Setting a tent up correctly can be the difference between staying dry and spending the weekend soaked and miserable. So here are a few tips on how to set up a tent correctly.

The tent I am using is the Kelty Gunnison 4.1. It's a 3 season, 4 man tent. This is great for my family and me--we have a large golden retriever, a 2 year old son and a baby on the way. It's light enough to break up between two or three hikers--my wife carries the tent stakes and guylines, the golden carries the rainfly and I carry the rest--and it's great for car camping. It has 2 doors for easy access and 2 vestibules for backpacks, hiking boots and whatever else you want to keep out of the tent.

If the ground is wet, you will want to use a tent footprint or a tarp.