Tarps are extremely versatile and useful when camping. There is an almost infinite number of uses for the tarps when “roughing it” in the wilderness or even in more accommodating campgrounds. I have used tarps for a variety of comfort measures. There are a few things to know when using tarps that will make your experience more enjoyable.
Against the Wind
One of the best uses to provide a measure of comfort is using a tarp as a wind block. Livestock ranchers in cooler climates for decades maybe even centuries have provided wind blocks for their cattle when other shelters aren’t possible. Just a simple wind-blocking structure makes the weather so much more bearable. This principle carries over when camping. If you are expecting windy weather, look for a place to attach a tarp. I have attached them to trees, poles, vehicles, and other structures as well. Tying them between trees vertically provides a large wind block to keep out cold drafts. It can keep your gear or items from blowing off tables or other areas. Check out great infromation related to tarps here.
Rain Saver
When camping in a very remote area, saving water can be crucial for many obvious reasons. I have used a clean tarp for catching rainwater to be used while camping numerous times. You can set the tarp on the ground and tie up the sides to make a makeshift pool. When the rain comes down, viola! YOU have lots of water for use. Of course, sterilization will need to occur. According to the EPA, boiling water for 1 minute is sufficient to kill parasites, bacteria, and viruses. I normally opt for the 6-minute rule. I normally will boil water for 5-6 minutes to ensure all water in the pot has reached adequate temperature to kill any potential contaminants.
Keeping Dry
What comes to mind for most people when they think of uses for tarps is the ability to cover something to keep it dry. Which is a great use and maybe the most common. I’m not certain I can say enough about that function of a tarp. Almost everything you take with you to use when camping would serve you better if left dry. Camp stove, lanterns, tents, sleeping bags, clothes, and the list goes on and on. Tents for example are great to throw a tarp over and stake it down when expecting rainy weather. Most tents will have a rain flap or guard but rarely are they as effective as a large tarp draped and staked over a tent. Covering your camping gear also is a great use for the tarp during rainy weather.
Gotcha Covered
Consistently when camping I find areas of the ground I’d like to cover. Whether it’s moist or wet, covered in holly leaves, pine straw etc. I love using tarps for ground covers. Heavy canvas tarps work great for ground covers. One thing to remember when using tarps for ground covers is the potential for the ground giving or sinking a little under the tarp when weight is applied. When staking the tarp do not pull and stretch the tarp too tight, this could cause tearing if someone were to walk on the tarp and the ground was to give a little. One way to keep it tight is with bungee cords that will stretch instead of stakes that may not give when needed. They are great to use when having a picnic if there is a table available. If you are camping in more developed designated camping areas, tables are available but unclean. Tarps can be used for a cover over the tables also.
Once Bitten
There are numerous tarp accessories available today. Most of them are very useful and can help you out of a bad situation. One accessory I have found useful is the Tarp Shark, but there are several options when it comes to tarp clamps. These are used in place of the eyelets or grommets. When your grommet bends or tears, you can attach these clamping devices to the tarp and create an attachment point for a rope. If you need an attachment point in a place where there is none, like in the middle of the tarp, not along the edge, you can fold the tarp and clamp down and you can easily create an attachment point.
Stretch it Out
Bungee Cords are another very useful accessory for tarps. I normally will use them when packing out to a campsite to bundle supplies together like tarp poles, folded tarps, chairs, and really anything you need to keep together. Using them to attach and secure tarps can be your main and intended use, but they can function as so much more. When securing tarps, I prefer the rope and ball-style bungee connector. These come in various sizes and are easy to attach and use for tarps. They aren’t so strong that they will tear the tarps too often, but you can still get the tarps relatively taught. The strong rubber-styled bunggies with hooks are great for certain applications but can be problematic. Some of them are very strong and require a lot of force the be able to stretch. This can cause tearing with thinner lower quality tarps. Also, the metal hooks can puncture the poly and even canvas tarps introducing a weak point and a place to start a larger tear. These rubber style bungies are great for tons of uses, I just would use other options for tarps if possible.
Tarp Poles
When camping, tarp poles can be very useful. You can stake out a shelter or cover over a tent and numerous other ways. I have used them to hold trash bags, prop up hammocks, create clotheslines, and for making a canopy for a picnic. There are of course several types and options available for purchase. I like the higher quality telescopic style of tarp pole. These give almost unlimited height options for adjusting to your needs. These also come with a blunting tip to be placed on the end to prevent tarp puncture.
