7 Reasons To Bring A Canopy Tent On Your Next Camping Trip

Many people bring canopy tents to the beach or set them up on lawns for parties. But have you thought about bringing a canopy tent with you to your next camping trip?

Whether you will be camping on the beach, in the woods, or in a different environment, a canopy tent has a surprisingly large number of uses and benefits. Following are some of the ways in which a canopy tent can make your next camping trip one which is more convenient and enjoyable.

1. Give yourself some extra shade

You will probably spend a lot of time hiking, sunbathing, swimming, fishing, or finding other ways to enjoy the bounties of nature on your camping trip. But after many hours out in the sun, you may want to come back to your campsite and relax and do something less active.

If so, you’ll welcome the shade of your canopy tent. While you might have brought another tent with you in which to sleep, chances are good it doesn’t have the airflow of a canopy tent with open sides. A canopy tent can be a more comfortable way to unwind and can keep you more closely in touch with nature.

2. Keep enjoying your campsite in the rain

It could also end up raining during your camping trip. But that rain does not have to send you retreating into your dome tent or other camping tent. So long as it is not too windy and the rain is not coming in at you sideways, you can just sit under your canopy and remain dry as you continue to enjoy the scenery.

If necessary, you can also attach one or more sidewalls to protect against rain or wind coming in from the sides.

3. Provide yourself with an “entryway” to your tent where you are able to get clean and dry off

When you’re camping in a rainy climate, it can cause difficulties when it comes to getting into your tent to sleep without smearing mud and dripping rainwater inside.

A typical solution is to set up a large tarp overhead so that you have somewhere that you can strip off wet clothes and take off your boots before climbing into something warm and dry. That way, you do not track mud and water into your sleeping space.

A canopy tent can fulfill the same function, and it can be faster and easier to manage than the tarp, and a lot more aesthetically appealing too. Many campgrounds may not appreciate tarps (or even allow them, in some cases), but may have no issue at all with a canopy tent.

Note: If you decide to put a tarp underneath the canopy tent, make sure that the tent poles are not positioned on top of it with the sides extending out beyond the range of the shelter. You do not want water to collect along the perimeter of the tarp and then run down to where the poles are. If that happens, it will pool in the exact area you are trying so hard to keep dry.

4. Store extra items underneath the canopy tent

Along with providing you with an entry area where you can clean off before getting into your tent to sleep, a canopy tent can also offer you a sheltered space under which to store your camping gear.

You will not want to have all of your supplies in the tent where you sleep, but you also will not want to leave them out where they can get wet. A canopy tent offers an ideal solution.

5. Prepare food and keep it dry during the rain (though we caution you against cooking under your tent)

It is not a good idea to cook underneath a canopy tent even if it is raining. Even though there is airflow, it is a safety issue. It also can be bad for the tent itself, as smoke, flame, and grease all can damage a tent permanently.

Nevertheless, there are foods you can prepare and enjoy on your camping trip which do not require cooking. Getting those foods ready is sure a lot easier and more enjoyable when you are not getting soaked to do it (or getting crumbs inside the tent you’ll sleep in).

Plus, the food itself will stay dry as you are preparing it. That can keep your meal from being ruined by the rain. Nobody wants to bite into a soggy sandwich that is falling apart.

6. You could sleep under a canopy tent if you wanted

A canopy tent isn’t the traditional option for sleeping during a camping trip—but maybe you don’t want to sleep in a completely enclosed environment.

There is nothing stopping you from laying on the ground underneath your canopy tent and enjoying the open, fresh air as you fall asleep. And if you want some privacy, you can always just put up some sidewalls.

7. Create a common area

Camping with friends or extended family, with each of you bringing your own separate tents? Where will you hang out during the day to talk and eat?

You are going to want a common area to gather so that you can spend time together. A canopy tent gives you a sheltered common space that you can share as a larger group. Depending on the size of your group, you might even want to bring more than one.

A Canopy Tent Can Bring Comfort and Convenience to Your Next Camping Trip

Bringing a canopy tent with you on your next camping trip means packing an extra supply, but it can do a lot to enhance your campsite. With their compact, lightweight designs, canopy tents are easy to stow in your trunk and carry to a campsite, so long as it is not too distant from your vehicle. We suggest you check this canopy tent out, it might just be the perfect one for next camping trip!

With protection against sun and rain and a place to store supplies, prepare food, and take off wet and muddy attire, you might never want to camp without one again.

‍