Thunderstorm Safety While Camping

While tent camping or hiking you are sometimes faced with decisions that need to be made quickly, such as a Thunderstorm that has moved into your area while on a hike or camping at your campsite location, do not attempt to move into an open area if you would be the tallest in your immediate surroundings. If the lightning is getting closer (time from flash to bang is getting shorter), you may have time to cross the open area to reach a better shelter, do so quickly so you do not get caught in the open area. If the flash to bang is less than 30 seconds then at this point if you are surrounded by trees or other tall items you would be better off to stay where you are and take cover in your tent or take cover under closest available shelter until the storm passes.