Want to enjoy the outdoors without having to battle mosquitos while you’re camping? Finding a good screen tent is the perfect solution to still enjoying the outdoors without having to spray on a whole bunch of bug repellent. Portable screen tents are also great to enjoy warm days without sitting out in the bright sun at your campsite, at the beach or even your own backyard!
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Best Screen Tents for Camping – RVs Tailgating – BBQs
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Screen tents and portable gazebos are literally popping up everywhere! They’re super easy to setup, take down, carry and store.
We’ve chosen these portable gazebos because they’re are an affordable way to create an outdoor room with screen protection from bugs. They also great offer protection from the sun, wind and rain whether.
Outdoor screen rooms are also absolutely fantastic to set up when you go camping or RVing, tailgating, or for the BBQ or beach!
Different ways to use a screen tent or portable gazebo
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 screen tents that don’t have attached floors. Your pets may find an opening and escape or critters may want to visit you inside.
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 <-(must read!)
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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 screen tent are propane powered fire pits. You need to keep all flames and high heat away from your the tent screens, fabric ceiling sides and floor.
Second, you never want to carbon monoxide to build inside your enclosed tent. 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.
✰✰ READ MORE ✰✰ 10 Campfire Safety Tips.
What to look for when buying a camping screen tent
Consider the 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
Is the screen tent durable?
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.
Can the screen tent withstand weather?
You’ll want a portable gazebo that is durable to withstand wind, rain and other weather variables. Make certain the screen tent you’ll use for camping is water resistant or even water proof. And make certain it has the ability to be staked down to prevent it from flying away in the wind.
Does the screen tent come with 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 tents have the sides that are permanently attached.
When you don’t need them, simply roll the sunshades and attach them with attached velcro straps to secure them in place.
What is the screen tent material?
When shopping for a screen tent, pay particular attention to the screen opening gauge. A tighter mesh with smaller holes will dissuade the smallest bugs like noseeums and mosquitos from entering inside your tent.
Is the screen tent easy to set up?
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.
Does the screen tent pack down and store compactly?
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.
Is the screen tent affordable?
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. It’s one of those ‘buy once cry once’ scenarios when buying something you will rely on for camping.
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 portable gazebo, let’s check out which screen tents we recommend.
Clam Quick-Set Portable Gazebo with Removable Wind Panels
A popular choice amongst full-time RVers, the Clam Quick-Set Portable Outdoor Gazebo. This pop-up screen 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 screen tent stores conveniently in its’ oversized carry bag. When packed down, it measures 8″ long by 8″ wide by 6′ tall.
For added protection against wind, rain, and sun, simply attach the Clam Quick-Set brown wind panels. They are easy to install with elastic and Velcro strap attachments to keep them in place.
The Clam is one of the most popular screen tents 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 screen tent. The Hike Crew popup screen house 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 or doing their yoga!
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 in your RV!
This camping screen tent is also great to take to the beach, tailgating or to a friend’s backyard bbq.
Avantor Screen Tent Accessories:
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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™ screen 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 room 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 your screen tent, 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 Tent Gazebo
The Suntime hexagon pop up screen tent 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 screen tent, no particular skills needed for setup and take down. The tent stores easily with ground stakes and tie downs in its’ own carry bag. Be aware, this screen room does not include an attached floor.
Must Have Accessories for Screen Tents & Portable Gazebos
Gazebo & Screen Tent Accessories:
Outdoor Screen Tent Furniture:
Screen Tent Lights:
Portable Propane Fire Pits and Accessories:
✰✰ READ MORE ✰✰ 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 RVs
That wraps up the best screen tents for camping and RVs. They can also be used to create an outdoor room in your backyard, on the patio or even by the pool. Having that extra room allows you more freedom to enjoy the outdoors without getting annihilated by mosquitos and bugs.
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