Whether you’re glamping in the pines of the Pacific Northwest, embarking on a winter trip among the Rocky Mountains, or something in between, bell tents are a safe shelter option. Bell tents are one of the most versatile camping tents no matter the adventure you have in mind, offering abundant space, reliable resistance against harsh weather, and unbeatable comfort and style.
Table Of Contents
If you’re planning a camping trip utilizing one of these awesome tents, read on for a complete list of everything you need to pack for a comfortable stay in a bell tent. It’s important to keep in mind that packing lists will change based on a variety of factors, from the activities in your itinerary and the number of people you’re camping with to the season you’re traveling in. The following checklist should be used as a general starting point, outlining the basics that make a comfortable and liveable bell tent campsite.
With that being said, here are all of the essentials for bell tent camping, from your shelter and sleep setup to standard campsite gear. Let’s dive in!
Bell Tent Setup Essentials
The first thing you’ll want to do when you get to camp, after picking out a good campsite and clearing it out, is setting up your bell tent. For this, you’ll of course need your bell tent of choice. Check before you leave home that all of the necessary poles and frames, stakes, and guylines necessary for pitching are accounted for. To easily drive the stakes into the ground, bring a heavy-duty rubber mallet. In addition to the tent itself, you’ll need a ground sheet to protect your tent floor and a high-quality rainfly sheet to shield you and your tent from precipitation. Consider bringing a designated canvas camping bag to store all of your tent extras in one place, like the bags your gear comes in, extra stakes, and your mallet when you’re not using it.
The Checklist:
- Bell tent with poles and frames, stakes, and guylines
- Mallet
- Groundsheet
- Rainfly sheet
- Canvas camping bag
Extra Bell Tent Accessories
The basics outlined above for the setup of your bell tent are absolute necessities, but they don’t exactly guarantee a comfortable shelter. While canvas bell tents are already well known for their breathability, ventilation, and insulation abilities, there are a few pieces of gear that can enhance the temperature control inside your shelter. If you’re camping in warmer months, especially if humidity is high, bring along battery-powered fans or portable A/C systems to create a cool interior. For cold-weather campers, invest in portable space heaters or a tent stove to add warmth and ambiance. If you plan to bring a wood-burning stove, ensure your tent is equipped with a well-fitted stove jack and all of the necessary accessories, like a heat mat, firewood, firestarter, and safety equipment.
To avoid tripping over your belongings once the sunsets, don’t forget your interior lighting. This could be anything from lanterns and flashlights to fancy battery-powered lamps if you’re glamping.
A bell tent canopy is a nice luxury addition for glamping that increases the amount of shade and covered space you have to work with at camp. This accessory comes in handy when you need respite from a strong sun or light precipitation but you’re not ready to head into your tent. For glampers, pack any of the glamping furniture your heart desires, whether that’s bed frames, side tables, or full-on dining tables. Top it off with your interior bell tent decor, from area rugs to wall art that matches your personal aesthetic.
The Checklist:
- Battery-powered fans or portable A/C systems for cold weather
- Portable space heaters or a tent stove with a heat mat, firewood, firestarter, and safety equipment like a mini fire extinguisher and a carbon monoxide alarm
- Interior lighting like lanterns, flashlights, headlamps, and battery-powered lamps
- Bell tent canopy
- Interior glamping furniture like bed frames, chairs and bean bags, side tables, dining tables, and coffee tables
- Interior decor like area rugs, wall art, and decorative throw blankets
Comfortable Sleep Basics
Let’s face it, you’ll be spending the majority of your time in your bell tent sleeping – so you better make it comfortable! Since bell tents are plenty spacious, you’ll have tons of room for a luxury bed setup if that’s your vibe. Decide between setting up a normal mattress, an air mattress, a folding cot, or just a simple sleeping pad to add a cushion between you and the hard floor. Depending on your pick and preferences, you’ll either need a sleeping bag or bed linens. Just make sure these are appropriate for the weather! Opt for a cold-weather-rated sleeping bag if you’re camping in extreme cold and lightweight cotton or linen if you’re braving the heat. You’ll of course need bed pillows, but consider bringing extra blankets and throw pillows to create a cozy oasis. If you’re a light sleeper, pack earplugs to drown out outside noise and a sleeping mask to shield the early morning light.
The Checklist:
- Real mattress, air mattress, folding cot, or a sleeping pad
- Weather-appropriate sleeping bags or bed linens
- Bed pillows
- Extra throw pillows and blankets
- Earplugs
- Sleeping mask
General Campsite Packing List
Outside of your immediate shelter and sleeping gear, you’ll need supplies for your campsite itself to ensure it functions well and runs smoothly. There’s an endless list of items you can pack for your general campsite, but here are the absolute basics to ensure a successful bell tent campsite. For hanging out outside of your tent, bring camping chairs, a folding or picnic table, and outdoor lighting like lanterns, torches, and string lights. If you plan to have a campfire, pack firewood, firestarter, and lighters or matches.
Odds are you’ll be setting up a camp kitchen to nourish yourself throughout your trip. Admittedly, there are a lot of supplies you’ll need for an outdoor kitchen, like a stove with fuel, cooking and eating utensils, and food storage, just to name a few. Don’t forget your recipe ingredients and whatever beverages you plan to sip on. Following Leave No Trace principles, it’s always important to bring cleaning supplies to clean up after yourself.
Other campsite must-haves include a first-aid kit, whatever tools and instruments you deem necessary from multitools to GPS, and portable charging stations equipped with chargers to ensure your devices stay ready to use.
When it comes to your personal packing list, you’ll need your outdoor clothing, sleepwear, footwear, and season-appropriate accessories. Even though you’re roughing it in the wilderness, personal toiletries and hygiene items are still a must (especially if you’re camping in a group). Don’t forget important documents at home, like your ID, campsite reservations, and any applicable licenses or permits for your trip, as well as your phone, credit cards, and cash.
There’s a good chance that your camping trip will involve more than just hanging around camp. Whether you plan to go fishing, hunting, hiking, or participate in water sports, you’ll need the equipment to do so if you’re not renting them. Think also about how you’ll stay entertained at camp. Bring along playing cards, board games, Bluetooth speakers, or anything else that will enhance your enjoyment of camping.
Last but definitely not least, all of your gear will need somewhere to go if you value an organized campsite. This will look different for every camper, but some sort of storage solution, whether it’s clear bins or canvas bags, will help keep your items organized and easily accessible.
The Checklist:
- Outdoor camping chairs
- Folding table or picnic table
- Outdoor Lighting
- Campfire firewood, firestarter, and lighters or matches
- All of your kitchen and cooking supplies
- Meal and snack ingredients
- Water and beverages
- Cleaning supplies
- First aid kit
- Various tools and instruments like a multitool, compass, and GPS
- Portable charging station for electronics and chargers
- Personal outdoor clothing, sleepwear, footwear, and accessories
- Personal toiletries and hygiene items
- Personal items like your mobile phone, credit cards, ID, and campsite reservations
- Recreational gear of choice
- Entertainment of choice
- Organization gear and bags
Final Thoughts
Thanks to their versatility, comfort, and functionality, bell tents are the perfect shelter for a variety of camping trips. Whether you’re planning an extravagant glamping getaway or a winter mountain excursion, there are some basic supplies you’ll need to create a comfortable and safe bell tent campsite. From pitching essentials and bell tent accessories to sleep setup items and general campsite equipment, utilize the checklist of gear above when packing for your next adventure to ensure an enjoyable time outdoors.
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