When it comes to canoe tents there are a few things that I look for.  A tent should be easily
set up, have enough floor space for storing gear & sleeping, to walk in and out of freely,
and be able to warm the tent with a fire.  This last point is what really makes the difference
in surviving a cold night and feeling as if you belong in the outdoors.  The tent style that
works best for me is the pyramid tent, and it looks just like it sounds.  It has four sides that
meet at the top or apex.  The corners are pulled out and staked to the ground.  At this point
you can put a single poll in the center or attach two polls to the outside and lift up, which
creates a suspension system.  If you are lucky you can also attach the apex to a tree
branch if it is strait overhead and eliminate the poles altogether.  The doorway is cut down
the middle and across the bottom forming two wings.  The door flaps should overlap at least
12 inches.  I prefer to have the doors extra long at the bottom so I can stretch them out and
stake them to the ground creating a wind brake.  You can also add a small awning above
the door.  You have the option to purchase a tent with or without a floor.  Tents without
floors usually come with a 12” sod cloth on the inside. I prefer to have a sod cloth and have
a removable floor.  It gives me the ability to;  pull the floor out to shake it clean, build a soft
sleeping spot out of leafs or boughs and throw the ground cloth on top, or use it as a tarp
for another purpose. The best material for this type of tent is a lightweight canvas that been
treated with fire retardant. The beauty of canvas is that it breathes while keeping out the
weather.  In addition, it will help hold in the heat from the fire and keep you warm all night.
The size of the tent will vary according to ones needs and the size of the group.  I use a 8’ x
8’ and is a great size for two people and gear, where a 10’ x 10’ is a good size for 3 - 4
people.  If the group is larger, then it is best to bring extra tents.  Most modern tents lack
most or all of these qualities; they close you off from the outdoors, nylon does not hold in
heat, and it traps moisture inside which makes for a very cold and damp sleeping
environment.  Most of these issues are tolerable in the summer time, but down right
miserable when the temperature begins to drop.  Not to mention that if you get to close to
the fire you will end up with a melted tent.  In addition, there are very few that I have found
that I would call “easy set-up”, and if you break or lose a pole, needless to say, you are out
of luck!

The pyramid shape of the tent makes it resilient to all kinds of weather conditions.  Water
will run easily off the steep sides.  It has little effect by the wind because the largest part of
the tent is close to the ground.  In addition, it is a natural for winter camping for the snow
can not build on top and collapse your tent.  The tent can be heated in two ways, a fire built
in front between the two door wings or a small pack stove on the inside.  A stove jack needs
to be added to one wall so you can run a stovepipe through.  The only drawback to the tent
is that the door slopes back and must be tied closed during times of rain, which is where the
awning is a nice feature.  Considering all of the advantages, this is a small inconvenience.
Northwest Woodsman
Explore the Unreachable
Canoe Camping Tent
Another shelter set up that I like is the humble tarp.  It is extremely versatile and can be rigged in a number of ways.  I mostly use
it for short solo trips, but you can fit two comfortably if you need to.  The size that works best for my set up is an 8 x 12.  When
pitched it will look like a pyramid tent with the peek pulled forward.