How To Set Up A Tarp For Camping

Once the knots are secured, you can use pegs at the other end of the guy line, joining them up using a clove hitch. A ridgeline for your tarp extending over your camping hammock, or where it will be soon. Once you have the Prusik hitch connected, clip a carabiner onto the standing end and then clip the Prusik’s loop into the same carabiner. Pull on the working end while repeatedly shifting the Prusik hitch towards the tree until the cord is tight.

Each campsite you go to will be different and you have to know the different ways to set up a tarp. If you have trees available it makes it easier but sometimes you will not have any trees and you will need shade. I generally have lines already set with some loops in the end of them that I can just hook over the spike on the tarp pole. I have 5 or 6 of them in my vehicle every time I go out tent camping, and I also have like 5 or so tarps, various sizes. I can just about do any type of shelter including my tent in the mix. It can be hard enough to gather your thoughts—let alone your rainfly—in windy weather!

Attach the biner to the loop and pass the end of the rope around another tree and then through the biner. After you get the tarp suspended you can adjust the location of the tarp by lengthening one rope and shortening the opposing rope. You can use a center pole if you want but if you put the ropes of one end of the tarp high enough in the trees you can lift the tarp to the desired angle for drainage. No matter how tight you pull the corner ties the center of the tarp is going to sag.

How To Set Up A Tarp Without Tent Poles

Don’t forget that it is best to practice these skills in good weather somewhere relatively close to home before you rely on them in tough conditions. Some cordage has a stretch to it which feels very slight in your hand but over a long distance and with weight on it, the stretch is significant. It is worth noting that a made for purpose emergency bothy will be high-visibility and will have ventilation and even ‘windows’ of clear vinyl built in. In a pinch, though, a tarp makes an adequate stand in.

The biners do not have to be the expensive kind used in climbing. They can be the type you find at a hardware store and cost 1 or 2 dollars. When the storm passes, simply remove the pegs holding it down and re-insert the poles.

Tarps are best used when pitched on flat ground in moderate winds. For the diamond suspension configuration, you need a square-shaped tarp turned sideways to form the “diamond”. To position your tarp over the ridgeline, throw it over and let it hang down so there are equal parts on either side of the “ridge”. Wrap the tarp strap around the tree just like you did previously, in the same direction and at the same height from the ground as the other side. Besides the sun protection, this shelter has enough headroom and space to move around comfortably.

However, you should know that a decent, easy to loosen knot is what you need – you don’t have to outdo yourself with the knot. For this tarp set up example we’ll assume you are using a simple tarp with either grommets or webbing loops and be using a ridgeline that is to be tied to trees. If however, you are putting together a tarp setup to work with a variety of situations, then purchasing one or two poles would not be a bad idea. For more elaborate freestanding setups or larger tarps, three, four, or even five poles may be ideal. Also keep in mind that you may want to have your ridgeline run diagonally across your tarp in some situations.

Make A Windbreak

I prefer Gore-Tex as it’s waterproof on the outside but will let moisture out from the inside. The bivy sack usually has a thick waterproof material on the bottom and a thinner waterproof material on the top of it. It’s fully enclosed but will have an opening at the top. You’ll have to decide what you are willing to sacrifice in headroom to do this.

Whether you’re camping for fun or are bugging out for survival, having a tarp gives you more flexibility and allows you to carry a more lightweight pack. They can be made from sturdy material that can protect you from the environment, rain or shine. What sets them apart from tents is that they can be customized and configured to fit your needs.

Secure one end of each rope at opposite corners by tying them together or using the included stakes to anchor them in place. The first step when setting up a tarp for camping is to find the right spot. Ideally, this will be in an area where there are plenty of trees and branches nearby. You want something that is large enough but also lightweight if possible.

Situations Where You Cant Use A Ridgeline

If you choose to use trekking poles, there are three separate ways you can set up your camping tarp. I take the loops, put them though the grommets at the corners and then tie them to the center support line with a couple half hitches. The tarp should just be sitting on the center support rope without being pulled. The loops are not used to put tension on the tarp just hold it in place.

After you raise the tent, fix those hooks in the right place and attach all the others important parts so that the tent stand up durable. The second option, if there are no flaps available you could attach plastic slip at each pole the tent has on its top. Start by setting the tarp on the ground where you will put up the tent. It’s essential to use a solid stick that’s high enough near what will be the entrance of your tent and build up from there. Once you found the perfect place and took all the other things into consideration, it’s time to actually set it up.

Using Your Tarp In Emergencies

It is easier than trying to support the weight of the tarp while doing this. Yes, you can put a tarp under the tent to protect the ground sheet. Just make sure the tent is completely covering the tarp, otherwise it can collect rain that pools under your tent, which won’t be good. The price of tarp poles are outrageous so there is a simple solution, without cutting poles at your camp site out of the woods, as some places doing so is not acceptable. The tarp I’ve been using is a cheap tarp, like a building tarp or an old groundsheet tarp.

Which one you choose will depend on how much you are going to use it, how far you will need to carry it and what kind of conditions you expect to use it in. For a DIY tarp, you can probably get away with an investment of less than $30 depending on the material you want to use. For more information, check out my article on how to make your own DIY tarp canopy. If you don’t want your tarp to get blown off, you need to ensure that the sides are tightly straightened out.

A Taut-line hitch is another alternative for a clove hitch. Based on my encounters with camping veterans and numerous camping trips, I have come with some of the best ways to set up a tarp. Moreover, this sheet will save your equipment as a makeshift tent. Therefore, it is essential to know how to set up a tarp during camping. Using a tarp can be a liberating experience, allowing you to get even closer to nature and make the most of your camping trip.

Some of the hammock tarps do not come with guy lines and may put you in trouble. I’m not going to cover setting up a tarp with poles in this article. There are so many crazy configurations and you are only limited by the situation and your creativity. But I will say that even a simple two pole setup in the middle of a field is much easier and quicker with two people. It is very strong, yet has much less diameter and weight than paracord, so it doesn’t take up much room in your tarp bag.

When erecting the camping tarp, it is also recommended that you have the entrance to the tarp in the lee of the wind. Doing so will help reduce the wind from entering the tarp and causing it to lose some of its stability and integrity. The Cross-Pole Method is another way to secure a camping tarp with trekking poles and also allows more room to enter the tarp when it is an A-frame.

Essential Knots

The clove hitch is a good knot used for binding and is easy to tie and untie. Keep in mind, however, that a clove hitch can also slip and come undone if the tarp ends up rotating or constant pressure is being placed on the line. I enjoyed this especially the video, which you included. As for the design, I have always followed the A-frame shelter because it is easy to set up. Just like what you have mentioned, it is also good for wind deflection, which is always a plus.