Look for is a durable surface to place your tent that is not going to have a lasting impact on the area that you’re camping in such as tough rocks, or dirt with no vegetation. You want to choose a spot at least 200 feet away from the nearest water source so that all of your cooking and bathroom habits don’t contaminate that water. Caves or rock outcroppings that hang over your head are simple natural shelters. Build a fire in the entrance to a rock dwelling, to smoke out any critters living inside. A fire can also warm rocks you can then put around your body for warmth while sleeping. [1] X Research source Look for large fallen trees, which can offer shelter if there is space between the trunk and the ground. Prop branches against either side of the trunk like a tent for more protection. Cover the branches with leaves and brush for more warmth.
Look for a tree with low “forks” where the trunk or larger boughs branch off from one another. The ideal situation is a tree that forms a “Y” shape with its trunk and branches, where you can simply rest your branch, called a “ridgepole,” into them. If you cannot find two close trees, rest one end of the ridgepole on the ground and the other in or against a tree. Lay branches at a 45° angle onto the ridgepole on one side. Then cover crosswise with more branches, brush, leaves, snow, etc. until the wall is several inches or even feet thick. [2] X Research source
Choose a main branch (ridgepole) long enough to create a space large enough for you to lay down once you lean the branch against a tree or rock. Lay branches at an angle against the ridgepole on both sides. Then, cover the structure with smaller branches, leaves, and other brush, laid crosswise on the first branches so they don’t fall through. The thicker the walls the better! Keep a pile of brush outside the entrance that you can use to partially cover the opening once you’re inside. [3] X Research source As a fast last-resort shelter, create a debris hut by simply piling debris from the forest floor, then creating a hole in the pile that’s large enough for your body. Partially cover the entrance once you’re inside to create warmth. [4] X Research source
If you don’t have a standard tarp, construct a shelter with a poncho, garbage bags, a space/emergency blanket, or other plastic sheeting available. If you have enough tarp material, lay the tarp over the ground inside the shelter for better protection. For an a-frame tent, form a full triangle with the tarp, making the ridgepole the top point of the frame.
Small a-frames are suited to one person for maximum warmth, so they also work well if you have a smaller poncho, garbage bags, or space blanket rather than a large tarp. You can also construct an a-frame with branches and brush for the walls as you would if you didn’t have any other materials. Then, use a tarp or other plastic sheeting to cover walls for extra warmth and protection.
String up the tube between two trees, rocks, or other structures with a long branch or a rope if you have one. You can also prop the tube open with branches and brush, or simply crawl into it for sufficient protection. [7] X Research source
Look for an evergreen tree that has thick, bushy branches that extend wide from the tree for the best overhead coverage. Dig down in a circle around the trunk, no wider than the tree’s branches. Dig to a level you can comfortably sit or lay down into, or until you reach the ground. Pack down the snow at the top and sides of your hole to prevent any caving in. Cut or break off evergreen branches to line the bottom of the hole and provide thicker overhead coverage if needed. [8] X Research source
After building a mound of snow, let it sit for several hours or pack it down. Packing it down and letting it solidify will make it easier to dig a cave without the snow collapsing. Dig down and into the snow until you have a corridor long and wide enough to fit your whole body inside. Make sure all walls of the cave remain about a foot thick to prevent them from collapsing. Line the inside with evergreen branches for insulation and comfort. You can also close the entrance with more branches. Use a shovel for the most efficient digging tool. If you don’t have a shovel, use a cup or bowl, ski or snowshoe, or other sturdy item. [9] X Research source
Dig out a trench long enough for your body and as low as possible, running north to south so it gets as little sun as possible throughout the day. Mound up sand on three sides of the trench to make a deeper pit. Then, lay a tarp or other plastic sheeting over the mounds and weigh it down with sand. Alternatively, put down driftwood, branches, or another flat material to support sand for a roof. Make sure you build your sand pit well above the water line or high tide mark if you’re on a beach. [10] X Research source
