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Mar 11, 2025

Living in a Canvas Tent Long Term

 

Thinking about living in a canvas tent long-term? Whether it’s a desire to embrace nature, establish yourself on a new plot of land, or escape the rising costs of traditional housing, tent life offers a unique and rewarding experience.

Just as there are many ways to approach life, there are many ways to live in a canvas tent. Some people prioritize modern conveniences like electricity, while others prefer a minimalist lifestyle. Your motivations for long-term tent living will significantly shape your priorities, essential supplies, and overall experience.

To help answer common questions and provide practical insights, we’ve gathered advice from experienced tent dwellers—woodsmen, adventurous couples, and families adapting to off-grid life. Their firsthand experiences reveal both the rewards and the challenges of tent living, ensuring you can prepare effectively.


How to Live in a Canvas Tent Long-Term: The Basics

Three key factors will determine what you need to make your tent feel like home:

  1. Location – Your environment affects comfort, protection, and maintenance needs.

  2. Infrastructure – A strong setup ensures safety, durability, and usability.

  3. Budget & Essentials – Prioritizing necessities prevents unnecessary expenses.

While this may sound simple, each factor involves careful planning. Below, we dive into each in detail, incorporating real-life lessons from seasoned tent dwellers.


Choosing the Right Location

Canvas tents are versatile, but your chosen environment plays a crucial role in ensuring long-term comfort and durability.

Weather Considerations

A canvas tent must withstand varying weather conditions. In wet climates, a rainfly or additional covering is essential. In cold regions, heating solutions like wood stoves are necessary, while in hot climates, ventilation and shade are critical.

For example, Matt and Lily moved to the English countryside with their daughter and faced unexpected challenges. Poor furniture placement led to water seepage, and strong winds nearly toppled their wood stove before they secured it with screws. According to Lily, adaptability is key: “You definitely need a sense of humor. You can't be vain—you’ll get upset over mud or the lack of running water.”

Wildlife & Pests

Living outdoors means sharing space with nature. When David Schilling spent three years in a 12x14 canvas wall tent in rural Virginia, he quickly discovered that uninvited guests—like mice—would raid his food. His solution? Regular pest control, secure food storage, and setting traps.

 

 
 

Building a Strong Infrastructure

Tent Setup

A long-term tent setup requires a solid foundation. Choose a location with proper drainage, away from falling tree branches, and close to toilet facilities. Many experienced tent dwellers build a wooden platform to create a stable base and prevent moisture buildup.

Jacob and Keesha from Wild Ridge Homestead documented their three-day canvas tent setup, including a sturdy wooden deck. Similarly, Life Intents offers detailed bell tent deck plans, including porches, stairs, and secure footings.

Water & Electricity

Access to clean water and electricity varies based on location and budget. Some opt for off-grid solutions like rainwater collection and solar panels, while others adapt to minimal usage.

David chose a no-electricity lifestyle, relying on battery-powered devices, candles, and a propane stove. Meanwhile, Jojo and Norah from Sweden implemented an advanced solar setup to power their floating tent raft. If you require electricity, a generator or solar-powered battery pack is a practical solution.


Cooking & Kitchen Setup

In a tent, kitchens are compact and multifunctional. Many rely on wood stoves for both cooking and heating, while others use propane burners.

Matt and Lily initially struggled with cooking times, stating: “We sat there for three hours wondering why things wouldn’t boil.” They eventually learned to adapt with slow-cooking recipes using their wood stove.

For those wanting more, outdoor camp kitchens can provide a full cooking setup, including a stove, oven, and sink. Cupcake and Cornbread’s kitchen tour showcases just how sophisticated off-grid kitchens can be.


Toilet & Shower Solutions

Bathroom facilities vary based on location and infrastructure. Options include:

  • Outbuildings – Using existing structures or building a simple outhouse.

  • Portable Camping Toilets – Common in off-grid setups, often paired with a composting system.

  • Natural Solutions – Some tent dwellers prefer earthen toilets or even using the surrounding forest.

Matt and Lily had access to a separate bathroom building, while David and others relied on eco-friendly composting toilets with pinewood chips to minimize odor.


Essential Supplies for Tent Living

Climate Control

  • Heating: Wood stove, propane heater, or thermal insulation.

  • Cooling: Proper ventilation, shade, and airflow solutions.

  • Humidity Management: Dehumidifiers or moisture absorbers.

Food & Water Storage

  • Reliable water source (filtration system or collection setup).

  • Off-grid food storage (coolers, preservation methods like pickling).

  • Animal-proof containers for pest control.

Maintenance & Repairs

  • Waterproofing treatments for the tent fabric.

  • Basic repair supplies (duct tape, extra poles, spare stakes).

  • Pest deterrents and security measures.

Personal Hygiene

  • Bathing setup (solar shower, sponge baths, or shared facilities).

  • Sanitation supplies (toilet solutions, waste disposal plans).

Emergency Planning

  • Backup power source (solar generator, battery bank).

  • First aid kit and emergency supplies.

  • Shelter alternatives for extreme weather conditions.


Final Thoughts

Living in a canvas tent offers a unique blend of simplicity, self-sufficiency, and adventure. The key to a successful experience lies in preparation and adaptability. Whether you choose a minimalist approach or incorporate modern conveniences, planning for climate control, food and water access, maintenance, and safety will ensure a comfortable and rewarding off-grid lifestyle.

 

KASSICO is a professional inflatable tent and glamping tent manufacturer in China with more than 10 years of experience. We have a strong design team, you can send us your design, we can customize your style, and OEM service is offered based on the customer's original sample or specification sheet. All the products must be through our QC strict inspection. Quality control is a process through which a business seeks to ensure that product quality is maintained or improved with either reduced or zero errors. We have cooperated with more than 300+ customers in EUROPE, the USA, AUSTRALIA, JAPAN, KOREA, etc.


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