Stealth Camping: 5 Low-Profile Stealth Shelters - TARP
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Date: 2025-09-28
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Comments and reviews: 20
SilveredRaven
My favorite low profile shelter is essentially just a lean-to on a fallen tree, usually made to look like a mound of dirt/leaves near the base of the tree. I've not had anyone even come to investigate while using one, and it can be especially easy to maintain structurally. Using a brown tarp and weaving it between the sticks, then partially burying it, helps maintain water resistance within it as well for the rainy season. Albeit can be an issue with where you put a fire if you need/want one. Digging a dakota fire hole is usually a good bet IF you can.
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My favorite low profile shelter is essentially just a lean-to on a fallen tree, usually made to look like a mound of dirt/leaves near the base of the tree. I've not had anyone even come to investigate while using one, and it can be especially easy to maintain structurally. Using a brown tarp and weaving it between the sticks, then partially burying it, helps maintain water resistance within it as well for the rainy season. Albeit can be an issue with where you put a fire if you need/want one. Digging a dakota fire hole is usually a good bet IF you can.
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Handddle
If you plan to handle dead leaves on the ground i really advice you to use some gloves, some insects, deseases and glass Pieces are NOT a joke for your hands. Is the same reason why if you build a low profile shelter First bring a second tarp and use It to make a floor under you from the start. If you Will sleep directly on some dead leaves you open yourself to some creepycrawlers and you Will not be confortable anyway. Other than that nice video as Always.
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If you plan to handle dead leaves on the ground i really advice you to use some gloves, some insects, deseases and glass Pieces are NOT a joke for your hands. Is the same reason why if you build a low profile shelter First bring a second tarp and use It to make a floor under you from the start. If you Will sleep directly on some dead leaves you open yourself to some creepycrawlers and you Will not be confortable anyway. Other than that nice video as Always.
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silverhammer7779
The problem is, winds shift. and any shelter with open ends or sides could be a problem. This is especially true in driving rains that can sometimes fall horizontally due to winds. If you're expecting really foul weather, bring a proper tent with six sides of protection and use the tarp as a rainfly.
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The problem is, winds shift. and any shelter with open ends or sides could be a problem. This is especially true in driving rains that can sometimes fall horizontally due to winds. If you're expecting really foul weather, bring a proper tent with six sides of protection and use the tarp as a rainfly.
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soonerfrac4611
Especially in the body bag type, use your ruck to close off the other end of the shelter. If it’s done right it can fit two people and both rucks can close off the tube making it far more weatherproof. The other shelters can use the same method if you have a waterproof cover on your ruck.
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Especially in the body bag type, use your ruck to close off the other end of the shelter. If it’s done right it can fit two people and both rucks can close off the tube making it far more weatherproof. The other shelters can use the same method if you have a waterproof cover on your ruck.
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benjiman_OBE
Im a huge DD fan, I own the 3x3 and 5x5. Sadly, in my last camp, my 3x3 bleached in the sun on one side (where the ridgeline folded the tarp), and all the sealant failed on the bleached side. I dont know if the tarps have heat rating to avoid, etc. But dang now it only fit as beach shade.
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Im a huge DD fan, I own the 3x3 and 5x5. Sadly, in my last camp, my 3x3 bleached in the sun on one side (where the ridgeline folded the tarp), and all the sealant failed on the bleached side. I dont know if the tarps have heat rating to avoid, etc. But dang now it only fit as beach shade.
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alunjones9153
Just watched ur video great as usual don't think I'd get away with tarp at a campsite I'd b 2 paranoid 2 do a wild camp still interesting though it my birthday Friday so driving down 2 d coast 2 stay wid family just had a nice large donna wrap time 4 kip
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Just watched ur video great as usual don't think I'd get away with tarp at a campsite I'd b 2 paranoid 2 do a wild camp still interesting though it my birthday Friday so driving down 2 d coast 2 stay wid family just had a nice large donna wrap time 4 kip
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toritori4430
The weakest point of any stealth camp is natural urge to sleep,
Your at your weakest and most vulnerable so why sleep.
The key here is never sleep.
The strongest most effective way of remaining undetected and secure is dont sleep.
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The weakest point of any stealth camp is natural urge to sleep,
Your at your weakest and most vulnerable so why sleep.
The key here is never sleep.
The strongest most effective way of remaining undetected and secure is dont sleep.
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taoutdoors
Didn't you say that you quite teaching I really like this video. It rains unexpectedly here in Florida as well as the UK so to get a shelter up fast and as rain proof as possible is very important. Thank Mike, thanks for what you do.
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Didn't you say that you quite teaching I really like this video. It rains unexpectedly here in Florida as well as the UK so to get a shelter up fast and as rain proof as possible is very important. Thank Mike, thanks for what you do.
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JohnDoe-qg6hm
OK in a sheltered woodland perhaps but what setups would be good for more exposed extreme weather conditions Think open moorlands in snow where these 'open' tarps would not stop wind chill or rain being driven horizontally!
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OK in a sheltered woodland perhaps but what setups would be good for more exposed extreme weather conditions Think open moorlands in snow where these 'open' tarps would not stop wind chill or rain being driven horizontally!
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timypp2894
Excellent how to video.
Missed that crucial bit at 6m37.
But after a minute or two I visualised it.
The main loop is lifted in-between the threaded end loop. This is where the stick is lodged and is pulled tight.
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Excellent how to video.
Missed that crucial bit at 6m37.
But after a minute or two I visualised it.
The main loop is lifted in-between the threaded end loop. This is where the stick is lodged and is pulled tight.
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leighrate
If you need to go low observable (for whatever reason, treat it like your in a S. E. R. E situation.
The five things that attract human attention quickest are Shape, Shine and Straight Lines and Sight Lines and Movement.
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If you need to go low observable (for whatever reason, treat it like your in a S. E. R. E situation.
The five things that attract human attention quickest are Shape, Shine and Straight Lines and Sight Lines and Movement.
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jcc6356
What if there's heavy rain Water will flow beneath the tarp and you will not be able to sleep on the floor. Thee 5 setups are only good for nice warm weather. For heavy rain and cold, you need a better solution.
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What if there's heavy rain Water will flow beneath the tarp and you will not be able to sleep on the floor. Thee 5 setups are only good for nice warm weather. For heavy rain and cold, you need a better solution.
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LazerR0cketB0mb
I know you do this a lot. For what it's worth, I prefer the video's that aren't voiced over. Maybe a little, but the sounds of the leaves and the trees are a big part of the magic in your content.
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I know you do this a lot. For what it's worth, I prefer the video's that aren't voiced over. Maybe a little, but the sounds of the leaves and the trees are a big part of the magic in your content.
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taoutdoors
Why do you need to hide yourself when camping, what would you need to hide from. Being on private property that you are not permitted on, what’s the point, I find this stealth camping weird.
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Why do you need to hide yourself when camping, what would you need to hide from. Being on private property that you are not permitted on, what’s the point, I find this stealth camping weird.
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tobystrickland8000
I really have a question for you. Why doesn't anyone let people know that it helps to make a small drainage line around the tarp or tent to help the rain away from the tent.
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I really have a question for you. Why doesn't anyone let people know that it helps to make a small drainage line around the tarp or tent to help the rain away from the tent.
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neil_castell
useful to know, but if you use your tarp as a ground sheet. your probably going to need a new tarp in the near future. unless your using something heavy duty, (ask me how i know)
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useful to know, but if you use your tarp as a ground sheet. your probably going to need a new tarp in the near future. unless your using something heavy duty, (ask me how i know)
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petewatson9866
I love to learn the knots, I want to travel as light as possible and a tarp would come in handy. Do you have any suggestions on how to make tent using your motorcycle as prop
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I love to learn the knots, I want to travel as light as possible and a tarp would come in handy. Do you have any suggestions on how to make tent using your motorcycle as prop
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Spearborne
I'm convinced that tarp users only camp in the shoulder seasons where the bugs are gone or they live in a magical land because no protection from mosquitoes is horrendous.
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I'm convinced that tarp users only camp in the shoulder seasons where the bugs are gone or they live in a magical land because no protection from mosquitoes is horrendous.
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Jojo43O9
I think it would be really cool and helpful if you did a what i use video, where you go over all of the most common gear you use such as tools, clothing, boots, ect.
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I think it would be really cool and helpful if you did a what i use video, where you go over all of the most common gear you use such as tools, clothing, boots, ect.
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jamesellsworth9673
Mostly, 'stealth camping' is a game. I would go for more comfort, using setups that would keep me off the ground and out of losing body heat.
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Mostly, 'stealth camping' is a game. I would go for more comfort, using setups that would keep me off the ground and out of losing body heat.
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