Tarp Camping: Pros and Cons of Using a Camping Tarp

Tarp camping is a minimalist method of shelter construction in which a camper uses a tarpaulin, or tarp to shield their body and equipment from the wind, rain, and other elements. Camping tarps are durable, waterproof, and versatile pieces of camping gear in outdoor survival scenarios. For example, a hiker can use a tarp as a heavy rain fly or awning over their tent, or they can use it to create a hammock tarp roof.

Consider these three benefits of choosing a rain tarp over a tent for your next camping trip:

1. 1. Durability: Manufacturers and outdoor outfitters use ripstop nylon and silicone nylon (silnylon) to create camping tarps for long-term use. These heavy-duty materials can withstand significant friction, reducing the chances of small punctures or holes tearing further. These qualities also make tarps a go-to groundsheet material as they can improve the moisture resistance of a tent floor and reflect heat lost through your sleeping bag.
2. 2. Lightness: Most backcountry backpacking enthusiasts prefer to minimize their pack weight as much as possible. A lightweight tarp can enable ultralight backpackers to reduce their loads considerably, making long-distance hikes more enjoyable. Other lightweight materials, such as cordage and trekking poles, can serve as the supports and ridgeline, respectively, for the shelter’s “roof.”
   
3. 3. Versatility: Although campers typically use a square tarp as a tent accessory or a rain fly for hammock shelter camping, the material also has utility in the field. For example, you can also use a tarp to create a sled or stretcher or to collect drinking water or condensation.
   

These are a few of the downsides to choosing a tarp over a traditional tent when preparing to camp:

1. 1. Lack of accessories: A tarp can weigh around one hundred grams per square meter, making it significantly lighter than a typical camping tent setup; however, when you account for the importance of extra accessories (such as a bivy sack, bug net, sleeping pad, and hiking poles), a tarp tent can quickly become the heavier option. Although tarp camping is, in theory, the lightest choice, you will have to sacrifice your comfort and additional equipment to reduce the pack weight significantly.
2. 2. Lack of security: An A-frame tarp shelter resembles stereotypical tent configurations, although this design has two open ends and no floor. These openings will allow bugs and other critters to roam freely in your sleeping area. This vulnerability could become a dangerous problem if you plan to camp in bear country or other regions with active nocturnal predators.
3. 3. Limited weatherproofing: The best camping tarps use a weatherproof material. That said, a tarp is not the best option for all weather. While a tarp is ideal for blocking wind and rain in a few consistent directions, a tarp shelter can never match the water-resistant quality of a fully enclosed tent. If you are camping in an area with changing winds, freezing temperatures, and significant ground moisture, a traditional tent will serve you better than a waterproof camping tarp.

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.

Prepare for any outdoor journey by grabbing a MasterClass Annual Membership and committing Jessie Krebs’s wilderness survival course to memory. As a former United States Air Force Survival, Evasion, Resistance, and Escape instructor, Jessie can teach you everything you need to know about packing for a trip (neon is the new black), purifying water, foraging (crickets: the other white meat), starting a fire, and signaling for help (forget SOS).