Want to know how to make a wickiup? You can learn the basics of making this survival shelter right here.

Now, during the olden times, Native Americans used wickiups for warm, roomy shelter. Today, we still use it for the same purposes!

It can keep you warm because you can safely build a fire in it without suffocating. To add on, if you build this right, it can be roomy.

You can use these shelters for both long and short term. Now, this is a very solid structure that doesn’t require any tools – which can be good in various situations.

A couple of years ago, I went out camping with almost nothing – just a few core tools and a phone. I had a task to build a wickiup before it rained.

I failed several times because it fell out with a gentle push. Now, scrambling to find out what I was doing wrong, I was looking up everywhere and finally, I connected some points, and five minutes into the rain, I had finished up. The problem was that I was wet and inside was wet.

I hope you won’t have to be in a state like I was, so in this article, I will describe to you exactly how to make a wickiup.

Let’s jump right in.

What is a Wikiup

A wikiup is a type of teepee shelter made from forest debris. This was originally used by the American Indian tribes and came from the word “wikiyap.” That means “dwelling house.” This survival shelter was used to survive and for ceremonial purposes and is used for survival and shelter today.

So, what’s so special about this shelter? It allows you to keep dry and allow for a safe fire at the same time. 

This is meant to be roomy and can allow for over one person to sleep if designed properly. The wikiup was meant to be built in the forests and is both a short and long-term shelter. I would consider this one of the best wilderness survival shelters out there.

Location and Materials

First, you have to find a suitable location that would be best. Since wickiups are built in forests, it would be best to find an area with lots of trees to reduce bad weather such as winds, rain, and too much heat.

You should also check for animal tracks to avoid late-night visits and other potential dangers like beehives or snakes.

Now, as I said before, for the materials, you need forest debris. This includes branches, twigs, leaves, moss, vines, rocks, and dry material for your fire inside. Once you’ve collected these things, you can start building!

Here is our article on essential tools for shelter-building.

Wikiup Base Frame

The base frame is the main structure of the wickiup and will help your shelter stay firm.

Now, before you do this, you want to prep your area. You can do this by first clearing out the forest floor a bit.

Next, you can get into the actual construction. You should have at least three main support poles that are big (7-11 ft), depending on how much room you want to give yourself.

These support poles must also be thick, so it can be strong enough to withstand the extra weight and bad weather conditions. Now, to secure it together, you can either use paracord or vines/plants to secure the tripod.

You should use a tripod lashing to tie your wickiup because it’s sturdy and what I’ve been using. If you need instructions on how to tie a tripod lashing, there’s a video right below here.

Here are the 7 best survival shelters to make.

Addons

Now, all you have to do is add some tree branches, twigs, bark, leaves, moss, grass, vines, rocks, and dry material for your fire inside. You can even add on animal hide if you have that. You should have gathered them already, but if you haven’t, you can do that now.

I would start by adding some branches on the sides, just leaning against the main branches. That should cover a lot of space. Now, you have to seal the holes with leaves, moss, dirt, twigs, and more small branches to cover up the rest of the small holes.

Now, for the inside of the wickiup, gather up some dry materials for the fire inside and a more comfortable sleeping floor.

Ensure that you don’t get anything sharp to sleep on and add as many pieces of debris as possible, trust me, it’s better than the cold ground. Finally, make sure there is an area of dirt between your sleeping area and your fire.

How to Use a Wickiup

Once the primitive structure is constructed, it can be used for a variety of purposes. It can be used as a temporary shelter, a storage shed, or a place for spiritual and ceremonial practices. The wickiup is also an excellent shelter from the elements. 

It is designed to keep out wind, rain, and snow, and it is also insulated from the cold. This makes it an ideal shelter in cold climates. 

The wickiup can also be used for storage. It can be used to store tools, supplies, and clothing. It can also be used to store food, as it is waterproof and weatherproof.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oF0j5HZ5SiA

Final Thoughts

The wickiup is a classic Native American structure that has been in use for centuries. It is a simple yet effective shelter that can be used for a variety of purposes. 

From providing shelter from the elements to storing tools and supplies, the wickiup is a timeless structure that has stood the test of time. With the right knowledge and materials, anyone can build a wickiup and enjoy its many benefits.

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