The Perfect Gazebo for campsite relaxation
A gazebo is a great camping addition for anyone camping in a big group of people camping, or for a trip with a rainy and windy weather forecast. They are useful for creating a communal, sheltered space where everyone can eat, cook or socialise. In this blog I will go through some of the best gazebos for camping, why you should bring one with you and what you can do to ensure it is as stable as possible to withstand the elements.
Why do you need a gazebo??
Gazebos offer great protection from all different kinds of weather conditions. So if the forecast for your trip looks unpredictable, it’s definitely worth using your precious car space to bring a gazebo. A gazebo means that even when it’s chucking it down, you can spend your time surrounded by nature (the whole point of camping really!), without getting completely soaked. As you should never start fires in a tent, gazebos also mean that you can cook and warm up around a campfire even when it’s pouring outside.
A gazebo also creates a dry communal space for everyone to socialise and eat meals together. What better camping experience than sitting nice and warm in your camping chair, toasting a marshmallow or chatting with loved ones while the rain pours down all around you! If you’d like loads more tips on how to thrive whilst camping in the rain, be sure to check out my blog How to keep dry whilst camping.
A gazebo is also the perfect way to set up your camp kitchen. It protects appliances from the elements and helps you to create a well-organised camp kitchen. For an extensive guide on setting up a camping kitchen that will make your neighbours jealous, have a look at my blog, Camp Kitchens, cookers and storage units.
Packing your gazebo
The main issue with bringing a gazebo camping is the fact that they are so heavy and bulky so you will almost definitely need a car if you want to bring one (although there are also options for backpackers). Some of the more lightweight gazebos are less durable than heavier options. So if it looks like the forecast is for more extreme weather, its often worth considering a more bulky but sturdier gazebo. A lot of the cheaper gazebo options are also less durable, so consider whether you want to compromise on quality for price.
Bringing some weights
If you’re camping in especially windy or stormy conditions, you could also bring some weights to hold down your gazebo. When the conditions are less extreme normally one weight on each foot of the gazebo will do. But when it is windier I would recommend putting down pegs, as well as two weights on each corner.
A side note on canopies
A gazebo is a structure on its own, but canopies are usually attached to something else or used as a roof on a frame. They are another essential for camping in rainy weather. Canopies are usually more lightweight than gazebos so are a great option if you don’t have space in the car for anything too bulky. They are also great for placing in the doorway of your tent to create a sheltered area where people can take of shoes.
Which gazebo is right for me?
If you have lots of space in the car, and don’t want to spend time faffing around with poles and instruction manuals, then the All Seasons 3x3m pop up gazebo is a great option. You can adjust the height of the gazebo to a maximum of 3.2m so that even the tallest members of your group have the space to stand up. It is also extremely durable, and comes with four sides, perfect for windy and rainy conditions.
For unpredictable weather conditions
The Coleman Gazebo Event Dome Shelter is perfect for those camping trips when the sun is shining down one minute and then the next it is pouring with rain. This gazebo has two closed walls and four foldable mesh walls that can be put up and taken down as you please. It also has a sturdy fibreglass frame and offers UV protection. For lots of tips and tricks on how to best face whatever British weather decides to throw at you, check out my blog, Camping in the Fabulously Variable UK Weather.
The perfect shelter for backpackers
If you’re camping without a car and are carrying all your bags on your back, then the Universal Tarp shelter is a great lightweight option. It is the perfect way to create somewhere dry to eat or cook under as a backpacker, and only weighs 2.2kg! As it contains two poles that can be folded away, this is a fantastic free-standing shelter that won’t add any unnecessary weight to your load.
The weather withstander
If you’re camping in really rainy and windy conditions and need a gazebo to keep out rain coming from all directions, then the Trail Dome Gazebo with sides is a fantastic option. With waterproof taped seams, a 2000mm Hydrostatic Head, you can be assured that it will protect you from the elements. It also has 4 reinforced guy rope points and additional peg points to make sure it stands sturdy even in the most blowy weather.
Some more gazebo options…
Rock awnings offer lots of different options for standard traditional awnings in various colours and sizes. If you’re camping as a family, then the Deacthlon Quechua Arpenaz Base M is another great camping gazebo. With four contained walls this shelter can be used as a second mini tent for storage. Or you can use it almost as a camping living room- a space for cooking and socialising in the dry.
I hope that this blog has given you enough guidance on all the different ways you can use a gazebo on your camping trip, and help you work out which one you should buy to perfectly suit your needs.
Here’s me signing out and thank you so much for reading.
Lily Crooke / Environmental and Recreational author