6 knots every camper and boater should know

Pick a knot by job

Start with what you need to do.

Bowline — when you need a loop

Use it to put a line round a tree or make a loop at the end of a mooring line. The loop doesn't tighten under load and unties easily afterwards.

Clove hitch and cleat hitch — tying up

The clove hitch is two quick turns round a post and easy to adjust, but it can slip if the post turns or the pull changes direction. For a boat at the dock, the cleat hitch is the standard: one turn round the base, figure-eight wraps over the horns, then a final flipped turn to lock it.

Sheet bend — joining two ropes

It joins ropes of different thickness or material. Make a U-bend in the thicker rope and wrap the thinner one through it. If both short ends finish on the same side, you've tied it right.

Figure-eight knot and timber hitch

The figure-eight is a stopper that keeps a rope end from running out of a pulley or hole. It's chunkier than an overhand knot, easier to check and easier to untie. The timber hitch wraps round a log or bundle for dragging: it holds while you pull and falls apart as soon as you let go.

Practice with Knotlet

Filter Knotlet by use (camping, boating) to see each of these step by step, tie it with a real rope, and tap "I tied it" to track it. It works with no signal, at camp or on the water.

FAQ

If I learn only one knot for camping, which should it be?

The bowline. A single fixed loop solves most tree, tarp and boat jobs.

Can I join two ropes with a square knot?

Not for anything under load. The square knot is for tying bundles; use a sheet bend to join ropes.

Is a clove hitch enough to tie up a boat?

It can work loose as the boat moves. If there's a cleat, use a cleat hitch.