How to Build an Outdoor Rock Patio

Choose a patio site and submit a site drawing to local authorities. This allows you to make sure that it is safe to build the patio in the site you choose. Obtain a building permit as required for your location.

Excavate the patio location in the desired shape and dimension down to a total depth of 8 inches. Use a tape measure to ensure that the entire patio measures 8 inches deep.

Check the bottom of the excavation site with a level and locate all small raised areas. Remove those high areas of soil to create a level base at the bottom of the excavation site.

Compact the soil to create a firm base for the patio construction. To do this, repeatedly thrust the broad end of the soil tamper against the soil to firm the ground until it resists shifting.

Pour a 2-inch layer of gravel into the bottom of the patio site. Compact the gravel layer using the soil compactor until the gravel rocks are solid and unmoving. Ensure that the layer is evenly distributed with the level.

Apply a second 2-inch gravel layer. Level and compact this second gravel layer as well.

Place a 2-inch layer of masonry sand over the two gravel layers. Smooth and level the layer of sand but do not compact it.

Mix a bag of ready-mix mortar into a wheelbarrow with the recommended amount of water included on the mortar packaging. Use the shovel to mix the mortar powder and water to create mortar; the mixture should have the consistency of brownie batter.

Scoop full loads of mortar onto the trowel and transfer the mortar onto the sand bed. Begin setting the rocks into place on top of the mortar.

Lay the level across each rock and attempt to position the rock as close to level as possible; tap the top of the rock as needed lightly with a mallet to force it into a level position.

Fit the rocks together as closely as possible. Apply mortar as needed between the rocks, smoothing the mortar down with a joint tool and wiping away any excess from the rocks' surfaces.