How to Set up a Tent

Give your campsite some extra security with a strong, sturdy tent setup.

It might seem easy to some, but setting up a tent can be trickier than it looks, especially for novice campers. Struggling to set up your tent could lead to uncomfortable sleeping conditions and an overall bad experience in the outdoors. Thankfully, however, you can avoid this negativity by following a few simple steps. You can now spend your time in the great outdoors embracing its beauty, not wrestling with tent poles.

The first step is to lay out your tent’s footprint, or protective tarp. This will add a barrier between the ground and the bottom of your tent to protect it from gathering moisture and reducing its overall lifespan. If your footprint is larger than your tent’s floor, tuck the exposed edges underneath. This can help prevent any water from running off of the fly and back under your tent.

After your footprint is in place, unfold the tent and begin to construct your tent poles. Once the tent poles are assembled, thread them through the main frame of the fabric. This should result in an “X” shape as shown in the video above. To raise the tent, start at one end and insert the end of each tent pole into its corresponding pocket. Repeat this process with all of the remaining pole ends. This will help the tent by giving it shape and dimension.

Once the tent is raised and secured, it’s time to add further structure stability by staking the tent into the ground. Begin staking down the tent at the corners with the provided tie-out loops. Also be sure to drive the tent stakes into the ground at an angle, away from the tent. Check the stakes every morning to make sure they aren’t coming loose.

If weather conditions call for it, you might need to add a rain fly to your tent. Lay the rain fly over the top of the tent, attaching it around the perimeter with the provided clips or hooks.

Having a secure tent can elevate your outdoor camping experience. Without the worry of a frustrating tent setup, you’ll have time to explore the woodlands, cook an appetizing meal around the fire or just enjoy nature in and around your campsite.