The Best Shelters to Build in the Wilderness – Survival Tips

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Terry Daine is a former Royal Marines Commando with a passion for all things survival-related. Terry created Survival Front, to bring you the best survival product reviews, and help you make the most out of your survival preparation, with quality guides and expert insights. You can also follow Survival Front on Facebook, to stay updated with all of the latest articles.

When you’re stuck in the outdoors without a tent at your disposal, then you’ll need to know the best shelters to build in the wilderness. Especially as weather conditions can be so unpredictable, it is crucial that you learn how to make a sturdy and comfortable shelter that will keep you safe.

Building a shelter is one of the most fundamental skills that you can have in your back pocket when disaster strikes. It requires more than simply leaning a few sticks together and hoping for the best though! Although improvisation is always encouraged in survival situations, having the knowledge beforehand will save you precious time and energy when you need it the most.

A true survivalist will know how to make the most out of all of the materials available to them, so take a look at our tips to decide which shelter will work best for you!

The A-Frame Shelter

What makes the A-Frame one of the best shelters? It perfectly combines a straightforward set-up with a durable and comfortable interior to keep you safe. This shelter uses materials that you’ll find in any wilderness environment. It is constructed from two branches that form the entry to the shelter, and a third branch that helps to form the overall structure. Make sure these branches are strong and heavy, as they will be the foundation that holds up the weight of the shelter.

This shelter is a great option because its width can be adjusted to suit different-sized groups. If the A-Frame sounds like your kind of shelter, then you’ll be pleased to know that it only takes a few steps to put it in place. The A-Frame shelter can also be used in conjunction with a tarp if you have one on hand, for extra protection.

The Lean-To Shelter

The Lean-To Shelter is a great choice for beginners, as it is probably one of the easiest shelters you can build in the wilderness. It is ideal for short-term survival situations where you need to take cover at a moment’s notice, so it is useful to know about the Lean-To shelter before embarking on an expedition. If you find yourself on your own, it is also perfect for lone survivalists because of its size.

While you could fit more people in the shelter, it is recommended for one person if you are aiming for optimal comfort. It is constructed almost entirely from materials you can easily find in the outdoors, so it won’t take you long to get started on the set-up.

You’ll need to choose two trees that are relatively close together. Then, find a thick branch that is longer than the gap between both trees. This will act as the foundation for your shelter.

To tie this branch between both trees, you’ll need some form of cordage. We recommended rope if you have any, as this won’t loosen easily. If rope isn’t convenient, then you could try a belt or shoelaces, or even thinner branches that you can find.

Creating the frame of your Lean-To is a super-straightforward process. You’ll need thick, long branches to position vertically above the central branch, to help prevent wind damage. You can enhance the frame’s protection by adding debris and sticks on top as well.

We love the Lean-To Shelter for a night’s stay in the wilderness, as it can keep you safe from harsh winds and rainfall and provide enough room for a comfy night’s sleep.

The Fallen Tree

In an emergency, shelter is a key aspect of survival. The Fallen Tree is one of our favorite shelters for wilderness survival, because its simplicity is hard to beat.

If you’re on the run or need somewhere to hide, the Fallen Tree becomes more than somewhere for you to just rest your head at night. The practical use of the tree itself means you’ll have a great place to camouflage in with the environment, and it’s less likely that you’ll be spotted by a potential enemy.

When the weather takes an unpredicted turn, the Fallen Tree can also be used as excellent protection from the elements. It can keep you safe from harsh winds, and even snow, making it one of the best choices for an all-year-round wilderness shelter.

There’s nothing complex about this shelter, and the set-up couldn’t be easier. All you need is several long and thick branches to lean against one side of the tree, and you’ll need to make this as dense as possible. The more debris and branches you can find the cover this wall, the more protective your shelter will be.

In the wilderness, your primary focus should be staying alive and safe. The Fallen Tree makes a great short-term survival shelter to hide out or rest comfortably for one night, and while it isn’t exactly the most intricate shelter design, there’s more than meets the eye with this construction.

Conclusion

Building a shelter in the wilderness doesn’t need to be as scary as it sounds. If you’re new to the world of survival, then these three shelters will give you a great head start on shelter building and wilderness survival.

Now that you know the best shelters to build in the wilderness, you can feel prepared and ready for whatever the outdoors throws at you. Knowing the best types of shelter to build for different kinds of wilderness scenarios is always a good idea, and can give you peace of mind when you’re stuck without a tent to crawl into.

We hope our rundown of the best shelters has provided you with a clear insight into how to protect yourself in the wilderness, and equipped you with the knowledge to survive no matter what!