My first camping trip with my own tent was a disaster. The forecast said clear skies. It rained at 2 AM. I woke up in a puddle. Not a damp spot — an actual puddle, with my sleeping bag acting like a sponge at the bottom of it. I spent the rest of the night sitting in the car.

The tent was not defective. I had just set it up wrong — and that is true for most of the soggy campers out there. Here is what I learned after that miserable night.

Pick Your Spot Carefully

Look at the ground. Is it the lowest point in the area? If yes, water will pool there. Choose a spot with a slight elevation — even a gentle slope is better than a depression. Check for signs of past water flow: channels in the dirt, debris built up against roots, areas where the grass looks flattened in one direction. Do not pitch your tent there.

The Tarp Goes Under the Tent — But Not Sticking Out

A groundsheet or tarp under your tent protects the floor from sharp rocks and ground moisture. But — and this is the mistake I made — the tarp must be smaller than the tent footprint. Fold the edges under so no tarp is visible outside the tent walls. If the tarp sticks out, rain hits the tarp and runs straight under your tent. You have just built a water collection system.

Stake Out the Rainfly

The rainfly needs to be pulled tight and away from the tent body. If the rainfly touches the inner tent wall anywhere, water will seep through at that contact point. Use all the guy lines. Stake them at an angle away from the tent so the fly is taut like a drum. The space between the fly and the tent body is what keeps you dry — preserve it.

Dig a Trench (If You Have To)

If rain is already falling and water is pooling, dig a shallow trench around the uphill side of the tent to divert water around it. This is an emergency fix, not something to rely on. Leave no trace — fill the trench back in when you break camp.