How to Set Up a Flat Tarp for Rainy Night Camping

Quick answer

Set your 7x9 flat tarp in a low A-frame or flying-V pitch with the ridgeline taut and the low side facing the wind. This keeps rain off your sleep system while maintaining airflow.

Step-by-step: Pitch your flat tarp for rain

1. Choose a slightly elevated, well-drained site: Look for a spot that is a few inches higher than the surrounding ground so water runs away from your sleep area. Avoid depressions, dry creek beds, or areas directly under heavy tree drips. Clear any sharp rocks or sticks that could puncture the tarp floor. A common mistake is setting up in a low spot that becomes a puddle after a few hours of rain. Test the ground with your palm: if it feels damp, keep looking.
2. Set the ridgeline first with a taut-line hitch: Tie one end of your ridgeline to a tree or trekking pole at chest height. Walk to the other anchor point, pull the line tight, and secure it with a taut-line hitch so you can adjust tension later. The ridgeline should be the highest point of your shelter and run perpendicular to the prevailing wind direction. If the ridgeline sags after you attach the tarp, the whole pitch will collect water. Re-tension the line until it is guitar-string tight.
3. Drape the tarp over the ridgeline and stake the low side first: Center the tarp evenly over the ridgeline. Stake down the corners on the side facing the wind at a 45-degree angle, pulling the fabric taut. Then stake the opposite side slightly higher to create a slope that sheds rain. For extra coverage, bring the windward side lower to the ground. Do not stake the windward side too high – rain will blow underneath and wet your gear. The low side should almost touch the ground.
4. Adjust panel tension to eliminate flapping: Use adjustable guylines on the side panel tie-outs (if your tarp has them) or add a small rock inside a corner as a tensioner. Pull each guyline until the fabric is drum-tight. Loose panels catch wind and rain, and they can tear in gusts. If you hear flapping, the pitch is too loose. Re-stake or re-tension before you get inside – it is much harder to fix once you are in your bag.
5. Create a bathtub groundsheet or use a bivy: Lay a waterproof groundsheet inside the tarp, folding up the edges to form a shallow bathtub. This stops ground moisture from wicking into your sleeping pad. Alternatively, use a waterproof bivy sack for full splash protection. Even with a perfect tarp pitch, water can seep through the ground. A bathtub groundsheet or bivy is cheap insurance against a wet night.

Product facts

• 7' x 9' Flat Tarp: Zpacks 7' x 9' Flat Tarp is an ultralight minimalist shelter with plenty of space for a single hiker and their gear. The generous size lets you pitch a rain-deflecting A-frame while still having room to store your pack and boots dry inside.