How to Pitch a Tent

So wondering how to pitch a tent? If you've just bought a tent, you may be a little confused as to how to get it up. Don't wait for that big camping trip to find out how! Let's take a look at before your trip, so you'll be ready for any problems you might run into while you're camping. After all, there are lots of things that can go wrong in the woods. If you know how to pitch your tent, that's one that you won't have to worry about.

The first thing you need to do is make sure you read the instructions with care. Take everything out of the packaging and make sure you have all the items you're supposed to. Match them up to what's described in the instructions. Once you know that you've got everything you need, it's time to pack it up again and take it to the back yard or even the local park to learn how to pitch a tent. After all, practicing beforehand means you don't have to figure things out in high winds, cold weather, or the pouring rain.

Make sure that you pack your instructions back into the bag to take with you on the trip. That way, if you forget how, you won't have as many problems. Try timing your first trip with a new tent so you'll be putting it up in broad daylight, not the evening. That way, you don't have to worry about running out of time and having to try to do it in the dark. Choose a site that's as flat as you can, but not in a valley or low spot. Low spots collect water, and that's where you'll be sleeping.

Sweep your tent site clear of branches, rocks and other hard objects to create a clear area. If you're camping on a slope (very few sites are entirely level), try to put the door of the tent downhill, so your head will be uphill. Sleeping perpendicular to the hill or with your head towards the bottom can get very uncomfortable as you slide down in the night.

Avoid areas where there are pine trees likely to drop pine cones or sap on you, and if you see bear scat in the area, pick a new site! Remember to place a ground cloth or tarp under the tent, and tuck that cloth carefully under the edges of the tent? Why? If it rains in the night, the rain will slide off the tent without wetting you or the tarp. If the tarp protrudes, however, it turns into a handy rain collector.

In the case of many dome tents, it's a good idea to stake things down first, and then insert the bendable rods. However, not every tent works this way. The way you put up each individual tent will vary. Just make sure that the tent is as taut as you can make it, so it'll shed rain better, won't collect wind, and will offer the maximum amount of space.

When you're figuring out how to pitch a tent, don't make the mistake of forgetting the rain fly, either. It can make a big difference in how dry you stay.