A tie down device for sheet material such as tarpaulin and the like is disclosed. The device includes a bar and a sleeve. The sleeve has a slit extending from end to end thereof for receiving the bar as well as sheet material which extends around the bar and outwardly through the slit of the sleeve on opposite sides of the bar. In addition, a rope is secured to the bar which extends through the slit when the bar is received in the sleeve. The rope enables the device to be placed under tension so that the bar binds the sheet material extending around the bar against the sleeve. This binding action firmly secures the sheet material to the device and thereby prevents the sheet material from slipping out of the device between the bar and the sleeve. The device also includes means for preventing the bar from sliding out of the sleeve when the device is placed under tension. A tent pole having a tie down device attached at one end of the pole is also disclosed.