The right accessories for camping tents can turn a simple shelter into a cozy, well-equipped retreat and enhance your camping experience. Whether it’s the essentials like ground tarps, gear organizers, and sturdy stakes or luxury upgrades like tent heaters, LED lights, and plush sleeping pads, having the right gear makes all the difference.

In this guide, we down lots of camping tent accessories and gear to consider in helping you stay warm, organized, and comfortable in the great outdoors.

The Ultimate Guide to Camping Tent Accessories

Essential Accessories for a Camping Tent

When outfitting your space, there are simply some must-have camping tent accessories. We’re not saying you can’t do without them, but they will improve your camping experience. They may even make or break your camping experience altogether. Here are some non-negotiable camping tent accessories to consider.

Groundsheet or tarp footprint. This protective layer will shield your tent floor from sharp objects and keep moisture and rain from seeping under. This extra layer also provides insulation, creating warmth inside the tent for a cozier experience. A groundsheet or footprint also reduces cleaning time when it’s pack-up time!

Tent stakes, pegs, and a mallet. Choose the proper stakes for securing your tent. Skip the standard plastic stakes provided by traditional-style tents. Instead, swap them out with heavy-duty aluminum or steel stakes, which are better for hard, rocky ground. Don’t forget a sturdy rubber mallet!

Guy lines, tensioners, and sidewall poles. Reinforce your tent’s stability with extra sidewall poles, designed to help shed rain off the roof and secure your tent in extremely high winds. It doesn’t hurt to bring extra guy lines, just in case.

Tent fly cover. Shield your tent from rain, condensation, and UV rays with a tent fly cover. As a rain fly, it can shed rain; in the snow, it can act as an extra insulative air pocket. Not to mention, it lengthens the life of a tent.

Blackout curtains. Get a great night of sleep in your tent by blocking out sunlight. Not all camping tents offer true blackout liners, but some, like rooftop tents, do. You can also choose tents with built-in curtains that hook in place (like our Stella Stargazing bell tent!).

Broom and rake.These essential camping accessories can remove debris beneath your tent while also whisking away dirt and debris inside your tent, keeping a clean interior for bare feet. Make the most of limited space with a telescopic handled rake or small broom.

Tent flooring and rugs. A soft flooring inside your tent adds a warm, cozy touch. Just imagine walking around your tent in bare feet as nature intended. Flooring and rugs also protect your floors from hard, pokey objects like furniture feet and sharp dog claws. 

Fire-resistant stove mat. If you have a canvas bell tent or wall tent, there’s a good chance you might have a stove. A fire-resistant mat is always a good camping tent accessory for optimal stove safety and to protect your tent floor from heat.

Furniture and Sleeping Accessories For Extra Comfort

A great night’s sleep makes all the difference outdoors! Upgrade your camping setup with cozy sleeping bags, self-inflating pads, and plush pillows. Then elevate your comfort even further with cots, hammocks, or inflatable sofas. Don’t forget a sturdy camp table for meals and game nights—because camping should be as comfy as it is adventurous!

Sleeping bags and camp pads. Inflatable or self-inflating sleeping pads expand with little extra effort, adding comfort and insulation from the cold ground. Quick to inflate, it helps you set up sleeping arrangements so you can enjoy spending more time outdoors. Outfitters and tent campers love an all-in-one bedroom sleep system, like The Badger Bed Bundle by Born Outdoor, designed with an insulated sleeping pad with a quilt and sheet set wrapped by a waterproof outer shell.

Inflatable camp pillows. No need to bring bulky pillows from home. Both inflatable and compression pillows pack tight, leaving extra space for other camp gear. And there are plenty of camp pillow options available! If you don’t love the inflatable, bouncy feel of inflatable camp pillows, try something like the Therm-a-Rest compressible pillow cinch– available in many fun campy colors and patterns! Or, if you prefer a more luxe memory foam pillow, check out the HEST camp pillow for supreme comfort.

Cots and beds. Elevate yourself from the cold ground with a raised cot or bed. Then slide storage containers or camp gear beneath, keeping your tent interior organized and saving space for other camping tent accessories like furniture. Look for camp cots with extra touches such as storage bags or a removable side table where you can keep personal devices, books, and a canteen. Have kids? If your camping tent is tall and offers enough headspace, bunk beds are an especially smart way of maximizing sleeping arrangements.

Hammock.Inside and out, hammocks offer a relaxing alternative for sleeping, reading, and more. Sling a hammock inside a bell tent or wall tent to act as extra storage space or replace a cot, doubling as a bed.

Portable camp sofas and chairs. Portable furniture is ideal for camping, but we recommend the Snow Peak Campfield Futon for a durable folding camp sofa. It’s not cheap, but with multiple configurations, you’ll find it a versatile piece of camp furniture. And if you’re looking for a bit more comfort and luxury – like a full sofa – inflatable furniture might be the answer. Check out this inflatable corner sofa by Intex. It is designed with a soft velvet texture and offers a spacious seat for a gathering space inside larger canvas tents. You can even pull out the cushion to create a queen-sized bed.

Portable camp tables. Host meals, game nights and more at a spacious camp table. Whether you use it to prep food near the campfire outside or slide it into the tent to avoid a rainy meal, a foldable picnic camping table is a must-have. Look for a sturdy aluminum table with an extra storage area beneath, like this Portal Roll-Up Table Top.

Camping Tent Lighting, Power Solutions & Entertainment

The right lighting, power, and entertainment can transform your camping experience. From solar lanterns and rechargeable stake lights to rugged Bluetooth speakers and portable projectors, there are plenty of ways to enhance your setup. Stay powered, stay entertained, and make your campsite feel like home—even in the great outdoors!

Solar lanterns and string lights. Biolite is a great camp gear brand known for solar-powered products, many of which are inflatable Luci lanterns and handy rechargeable string lights that wind up compact inside their charger.

Stake lights. Many campers attach glow sticks to tent stakes for extra visibility at night, ensuring you don’t trip. That’s fine and dandy, but if you’re looking for something reliable to create a lighted footpath where you wish or mark the tent entrance, check out Biolite rechargeable stake lights.

Bluetooth speakers. Don’t forget a Bluetooth speaker to stream your favorite tunes. But not just any Bluetooth speaker; it’s got to be rugged and weatherproof! If you’re an audiophile who is picky about sound quality, we recommend the Soundcore Boom outdoor speaker by Anker. However, if you need to make space, choose a more versatile option similar to these LED lantern-style speakers, designed to be hung or mounted in several ways to illuminate your campsite.

Portable projector and screen. Create an intimate movie theater experience by bringing along a portable mini projector. If you have a flat, large, light-colored surface like a canvas tent, tilt the projector and aim the movie there. If not, grab a roll-up screen.

Camping Tent Accessories for Organization & Storage

A tidy tent makes for a stress-free camping experience! Use clear storage bins for easy gear access, hanging organizers for essentials, and a shoe tray to keep dirt outside. Set up a portable closet or clothes rack for extra organization—turning your tent into a well-ordered, cozy retreat.

Clear storage bins. Clear storage containers and bins keep camping gear organized and within a quick view, making it easy to grab what you need. This simple trick will save lots of time, especially if you frequently find yourself searching for that one small piece of gear that always seems to go missing.

Hanging shoe organizer. They’re not just for shoes! Keep small camping essentials – think flashlights, sunscreen and paper towel – tucked inside the pockets, off the ground and within reach. Hang it inside your tent or even inside your car.

Shoe organizer or tray. Of course, you can always use a shoe organizer as intended! To keep muddy boots outside but off the ground. A firewood carrier could also double as a place to keep shoes; lay it flat inside the tent entrance, ideally next to your stove, to dry them out and keep shoes toasty warm when you head out again.

Storage closet.Consider a full closet-style storage organizer if you like to keep things tidy. Set it inside your tent to organize personal items and clothes, or keep it outside the tent entrance under the vestibule to create a mudroom-like space.

Clothes rack. Dry damp towels or hang garments with a clothes rack. Or take a suggestion from RVers and van lifers who use these clever ladder attachment drying racks. If you have a canvas bell tent, attach the rack to the structural center or wall poles instead.

Weather-Related Camping Tent Accessories

Adapt your tent for any season with the right camping tent accessories! A rainfly or sunshade offers protection from rain and harsh sun, while a vestibule awning creates a dry entryway. Stay warm with a portable tent heater in winter, or beat the heat with a rechargeable fan for airflow in summer.

Rainfly or sunshade.While we feel this camping tent accessory is essential, it’s worth another mention because it does help combat many weather-related situations. A rainfly and sunshade not only protects your tent, but keeps you dry and protected as well.

Vestibule awning.Aside from a rainfly or sunshade to cover your tent, consider an awning shelter at the tent entrance. This acts as a dry, shady spot to do all sorts of things, from removing boots to keeping firewood dry.

Portable tent heater. A nice alternative to a wood stove is a portable tent heater. Read our guide and list of the best portable camping tent heaters.

Portable fans. A fan helps circulate air inside the tent, which is perfect during hot weather conditions and humid climates. We are partial to this tripod portable fan, which features a rechargeable battery, timer settings, and an oscillating fan head with a glowing night light.

Final Thoughts...

No matter your camping style—whether you're an overlander, outfitter, or glamper—the right tent accessories can transform your experience. Besides, a well-equipped tent isn’t just about shelter; it’s about comfort, convenience, and making the most of your time outdoors.

Every detail matters, from essentials like sturdy stakes to comfort-enhancing additions like relaxing plush furniture will help you stay comfortable year-round.

Have a favorite camping tent accessory you never leave home without? Tell us all about it!