Connect with us
[elementor-template id="151043"]

Camping

7 Steps To Setting Up Your Camping Tent

Published

on

set-camp-site-overnight-mountains camping tent | Featured

Do you know how to set up a camping tent? Before you venture out into the great outdoors for your first camping trip, you’ll want to do quite a bit of planning and research.

It’s tempting to throw a pack together and get out there, but being well-prepared will pay off in the long run and make your experience much more enjoyable and comfortable.

While camping tent designs will vary, there are some basic similarities between them. The steps to setting up your tent will follow the ones outlined below, pretty closely.

RELATED: Camping Gears | Camp Like A Genius With These 25 Additions

Camping Tents Set-Up | Practice Makes Perfect

Your Gear

Your camping tent gear will include:

  • the tent
  • a tarp/groundsheet
  • poles
  • stakes
  • a rainfly

Additional tools that will make the setup/breakdown process much easier are:

  • a mallet
  • peg remover
  • a handheld brush

Before you head to the campsite, make sure you have all the pieces that you need. Store them together to ensure none get lost.

You may also want to purchase a few extra stakes, just in case.

Step 1: Choose Your Campsite

campsites-places-relax-enjoy-explore-outdoor camping tents SS

If you are renting a campsite at a campground, this will be decided for you. The area will be cleared and level and dry. If you are choosing your own campsite, look for:

  • Higher ground to avoid flash floods
  • Avoid beehives, large spider webs, and low-hanging branches that could fall on your tent
  • Keep a safe distance from fire pits and water sources
  • Stay out of direct sunlight that will prematurely age your camping tent

Step 2: Layout Tarp/Groundsheet

sheet-ground-tent-plastic-camping camping tent

  • Layout the tarp/groundsheet at the location you’ve selected. The groundsheet will help protect your tent from wetness, dirt, and dust.
  • If the groundsheet is bigger than the footprint of your tent, be sure to tuck the edges in so that water does not get underneath the tent.

Step 3: Unfold the Tent

young-couple-setting-tent-on-green camping tent

  • Unfold or unroll your tent on top of your groundsheet.
  • Pay attention to where the door of the tent is facing as you will want the door to face away from the wind’s direction.
  • Then lay out all of your other supplies.

Step 4: Connect the Tent Poles & Raise the Tent

black-clip-peg-on-red-pole camping tents SS

This is where your practice or prior experience with your tent will really come in handy.

Each tent will have a slightly different design, and you’ll want to follow the instructions and any labeled pieces for proper setup.

Consider labeling the pieces yourself for an easier setup in the future.

  • Connect all poles of the tent.
  • Most tent designs have two tent poles forming an X as the frame of the tent.
  • You’ll need to put the end of the pole into the eyelet of every corner then slide them in the flaps or clips provided in your tent to secure the poles.
  • Then, make sure to raise your tent once you fit both poles in their slots and the frame is secured.

RELATED: How To Make A Hammock In The Rainforest And Elsewhere

Step 5: Stake the Camping Tent

young-woman-fastening-tent-holding-hammer camping tents SS

  • Use the pegs/stakes and your mallet to secure your tent to the ground.
  • Pull the corners taut, removing any slack, and push the stakes into the ground at a 45° angle away from the tent.
  • Be sure to push the stakes far enough into the ground that they will stay in place.
  • Conversely, don’t push them so far in that you cannot remove them later. If you did not pack a mallet or hammer, you can use a heavy rock.

Step 6: Attach the Rainfly

vertical-shot-father-son-assembling-orange camping tent

  • Place the rainfly on top of the camping tent and ensure the doors of the two are aligned.
  • Pull the rainfly evenly taut and stake it in the ground.
  • The rainfly should not flap around.
  • You may need to adjust the rainfly over time based on weather conditions.

Step 7: Don’t Forget the Guylines

close-girl-hands-fastens-tent-camping camping tents SS

  • Guylines secure your tent to trees or rocks nearby, giving more stability.
  • If there is nothing nearby to use, you can use trekking poles to secure the guylines.
  • These are typically attached to the side of the tent that the wind is coming from but can be used all the way around the tent for overall stability.

This video from NC State Parks will show you the basics of setting up a tent:

There are other supplies to gather for your camping trip, but you’re ready to set up your camping tent! Be sure to hang dry your tent before packing it up to reduce the growth of mold and mildew on the tent itself.

Always keep all pieces of the tent together when storing it.

[poll id=”104″]

Do you have a great tip you’d like to share about setting up camping tents? Let us know in the comments section!

Up Next:

Calling all preppers, craftsmen, bushmasters, outdoorsmen, and all-around skilled people, Survival Life needs YOU! Click here if you want to write for us.

Don’t forget to stay connected with us on FacebookTwitterPinterest, and Instagram!

Editor’s Note: This post was originally published on April 29, 2020, and has been updated for quality and relevancy.

Continue Reading
41 Comments

41 Comments

  1. Pingback: How To Choose A Tent That Is Right For You – The Self-Sufficient Life

  2. Pingback: How To Choose A Tent That Is Right For You - Cooking in Quarantine

  3. Pingback: How To Choose A Tent That Is Right For You – Alive After USA Fall

  4. Pingback: How To Choose A Tent That Is Right For You – SurvivalHood

  5. Pingback: How To Choose A Tent That Is Right For You – Bulletproof Survivors

  6. Pingback: How To Choose A Tent That Is Right For You | Best Go Bag

  7. Pingback: How To Choose A Tent That Is Right For You – surviveurself

  8. Pingback: Tent vs. Hammock Camping: And The Winner Is… – Bulletproof Survivors

  9. Pingback: How to Find the Best Places to Set Up a Tent - Survivalnomics

  10. Pingback: How to Find the Best Places to Set Up a Tent – The Self-Sufficient Life

  11. Pingback: How to Find the Best Places to Set Up a Tent – Alive After USA Fall

  12. Pingback: How to Find the Best Places to Set Up a Tent - Cooking in Quarantine

  13. Pingback: How to Find the Best Places to Set Up a Tent – surviveurself

  14. Pingback: How to Find the Best Places to Set Up a Tent | Best Go Bag

  15. Pingback: How to Find the Best Places to Set Up a Tent – Bulletproof Survivors

  16. Pingback: 7 Steps to Setting Up Your Camping Tent – KentuckySurvival.com

  17. Pingback: 7 Steps To Setting Up Your Camping Tent – Bulletproof Survivors

  18. Pingback: 7 Steps To Setting Up Your Camping Tent – Sprent Brass

  19. Pingback: 7 Steps to Setting Up Your Camping Tent – surviveurself

  20. Pingback: 7 Steps To Setting Up Your Camping Tent – SurvivalHood

  21. Pingback: What To Bring To A Picnic | Picnic Essentials Checklist – Alive After USA Fall

  22. Pingback: What To Bring To A Picnic | Picnic Essentials Checklist - Cooking in Quarantine

  23. Pingback: 5 Important Hiking Safety Tips For Active Seniors – Alive After USA Fall

  24. Pingback: 5 Important Hiking Safety Tips For Active Seniors - Cooking in Quarantine

  25. Pingback: 5 Important Hiking Safety Tips For Active Seniors | Best Go Bag

  26. Pingback: 5 Important Hiking Safety Tips For Active Seniors – Bulletproof Survivors

  27. Pingback: 5 Important Hiking Safety Tips For Active Seniors – Sprent Brass

  28. Pingback: Useful Tips for Novice Trekkers | Best Go Bag

  29. Pingback: Picnic Table Kit | Top Picnic Table Kits on Amazon 2021 - Survivalnomics

  30. Pingback: Picnic Table Kit | Top Picnic Table Kits on Amazon 2021 – The Self-Sufficient Life

  31. Pingback: Picnic Table Kit | Top Picnic Table Kits on Amazon 2021 – Sprent Brass

  32. Pingback: Picnic Table Kit | Top Picnic Table Kits on Amazon 2021 – Alive After USA Fall

  33. Pingback: Picnic Table Kit | Top Picnic Table Kits on Amazon 2021 - Cooking in Quarantine

  34. Pingback: Picnic Table Kit | Top Picnic Table Kits on Amazon 2021 | Best Go Bag

  35. Pingback: Picnic Table Kit | Top Picnic Table Kits on Amazon 2021 – Bulletproof Survivors

  36. Pingback: Tent Heater | 10 Best Tent Heaters for Camping – The Self-Sufficient Life

  37. Pingback: Tent Heater | 10 Best Tent Heaters for Camping - Cooking in Quarantine

  38. Pingback: Tent Heater | 10 Best Tent Heaters for Camping – Sprent Brass

  39. Pingback: Tent Heater | 10 Best Tent Heaters for Camping – SurvivalCove.com

  40. Pingback: 29 Camping Hacks From REI Experts - Primal Survival

  41. Pingback: 29 Camping Hacks From REI Experts - Cooking in Quarantine

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Trending

Copyright © 2020 Survival Life. This copyrighted material may not be republished without express permission. The information presented here is for general educational purposes only. MATERIAL CONNECTION DISCLOSURE: You should assume that this website has an affiliate relationship and/or another material connection to the persons or businesses mentioned in or linked to from this page and may receive commissions from purchases you make on subsequent web sites. You should not rely solely on information contained in this website to evaluate the product or service being endorsed. Always exercise due diligence before purchasing any product or service. This website contains advertisements.