3 Quick Tips For Camping In Sand

Camping in the sand can be an frustrating process. Some people won’t even try it, they have failed and hated it before, and will just avoid it. It’s true, sand does make things different. Especially when you’re trying to pitch a tent in the sand. But you have all the tools you need to make it happen: sand. Tents work by pitching stakes into the ground and then tying off the tent to those stakes, in one of a few different ways. We get our strength and foundation from the ground. In the sand we do not get this purchase, this foundation. But we can still use the sand to our advantage.

1. SANDBAGGING IT.

Stake out the area you want your tent. And, about two feet away from each spot where a post or stake would go, dig a hole. Take that sand and fill up some small trash bags or plastic shopping bad. You will probably need more sand than just what you get from the holes. Now, tie your tent down to the sand bags, and if you are using a rainfly, tie that down too. Because of the nature of the procedure you may need more or less space between the holes and the tent. It can be hard to tell. If you desire more of a grip, a tighter set up, then fill in those bags of sand in the holes you dug. Just cover them right up. If that does not prove enough stability, like if you are expect strong winds, make several bags of sand and cover the outline of your tent with them. Each bag will help weigh it down, but that help is multiplicative, the more you add the stronger each of them become.

2. KEEP IT CLEAN.

Now that we have our tent set up, there are a few other things we have to do with sand camping. The first step is we have to try to make sure we don’t fill our tent with sand. A normal rule of thumb is no shoes in the tent. With sand camping, that is a must. Your shoes and socks and boots and even sandals will have sand in them, around them, and on them. No shoes.

3.  ZIP IT UP.

Zippers are a very big concern when it comes to sand, too. A few grains of sand can get your zipper off track or stuck. There are a few simple Zipper Kits out there that can prove very useful in this situation. Any good kit (if you want to make your own) should have a way of cleaning the zippers out, before any damage is done. Rubbing alcohol, cotton swabs, and a rag is a good start. And you always want a way to put a zipper back onto its track if it should fall out of place. Camping in Sand can be frustrating, but it can also be a lot of fun. There is a different taste to sand camping, with the beach under foot and the ocean your neighbor. Knowing how to handle the sand is just a practice of experience. Once you get it, sand camping will be a most pleasant time.

Now that you know the best tips for camping in sand, check out one of our top recommendations--camping the Great Sand Dunes National Park.