A tent is the center of a campsite, offering campers comfort, a place of retreat, and shelter while exploring the outdoors. Because tents are so vital to a successful campsite, it’s only natural to want to enhance them with various tent accessories to make them as comfortable and functional as possible. While many pieces of gear are adaptable to most tent models, some accessories are specific to certain styles. Today, we’ll be focusing specifically on bell tents, covering the non-negotiable tent gear they require and exploring more fun, add-on accessories to enhance your setup. Whether you’re planning to pitch a bell tent for a family camping trip or a luxury glamping getaway, read on to discover the must-have bell tent accessories for every camping trip. Let’s dive right in!
Table Of Contents
Non-Negotiable Bell Tent Gear
No matter the style of tent you have, every camper should come prepared with the following basic tent gear:
Ground Tarp
A ground tarp is a type of camping tarp that’s placed under the bottom of a tent. It’s generally considered an essential piece of gear as it creates a barrier between your tent and the natural floor. This barrier protects the tent from water and moisture, abrasive natural materials, and other elements that can cause wear and tear over time. Adding a ground tarp is a simple way to improve the longevity of your bell tent, while protecting the tent, you, and your gear from immediate concerns like moisture. Plus, the barrier provided by a heavy-duty ground tarp can help smooth out a bumpy campsite and make the tent floor more comfortable to sleep on.
Rain Fly Sheet
While rain fly sheets aren’t necessary at all times, they are absolutely essential during certain weather conditions, like rain, snow, and cold temperatures. This handy piece of camping gear is secured over the roof of your bell tent, or whatever style of tent you have, protecting you and your shelter from precipitation and providing a layer of insulation in cold weather. Since forecasts can change quickly in the outdoors, it’s smart to keep your rain fly on hand during a camping trip, even if you don’t plan to use it.
Tent Repair Kit
Canvas bell tents are known for their durability in the outdoors, but that doesn’t mean they’re completely immune to damage. All tents, especially when used frequently or in harsh conditions, are vulnerable to damage. This can include rips, tears, broken zippers, bent poles, and leaking seams. While some of these issues can wait to be remedied at home, it’s generally best to repair a damaged tent as soon as possible to avoid the issue worsening through the rest of your trip. For this reason, packing a tent repair kit is crucial to maintaining your bell tent and ensuring its functionality and longevity. Either invest in a pre-made bell tent repair kit or put together your own. A useful kit includes:
- Canvas repair patches
- Tent sewing supplies
- Seam sealer
- Tent zipper lubricant
- Replacement parts, including extra stakes, guy ropes, and poles
Must-Have Bell Tent Accessories
Outside of the essentials, bell tents can benefit from several other tent accessories to improve their functionality and comfort in the outdoors.
Tent Awning
If you only buy one accessory for your bell tent, a tent awning is the way to go. This practical piece of gear attaches directly to the entrance of your bell tent, creating a canopy that extends off your tent roof. The addition of a bell tent awning increases the amount of covered space at your campsite, giving you more room to hang out and perform various campsite tasks while remaining protected from above. Whether you’re enjoying a cup of coffee on a rainy fall morning or cooking up a meal on a sunny afternoon, you’ll appreciate the protection and extra space an awning provides.
Wood-Burning Tent Stove
Nothing blends luxury and function in a bell tent like a wood-burning tent stove. This must-have campsite appliance serves as a convenient indoor cooktop, an efficient generator of warmth in cold weather, and as an unbeatable source of ambiance. Most canvas bell tents are compatible with tent stoves, but many will need to be fitted with a stove jack if they didn’t come with a pre-installed one. If you do employ a tent stove at camp, be sure to follow basic safety precautions to ensure the well-being of you and your fellow campers.
Canvas Log Carrier
One bell tent accessory that’s more versatile and beneficial than you might think is a canvas log carrier. Not only does this piece of gear make transporting firewood a breeze, but it also has several other use cases around camp. Use a log carrier to neatly organize gear and supplies, whether that’s stacks of firewood or a few pairs of shoes. Outside of transporting logs, it’s also a great way to easily carry other campsite goods, from tools and equipment to groceries, wine bottles, and more.
Lighting, Furniture, and Decor
Adding various lighting fixtures, functional furniture items, and touches of decor can elevate a bell tent from a basic canvas shelter to a luxurious oasis. Not only is lighting an essential component of a successful campsite, but it can also create ambiance and style when done right. While furniture and decor are more opulent additions to a bell tent, they go a long way in creating a sense of home and comfort in the outdoors, and are must-haves for anyone looking to achieve these vibes at camp.
Final Thoughts
Camping tents are the center of a successful campsite, providing a safe and comfortable shelter to campers exploring the outdoors. For bell tent owners, several must-have accessories can enhance the comfort and function of their shelter. Some gear, like ground tarps and rain fly sheets, is non-negotiable, no matter the style of tent you’re camping with. Aside from these essentials, campers can benefit from employing a number of other accessories for their bell tents, from awnings and tent stoves to log carriers and decor. Whether you’re embarking on a family camping vacation or building your own outdoor glamping retreat, you won’t want to skip these must-have bell tent accessories!
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