Screen tents and portable gazebos are literally popping up everywhere! They’re super easy to setup, take down, carry and store. These portable gazebos are an affordable way to create an outdoor room with screen protection from bugs and offer protection from the sun, wind and rain whether. Outdoor screen rooms are also absolutely fantastic to set up when you go camping, tailgating events, or BBQ. You can even the beach! Some are roomy enough to even exercise in!
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Best Screen Tents for Camping
Different ways to use screen tents and portable outdoor gazebos
A screen house provides a bug-free environment. And trust me, they work! You can enjoy the outdoors without having to slather or spray on a bunch of insect repellants. And, they keep those nasty pesky flies from landing on your food!
But they also provide shade to stay cool on those hot days and warmth on cooler days if you use the attachable side shades.
And screen tents with contained floors are great for containing your cats or dogs while you’re outside with them. Just be cautious of those screen gazebos that don’t have attached floors. Your pets may find an opening and escape.
And, while I guess you could sleep in a screen tent while camping or even in your backyard, do realize that popup screen tents offer no privacy as is.
Unless you get a screen tent that includes privacy walls or sunshades, these type of tents aren’t the most ideal tent for sleeping or other things. (<— You gotta read that!!)
✰ PRO TIP ✰ To help keep cool in your screen tent, use one or two of our 10 Best Battery Powered Fans for Camping: Portable & Rechargeable
Can you cook or have a campfire inside screen tents?
Whether you can cook inside your screen tent or even have a campfire under your canopy depends on certain factors. As always, you need to consider safety as your main concern.
First, it’s not wise to build a wood fire under or inside a tent or canopy. Wood fires burn hotter and live embers will spark upwards and burn your screen tent or gazebo down.
The only campfires that you should even consider in your outdoor gazebo are propane powered fire pits only. You need to keep all flames and high heat away from your camping gazebo’s screens and tent sides.
Second, you don’t want to carbon monoxide to build in your enclosed gazebo. And, you certainly don’t want to be inhaling any smoke that is produced from fires.
So, if you’re going to do any cooking or having campfires in your screen tent, it needs to be fully ventilated. But also, do not block exits in case your canopy does catch fire or it becomes smokey.
✰ PRO TIP ✰ Before lighting any campfire, inside your camping gazebo or even outside, it’s a good idea to brush up on these 10 Campfire Safety Tips.
What to look for when buying a camping screen tent
Screen Tent Size
Choosing which size screen tent depends on a couple factors. Think about how many people will be inside your camping gazebo and if you’re going to be including a picnic table, camp chairs or other outdoor furniture.
Also, consider what you’re going to be doing in your outdoor room or using your screen tent for
Durability
Pay attention to the construction of the screen tents you’re considering on buying. Look for double stitch seams and sturdy zippers. Also look at the grade of screening and fabric durability.
Weather Resistant
You’ll want a durable gazebo that will withstand wind, rain and other weather variables. Make certain the screen tent you’ll use for camping is water resistant or even water proof.
Privacy Shades
Screen tent sides are great for blocking the sun and creating privacy. But they’re also wonderful for creating a barrier in colder temperatures.
Some screen tents include sides that attach with zippers or velcro. While other screen gazebos have the sides that are permanently attached.
When you don’t need them, simply roll the sunshades and use the attached velcro straps to secure them in place.
Screen Material
Don’t forget to look at the screen opening gauge. A tighter mesh with smaller holes will dissuade the smallest bugs like noseeums and mosquitos from entering inside your tent.
Ease of Setup
You’ll want a screen tent that’s easy to deploy as well as packing up quickly and efficiently. A simple popup screen tent is best for camping because almost anyone, even the kids, can set up your camping gazebo.
So, having to build a screen tent with different attachments or mechanisms that get stuck isn’t going to work.
Storability
And lastly, you need to consider the size of your popup screen shelter. Not necessarily the size of the screen tent when fully assembled, but how big and bulky it is when it’s fully collapsed. Most screen tents include a storage bag.
Price Point
Finding an affordable camping screen tent is one thing. But as they say, you get what you pay for. I’m not saying that the lesser expensive screen tents for camping aren’t going to work.
You just need to consider how many times you’re going to use your screen tent and the climate you’re going to be using it.
That said, just because it’s on the pricy side, doesn’t necessarily mean a screen canopy is better.
So, now that you know what factors to look for when choosing your outdoor screen tent, let’s check out which ones we recommend.
Clam Quick-Set Escape Portable Outdoor Gazebo with Screen Protection
A popular choice amongst full-time RVers, the Clam Quick-Set Escape Portable Outdoor Gazebo. This pop-up canopy provides shelter and protection from the whether while outdoors.
Literally, there’s no assembly is required. It sets up in less than a couple minutes. And, when your stay is over, the Quick-Set Traveler stores conveniently in its’ oversized carry bag.
The pop-up canopy packed size measures 8 inches long by 8 inches wide by 6-feet tall.
For added protection against wind, rain, and sun, simply attach the Clam Quick-Set Brown Wind Panels to your Quick-Set Traveler and Escape gazebos. They are easy to install with elastic and Velcro strap attachments.
The Clam is ideal for camping and RVing, backyard picnics, sporting events and tailgating.
Clam Quick-Set Gazebo Add-on:
Hike Crew Pop-Up Screen House Gazebo
Through our boondocking ventures, our friends set up their Hike Crew popup screen house gazebo so we all could hang out in the desert.
This is a less expensive brand version of the above Clam Quick-Set canopy. The Hike Crew popup screen house gazebo fits the bill for those on a budget.
This versatile screen tent allows users to take shelter, entertain, play and dine out in the great outdoors without getting eaten alive by biting flies or mosquitos.
This screen room canopy accommodates an entire dinner party with room for a table, chairs and other gear. It provides 102 square feet of interior space with 5’8” side clearance and 7’1” center clearance so people can stand up while eating, playing games, and even exercising!
We were able to put 6-8 camp chairs, depending on size inside around our little propane fire pit for evening entertainment. They also use it to set up an indoor kitchen and mini office so they don’t have to sit in their van all day.
Hike Crew Screen Tent Accessories:
Alvantor Outdoor Dome Screen Tent
The Alvantor Outdoor Dome Screen Tent pop ups automatically instant in seconds. There’s literally no assembly needed!
Made of light-weight fiberglass, it’s only 1⁄4 weight of other screen houses on the market. This makes it perfect for RV owners who are concerned with their GVWR and tent campers who are space constrained.
This Alvantor popup screen tents come in 4 different sizes according to your needs. They are affordable, super flexible and easily movable. It stows into a portable carry bag that you can take camping or set up your glampsite!
This camping screen tent is also great to take to the beach, tailgating or to a friend’s bbq. You can even set it up in your own backyard!
Avantor Screen Tent Accessories:
✰ PRO TIP ✰ Are you an RV owner and aren’t familiar with what GVWR is? Check out our Understanding RV GVWR: How to NOT OVERLOAD Your RV.
Coleman Instant Screenhouse
Find protection from the sun, wind and bugs under the Coleman Back Home Instant Screenhouse at your next picnic, BBQ or campout. This camping gazebo measure 12′ by 10′. It takes just about three minutes and three steps to set up 90 square feet of shade.
The telescoping poles are easy to extend into place thanks to the pinch-free Comfort Grip™ technology and large feet that are big enough to stand on while you set up the shelter.
Once it’s up, the UVGuard™ material offers 50+ UPF protection from the sun’s dangerous rays. Two large doors make for easy entry in the front and back. When the fun’s done, the frame folds down for compact storage.
Coleman Instant Screenhouse
The Coleman Instant Screenhouse is a 10′ x 10′ bug-free and ventilated shady outdoor room can be set up anywhere and anytime.
This screen shelter erects in a just a few minutes thanks to a sturdy telescoping-pole frame system and one-piece cover. Unlike other screen tents, it has a two door access.
The No-See-Um mesh walls keep insects out while the breeze can flow through. And the heavy-duty 150D poly oxford canopy offers SPF 50+ UV Guard protection from the sun’s rays.
When you’re ready to pack it up, the shelter collapses down as easily as it went up! It’s simple to store and transport in its included wheeled storage bag.
Suntime Hexagon Pop Up Screen Gazebo
The Suntime hexagon pop up screen gazebo will make your outdoor experience comfortable, cool and less buggy.
The hexagon shape ensures a 112 square feet larger sunshade space. This fun screen tent is equipped with two pieces of removable mesh netting sidewalls which keeps a ventilation and blocks the sun.
It’s made of 150D polyester, water and UV-resistant, UPF 80+; blocking 95% of UV rays. The frame is durable; made of high-quality powder coated steel tube.
It’s a great outdoor screen room that’s perfect for camping, RVing, family, tailgating, picnics and outdoor parties, and even over kids play areas and inflatable pools!
CAMPROS Screen House
The CAMPROS Screen House is 12′ x 10′ with 90″ center height for 120 square feet of shade. It has two full zipper entrance and exit points.
The top material is constructed of 190T polyester which provides excellent UV protection. It’s polyester mesh screening is fine enough to keep out even the smallest flying bugs yet offers plenty of airflow and ventilation during the summer months.
To set up this outdoor screen room, no particular skills needed to setup and take down. You could restore the tent in the carry bag easily.
It includes carry bag, ground stakes and tie downs; This item does not include an attached floor.
Must Have Screen Tent Accessories for Your Portable Gazebo
Screen Tent and Gazebo Accessories:
Outdoor Screen Tent Furniture:
Screen Tent LED Lights:
Portable Propane Fire Pits and Accessories:
✰ PRO TIP ✰ For more ways to create the best campsite, check out our Outdoor Camping Gear for Small RVs and Campers and Campsite to Glampsite: 20 Campsite Decorating Ideas
Final thoughts the best screen tents for camping and outdoor rooms
That wraps up our best screen tents for camping, other outdoor activities as well as creating an outdoor room. Having that extra room allows you more freedom to enjoy the outdoors without getting annihilated by mosquitos and bugs.
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