Tarp Under Your Tent: Is It a Must-Have or Just Overkill?

Are you planning a camping trip and deciding what to pack? You’re on the right track if you want to travel as lightly as possible while making sure you don’t skip any essentials. 

So, about that tarp, you were considering placing under your tent… Does that belong on the “absolute essentials” list, or can you safely ditch it? 

The short answer is that bringing a tarp is never a bad idea. There’s a longer answer, too, and the fact that a tarp isn’t always the best thing to place under your tent is very much part of it. Join us to dive into a more detailed look at this common camping question.

Tarp Under Your Tent

Placing a tarp under your tent serves several different purposes when it’s done right:

  • The tarp places a waterproof barrier between you and your tent, preventing rising dampness from ruining your camping experience. 
  • While you should always clear debris from the site where you plan to pitch your tent, a sturdy tarp protects your tent from being punctured by any stray debris or tree roots you might have missed. 
  • A tarp also reduces the amount of friction that occurs between the base of your tent and the ground as you sleep, enter, and exit the tent. 

Ultimately, in other words, experienced campers often place tarps under their tents to make their camping experience more comfortable while maximizing their tent’s lifespan. Placing a tarp under your tent works like a dream if you do it correctly. Watch out, though! If the tarp pokes out from beneath your tent’s base, it can be counterproductive, by catching water and leading it straight to the worst spot possible — right under your air mattress. 

Must-Have or Overkill? The Verdict

So, is a tarp a must-have or nothing but overkill? While this question is an endless source of controversy in the camping world, the answer is ultimately quite simple. It’s neither because the answer depends on your situation. 

Are you planning a one-night camping trip at a clean, well-maintained campground? Do you prefer to travel very light, and do you have a basic, affordable tent? You probably don’t need a tarp. 

Are you a backpacker or adventurer? If you have no idea where you’ll land next, and you want to be prepared for anything, you’re going to need that tarp. More about that later.

Are you planning a longer camping trip, whether at an official campground or somewhere else? Do you go camping often, and have you invested in a beautiful, durable, and expensive tent? You may want to bring a tarp along for your trip, but perhaps not to place it under your tent. You have a better alternative — a tent footprint. 

Tent Footprint? What’s That?

Photo by Nationaal Archief on Unsplash

A tent footprint, also called a groundsheet, serves the same purpose as a tarp placed under a tent — but it’s designed for the job. Tent footprints are usually made for the exact model of tent you have, with dimensions slightly smaller than those of your tent’s base, and the same shape. 

These handy protective sheets often come with loops or grommets that make them easier to set up. Unlike with tarps, you never risk accidentally letting part of the material poke out from beneath your tent, ensuring they can do their job as a waterproof barrier well. Tent footprints have the added benefit of being less bulky, making them significantly easier to pack. 

If tent footprints sound like a dream come true, that’s because they often are — but that won’t help you if you’re using an old tent for which no groundsheet has been designed. In that case, you’ll have to stick to tarps. However, strongly consider buying a tent with a tent footprint when you’re ready for an upgrade!

Why You Should Bring a Tarp on Your Next Camping Trip Anyway

While tent footprints specially designed for your tent beat tarps as a ground cover in most cases, camping enthusiasts should hold onto their tarps. You never know when they might come in handy!

You can use your tarp as:

  • An emergency shelter. If you get stuck somewhere in the middle of nowhere, you can use a tarp to build a makeshift shelter. 
  • A “gazebo.” Use your tarp to make a temporary gazebo or tent extension, under which you can cook or relax during your camping trip. 
  • A bag. With a little bit of folding and some cordage, your tarp becomes a rudimentary bag or backpack where you can store extra items you find or buy during your camping experience.
  • A cover. Use a tarp to protect the belongings you’ve stored outside of your tent from sudden rain or from wildlife like raccoons, by weighing it down with some boulders or other heavy objects. If the location where you pitched your tent has ample trees, you can even make an extra “roof” to add an extra layer of protection to your tent. 
  • A picnic blanket. This one speaks for itself. 

It’s hard to think of camping supplies that are more versatile than a tarp — except, perhaps, your trusty Leatherman multi-tool. Using a tarp as a ground cover under your tent is optional, but that in no way means tarps aren’t essential tools during camping trips. 

A Final Word AND 12 MORE REasons to use a tarp

Ground covers are a wonderful way to protect your tent from damage while ensuring you stay dry and comfortable. While tarps were once the best option, the advent of specialized tent footprints has 

12 Ways a Tarp Can Be Useful Under Your Tent.

  1. Protection from Moisture: A tarp acts as a barrier between the damp ground and your tent floor, preventing moisture from seeping through and keeping you dry during rainy or dewy nights.
  2. Enhanced Durability: By shielding your tent floor from rocks, sticks, and other sharp objects, a tarp can extend the lifespan of your tent by preventing tears and punctures.
  3. Insulation: The added layer of a tarp can provide extra insulation, helping to keep you warmer during colder nights by reducing heat loss to the ground.
  4. Preventing Groundwater Seepage: In areas prone to groundwater seepage or light flooding, a tarp can create an additional barrier to keep water out of your tent.
  5. Easier Cleanup: A tarp makes it easier to clean your tent site since you can simply shake off or wipe away any dirt or debris before packing up.
  6. Protects Tent Floor from Wear and Tear: Even on relatively soft ground, the constant friction of people walking in and out of the tent can wear down the tent floor over time. A tarp acts as a protective layer, reducing this wear and tear.
  7. Customizable Size: You can choose a tarp that is slightly larger than your tent footprint, allowing for an extended area outside your tent where you can store gear or relax without worrying about muddy or wet ground.
  8. Emergency Shelter: In situations where you need to set up a temporary shelter quickly, a tarp can be rigged up with poles and ropes to provide protection from rain or sun exposure.
  9. Improved Comfort: A tarp provides a smoother surface to walk on inside your tent, which can make sleeping and moving around more comfortable, especially if the ground underneath is uneven.
  10. Condensation Management: Placing a tarp underneath your tent can help mitigate condensation buildup by adding an extra layer between the ground and the tent floor, reducing the likelihood of moisture forming inside the tent.
  11. Versatile Ground Cover: When camping in areas with abrasive or uncomfortable ground surfaces like gravel or rough terrain, a tarp can serve as a makeshift ground cover to create a more comfortable camping experience.
  12. Protection from Insects and Pests: By creating a barrier between your tent and the ground, a tarp can help prevent insects, spiders, and other small pests from crawling into your tent, enhancing your overall camping experience.

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