When you go camping, you probably want to bring at least a couple of tarps. Camping tarps are useful for a variety of purposes.
Rain Tarps
A waterproof tarp can be stretched overhead near your tent, to provide a rain shelter that will allow you to cook, read, play cards, or just relax outside the tent during the inevitable rain shower. (Doesn't it always rain when you go camping?) See our rain tarps for information on setting up a rain tarp. Your rain tarp will also provide shade on hot sunny days, making your cooking chores more pleasant and in general providing a more enjoyable time while outdoors.
Half Shelters and Lean-Tos
A tarp can also be used to create a temporary partial shelter or lean-to. Place it so that the open end is facing away from the wind (or rain). A tarp shelter can be created by tying the tarp to trees or by using poles for support. Ground stakes are always useful to secure the edges along the ground.
Ground Cloths
Use a waterproof tarp as a ground cloth, placed directly on the ground underneath the floor of your tent. The ground cloth protect the tent floor from abrasions and tears from stones, pebbles, and twigs or roots on the ground. The ground cloth should be slightly smaller than the tent itself, to avoid having it collect rainwater to pool under the tent. If it rains during the night, the rainwater will run underneath the ground cloth, keeping it from getting the floor of your tent wet.
Some campers like to use a ground cloth inside the tent as well. A quality canvas or poly tarp of an appropriate size can be used as an inside ground cloth. This protects the interior floor of your tent, and it's easier to clean. It's also cheaper to replace than the entire tent.
Sleeping Pads
Insulated sleeping pads or camping pads provide a layer of insulation and padding between you and the ground, making for a better night's sleep and a well-rested camper or hiker in the morning.
List Price:$74.99 Lowest New Price: $62.99 You save: $12.00 (16%) Average Rating: Reviews: 1 » Read All Reviews
1 New from $62.99
JUST IN! Crazy Tarps provide excellent coverage anywhere when you need instant shelter. Perfect coverage for your cook area, for gear storage and a make-shift rain shelter. 120 x 144". 210 denier coated nylon. Waterproof taped seams. Weighs 60 ozs. Order this minute! AVAILABLE SEPARATELY: Standard, UltraLite, Big Area Standard or Big Area UltraLite Crazy Tarp - word search in our Store for 'Crazy Tarp'. Big Area Lite Crazy Tarp, Forest Green
Crazy Tarps are some of the most useful and versatile pieces of gear ever made.
Provide excellent coverage anywhere, anytime that you need to shelter your cook area, gear storage, anything you want to protect from the elements
Reviewed by: Timothy A. Jackson, Review Date: 2009-05-29
I've camped under my tarp in massive downpours and in temps down to the lows 30's F. it has held up well, hasn't leaked, and survived howling winds. I camp out every month of the year in New England, and have used the tarp for 13 months.
Basically, it works as advertised. I'd like to see more tie down spots on the center line, there are only two, one at each end, while there are multiple tie downs along the edges and at the quarter fold.
It's well made and sturdy, and I recommend it without reservation.
List Price:$79.99 Lowest New Price: $69.97 You save: $10.02 (12.53%) Average Rating: Reviews: 1 » Read All Reviews
3 New from $69.97
JUST IN! Crazy Tarps provide excellent coverage anywhere when you need instant shelter. Perfect coverage for your cook area, for gear storage and a make-shift rain shelter. Shelters a 120 sq. ft. area. 20 anchor points. Comes with guy lines, stakes and stuff sack. Order this minute! AVAILABLE SEPARATELY: Standard, UltraLite, Big Area Lite or Big Area UltraLite Crazy Tarp - word search in our Store for 'Crazy Tarp'. Big Area Standard Crazy Tarp, Forest Green
Crazy Tarps are some of the most useful and versatile pieces of gear ever made.
Provide excellent coverage anywhere, anytime that you need to shelter your cook area, gear storage, anything you want to protect from the elements
This product is lighter than the cheap blue or silver tarps but way stronger. Great for the gusty trade winds here in the islands! Other tarps get the grommets pulling out but this baby is tough. This is not the ripstop lite model and its durability is more than worth the little extra weight (which is not much more). I used it for a canopy, lean-to and lowrise diagonal wing and its going strong after withstanding blasting wind and major tropical down pours while fishing and hunting. Everybody that saw and experienced its super multi-purpose functions were very impressed! Get a sharpie and have vistors sign it and log the days catch on it, it will be even more memorable as time goes on, as it should be around for years. I've had other "name-brand" tarps but this one beats 'em all!
List Price:$139.95 Lowest New Price: $117.45 You save: $22.50 (16.08%)
2 New from $117.45
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Developed and tested in northern Minnesota, need we say more? We added the Dodgers to make the tarp four-season and now the Haven to make it through bug season. The Haven offers the ultimate in the ability to customize and protect for a tarp setup. Unlike
Mesh enclosure for keeping bugs and other critters out
Designed to work with Northern Light Tarp or other tarps 8 x 8 feet
The Siltarp is an extremely versatile tarp made from ultralight waterproof nylon. This 30 denier parachute ripstop nylon with silicon impregnation weighs only 1.35 oz per sq yd. It is incredibly strong and resilient. The Siltarp is designed to be used in conjunction with a bivy as a cooking or gear storage shelter. The Siltarp sets up on hiking poles, can be slung from trees or attached as an awning to a tent or hooped bivy. The Siltarp has 16 lightweight webbing tie loops sewn on the corners and edges, and one reinforced loop in the centre. The loops facilitate a number of different set ups. The Siltarp has no seams and therefore requires no seam sealing.
Has 5 ft. x 8 ft, one-person tarp. Light weight accessory for bivy travel or for tent / tarp combo
