A store-bought tent is the easy choice, but it is not the only one. With a tarp, a few poles, some rope, and a free weekend, you can build a shelter that fits your exact needs and costs a fraction of the price.
Going the DIY route lets you control the weight, so you can make something light enough to carry in a backpack without wrecking your back. You can also add a real waterproofing layer, which plenty of cheap commercial tents skip. The trade-off is planning and patience.
If you have never built a tent before and are not sure where to start, this guide walks you through it. Here is how to make a camping tent from scratch in six straightforward steps, even as a beginner.
1. Plan Before You Build
A project like this starts on paper, not at the campsite. Knowing exactly what you need and writing out a materials list makes sure you do not come up short halfway through the build. Before you cut anything, think through these four factors.
- Size: This is the first thing to settle. For a first attempt, keep it easy and build a tent big enough for two. Remember that the bigger the tent, the heavier it gets.
- Weight: A larger tent is a heavier tent. If you want something you can carry in your backpack, keep it light. The materials matter here too, especially the fabric you choose.
- Season: Camping in summer means you want a breathable fabric and enough windows for airflow. Camping in winter means rain or snow, so you need fabric that insulates well and a design you can seal up tight to keep bugs and critters out.
- Material: Most ready-made tents use synthetic fabric, and you can do the same with polyester or nylon. Weigh the pros and cons of each before you commit. For a summer build, cotton or canvas is very breathable and keeps the inside comfortable.
2. Gather the Right Components
It pays to understand the parts of a tent before you shop, because that knowledge turns into your materials list. Here is what you need and what to look for in each.
- Poles: Poles are the most important part of the tent and act as its skeleton, giving the whole structure its strength and resistance. Aluminum poles are a smart pick because they are rigid and corrosion resistant.
- Ropes: Rope gives the tent its stability and ties your shelter to the ground, so durability matters. Look for rope with good tension that is neither too rigid nor too loose.
- Pegs: Pegs lock the tent securely to the ground. They come in different shapes and sizes, so choose based on the size of your tent, and pick galvanized, rust-proof ones so they last.
- Tarp sheets: For a waterproof tent you need waterproof tarp sheets, and the number depends on the size of your build. Heavy-duty tarps that are UV resistant and tearproof are ideal, and you can use a tarp for the floor of the tent as well.
Once you know the factors and have the materials in hand, it is time to learn how to put it all together right at the campsite. Pack everything on your list so nothing gets left behind.
3. Find the Right Spot
Picking a good location is half the battle. In summer or spring, set up near a tree for shade. Keep the tent at a lower altitude, since a higher spot increases your exposure and can make the night colder.
In winter or the rainy season, avoid trees and ground close to mountains and hills. Never pitch under a dead tree, because it can break and fall in high winds. If you can, look for a spot near a lake or river so you can fish and even cook your catch for supper.
4. Make Sure the Surface Is Flat
A flat surface makes the whole stay more comfortable, and sleeping on uneven ground is miserable. Find a level patch or make one. Ground that is slightly damp is helpful, since it makes laying the bottom tarp easier.
Clear away any scattered leaves and stems before you put down the bottom tarp. Spread the tarp evenly and smooth it out.
5. Lay Out Your Materials
With the bottom tarp spread out, arrange all your materials in order so everything is within reach. The poles form the walls and add strength to the structure, the rope ties the tent to the poles, and you will need a second tarp for the roof.
6. Set Up the Tent
Now you assemble everything. Work through it in this order.
- The tarp sheet: Place the bottom tarp according to the footprint you planned. Measure the diameter of your poles and make a hole at each end of the bottom tarp. A multi-tool makes this job much easier. Keep the holes slightly smaller than the pole diameter, then cut the rope and pass it through.
- Secure the tent: Tie the rope around a tree, looping it several times with tight, multiple knots. Check the elevation as you go. Tie it too high and the tarp walls will not reach the ground; tie it too loose and the tent can collapse in rough weather. Drape the roof tarp over the tied rope.
- Build the walls: With the holes already made near the ends of the tarp, set the poles into the holes and drive them in with a rock or a hammer. Pull the poles back out, line up both tarps, and pound the poles again, repeating on every side.
- Tie off all the knots: Go around and check every knot to be sure none are loose. If one side feels lighter than the rest, weigh it down and balance it with a few stones.
A Few Extra Tips to Keep in Mind
- Keep your tools and gear near the sides of the tent, covered or stowed securely in a bag.
- Insulate the tent naturally by reducing the empty space inside. If you are camping with a friend or family member, place their sleeping bag close by, since shared body heat helps on colder nights.
- When you climb out in the morning, turn the tent inside out and let it dry.
Gear That Helps
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- Tarp Poles
Aluminum tarp poles are rigid and corrosion resistant, making a sturdy skeleton for your tent.
- Durable Ropes
Strong rope with the right tension keeps your shelter tied down and stable in the wind.
- Tent Pegs
Galvanized, rust-proof pegs lock the tent securely to the ground for the long haul.
- Heavy-Duty Tarp Sheets
UV-resistant, tearproof tarps give you a waterproof roof and floor for the build.
- Multi-Tool
A solid multi-tool makes cutting holes and trimming rope at the campsite quick and easy.