It’s important to know how to build a shelter in the wilderness. You never know when you might get lost or injured, or just need some place quiet and dry to sleep. In this post we’ll go through step by step how to build several different kinds of shelters with materials found in nature.
| Takeaways |
|---|
| Tips and guides on building a shelter in the wilderness |
| Importance of emergency shelter ideas for survival |
| Staying safe from dangerous creatures when building a shelter |
| Choosing the best water purification system for clean water in the wilderness |
| Navigation skills for finding a suitable location for building a shelter |
| Additional resources for building wilderness survival shelters |
| FAQs on building a survival shelter |
1. Figure Out What You Need
Before you start building, you need to consider the location of your shelter. You’ll want to be able to find it again when you return from hunting or gathering and before dark. Look for a place that is sheltered from the wind and rain, but still allows for air flow.
It’s also important that your shelter has enough space for both people sleeping in it and their gear (such as bedding, food rations and cooking implements).
If possible, look for a site where there are trees nearby that can be used as supports for ropes or bows so that the roof doesn’t sag under the weight of snow during winter months.
Building a shelter in the wilderness can be a daunting task, especially for beginners. Our 10 essential tips for surviving in the wilderness guide offers valuable tips to help you through the process.
2. Scout For A Location
Once you’ve got your supplies, it’s time to begin building. But before you do that, be sure to scout the area for a good location.
First off: location matters! You’ll want to avoid water sources and animal trails, as both can make life difficult on your shelter. You should also look for sheltering areas that are sheltered from wind, which can damage or destroy your temporary abode if left unchecked.
Additionally, try to find an area with plenty of sun during the day but not too much; pine trees are great because they provide shade while still letting in enough sunlight through their needles.
The best locations will have good drainage (meaning no flooding when it rains) and be elevated over any potential flood areas (this is especially important if there are flash floods in the area). Finally, choose an area close to a source of firewood so you can build yourself a campfire once night falls.
Best Brands for Wilderness Shelter Location Scouting
| Brand | Product | Features | Price |
|---|---|---|---|
| Garmin | eTrex 30x | 2.2 inch color display, GPS and GLONASS satellite tracking, durable and waterproof design | $299.99 |
| Suunto | Traverse Alpha | GPS and GLONASS satellite tracking, durable and waterproof design, topographic maps | $499.00 |
| Tactacam | Reveal X | Cellular scouting camera, 12-megapixel camera, captures 15-second video clips, send images to your phone | $229.99 |
| Stealth Cam | G26NG Pro | 4 resolution settings up to 18 megapixels, 0.9-second trigger speed, external LCD status display, durable and weather-resistant housing | $139.99 |
| Bresser | Ambition Spotting Scopes | Large field of view, 45-degree angled eyepiece, tripod adaptable, weather-sealed housing | $129.99 |
3. The Orientation Of Your Shelter Is Important
The next step is to determine the orientation of your shelter. Once you have a spot picked out, it’s important to make sure that your shelter does not face directly into the wind. If you don’t want to get blown away by strong winds, then look for an area that has good protection from those types of weather patterns.
When choosing where to put your shelter, keep in mind that it should also be protected from direct sunlight and rain as well as animals such as raccoons or bears.
When it comes to building a shelter in the wilderness, it’s important to be prepared for any situation. Check out our guide on emergency shelter ideas for when you’re caught off guard to learn about different types of shelters you can build when you don’t have much time.
4. Choose Your Materials Carefully
One of the most important things in choosing a material is that it be easy to find. If you have to spend all day looking for the perfect piece of wood or tree branch, your shelter might not get done before nightfall.
Also, choose materials that are lightweight and easy to cut and shape. You don’t want to use a heavy log as part of your shelter (unless you plan on using it as a roof).
Try to choose materials that won’t rot, decay or decompose when exposed to rain and moisture – otherwise they will weaken over time and leave gaps where water can seep through causing mold or mildew growth which could lead to bigger problems later down the road!
If possible opt for natural materials such as grasses/twigs/branches rather than manufactured products such as nylon rope which may not last long enough under harsh conditions.”
Best Brands for Wilderness Shelter Building Materials
| Brand | Product | Features | Price |
|---|---|---|---|
| Gerber | Gator Machete | 18-inch blade, high carbon stainless steel, saw-toothed edge, ergonomic grip | $22.97 |
| Fiskars | X7 Hatchet | 14-inch handle, high carbon steel blade, non-slip grip, inseparable PermaHead insert-molded head | $31.99 |
| Husqvarna | ProForest Chain Saw Helmet | Hi-viz orange hard hat, metal mesh face shield, 6-point adjustable suspension system, rain seal | $54.81 |
| 3M | Worktunes Connect Hearing Protection | Bluetooth wireless technology, high-fidelity speakers, 24dB Noise Reduction Rating, integrated microphone | $51.43 |
| Stanley | Classic Vacuum Bottle | 2Qt/1.9L capacity, double-wall stainless steel construction, vacuum insulation, leak-proof cap | $40.00 |
5. Prepare The Base And Create The Frame Of The Shelter
Now that you have your materials, it’s time to prepare the base of your shelter and create its frame.
This is where things get a little more technical and precise, so be sure to take your time and make sure everything is level before proceeding. Follow these steps:
Make sure your base is level (the floor should be flat) using stones or sticks as markers. If necessary, clear away any debris from underneath it so that it sits flat on the ground without being supported by anything else in order for it to remain stable when you build upon it later on in this process (and also makes setting up camp much easier).
Place a tarp or plastic sheeting over this foundation so that you can easily cover yourself with branches while working inside later on during cold weather months when building outdoors during winter months might not be such a good idea due to climate conditions being less than ideal for spending extended periods outdoors without sheltering yourself properly beforehand – especially if there are other people around who depend upon each other staying together until they reach safety!
The wilderness is home to many dangerous creatures that can make building a shelter even more challenging. Take a look at our guide on the top 10 most dangerous creatures in the wilderness and what to watch out for to stay safe while building your shelter.
6. Make Sure To Create A Good Structure
When you build your shelter, make sure to create a good structure. You don’t want it to fall apart in the middle of the night, and you’ll likely be sleeping in it for several nights.
You should build a frame that surrounds your bedding area and support it with sturdy tree limbs or logs that can be placed around your bedding area on the ground. After this is done, fill in any open spaces with more branches or leaves if needed.
Best Brands for Wilderness Shelter Structure
| Brand | Product | Features | Price |
|---|---|---|---|
| Eureka! | Copper Canyon LX | Cabin-style tent for up to 12 people, 7-foot center height, full mesh roof for stargazing, E!luminate System | $549.95 |
| Osprey | Stratos 36 | Ventilated back panel, adjustable torso length, stretch mesh pockets, tool attachment loops | $170.00 |
| Alps Mountaineering | King Kong Chair | 600D polyester fabric, sturdy powder-coated steel frame, cup holders and pockets, adjustable armrests | $79.99 |
| Therm-a-Rest | MondoKing 3D | Temperature rating of 20°F (-7°C), dual valves for fast inflation and deflation, compressible foam core | $209.95 |
| Petzl | Zipka Headlamp | 300 lumens, compact and lightweight, adjustable headband, red lighting for preserving night vision | $29.95 |
7. Consider Building A Door
Once you have your shelter’s walls constructed, it’s time to think about how you want to build a door.
Consider the size of your shelter and how many people will be using it. If there are four people huddled in your tent for warmth, then perhaps one large entryway is ideal for all of them to enter at once.
If there are only two people staying in their small bedding cocoon, then one small opening works perfectly for them too.
Once you’ve settled on what kind of entryway(s) to make into your shelter, it’s time to start securing them from intruders or animals looking for a warm place out of the cold weather! One option is by building an extension onto each side of where the door tunnel would lead so that when someone walks through they’re met with a wall instead.
This way no one can get close enough without walking into something first which makes things feel safer overall (especially if someone isn’t familiar with what types of wildlife live where). Your second option would be placing sticks around any openings so that predators cannot squeeze through easily – especially if those openings aren’t very big anyway!
If none of these options seem like good ones then simply closing off access completely might work best – this could mean covering up holes completely with rocks or other materials until only two small gaps remain: one near top and bottom edges above ground level so anyone trying digging under wouldn’t encounter any obstructions while doing so whatsoever.”
Water is essential for survival, but finding clean water in the wilderness can be challenging. Our guide on choosing the best water purification system provides valuable information on how to make water safe for drinking and other purposes.
8. Insulate Yourself And The Shelter From The Ground
To insulate yourself and your shelter from the ground, you can use a tarp or other material to create a “bathtub floor,” which will keep moisture away from the underside of your shelter.
The bathtub floor should extend at least three inches out all around the sides of your tent or tarp. If you are using a tent, use its footprint as part of this insulation; if using a tarp alone (or no tent), wrap it across two tree limbs and then stake it down on each side with more stakes.
This creates an additional layer between yourself and the ground, keeping out cold air that might otherwise creep through gaps in between tree roots or rocks below.
9. Do Not Leave Through The Door When Exiting Your Shelter
When you are ready to leave your shelter for any reason, take care not to open the door. Instead, poke a hole through the ceiling with a long stick or pole. If you need to get out in an emergency or during a storm, poke another hole in your window and exit that way.
Building a shelter in the wilderness requires navigation skills to find a suitable location. Our guide on wilderness navigation: how to use a map and compass like a pro offers practical tips to help you find your way and locate a good spot to build your shelter.
10. Keep Cleanliness And Order Inside Your Shelter
This may seem like a no-brainer, but keeping your shelter clean and tidy will help you feel more comfortable, which in turn will make it easier to sleep. It’s also important to keep your shelter dry and warm so that mold doesn’t grow inside it.
Lastly, keeping things organized will help you find what you need when you need it; this is especially helpful if there is only one person per shelter.
Conclusion
As you can see, building a shelter in the wilderness is not as easy as it sounds. There are many different factors to take into consideration, and if you don’t plan them out carefully then it could end up costing you dearly.
However, if you follow these steps carefully and make sure to double check everything then there is no reason why your shelter shouldn’t last for years!
Further Reading
Here are some additional resources on building wilderness survival shelters:
Filson’s guide on building wilderness survival shelter provides detailed instructions on how to build different types of shelters using natural materials.
WikiHow’s article on building a survival shelter offers step-by-step instructions and illustrations for building a basic lean-to style shelter.
Morton on the Move’s guide to survival shelters provides a detailed analysis of different types of shelters, how they work, and when to use them.
FAQs
What are some natural materials I can use to build a survival shelter?
Some natural materials you can use to build a survival shelter include branches, leaves, pine needles, bark, and grass.
Do I need a saw or an axe to build a shelter?
While having a saw or an axe can make the process of building a shelter much easier, it’s not necessarily a requirement. You can use a sharp stone or even your hands to break branches and foliage into manageable pieces.
What should I do if I don’t have a suitable location for building a shelter?
If you don’t have a suitable location for building a shelter, consider other options such as finding a cave, tunnel, or building a shelter using a tarp or other materials that can be adapted for use.
What is the most important factor to consider when building a survival shelter?
The most important factor to consider when building a survival shelter is protection from the elements. Ensure that your shelter is wind-resistant, waterproof, and provides adequate insulation.
How can I make a survival shelter more comfortable?
There are several ways to make a survival shelter more comfortable, such as using natural materials for bedding, or building a fire for warmth and cooking food. You can also consider adding a natural windbreak or rain shelter for additional protection.
Hi! I’m Hellen James, and I am the founder of Unified Survival. I have a deep passion for the wilderness and everything that goes along with it. I’ve been hiking since I was a child, and I grew up camping in state parks all over the country. But it wasn’t until recently that I learned how to survive in the wilderness.