7 Best Tents With Screen Porches 2025 | Bug-Free Tents With Mesh Rooms

Last Updated on 31/01/2024

Best tent with screen porch

In this guide to the best tent with screen porch, we share the most reliable and spacious tents with bug-netting walls. You will learn which tents offer the most screen room space and which ones let in the rain because they don’t have solid walls.

My favorite tent with a screen porch for many years was the Nemo Wagontop. However, this has unfortunately been discontinued, so you probably won’t be able to get your hands on one.

This year, though, there are some pretty awesome tents out there with separate screen rooms and bedroom compartments. Coleman is currently dominating the space with more than three different options, all with a screen porch for lounging around or cooking in. If you are specifically looking for a summer tent, then check these out for the coolest night’s sleep.

Below are our recommendations and reviews, and then further down the page, we explain the benefits of a screen room and some of the common problems we found during testing.

7 Best Tents With a Screen Room


Coleman Evanston Screened Camping Tent

Coleman Evanston Screened Camping Tent, 6/8 Person Weatherproof Tent with Roomy Interior Includes Rainfly, Carry Bag, Easy Setup and Screened-In Porchshop outdoor gear

  • WEIGHT: 9.14 kg / 20.14 lbs
  • PACK SIZE: 28 x 10.25 x 9 in / 71.12 x 26.035 x 22.86 cm
  • CAPACITY: 4 – 6 People
  • SEASON RATING: 4 Season
  • MAX HEIGHT: 5 ft 8 in / 1.72 m

The Coleman Evanston is the best tent with a screen porch for smaller groups. In fact, I couldn’t find a smaller screened tent than this, so if it’s just you or you and a partner, then this would probably be my first recommendation. The screened vestibule at the front is only big enough for 2-3 camping chairs, but that’s ok if a few people stay in the main tent or just sit outside.

You can get it in a six or eight-person option, but I think these occupancies are very generous. On the six-person tent, I would say it is just right for four people, and the eight-person tent is better for six people than the full 8. To give you an idea of scale, you can fit two queen-size air mattresses inside, and they take up the entire floor.

The tent’s polyester taffeta 75D fabric is treated with WeatherTec and has features like welded corners and inverted seams for total waterproofing all year round. It’s one of the few 4 season tents with a screen porch; most are only three-season rated. The screen porch does not have any roll-down waterproof covers, unfortunately, so you will need to use a tarp over your tent if you want to keep the floor dry.

VERDICT: The Coleman Evanston Screened Camping Tent is perfect for couples or small groups who only need a small porch area with bug netting. You can squeeze extra people in if you need to, but this tent is most comfortable with two people less than the recommended capacity. If you want to keep the screen porch floor dry, add a tarp to your camping gear. There’s nothing else out there quite like this, which is one reason you can’t check it out.

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PROS:

  • The small size and weight means you can actually carry this tent to some remote locations.
  • It is the most weatherproof tent of all of them with a 4-season rating, which includes snow.
  • Screened porch adds to its versatility and can be used to increase ventilation at night.

CONS:

  • Lower down than most other screen porch tents.
  • The maximum capacity would be very tight.
  • The screen porch is not protected on the walls.

 


Coleman Elite WeatherMaster Camping Tent with Screen Porch

Coleman Elite WeatherMaster Camping Tent with LED Lights and Screened Porch, Weatherproof 6-Person Family Tent with Included Carry Bag, Rainfly, LED Lighting System and Screened-In Porchshop outdoor gear

  • WEIGHT: 37.68 lbs / 17.09 kg
  • PACK SIZE: 45.5 x 9.5 x 9.5 in / 115.6 x 24.1 x 24.1 cm
  • CAPACITY: 6 Persons
  • SEASON RATING: 3 Season
  • MAX HEIGHT: 6 ft 6 in / 2.01 m

The Coleman Elite WeatherMaster is one of the very best tents with a screened porch for camping because it feels so much like a miniature house. You have two rooms inside the main tent, which can be used by families of six or can be set up to have just one bedroom and a small porch area to keep all your gear.

Weighing 37.68 lbs (17.09 kg) makes it just about manageable for most people to carry on their own, but it is too big to hike too far away from your vehicle. It fits up to six people on air beds comfortably and stands tall at 6’6″ (2.01 meters), accommodating even the tallest campers. The pack size is impressively small for such a large tent and doesn’t take up much space in the trunk of your car.

Its screen room is perfect for bug-free lounging during summer trips when insects are prevalent or on an evening when they come out in swarms. You can even take the roof off to gaze up at the stars on a clear night. Coleman’s WeatherTec system and a protective rainfly provide commendable weatherproofing. Still, in extremely wet conditions, slight vulnerabilities may appear where there is only one layer of waterproofing.

VERDICT: The Coleman Elite WeatherMaster Camping Tent with Screened Porch is a great choice for campers seeking comfort, space, and luxury features, ideal for extended stays at a single location. The screen room does let in a little bit of rain through the walls when it is throwing it down because they can’t be sealed off, but this doesn’t happen very often and never gets inside the main tent. The removable roof panels make for an amazing night under the stars too.

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PROS:

  • Great pack size.
  • Lots of space and height to move around.
  • A removable roof panel means you can sleep under the stars.
  • Effective weatherproofing with the WeatherTec system.
  • Durable against strong wind.

CONS:

  • Too heavy for backpacking.
  • I’m not a fan of the D-shaped doors, which can trip you up if you aren’t careful.
  • Water gets in through the screen room walls in very wet conditions.

 


Ozark Trail 10-Person Family Camping Tent with 3 Rooms and Screen Porch

Dome Tent Ozark Trail 10-Person Family Camping Tent with 3 Rooms and Screen Porch, blueshop outdoor gear

  • WEIGHT: 13.72 lbs / 13.72 kg
  • PACK SIZE: ‎24.4 x 17.25 x 15.75 in
  • CAPACITY: 8-10 People
  • SEASON RATING: 3 Season
  • MAX HEIGHT: 6 ft 8 in / 6.67 ft

The Ozark Trail Dome Tent is the kind of screened shelter you want on a family camping holiday. It has a massive sleeping cabin that is big enough for three queen-sized airbeds and a couple of dogs or up to ten people on single sleeping pads. Then the screen room provides the extra space you need to store all your gear and boots as well as set up a couple of camps chairs and a table.

The dome-shaped design of this tent is solid and will hold up to strong winds better than many others with a less aerodynamic shape. I couldn’t find out the HH rating of the shell fabric, but it has no problem with heavy rain. The good thing about this tent is that the screen porch feels very separate from the sleeping cabin, so once you retire to your sleeping bag, you feel very cozy and safe, 

On clearer nights, rolling back the outer fly sheet allows for optimal ventilation and amazing stargazing opportunities the whole family can enjoy. The mesh that covers the roof, screen room, and windows is good quality and fine enough to stop even the smallest no-see-ems from getting in. The only issue I have is that the screen house doesn’t have waterproof walls, so in heavy rain, the floor on the porch does get wet (like on the Coleman Elite WeatherMaster).

VERDICT: For those seeking a spacious and adaptable tent for warmer weather hikes and camping, the Ozark Trail Dome Tent with Screen Porch delivers. The sleeping area is well-protected and spacious, while the screen porch feels very much like a separate room where you can sit and enjoy your early morning coffee while everyone else sleeps.

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PROS: 

  • The dome-shaped roof handles wind like a much smaller tent.
  • Generously spacious, it can fit ten people or three queen air beds.
  • The screen porch provides a bug-free relaxation zone as well as the storage space you need for a large group.
  • Useful amenities like E-Port and multiple storage pockets.

CONS: 

  • A mesh roof makes it less suitable for colder nights.
  • Room dividers don’t provide complete privacy, with big gaps around the sides.
  • Just one door could be annoying for the person sleeping closest to it.

 

 


Gazelle Tents T4 Plus Hub Tent Overland Edition

Gazelle Tents™, T4 Plus Hub Tent Overland Edition, Easy 90 Second Set-Upshop outdoor gear

  • WEIGHT: 56 lbs / 25.4 kg
  • PACK SIZE: 64 x 12 x 12 in / 162 x 30 x 30 cm
  • CAPACITY: 4 – 8 People
  • SEASON RATING: 4 Season
  • MAX HEIGHT: 6 ft 6 in / 1.98 m

The Gazelle T4 Plus Hub Tent is the extended version of the standard T4 tent and is best known for its spacious interior and for setting up in minutes. Even though it is one of the few tents with screen rooms that has an instant setup, it is deceivingly robust. The walls curve outwards, which not only maximizes the space inside but also means that the walls can withstand very strong wind without any signs of caving in.

The tent’s 210D Oxford weave polyester shell is 100% waterproof with a 2000 mm HH rating. This extends outwards like wings on both sides of the screen room for rain protection, which is also a good place to store your bikes, outdoor equipment, pushchairs, etc… The front doors, however, have a roll-down waterproof cover so that the tent feels protected from all angles.

The screen room is massive and has a waterproof floor, so you can walk around in your socks as soon as you enter the tent. If you don’t want to use the wide front door, there is a smaller D-shaped door around the side, which is best for nipping out during the night, making this cabin-shaped tent with a screen porch very practical.

VERDICT: The Gazelle T4 Plus Hub is the best screen room tent with a floor all the way through. But this isn’t the only reason to buy it. The other reason we recommend this tent is that it stands up to strong winds very well and has amazing ventilation for hot weather. All in all, you can’t go wrong with such a big tent with a screen room that sets up in minutes and has excellent weather resistance.

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PROS:

  • The screen room is as big as the sleeping cabin, so there is a massive amount of usable space.
  • Sturdy weatherproofing, effective against both rain and wind, thanks to the outward inverted walls.
  • Using an instant setup mechanism can be set up by one person if needed.

CONS:

  • Not as easy to put away as it is to erect.
  • While the poles are extremely unlikely to be damaged by wind, the structure does sway somewhat.

 


Wenzel Klondike 8 Person Water Resistant Tent

Wenzel Klondike 8 Person Water Resistant Tent with Convertible Screen Room for Family Campingshop outdoor gear

 

  • WEIGHT: 37.68 lbs / 17.09 kg
  • PACK SIZE: 26.3 x 13.7 x 11.4 in / 67 x 35 x 29 cm
  • CAPACITY: 5 People in the main cabin, 3 People in the Screen Porch
  • SEASON RATING: 3 Season
  • HEIGHT: 78 in / 198 cm

The Wenzel Klondike tent with screen room is perfect for long camping trips where you might be spending a significant amount of time inside your tent. Whether it’s hot and you need some shade, or the bugs are out in force and you need a refuge, the design of this tent is ideal for it all.

The main cabin area has about 98 square feet of space and a peak height of 6.5 feet, which gives everyone the room to stand up and move around without having to duck down. That area sleeps four to five quite comfortably, but then you can also fit three people in the screen porch (with the walls zipped up). So there’s more than enough space for large families while still having a compact pack size.

Ventilation is well-thought-out, especially with the added vent at the back, ensuring warm nights are more bearable. Like the Coleman Elite WeatherMaster, you can remove the roof shell layer to reveal full mesh roofing so that you can sleep under the stars on a clear night.

VERDICT: The Wenzel Klondike is one of the best tents with a screen porch that can also be sealed up for extra sleeping space when needed. One thing I haven’t even mentioned is the price, which is very affordable and excellent value considering the features. Having only just got this tent, I am yet to know its long-term durability, but for now, I am very, very impressed.

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PROS:

  • The screen room has zippered walls to seal it up in bad weather.
  • Effective ventilation on the walls and roof couldn’t be better on a hot night.
  • Great pack size.
  • Lots of space and height to move around.
  • A removable roof panel means you can sleep under the stars.

CONS:

  • Dark rainfly may heat up the tent during bright days.
  • Lacks an electric cable access port.
  • Tent pins may not hold as securely on windy nights.

 


Coleman Vail Family Tent with Screened Awning

Coleman Tent Vail 4/6, Family Tent for 4/6 Persons, Large Camping Tent with 2/3 Extra-Large Sleeping compartments and Vestibule, Quick to Set up, Waterproof HH 4,000 mmshop outdoor gear

  • WEIGHT: 41.4 lbs / 18.8 kg
  • PACK SIZE: 24.8 x 13.78 x 12.2 in / 63 x 35 x 31 cm
  • CAPACITY: 6 Persons
  • SEASON RATING: 3 Season
  • MAX HEIGHT: 6.89 ft / 2.1 m

The Coleman Vail Family Tent is very similar to the Coleman Tent Oak Canyon cabin tent we reviewed here, apart from its a little larger and has bigger windows in the screen porch. There are some other minor differences too, but both of them are a great choice if you need the best screen room tent with walls that close up. 

As well as having a large sleeping pod and screen room, the Vail tent also has a tunnel-shaped awning at the front, which is one of my favorite features of this tent. Not only does it provide additional shade during the day, but it also stops any rain from getting into the screen room when you open the door during a heavy downpour. The tunnel shape design offers excellent protection and means you can set it up facing a lake or viewpoint and enjoy your morning coffee in the screen house gazing out.

There are two sleeping rooms, which both fit a double airbed in each, and then you can easily fit an extra two in the screen porch area with the walls sealed up. The headroom in the screened porch is fine for most people; however, in the sleeping pods, the roof does drop down at the back, but you don’t need to spend such times standing up in here with so much space in the mesh porch.

A little incident on a dewy morning: I noticed some moisture between the tent’s layers. It was manageable but definitely something to be cautious of in wet weather.

VERDICT: The Coleman Vail is probably the best waterproof tent out there with a screen porch, and, along with the front awning, you don’t have to worry about getting wet inside. The tunnel shape is strong and durable; however, it does focus on the view at the front of your tent instead of all your surroundings.

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PROS:

  • Distinct sleeping compartments add a touch of privacy.
  • The screen porch becomes the social hang-out spot.
  • The tunnel design gives it sturdiness in wet and windy conditions.
  • Large awning for extra shade and protection above the door.

CONS:

  • Potential moisture build-up between tent layers.
  • The wide pillars somewhat obstruct views.
  • A tad low at the back, making it feel somewhat confined for taller individuals.

 


CORE 11-Person Family Cabin Tent with Screen Room

CORE 11 Person Family Cabin Tent with Screen Room | Large Multiple Room Tent for Family with Storage Pockets for Camping Accessories | Portable Cabin Huge Tent with Carry Bag for Outdoor Car Campingshop outdoor gear

  • WEIGHT: 43 lbs / 19.5 kg
  • PACK SIZE: 29.2 x 14.2 x 14.2 in
  • CAPACITY: 11 People (7-10 more realistically)
  • SEASON RATING: 3 Season
  • MAX HEIGHT: 7.17 ft / 86 in

The CORE 11-Person Family Cabin Tent with Screen Room is very similar to the Wenzel Klondike tent further up this guide, although it is slightly larger. It has a massive sleeping cabin that can fit seven people side by side, plus three more in the screen room when it isn’t raining. Like many tents with screen porches, there are no waterproof walls to keep that part of the tent dry in heavy rain and wind.

The roof performs very well at shedding rain and can be fully removed on clear nights to reveal a full mesh roof. When you do remove it, the tent has some of the best ventilation and views of the night sky, but putting the roof on in the wind can be a challenge, even with two people. The screen porch is fairly well protected from above but not so much on the walls, so just be prepared for that by not leaving too much gear near the mesh screen walls.

To get into your tent, you have to come through the screen room, which could be an issue for some, but because it is almost the same size as the main tent, you have plenty of space to move through it. You get some nice windows at the back of the tent, so you can let some light in without opening it up to the mosquitos.

VERDICT: The CORE 11-Person Family Cabin Tent is as much a screen house as it is a tent, and they are very much integrated together. Both areas offer an abundance of space and headroom so that you can set a table and chairs up ad still have space to walk around. Overall, this is a great family tent with a mesh porch area.

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PROS:

  • Lots of space in the sleeping room and screen porch.
  • Exceptional ventilation system for hot weather camping.
  • H2O Block Technology for rain resistance.
  • The roof can be removed for even better ventilation on clear nights and star gazing.

CONS:

  • At 43 lbs, the tent leans towards the heavier side, making it less ideal for long treks to the campsite.
  • Concerns about the tent’s fabric durability after user reports of easy tearing.
  • The design necessitates entry through the screen room to access the main cabin, which might be an issue if people are sleeping in there.

 


What Is a Screen House for Camping

What Is a Screened Porch Tent?

A tent with a screened porch is a camping shelter that combines the traditional sleeping area with an attached front porch made predominantly of mesh. This addition of a screened porch to a tent offers a semi-protected space, allowing campers to enjoy the outdoors without the annoyance of flies and biting insects.

There are other benefits too, which we share further down, but for me, having a bug-free zone to relax, cook, eat, and socialize is the main reason most people want a screen porch on their tent.

Screen Rooms Vs. Tents With a Screen Porch

Screen rooms are standalone shelters primarily designed to provide shelter from bugs, while tents with a screen porch incorporate this feature into the main tent design. Screen rooms are typically more spacious and offer better visibility, whereas tents with a screen porch provide a more integrated camping experience.

There are times when one might be more suited than the other, so here are the situations you would choose a tent with a screen vestibule vs a screen room.

Screen Room vs. A Separate Screen House

Choose a tent with a screen room if you don’t want the hassle of carrying and setting up two tents. On camping trips, it makes the most sense to use a tent that already has a screen room than to carry two separate shelters. Screen porches are more useful when you can access them directly from your tent, and it is more secure to have your gear closer to you than in a separate tent.

Screen Room vs. A Tent with A Screen Room on The Side

Screen rooms are ideal for day-use scenarios, where you might want a bug-free environment without needing a place to sleep. Another time you might want a screen room is if you already have a good tent and you want the extra space without completely upgrading. Screen rooms are often easier to set up and more lightweight than a full tent, so you can take them further away from your base camp to enjoy things like a river, lake, or beach.

view from above tent with screen room layout

Guide to the Best Tent With Screen Porch: What to Look For

If you are going on a camping holiday, then having some kind of screen room is a good way to ensure you aren’t going to be plagued by bugs the whole time. There aren’t too many options to choose from, but here are the features we looked for and weighed up against each other to make this guide.

Sleeping Capacity

When buying any tent, you want to make sure it is big enough for your needs. The capacity of each tent is purely a guide and not always accurate, in my opinion. Especially with the bigger tents (8 people and above), I would suggest going bigger than you need. Otherwise, you may find yourself struggling to find places to keep your boots and backpacks.

Another thing to think about when it comes to sleeping capacity is what type of mattress or platform people will be sleeping on. A six-person tent might fit six people on narrow sleeping mats laid in a specific formation. But if you plan on using a double or queen-sized air mattress, then you may find the four-person tent only sleeps three or four. Camping cots are another type of camping bed that takes up more space than a single sleeping mat.

Screen Room Capacity

Some tents with a screen room porch have a higher sleeping capacity than they do space for people in the screen room. If you need just as much space in the screen room as you do to sleep, check out either the Gazelle T4 plus hub tent or the Wenzel Klondike, both of which have a massive area to work with.

Remember, a chair takes up half as much space as a bed does, so in reality, the screen room only needs to be about half the size of the main tent. Still, take into account things like sloping walls and low roofs, which can give you less unusable space than you first anticipated.

Weatherproofing and Season Rating

Most tents with screen porches will be used in summer or at least the warmer months of the year, as there is little use for an open-air cabin when it’s raining and cold. If weatherproofing is important for you, then make sure you choose a tent with adequate protection for the screen room and a well-protected sleeping cabin.

We share the season ratings of all the tents in this guide so you can see which would be suitable for use in winter as well as summer. Season ratings should be interpreted as a loose guide, and you can assume that anything less than a three-season tent will not cope well in cold or stormy weather.

Pacific Pass 6 Person Dome Tent w/ Removable Rain Fly and Screen Room, Water Resistant - Navy/Gray

Screen Room and Bug Mesh

Not all screen rooms are created equally, and you may find that the cheaper options out there use a different type of mesh. All of the tents we recommend use an ultrafine and durable mesh that is small enough to block out no-see-ems, gnats, and midges, as well as the bigger mosquitos and flies.

Something to look for is how well the bug mesh seals up because any gaps around the floor and doorway pose essay access for bugs. Also, find out if the screen room even has a floor or if you will need to get a tent carpet or ground sheet. If it does have a floor, is it removable?

Weight and Pack Size

If you want to camp in remote locations, places where cars can’t go, then you will need to make sure your tent with screen room is compact enough to carry. Bigger tents can be divided into two loads that can be shared among a group (fabric and poles) which does help, but some tents are only suitable for camping close to your car. Decide what you want to use your tent for, and pay attention to the weight and pack size if you want to be more adventurous with your campsites.

Space and Height

Once you know you have the right size for the number of people going to be using the tent, you can then turn your attention to things like how much extra space there is for cooking or setting up chairs and a table. Head height is another important factor for many campers, which is why we also took this into consideration when testing. If you can’t physically test your tent before you buy it, then try and find out the measurements of floor space and head height as well as look at the angle of the walls.

Ventilation

Tents with screen rooms always have good ventilation. That’s because you can leave the tent doors open with the mesh screens closed so that hot air can escape and fresh air can circulate. You should still look for other forms of ventilation, like windows on the main cabin and lower openings. Many tents with a screen room also have mesh roofs that can be left open on clear nights so that it is no hotter in the tent than it is outside.

Windows and Doors

Windows on tents are underrated. They let in light, allow you to enjoy the view from your bed, circulate air, and help with ventilation. They aren’t a necessity, but if you are faced with a tough decision between two similar tents, then that might be the deciding factor.

I always recommend tents with at least two doors because it makes access easier and means you can open them both up for a full, through draught. If you have multiple people in your tent, then trying to quietly get in or out at night without disturbing others gets very tricky. Bug mesh behind the doors is pretty standard on tents with a screen porch, so don’t settle for one without it.

inside a tent with screen porch

10 Benefits of Screened Porches on Tents

In case you still need a reason to get a tent that has a screen porch, here are ten benefits you may find interesting and helpful.

Bug Protection

One of the main reasons campers like a tent with screen rooms is to enjoy the outdoors without being bothered by bugs like mosquitoes, flies, and gnats. Whether you are trying to cook and don’t want flies landing on your food or you want to camp by the water’s edge of a lake where mosquitos like to hang out, screen porches are the best way to avoid being annoyed by them. 

Ventilation

Another big reason why screen porches are such a desirable feature in tents is that when it’s hot at night, you can open all the doors and just leave the screen porch closed. Even during the day, it helps to have a screen room that is fully ventilated so you don’t feel like your in a sauna whenever you go inside. This not only improves ventilation but increases airflow so that you don’t feel so hot and sticky in your tent.

Extended Living Space

A screened porch expands the tent’s footprint, providing additional space for relaxing, cooking, and hanging out. Campers have the freedom to lounge, converse, read, or indulge in activities, making hanging around the campsite more comfortable and less restrictive. If the bugs are out in force, then being in a screen room is better than being inside a tent.

View

Sitting inside a screen porch is as close to being outdoors as you can get and still have protection against bugs. Tents that have screen porches give you the space to enjoy all of your surroundings and take in the view without getting eaten alive. If you pitch it with the screen porch facing out in the most picturesque direction, then every time you leave your tent, you’ll be greater by the amazing view.

Safe Storage

The screen room serves as an ideal spot to store gear, muddy shoes, or damp clothing, ensuring the main tent remains tidy. This division of space keeps the primary living area organized and cozy, while the screen porch can be used a bit like a shed. Keeping wet and muddy gear in the screen room allows moisture to evaporate instead of condensing on the inner walls.

Cooking Area

A screen porch is the perfect place to cook inside a tent. It is super well-ventilated, so you don’t have to worry about smoke or carbon monoxide, and you don’t have to worry about flies landing on your food. Plus, if all your gear and cooler are already in there, then you don’t have to keep going back into the tent to look for things.

Sleeping Area

The screen room can be a breezy bedroom alternative on warm nights and increase the total capacity by up to double in some cases. It provides a well-ventilated retreat, allowing campers to sleep under the stars without the confines or warmth of the main tent. You may find yourself preferring to sleep in the screen porch when the temperatures stay high during the night.

Weather Transition Zone

For those rainy camping days, the screen room acts as a buffer zone where campers can shed and store their wet gear. This functionality ensures that the main tent remains a dry and comfortable place. It’s a really nice feature to have when you are trying to get everyone into your tent as fast as possible in heavy rain.

Pet Space

Many of us enjoy camping with our dogs, and having a screen room on the side of your tent can serve as their bedroom a night (if you don’t let them sleep on your bed). The screen room can be a designated area for furry friends, ensuring the tent’s main quarters remain clean and hair-free. This keeps them secure without keeping them in a place that’s too hot or unventilated.

Stargazing

Many screen tents (at least 3 in this guide) have large mesh panels on the roof as well as on the walls, windows, and doors. So on a clear night with no clouds in the sky or risk of rain, you can remove the outer rainfly and enjoy a night under the stars. Camping under the stars sounds magical until you try it and realize that biting insects will soon spoil that idea. That’s why having a screen porch on your tent is so valuable.

problems with screened tent porches

4 Problems We Encountered with Screened Porch Tents

When testing out some of these screen porch tents, we found some big problems that we feel aren’t talked about very much. Two common issues we were surprised by were how many screen porches didn’t have waterproof walls or covering and that the listed capacity of a tent often meant someone would be sleeping on the porch, which on wet nights wouldn’t have worked. Here are the four issues worth thinking about:

Unprotected Walls

More than one of the tents we tested did not have any kind of waterproof cover for the mesh walls of the screen house. This doesn’t make sense to me as it lets in water like a sieve whenever it rains. The rainwater often stays inside the screen porch but inevitably finds its way in when the floor is connected to the main tent.

If you want the security of full rain protection, then choose a tent like the Coleman Vail Family Tent, which has you completely covered. You can always use a tarp over your screen porch in case of emergencies, but I just think this is a major flaw that should have been avoided. Maybe I’m wrong; what do you think?

Mesh Is Vulnerable to Being Damaged

Fine mesh, the kind small enough to stop the tiniest of flies and biting insects, is easily damaged if you aren’t paying attention. The main culprit of damaged bug mesh, for me at least, is getting it caught in the zipper and then having to rip it to get it unstuck. You can get a repair kit for screen porch tents, but it’s impossible to make it as good as new again.

Big rips and holes in the mesh screens are not worth repairing and can render the whole tent useless at keeping the bugs out. Ways in which I have damaged bug mesh on a screen tent in the past include:

  • Tripping over a guyline, falling onto the tent, and ripping the mesh all the way down the seam.
  • Getting it caught on my bike when packing away in windy conditions.
  • Entering the tent with my backpack on and getting it caught on the door.
  • Cooking too close to it – melts like butter.
  • Getting it caught in the zipper.

Maximum Capacities Often Rely on Someone Sleeping on The Screen Porch

For at least two of the tents we tested, we found that the manufacturer’s recommended capacity often meant a couple of people would be sleeping in the screen porch. This is fine in summer when there’s no bad weather forecasted, but when it rains or gets cold, then the people in the porch would likely struggle to stay comfortable.

The best way to determine if a tent is big enough for the number of people in your party is to look at the measurements of the floor space and assume that each person will need a minimum of 20 x 72 inches for their mat and sleeping bag.

Screen Porches Don’t Get Used Much in Cold Weather

As we have mentioned once or twice already, tents with a screen room are almost always designed for the summer months when the weather is warm and fair. This is probably the reason why many of them don’t have full rain protection on the porch. The only tent with a screen room that is rated for cold weather and snow is the Coleman Evanston Screened Camping Tent, ranked number one in our opinion.

Are Tents With Screen Rooms Worth It?

If you do all of your camping in the summer months and want to avoid the bug bites and annoying flies, then a tent with a screen porch is absolutely worth it. If you already have a good tent but want the benefits of a screen room, then have a look at getting a screen tent to set up alongside your sleeping shelter.

Another big reason that would make this kind of tent worth it is if you live somewhere where there are either a lot of biting insects or a lot of flies. If you live in Texas, you will understand how annoying flies are whenever there’s food around, or if you live in Mississippi, you will want to avoid the bird-sized mosquitos that swarm around swampland.

 


We hope you found this guide to the best tent with a screen room useful. There weren’t too many to choose from, but we did our best to remove any that were too similar and only reviewed the tents we thought had an above-average screen room attached.

  1. […] one reason to use a screen house when camping. But what is a screen house, and is it the same as a tent with a screen porch? That’s what we are here to […]

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