How to build a simple tarp shelter
A tarp, a few lines and a quiet spot in the woods. Building a simple shelter is a good way to get comfortable outdoors and make a short walk feel like a small adventure.
This guide covers a temporary A-frame tarp shelter for mild weather. Practise close to home before relying on it overnight, and use a tent or established shelter when the conditions call for more protection.
The step images below are AI-generated illustrations.
What to bring
- A waterproof tarp with reinforced attachment points
- A ridgeline, several guy lines and suitable pegs
- Tree-friendly straps, or poles if your tarp supports a pole setup
- A groundsheet, sleeping mat and clothing suited to the forecast
- A headlamp, water and your usual essentials
You do not need to cut branches or build a permanent frame. Bringing your own equipment makes the shelter easier to pitch and leaves the woodland as you found it.
1. Find a suitable spot
Choose level, well-drained ground. Avoid hollows where rain collects, exposed ridges and the ground beneath dead or hanging branches. Check above you as carefully as the ground below. Keep clear of paths and places where animals are moving through.
In Sweden, keep away from homes, cultivated fields and grazing land. Short stays of a night or two are the usual guideline. National parks, nature reserves and local recreation areas can have different camping rules. Check them before pitching; ask the landowner for permission for longer stays or a larger group.
2. Set your ridgeline
Use two healthy, well-spaced trees and protective straps, or the poles specified for your tarp. Set a secure line at a height that gives you room to sit underneath. Follow the tarp maker's attachment instructions. Avoid thin cord directly around tree bark and remove every strap when you leave.
3. Make the roof
Lay the tarp over the line so the two sides form a sloping roof. Secure its ridge attachment points. Position the shelter so the prevailing wind meets a low side rather than blowing straight through the open end. Leave enough slope for rain to run off.
4. Peg out the corners
Start with opposite corners, then adjust the remaining lines until the fabric is evenly tensioned. Use the reinforced loops rather than puncturing the material. Leave a little give; pulling everything as hard as possible can damage the tarp. Keep guy lines visible so nobody trips over them.
5. Check the shelter before settling in
Sit inside with your kit. Is your sleeping area protected from wind-driven rain? Does the roof drain without forming a sagging pocket? Recheck the pegs and tension after the first breeze or shower. Put your groundsheet fully beneath the roof so it does not collect runoff.
A tarp does not insulate you from cold ground. Your mat and sleep system still need to suit the conditions. If the weather turns beyond your experience or equipment, pack up and use a safer place.
Keep cooking separate
Never use an open fire, glowing coals or a stove inside the shelter. Keep flames and hot cooking equipment well away from tarp fabric and guy lines. Plan your cooking area separately.
Leave the spot ready for someone else
Take down the shelter, collect every peg and line, and carry out food scraps and rubbish. Dry the tarp before storing it. A good camp should leave memories rather than a structure in the forest.
Read our tool care guide or explore our outdoor tools.
Before you go
Check the forecast and Naturvårdsverket's camping guidance, together with the rules for the specific place you plan to visit.