Camping Under the Stars: The Benefits of Tarp Shelters

If there’s one piece of camping equipment you should never leave home without, it’s a tarp. Tarps are multifunctional pieces of gear that are extremely versatile while camping. So versatile in fact, that they can even be used as your shelter. 

Yep, you heard that right. You can fashion a camping shelter out of a tarp, and there are plenty of reasons you should consider trying it on your next camping trip! 

Read on to discover the benefits of tarp shelters and the potential drawbacks. Then, we’ll dive into how to make your own tarp shelter, from all the different ways it can be pitched to the essential supplies you’ll need. Let’s get started. 

The Benefits of Tarp Shelters

Tarps as shelters are incredibly versatile and offer a range of benefits for campers. For one, tarps are just one piece of fabric, making them incredibly lightweight and easy to travel with. You can choose to pitch your tarp shelter with or without poles, so if you opt to go without, that’s one less thing you need to carry in. For backpackers, almost nothing beats functional gear that’s also extremely light. 

On a similar note, this minimal requirement for gear makes tarp shelters one of the cheapest options on the market. And because tarps come in a large range of sizes, you’ll also find that they can be very spacious if pitched right. With tents, the bigger they are, the heavier you can expect them to be. Tarps eliminate this worry, providing ample space while maintaining their coveted lightweight quality.

Another major advantage of tarp shelters is how much ventilation they get. All configurations of tarp shelters will inevitably have at least one side that’s open to the elements. This allows for air to move freely through the shelter, reducing the buildup of condensation. Not only does this make your abode more comfortable, but it’s also beneficial to the longevity of your tarp. Too much condensation can result in mold and mildew, which can quickly compromise the fabric. 

When it comes to convenience, tarp shelters beat out tents almost every time. Once you know how you’re configuring your tarp (and you should nail this down before your trip), you can pitch your shelter in a matter of minutes, with just one pair of hands. This is in contrast to some tents on the market that can take over 30 minutes and require more than one camper to pitch it right. Once it’s pitched, the lack of zippers and doors makes climbing in and out of your shelter a bit more convenient than a traditional tent.

The Disadvantages

The benefits of tarp shelters are hard to ignore, but it’s also important to consider the potential disadvantages of this style of shelter before committing to it on your next camping trip.

While the openness of a tarp shelter is beneficial for ventilation purposes, this could be a drawback for certain campers. The lack of a completely enclosed space might make you feel overly exposed to the elements, from bugs and wild critters to weather like wind and rain. Whether or not this will bother you will come down to how comfortable you are in the wilderness and ultimately, your personal preferences.

Another thing to consider is that tarp shelters are not as straightforward to set up as traditional tents. You’ll have to do your research to understand how to pitch your tarp properly to keep yourself safe and comfortable. For most first-timers, you can expect to face a bit of a learning curve, which could turn some people off from using tarps for shelter altogether. 

How To Make a Tarp Shelter

If you’ve weighed the pros and cons and concluded that a tarp shelter would suit your next camping trip perfectly, read on! Here you’ll learn 3 common ways to pitch a tarp shelter, how to pick the right tarp, and understand what other gear you’ll need.

3 Ways To Set Up Your Tarp

There are endless configurations of tarp shelters, intended for a range of climates and conditions you may find yourself in. Here are 3 of the most common (and easiest) ways to pitch your tarp.

1. The A-Frame

When you think of a tarp shelter, you’re probably imagining the classic A-frame design. Simply run your ridgeline between two trees or sturdy end posts then drape your tarp over it at its center. Secure both ends to the ground with stakes and voila! The angle of the tarp’s roof will act to direct water and precipitation away from your shelter, keeping you drier than other possible configurations. 

2. The Lean-To

One of the simplest ways to achieve a tarp shelter is the lean-to method. Once complete, this setup has one wall and a makeshift rain fly sheet to keep you protected from wind coming from one strong direction and rain. 

This is a very exposed shelter but with it, you get a large space to get some rest. Plus, the simple setup makes it incredibly fast to put up and take down in a hurry – perfect for campers on the go. Once your ridgeline is secured, attach one side of your tarp to the ground, the center of your tarp to your ridgeline, and the other side to poles for support. You can use hiking poles, aluminum tent poles, or sturdy sticks if you want to travel light.

3. The Body Bag 

The body bag is essentially a lower A-frame design with the addition of floor protection. For this, set your ridgeline a bit lower, to around waist height, and drape your tarp over the top, with approximately two-thirds of the tarp on one side and one-third on the other. With the long side, create your first wall and the ground sheet and secure it. Then, secure your short side to the ground to create the second wall. This configuration has all the benefits of an A-frame setup, with a little less space due to its lower profile. For many campers, the tradeoff for floor protection is well worth it, especially when rain is in the forecast.

How To Pick The Right Tarp

Since the tarp is your main, and sometimes only, source of protection from the elements, it’s vital to pick a high-quality one. Prioritize a tarp made of durable, sturdy fabrics like nylon ripstop or canvas. The best tarps on the market come with water-repellent coatings and mold & mildew resistant treatments. Lastly, look for tarps with reinforced edges and corners. You’ll be securing your tarp in a million different ways during its lifetime, and a simple reinforcement along the edges as well as the treatments discussed above will go a long way in ensuring the longevity of your gear. 

Other Essential and Optional Gear To Pack 

So besides your tarp, what other gear do you need to create a successful tarp shelter? One of the biggest benefits of tarp shelters is the minimal amount of gear they require. You should, however, pack the following:

The Essentials

• Camping tarp 
• Guylines for securing your tarp
• Tent stakes
• Ridgeline paracord
• Support poles, either trekking poles, camping tent poles, tarp poles, or sturdy sticks you find in nature
• Sleeping bag

Optional Additions

• Ground tarp for floor protection 
• Mesh netting to keep insects out
• Carabiners
• Sleeping pad  
• Bivy sacks for extra protection

Tips to Consider When Setting Up a Tarp Shelter

Before setting up your shelter, it’s imperative to take careful note of your surroundings. Since many styles of tarp shelters lack ground protection, look for a campsite with great drainage to avoid waking up in a wet sleeping bag. Further, if you choose to use trees as the main support for your ridgeline, be sure that the trees you choose are alive and sturdy. The last thing you want is to secure your tarp to a tree that’s ready to fall at the next strong gust of wind. Since exposure is another real concern, steer clear of campsites too close to water sources that may harbor bugs that will annoy you throughout your stay. A site with a strong through-breeze can also help keep pests at bay. 

The Bottom Line

Tarps are versatile pieces of gear that have multiple uses at your campsite, including using them in place of a tent. Between their light weight, affordability, breathability, and convenience, there are numerous benefits to using tarps as your shelter. While some campers may find the exposure to the elements and the setup a bit daunting, others love the opportunity to fully immerse in nature and learn valuable outdoor skills. With a new understanding of how to make different styles of tarp shelters, the essential gear, and expert tips needed for a successful setup, you’re ready to reap the benefits of tarp shelter camping!