Key takeaways
- A tarp is a flat waterproof sheet pitched as a minimalist shelter with cords and poles.
- It's far lighter and cheaper than a tent and very versatile in how it's pitched.
- Trade-offs: no built-in bug protection, less enclosure/weather protection, and a learning curve.
- Often paired with a bivy or bug net, and pitched with trekking poles to save weight.
Short for 'tarpaulin'.
What a tarp is
A tarp is a flat sheet of waterproof fabric used as a minimalist shelter, pitched with guylines and poles — often trekking poles — into a variety of shapes for rain and wind protection. It strips shelter down to its essentials: no floor, no walls, no zippers, just an overhead canopy, at a fraction of a tent’s weight and cost.
Pros and cons
- Pros: very light and packable, cheap, versatile pitches, excellent ventilation (no condensation buildup).
- Cons: no bug protection, less shelter from blowing rain and cold, open to the ground, and a learning curve to pitch well.
An ultralight hiker pitches a flat tarp in an A-frame using their trekking poles for the ridgeline, lowering it into a tight storm pitch when wind picks up — and sleeps under a bug net inside, cutting nearly a pound versus their old tent.
Pitching and pairing
Common pitches include the all-round A-frame, the open lean-to, and a low storm pitch. Because a tarp offers no bug protection or full enclosure, it’s often paired with a bivy sack or a bug net. Built from light fabrics like Dyneema, it’s a cornerstone of ultralight backpacking.
The bottom line
A tarp is shelter at its most minimal and versatile — a waterproof sheet that, pitched well, keeps the rain off at a fraction of a tent's weight and cost. The trade-offs are real: no bugs protection, less enclosure, and a pitching learning curve. For ultralight hikers willing to master it (often paired with a bug net or bivy), it's a superbly light way to sleep out.
Frequently asked questions
What is a tarp shelter?
A tarp shelter is a flat sheet of waterproof fabric pitched with guylines and poles (commonly trekking poles) to create overhead and side protection from rain and wind. Unlike a tent, it has no built-in floor, walls, or bug netting — it's the minimalist, ultralight approach to shelter.
What are the pros and cons of tarp camping?
Pros: very light, packable, cheap, versatile in pitch configurations, and great ventilation with no condensation issues of an enclosed tent. Cons: no bug protection, less protection from blowing rain and cold, exposure to the ground, and a real learning curve to pitch well in wind and storms.
How do you pitch a tarp?
Tarps pitch in many configurations — an A-frame (ridgeline between two points or trekking poles) is the classic all-rounder, while a lean-to opens one side for views and a storm pitch lowers the tarp close to the ground for weather. You stake the corners, tension guylines, and use trekking poles or trees for the ridgeline.
Sources
- Shelter systems — The Mountaineers
- Lightweight shelters — American Hiking Society