As any seasoned outdoorsman can tell you, knot tying is one of the most essential tools in your camping knowledge toolbox. It might seem like somewhat trivial knowledge in other aspects of everyday life, but once you start learning how to put them to good use, you’ll only wonder why you didn’t learn them sooner. There’s nothing worse than an insecure clothesline or saggy guy lines in your campsite, so it won’t take long for you to understand the necessity of learning how to tie your cords and lines securely. Here are 5 essential camping knots to bring on your next camping trip!
1. Square Knot
Don’t let the simplicity fool you — this is probably one you’ll use most often. Just cross your rope once and then again in the other direction and you have a clean, symmetrical tie that can be used for many different functions.
2. Clove Hitch
Hitches are actually more of a special category of rope tying and not technically knots, but the distinction isn’t that important when it comes to utilizing them for camping. Most rope lashings start with a clove hitch to securely attach the rope to a post of some sort. This kind of fastening would be great for hanging a clothesline.
3. Double Overhand
The double overhand allows you to connect two pieces of rope in a way that will hold securely together without putting excess strain on either rope. If you require a long length of rope and you’re a few feet short, another piece of rope and the double overhand knot can save the day.
4. Bowline
This is the king knot of the campsite. The bowline is simple, easy to remember, and extremely useful. It lets you create a loop of rope that will not slip if you put tension on it. The bowline allows you to attach lines to stakes, create guy lines for your tarp covers, and much more. This is one knot you should definitely learn before you go camping.
5. Taut Line Hitch
The taut line hitch is kind of an adjustable version of the bowline, which can be very useful if you need to change your setup more than once. With a bowline on one end and a taut line on the other, you can create clotheslines that won’t sag and other similar campsite creations.
This wraps up our list of 5 essential camping knots! For more on all things knots check out: 3 Easy Knots You Should Know How to Tie or The Best Knots for Tying a Hammock.
Featured Image from Pascal van de Vendel/Unsplash
