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

5 Best Camping Tarps Under 20 in 2026: A Practical Camping Guide

Best camping tarps under $20, compared on thickness, grommets, finished size and weave, so a few dollars covers a campsite, firewood or a tent floor.

By Danny WalkerCamping Editor at RV Gear Lab5 products comparedSpec-sheet researched

Under $20 you can cover a camp kitchen, a woodpile or a tent floor, and the real choice is between thin and large or thick and small. Poly tarps are rated in mils, and the difference between 5 and 20 mil changes how long a tarp survives wind and abrasion.

Five tarps make the list, from a 5 mil 8 by 20 sheet to a 20 mil 5 by 7. They are ranked by how much usable coverage and durability each gives near the cap, with the best balance first.

RV Gear Lab field notes

The Campsite Fit Check

Start with the job: Vandham Tarp Waterproof 10x12FT Multi-Purpose Green Poly Tarps Cover 8Mil leads this shortlist for All-round camp cover. 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 10x12 ft, 8 mil HDPE, 8x10 ft, 8 mil polyethylene, About 9.5x11.3 ft rip-stop. Confirm the exact model and included components before ordering.
Trade-off to plan for: Faint odor when new

Before you buy

What Matters Before You Choose a Camping Tarp Under 20

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

01
Thickness in mils
A mil is one thousandth of an inch, and poly tarps typically run from 5 mil for light cover to 20 mil for heavy duty. Thin sheets cost less and fold small, while thick ones resist wind flapping and abrasion much longer. Look for the mil figure in the title, and treat unlabelled weights as the thinnest option.
02
Finished versus labelled size
Tarps are sold by nominal size, but the finished sheet is usually an inch or two smaller per side because of the hems. A tarp labelled 8 by 20 can measure 7 feet 4 inches by 19 feet 6 inches, which is enough to leave a tent corner exposed. Look for a finished size line, and add a foot to your measurement.
03
Grommet spacing
Grommets are the metal eyelets where you tie cord, and tighter spacing gives you more anchor points. Spacing of about 3 feet is standard, and every corner should also have a reinforced hole. Look for rustproof aluminum or brass, and avoid plastic eyelets for any shelter use.
04
Rip-stop or plain poly
A rip-stop weave has thicker threads woven in a grid so a small cut does not spread. Plain poly tarps tear easily once a hole starts, especially at the edge near a grommet. Look for rip-stop or reinforced hem language if you plan to hang the tarp in wind.
05
Cover or shelter use
A tarp used as a roof flaps and strains, while a tarp used over a woodpile mainly needs to shed water. Thin 5 mil sheets suit coverage, and anything over 8 mil handles a shelter better. Decide the job first, then buy the matching thickness.

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 5 best camping tarps under 20, explained

Best Value Under $20 · 1 of 5

Vandham Tarp Waterproof 10x12FT Multi-Purpose Green Poly Tarps Cover 8Mil

10x12 ft, 8 mil HDPE
Rubber corner reinforcements
Grommets roughly every meter

Check price on Amazon

Best for: All-round camp cover

Our take

The best balance of size, thickness and price, so it is the one to buy if you only want one.

Why it made the shortlist

The Vandham is a 10 by 12 foot, 8 mil tarp made from high-density polyethylene.

It is the largest 8 mil sheet in the group, with more cover than the 8 by 10 Cartman and a thicker feel than the 5 mil Kotap.

It suits tent floors, picnic shelters and wood stacks for a camper who wants one general-purpose tarp. Unfold it outside first, since a new poly tarp can carry a faint smell.

What works

Big 120 square foot coverage
Rubber corners resist tearing
Double-layer edges around the grommets
Flexible and light for the size

Watch out for

Faint odor when new
Thinner than a 20 mil tarp

The catch: A new tarp can smell like plastic for a day or two.

Check price on Amazon

Best Budget Tarp · 2 of 5

CARTMAN 8x10Ft Multipurpose Waterproof Poly Tarp Cover 8 Mil

8x10 ft, 8 mil polyethylene
Heat-sealed hems, nylon rope
Grommets every 36 inches

Check price on Amazon

Best for: Tent floors and wood piles

Our take

The cheapest 8 mil tarp that still has real reinforcement, and a fine pick for a spare.

Why it made the shortlist

The Cartman is an 8 by 10 foot, 8 mil poly tarp with heat-sealed hems, nylon rope sewn into the edges and a grommet about every 36 inches. Plastic reinforcements sit at all four corners.

The rope-reinforced hem gives it good tear resistance for the money.

It suits campers who need a low-cost ground cloth or a rain cover for a pile of wood. Buy two if you want one for the floor and one for overhead cover.

What works

Rope-reinforced edges resist fraying
Heat-sealed hems have no needle holes
8 mil body feels sturdy

Watch out for

Smaller than the others
Not meant for long wind exposure

The catch: Eighty square feet runs out quickly if you want shelter for four.

Check price on Amazon

Best Rip-Stop Pick · 3 of 5

Amazon Basics Waterproof Multipurpose Camping Tarp with Reinforced Corners and Edges

About 9.5x11.3 ft rip-stop
Polyethylene laminate on both sides
Reinforced corners and grommets

Check price on Amazon

Best for: Tear-resistant general cover

Our take

A sound choice when you worry about a small hole turning into a split.

Why it made the shortlist

About 9.5 by 11.3 feet, this AmazonBasics sheet is a rip-stop weave with polyethylene coating on each face. Reinforced corners and edges carry grommets for tie-downs, and it is built for tents, vehicles and firewood.

It suits campers who want a tear-resistant tarp for a vehicle cover or an overhead shelter. It is also a good second tarp for a tent floor.

What works

Rip-stop weave limits tear spread
Both-side lamination sheds water
Reinforced corners hold tie-downs
Fits tents, vehicles and wood piles

Watch out for

Thin for heavy wind use

The catch: It is not as thick as the 20 mil Xpose.

Check price on Amazon

Best Long Cover · 4 of 5

Kotap 8 x 20 ft All-Purpose Multi-Use Protection/Coverage 5-mil Poly Tarp

5 mil poly, 7'4" x 19'6" finished
Aluminum grommets every 3 feet
Coated polyethylene weave

Check price on Amazon

Best for: Long, narrow cover jobs

Our take

Pick this one when the job is long and low, and wind is not a concern.

Why it made the shortlist

The Kotap is a 5 mil poly tarp with a finished size of 7 feet 4 inches by 19 feet 6 inches, sold as 8 by 20. It has tightly woven coated polyethylene, rustproof aluminum grommets every 3 feet and at each corner.

It is the longest sheet here, so it can cover a row of firewood, a boat or a long gear line that nothing else reaches.

It suits campers who cover long, narrow loads like a stack of logs or a canoe. Hang it with cord through each grommet to keep it taut.

What works

Long reach for woodpiles and boats
Rustproof aluminum grommets
Light and easy to fold

Watch out for

Thin 5 mil material
Finished size is smaller than the label

The catch: The sheet is thin, so use it for covering and not for tent shelter in storms.

Check price on Amazon

Best Heavy Duty · 5 of 5

Xpose Safety 5' x 7' Ultra Heavy Duty Tarp

20 mil, 370 GSM weave
Brass grommets, reinforced corners
UV protected, waterproof

Check price on Amazon

Best for: Durability over size

Our take

Choose it for the tough small jobs and the long service life.

Why it made the shortlist

The Xpose is a 5 by 7 foot, 20 mil tarp with a 370 GSM 16 by 16 weave, reinforced corners and brass grommets. It is UV protected and described as fully waterproof for all seasons.

It is the thickest sheet by a wide margin and covers 35 square feet, so it protects a seat, a gear bag or an engine instead of a campsite. Next to the 8 mil tarps, it lasts longer in abrasion and sun.

It suits campers who want a long-lived ground cloth under a small tent or a tough cover for a cooler. Use it where durability beats area.

What works

Thickest sheet in the group
Heavy weave resists rips and abrasion
Brass grommets last
Good under tents and gear

Watch out for

Only 35 square feet of coverage
Heavier to carry than thin tarps

The catch: The 5x7 size is too small to shelter a camp table.

Check price on Amazon

Methodology

How We Built This Shortlist

Each pick was assessed across 4 criteria weighted for real-world use.

Thickness in mils

Compared mil ratings and weave notes, since thickness is the clearest signal of how long a poly tarp lasts in sun and wind.

Finished size

Compared stated sizes against finished dimensions, because label sizes run larger than the real tarp.

Grommets and corners

Looked at grommet spacing, metal type and corner reinforcement, which decide how well a tarp can be tied down.

Coverage per dollar

Weighed square feet of cover against price to find the best use of a $20 budget.

Decision guide

Match a Camping Tarp Under 20 to Your Camp Setup

By job

Your situation	Recommended pick	Why
Tent floor protection	Cartman 8x10 Green	Low price and 8 mil body.
Overhead cover for a table	Vandham 10x12 Green	120 square feet of 8 mil sheet.
Long woodpile or canoe	Kotap 8x20 Blue	Nearly 20 feet of reach.
Heavy abrasion under a small tent	Xpose 5x7 20 Mil	20 mil, 370 GSM weave.
Tear resistance matters most	AmazonBasics 9.5x11.3	Rip-stop with reinforced corners.

By Budget

Budget	Recommended pick
$10 to $20	Cartman 8x10 Green or Kotap 8x20 Blue
$10 to $20	Vandham 10x12 Green or AmazonBasics 9.5x11.3
$10 to $20	Xpose 5x7 20 Mil

Thick and small vs thin and large

Thick and small

A thick tarp like the Xpose 5x7 20 Mil lasts through sun and abrasion but covers little area. It is best for protecting one item.

Thin and large

A thin tarp like the Kotap 8x20 Blue gives long reach for the price and folds small. It suits covering loads in fair weather.

Most campers should buy the Vandham 10x12 Green as a middle path, then add the Xpose 5x7 20 Mil only for tough jobs.

By budget

Pick	Recommended pick
Around $13	Cartman 8x10 Green
Around $14	Kotap 8x20 Blue
Around $17	Vandham 10x12 Green
Around $19	AmazonBasics 9.5x11.3
Up to $20	Xpose 5x7 20 Mil

For under-tent use specifically

Look for

Look for a finished size a few inches smaller than your tent floor so water cannot pool.

In this comparison

The Cartman 8x10 Green and AmazonBasics 9.5x11.3 are large enough for most two to four person tents, and the Xpose 5x7 20 Mil suits a one-person tent.

When to Spend More

Spend more if

Spend more if you want one tarp that survives repeated use, which means the Xpose 5x7 20 Mil for small jobs or the Vandham 10x12 Green for general cover. A $30 tarp with poles, such as a camp awning kit, is a bigger upgrade.

Save if

Save if you only need a one-off cover, because the Cartman 8x10 Green and Kotap 8x20 Blue cost the least.

FAQ

Before You Bring One Home

How big a tarp do I need under a tent?

Choose a tarp about 2 to 4 inches smaller than the tent floor on every side so rain does not run under it and pool. The Cartman 8x10 Green and AmazonBasics 9.5x11.3 cover most four-person floors, and you can fold the edges under for a snug fit.

Is a thicker tarp always better?

Not always. A 20 mil tarp is tougher but heavy and stiff, so it is a poor choice if you pack by hand. The Xpose 5x7 20 Mil suits a car camper, while thinner options like the Kotap 8x20 Blue are easier to carry.

Can I use a poly tarp as a rain shelter?

Yes, if you pitch it at an angle so water runs off and use every grommet you can. Hang the ridge line tight and keep the pitch steep, because a flat tarp pools water and sags. The Vandham 10x12 Green has enough area for a small kitchen shelter.

Why does my new tarp smell?

Polyethylene sheets are packed soon after production and travel long distances, so they can have a plastic smell on arrival. Unfold the tarp outside for a day and the odor fades. The Vandham 10x12 Green mentions this in its own notes.

How do I fold a tarp so it lasts?

Fold it in a long strip, then roll it, rather than creasing it into a block. Creases weaken poly over time and crack at the fold lines. Store the tarp dry and keep it out of direct sun when you are not using it.

Bottom line

The short version

Browse more camping tarps under 20 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.

5 Best Camping Tarps Under 20 in 2026: A Practical Camping Guide

Our top picks

The Campsite Fit Check

What Matters Before You Choose a Camping Tarp Under 20

Thickness in mils

Finished versus labelled size

Grommet spacing

Rip-stop or plain poly

Cover or shelter use

Why You Can Trust RV Gear Lab

The 5 best camping tarps under 20, explained

Vandham Tarp Waterproof 10x12FT Multi-Purpose Green Poly Tarps Cover 8Mil

CARTMAN 8x10Ft Multipurpose Waterproof Poly Tarp Cover 8 Mil

Amazon Basics Waterproof Multipurpose Camping Tarp with Reinforced Corners and Edges

Kotap 8 x 20 ft All-Purpose Multi-Use Protection/Coverage 5-mil Poly Tarp

Xpose Safety 5' x 7' Ultra Heavy Duty Tarp

How We Built This Shortlist

Thickness in mils

Finished size

Grommets and corners

Coverage per dollar

Match a Camping Tarp Under 20 to Your Camp Setup

By job

By Budget

Thick and small vs thin and large

By budget

For under-tent use specifically

When to Spend More

Before You Bring One Home

How big a tarp do I need under a tent?

Is a thicker tarp always better?

Can I use a poly tarp as a rain shelter?

Why does my new tarp smell?

How do I fold a tarp so it lasts?

The short version

Danny Walker

Related guides