Buying guide · 10 min read · Updated October 2, 2026

6 Best Camping Tarps in 2026: A Practical Camping Guide

Best camping tarps compared on size, mil thickness, waterproofing and grommets for ground cover, rain cover and campsite chores.

By Danny WalkerCamping Editor at RV Gear Lab6 products comparedSpec-sheet researched

A camping tarp is a cheap, flexible piece of gear that earns its place under tents, over firewood and above picnic tables. The differences come down to thickness, size and how well the corners are reinforced.

Six tarps made the list, with a ripstop polyester pitch tarp, plain polyethylene covers and a multi-size heavy-duty option. They were ranked by waterproofing claims, grommet spacing and the jobs each one is built for.

RV Gear Lab field notes

The Campsite Fit Check

Start with the job: FREE SOLDIER Waterproof Camping Tarp Shelter Awning leads this shortlist for Pitched shelters and hammocks. Use that fit as a reference point, then compare the alternatives against your own space and workload.
Specs that separate the picks: The first details to compare are 118 x 126 in ripstop polyester, 10 x 12 ft, 8 mil poly, 9.5 x 11.3 ft rip-stop. Confirm the exact model and included components before ordering.
Trade-off to plan for: Priciest tarp in this group

Before you buy

What Matters Before You Choose a Camping Tarp

Key buying criteria so you get the right fit the first time.

01
Poly vs ripstop
Polyethylene tarps are cheap, waterproof and heavy. Ripstop polyester or nylon tarps weigh less and pack small. Choose poly for covers and ripstop for shelters.
02
Mil thickness
A mil is one thousandth of an inch. 8 mil is thicker than basic 5 mil. Check the mil number.
03
Grommet spacing
Grommets are metal rings for ropes. Closer spacing, like 18 inches, gives more anchor points. Check spacing on the listing.
04
Corner reinforcement
Corners take the most strain. Plastic or HDPE patches and double stitching prevent tearing. Look for reinforced corners.
05
Water rating
PU ratings show water pressure resistance. A 2500 PU rating suits showers. Polyethylene tarps are waterproof by the material.
06
Size and weight
A 10x12 ft poly tarp weighs a few pounds. A ripstop tarp of the same size weighs much less. Match the weight to how far you carry.

Our standards

Why You Can Trust RV Gear Lab

At RV Gear Lab, we compare products based on campsite fit, verified specifications, usability, setup requirements, weight, durability, and real-world trade-offs. We do not rank products purely on marketing claims or commission rates.

We have not personally tested every product listed. Where hands-on testing is not available, recommendations are based on verified manufacturer specifications, product documentation, use-case fit, and comparative research.

How we review camping gear →

Detailed reviews

The 6 best camping tarps, explained

Best Overall · 1 of 6

FREE SOLDIER Waterproof Camping Tarp Shelter Awning

118 x 126 in ripstop polyester
2500 PU waterproof
19 guy points, 4 guy lines

Check price on Amazon

Best for: Pitched shelters and hammocks

Our take

A true pitch tarp with a ridgeline seam and plenty of tie-outs.

Why it made the shortlist

The FREE SOLDIER camo tarp measures 118 by 126 inches in 210T ripstop polyester with a 2500 PU waterproof rating. A reinforced ridgeline seam, 19 guy points, four nylon guy lines with tensioners and a stuff sack are included.

It suits campers who want one tarp that can be a roof, a hammock fly or a ground cloth. The camo pattern blends into woods.

What works

Reinforced ridgeline seam
19 guy points for pitch options
Guy lines with tensioners
Packs into a stuff sack

Watch out for

Priciest tarp in this group
Rated for two people

The catch: The size is sized for two persons, not a group.

Check price on Amazon

Best Heavy-Duty Cover · 2 of 6

CARTMAN 10x12Ft Multipurpose Waterproof Poly Tarp Cover 8 Mil

10 x 12 ft, 8 mil poly
Heat-sealed hems, nylon rope
Grommets every 36 in

Check price on Amazon

Best for: Gear and firewood cover

Our take

A sturdy, inexpensive cover for wood, gear and truck beds.

Why it made the shortlist

The CARTMAN 10 ft by 12 ft tarp is 8 mil polyethylene with heat-sealed, folded hems and nylon rope inside for reinforcement. It has metal grommets every 36 inches and plastic corner reinforcements.

It suits campers who need a heavy cover for firewood, gear or a truck bed. Heat-sealed hems leave no needle holes.

What works

No needle holes in the hems
Metal grommets every 36 inches
Plastic corner reinforcements

Watch out for

Heavier than ripstop tarps
Too stiff for pitching tight

The catch: Poly tarps are bulkier and heavier than ripstop shelters.

Check price on Amazon

Best Groundsheet Size · 3 of 6

Amazon Basics Waterproof Multipurpose Camping Tarp with Reinforced Corners and Edges

9.5 x 11.3 ft rip-stop
Polyethylene laminated
Reinforced corners, grommets

Check price on Amazon

Best for: Under-tent ground cover

Our take

A low-price tarp with rip-stop reinforcement for ground cover.

Why it made the shortlist

The Amazon Basics 9.5 by 11.3 ft tarp uses rip-stop fabric with polyethylene lamination on both sides. Reinforced corners and edges, grommets for tie-down points and a lightweight design for under tents or over firewood are listed.

Against the CARTMAN it uses ripstop to stop tears from spreading.

It suits campers who want a big, low-cost tarp for under a tent. The rip-stop weave limits tears.

What works

Rip-stop stops tears spreading
Laminated on both sides
Reinforced corners and edges
Works under tents or over wood

Watch out for

No thickness in mil listed
Not designed as a pitched shelter

The catch: Unlike FREE SOLDIER, it has no ridgeline or guy lines.

Check price on Amazon

Best Compact Cover · 4 of 6

Amazon Basics Waterproof Multipurpose Camping Tarp

7.5 x 9.5 ft rip-stop
Polyethylene lamination
Reinforced edges, grommets

Check price on Amazon

Best for: Tent footprint, small gear

Our take

A compact rip-stop tarp for footprints and small covers.

Why it made the shortlist

The Amazon Basics 7.5 by 9.5 ft tarp has rip-stop polyethylene lamination, reinforced edges and grommets. It is tear resistant and sized for a two-person tent footprint or a small gear pile.

It suits solo campers and car campers who want a compact ground cloth. The reinforced edges and grommets give tie-down points.

What works

Rip-stop construction
Compact size packs easily
Reinforced edges

Watch out for

Small for group shelters
No mil thickness is listed

The catch: At 7.5 x 9.5 ft, it covers little beyond a small tent.

Check price on Amazon

Best Small Poly Tarp · 5 of 6

CARTMAN 8x10Ft Multipurpose Waterproof Poly Tarp Cover 8 Mil

8 x 10 ft, 8 mil poly
Heat-sealed, rope-reinforced
Grommets every 36 in

Check price on Amazon

Best for: Small gear covers

Our take

A thick, inexpensive cover for firewood and small gear.

Why it made the shortlist

The CARTMAN 8 ft by 10 ft tarp is 8 mil polyethylene with heat-sealed hems, nylon rope reinforcement, grommets every 36 inches and plastic corners.

It costs less than the 10x12 CARTMAN and gives the same hem build. Against the Amazon Basics 7.5x9.5, it uses a thicker 8 mil sheet.

It suits campers who want a tough, small cover for the cheapest per-mil price. It protects firewood and gear.

What works

8 mil is thicker than basic tarps
Heat-sealed hems
Rope-reinforced edges

Watch out for

Stiff and bulky to pack
Not for pitched shelters

The catch: It is recommended for temporary protection, not long storage.

Check price on Amazon

Best Multi-Size Tarp · 6 of 6

TICONN Heavy Duty Tarp Cover Waterproof

8x10 to 20x30 ft sizes
5.5, 10 and 16 mil options
Grommets every 18 in

Check price on Amazon

Best for: Custom size and thickness

Our take

The lowest-priced tarp with the broadest size and thickness range.

Why it made the shortlist

It comes in sizes from 8 by 10 ft to 20 by 30 ft and in 5.5, 10 and 16 mil thicknesses.

It is the least expensive tarp here and has the widest size range. Against the CARTMAN tarps, it has closer grommets.

It suits campers who want to match thickness and size to the job. Rust-resistant grommets suit wet climates.

What works

Many sizes and thicknesses
Grommets every 18 inches
Rust-resistant aluminum grommets
Silver UV-reflective side

Watch out for

Listing mixes sizes and mils
Thicker versions are heavy

The catch: Check the exact size and mil on the variant you pick.

Check price on Amazon

Methodology

How We Built This Shortlist

Each pick was assessed across 5 criteria weighted for real-world use.

Pitched vs cover use

Tarps built for pitching with a ridgeline were separated from poly covers.

Thickness and fabric

Mil ratings for polyethylene and denier for polyester were compared.

Waterproofing

PU ratings and lamination were noted.

Grommets and corners

Spacing and reinforcement decided tie-down strength.

Size range

Sizes from 7.5 x 9.5 to 20 x 30 ft were compared.

Decision guide

Match a Camping Tarp to Your Camp Setup

By Job

Your situation	Recommended pick	Why
Pitched roof or hammock fly	FREE SOLDIER Camo 10x10.5 Tarp	Ridgeline seam and 19 guy points.
Firewood or truck bed cover	CARTMAN 10x12 8 Mil Poly Tarp	8 mil with heat-sealed hems.
Under a tent	Amazon Basics 9.5x11.3 Camping Tarp	Rip-stop ground cover.
Solo tent footprint	Amazon Basics 7.5x9.5 Camping Tarp	Compact and tear resistant.
Custom size or thickness	TICONN Heavy Duty Tarp	Many sizes and mils.

By Budget

Budget	Recommended pick
$0 to $20	TICONN Heavy Duty Tarp or CARTMAN 8x10 8 Mil Poly Tarp
$10 to $20	Amazon Basics 7.5x9.5 Camping Tarp or Amazon Basics 9.5x11.3 Camping Tarp
$10 to $40	CARTMAN 10x12 8 Mil Poly Tarp or FREE SOLDIER Camo 10x10.5 Tarp

Poly Cover vs Ripstop Shelter

Poly cover

CARTMAN 10x12 8 Mil Poly Tarp, CARTMAN 8x10 8 Mil Poly Tarp and TICONN Heavy Duty Tarp are thick, cheap and stiff covers.

Ripstop

FREE SOLDIER Camo 10x10.5 Tarp and the Amazon Basics tarps use ripstop fabric that packs smaller.

Choose FREE SOLDIER Camo 10x10.5 Tarp to pitch, and a CARTMAN to cover.

By Budget

Budget	Recommended pick
Lowest price	TICONN Heavy Duty Tarp
Under 12 dollars	CARTMAN 8x10 8 Mil Poly Tarp
Under 16 dollars, ripstop	Amazon Basics 9.5x11.3 Camping Tarp
Camping-specific, higher price	FREE SOLDIER Camo 10x10.5 Tarp

For Under-Tent Groundsheets Specifically

Look for

a footprint slightly smaller than the tent floor and a waterproof sheet

In this comparison

Amazon Basics 9.5x11.3 Camping Tarp covers larger tents, while Amazon Basics 7.5x9.5 Camping Tarp fits solo tents.

When to Spend More

Spend more if

Spend more if you plan to pitch the tarp as a shelter, because FREE SOLDIER Camo 10x10.5 Tarp has the ridgeline and tie-outs. TICONN Heavy Duty Tarp is worth it for specific sizes.

Save if

Save with CARTMAN 8x10 8 Mil Poly Tarp or Amazon Basics 7.5x9.5 Camping Tarp if you only need a cover or footprint. Both cost under 15 dollars.

FAQ

Before You Bring One Home

Is a poly tarp good for camping?

Yes for covers and ground cloths. It is heavy and stiff for pitching. Use ripstop for shelters.

What is the common tarp mistake?

Using a tarp as a footprint that sticks out past the tent. Rain pools under the tent. Fold the edges under.

Is FREE SOLDIER worth it over Amazon Basics?

It costs about twice as much and has a ridgeline seam and 19 guy points. Amazon Basics 9.5x11.3 Camping Tarp is simpler. Pay for FREE SOLDIER if you pitch it.

How do I rig a tarp as a roof?

Tie a ridgeline between two trees, drape the tarp and stake the corners. Angle one side for runoff. Use the guy lines.

How do I store a poly tarp?

Dry it and fold loosely. Store it away from sun. Creases weaken the material over time.

Bottom line

The short version

Browse more camping tarps on Amazon →

About the author

Danny Walker

Camping Editor at RV Gear Lab

Danny covers camping gear, campsite setup, outdoor power, sleep systems and practical camping advice, with a focus on helping campers make better gear decisions.

6 Best Camping Tarps in 2026: A Practical Camping Guide

Our top picks

The Campsite Fit Check

What Matters Before You Choose a Camping Tarp

Poly vs ripstop

Mil thickness

Grommet spacing

Corner reinforcement

Water rating

Size and weight

Why You Can Trust RV Gear Lab

The 6 best camping tarps, explained

FREE SOLDIER Waterproof Camping Tarp Shelter Awning

CARTMAN 10x12Ft Multipurpose Waterproof Poly Tarp Cover 8 Mil

Amazon Basics Waterproof Multipurpose Camping Tarp with Reinforced Corners and Edges

Amazon Basics Waterproof Multipurpose Camping Tarp

CARTMAN 8x10Ft Multipurpose Waterproof Poly Tarp Cover 8 Mil

TICONN Heavy Duty Tarp Cover Waterproof

How We Built This Shortlist

Pitched vs cover use

Thickness and fabric

Waterproofing

Grommets and corners

Size range

Match a Camping Tarp to Your Camp Setup

By Job

By Budget

Poly Cover vs Ripstop Shelter

By Budget

For Under-Tent Groundsheets Specifically

When to Spend More

Before You Bring One Home

Is a poly tarp good for camping?

What is the common tarp mistake?

Is FREE SOLDIER worth it over Amazon Basics?

How do I rig a tarp as a roof?

How do I store a poly tarp?

The short version

Danny Walker

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