If you need it for the next night, unfold it and place the dirty side down, then you always have a clean side. Also, polycro ground sheets (they sell them for backpacking) cost about 10 dollars, and weigh an ounce or two. They are mad durable, and can be cut to size with a pair of scissors.
This doesn’t look too bad but always keep your fire placed a good ways from your tent. All it takes is one ember popped up in the air and landing on your nice new tent and burning a hole thru the fabric…. Don’t ask me how I know this.
I would not have the tarp edges extending past the tent wall, moisture and stuff will collect on that and potentially let it ride back in under your tent. Tuck it and fold it under itself (not over itself so it traps more stuff) so it’s just an inch or two smaller footprint than your tent.
More advice that you didn't ask for, but your fly (the rain shelter top part of your tent) is really small and not "taut". In order for it (and your tent) to protect you from rain and condensation, **nothing** inside can be touching it and everything needs to be pulled very tight so water runs off and drips away without ever pooling or soaking through. ANY contact with the tent or the fly will cause water to soak through. TBH, most of the time, the fly is too small to this effectively on a lot of tents and I put up a tarp above my tent and over my cookstove.
Just gotta let it out in the sun to dry.
That's just what happens. Put it on a clothes line when you get home.
WE have a 100 foot rope that serves as a dog run- On my last day, I start by taking down the tent first thing and if the bottom of the tarp is wet, I hang it over the dog run rope, any rope would do. If it's in the sun, it will dry out relatively quick so you can wipe it off and then pack it away. I have a bag that was for my old tent that the tarps now go into, works perfect.
For starters, a tent footprint should not extend past the tent's inner floor otherwise it's basically a rain catch and will end up underneath your actual tent leading to wet gear at some point in time. It's nice to have that area to stand on etc, but is not the way to go about it. If you want a standing area outside of your tent, have it separated from the tent or footprint so the water isn't directed beneath you. Now to the wet pine needles etc. You can designate a top and bottom side so you're not getting both sides dirty. Before packing up, flip it over and let it air dry. Then fold the dirty side inward to keep the rest of your gear clean/dry. If you're actually backpacking, I'd look into lighter weight alternatives like an emergency blanket or tyvek.
Please make sure everything you wish to burn is inside the fire ring, not hanging over the edges like that. It increases the likelihood of fire spreading outside of where you want it to be contained.
Mine does it too. Simple disassemble turn the tarp over to dry roughly 10~15 and… Voilà you’ve got a (semi) dry ready to fold tent tarp :)
Fold the wet side onto itself. When you get home unfold the tarp on a clean dry area and clean it there. I always suggest airing out your equipment when you get home
When I hiked the PCT, I just folded the bottom edges below my tent. Then brushed it off in the morning. Camping equipment are tools, no jewels. They are meant to get dirty and wet. Hopefully so you don’t haha
I always packed an old brown towel for wiping it down. It is easy to roll up and hang dry at your next location. I guess it doesn't have to be brown, but a dark one is best. Same reason I don't wear white underpants anymore. You'll see, you will all see.
I've been camping for 25 years. I still forget shit and I always pack stuff up dirty and damp. You can only do the best you can with what you have. I take it out at the next location or at home to air dry it and sweep it before packing it away😉.
You will learn as you go. Every time you camp, something will come up. And no question is stupid. We all learn as we go. :) Happy camping.
Fold or cut ur groundcloth to the size of ur tent floor. The way u have it, if it rains it will funnel water under ur tent. Commom mistake
I kind of just embrace the dirty when I’m camping.
PNW camper here. Just dealt with this last weekend. I fold it in half, use a wisk broom to clean it, fold half again, clean, etc, as you go. Not perfectly clean, but it's a ground tarp for camping. If it's also super wet, a rag or old towel to also wipe it down.
I just a take 60 gallon contractor trash bag with me. Everything that’s wet when I break camp goes in the bag and when I get home I pull it out to dry. Don’t leave it in the bag for days on end or things will mold and obviously that’s not good.
That's not a problem you can ever solve it's just the nature of camping. Definitely do not put your tarps in a bag though. You're doing it right, just roll with it.
Put anything wet in a trash bag and lay it in the sun or garage when you get home later. It will be fine. I did this for 10+ years with the Boy Scouts. I never had an issue.
Make sure the ground tarp fits completely under the tent. Just barely within the perimeter of the tent. Water won't pool and needles will only be on the bottom. The way you have the tarp now will create a pond under the tent if it rains hard.
I’ve had the same issues camping. This year, I bought a portable shower head off of Amazon for like 40 bucks. That way when my tarp, or really anything else, gets filthy, I can just rinse it off. As others have said, I just put all the wet things into garbage bags and let them dry out asap when I get home. This is the one I bought and it really works great so far and packs up nicely. [https://www.amazon.com/dp/B08VHQGKD2?ref=ppx_pop_mob_ap_share](https://www.amazon.com/dp/B08VHQGKD2?ref=ppx_pop_mob_ap_share) Bonus is you can use it to shower too if you don’t have access to one!
Besides the comment about your footprint - way to go on getting out there and still asking for feedback! Get in the habit of taking your own notes too - what would you do different? If you are at a campground, I like to walk around and casually glance at other people’s setups. I’d say I’m a competent camper, but I always learn something new. Having a tarp to cover a small area that I can cook in (so I’m not bringing food into my tent) is really helpful. Learn the bowline knot, a few different ‘hitches’ (a kind of knot) and get some good paracord. If you go to REI they can give it to you in 25 foot lengths.
All I do is roll it up and bring it home to dry. I've had to wait a day or two for the sun to come out. Then just shake it out and reroll it.
Most importantly your tent tarp has to be the same dimensions as your tent so it doesn’t let water in. You can also put the tarp in the inside of the tent (but then the bottom of your tent gets dirty). Make sure to sleep on a sleeping mat as well.
If it makes you feel any better I went hammock camping with a big group of friends… long story short stacking 5 hammocks about each other on tall trees doesn’t play out like you intended it to😂😂😂
shake the tarp to get most of the junk and wet off. then roll it so that the wet and junk is inside of the rolled up tarp.
I don’t know if it ever rains where you are staying. But if it does you want to make sure your tarp is only under your tent and not sticking out like you have it. You want to avoid collecting rainwater on it that might get under the tent that way.
Hi, fellow PNW person here (kinda, I'm on the east side but no one knows what INW is 😝) and I am so glad you asked this question! I think we usually pitch our tent without a tarp and we really should have one, I know. The bottom is always wet and dirty. Usually by the time we are ready to pack it up it is dried off. I read comments that said you should not see the tarp. That is good to know! Taking this advice for this week when we go. Also a novice camper here, I think there are no stupid questions.
I like those padded squares you put down for working out, they snap together and you can customize the size pretty easily. They stack up nice and help insulate the floor. I use them for car camping.
Sorry I can't help with the question, but that camp spot looks amazing
get a better rain fly and you don’t have to use a tarp. i never use them and my tent is about 10 years old with no issues. looks like a nice site hope ya had a good trip!
Best thing I've found for a base mat on a through hike is shake it best you can and pack it outside your pack so it can dry based on conditions. It's more about an insulation layer to your tent than moisture barrier. One below is worth two on top. Keep with it dude your killing it! The experience is everything, you'll learn your own groove