From classic bell tents to more creative canvas options, here we break down the many different types of iconic camping shelters
Photo courtesy The Get Out Hotel Tent
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The global glamping market is currently valued at over 2.35 billion USD and is expected to grow annually at a rate of 10.9% expected through 2030 (according to Grand View Research). Its rising popularity can be attributed, in part, to consumers touting their glamorous camping experience on social media, and a growing appreciation for the great outdoors in the wake of the COVID pandemic. Traditional high-end travel is expensive, especially for Gen Z and Millennial consumers who are budget-minded and prefer to spend on unconventional, memorable trips. All of this makes staying in canvas glamping tents an experience worth trying.
So, whether you're dreaming of setting up a glamping tent in your private backyard oasis or hoping to host your own glampsite business one day, if you're feeling the call to glamp, you're not alone. We're here to help.
But where to start? Cabin stays and yurt rentals have traditionally dominated the space, but buying or renting a whole cabin may not be the most accessible option. That's where luxury camping tents come in. They're temporary, portable, durable, and come in countless options to fit most any space and budget. Canvas glamping tents can range in size from 63 square feet to a very spacious 800 square feet. And are available in multiple shapes, from the traditional wall tent and tear-drop-shaped bell tent to dome tents and even cabin tents—structures made with wooden framing and canvas walls.
In this guide, we'll dig deep into glamping tents, and of course, offer our picks for the 11 best glamping tents to buy for home and commercial use.
For one, material. Quality glamping tents are most commonly made of heavy duty cotton canvas, often waxed for weather repellency, and frequently inspired by the safari-tents of old. Canvas creates a luxury environment for a variety of reasons. Including:
Breathability Moisture from breath, sweat, and cooking can escape easily through canvas, keeping the interior of your tent dry and mildew-free. If you've ever camped sans canvas, you know the feeling of waking up with everything slightly damp, and it's not the most pleasant experience.
Insulation Good news for winter campers or the perpetually-cold-some canvas tents are fire retardant, meaning, when placed correctly and safely, wood-burning stove can be installed inside.
Durability Quality canvas is rip-resistant, tough, and in many cases, is easily repaired with a needle and thread in the event of tears. It's also re-treatable, meaning, if you care correctly for the material, it can last you years.
Sustainability Unlike standard tents made of petroleum-based nylon or polyester, canvas is made of cotton and is biodegradable. Good for you, and the Earth!
Ventilation While most tents have ventilation flaps, some canvas tents can be zipped open to reveal 360 degrees of mesh wall, or convert completely into a shade canopy, meaning they're versatile and flexible year-round.
Perhaps the biggest (and dare we say, only?) drawback to canvas tents is their weight. These babies are heavy and are best used for longer stays or semi-permanent installation—making them excellent contenders for renting or your own permanent glamping escape.
Once you've picked out your tent, it's time to put the "glam" in "glamping." Whether you plan to rent your tent on a platform like Hipcamp, Tentrr, or Glamping Hub, or keep it as your own personal escape, think of decorating your tent like any other homey space. It's probably best to stick with a certain color scheme or style, and especially for renting, its worth purchasing quality pieces and linens to last you longer.
Depending on your climate and the fire resistance of your tent, you can add a mini wood-stove or mini fan for some temperature control. And last, you'll want to set up an outdoor space for guests (or you) to enjoy. A hammock is always a plus and outdoor seating around a fire pit is a must. Now add in a wood-fired hot tub, outdoor sauna, and/or a cold plunge and you're really talkin!
Read on for our top picks. Or, if you prefer to try before you buy, check out our top places to go glamping across America.
Designed for easy setup, White Duck Outdoors aims to provide products for the more inexperienced outdoorist, without sacrificing quality, ofc. While they offer common luxury glamping tents like canvas wall and bell tents, their Prota Canvas Tent series is particularly unique. Featuring tent-high windows and doors, they come in smaller footprints but still let in plenty of views. Also available in 8', 10', 16', 20' sizes. (Use code 'FIELDMAG10' for 10% off any White Duck tent now through 30 Nov 2023.)
Tent Style: Canvas Bell Tent Weight: 66-71 lbs Dimensions: 13' diameter x 8'2" tall Materials: 8.5 oz Army duck cotton canvas tent walls, sewn-in 7.5 oz PE groundsheet floor, galvanized steel center pole Features: One-person 10-minute set-up, 3 windows, water repellent, fire repellent, integrated stove jack, bug mesh on doors and windows
The quintessential canvas bell tent, this 16-foot diameter tent is built heavy-duty withstand all seasons. Made of the thickest and strongest 11.5oz canvas on the market, the Fernweh tent offers 212 square feet of space under a waterproof tent. A 360 degree double sidewall can roll up to reveal mesh sides (which can also unzip to open the entire bottom of the tent to nature) and 4 screened windows and door can be fully zippered shut in bad weather.
Tent Style: Bell Tent Weight: 110 lbs Dimensions: 16' diameter x 9'8" tall Materials: 11.5oz canvas tent, 19oz PVC floor Features: Built-in stove jack, 29.5" tall sidewalls, exclusive outer wall poles to prevent tent sag, ceiling ventilation points
The Get Out is glamping experts Shelter Co's consumer brand where the celebrated outfitter puts all they've learned about events and campouts in to their own line of products. A modern take on the classic canvas bell tent, this bright and cheery option is currently on sale for just $375 and available in six color options with enough room to sleep up to 4 people. The Lite Bell Tent is one easy way to snazz up any campground, backyard, or glamping site.
Tent Style: Bell tent Weight: 70 lbs Dimensions: 13' diameter x 8' tall Materials: 210D polyester tent, 540 gsm ripstop PVC floor Features: Flame resistant, multiple colors available
Established in 1944 in Salt Lake City, UT, Springbar combines the functionality of modern camping tents with the luxury and durability of canvas. Thanks to their patented Springbar system, pitching a Springbar tent takes about as much time as a standard camping tent, although it's promised they'll hold up better in rough weather. Cut and sewn by hand in factories in Salt Lake City and China, new tent sizes, models, and colorways are released frequently, so expect to buy something unique. And for cold climates, their Hot Tent line is specially designed to incorporate a tent stove. Our pick is the Classic Jack 100, a proven 50-year-old design, because you don't fix what ain't broke.
Tent Style: Wall tent Weight: 76 lbs Dimensions: 10' x 10' footprint, 6'6" tall Materials: 100% cotton duck canvas (10oz roof, 8.5 oz walls), laminated vinyl floor, galvanized steel pole set Features: Easy one-person set-up, integrated awning, water repellant and anti-mildew treated
Sometimes you just need a little more room, whether setting up a backcountry hunting or fishing camp, learning the lay of your land before building a permanent structure, or you need a place for visiting relatives, this proper cabin style glamping tent is a great option. Made by well respected Kodiak Canvas, the tent is constructed of 100% cotton duck canvas with a tight weave and silicone finish to make it waterproof but breathable. Sturdy 1" galvanized steel tubing ensures your camp can withstand strong wind and heavy snow loads. Sleeps six comfortably (two when stove is used).
Tent Style: Lodge cabin tent Weight: 75 lbs Dimensions: 10' L x 10' W x 7.5' T Materials: 100% cotton duck canvas, 13.5 oz vinyl floor, 1" galvanized steel tubing frame Features: Six large windows, window and door storm flaps, YKK zippers, wood stove compatible, limited lifetime warranty
Playful yet fully functional, this eye-catching A-frame tent from The Get Out offers 24 color combinations in waterproof nylon, making for a more portable glamping experience—and certainly more Instagrammable, too. Like a traditional camping tent, it's easy to erect, can fit a king size bed—or three camping air pads—and is perfect for backyard camping, car camping, and even used as a sun shade for outdoorsy hangs with friends.
Tent Style: A-Frame Weight: 15 lbs Dimensions: 89" L x 89" W x 59" H Materials: 210D ripstop poly tent & rainfly, 420D nylon floor Features: Large duffel bag included, mesh walls under rainfly
This Oregon-based company offers luxury canvas tents for both purchasing and rental. Their offerings are fairly straightforward bell tents in varying diameters, but all are attractive options. Of note is their Stargazer Bell Tent, with 360 degrees of transparent roof panels for night sky viewing and sidewalls that roll up completely to create a gorgeous sun-shade.
Tent Style: Sky view bell tent Weight: NA Dimensions: 16' diameter x 10' tall Materials: 11.5 oz waterproof, mold and fire resistant cotton canvas, removable 19 oz PVC floor Features: Transparent roof panels for stargazing, integrated stove jack, 29.5” tall sidewalls, wood stove compatible
Tent Masters luxury camping tents are for those really into the glam side of glamping. Based in the the U.S. with a worldwide presence, Tent Masters makes fully custom canvas tents that integrate into permanent or semi-permanent structures. Their very fancy luxury safari tents ranging in size and price and are often customized to their location. Options include modern amenities like a bathroom with shower, kitchen, dining and living space, at least one king sized beds, and a private deck. If that ain't capital G glamerous camping, we're not sure what is. Price available upon request.
Tent Style: Safari tent Weight: NA Dimensions: 14.8 ft x 14.8 ft Materials: Canvas, stainless steel, wood Features: Fire retardant canvas, mesh windows, optional bathroom
Makers of fine canvas tents since 1964, Beckel Canvas is known for their rugged and timeless style. They offer a variety of tent shapes, including a lean-to, but their EENA Canvas Wall Tents are particularly of-note. Made to order in Portland, Oregon, all EENA tents are made of high-quality heavy-duty 10oz breathable, 100% cotton canvas that's been treated to be extremely water repellent and mildew resistant. Customizations like stove pipe holes, windows, ridge hole covers, and screen fronts are also available.
Tent Style: Wall tent Weight: 35 lbs up to 85 lbs Dimensions: 9 ft x 9 ft up to 18 ft x 21 ft Materials: 10 oz cotton canvas Features: Made-to-order in USA, designed for severe weather
These polycarbonate geodesic domes may not be a tent, but they are purpose built for glamping! With a range of unique designs—including transparent and mirror finishes—their modular DIY glamping dome kits make dome building simple and customizable. Not only are they cool looking, but structuring peerless—according to a professional wind tunnel test conducted by Hypedome, structures like theirs can withstand winds of 150 km/h (93 mph). [Use code 'FIELDMAG5' for 5% off your order]
Tent Style: Geodesic dome Weight: NA Dimensions: 11.8 ft diameter x 7.6 ft tall Materials: Polycarbonate thermoplastic Features: Online design, DIY modular kit, insulated
The cost of a glamping tent can vary widely depending on the size, shape, and additional amenities. The average glamping tent costs around $400 on the low end and easily $5,000 or more on the high end.
Round glamping tents are either called bell tents or glamping domes.
Luxury glamping tents, if pithed at an established campsite, should have access to a toilet, although it may not be in the tent itself. There may be an attached outhouse, shared public restroom or, in more upscale glamping set-ups, an en-suite bathroom.
Yes, glamping tents are designed to be waterproof or water-resistant and are often made with a durable, tightly woven canvas that is itself water-resistant. Often a waterproof coating is added for extra measure on luxury camping tents.
We'd advise against it. Glamping tents are typically designed for semi-permanent to permanent installation and are often larger, heavier, and more cumbersome than traditional backpacking or camping tents—making them unnecessary extra weight (and work) on a hiking trip. That said, Danchel Outdoors does make a 24 lb yurt tent that is considered "lightweight" for glamping tents, so if you must, try that.
Looking to test before you buy? Check out our top picks for glampsites around the country.
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