How to Build a Ground-Level Tent Platform: Tips & Step-by-Step Guide
A well-built tent platform can take your camping experience to the next level. It not only provides a solid, level foundation—which helps keep your tent nice and taut, but also offers several practical and aesthetic benefits.
For starters, a platform keeps your tent off the ground, protecting it from moisture, mud, and debris, which can significantly extend the life of your tent and minimize maintenance. It also improves airflow beneath the tent, reducing condensation and mildew risks.
A raised deck can also serve as a communal gathering spot, perfect for lounging, dining, or enjoying nature in style. If you're serious about creating a durable, weather-resistant space that feels both professional and inviting, building a tent platform is a must.
Beyond function, a platform for your canvas tent (and perhaps tent stove) adds a touch of luxury and comfort to your setup, elevating your glamping experience with a clean, polished look. Whether you’re hosting guests at a glamping site or simply upgrading your own camping setup, a sturdy, well-designed platform instantly makes your tent feel more like a cozy outdoor retreat.
Below we put together a step-by-step guide to building a tent platform, courtesy of our friend @jonathan_kuhn. We've also shared some general tips as well as inspiration from other fellow Citizens to spark your creativity.
Materials Needed
- Pressure-treated lumber for the frame (2x6 or 2x8 boards are ideal)
- Pressure-treated deck boards (5/4)
- Deck screws (3" or longer)
- Joist hangers and screws
- Measuring tape
- Level (laser levels make the job easier)
- Drill/driver
- Circular saw
- PPE (gloves, safety glasses)
- ½ inch gravel
- Deck blocks or pavers
Step-by-Step Guide to Building a Tent Platform
1. Choose a Suitable Location: Find a level area at your campsite. Building on a flat surface will make construction much easier and ensure your platform is stable.
2. Lay Out the Footprint: Use your lumber to lay out the perimeter of the deck for a visual reference. For easier construction and future disassembly, build 4 smaller sections instead of one large platform. You can screw these sections together at the end.
3. Create the Base Frame: Build a box frame using 2x6 or 2x8 pressure-treated boards. Connect the boards at the corners using brackets or by overlapping them.
5. Prepare the Foundation: Pour gravel where the footings will go, then pack it down with the deck blocks or pavers. A good rule of thumb for spacing footings is to take the width of your frame material (in inches) and use that as the max distance in feet between footings. For example, a 2x8 frame should have footings no more than 8 feet apart.
6. Install Joists: Place the frame on the footings and check for square again. Install the joists with no more than 16 inches between their centers. Joist hangers make this process easier and allow you to repurpose the lumber later.
Guyline Placement Options
When setting up your tent, you have a few options for securing your guylines:
1. Extend guylines into the ground around the platform: the most traditional and straightforward method, per below.
2. Tie guylines to deck posts: Position posts 1-2 feet from the tent.
3. Use our Short Guy Poles: These poles eliminate tripping hazards and are a neat, space-saving solution.
Other Building Considerations
- Consider Drainage: Adding a layer of gravel or using deck blocks will help with drainage and keep the area beneath the platform dry.
- Anchor the Tent Securely: If your platform is in a windy area, ensure your tent is securely anchored to the platform or the deck posts for added stability and peace of mind.
- Footing Level: Adjusting the footing level can be tricky. Use shims or additional pavers to achieve a level deck.
- Seal the Cuts: Apply a wood sealer to any cuts to extend the life of your platform.
Other Functional Considerations
- Make the Platform Multi-Purpose: Consider designing the platform to accommodate seating or dining areas around the tent. This can help you create a versatile outdoor living space, making the platform an integral part of your glamping experience.
- Layer Carpets: Admittedly, a deck floor is not as comfy on the feet as a grass floor. So we recommend layering rugs, which can be especially helpful if there are gaps in between the wood panels.
- Add a Covered Entrance: A small entrance of the tent is provides a dry, sheltered area to remove shoes or store gear.
- Incorporate Lighting: Lighting is everything and it's one of those low effort, high impact touches. Solar-powered lights or string lights around the platform creates an inviting atmosphere at night. You can even build light posts into the corners of the deck for a functional and aesthetic upgrade.
Time to Get Building
By investing the time to build a tent platform, you’ll not only enhance the tent’s functionality but also create an elevated outdoor space that's perfect for extended stays or glamping businesses.
Still unsure and need a little more convincing? Check out this awesome video created by fellow Citizen, Jonathan.
If you have any questions, feel free to reach out to us—we’re always here to help!
Happy building!