The market for small canvas tents has been increasing as people understand the benefits of canvas tents.
There are a couple of options for 1 or 2-person canvas tents.
In addition to small canvas tents, you can increase the size and have a 2-person plus tent where you’ll have room to stand and extra room for a table or chair.
Small canvas tents are also great for 1-person plus a dog (or two)!
Note: Some links in this article may be affiliate links.
Small Canvas Tent for 2 People
My favorite 2-person canvas tent is the Kodiak Flex-Bow, but it’s very similar to the Springbar 2-person. Let’s go over both.
2-Person Kodiak Flex-Bow 8.5 x 6 ft Overview
The Kodiak 2-person has a D-shaped door, making getting in and out easier than a split door.
The most significant benefit is using this tent in the summer as you can get 4-sided ventilation vs 2-sided.
Pros
- 4-sided ventilation, a rare feature in any canvas tent of this size
- Easy to set up
- Relatively cheap compared to other options
- Stands up to wind
- Metal stake loops allow for a wide range of stakes depending on terrain (ie: sand stakes)
Cons
- 4ft 0in ceiling height, can’t stand inside
- Only available in one color
Kodiak is known for excellent quality, and I own the 10×10 version of this Kodiak Flex-bow tent.
The Kodiak 2-person is only available on their website and not on Amazon. View current prices.
2 Person Springbar Compact 8 x 6 ft Overview
The Springbar Compact is similar to the one above, but this tent has a split entrance and no side ventilation.
The zipper runs through the middle of each side at the bottom.
This is Springbar’s 2-person canvas tent.
Pros
- Easy to set up
- Made in the U.S.A.
- Available in 6 colors!
- Stands up to wind
- Metal stake loops allow for a wide range of stakes depending on terrain (ie: sand stakes)
Cons
- Expensive compared to other options
- 4ft 4in ceiling height, can’t stand inside
- (upgrade to the larger version for 6ft+ ceilings)
Those are the only two small canvas tents designed for 2 people/couples.
Which Small Canvas Tent is Better?
You really can’t go wrong with either of the small canvas tent options.
That’s the sole focus of both companies. High-quality canvas tents that stand the test of time.
Other companies make a bunch of other gear, and canvas tents are an afterthought to take advantage of their current customer base.
No other companies make this small of a canvas tent as of 2023.
If you want to stand up inside a canvas tent potentially, you’ll have to move up a category.
Options for 3 Person Canvas Tents
The 3-person canvas tents to look at are the Kodiak Flexbow 9 x 8 ft and the Springbar Outfitter 9 x 7 ft.
These tents can sleep 3 people comfortably, but gear may need to stay in the truck. This size of tent is what I would consider a 2-person plus or a 1-person home.
For two people, you’ll have room for a table, gear, or whatever else you want inside.
For one person, you’ll basically have a studio apartment (see below).
I’ve used these tents for solo camping because I sometimes work while camping. I also stash my mountain bike in it at times. In the photo above, 1/3 was for the bike, 1/3 for sleeping, and 1/3 was a table and chair with extra gear.
This is an excellent option for a couple with a dog or a couple with gear.
The next size up from these would be a 10×10, which is big for two people. It may be necessary if you have a bunch of gear to store inside, but it might be overkill for most trips.
2-Person Canvas Tent with Stove Jack
The smallest canvas tent with a stove jack is the Unistrength 4-season canvas bell tent. However, it’s 10ft wide, so I wouldn’t consider it a 2-person tent.
The reason you can’t put a stove in a 2-person canvas tent is pretty obvious. The hot stove would be too close to the canvas walls and too close to you.
You’ll have to stay warm the old fashion way in a 2-person tent, with a good sleeping bag, heated water bottles, and extra layers.
Springbar doesn’t offer stove jacks until the 10×14 size.
Small Canvas Tent for Winter Camping
The Springbar Compact is a nice tent for winter camping because it’s a little smaller than the Kodiak. However, both will do well in winter.
I like the Kodiak 2-person tent better in the summer because of the 4-sided ventilation option.
Final Thoughts
The market for small canvas tents is increasing with new players coming into the market. However, they start with large tents and then slowly expand to less standard sizes.
