Camping for fun is a blast, but camping for survival means you don’t always get to hunt for the optimal spot to pitch a tent. Unfortunately, when your only choice is setting up on top of the gravel, things are more challenging. It’s incredibly hard to drive stakes in some areas. Fortunately, there’s a solution for every problem, and you can tie down without the stakes when necessary. I’ve been camping for decades in all climates, weather, and soil conditions. As frustrating as it can be, there’s a simple method for staking your tent. I’ll share the best way to pitch a tent on top of gravel and rocks plus a ton of tips for comfortable sleeping on any surface. You’ll sleep easier because you don’t have to worry about possible tent collapse. Moreover, you can set up quickly when you know exactly what to look for.
How do you set up a tent on gravel? Set up a tent on top of gravel with rocks. You’ll need one smaller stone and a larger, heavier one to weigh it down for each guy line. Additionally, you may want to run more lines than usual, but most tents have plenty of loops to attach your guylines. Otherwise, you’ll want to add extra loops manually.
Steps to Set Up a Tent on Gravel
- First, you want to check the area for any unusually large rocks mixed in with your gravel. Getting stabbed in the foot or back is no fun, and it’s always wise to smooth the area under your tent as best you can. Pro-tip #1: It’s essential to look before you camp. You never want to set up on an anthill, burrow, or other problems you could avoid.
- Find rocks. You will need one smaller fist-sized stone for each guy line and a more massive rock to weigh it down. For the smaller rocks, look for something flatter and with rough edges. Meanwhile, the big rocks just need to be substantial. You can use chunks of cinder block or a pile of smaller rocks if necessary.
- I strongly recommend placing a tarp or another ground cover below your tent to prevent rips, tears, and punctures while you are inside. Tarps are cheap, but high-quality tents are not. Thus, even with excellent sewing skills, you need to treat your tent right, or it will fall apart.
- Next, lay your tent out as usual. Whether this is unrolling, unfolding, or using a pop-up doesn’t matter. Check your loops to make sure you can connect the guy lines you will need. Naturally, it’s a lot harder to set up a pre-staked tent.
- Pitch your tent as usual. If you have high winds, you may want to place something heavy inside, so it doesn’t catch a breeze and escape while you prep the rest of what you need.
- Attach your guylines to the tent. There should be plenty of loops at the base of your tent. Pro-tip #2: If there are no loops, or too few when you first get the tent, add some loops made from paracord every couple of feet. You can seal these with a fabric waterproofing spray to help prevent leaks when you’re done.
- Tie off on the smaller rocks. Pro-tip #3: I recommend bringing a fair amount of paracord rather than relying on whatever came with the tent. You never know when you’ll need the extra.
- Stretch one rope out and cover the small rock with the more massive rock to hold it down. Feel free to add more stones if you need them. The line should not move when you tug on it. Alternatively, you can use the larger rock described above to hold down your cord or rope instead of the other stone. Whichever works best for your situation is fine. Then again, why not combine both?
- Once your first corner is secure, you should work on the opposite diagonal corner, only after that finish your other corners and any additional guylines you might want.
That is all it takes to stake without stakes. Pretty much any place you could camp with gravel will have some rocks around as well. It’s a good idea to carry a shovel for digging a latrine pit. Plus, it will serve you well if you need to lever out a few half-buried large rocks.
Alternate Methods for Tent Setup on Gravel
It’s relatively unlikely that you’ll ever camp somewhere that has no rocks. However, it can happen. When you need to stake without stones on top of the gravel, try to choose a site with nearby trees. Even a sapling only about as big around as your forearm can provide tent stability as long as you have access to several of them.
Tie off very low to the ground. It’s doubly important if the trees are small. Even a sturdy bush can help you stake a tent in a survival situation. However, the higher up you tie, the less useful it is for your tent, and the more likely you’ll break the thing your guylines are bound to.
A fantastic UV proof and lightweight Moon Lence Camping Tent from Amazon works well over gravel. The water and windproof shelter weighs a mere five-point-two pounds. Plus, it will sleep two adults comfortably and has excellent ventilation. Get yours by clicking here.
Keep in mind that, while it’s ideal to stake a tent in a perfect symmetrical radius, it’s not necessary. In an emergency, use what you’ve got and stake where you can. Loop one guyline around a car, and another around a flag pole if you must.
Sandbags are another option. If you’re in a sandy area, some lightweight sacks will pack easily enough. However, you’ll need to dig and carry a lot, which is a waste of energy.
Adding heavy items like backpacks and coolers to the corners of a fully enclosed tent will also help keep you in place. Finally, if you can dig down through the gravel to find dirt beneath, then you can always use a standard stake there. Simply clear away a patch of gravel and pound your stakes in with a rubber mallet, or a large rock. Unfortunately, this only works if the gravel is on top of regular, soft dirt.
Consider a Hanging Tent
If you’re concerned about the possibility of gravel, a hammock or hanging tent could be the solution for you. So long as you have something to hang them from, getting off the ground has many advantages. For example, fewer insects will be able to reach you.
The downside to hanging a tent over gravel is the fall. If you’re unlucky enough to break a rope and end up on the ground, it’s going to hurt a whole lot.
A safer option is the Kamp-Rite Original Tent Cot Camping Bed. With the cot built into the tent, you stay off the gravel entirely without the risk of broken ropes or falling. Solo campers and survivalists will find this durable and lightweight option an excellent alternative to sleeping on the ground. To check the Amazon reviews for yourself, click here.
Stay Dry & Comfortable Camping on Gravel
Using a tarp isn’t the only secret to sleeping well on gravel. You need padding for rough ground, whether it’s gravel, rocky, or otherwise broken up. It’s worth bringing inflatable sleeping pads anytime you plan to camp. Your back will thank you for the buffer.
Make sure you have appropriate weather sleeping bags and clothing. Gravel does create a small air pocket below you, but you can still get quite chilly. If necessary, pull out your extra clothes and place a layer beneath your sleeping bag for additional insulation.
Choose a high quality three to four season tent like the WoneNice Professional Camping Tent from Amazon. Staying comfortable and dry all seasons of the year should be the priority for a survival tent. The double-layered waterproofing will help keep the gravel from causing problems beneath you. Find out more when you click here.
Places You Cannot Pitch a Tent
Gravel is a suitable place for pitching a tent, but there are places you should never set up. If the gravel in question is on a dry river bottom, don’t do it. No matter how good the weather looks or what the reports say, flash floods kill people. Moreover, you don’t want to get washed away or wake up in a puddle even if you can survive the experience.
Do not camp at the base of a hill. Other no-go locations are near streams, rivers, and lakes. Get to higher ground. While you’re at it, always place your head facing uphill when camped on an incline.
It might surprise you to learn there are trees you should never sleep beneath as well. The two trees it’s most important to avoid are coconut and pine. While having either one nearby means a ready source of food, it’s foolish to settle beneath them even for a few moments if you can avoid it.
The falling debris from trees can injure or even kill you. A coconut to the noggin could end your survival chances in an instant. Moreover, pinecones will tear a tent regardless of whether they also hurt you.
Lastly, if your gravel is uneven, take the time to smooth it out. You never want to pitch or sleep in a hollow. A dip in the area below you will make for very uncomfortable rest. More importantly, natural depressions collect water. Even on flat high ground, dew or rain can collect.
Final Thoughts
Gravel camping doesn’t need to be an uncomfortable struggle. When life as you know, it comes crashing down, it matters more to create what little comfort you can. Not only will a relaxed night sleep leave you better off physically, but you’re less likely to break down mentally as well.
Take a little extra time preparing a gravel campsite, and you’ll be much better off. Moreover, adding more loops for guylines onto any tent is smart. Since they only take a few minutes apiece and very little skill, anyone can learn to do this quickly. Better tie-down (stake) points can make a huge difference.
Always bring a pad to put underneath your body when you camp. The best tent in the world won’t insulate you from the gravel.