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A camping experience, whether it's your first or 100th trip, will be a more positive one if you stay dry, comfortable, and can enjoy a level of convenience that suits your needs. With all the modern camping equipment available, you can plan just about any type of camping or backpacking trip imaginable. But no matter what the trip, a good, stable shelter that offers solid protection from the weather and comfortable accommodations is an absolute necessity.

Dome tents are a popular all-around tent style for all types of camping. They offer excellent interior space for their floor size, and they fold up compactly to pack nicely in a car or a pack. By design, they shed wind effectively and can hold up well in rain and rough weather. They come in several shapes: hexagonal, square, rectangular and some hybrid models.

Backpackers and light gear travelers might prefer an A-frame, small dome, or hybrid tent, which have minimal weight and can fold down into small, compact packages. Because space in these tents is very limited, the tent should have good ventilation channels, either a large window or door and/or a net roof vent.

Traditional large cabin tents provide the most space for families or large groups, often with separated rooms for privacy. Large umbrella style or dome tents are also excellent choices. Some larger tents have attached awnings for additional sheltered area.

We currently have floor plans for our Eureka! tents.

Floor Plans for lightweight, compact, 3 season tents ideal for Backpacking or camping in wilderness conditions, Recreational Tents that are spacious and sturdy, and 4 season expedition tents for extreme conditions.

Clean the tent by setting it up and wiping it down with a mild soap (liquid hand soap) and lukewarm water solution. Rinse thoroughly and dry completely. Never use detergent, washing machines or dryers because they can damage the tent's protective coating and seams. After cleaning, be sure the tent is completely dry, especially the heavier, double-stitched areas such as the seams, before storing or mold and mildew are likely to grow.

Clean the tent poles with a soft, dry cloth. This is especially necessary after oceanside camping trips to remove salt spray so the poles don't corrode or stay gritty.

Clean the zippers with a quick dip in water and then dry them off. This is especially important if you've been camping in a location with sand/dirt. If you don't clean the zippers, the sliders will wear out and eventually the teeth will become inoperable.

Make sure the tent is completely dry, then store loosely rolled, in a dry, cool place. To prevent dust from collecting on the tent, cover it with a cloth. This allows the nylon/polyester fabric to breathe.

Ideally, the tent poles should be stored in their fully assembled state. This reduces the tension on the shock cord, prolonging its life. We recommend that the tent bag be used only as a carry sack and not for storage.

Use a ground cloth under the tent whenever possible. If you choose, Eureka! has pre-cut sizes. If not, trace the tent on the ground cloth and cut smaller than the tent footprint to avoid having it act as a water collector. Ground cloths are easier and less expensive to replace than torn tent floors.

Try not to wear shoes inside your tent.

Bring a small rug or mat to put inside the tent door to wipe off mud and catch sand.

Sweep the tent floor daily to prevent damage from stones.

Do not keep food inside the tent. Hungry critters will chew through the tent fabric in search of a snack.

When high winds or a storm are predicted, do not count on staking alone to keep your tent secure. Depending on the model, your tent fly has built-in loops or rings at optimal guyout locations. It's important to put in the extra time guying out your tent. Correctly done, it can save your tent during harsh weather.

1. Attach parachute cord to the loops/rings and stake them in the ground three or four feet from the edge of the tent. If staked too close to the tent, wind can cause an upward pull that could dislodge the stakes.

2. Make sure that the top fly is securely attached to the framework underneath. Ties, hook and loop closures, or dog-bones and elastic loops are typical fasteners sewn to the underside of the fly for this purpose.

If your tent does not have loops or rings for guyouts, attach guylines 1/3 or 1/2 of the way up the framework on the main sidewalls. This enables the guyline to support the lower section of the pole, while the upper pole can flex the side of the guyout. This will prevent all movement except toward the anchor. The idea is to get the guylines to work together through opposition. See illustrations below: