Sleeping under a tarp

I was introduced to tarp camping during my first survival course in 2001. It’s a somewhat primitive way to sleep outdoors, but compared to a tent, a tarp is often lighter, cheaper, and keeps you more connected to your surroundings thanks to its open design.

That openness does come with a few requirements: you’ll need two elevated points to tie to (e.g. trees, sticks, hiking poles), protection from wet ground (such as a bivy bag – a waterproof and breathable shell for your sleeping bag), a wind-sheltered campsite, a mosquito net if bugs are around, and some tarp-pitching skills.

For camping in the woods, a tarp has been my favourite type of shelter for many years. In more exposed areas, like in the mountains, I prefer a tent for the added protection.

Buying or making

You can buy a camping tarp ready to go or make your own. The one I’ve used most over the years is ridiculously expensive (€190) model from the Dutch company Erdmann Schmidt (now out of business). It’s on the small side (2.5 x 2.5 m), weighs 750 g (including nylon cords) and is made from ripstop nylon. The quality is outstanding – after more than fifteen years of use it’s still going strong, with only a few small holes from campfire sparks, which I repaired with Seam Grip glue.

These days, you can find much cheaper options, such as the 3 x 3 m tarp from DD Hammocks (around €50).

Or you can go even cheaper by making one yourself. Hardware stores sell simple tarps (typically 3 x 2 m) with metal eyelets along the edges. Choose green or brown if you prefer to blend in with the surroundings. You’ll also need some nylon cord:

9 m of 5 mm cord for the ridge line
16 m of 3 mm cord for four guy lines (4 m each)
0.4 m of 2 mm cord to tie the tarp to the ridge line.

The total cost for a homemade tarp is about €25.

My basic setup

There are countless ways to pitch a tarp. Below is the method I use most often — inspired by Extra Survival and Ray Mears.

Since I usually camp in the woods, there are almost always trees nearby to tie the tarp to. The images below show my basic setup and the knots I use.

tarp-basic — My basic tarp setup between two trees

Here’s a short video of me setting up my tarp.

I prefer knots that are strong, easy to remember and quick to release. There are plenty of alternatives to the ones described above. For example, I sometimes swap the Timber hitch for the Siberian hitch, the Backhanded hitch for the Trucker’s hitch, or the Taut-line hitch for the McCarthy hitch.

Normally I pitch my tarp at about chest height, lowering it in bad weather for better wind and rain protection. For anchoring the guy lines, I usually use sticks, rocks, logs, or sturdy plants. I only bring tent pegs when camping in places with little vegetation — such as alpine or rocky terrain.

With wind and fire

If the wind is clearly coming from one direction, I pitch the windward side of the tarp right down to the ground for better shelter. When camping near a campfire, I raise the fire side by tying the guy lines to nearby trees or over a long stick angled back to the ground.

The windward side pitched to the ground and the fire side pitched up — The windward side pitched to the ground and the fire side raised. I used a stick to hold up the left upper corner. (My friend Vince sits under the tarp).

With bugs

When there are stinging insects around, I hang a mosquito net under the tarp. (If the bugs are very small – like midges – make sure the mesh is fine enough to keep them out).

With mosquito netting — Tarp with mosquito netting. (The 2 horizontal sticks keep the net spread out).

Alternatively, you can sleep wearing a head net or use a bivy bag with an integrated mosquito net, though both are less comfortable.

With a hammock

When sleeping in a hammock, I use the same basic tarp setup, just pitched a bit higher to allow clearance.

You can even have a campfire under your tarp, as long as the distance between the flames and the fabric is sufficient.

With a hammock and a camp fire — Tarp with a hammock and a campfire underneath

Without trees

If there are no trees around, such as in the mountains, you can improvise using sticks or hiking poles as supports. Be cautious, though – this setup only works when the wind isn’t too strong!

With hiking poles — Tarp supported by hiking poles

For extra wind protection, pitch three sides of the tarp to the ground, keeping the opening downwind.

Pitched to the ground on 3 sides against the wind — Tarp pitched to the ground on three sides for wind protection

At first, sleeping under a tarp can feel a bit exposed, but give it a try — you’ll quickly notice how much more connected you feel to your surroundings compared to sleeping in a tent.

Happy camping!