A Comprehensive Guide to Camping Gazebos

Summer is the busy season for camping. Unfortunately, camping during the summer means bugs and heat. We live in Georgia and are used to battling mosquitoes and no-see-ums on the Georgia coast. Last summer, we visited the Upper Peninsula of Michigan and were surprised by the number and size of mosquitoes in this area.

Camping gazebos, known as canopy tents, offer relief from bugs and the oppressive summer heat. We always look for campsites with shade, but sometimes that is not enough in the scorching sun. A canopy tent will also provide shelter during a light rain shower. The best camping gazebos are fully enclosed, a minimum of 10 x 10 feet, and pop-up for quick and easy assembly.

Camping Gazebos have improved dramatically over the last few years, making them practical to use while at the campground. They will protect you from the elements and bugs (read our article on protecting yourself from insects).

Features to Consider When Purchasing a Camping Gazebo

When camping, portability is one of the primary concerns with anything you bring. Camping gazebos must be light and take up as little of your precious storage space as possible.

Along with portability goes size. While you want to be able to transport the gazebo easily, you will also want to make sure it is large enough that you can sit in it comfortably. Depending on how many people you have camping with you, we suggest you get one 10 x 10 foot at a minimum.

After portability, you will want to consider how easy it is to set up and take down. During one camping trip, it is possible to set the canopy up and take it down more than once, depending on the weather? For this reason, you should purchase a camping gazebo that can be assembled quickly and easily. We like the pop-up models. They can be set up in a matter of minutes. While it will be up in a minute or two, you will still need to set up guy wires and stake the canopy for stability, which usually takes another 5-10 minutes.

Make sure that your camping gazebo is waterproof. One of the advantages of having a camping gazebo is being able to get out of the elements. The gazebo serves as a shelter to cover our electric bikes (check out our article on electric bikes for camping) and anything else we want to keep dry.

Most camping gazebos do not have a floor, which is preferable because you can place it over your picnic table. If you do not plan to put the tent over your picnic table, you may want to consider purchasing a camping rug. Because most camping gazebos are hexagons, a 10 x10-foot rug will be too small, and you will want to buy a 12 x 15-foot rug (check it out on Amazon).  

All of the camping gazebos we recommend have screened sides to keep the bugs out. Many have the option of purchasing wind panels as well. The wind panels attach to each side of the gazebo, and in addition to blocking some of the wind, they will also provide some privacy.

Understanding the Type of Fabric Used to Manufacture Camping Gazebos

Most camping gazebos are made out of oxford canvas. There are different grades of canvas, and usually, they are graded 210D, 300D, or a similar number. D stands for Denier, which is a measurement of density. The higher the density number, the thicker and, thus, the sturdier the canvas. Therefore 300D is thicker than 210D. However, thicker canvas adds weight making the gazebo heavier.

Knowing what type of screen mesh is used to keep the bugs out is essential. We live in Georgia, where no-see-ums are a problem, and as you can probably guess by the name, they are so small they are difficult to see. There is a type of screen mesh called noseeum mesh designed to keep the smallest insects out. While the micro-mesh is good for keeping out tiny insects, it will also reduce airflow. We recommend keeping a battery-operated fan (check it out on Amazon) inside your camping gazebo.

Tips for Using a Camping Gazebo

Most Camping Gazebos have guy wires and stakes to stabilize the gazebo. However, you may be placing your gazebo on a concrete pad or gravel, where using the stakes can be difficult. In this situation, we suggest keeping four empty gallon jugs with you, filling them with water, and tying the tie-down strings to the jugs. You can also use sandbags for weight, but water is usually more manageable at the campsite since it is easily accessible. You can use the jugs (check them out on Amazon) for storage when not using them with the gazebo.

If you really want to beat the heat consider adding a portable camping air conditioner to use in your gazebo. Our favorite is the Mark 2 (Check it out) from Zero-Breeze. The Mark 2 is a powerful battery-operated model. Read our article about portable camping air conditioners to learn more.

Best Camping Gazebos

The price of camping gazebos varies greatly. The least expensive 10×10 foot models run around $150 and go up from there. Most gazebos are in the $200-250 range. Like anything, you generally get what you pay for, but we did find some less expensive models that were well-made and appeared as if they would last.

Alvantor Screen House Room

 One of the simplest camping gazebos to set up and take down is the Alvantor Screen House Room (check it out on Amazon). In addition to being easy to assemble and disassemble, it is the lowest-priced model we feature. However, this model is not waterproof, so it works best in dry climates. The Alvantor only weighs 15 pounds, making it easy to carry. It folds into a flat circle, which might make it a little trickier to store. See the video below to see how easy it is to set up and take down. Side Panels (check them out on Amazon) can be purchased separately.

Vevor Camping Gazebo

Another favorite is the Vevor Camping Gazebo (check it out on Amazon). The Vevor Camping Gazebo is a pop-up model which is easy to set up. This model is constructed using 300D oxford fabric, which is waterproof and UV-proof. The corners are reinforced and rainproof. Another nice feature of this model is that it has windscreens that roll up and down. Two of the screens have flaps for windows that can be opened to help keep air moving in the gazebo. This model has B3 gauze mesh, sufficient to keep most insects out.

Hike Crew Screen House Camping Gazebo

The Hike Crew Screen House (check it out on Amazon) is a moderately priced camping gazebo. This model is waterproof and is constructed of 210D waterproof and UV-proof oxford canvas. All seams are reinforced to ensure that rain does not permeate the shelter. Noseeum screen mesh keeps the bugs out of the camping gazebo. This is a pop-up model, so it is easy to assemble and take down like the others. It comes with a handy storage bag and only weighs 30 pounds. It comes with tie-down guy wires and tent stakes. Windscreens (check them out on Amazon) are available but must be ordered separately.

Clam Quick-Set Escape Camping Gazebo

The Clam Camping Gazebo (check it out on Amazon) is probably the most popular model. There is no 10 x 10-foot version of the Clam Escape, but they have an 11.5 x 11.5-foot model. This pop-up model can be set up in less than a minute. It has seven tent stakes, five guy ropes, and a carry bag. The Clam Escape is made of 210D oxford canvas, and the roof seams are taped to provide extra rain protection.

An extra large skirt around the bottom of the Clam helps keep bugs out. This model weighs less than 35 pounds. Windscreens (check them out on Amazon) are not included but can be purchased separately. The Clam has noseeum screen netting to keep the smallest bugs away.

Do not let bugs, rain, or heat ruin your next camping trip. Invest in a camping gazebo. They will provide shade, bug protection, and light rain shelter. The newer pop-up models are so simple to set up and take down that they can be done by one or two people in less than a minute.

Do you use a camping gazebo? If so, we would love to hear from you. Please drop us a line in the comment section below.