Many of us are stuck in the belief that a gazebo is just a garden structure. But think about it; there are many easy to use gazebos that are ideal when camping or caravanning. They give you additional sheltered space and are a brilliant addition to your camping arsenal, so why wouldn’t you want to look for the best gazebo for camping?
In this guide, we’ll run through some of the best products and give you some helpful advice on choosing the right gazebo for you.
The Best Gazebos For Camping
If you search the internet for gazebos, you are going to be inundated with options. Believe me, I’ve purchased two in the last 12 months and spent many long hours trying to choose between different products. So, instead of wasting all the time, why not check out our selection of the best gazebos for camping?
BEST FOR LARGE GATHERINGS
You only need to look at the Coleman gazebo to see how sturdy it is. The domed roof and super strong frame make for a structure that, when properly anchored, will stay put for the duration of your holiday. What’s more, guy ropes are included for added security!
With 15 x 15 feet of space, this huge gazebo is brilliant for large groups of friends on a camping trip or for families.
What we really love about the Coleman gazebo is how easy it is to put up. It’ll take no more than five minutes before you’re relaxing beneath it and with adjustable legs, you can alter the height to suit your needs.
This is a great summer gazebo as the canopy boasts SPF 50 protection and the specialist material ensures that the temperature inside the gazebo doesn’t get too warm. However, this one doesn’t offer the best waterproofing so might not be ideal in rainy conditions.
Pros | Cons |
Very spacious | Not waterproof |
Incredibly stable | Steel frame is heavier than usual |
Easy and quick to put together | |
Protects against UV rays | |
High domed roof |
BEST BUDGET OPTION
If you are only camping for short periods of time or perhaps head out once a year then you might not want something that costs hundreds of pounds. That’s why we love the Yaheetech pop up gazebo; it’s super affordable and still has some impressive features.
For starters, this is a 3 x 3 metre gazebo so you’ve still got a good amount of space even for medium sized groups. Plus, the gazebo comes with everything you need including sand bags for security and a side wall to block out excess sunlight.
What’s great is that it only takes one person to put up the Yaheetech pop up gazebo and with telescopic legs, you have a choice of three height positions. The legs are also angled which provides greater stability.
The manufacturer does warn you not to use this gazebo in bad weather and there is a good reason for this. When it rains, you’ll find that water pools in the roof causing it to sag which isn’t practical. But as a lightweight, summer gazebo that’s easy to transport, it’s ideal.
Pros | Cons |
Spacious | Not suitable for rainy weather |
Affordable | |
Strong frame | |
Comes with a side wall | |
Easy to put up (single person) |
BEST Looking Gazebo
Not all pop up gazebos are aesthetically pleasing; you may need to buy a fixed gazebo if you want something that catches the eye. But that isn’t the case with the Eagle Peak. This stunning gazebo is not only easy to put up but looks luxurious and attractive.
With an accordion style frame, the gazebo can be put up by just one person. You also have the option to adjust the height depending on your preference and needs. We also love that there is plenty of space under the 3.9 x 3.9 metre canopy.
The Eagle Peak gazebo features a vented top which allows excellent air circulation. Sometimes, it can get very stuffy under a gazebo especially in warm weather but this prevents that from happening. Furthermore, being made from 600D Oxford fabric, this gazebo will keep out water.
Pros | Cons |
Beautiful appearance | Steel frame can feel quite heavy when transporting |
Vented for improved airflow | |
Spacious | |
Easy to assemble |
Why Choose A Gazebo For Camping?
When you’re in a caravan, having some sheltered space outside is a must. This gives you space to eat, relax and somewhere out of the sun for the little ones to play. While a lot of caravans and campers have a built-in awning or there is the option to buy an awning, a gazebo is a much more affordable option and it’s far more versatile.
Now let’s just make it clear that I am talking about pop up gazebos. These are incredibly quick and easy to put up so you won’t be fighting the structure for hours. I recently purchased a large octagonal gazebo that required several tools, three people and many hours to erect; this isn’t what you want when you’re camping. Much less are you going to want to have to take the whole thing apart again at the end of the week.
But choosing a pop up gazebo gives you a lot more space than the awning that comes with your van. In some cases, they can measure up to 5 x 5 metres although there are much smaller ones if you don’t need something quite as large.
In addition, a pop up gazebo doesn’t only have to be used when you’re camping. You can use it in the garden, take it on days out and some people even use them for outdoor businesses, car boots and other things. They’ll usually come in their own carry bag so you can take them wherever you want.
You should also keep in mind that, while your caravan awning may only be designed to fit certain models, you can use a pop up gazebo regardless of the van you have. Then, you can place the gazebo wherever you please; directly outside the caravan as a porch, a little further away as a shelter for relaxing or anywhere you like.
That said, there’s nothing stopping you combining the use of your built-in awning with a freestanding pop up gazebo to really maximise your living space.
Making The Right Choice
As I mentioned earlier, it’s quite easy to spend hours trawling the internet to find the right gazebo for your needs. However, if you can create something of a checklist then this will make choosing between products a lot easier as you’ll know exactly what you’re looking for.
Frame Durability
When you’re spending time outdoors, one of the most important things is making sure that your equipment is durable and ready to face the elements. The frame for your pop up gazebo needs to be strong and stable.
Choosing something made from powder coated aluminium is going to be your best bet. Not only are these frames super strong but they’ll also resist corrosion and are incredibly lightweight compared to steel so won’t weigh you down when you’re travelling.
Also keep in mind that the shape of the frame poles will impact the overall strength of the structure. Those with square poles tend to be less durable than those with hexagonal poles.
Cover Durability
While it’s important to make sure that the frame is very durable, you also need to check how strong the gazebo roof is. This is usually made from either polyester or PVC. There are pros and cons to both materials with PVC being much stronger and fade resistant while polyester has some very effective waterproof and tear resistant properties.
Do You Need Walls?
Most gazebos come with just a roof but have the option to add side walls. How you’re going to use the gazebo will determine the right number of walls you need, if any. For example, if you want to sleep under the gazebo then you’ll benefit from four walls whereas if you only plan to relax under the gazebo, you may not need any.
That said, even for relaxing, a lot of campers like to have at least one or two walls to block out intense sun. Just make sure that the walls are high quality and able to resist rain should the heavens decide to open.
Do You Need To Connect The Gazebo?
It is possible to set the gazebo up as an awning for your caravan. But in order to do this, you will need to have connecting gutters. Not only will this mean you can use it as an awning but you’ll also be able to connect it to other things like tents and even a second gazebo.
Can I Sleep In A Gazebo?
There’s nothing to say that you can’t sleep in a gazebo. If you want a more natural camping experience and the chance to sleep under the stars then why not?
However, you might want to think about the weather. If things look as though they might get a bit wet and windy, a gazebo probably won’t offer the right level of protection. After all, they’re not primarily designed for sleeping under.
If it’s the middle of summer, warm and dry then there’s no reason you shouldn’t sleep under your gazebo. You might wish to add four walls but just make sure that you’ve securely anchored the gazebo.
Conclusion
A gazebo is a great accessory for camping and caravanning but it’s essential to choose the right one. Pop up gazebos are brilliant as they’re so easy to put up and take down and are extremely versatile. This choice of the best gazebos for camping shows you what to look for and which products might best suit your needs.
