When planning a camping trip, it’s natural to think of the things you’ll need to survive in the wilderness: food, water, and shelter. Having shelter ensures you are safe from bugs, rain, heat, and wind, all of which can seriously put your well-being at risk.
Tarps can provide shelter while camping. In fact, there are many ways to use tarps when camping. They aren’t just for covering something up or keeping your stuff dry.
Below is a list of five different ways you can use tarps when camping.
1. Protection from the Elements
The most important reason to bring a tarp on your camping trip is to protect yourself from the elements. The best tarps have a water-resistant coating, making them perfect for keeping out rain, wind, and other inclement weather. If you go with a larger tarp, you can use it to cover your entire campsite.
Besides, it can be beneficial in rainy or windy conditions, as it will keep all of your supplies dry and protect your tent from getting damaged.
If you don’t have a roof over your campsite, a tarp can help block out the sun; this will allow you to stay cool and prevent your tent from overheating.
2. Shelter and Shade
If you go camping in a hot climate, you will want to bring a tarp to create a shaded area. Tents can get scorching inside, which can be a health hazard. A tarp can get rigged up to create shade, allowing you to stay out of the sun and remain cool.
If you’re in a colder climate, you can use a tarp to create a makeshift shelter. A tarp is a basic but very effective way to block out the cold. You can rig one up to cover your campsite and stay warm or drape it over your tent to trap in heat. It will help you stay warm and safe in frigid conditions.
3. Food Preservation
If you plan to bring food along on your camping trip, you can use a tarp to preserve it. Wrap your food in the tarp and tie it up. It will prevent insects from getting into your food and keep it from getting wet if it rains.
If you are bringing perishable items, you should also get a tarp to keep your food dry if it rains. You can use it to wrap up your food supplies and keep them dry, preventing them from getting spoiled and making you sick.
4. Protection Against Fire
If you plan on using a tarp when camping, you will want to bring a fire retardant tarp. These tarps are fire-resistant, so they should be safe for use around the campfire. Tarps of this nature could be used to preserve a campfire while it’s raining outside.
5. Repairs and Improvements
If you bring a tarp on your camping trip, you will probably use it for repairs. The best camping tarps are made from durable materials. This makes them perfect for patching holes in tents, creating new shelters, or covering up supplies. If there is a tear or hole in your tent, you can use the tarp to patch it up.
If you’re in an area with very high winds, you can also use the tarp to reinforce the walls of your tent and help it stay standing.
You can also use the tarp to fix up your campground. If there are any holes in the ground or low-hanging branches that could damage your tent, you can use the tarp to cover them up.
Conclusion
When planning a camping trip, it’s essential to consider how to use tarps to protect yourself from the elements. Happy camping!
