Do you want to get crafty with your camping tent?
Are you interested in saving money by making your own tent?
If you’re anything like the most dedicated camper, you’ve likely thought about how to take your camping hobby to the next level.
One way to do so without breaking the bank is to make your own tent. But this is a little tricky if you don’t know what you’re doing.
The last thing you want is to spend time on your new tent and then go out there and get soaked because you did it wrong.
We’re here to help! This is exactly why we made this guide for how to make a homemade tent for camping.
Read the rest of the article for the supplies you’ll need and step-by-step instructions.
Note: This article covers how to make a simple tent. If you want a more advanced tent, this guide will help you get the idea of how to start.
What You’ll Need
Tarp/Other Material – The number one thing you need is a tent material. This is doable with a simple tarp (such this heavy-duty tarp on Amazon) or with a canvas sheet (MyTee makes a great canvas sheet in multiple sizes).
Waterproofed materials are best as it saves you on some extra work treating the material yourself.
You’ll need some combination of two sheets. One for the walls and ceiling making up the body of the tent and one for the bottom or tent footprint.
We recommend a tarp for the footprint as this will wear down quicker over multiple uses and tarps are generally more affordable.
Canvas would be best for the top layer because it’s generally of better quality.
The size makes little difference, it just depends on what you want.
At the smallest, go for an 8 foot x 8 foot bottom. The top needs to be the same size or larger than the bottom.
Tent Stakes – Tent stakes are essential for keeping the footprint and top of the tent in place.
If you want to go as natural as possible, make your own wooden tent stakes.
For those who just want to buy some, these MSR dart stakes are simple but effective.
Rope/Cord – You’ll need some rope or para cord to keep the tent up if you go for the rope method (which we recommend). It’s generally easy to use and affordable too.
Some will say a tent kept up with rope is less secure in wind, but using tent stakes can limit the effect wind has greatly.
We like this Nite Ize para cord. It’s tough, reflective, and 50 feet (15.24 m) long.
Tent Poles – Tent poles are meant for holding up the tarp or canvas sheet on top.
This is possible with a rope method, but the rope method does require at least one tree.
The tent pole method is done with either actual poles or long sticks.
Tent poles like these Ridge Outdoor Gear poles are lightweight and tough, but they cost more than sticks (which would be nothing!).
Step By Step How To Make A Homemade Tent For Camping
This section covers our directions on how to set up your homemade camping tent. Follow these directions for general ideas and details.
#1 Gather Materials
First, you need to make sure you have all the materials mentioned above. Don’t go out camping without all these:
- Bottom tarp
- Top tarp or canvas
- Tent stakes (at least 4, 6 is better)
- Either rope or tent poles
#2 Find A Spot
Because you’re making your own tent from scratch, you want to pick a spot which works well.
Look for an area free of large rocks or at least move them out of the way.
You don’t want to pick a spot in lower elevation than the surrounding area. If it rained, the water could gather there and flood you out.
If you’re going for the rope option, you need at least one tree but two would be best.
For those doing the tent pole strategy, you don’t need trees, though they will help break the wind.
When picking a spot near trees, look at the tree closely for signs of broken or dead branches or limbs.
You don’t want anything to fall down on you during a windy time.
#3 Spread Out/Secure The Footprint
Once you’ve picked your spot, spread the tarp down like a footprint where you want to sleep. Get it as flat as possible.
Wrinkles and fold may allow water to collect or seep in.
Remove branches and rocks from where you’re spreading out the footprint.
Once the tarp is down, use your tent stakes to hold down the edges of the tarp. Make sure it’s tight.
Remember, we recommend putting tent stakes into the ground at a 90° angle with the ground, not angled in. Angled in may help when the wind blows from a single direction, but straight in helps spread the pressure out to all the stakes.
#4 Pick A Method (Pole Or Cord)
At this point, you need to decide which method you’re going for.
The cord or rope method is easier and is actually more secure.
The pole method is easier to understand and accomplish.
All the “A” versions of the steps are for the cord method, and the “B” s are for the poles.
#5A Run The Cord
Use the cord to tie the cord tightly between two trees. Wrap the cord around the tree a few times before tightening it up.
The height of the cord off the ground depends on the size of your top sheet and how high it can reach and still touch the ground.
In general, chest height is a good height to aim for.
If you only have one tree, make a wooden stake or use an extra tent stake on the opposite side of the tent between 2-4 feet (1.22 meters) from the edge of the tent footprint.
Tie the rope to this stake and the one tree.
#6A Spread Out The Top Tarp And Secure
After the rope is up, spread your top sheet evenly over the rope or cord. Make sure it reaches all the way down to the ground and is over the tent footprint.
Use the same tent stakes to either go through the top and bottom sheets or tightly tie the top sheet to the stakes.
#5B Set Up Your Top Tarp
This is for those using tent poles.
Get out your top sheet and spread it over the footprint.
Use tent stakes or ties to securely connect the top sheet to the ground.
At this point, it looks like you have two sheets on top of one another with the top one being the same size or slightly larger.
#6B Insert And Tighten The Poles
Take one pole and stand it up between the footprint and top sheet. Make sure the pole length stretches the material tight.
If you’re using one of the poles we recommended, this should be easy as these are adjustable. For those using natural ones, you just have to hunt for the best stick around.
With one side up, repeat with the other side.
#7 Raise The Sides (Recommended)
Your tents are up, but we recommend following one more step. This is to create walls or embankments to keep the water away.
If the tent is on a slope, build a small wall with nearby dirt against and under the edge of the tarp towards the high side.
In front of the wall, create a small trench moving potential water far away from your tent.
For tents on even ground, do the small dirt wall or embankment next to and just under each side of your tent footprint.
Congrats! You have now made a tent from simple materials.
For another way to attempt this, watch this video:
Commonly Asked Questions
How do you stake a tent in sand? – Driving tent stakes into sand is just like any other stakes except you need a stake with a wider base to provide more traction.
Learn more about staking tents in sand.
Do I need to waterproof these tent sheets? – If the materials are already treated, then no. There would be no point in giving them more.
However, not all tarps or canvas sheets have been waterproofed.
Fortunately, it’s easy; you just need a waterproofing spray. Check out our picks for the best waterproofing sprays for tents.
What materials are tents made of? – Tents in the modern day are usually made from poly or plastic or, more rarely, canvas sheets.
Learn more about the materials tents are made from.
Final Thoughts
Now you know how to make a homemade tent for camping.
These steps may seem tricky at first, but when you get it done a few times, it becomes simple.
You’ll feel like a real camper if you’re able to do this. So don’t give up and keep trying!