The 10 Best Canvas Wall Tents Money Can Buy: Ultimate Guide

Alright, now it’s time to dive deep into the details. We’ll go over each of these five highlighted options, plus a handful of other top popular options. You’ll be able to know everything you need about buying the best canvas wall tents.

A Closer Look: WhiteDuck Alpha Pro Canvas Tent

The WhiteDuck Alpha Pro Wall Tent is a masterpiece. Its double-stitched seams and reinforced corners are designed for longevity, while the proprietary shock-absorbing bungee cords offer additional resistance against harsh weather. 

It also uses a more modern and advanced canvas material. The performance cotton-polyester blend canvas combines BCI cotton and recycled pet bottle poly fiber. The result is a material that’s not only more durable and long-lasting than traditional cotton canvas, it also has better waterproofing capabilities.

This canvas wall tent also has incredible multi-functionality. The pre-installed, heat-resistant silicone-coated stove jack allows for a cozy, warm interior in cold seasons. The high quality canvas tent also comes with a dedicated AC port perfect for a camping air conditioner, providing a unique blend of rustic outdoor experience and modern convenience.

It’s a true 4 season wall tent that’s ready to tackle all the harsh conditions.

About the Manufacturer – WhiteDuck

WhiteDuck Outdoors isn’t a newbie in the outdoor gear market. With decades of experience, they’ve launched a brand that stands for quality, durability, and versatility. 

But they’re also not stuck in their ways. They’ve shown a commitment to improving the sustainability of their products by using BCI cotton and recycled PET bottle poly fiber. For outdoor enthusiasts and eco-conscious buyers, they’re showing a commitment to keeping the world pristine for us all to enjoy. 

And beyond that, WhiteDuck is well known to create high levels of customer satisfaction and a strong reputation for customer service underline their promise of quality. The products are amazingly reliable, but if anything goes wrong, they have your back with a superior warranty and willingness to go the extra mile.

It’s hard to find a better set of reviews than the WhiteDuck Alpha Pro Large Wall Tent. It’s one of the best wall tents on the market and is sure to be part of your gear kit for years to come. It’s great to use as a wall tent with a stove for hunting, camping, or anytime you want to add an incredible covered space outside.

Available Add-Ons from WhiteDuck

This canvas tent comes with everything you need, including the tent, frame, and floor. Not all tents go this far, but WhiteDuck is ready to go out of the bag.

But there are two items that are worth adding on to your purchase. Many campers might find them to be essential add-ons that will make your canvas tent experience much better.

The first is for those who will deal with heavy downpours, snowfall, or other extreme precipitation. WhiteDuck makes a giant fly sheet, which is essentially an extra cover or rain fly, made from durable polyester. 

Not only will it stop all water from getting in to your large wall tent, this fly also helps maintain your canvas and keep it in better shape for longer. Plus, it helps withstand heavy snowfall and its weight.

The second add-on is a spacious front porch area. This creates a semi-sheltered outdoor space by leveraging the existing frame. If you want a little shade outside your insulated wall tent or perhaps an area where you can get away from the crowd or simply enjoy the outdoors, this is absolutely worth its cost.

You could also consider getting one of the best camp canopies to create some shade by your campsite.

Quality of Canvas Material

One of the most impressive attributes of this Elk Mountain tent is the exceptional quality of the canvas material it uses. While many traditional tents opt for cotton canvas, this Elk Mountain tent is designed with a unique polyester material, just like the WhiteDuck Alpha Pro.

This decision brings several advantages, including higher tear and break strength. Polyester is renowned for its toughness, ensuring that this tent can withstand a variety of environmental pressures.

This exceptional material gives it a leg up in harsh weather conditions since it does better with waterproofing products. The result is that this glamping wall tent provides a more secure and reliable shelter. 

Elk Mountain tops it off with heavy-duty zippers and no-see-um mesh to create a deluxe canvas wall tent. 

Room to Breathe and More

Elk Mountain Tents are a game-changer when it comes to offering spacious living quarters in the great outdoors. The interior comfortably accommodates sleeping and relaxation or prep areas, whether it’s just you and your partner or a small group. 

There are three different sizes for this canvas wall tent to choose from. The spacious interior of any option is ideal for providing both a sleeping space and a separate area for a wood stove, relaxation, or other uses. The sizes can comfortably accommodate between 6 to 10 people depending on your selection. 

I recommend avoiding maxing out the sleeping capacity. Instead, go up a size so you have a little more space for a camp stove or other interior furniture. The sleeping capacity can be increased if your group has a lot of kids, but you should also factor in any sleeping cots or other gear that might take up floor space.

Don’t forget to grab all the Camping Kitchen Gear you need to enjoy good food in the wild.

However, it’s worth noting that such spaciousness can come with a trade-off: longer setup times. The more room you have, the more time it takes to assemble everything properly. And that’s just a downside that you’ll find with most large canvas wall tents.

User-Friendly Features

Comfort and efficiency are at the forefront of Elk Mountain Tents’ design philosophy. When you’re spending time in the wilderness, proper ventilation is crucial. And this high quality canvas wall tent delivers. 

The tent comes with multiple ventilation options, including mesh windows and roof vents. These features not only help keep the interior cool but also significantly reduce condensation, making your stay more comfortable.

Windows might seem like a small feature, but I can tell you that windows can make the difference between an okay experience and the best canvas wall tents. When the weather turns south, being able to see outside can make a big difference. You’re there to enjoy the outdoors, so let your tent be a literal window to the outside world. It’s also great that you can open the windows without having to worry about mosquitos coming in to suck your blood and make you itch.

The company also provides extensive instructions to set up and care for your tent. Setting up this canvas wall tent is easy, just get the frame ready and slap on the canvas tent material. The first time might take some learning, but then you’ll have it down.

Kodiak Canvas Wall Tents

There’s no point in getting a bundle if the central component is junk. But that’s far from the case here. In fact,  we recommend Kodiak Canvas Tents without reservation. We put the smaller Kodiak Flex-Bow Tent – a GREAT option – on our Best Canvas Tent list. And the Kodiak Truck Bed Tent – a great tent for truck bed camping – made the short-list for our Truck Camping article.

And when it comes to large canvas wall tents, Kodiak hits it out of the park again.

The Kodiak Lodge Tent, which is what they call their wall tents, is available in three sizes. The 10’x10’ is on the smaller side for wall tents, good for about 2 people and their gear. The middle size of 12’x12’ is better for about 4-6 people or just to have more space inside. But the 12’x16’ is incredible, with about 8-10 people fitting comfortably or a smaller group with more living area.

The size isn’t the only good thing about this canvas wall tent. Kodiak uses an excellent 10-ounce cotton canvas that they’ve protected with a water treatment, making it into their trademarked Hydra-shield canvas.

And to save cost and weight, the walls use the same material but in a slightly lighter 8.5-ounce thickness. There’s no need for the heavier material there, so it makes a lot of sense. The floor has maximum protection with 13.5-ounce polyester reinforced vinyl with welded seams. 

Other top features of the Kodiak canvas tents include:

• Up to 9 windows with a large D-shaped door
• 1-inch galvanized steel sturdy frame, stainless steel stake loops, and heavy-duty tent stakes
• Stove jack opening, optional awning and stove heat shield, and zippered storage bag

Want to see more customer reports on Kodiak customer satisfaction? Don’t just trust my word for it. Head over to their “Love Letters” page to see some rave reviews.

Why The Bundle Is Worth It

I love to do research, find the best products, and look for the great deals. Getting a pre-selected bundle isn’t usually my first choice. But once again, Kodiak has shown a dedication to customer satisfaction.

This bundle turns your already-incredible tent into a well-built four season canvas tent. And it saves you cash while doing so.

The wood-burning stoves Kodiak includes are made by Colorado Cylinder Stove. They make their stoves in western Colorado, stand behind their product, and have a full lineup of accessories, like a hot water heater and warming tray.

On top of the stove itself, Kodiak includes a thick mat made with fiberglass and silicone to put under the stove. This protects your tent’s floor and stops the wood burning stove from hurting it.

Speaking of the wall tent’s floor, which is already a durable 16-ounce polyester reinforced vinyl, Kodiak includes an 11-mm thick ground tarp that fits under your canvas tent’s floor perfectly. 

The tarp is just smaller than the tent’s footprint so rain can travel down the roof and walls without getting trapped. This tarp protects your floor and makes sure your expensive wall tent lasts years and years.

Perhaps my favorite part of these Kodiak Canvas Wall Tent Bundles is the included awning accessory. These use the frame of the tent for support while adding up to 44% more space. It’s basically an entire second tent just outside the other one.

The Purists Dream Come True

Beckel is a purist company. In some ways, this is a good thing. It means they are experts in this field and can make some of the best canvas wall tents around based on traditional methods. 

They stick to 10-ounce cotton canvas, which is a reasonable thickness but not the heaviest option out there. It is made with a “marine finish” to help with waterproofing and comes pre-shrunk so you don’t have to get it wet and dry before use. Beckel Canvas Tents also carefully reinforces the tension areas and uses heavy-duty nylon zippers.

And sometimes having the purist take means that innovation and competition might move forward without you. And unfortunately, there are a couple areas where Beckel Canvas Wall Tents aren’t quite keeping up with the market.

First is the lack of included features, such as multiple windows and no-see-um mesh. I love being outside, and the best canvas wall tents for camping help you do just that. But many times, you’ll want to see out without letting the world in. 

Beckel offers windows and a floor as extra, somewhat pricey add-ons. The windows are individual and much more expensive than I had in mind. And the catalog doesn’t show the option for window screens, but only offers an option for a door screen – which the company confirms it thinks are unnecessary unless you’re somewhere extremely buggy like Florida. 

I get eaten alive with just two mosquitos in my tent, so I strongly prefer screens on my tents, especially large cabin ones. If I want windows and screens, it looks like I’ll have to pay a substantial sum for the windows then figure out the screens on my own. Not a great feeling.

The other downside to taking the purist stance is the desire to only use exclusively cotton canvas. WhiteDuck and Elk Mountain have shifted to polyester-reinforced canvas in their premium products, as have many other top brands. 

The polyester blend provides enhanced durability and many say it retains the waterproofing material better too. We understand Beckel’s purist take on only using cotton canvas, but feel that some people are better off with the poly-cotton blend. It would be nice to offer the option for either instead of forcing people to stick to what they think is best despite an industry growing the other direction.

Make Sure to Get What You Need: Tent, Frame, Floor

I still think Beckel makes some of the best canvas wall tents for winter, summer, and every time between. They’re a reliable wall tent made by a top-notch company. Just take your time before ordering to make sure you get everything you need.

The heart of the order is your actual canvas tent, available in NINE different sizes ranging from 9’x9’ to 18’x21’. This gives you a roof, walls, and a zippered door with a stove jack opening on the vertical wall.

The next part of your order should focus on supporting this tent. You can save money by getting the “rafter kit”, which appears to be the angles used for 1” EMT conduit. It also comes with a “cut sheet” specifying exactly what conduit lengths you need to cut.

Beckel offers steel and aluminum frame kits, available in a variety of sizes to match every Beckel Eena Canvas Tent. The weight savings of aluminum can be substantial, but the tradeoff is that steel is stronger and can handle more weight (important for windy or snowy conditions).

The final crucial aspect is the floor. Beckel offers sod cloths, which are small strips of material (usually about 10-15” or 25-38 cm) that connect to the walls then tucks toward the middle of the tent. The sod sheet allows you to place a tarp or rug on top of it so there is a good seal against the elements. 

But it still isn’t the same precision seal other options for the best canvas wall tents offer. You can also buy 1-ounce nylon floor tarps from Beckel to put inside on the sod sheet.

Adding on the Accessories

Once you have the tent, frame, and floor figured out, it’s time to identify what add-ons you want as part of your tent. I suggest starting with a ridge hole cover. Beckel leaves an opening at the peak of the roof on both sides so you can slip a pole through, but I imagine most people want this to be sealed instead.

Then you’ll have to decide on windows, which are a little pricey per cut. Adding 6-8 windows as often seen on the bigger tents can reach well into hundreds of dollars. And it looks like there is no option for these to have a screen mesh layer, let alone the triple-layer storm windows found on the top options from WhiteDuck.

Speaking of screens, the zippered door does not come with a screen unless you order it. And while there is a stove jack, it’s on the vertical wall of the door. This doesn’t work so well if you are using a screen or buying the awning kit, so you might want to add another stove jack opening to the order.

After that, you can consider the Eena Porch Kit, which extends the covered space outside the door. This is a great spot for additional gear, just like the Kodiak Awning that’s part of their full bundle of the canvas wall tent with a stove.

Another camping gear item we highly recommend is a small 5 pound propane tank. Ditch the small bottles and bring enough for longer trips while saving money.

Finally, if you expect heavy rains or snow, a fly tarp (rain fly) is likely a good call as well. This drapes over the entire roof of your canvas wall tent. However, unlike the WhiteDuck Canvas Wall Tent for winter rainfly option made from polyester-reinforced vinyl, this Beckel version of a fly is made from the same material as the tent itself, 10-ounce cotton canvas. It’s basically just double-layering it. I’d prefer to see a different, more waterproof material used.

You might just want to opt for a better waterproofing product, like the Nikwax Solarproof package instead.

And there you have it, that’s most of the options for the Beckel Eena Canvas Wall Tent. That price on the first page of their catalog might look tempting, but if you try to add on everything you see in the other best canvas wall tents, that price is going to climb a lot higher.

On Its Face, Everything Is Here

Looking at the listing for this canvas wall tent, and everything seems to be in place. First and foremost, it specifies that it uses a 10-ounce fabric that’s been weather treated. This is just about all the same information we get from even a top brand like Beckel Canvas Tents. 

And it’s more robust than the lighter canvas used in WhiteDuck’s lower-end models. It sounds like it could be a four season wall tent.

This large canvas wall tent includes a full aluminum frame kit, something many of the cheaper alternatives go without, and even has guy lines and stakes.

It says it comes with a sod cloth, which Beckel uses as a term for a partial floor just around the perimeter under the walls, and the listing says the floor is sold separately. But the reviews say this option includes an entire floor. Either way, you at least get some wetness protection with either a sod cloth or floor.

The Guide Gear Canvas Tent also includes a stove jack opening, a rear window, and a front ventilation opening. This cheap canvas wall tent doesn’t seem to have any screens, but it does offer some visibility and airflow.

Overall, at this price, this is the full package for much less than other canvas tent manufacturers. It’s not going to be a deluxe canvas tent with all the bells and whistles, but it’s a cheap wall tent that seems to have all it needs.

Guide Gear Reputation and Other Concerns

When I look for the best camping gear, I’m always checking out the companies behind the products. Unfortunately, the world is packed full of cheap knock-offs made by less-than-reputable companies. This might be alright for a cheap product you don’t rely on, but for a canvas wall tent, the price is too high. And so are the stakes.

It’s hard to find much about the reputation of Guide Gear. There are some other websites that sell their products outside of Amazon, so that’s a plus. But they don’t seem to have their own website and finding a lot of customer feedback has proved challenging. The Amazon reviews are not extensive and are mixed between mediocre and positive. 

Unfortunately, this is the best feedback I could find for a cheap canvas wall tent. The other options have countless customer issues, absolutely nothing outside of Amazon, or other specific concerns that don’t exist with this option.

It’s really hard to say whether this tent actually is a good value or not. I strongly encourage you to spend the additional money on a tent from a very reputable company instead. 

But if you want to take the risk and be essentially a beta tester for a cheap canvas tent, this is the one I suggest.

Unfortunately, the reputation for their tents is just not robust enough for me to recommend at this price. They’ve also recently changed ownership. And worst of all, I discovered some customer reports indicating they were completely unable to reach customer support through email or phone after trying for two years.

I don’t think I should have to say it, but spending thousands on a tent should get you access to a customer service representative. And for such a premium product, I’m surprised at the lack of positive stories out there. I’ve seen this situation before, ignored it, and then felt the sting when I was similarly ignored by customer service. When people show you who they are, believe them.

Overall, Denver Tent Company’s Colorado Canvas Wall Tent is likely a stellar tent option if you want to buy a premium product at a premium price. But I simply can’t tell you enough about the customer support or the reputation of their tents to recommend them. And don’t forget to add in the price of a frame if you do go with them.

I also found their prices to be substantially higher. I love supporting high-quality companies, so this might be worth it to support a great company that hopefully pays employees well.

The problem is that they are in a very competitive segment. With so many excellent options from the big names like WhiteDuck, Kodiak, and Elk Mountain Canvas Tents, I’m having a hard time putting Big Sky Canvas Tents on the top of my list.

Most people say that Cabela’s 12×12 Canvas Wall Tent now is made by a different supplier. And unlike so many of Cabela’s brand products that are made for the abuse outdoorsmen put their stuff through, the current wall tent isn’t living up to the name.

There are complaints about nearly everything related to its quality. Tears in the fabric, tension points, and zippers. Moisture penetration that’s just not acceptable. And a general consensus that it is a poorly-made product.

Cabela’s can be a great place to stock up before heading out for your camping or hunting trip, but I’d probably skip their brand of canvas wall tents for the moment.

It is made from 235 gsm canvas, which is equal to about 7 ounces per yard.  In all of my research, I have never seen this light of canvas used on any canvas tent. It’s just way too lightweight and unlikely to be a reliable canvas tent.

Plus, the waterproof rating is 2,000 mm. This is another extremely low figure. Most companies start using the term waterproof at 3,000 mm. And even then, it’s very little protection when the rain actually starts coming down hard. You want to see 8,000, 10,000, or even 20,000 mm for serious waterproof protection.

And worst of all, the customer feedback on the Ozark Trails Canvas Wall Tent is not good. Problems right out of the box required repairs, others had it fail during use, and other pretty serious issues give me a lot of concern.

But hey, at the end of the day, this little package is seriously cheaper than a lot of other options. 

So if you really want a cheap canvas wall tent, then you can give it a shot. I recommend bringing a tarp with, possibly putting on some more waterproof spray, and maybe even bringing along some other repair gear like a canvas patch kit.

Head over to Walmart to see the rock-bottom price of this Ozark Trails Canvas Wall Tent.

In fact, this has about 30% 1-star reviews at the time I’m writing this. That is horrendously bad for an Amazon product. I usually stay away at about 10-15%, but 30% showcases serious issues that cannot be ignored. The complaints include broken parts, tears, and water issues.

And once again, it’s just not that cheap. Any canvas wall tent is pricey. It’s silly to spend hundreds or even over a thousand dollars on a product that’s not going to be reliable and high-quality. 

But as always, feel free to see the Happybuy Canvas Wall Tent on Amazon to see if you want to take the risk.

Canvas Fabric

No canvas wall tent is complete without the canvas itself. Traditionally, canvas is a cotton fabric and that is what most brands still use.

To help understand the difference, canvas is rated in its weight. Most of the best canvas wall tents use 10-ounce per yard canvas or above, and it’s usually Army Duck canvas, meaning it has an intricate weaving pattern for added strength. 

You can find a lower, lighter canvas. Incredibly cheap wall tents go down to about 7-ounces, but better brands use around 8.5-ounces in some reliable wall tent options. Some mix weights, putting the heavier, thicker fabric on the roof and a lighter, thinner variant on the walls. This helps the package store and transport easier, while also keeping costs down.

There’s a new kid on the block as well. Polyester-reinforced canvas is a newer hybrid material. It takes the old-school cotton canvas and cranks up the durability by incorporating a synthetic polyester blend.

For some companies, this is an abhorrent mutant canvas that shouldn’t be touched. But more progressive companies go with it and have found that it lives up to the demands of their customers better. After all, who doesn’t want a strong, more durable product that also has better ability to repel water?

If you look at WhiteDuck’s top option, you’re going to find a poly-cotton blend, but they also provide cotton canvas options. Kodiak uses cotton canvas with a trademark Hydra-shield treatment. Elk Mountain also goes with the newer poly blend. Then Beckel Canvas totally and explicitly rejects the idea of synthetic blends. 

There’s really no saying what a company will do. Purist ones in business for years with canvas will likely reject it. Newer companies pushing the industry forward embrace it. 

What’s right for you? That’s a call you have to make.

Frame Included or Not

Another way that the canvas wall tent industry is changing is with the frames. In the past, the tent supplier did not include a frame. You’d get the tent from one company, that might give you a sheet letting you know what size tubes you need.

Then you go buy your conduit tubing from whatever supplier and in whatever material you want. Cut it to size, find the angles to connect them all, and finally, you have a functioning tent.

If this sounds exhausting, I have great news. The best canvas wall tents now come with the frames included. You can still find options without frames if you really want to try to save some cash or have specific needs of your own. But most of the best options come with ether galvanized steel or aluminum poles and connecting angles to create an entire frame.

Be careful when exploring the prices of these canvas wall tents. Some that seem like a great price are actually just because the frame is excluded. I found those companies then charge an arm and a leg for the frame along with shipping. And that’s why the top recommendations include the frame.

Another tip is to get extra heavy-duty tent stakes. These 12 Inch Heavy Duty Tent Stakes come with a T Handle tool to make it so you can drive them deep into the ground. You don’t want your canvas tent flying away.

It also helps to get Galvanized Scaffold Base Plates. You can put your frame ends into these bases for added support and durability. If you want to use it on a very hard surface or for an extended time, these are worth the cost.

Features: Doors, Windows, Screens, Floor, Waterproof

No two canvas tents are made the same. In some cases, that can even be from the same company. Some are wholly-customized orders that take weeks to create, adding to the bill with each little window or other feature.

But the other wall tents come fully packed. It’s most common to see canvas wall tents with just one door, but some have two. The best options have many windows with screens included (up to 9 on one of my favorite options), and others use triple-layer storm windows for ultimate weather protection.

The floor may be entirely absent or will be a little perimeter barrier known as a sod sheet. Others include a fully enclosed floor that provides the ultimate protection. You can even get some with a floor and a tarp to go under it for double-layer longevity, like the Kodiak Cabin Lodge Bundle.

Another thing to investigate is the waterproofing used. It can be hard to determine how much better one company is than the other since most offer some sort of waterproof material that usually treated with something. You can also get Star Brite Waterproofing Spray or Nikwax Tent Solarwash and Solarproof to increase the water resistance to any tent you have.

While we’re talking about canvas protection, you might want to get a patch kit before you need it. This TrailMax Outdoor Canvas Patch Kit can help restore your expensive purchase to like-new condition even if a branch or teenager breaks through.  

Take a close look at these features before you put in your credit card information. You can find well-priced options with many windows, screens on every opening, and a full floor. Don’t settle for one you won’t be happy with. It’s nice to check out the scenery and be able to stay away from bugs.

Stove Jacks, Wood Fire Stoves, and Fire Issues

Insulated canvas wall tents are great for cold-weather camping. Whether you’re hitting high elevation in the shoulder season or toughing it out through brutal winter conditions, having a wood fire stove inside your canvas tent can make a world of difference. It also adds to the entire experience in a very special way.

Nearly all canvas wall tent options include a stove jack, which is an opening for the exhaust pipe of a wood-fire stove. It’s usually around 5” to 6” in diameter and comes with a flap to cover it from rain when not in use. You can also buy DIY stove jack openings yourself to put wherever you want it.

You should use a lot of caution with the stove and its exhaust pipe. There are plenty of stories of people burning down tents due to the exhaust pipe making contact with flammable canvas tents. A really good idea is to get this Fireproof Pipe Wrap to use on your exhaust flue. You can also make sure that the canvas flap cover doesn’t touch the stove.

Looking for a great wood burning stove for your canvas tent? The DOALBUN Outdoor Portable Wood Burning Stove is an amazing option that’s surprisingly affordable. You can also get one of the Kodiak Cabin Tent packages that include a canvas wall tent with a stove! Kodiak is one of our absolute favorite brands in the canvas tent industry.

Company Reputation

Last, but certainly not least, is the company reputation. This one is hard to figure out for some companies. I don’t necessarily always go by time in business since some companies start to get a little too stuck in their ways and fall behind competition.

But I do look for customer satisfaction and support. Even the best canvas wall tents for the money are a good chunk of change. You should have pretty high expectations and they should last a long time. And if something does go wrong, which is inevitable over the span of a company’s lifetime, there should be a solid customer support staff ready to help you figure out and implement a solution.

My top recommendations are from companies that are basically entirely dedicated to canvas tents. This specialty industry takes a special touch that isn’t easy to replicate. And thankfully, there are a good handful of companies to choose from. My top three are WhiteDuck, Kodiak, and Elk Mountain. If you get a canvas tent from any of these, chances are you’re going to get your money’s worth.

You can find cheap canvas wall tents by some companies with almost no reputation and customer feedback. I’ve gone over quite a few examples above. The fact is that you’re still going to be spending a lot of money. And these have consistently shown that they simply can’t keep up with the demands of the customers. Tears, rips, water leaks, and bad support are all common in the lower-price tents.

If you take all of these things together, you can find the best canvas wall tent for your needs.