Set Up a Dome Tent
How to set up a tent? What’s a tarp or footprint for? Why stake a tent? Should I sleep with the rainfly on or off? What does guying a tent mean? Answers to these questions and more, so you can get your dome tent set up and get a good night’s sleep.
1. Pick a spot to set up your tent
Find a level spot to set up your tent. Inspect the area and remove any debris. Make sure you are at least 10 feet from the fire pit.
2. Set the tent’s foundation on a footprint or tarp
Using a footprint or tarp will protect your tent floor from punctures and moisture.
Orient the footprint in the direction your tent will be set up and keep the dirty side down.
If your tarp is bigger than the tent, fold excess under itself after the tent is set up to keep the moisture away.
3. Roll Out the Tent and take inventory of gear
Open your tent on top of the footprint. Floor side down. Pull out the corners. Make sure the door is where you want it.
Separate out the tent poles, rain fly, and tent stakes. Take note of all the parts so you can ensure they all get packed at the end of your trip.
4. Connect the tent poles
Assemble your two main tent poles. If you have more than two poles, find the longest two. You’ll end up with these two poles crossing at the middle of your tent and connecting to the 4 corners.
Poles will connect to the corners of the tent with grommets, pins or sleeves.
Poles will hold the tent up with sleeves or clips.
If your tent uses sleeves, then push both poles through their sleeves. Attach one pole at each end. Attach the second pole at each end. As the last corner of the tent is connected the tent will be raised up.
If your tent is held up with clips then you’ll connect poles to all 4 corners before raising the tent. Connect the first pole from one corner, across the tent to another corner. Lay the pole down over the door. Connect the next pole to the remaining two corners and lay the pole down over the door. Find the clips at the center of the tent and raise the tent and poles together. To avoid standing on the wall or roof of your tent you can open the door while raising the tent.
With the tent raised, attach all clips to improve stability, ventilation and space.
If your tent uses more than two poles, these may be used with the rainfly or additional pop-out sections.
Your tent’s bag should have instructions if you need more information.
5. Stake in the tent
Stake your tent down to keep it fully open and help it remain stable in windy conditions.
If you are using a footprint designed for your tent, connect it to the tent or poles before staking the tent down.
Look for rings or fabric loops at the corners for stakes to go through.
Push the stake in with your hand or use a hammer, rock or piece of wood to pound the stake in. Avoid using your foot as it could bend the stake or loosen the dirt.
Tent stakes perform best when driven straight into the ground.
If the stake can’t be hammered in all the way then you may have hit a rock. Try moving the stake a couple inches.
As you work your way around, pull the tent tight so there isn’t any slack in the walls. After the corners are staked down, secure any additional points ensuring the tent is pulled tight each time a stake is placed. If there is slack in a tent wall, check to see if a stake needs to be moved.
6. Attach the Rainfly
Your rainfly will keep you dry from rain and dew. It also adds privacy, warmth and a barrier against pollen and dust.
Open your rainfly and orient it right side up, look for logos to help with this. It is often easier to pull the rainfly onto the tent first and then rotate it to align it with the tent door. If your rainfly uses tent poles, attach these poles before attaching the rainfly to the tent.
Look under your rainfly for ties or velcro straps and secure all of them to the tent poles starting at the top and working your way down. The bottom of the rainfly will attach to the corners of the tent.
If your tent has a vestibule, be sure to close the door on the rainfly before staking it down.
Your rainfly may use tent poles to create a patio.
Check your rainfly each day to make sure it is tight as they can stretch out during a camping trip.
7. Guying out the tent
If you have a tall tent or there is wind or rain in the forecast, consider using guy lines to secure your tent.
Look for guy out points on your rainfly. Some rainflys will come with guy lines attached. Pull the guy line back and anchor it so the line forms a 45 degree angle with the ground. Use the tensioner on the guy line or tie a taut-line hitch knot to hold the line tight.
Tents don't always include stakes for guy lines so bring extras, create your own with sticks or tie off to trees or rocks.
