Lean-to Shelters: How to Build a Lean-to Shelter in the Wild

A lean-to shelter is a survival structure made of three materials—wooden stakes, rope, and a form of roofing (often a tarp or a poncho)—set up to lean against a tree, rock, or existing support structure. Survivalists or backpackers caught in the wilderness with few supplies can build a lean-to shelter easily, often with improvised materials.

Aside from survival purposes, some homeowners build lean-to structures against the sides of their houses (often next to a carport or storage shed) as covered outdoor workspaces or storage areas.

Lean-to shelters are critical in a camping or survival situation where you don’t have access to other shelters like a cabin, tent, or camper. Erecting a quick lean-to shelter can protect campers from inclement weather and keep them safe from night-wandering predators. In addition to providing you with a dry place to sleep, lean-tos help keep you warm and can protect a campfire from getting snuffed out by the wind.

You’ll need the following materials to create a lean-to shelter:

1. 1. Rope: Use rope to fix the wood frame to nearby trees. Paracord is an easy lightweight option for building shelters.
2. 2. Saw: Cut too-large branches with a saw if you can’t find ones of the proper size. If you don’t have a saw or machete, use a knife for small branches.
3. 3. Tarp: A tarp makes an excellent waterproof roof for your survival shelter. If you don’t have access to one, use small pieces of wood and debris instead (like pine needles, pine boughs, and leaves).
4. 4. Wood: Gather three long pieces of wood to make the frame of your shelter. Also, gather several long, thin pieces of wood—green pine branches are a great option—to support the roof. If you’re in the wilderness without access to a saw, try to find wood pieces roughly the same length and tall enough to create an adequately high shelter.

Follow these step-by-step instructions to learn how to build this DIY emergency shelter:

1. 1. Choose a spot. Find a small clearing with two large trees around five feet apart. You’ll need to lean your frame against these trees, so ensure they are not too far apart or too close together. Ideally, you don’t want large branches to hang over your shelter (in case they fall), so look for a clear space that’s against the direction of prevailing winds.
2. 2. Gather materials. Find or cut three long pieces of wood for your lean-to frame. If you don’t have a tarp, gather small pieces of wood and leaves as well.
3. 3. Assemble the frame. Tie the three large pieces of wood together to make an arch shape. Lean your frame against the two large trees at a forty-five-degree angle so that the opening to your shelter is between the trees, and tie it in place using your paracord, which will help all of the pieces stay in place. Add a few thin, long branches lengthwise and widthwise (to make a grid) to the frame as support beams for your roof.
4. 4. Add roofing material and finish. Finish your shelter by draping your tarp roof over the wooden frame. Use any extra pieces of tarp as sidewalls to further windproof your structure. If you don’t have a tarp, add small branches and leaves to the roof so that there are no empty spaces. Clear the ground underneath your shelter and add a fire pit to start building heat.

Certain outdoor activities carry an elevated risk of serious injury. Wilderness scenarios require extensive survival gear, including but not limited to food, water, maps, protective clothing, and first aid, along with mental and physical fortitude. This article is for educational and informational purposes and is not a substitute for hard skills and expertise.

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