Tarp Set Ups for Solo Campers and Couples: What You Need to Know

Tarps are a lightweight and extremely versatile alternative to tents. In this blog, we look at setting up a  tarp for the solo camper, tarp set-ups for couples and hammock camping for individuals and groups. Read on to find out more.

Camping with tarps is becoming more and more popular. They provide an ultra lightweight method of shelter and, correctly set-up, make for a very comfortable night. 

In this week’s blog post we will be introducing tarps and some of the reasons for their recent popularity. We will also show you how to pick the correct area to pitch up, the equipment that you might need, talk about some legal points to keep in mind and then run through some set-ups for solo campers and couples. 

You can choose to read the whole blog post or click on the links below to take you to the section that you’re most interested in.

• An introduction to tarps
• Where to camp with your tarp 
• Additional equipment considerations 
• Solo tarp set ups
• Tarp set ups for couples or groups  

An introduction to tarps

Tarps are incredibly lightweight and versatile. We’ve reviewed the DD Tarp before, and their 3 x 3 metre tarp, along with their ‘magic carpet’ groundsheet, for example, give you have a one/two man shelter that weighs in at under a kilo – 790 grams for the tarp (excluding pegs and lines) and 174 grams for the groundsheet. Even the Hillberg Akto tent, one of the best one-man tents out there, weighs in at 1.6 kgs.

Versatility

While a tarp may not offer all the mod cons of a lightweight backpacking tent it does have one another major advantage, aside from weight, versatility. With enough practice your tarp can be manipulated, origami like, into an almost endless variety of shapes and shelters. 

Bivvy camping and hammocks with a tarp

Tarps can be used as a cover when bivvy camping or strung above a hammock when camping off ground. In bushcraft scenarios the tarp’s versatility is even more handy, being used as a windbreak, part of your shelter or even as a layer between you and the ground.

Weight and versatility make the tarp a strong friend 

The combination of low-weight and versatility of a tarp make it popular with lightweight backpackers, long distance walkers and bushcraft enthusiasts. Now that we’ve looked at the reasons behind the rising popularity of the tarp let’s look at how you can use it.

Picking the correct area for tarp camping

Provided that you have the landowner’s permission, or are in an area where wild camping is allowed  (for information about UK law and wild camping click here) then your location will dictate your shelter. If you’re out on Dartmoor for example, then hammock camping is going to be out of the question. However, in the Scottish forests, sleeping suspended off the floor maybe the perfect set-up.

Take note of the ground

While the location dictates the type of shelter, it is worth paying attention to the surrounding area. As with camping, avoid marshy areas, bottoms of valleys, pitches close to water, or sites where several rivers intersect and other areas prone to flooding.

To learn more about how to choose an ideal spot for setting up camp try our weekend bushcraft course. 

Use natural features to your advantage

As with choosing a spot to make your bushcraft shelter look for natural features that you can use to your advantage. Trees that are a convenient distance apart are perfect for a hammock set-up or a lean-to construction. While boulders, cliffs or caves, for example, can also act as part of your shelter.

Avoid potential cold spots

Avoid camping in potential cold spots. Look out for natural signs that indicate a prevalent wind direction, such as windswept tree tops. Ensure that your set-up is side on to this direction, for example, if the wind is N-S then the head and feet of your set-up should face W – E. This will avoid creating a wind tunnel through your camp. Also, try to pitch up midway up any incline as pitching on the top of a hill or ridge will leave you exposed to the elements, while camping at the bottom will mean you don’t benefit from rising hot air. 

Additional equipment considerations

When setting out for your first tarp camp there are a number of additional pieces of equipment that you need. What follows is a basic list which you can build on with experience. 

Tarp: choosing your tarp

We’re going to be looking at examples of DD tarps in this blog but others are available. A 3 x 3 tarp, such as this one, will be perfectly sufficient for the solo camper both as a ground shelter and as a hammock cover;  at a stretch, it could also be used for a couple. An XL tarp, such as this one, measures about 4.5 meters by three will be plenty for a small group or a couple intent on ground dwelling and will work as a single hammock cover. 

Hammock: Choosing your hammock

If you’re opting for an off ground dwelling then there are a wide variety of hammocks to choose from. Key considerations include; will the hammock be your primary residence or will it only be used for parts of the trip? Is the design of the hammock suited to your body type? A large man will need a wider hammock than a small woman for example.  Do you need a bug net over your hammock or are you not concerned? We’d recommend getting one with a bug net. Is it weight or comfort that is your primary consideration? 

All these questions, and many more need to be taken into account when choosing a hammock. 

Paracord and extra pegs

For the majority of set-ups, paracord and pegs will be needed. Choose proper 550lb breaking strain paracord as the internal strands can also, should the need arise, also be used for fishing line or sewing. Paracord can also be used as the suspension for your hammock along with the webbing included in most hammock set-ups. 

Setting up a sleeping system

Sleeping in hammocks or under a tarp on the ground is a very different matter to sleeping in a tent. One of the primary issues of hammock camping is heat loss. Compression of your sleeping bag, clothes, etc. can increase the speed of heat loss. 

Choose a narrow Thermarest 

Ways around this include choosing a Thermarest that is narrower than your hammock or opting for an under-blanket which will also reduce heat loss. 

Opt for a central zip bag

Choose a sleeping bag that has a central zip if at all possible, such as these ones from the British Army. This makes for a quicker and easier exit should you wish to get out of your hammock in a set-up. 

Wear layers

That most basic of outdoor advice ‘layer up’ goes double for tarp and hammock camping.

Solo tarp set ups

The following set-ups are intended for the solo camper, if traveling in groups these can be replicated by each member. In the section after this one, ‘Tarp set ups for couples or groups’, we show you how you can organise a tarp camp for multiple people. 

Remember, when setting up your tarp or hammock be sure to check for dead branches that may fall on you or insect nests nearby. 

[All images taken from DD Hammocks and credited as such]

[Copyright: DD Hammocks]

The A-Frame can be used as a cover for a hammock between two trees. Use the paracord in your kit to suspend it.

[Copyright: DD Hammocks]

This tarp set up requires either to sturdy sticks or ski poles. This set-up is ideal when bivvy camping and can be used with fire and reflector set-up.

Advanced tarp set ups

The drawings at the end of this blog show some examples of advanced tarp set ups. These drawings are reproduced with the explicit permission of Roger Caffin. Roger Caffin produced these illustrations himself and while they may be used free of charge for NON-COMMERCIAL purposes it is suggested that you contact Roger here should you wish to use these drawings.

Click here to go to images of advanced tarp set ups

Hammock set ups

If you want to get really into proper hammock set ups then have a look at this calculator from  The Ultimate Hang; simply input your weight, height, etc.  and it will give you all the math you need to find the ‘ultimate hang’ – it even has an app. 

Tarp set ups for couples or groups

When it comes to setting up your tarp for couples you can opt for the set ups shown above (except those specifically designed as hammock covers) and simply replicate them with a larger tarp. 

Multi-person hammocks

With groups, it is best to either hang your hammocks close together or to opt for a multi-person hammock. Such hammocks, like the Clark Vertex or the Tentsile Stingrayare, as you might expect, heftier than one person alternatives.  The Vertex weighs in at nearly 2 kgs (hammock alone, tarp and gear push it closer to 3kgs) and the Stingray, which in fairness is a three person hammock/tent, tips the scales at a whopping 9kg. Most mid-budget three people four season tents, such as the Berghaus Grampian, weigh in at under 5kg. 

Get back to nature with bushcraft in the UK

Tarps might be light weight but, to borrow from the old American Indian saying, “knowledge weighs nothing”. 

Source: https://www.wildwaybushcraft.co.uk/tarp-set-ups/

Bivi and tarp set up for wild camping

For some, tents are a way to just pretend you are in the outdoors or a way to simulate the security of being “inside” when you are actually outside but if you learn to fully embrace the outdoors, you are in for a totally different experience (and challenge). There is nothing wrong with tents but bivvying is something else.

I’m always keen to perfect the art of bivi bag sleeping. Those looking to go ultralight will often ditch the tent and go for just a bivi bag and tarp setup. I tend to argue that if you have a sleeping bag, mat, bivi bag and tarp then what’s the difference between that setup and a sleeping bag, mat and tent? Poles instead of rope?

Putting this aside, sleeping in a bivi bag can be a great way to camp. You get to be fully secure and warm (and waterproof) but still be properly outdoors to lie by a campfire, stare at the stars until you fall asleep, or socialise with your camping buddies till you all drop off.

The precise configuration of your gear will be dictated by practice and personal choice. I spend odd nights trying out combinations in the garden in all temperatures. This weekend it dropped to 1c in the late evening and there was frost in the morning. Despite this, I had trouble sleeping as I was too hot! This was a new configuration of tarp (just for privacy from the neighbours), no floor covering, bivi on bare ground with Rab down sleeping bag and Jack Wolfskin Wolfmat inside. I had base layers on.

A simple setup with a DD Tarp

The first thing I noticed apart from bivi bags being so much warmer than without – even in a tent, was that I really felt the need to have a floor covering. Not so much to protect the bivi bag, but just so I felt I could relax, have somewhere to put gear down and just not feel completely confined to the bivi to stay out of the mud.

I think the “lean to” shape tarp configuration will work well for me. It only requires one rope line (or two sticks). It’s a basic “L” shape with half the tarp flat on the floor. You have to tuck in to the angle for sleeping but means you have plenty of room for kit and cooking. It doesn’t give the best sky cover so make sure any rain isn’t going to be able to angle in.

The plus and minus to this setup is that both ends are wide open. The plus of this is that you will still get good air-flow which will help take the moisture away from your bivi. Bivi’s are really not easy to get inside either, at least this way you have plenty of space and a clean tarp to sit on as you wiggle in. The downside is you will still be fairly exposed. You could pitch closer to a tree or other obstacle. Instinct will say to close up the foot end more and have the head end open but if camping out, I’d do it the other way around – you want to be facing the bigger exit so you can see out.

The other reason for this shape (other tarp setups are available) is so that the ground moisture can’t rise up to get trapped inside the tarp. It also gives another layer of protection to your bivi and mat inside (if inflatable). You can sleep close to the exposed side so you get a view of the sky. If the weather turns, you just scoot over to the corner side a bit more. Remember, you are in a bivy too, so you’re waterproof anyway.

The “Lean To” tarp

Searching online will give you lots of tarp configurations to try out and it’s worth having a couple of plans for different terrain or weather conditions. I first landed on Trailspace.com.

My other favourite is the “tee-pee” which takes a little practice. It requires a central stick and does give you some floor cover inside. You will need a decent sized tarp for this one though. A standard military sized 3 x 1.5m tarp wouldn’t really work and be careful to not make the tarp too taut or the stick will go through. I’m speaking from experience here, and I had to patch it up with the McNett Tenacious Tape. If you’re going to use the Tee-pee often, it’s also worth reinforcing the pole area with tape.

The other variation on this is what I call the half tee-pee. The stick wants to be closer to the front end. Peg out the back/centre of the tarp first to the ground.Then prop up the stick at the front/centre and peg out the front corners so the sides and front at taut. Go inside and pull in the back corners to make two overlapping triangles for your floor. The result is an enclosed end with a floor and an open front. Your head will go inside on the tarp and legs will stick out in the open. It’s easier to setup if you can push the stick into the ground but don’t damage your tarp. The height of the stick and size of the tarp will determine the shape of the shelter so experiment first.

Shelter tent shape

The pulled in back corners crossover to give you some floor space.

I definitely feel more comfortable with the tarp doing something else other than just keeping rain off. “If something’s worth carrying, it needs to have more than one use”. As a rain cover, tarps are very bulky and easy to see at a distance. If you’re using this setup, you are very close to just using a tent and in modern, one man tents, the weight and pack size is not much different either.

You can easily run up to and over £100 with a decent bivi bag that is fully waterproof and breathable. Tarps are fairly cheap though so this is bonus. Anything which is advertised as lightweight where tents are concerned tend to get expensive.

Ultimately as with a lot of camping and survival, it’s about personal choice. A tent is generally more conspicuous. You might not be up to anything dodgy but sometimes it’s part of the fun to go unnoticed! Tents also require flat ground. The beauty of a bivi is it’s really about just chucking it down and crashing out in the great outdoors. You can get hooped bivi’s which look great when coming from a tent, but in some ways they are more cramped as they are small but unlike a bivi bag, don’t move with you, yet you are still inside it. Hooped bags can sometimes be easier to get into though and the frame does keep the bag off your face in bad weather.

Learn to love the tarp. The philosophy of it is the same as with all camping – “There is no wrong way to do it. It’s about having fun.” If it covers you and works for you, then it’s perfect!

Source:https://www.e-outdoor.co.uk/blog/2016/03/bivi-and-tarp-set-up-for-wild-camping/