How do you Pitch a Tent on a Wooden Platform

Depending on where you go backpacking, sometimes the terrain can be very rugged, making it hard to find an area to pitch a tent. Because of this, many places provide designated camping areas that have wooden tent platforms, which give you a nice level camp spot.

However, setting up a tent on one of these wooden platforms can be a bit tricky, especially if your tent isn't freestanding. So, how do you pitch a tent on a wooden platform?

There are six really good techniques you can use to anchor your tent to a platform. Since tents come in different shapes, sizes, and styles, the anchor techniques you choose to use may vary from tent to tent.

Below I will explain all the techniques to help you understand how and when to use them.

Tent Platform Anchoring Strategies

Dedicated Wood Platform Stakes

Instead of jerry-rigging your guy lines and stakes to anchor your tent to the platform, you can buy actual wood platform stakes called Fishbone Stakes.

You will find that most wooden platforms are covered with parallel boards that have gaps between them. The Fishbone Stakes can be inserted in the openings and then rotated 90 degrees to secure them to the boards.

As long as there's a quarter-inch gap between the boards, this type of anchor will work every time. It even will work well in windy conditions compared to other setups that seem to work barely.

Pre Existing Attachments

Many wooden platforms have metal hooks, rings, or chains on the perimeter for you to attach your guy lines. If your guy lines are long enough to reach these attachments, they can be excellent anchor points.

However, often you're only able to use one or two of these pre-existing attachment points. Therefore, it would be wise to plan to use other anchor methods in addition to this one.

Wedge Method

If you can find the right size stick and wedge it between the boards of the platform, this can make for a sturdy anchor point. This technique is beneficial when you're trying to figure out a way to anchor the tent in more of the interior area of the platform.

Horizontal Stake Anchor

Normally you use tent stakes in the ground. However, when it comes to platforms, you can get creative and use them in an unconventional way. For example, where the wooden planks overhang on the edges of the platform, you can slide the stake underneath in a horizontal fashion with the guy line attached in the middle and have it running in between the gap of two boards. This makes for a strong anchor point.

Here's a video to help show you what I mean.

Rock Anchors

On some platforms, the gaps between the wooden planks might be very small, and hard to fit anything in between them to anchor your tent. In this type of scenario, it might be better to use rocks to secure your tent. To do this, find several small and big rocks. Then, tie your guyline around the small rock and place it where you want it to be, and use a bigger rock between the tent and the small rock to anchor the line down.

Here's a video to help explain this technique in better detail.

Utilize the Ground and Trees Around the Platform

In some instances, your guylines could be long enough to reach the ground or a nearby tree. If this is the case, take advantage of the situation and use them as anchor points. Compared to the other strategies, there's less hassle securing your tent this way.

In Conclusion

For your next backpacking trip, if you need to pitch your tent on a wooden platform, don't stress about it. Using any of these six techniques to secure your tent will take a lot of the guesswork out of it and make things go much easier. In fact, after some practice, maybe you'll even prefer to have your shelter on a platform.

Backpacking Skills

How Do You Pitch a Tent on a Wooden Platform?