Building a shelter doesn’t have to be difficult. In fact, many of the most effective shelters can be built with only natural materials that you find in the wild.
I’ve compiled a list of different types of natural shelters, along with how to build them and why each is so effective at keeping you warm and dry no matter where you are in the world.
| Takeaways |
|---|
| Building a survival shelter can mean the difference between life and death in a survival situation. |
| When building a survival shelter, it’s important to choose a location that provides protection from the elements and easy access to natural resources such as water and food. |
| Natural resources such as branches, leaves, and moss can be used to build a survival shelter in the wilderness. |
| There are different types of survival shelters, ranging from simple lean-tos to more complex debris huts and igloos. |
| To increase your chances of survival in extreme conditions, it’s important to know how to build different types of survival shelters using natural and non-natural materials. |
Build A Tipi
The tipi is a conical tent made of wooden poles, skins and canvas. The sides are supported by vertical poles that are tied together at the top. The canvas is stretched over this frame to form a cone-shaped shelter.
The tipi was traditionally used by Native Americans who lived in cold climates because it was warm inside with a fire burning in the center of the floor throughout winter months.
It can also be used as an emergency shelter if you find yourself lost or stuck in bad weather while backpacking or camping.
The traditional style of building a tipi isn’t optimal for survival situations because it takes time to build one (typically several hours), but there’s no reason why you can’t make your own version with natural materials!
“When building a shelter in the wilderness from natural materials, it’s important to understand the materials you can use. Check out our list of the top 15 materials that are great options for building a shelter that will protect you from the elements.”
Build A Wickiup
The wickiup is a simple and easy to build shelter, yet it will keep you warm and dry even in the harshest conditions.
This shelter can be built with only two saplings or long branches. The frame of your wickiup should be made from sticks that are 8-12 feet long and 2 inches thick, depending on how strong you want your structure to be.
You’ll need two main support posts that are 12 feet long, one slightly shorter than the other so they create a “V” shape when placed together on their sides with their bottoms touching each other at an 18 degree angle (which will ensure proper drainage).
Lay these posts down in the middle of where you’re going to build your shelter, then place them about 1 foot apart from each other horizontally (15 inches apart) so that when resting on their sides they form an open rectangle shape measuring 5′ wide by 7′ tall (7′ tall total).
Types of Wickiup Shelters and How to Build Them
| Type of Wickiup | Description |
|---|---|
| Conical Wickiup | Consists of a framework of branches arranged in a circle and bent inward to form a dome. The top is open for ventilation, and the structure is covered with brush, leaves, or bark. |
| Semicircular Wickiup | Similar to the conical wickiup, but it consists of a framework of branches arranged in a half-circle and propped up against a tree or rock face. |
| Lean-to Wickiup | Consists of a single wall of branches leaning against a tree or rock face. The structure is covered with brush, leaves, or bark. |
| A-frame Wickiup | Consists of two sets of poles arranged in the shape of an A-frame, with one set leaning against the other. The structure is covered with brush, leaves, or bark. |
| Tarp Wickiup | Consists of a tarp tied down to a frame made of poles. The shelter can be easily assembled and disassembled and is a good option for those who want a quick and easy shelter. |
Building a wickiup shelter can be an excellent way to protect yourself from the elements during a survival situation. There are different types of wickiup shelters to choose from depending on the materials you have available and your level of experience. Use the table above to learn more about the different types of wickiup shelters and how to build them.
Build An A Frame Shelter
An A-frame shelter is quick and easy to build, but it’s not the best tool for survival. In a real survival situation you will want to build a shelter that will keep you warm and dry and protect you from animals.
An A-frame shelter is built using two long branches tied together at the top with rope or vines, making a triangle shape that can be covered with branches and leaves or other material that provides protection from the elements.
“If you find yourself lost in the woods, building a shelter can save your life. To ensure that you build a proper shelter, take a look at our step-by-step guide and learn what you need to do in order to make a safe shelter.”
Build A Lean-To.
A lean-to shelter is one of the easiest natural shelters you can build. It’s quick to put up and requires no tools, so you can pitch it in an emergency situation.
Plus, they’re easy to maintain: if a branch falls on your lean-to or it gets damaged by rain or wind, all you have to do is repair it with more branches.
Finally, adding a fire pit inside your lean-to will help keep you warm at night and prevent bears from coming close enough for a snack!
Different Types of Lean-To Shelters and Materials Needed
| Type of Lean-To | Description | Materials Needed |
|---|---|---|
| A-Frame Lean-To | Consists of two poles set into the ground at an angle, with a crossbeam placed on top. The roof is created by leaning branches against the crossbeam. | Poles, crossbeam, branches |
| Round Lean-To | Consists of several poles set into the ground in a circle, with other poles leaned against them to create a dome shape. The dome is covered with brush, leaves, or bark. | Poles, brush/leaves/bark |
| Wall Lean-To | Consists of one or more walls of branches leaned against a tree or rock face. The structure is covered with brush, leaves, or bark. | Branches, brush/leaves/bark |
| Half Lean-To | Consists of a single wall of branches or a tarp tied to trees or other supports at an angle. The structure is covered with brush, leaves, or bark. | Branches/tarp, brush/leaves/bark |
A lean-to shelter is a simple and efficient way to protect yourself from the elements in the wilderness. There are different types of lean-to shelters to choose from depending on the materials you have available and your level of experience. Use the table above to learn more about the different types of lean-to shelters, their descriptions, and the materials needed to build them.
Build A “Hogan” Or Beehive-Shaped Shelter
This is one of the easiest shelters to build. You’ll need an area about six feet in diameter and four to six feet high. Dig a circular trench around the perimeter of your chosen site, leaving three-foot-wide floor space between it and the ground.
Lay logs across this trench so they are parallel with each other and form a circle shape (this will be your floor).
Now dig another trench inside that first trench, but make sure that it’s at least two feet deep (to keep warm air from escaping). After that, lay large branches over both trenches so they span them like spokes on a wheel (you can also use smaller branches as fillers).
Then cover everything up by filling in any gaps with twigs or smaller branches; you want all of your material packed tightly together so no light or air can get through undetected.
Once covered up, you should have a safe place where you can sleep without worrying about predators coming after you!
“When you’re unexpectedly caught off-guard in a survival situation, knowing how to build an emergency shelter can make all the difference. Take a look at our 17 emergency shelter ideas to find the best solution for your situation.”
Build An Earth Lodge
Earth lodges are quite easy to build and maintain, have good ventilation (cool in the summer, warm in winter), and can be easily expanded over time. They are also very inexpensive compared to a conventional home. Some of the materials needed include:
- Bark or wood logs
- Sticks
- Stakes or poles
Materials and Steps to Build an Earth Lodge
| Materials | Description |
|---|---|
| Logs or Poles | Strong wooden poles or logs for the main frame of the structure, at least 12 feet in length |
| Willow Branches | Flexible willow branches for the lattice work of the walls and roof |
| Mud or Clay | Mud or clay to “chink” or fill in the gaps between the logs or poles, and for the outer layer of the walls |
| Grasses or Thatch | Tall grasses or thatch for the roof |
| Large Stones | Large stones for the base layer of the structure |
Building an earth lodge is a great way to create a shelter in the wilderness that will last for years. Here are the steps to build one:
- Find a location that is dry, level, and has good drainage.
- Gather the necessary materials: logs or poles, willow branches, mud or clay, grasses or thatch, and large stones.
- Create a circle with the logs or poles and use the mud or clay to secure them in place. Ensure the frame is at least 12 feet in diameter.
- Create the lattice work for the walls and the roof using willow branches.
- Fill in the gaps between the logs or poles with mud or clay.
- Layer grasses or thatch over the willow branches to create a waterproof roof.
- Create an entryway on the east side of the structure.
- Add a fire pit inside the structure, and you’re ready to move in!
Use the table above to learn more about the materials needed to build an earth lodge and the steps involved in constructing one.
Build A Straw Bale House
Straw bale houses are a popular alternative to traditional building materials. They’re fire-resistant, and can be built with minimal tools and minimal skill.
Straw bales are also easy to build with, and you can use the same principles for constructing a strawbale house as you would for any other type of home.
Besides being inexpensive, straw Bale homes have many benefits over traditional housing: they keep you cool in summer and warm in winter (due to their thick walls), they require no electricity or running water; they don’t need foundation work done either!
The only thing that might add up is plumbing but that depends on if you want running water inside your home or not.
Straw bale houses are becoming more popular each year simply because they are incredibly durable – even after centuries! They won’t rot like wood does; plus this material lasts longer than drywall will last too which means less maintenance cost down the road.
“Surviving in the wilderness requires knowledge and skill. If you’re a beginner, take a look at our 10 essential tips to learn everything you need to know about camping, hiking, and wilderness survival.”
Build A Super Adobe House
If you’re looking for an easy-to-build, affordable, and energy efficient home that can withstand harsh conditions, consider building a super adobe house.
Super adobe is a mud brick house that uses earth as the primary material. The walls are built up from the foundation to create a strong structure that resists earthquakes and high winds.
The super adobe construction method was developed by ancient Native Americans in Central America and South America over 1,000 years ago.
The architecture has been adopted by people who live in remote locations or areas with limited resources because it requires only dirt, water, sand and straw to build—and these materials are easy to find just about anywhere on Earth!
Build A Log Cabin
You will need to build a log cabin. Log cabins are easy to build, warm and cozy, and durable. They can be built in a variety of ways with modern materials or natural materials.
Log cabins are generally rectangular in shape, but if you want your shelter to be round then that is also an option.
Once the dimensions are decided on it is time for excavation work. Excavate out enough space so that all of your logs fit inside without touching each other when they’re laid side by side horizontally (this sounds confusing but we’ll go over this later). This will make sure there’s plenty of room for insulation too!
Once the excavation work is done then it’s time for construction! The first step involves laying down some sort of flooring material such as plywood or even just dirt if you don’t mind getting muddy feet when entering/exiting from your shelter during inclement weather conditions like rain showers or snowstorms blowing through town unexpectedly during evening hours.”
“Surviving extreme weather conditions can be challenging, but the right shelter can protect you from it all. Check out our guide on the best shelter designs for extreme weather to learn how you can build a shelter that will keep you safe and warm through any condition.”
Build An Underground Cave Home
In this section, you will learn how to build an underground cave home. The first step is choosing a location that is dry and has enough space for your family. You should also be sure there are no poisonous snakes or other dangerous animals nearby that could potentially attack the inhabitants of the shelter.
Build A Yurt Or Ger
Build a yurt or ger. A yurt is a circular tent traditionally made of felt, canvas and wood. While the word “yurt” is Mongolian, the traditional style of living was adopted by many other tribes in Central Asia as well.
On the other hand, a ger (also called a gher) is traditionally made with felt and canvas but has no wooden supports making it more portable than its yurt counterpart.
Both are easy to build using only natural materials found on your land but don’t expect to finish this project alone! It’s best if you have help from friends who can provide extra hands for lifting heavy bales of hay or moving heavy logs into place during construction.
Build An Igloo
If you have no other options, and are desperate to keep warm, building an igloo is a great option. The Inuit people of the Arctic have been using this technique for centuries and it can be used in any climate.
Building an igloo is actually easier than it looks because snow acts as its own building material.
You just need some ice blocks or stones to assist with shaping, then start packing it into place with your hands (or feet if there’s enough room). Snow has amazing properties that allow it to retain heat even when wet! Here’s how:
The air pockets between crystals act as insulators; one cubic inch of air has about R-value 1; one cubic foot has about R-value 32.
For comparison, foam insulation typically has an R value between 2 – 4 per inch thickness (depending on type), while fiberglass batt insulation usually has an R value around 5 – 8 per inch thickness (again depending on type). The bottom line? Snow will keep you warm even when wet!
Conclusion
In this article, we’ve covered a lot of different ways to build shelters that are made from natural materials. We’ve looked at how you can make these shelters yourself with just some basic tools and a little bit of time.
Further Reading
For more information on building a survival shelter, check out the following resources:
WikiHow’s guide on how to build a survival shelter: A step-by-step guide on building a shelter in any survival situation.
Filson’s guide to building a wilderness survival shelter: An in-depth guide on building a shelter with natural materials, with insight on which materials to choose in different environments.
My Water Earth’s guide to building a shelter with natural resources: A comprehensive guide to building a shelter using natural resources, including tips on what to look for when choosing materials.
FAQs
What materials can I use to build a survival shelter?
You can use natural materials, such as branches, leaves, and moss, to build a survival shelter. These materials can be found in the wilderness and can provide insulation and protection from the elements.
How long does it take to build a survival shelter?
The time it takes to build a survival shelter depends on several factors, including the type of shelter you’re building and the size of the shelter. In general, it’s possible to build a simple shelter in a few hours.
What should I consider when choosing a location for my survival shelter?
When choosing a location for a survival shelter, it’s important to consider factors such as proximity to water sources, protection from the elements, and accessibility to rescue teams. You’ll also want to avoid areas with high levels of wildlife activity or natural hazards.
What should I do if I don’t have access to natural resources for building a shelter?
If you don’t have access to natural resources, you can use materials such as tarpaulins, blankets, and ropes to create a shelter. It’s important to be creative and resourceful in survival situations.
How can I make my survival shelter more comfortable?
To make your survival shelter more comfortable, you can add insulation by using natural materials such as leaves and moss. You can also use a sleeping pad or create a raised bed to keep you off the ground and provide cushioning.
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.