Fifteen survival shelters that can save your life

Protecting yourself from the elements should be a priority when you're trapped in the wilderness. (Tim MacWelch/)

This story was originally featured on Outdoor Life.

Shelter is your top priority in most survival emergencies. Severe weather conditions can kill within a few hours if you don’t have some type of shelter to defend you from the elements. Luckily, there are a wide array of techniques and materials for escaping the elements. Check out my top 15 favorite survival shelters.

1. Round lodge

The round lodge design has withstood the test of time for a reason. (Tim MacWelch/)

The round lodge is a hybrid from many cultures. Part tipi, part wickiup, and influenced by many architectural styles, a round lodge can block wind, rain, cold, and sun. It is structured like a tipi, with the addition of a solid doorway. These typically have a smoke hole through the roof and can accommodate a tiny fire for heat and light. This shelter can be thatched with grass or mats, or it can be buried with a thick coat of leaf litter. Lodge styles like this abounded in the historic and prehistoric American west. This architecture worked equally well in wetter climates and was used in pre-Roman Britain.

2. Ramada

If you're stranded in the desert, a ramada can protect you from the sun. (Tim MacWelch/)

Sunny, hot environments require a shelter that offers shade. The ramada's flat roof doesn't give you leak-proof rain protection, but it does block all of the sun from beating down on you. Many ramada variations exist, but most are based on four posts, some lightweight beams and a suitable covering. Tarps, mats, or even brush will do well enough on the ramada's roof as a sun block. Add some removable walls to cut the evening breeze if temps cool down, and you have a very versatile desert shelter.

3. Quinzhee

If the snow isn't right for an igloo, you can still probably build a quinzhee. (Tim MacWelch/)

The quinzhee is a dome-shaped snow shelter, similar in shape to an igloo, but much easier to construct. Snow must be just right to build an igloo, while most types of snowfall can be packed together for the quinzhee. To build one, start by piling up some moveable gear under a tarp. Backpacks are commonly used for this. Then pile snow over the tarp and gear. Pack the snow down, estimating when it is two feet thick all the way around. Next, insert 12 inch long sticks around the dome. Use 3 or 4 dozen of these guide sticks. Burrow into the side of the quinzhee and retrieve the tarp and gear. Excavate snow inside the mound until you reach the base of every stick. This will ensure uniform thickness of the dome. Make a fist-sized ventilation hole in the roof of the quinzhee.

4. Snow cave

A snow cave relies on science to keep you warm. (freshairjunkie/)

A snow cave may be the only shelter option in areas with deep snow. This is typically the most dangerous shelter to create, as the inhabitants could suffer from low oxygen or even be buried alive in a ceiling collapse. Snow selection is a critical part to the snow caves safe performance. Select a deep, solid snow bank or drift. Dig into the side of it, forming a tunnel into a low spot. This is the “cold well”, which is a place where the colder air can fall and collect. Then dig up and over, creating a shelf or platform to sleep on. This should be the highest part of the shelter. Dig a small hole about 6 inches in diameter somewhere in the roof for ventilation, especially if you plan on blocking the entrance with a doorway of backpack or big snow chunk.

5. Wedge tarp

A wedge tarp can protect you from the wind while also collecting water. (Tim MacWelch/)

This tarp shelter is best-suited for windy conditions with a constant prevailing wind direction. The wedge provides an aerodynamic shape which should resist the most biting wind and driving rain. With a minimum of 5 tie-down points, the wedge is more secure than most tarps, and it even provides two corners that act as rain catches. To build the wedge tarp shelter, stake down two corners of the tarp into the wind (not opposing corners). Then tie up a line to the center of the opposite side of the tarp. Tie the remaining two corners down toward the ground. Use more cord and a less steep angle for open wings and better ventilation. Tie the last corners down sharply for the best weatherproofing. Place a few rocks or log chunks under the tarp by the first tie downs to create deeper basins to catch water. This shelter is a dwelling and a water harvester in one.

6. Tarp wing

Consider a tarp wing if you need to cover a large area. (Tim MacWelch/)

This unorthodox tarp configuration is great for rain protection over a large area if you have a large tarp, or it can provide coverage to a smaller area when using smaller tarps. I use a 20-by-40-foot tarp in this shape over my campfire area when teaching classes. But, I have also camped under one that was 8 by 10 feet. The wing ties up opposing corners of a tarp, two up high and two in lower positions. It can billow like a loose sail in wind, but it works well to keep off both sun and rain.

7. Tarp burrito

You're the filling in a tarp burrito. (Tim MacWelch/)

The tarp burrito is a low-drag shelter featuring zero frills and a 30-second or less setup. Simply lay your tarp in a likely shelter location. Fold one side over, about ⅓ of the way. Then fold again going in the same direction. This makes a roll of tarp with the seam underneath. Tuck one end of the tarp under itself to close it off, and shove your sleeping bag down into the open end. With this configuration, all of the seams are underneath you, pinned down by body weight, except for the door. Let it flop down in stormy weather, or prop it open if the weather is favorable. Just remember that you get what you pay for. With no time spent on ventilation, there will typically be dew or frost inside the burrito from water vapor produced by you during the night, especially if your clothes are damp. This will get your sleeping bag wet in all conditions but the driest.

8. Tarp tipi

As you are beginning to see, tarps are super useful in the wild. (Tim MacWelch/)

A bit of rope, some poles, and a tarp can give you all you need to build one of the most versatile and mobile shelters that Native Americans have ever employed—the tipi. Traditional tipis were once covered with large hides, then later with canvas. For our purposes, any large fabric will work, from parachute material to sails, or a tarp. There are many traditions with tipi building, but for a quick field shelter, just call it like you see it. Use rope to bundle a few straight poles together or hook a few forked poles to lock in the first three or four poles. Then place other poles in a circle around the main supports. Pull the tarp or other covering into place, and tie down well. Try to size the framework so that you tarp covers it completely.

• Tip: Make the tarp come together so that you have a door flap, which can be closed in cold or wet weather or opened for ventilation and egress.

9. A-Frame tarp shelter

The A-frame goes up quickly, leaving you time to build a fire. (Tim MacWelch/)

The A-frame is a tarp design that gives great coverage against rain and wind when built close to the ground. When suspended higher, it still provides coverage from rain, but it allows more airflow underneath. A-frames go up fast. Once you pick your shelter site, you should have your tarp hung up in 10 minutes or less, leaving plenty of time in the day to accomplish other survival tasks. To get started, suspend a line of cordage between two trees or similar supports. Lay your tarp over the line and tie down all four corners of your tarp. This shelter is a great addition to a tarp hammock or strung up over a springy bough bed. You can even use a poncho as an A-frame tarp shelter.

10. Desert tarp

Desert cultures have been using this type of shelter for ages. (Tim MacWelch/)

This “double-roofed” shelter dates back centuries among desert cultures, particularly in northern Africa and the Middle East, but it finally found widespread fame through the last century’s military survival training. To get started with this shelter, you’ll need two tarps and several dozen feet of rope. Find or dig your own low spot in the ground. Lay one of your tarps out over the low spot and drive each of your stakes at one corner of the tarp. Tie your tarp tightly to the stakes, and then tie the other tarp into place—so it leaves one foot of air space between the two tarps. You can also fold over a larger tarp to create the two layers. Tie the tops of the four stakes to your four anchors, which can be stakes, rocks, logs or any other strong anchoring object.

11. Tarp hammock

You've seen a hammock before, right? (Tim MacWelch/)

This is a quick way to improvise a hammock to get off the ground in wet or bug-infested environments. Use an 8-by-10-foot tarp and some ¼-inch braided nylon rope. Start out with one of the long sides of the tarp and roll it up halfway across the entire tarp. Then roll up the other long side to meet the first, so that the whole thing looks like a 10-foot-long, two-roll bundle. Now, tie a sheet bend securely to each end of the tarp, leaving 15 feet or so of rope on each end to tie to your trees. Select leg-thick or thicker trees about 10 feet apart and securely tie the end of each rope to a tree, as high as you can reach. Wrap around the tree twice for good grip on the bark, and then use two half hitches, with an extra hitch for added security. Tie to the trees high up to compensate for the settling of the hammock as the knots cinch down. You can tie up another tarp as an A-frame between the two trees that the hammock hangs from to give yourself a roof.

• For buggy locations: Tie a small bit of cloth to each of your hammock lines and soak it with bug repellent. This should keep some of the bugs from walking the line down into your hammock. For snake- and insect-proofing, soak the rags in kerosene, but keep any open flames far away from the fuel soaked cloth.

12. Bough bed

The bough bed—for when it's time to decorate your survival shelter. (Tim MacWelch/)

This is not a shelter by itself, but it makes an outstanding addition to any other shelter type. To make a bough bed, you can use leaves, grass, evergreen boughs, or other plant material. Cedar and pine boughs are common enough in many places, but fir boughs make the softest bed. For the bed frame, roll up two logs, side by side and about 3 feet apart. Make sure they are longer than you are tall. Fill the void between the logs by laying down the boughs, several at a time. Dead, dry leaves or dead grasses can be a great addition if you have them. In snowy conditions, you’ll just have to stick with the boughs. Make the mattress so thick that you are at least 6 inches from the frozen ground or snow surface when lying down. Keep adding armloads of boughs or other vegetation if the mattress compresses too much or isn’t warm enough.

13. Wickiup

Depending on the conditions and shelter material, you may be able to safely light a small fire inside a wickiup. (Tim MacWelch/)

The wickiup is a bit like a small tipi made from poles, brush and vegetation. This shelter can be found across the globe, but has been most frequently documented in the American southwest. Thicker brush, grass, and leaf coverings along with a steeper roof can make this shelter suitable for climates with occasional rain. A broader, squattier structure covered with light brush can give you a shady, ventilated shelter for hot, dry climates.

Collect several dozen poles, some with forks at the top. Lock a few of these forks together to build a freestanding tripod. Then lay the other poles around to create the tipi frame. Finish with the vegetation layer. If the wickiup is large enough and the vegetation covering the roof is wet or green material, it may be safe enough to risk lighting a tiny fire inside.

14. Leaf hut

A leaf hut is a lean-to with clothes on. (Tim MacWelch/)

The leaf hut is a two-sided, wedge-shaped lean-to with much better weatherproofing and insulating qualities. To build one, select a long, sturdy pole 9 to 12 feet long. Prop it up in the fork of a tree or set it on a rock, stump, or two forked prop sticks. Then, cover the sides of the pole with tree branches to act as ribs. These are placed at an angle along both sides of the ridge pole. Place the ribs close together so your hut covering won’t fall through. Next, heap vegetation over the framework (this can be anything that traps air, including grass, ferns, moss, pine needles, brush, or pine boughs). Two to three feet of vegetation covering all sides of the shelter is enough to keep you dry inside. Finally, fill the inside of the hut with a thick pile of vegetation for your bedding.

• In case of high winds: A layer of brush, sticks, twigs, or branches should be thrown over the whole hut to keep the wind from stripping the vegetation away.

15. Lean-to

Lean-tos are quick to build, but don't offer a ton of protection. (Tim MacWelch/)

The lean-to is one of the simplest and most frequently constructed primitive shelters. It can be set up in less than an hour with a variety of materials. This basic, one-sided design will give you a haven from wind and rain that the wilderness might throw at you.

Securely support a long, stout pole between two trees. Cover one side with poles, brush or branches. Then, heap leaves, grasses, palm fronds, or any other vegetation that is available on top. This shelter has two main flaws: It doesn’t hold in heat well, and if the wind or rain changes direction, you’ll no longer be sheltered. Think of it as a house with only one wall and half of a roof. It offers little in the way of insulation and merely deflects wind and reflects the heat of the nearby fire.

On the upside, it's quick and easy to build.

• Don’t forget: Natural shelters like this are difficult to see from a distance, so hang up something bright like a flag to mark the shelter.

How to heat a survival shelter without an indoor fire

Sticks and stones may break your bones, but they can also warm you. (Tim MacWelch/)

Nothing in the backcountry gives off heat like a roaring fire. That’s why our recent ancestors built fireplaces in their log cabins—and more remote forebears burned fires in whatever structure they called home. And since it’s not wise to have a fire in a primitive hut made of sticks and dry vegetation (or a cave, for that matter), it’s good to know of other ways to heat your living and sleeping area. By digging a hot rock heating pit in the dirt floor of a shelter, you can enjoy the heat of a fire—with far less danger to yourself and your shelter. Here’s how.

Start by digging a small pit in the floor of your shelter, a little bigger than the bowling ball sized rock you will be using to transfer heat. Dig the hole to match the rock’s size and shape and find a flat rock to cover the pit. Make sure that you get your two rocks from a dry location (waterlogged rocks tend to explode when heated, so do not use rocks pulled from rivers, streams, and ponds).

Ensure that everything fits together well before you heat up the stone, since a 1,200-degree rock isn’t a fun thing to juggle. You could even recess the hole of the pit surrounding the cover, so the flat rock sits flush with the dirt floor (not a tripping hazard). When it’s time to use your setup, heat up your pit stone in a fire for about an hour (but don’t heat the lid stone), carry the stone to the pit (a shovel works well), and drop it in. Seal the pit with your flat stone lid, and bask in the radiant heat that will last for several hours.

For sustained heat, you could always have another rock of a similar shape and size to your first rock at the ready, so that when the first rock is done cooling off, the second rock can be swapped in its place to keep the heat going. This trick works best in very dry soil and with a red hot rock. Just clear all flammables out of the way as you move the near-molten stone toward the waiting pit!