Tents For Stealth Camping

Ever since the idea of stealth camping became a popular idea there has been much debate over the best form of shelter for this fun pass time. Many bushcraft and wild campers prefer the idea of creating shelters with tarps with natural resources instead of stealth camping tents.

Personally I prefer using a small tunnel, two man tent with a camouflage tarp nestled into the landscape. I like the idea of being completely self-contained within the fabric of a tent as this prevents extreme winds cutting through your sleeping area. Whether you prefer tents or a more open form of stealth camping I am of the opinion tents, as long as they are small, camouflaged with a low profile are a an effective shelter for stealth camps.

Examples of stealth camping tents in action

Stealth camping tents with camo tarp

My own personal set ups include a camo tarp fixed with either para-cord or Bunjees over the tent at an angle providing a dry work space at the tents entrance. The tarp allows you to camouflage the whole camp area and I use natural hollows, fallen trees and depressions in the ground to help conceal my location. I have always liked the idea of keeping my backpack inside my stealth camping tent or at least under my tarp so gear stays as dry as possible.

This is why I like a small two man tunnel tent such as the Mountain Warehouse. I find it is big enough to move around my equipment but small enough to hide easily in dense vegetation. The advantage with the low profile of a tunnel tent means you can easily hide its silhouette. I sometimes use a camo net with vegetation thrown over to make the camp completely invisible. I also find these tents have a broken angular outline unlike more common dome or pitched tents which are easier to spot.

When stealth camping, there are a few features that make some tents more suitable than others:

Profile

Effective stealth camping tents will have a low profile and inconsistent outline. I have mentioned tunnel tents are better than the more common dome and pitched tents.

Colour

The colour of your stealth camping tent will be the difference between staying hidden or looking like a swollen pimple in the landscape. Greens browns and blacks are in pinks and reds are sadly not an option.

Weight

The weight of your tent is an important factor in making it an effective tool for stealth camping. Due to most stealth camping locations being off the beaten track the lightest stealth camping tents are best for these expeditions.

Assembly

The best stealth camping tents are quick and easy to erect and take back down. Due to the covert nature of stealth camping setting up and clearing up camp should be a rehearsed and easy affair.

Here we have links to some of the best tents for stealth camping: