Canvas Bell Tents

Canvas Bell Tents

Canvas bell tents have been adapted over time but have their origins in early European history with nomadic tribes. They were then adopted by militaries in the 1800s as Sibley tents and then soon after, a vertical wall was added to create the bell shape and they have remained largely unchanged since then.


Now they are often used for luxury camping or glamping (glamorous camping) because they can be left up for long periods and have plenty of space for a kitchen, furniture, and a double bed. There are lots of benefits to cotton canvas which we cover further down this guide.


Features like windows, ventilation, stove jacks, and AC ports have been added and materials and especially fabrics have been improved to be more protective and lightweight. Now, canvas bell tents are often used for luxury camping or ‘glamping’ because they offer a much better experience than modern tents with more synthetic fabrics.


  • MATERIAL: 100% Cotton Pro Canvas 10.1 oz fabric, Galvanized steel frame, Polyvinyl floor

  • WEIGHT: 152 lbs / 69 kg (Fire & Water Resistant)

  • PACKED SIZE: 39 x 15 x 11 in / 99 x 38 x 28 cm

  • MAX HEIGHT: 11 ft 2 in / 3.4 meters

  • CAPACITY: 10 People

  • SEASON RATING: 4 Season

  • STOVE JACK: Yes


The best canvas bell tent for camping in total comfort. This tent is a 12-person size with the 20-foot option seen here being the second largest. One feature that suits large groups is that everyone gets their own personal window and plenty of space to keep their gear close by.


This tent is massive and even though the side walls are only 3 feet high, the roof rises so steeply there is plenty of space to walk around and you aren’t just confined to the tallest point. The door is 6 feet 6 inches tall so you can also walk in and out freely without having to crouch down. Even with everybody’s sleeping pads and bags laid down you still get a large communal space in the middle and lots of ‘alleyways’ to get in and around your tent buddies without disturbing them.

What’s the ventilation like? With so many windows and 4 individual roof vents, this is one of the coolest tents to camp in hot weather and never suffers from a lack of ventilation. You can even install a portable AC unit to cool the air down even further. When the temperature drops you can seal up the ventilation and close all the windows to keep warm air trapped inside.


How’s the waterproofing? Canvas bell tents are just as waterproof as any modern fabrics used on lightweight camping tents, if not more so. The Tent is 100% waterproof even in the heaviest rain.

SUMMARY:  The fabric and frame are heavy-duty to withstand 4-season use and will outperform other lightweight tents in both hot and cold conditions. You can comfortably fit your entire family or group of friends inside one and sleep well knowing you’re protected.

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