10 Best Camping Tarps In 2021

Heavy-duty construction and a wide assortment of sizes and colors have made Trademark Supplies tarps some of the bestselling tarps on the market. Their waterproof tarps come in every size imaginable –  from the best camping tarps measuring 6 by 8 feet to 100 x 100 feet large tarps. If you want the most durable waterproof camping shelter tarp you can get, consider this one.

Fabric and Protection

It offers incredible rain protection as a rainfly for your hammock or tent and its thickness makes it one of the best camping tarps for bad weather. No moisture will seep through and it will help smoothen the roughness. The fabric is also resistant to mold and mildew and the large sizes can function as pool, boat, RV, or truck camping tarps.

Setup and Features

Trademark Supplies set out to make the most durable and highly protective tarpaulin. The fabric it’s made of has an extra-strong weave and it features reinforced corners. Well-designed grommets positioned every 3 feet to offer setup ease and versatility.

For tried and proven waterproof tarps you can rely on for camping use, Terra Hiker tarp is a large rain tarp you can use any way you like. You can use it as a tent base and it’s also perfect as a sun or rain shelter above your campsite or as a truck tarp. The cool thing about it is that it folds compact and stows nicely into its cinch sack.

Fabric and Protection

Terra Hiker has made this tarp out of a 210D oxford cloth that has been waterproofed to ensure no rain or wind will penetrate through. If you opt to lay it on the ground underneath a tent, the fabric can also resist puncturing and keep your tent in good condition.

Setup and Features

This is a top rated backpacking tarp for ease of setup. Simply use the eyelets to connect the rope to trees so you have a dry place to hang out. You can also use stakes and guy ropes to secure the tarp to the ground.

Chip Gorilla tarp is one of the best camping tarps you can get if you want your camping shelter tarp to be waterproof and easy to set up. It is made of a waterproof ripstop nylon fabric which makes it lightweight yet tears and puncture-resistant so you can even use it as a tent footprint. If you like hammock camping, the square shape will provide excellent coverage.   

Fabric and Protection

Compared to other tent or hammock tarps, the square design of this one provides more coverage while the 2000mm waterproof PU treated ripstop nylon fabric protects you from wind and rain.  The material tears and puncture-resistant meaning it won’t rip and fail you.

Setup and Features

The square shape and plenty of tie-down points make this one of the best tarps for camping when it comes to pitching versatility. You can set it up as a diamond or rectangle rain tarp. The included stakes, ropes, and tensioners enable it to stay taut in windy conditions.

If you regularly camp in the summer, you’ll love the feature set of the Free Soldier. Made with anti-UV fabric technology, it blocks nearly all the solar radiation so you won’t get sunburned when using it as a shade shelter. It also has one of the best build quality of all the camping tarps on the market.  

Fabric and Protection

Free Soldier has equipped this backpacking tarp to withstand rain, wind, snow, and stormy weather. With a 210T ripstop fabric with a 2500mm PU waterproof coating and taped seams, it’s phenomenal both as a hammock cover or a tent groundsheet. It also offers UV protection when relaxing under the hot sun. 

Setup and Features 

This tarp features high-quality stitching, reinforced ridgeline seam, and strong grommets, the bases of a great camping lightweight tarp that can withstand extremely windy and rainy conditions. Tabs in all the right places make pitching it a snap. The versatile shape and abundance of tie-points enable you to rig all types of tarp shelters.

If you’re looking to invest in a waterproof and long-lasting tarp to provide you with comfort and protection for years to come, ENO Profly is one of the most robust camping tarps you can buy. It has excellent water-shedding performance and it comes from a reputable manufacturer. Its lightweight and small packed size make it a top-rated tarp.

Fabric and Protection

The polyurethane-coated 210D ripstop nylon has been treated with polyurethane to give it the best water-shedding properties making it a fantastic storm shelter for hammock campers. You can also use it as a ground mat as the fabric can resist puncturing.

Setup and Features

Weighing just over a pound, this hammock tarp is lightweight and folds up compact making it a dream to travel with. Set up is super simple even a first-time camper can tie it up into the stakes quickly. With 6 points of contact and tensioners provided, this is a great option even when used on windy stormy nights.

If simple, fast, and lightweight shade and shelter from the elements is what you're looking for, reviews are raving about Kelty Noah’s tarp being the best sun and rain tarp.  It’s spacious enough to shade a number of campers yet lightweight and easy to carry in its roll-top carry bag.  

Fabric and Protection

This’s a very roomy tarp and provides enough coverage for 4 to 6 people to stay dry or shaded. It performs well as a sun shelter and also ensures no downpour will ruin your adventures thanks to the 800mm waterproof 68D ripstop polyester material and fully taped seams.

Setup and Features

Setup is a flash and the 4-point shape and multiple guys out points mean the configurations possibilities are endless. From the diamond configuration that makes it one of the best options for hammock camping to the standard shape that sheds rain and snow nicely. 

Incredibly lightweight and compact when packed down, UST Tube is the best backpacking tarp especially popular amongst solo campers and trekkers. That you can zip up the tent into a sleeping tent, use it as a tarp shelter, or lay it as a ground cover makes it an excellent option for tarp camping. It also comes handy in survival situations as the inside has a thermal and reflective coating and functions as an emergency blanket and signaling device. 

Fabric and Protection

This versatile tube tarp offers all-weather protection and works equally well protecting you from rain and snow or offering protection from the damp ground. When used as a hammock, it provides more than ample coverage. It even incorporates thermal protection that can prove life-saving in extreme conditions.

Setup and Features

For setup, it comes with everything you need including easy to follow instruction. You can either use it as a simple rain tarp or zip up the edges to transform it into a full camping shelter. The guy lines and steel stakes it comes with enable it to withstand rain and wind storms when used as a tent tarp shelter.