How To Make A Tipi

The lodges of the Plains tribes—most famously the tipi (or teepee)—were marvels of engineering, perfectly suited to the nomadic lifestyle of tribes like the Lakota, Cheyenne, Crow, Blackfoot, and Comanche. Designed for mobility, durability, and insulation, these lodges could be erected or dismantled within an hour and transported across vast prairies. But building one required skill, teamwork, and deep knowledge of natural materials.

The framework of a tipi began with long, straight lodge poles—typically from lodgepole pine. These poles were lightweight yet strong and could grow tall and narrow in mountain regions. Women, who traditionally owned the lodges, would collect and strip these poles, each one ranging from 15 to 20 feet in length. Around 15 to 20 poles were used for a full-sized lodge.

Three or four poles formed the initial tripod, which acted as the core structure. These were lashed together at the top with rawhide or sinew, then raised upright and spread out into a stable triangular base. The rest of the poles were then leaned against the tripod in a circular fashion, their tops overlapping and fanning out to form the iconic cone shape. Once set, the entire frame was stabilized by tying a long lacing rope around the upper convergence point, securing all poles into a solid, unified structure.

The covering was typically made from buffalo hides, sewn together with sinew and carefully shaped into a half-moon pattern that could wrap around the frame. A smoke hole was left at the top, and flaps could be adjusted with poles to control airflow and smoke release from the central fire inside. A door flap, also of hide, was tied in front and could be weighted with sticks or stones to stay closed during strong winds or blizzards.

Before the mass slaughter of buffalo in the 19th century, a large tipi might require 12 to 20 hides, softened, scraped, and stitched by hand. After the decline of the herds, canvas often replaced hide as the covering, especially among reservations and traders. Yet even with this substitution, the fundamental design and function remained intact.

The interior of a tipi was just as thoughtful. Beds of willow or cottonwood branches were laid out and covered with robes or mats. Personal gear was hung on the poles, and a central hearth provided heat and light. The sloped walls allowed rising heat to circulate, while the cone shape shed rain and withstood fierce prairie winds. In summer, the lower edges could be rolled up for ventilation; in winter, they were pinned to the ground and sealed with snow or earth.

Tipis were not just homes—they were symbols of family, skill, and identity. Designs painted on the hides often reflected a warrior’s visions, a family’s spiritual protector, or achievements in battle. Some tipis were adorned with quillwork, beads, and trade cloth, turning a simple dwelling into a statement of pride and tradition.

Ultimately, the tipi embodied the heart of Plains culture: mobile, adaptable, and deeply rooted in the rhythms of land, sky, and buffalo.

To learn more about the history of the Old West, check out the HOKC video below!