Waterfront Camping Tips: Staying Safe And Dry
If you're planning a outdoor excursion with your family this summer, you might consider spending a few nights on the scenic banks of a lake, river, or creek. Not only does waterfront camping give you immediate access to water sports adventures, but it also provides stunning vistas that your family isn't likely to soon forget.
Here are a few tips to keep your family safe and dry during your waterfront camping trip:
Camp Above the Waterline
Regardless of the size or type of body of water your family calls home for a few nights, you will observe a water line. This water line represents how high the waters can rise on a body of water. Using this mark as a reference point is important. Even if the waters have receded drastically from this point, it can be dangerous to set up camp below this line. This is particularly important if you're camping by a stream or river, which can swell during torrential rain storms or rise dramatically as snow melts. These dramatic rises can happen quickly and at anytime. The camping above the waterline is also important if you're camping near a tidal body of water.*
*Consider consulting a tide chart before camping near a tidal body of water.
Pack a Dry Ruck Sack
Because many waterfront camping excursions involve water sport adventures, you run the risk of soaking camping gear and food. One way to protect your gear and food is to pack everything you bring in dry ruck sacks. These dry ruck sacks are made from sturdy, waterproof, fabrics that will keep every dry during your trip. When choosing dry ruck sacks, opting for bigger sizes allows you to concentrate more of your gear into one secure and dry location.
Double Anchor Lines
If your waterfront camping trip involves boating, you will need to secure your boat while you're at camp. If you're beaching your water craft, you will need to secure it. One mistake that many novice campers make when securing their water craft is using a single anchor line. Having only one line, means that a single loose knot or weak rope can cause your water craft to drift away. Using two lines, however, doubles your security. When you're setting your anchor lines, secure one line to the bow and other to the stern. Also, make sure that your anchor lines are connect to two unique points (not the same rock, tree, or other point).
Check places like Rathbun Marina for more waterfront camping advice.
