Over the past few years, bell tents have been making a comeback and are more popular than ever.
Canvas bell tents are a unique and comfortable way to enjoy the great outdoors. They are often referred to as glamping tents or festival tents. However, bell tents can be used for general camping trips as well.
In this article, you’ll learn what a bell tent is, its benefits, and its drawbacks. I’ll also detail bell tent sizing as they are more difficult to judge than traditional rectangular tents.
Hopefully, this will help you decide whether to buy a bell tent.
What is a Bell Tent?
A bell tent is a large canvas tent with a structural pole at the center of the tent which results in it being shaped like a bell. Bell tents benefit from being spacious with lots of headroom and are great for family or group trips.
You will see them at festivals and glamping resorts and are becoming more common on everyday camping trips.
Bell tents are typically outfitted with nice rugs, furniture, and other accessories to make cozy camping home. However, some people like them for hunting or colder weather camping because they can make them a hot tent (ie: using a wood-burning stove).
When to Use a Canvas Bell Tent?
Bell tents are great for glamping and at festivals. In addition, they can handle wind and inclement weather when properly staked down.
For those that have kids, bell tents are a great way to enjoy family camping. A bell tent will feel like a castle to the kids, and they will have room to hang out on any rainy days.
Why are Bell Tents Popular?
Most bell tents are made from cotton canvas or some blend and inherit those benefits. I have an entire article on the pros and cons of canvas tents vs nylon and traditional tents. Generally, they get less muggy, are waterproof, and can handle wind and inclement weather better than traditional tents.
However, bell tents, like all canvas tents, are easy to destroy if not maintained and cared for properly.
The Advantages of a Canvas Bell Tent and When to Use One?
Bell tents have many great benefits. You can learn about the pros and cons bell tents vs cabin-style tents or when to use a bell tent over a wall tent.
Spacious
- The vaulted ceiling makes it feel larger than it is and you can stand freely
- Gear can easily be placed around the edge keeping the center free of clutter
Waterproof
A major benefit of canvas tents over traditional tents is they are waterproof without a rainfly. The canvas will get wet, but the droplets won’t make it through the material.
Chill Spot
- When my friend set up their bell tent, we all though they were crazy. It looked like a lot of work.
- At the same time, we all wanted a tour and ended up hanging out in there on several trips especially when it rained.
When to Use a Bell Tent?
Bell tents are great for glamping, camping, and festivals. Because they are a bit more involved in setting up, they are often best for multiple nights. In addition, they are best for camping trips when you’ll be near camp and enjoying the tent. If you’re hiking all weekend, it might not be worth it.
The Disadvantages of Bell Tents
While Instagram Influencers will try to make, everything look great and fancy, there are downsides to bell tents.
Set Up Time
- They can take longer to set up than traditional tents (but similar as other canvas tents)
- Many YouTubers show them being set up in grass and backyards where the stakes go in and out easily.
- It can still be done within 15 to 20 minutes after your first or second time
Large Footprint
- You will need a large flat spot
- It requires many guy lines to set it up properly. This means you need more space than normal tents
- Outside your tent sometimes looks like someone set up tripwires all over.
- Some paid campgrounds do not have spots large enough for a bell tent.
- In addition, some free campsites on public land in forests won’t be large enough to fit a bell tent
Heavy and Bulky
- Bell tents can weigh over 100lbs.
- Bell tents are bulky and take up cargo space. You’ll also bring a lot more gear when you have that big of a tent so it’s not ideal for those with small vehicles or those that are carpooling with others.
Drying a Bell Tent
- Canvas takes longer to dry than nylon or polyester. You can’t store a bell tent wet because mildew will grow on the tent fast. Poor care and maintenance will destroy your canvas tent.
- This means you’ll have to re-set up the tent at home to dry it out. It’s not as easy as nylon tents where you might get away with laying them out and flipping them over occasionally.
- Canvas tents have a ton of material and will be hard to dry inside or even on the grass without setting it back up
Bell Tent Sizing Guide
What is the Best Bell Tent Size for a Family of 4?
A family of 4 can squeeze into a 13′ or 4M tent but often will find a 16′ or 5M tent more spacious.
What Size Bell Tent for a Couple or 2 People?
A 13′ or 4M bell tent is great for a couple’s getaway. You’ll have plenty of space for a mattress and additional accessories.
You can also fit two people in an 8′ mini-Regatta, but it won’t feel as spacious.
Can You Add a Stove to a Bell Tent?
Yes, you can put a stove in a bell tent. Some bell tents can be purchased with a stove jack and will be treated to be fire retardant. Installing a wood-burning stove on your own is a bit more complex. It’s good to watch videos and see a variety of layouts before deciding on the right tent or layout.
How Much Space does a Stove Take?
When you add a wood stove to a tent, you lose an average of 25 usable square feet, depending on the layout. Why? Because stoves are never placed next to the tent walls, you have some “dead space” between the tent wall and the stove. You also don’t want to place any gear right next for obvious reasons.
Conclusion: Should I Get a Bell Tent?
Bell Tents are becoming popular with the festival and glamping communities. Because of how spacious they are, families are increasingly choosing bell tents to fit the entire family in one tent.
However, if you’re going down the canvas route, I recommend using a Springbar-style tent for most situations. They share many of the same benefits, but I find them to be more practical. You can read about the best canvas tents for camping and see if those seem like a better fit for your next outdoor adventure.
Related Questions
What is the difference between a yurt and a bell tent?
Yurts use a wooden frame and tend to be much larger, heavier, and sturdier than bell tents. Yurts tend to be more semi-permanent in nature than bell tents that are used for specific occasions. Bell tents are quicker to set up, easier to move, and more affordable than a yurt.
How Much does a Bell Tent Cost
Bell Tents cost between $600 and $3,000. The primary factors that impact price are size, materials, and where they are built.
Related: What is a Wall Tent
