Tarp Setups for Rainy Trips & Emergencies
Practical tarp setups for rainy camping and backpacking trips, plus simple emergency shelters using trekking poles, guylines, and stakes.
A tarp is one of the most useful pieces of gear I carry for rainy camping and backpacking trips. I use one to create a dry place for cooking and hanging out when rain makes spending time outside less comfortable. A tarp can also provide temporary shelter if an unexpected situation keeps me out longer than planned.
Over the years, I’ve used several different tarp configurations depending on the conditions, available trees, and how much coverage I need. Some setups create a spacious covered area at camp, while others are quick emergency shelters that can be set up with trekking poles or sturdy sticks.
In this guide, I’ll show you how to set up a tarp with a ridgeline and trekking poles, a variation that doesn’t require trekking poles, how to create a larger shelter using two tarps, plus a couple of emergency tarp configurations. I’ll also cover the gear I use and the basic knots that make these setups easier to put together in the field.
Gear for Setting Up a Tarp
For the tarp setups covered in this post, I use the following gear:
- tarp — I typically use a 5 × 8-foot tarp
- ridgeline cord — about 25 feet long
- guyline cords — enough to make 4–8 guylines, about 6 feet long each
- stakes – I typically use 4-6 stakes
- trekking poles — extended to 125 cm for the setups that use them
Tarp Options
You don’t need an expensive ultralight tarp for these setups. A basic hardware-store tarp will work, although lighter materials can save considerable weight and bulk. I purchased a Dyneema tarp specifically for backpacking, which saves more than a pound in my pack compared to the heavier tarp I used previously.
I prefer a flat-cut tarp rather than a catenary-cut tarp because it can be configured in several different ways depending on the conditions and the amount of coverage I need.
When choosing a tarp, pay attention to the number and placement of the attachment points. These can be metal grommets or fabric tabs, depending on the tarp. Some tarps have attachment points only at the corners and the centers of the sides, while others have additional points spaced along the edges. Having more attachment points gives you more options for configuring and securing the tarp, which can be especially useful when using different setups.
- Coated polyethylene tarps are inexpensive and widely available at hardware stores, often costing around $5–10. They’re heavier and bulkier than backpacking-specific tarps, but they’re a practical option for occasional use.
- Silnylon tarps are lighter and less bulky than polyethylene tarps and are available in a variety of sizes and shapes. They’re a good option when weight and packability are more important.
- Dyneema tarps are among the lightest and most compact options, but they also cost considerably more. They’re worth considering if you’re trying to minimize pack weight and carry a tarp regularly.
Recommended Tarps
- Rocky Mountain Goods Light Duty Tarp — 6 × 8 ft. (12.6 oz.)
- Etowah Outfitters Silnylon Tarp — 5 × 8 ft. (8 oz.)
- Etowah Outfitters DCF Tarp — 7 × 9 ft. (5.3 oz.)
- Zpacks Flat Tarp — 7 × 9 ft. (4.7 oz.)
Guyline Cord
While almost any type of cording will work for the ridgeline and guylines, I prefer reflective cord between 1.8 and 3 mm in diameter because it’s lightweight and easier to see around camp, especially in low light.
I prep my cording before each trip so everything is ready to use once I’m in the field.
- For guylines, I cut each cord to about 6 feet long, then tie a bowline loop at one end and a taut-line hitch at the other. This gives me an adjustable connection for staking out the tarp. When I’m ready to attach the guyline to the tarp, I pass the loop end through the tarp’s attachment point — either a grommet or tab — then pull the cord through the loop to tighten it onto the tarp.
- For the ridgeline, I use a longer length of cord — usually about 25 feet to accommodate the distance between trees. I tie a bowline loop at one end so I can quickly attach it around a tree. When I’m ready to attach the ridgeline to trees, I pass the loop around the tree, then pull the cord through the loop rather than tying the bowline in place.
- For the prusik knots that hold the tarp in place on a ridgeline, I cut two 8-inch pieces of cord.
Recommended Guyline Cord
Knots
The three knots I use for my tarp setups are the bowline, taut-line hitch, and prusik.
To learn how to tie these knots, I use the Knots 3D App. The app uses 3D animations to show how to tie each knot, with options to adjust the speed, angle, and orientation so you can follow the steps more easily.
Bowline Knot
A bowline creates a secure, fixed loop that is easy to untie after being under tension. I use it to create a loop at one end of each cord for the ridgeline and to each of the guylines for staking tarps.
For guylines, I pass the bowline loop through the tarp’s grommet or tab, then pull the guyline through the loop and tighten it. This creates a quick, secure attachment that makes it easy to move the guylines between different tarp attachment points.
For a ridgeline, I wrap the cord around a tree, then pull the rest of the cord through the loop to tighten it.
Taut-Line Hitch Knot
The taut-line hitch creates an adjustable connection that lets you fine-tune tension by sliding the knot along the cord. I use it on the ridgeline and at the stake end of each guyline to make adjustments after they’re in place. The trucker’s hitch is another knot that works well for this.
Prusik Knot
A prusik knot creates a sliding loop that moves along the ridgeline when there isn’t tension, then grips the ridgeline when tension is applied. I use prusik knots to attach the tarp to the ridgeline, which lets me slide the tarp into the position I want during setup and then lock it in place once the tarp is positioned.
Tarp Setup Options
Ridgeline Setup with Poles
This is my preferred setup when I want a covered area for cooking, eating, or hanging out at camp. It uses a ridgeline between two trees, with trekking poles supporting the two outer corners. For the 6 × 8-foot tarp shown here, I use trekking poles set at about 125 cm.
1. Set up the ridgeline
Choose two sturdy trees that are far enough apart to stretch the ridgeline along the length of the tarp. Wrap the loop at one end of the ridgeline around the first tree, then pull the cord through the loop to secure it.
Run the ridgeline to the second tree and wrap the other end around the tree, using the taut-line hitch to adjust the tension. Position the ridgeline high enough to provide useful headroom beneath the tarp, then tighten it so the line is secure and taut.
2. Position the tarp
Drape the tarp over the ridgeline and center it between the trees. I like to position about one-third of the tarp behind the ridgeline and two-thirds in front to create more covered space on the front side.
Line up the tarp’s attachment points with the ridgeline so you can attach guylines to keep the tarp securely in place.
3. Attach the tarp to the ridgeline
Tie a prusik knot onto the ridgeline at each end of the tarp. Attach the corresponding tarp attachment points to the prusiks.
The prusik knots allow you to slide the tarp along the ridgeline while setting it up, then hold it securely in place once the tarp is positioned.
4. Add poles
For this setup, I’m using trekking poles since I always hike with them, but you can also use adjustable tarp poles or sturdy sticks that are about four to five feet long.
I set each trekking pole to 125 cm, place the tip into the corner grommet or attachment point, and set the handle on the ground. To keep the handles from getting wet and muddy, I put a small plastic bag over each one.
5. Stake out the corners
Attach a guyline to each outer corner and stake the guylines out from the trekking poles at an angle. The guylines create tension on the tarp and help keep the poles upright. When I need more stability due to wind, I use two guylines on each corner.
Adjust the guyline tension and trekking-pole height as needed to get the tarp taut without putting too much tension on the fabric or attachment points.
Ridgeline Setup without Poles
This setup is the same as the single-tarp ridgeline setup above, but doesn’t require trekking poles. Instead, use longer guylines to stake out the front corners.
Two tarp setup
For more covered space, this setup uses two 6 × 8-foot tarps that overlap along the ridgeline. Set up the first tarp as described above, then set up the second tarp on the opposite side of the ridgeline.
When positioning the second tarp, tuck its top edge underneath the first tarp where they meet at the ridgeline. This overlapping arrangement helps prevent rain from coming through the gap between the two tarps.
Emergency shelter setups
When you need temporary protection from rain or wind, these tarp configurations provide quick and simple emergency shelters. Both can be set up with trekking poles and stakes without needing trees or other supports.
A-Frame Shelter
This is a simple, open-ended shelter that provides protection from rain while leaving both ends open.
1. Place a trekking pole in the center grommet or tab on each short end of the tarp. For a 6 × 8-foot tarp, this would be the center attachment point on each 6-foot end.
2. Attach a guyline to each trekking pole and stake it out to keep the pole upright.
3. Stake out the four corners, then adjust the guylines so the tarp is taut.
4. Add stakes at the center of the long sides if additional stability is needed.
Closed-End A-Frame Shelter
This setup closes off one end of the tarp for additional protection from rain and wind.
1. Place a trekking pole in the center grommet or tab on one short end of the tarp, with the pole tip supporting the tarp.
2. Attach a guyline to the trekking pole and stake it out to keep the pole upright.
3. Stake the two corners on either side of the trekking pole.
4. At the opposite short end of the tarp, stake both corners and the center attachment point to create a closed end. Add stakes at the center of the long sides if additional stability is needed.
5. Adjust the guylines as needed to tension the tarp.