Commercial tarp poles: How many? Which ones?

[JohnNevets]

Not canoe camping, but car camping in Theodore Roosevelt National Park last year. Beautiful park by the way, and a bit of hidden gem, the north unit is gorgeous, and not heavily used. But I happened to hit it on a rainy day. The tarp and poles were sort of a last minute addition to my gear package, but worked out great. The poles are the 8' Green Elephant ones mentioned above, and this is the tarp. https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0D839SK4J?ref_=ppx_hzsearch_conn_dt_b_fed_asin_title_2&th=1 It came with 4 guy lines and stakes, and that along with the poles and a couple of extra guy lines worked for me. So the whole set up was under $100. I did end up tying to trees, but could have made most of this work without. But I also could see to do exactly what you want with zero trees, would take 5 or 6 poles.

 

[MJones]

I've got something like these. A pair seems to work pretty well.

Amazon.com

I have those same poles, they work really well.

 

[Alan Gage]

Cut your poles once. Find them where ever you can, not in a campground.
How do you carry a canoe? Put the poles next to your boat and lash them down.

On my last big canoe trip I cut multiple sets of tarp poles from dead spruce saplings along the way. The final set I saved and brought home with me. I still have, and use, them 10 years later and they make me smile every time I see them.

Alan

 

[Alan Gage]

I've had a set of these for about 25 years. I don't know if I've ever actually used them. They're heavy for backpacking but would work fine for car camping. At 6' they might be a little short for the ends but would make cheap, short, poles for the corners. It looks like Campmor is sold out and a quick Google search didn't reveal anything so maybe they aren't made any more?

Eureka 6 ft. Nested Aluminum Backpacker Upright Pole

The Eureka 6 ft. Nested Aluminum Backpacker Upright Pole has compact sturdy aluminum sections that nest into one section for compact and convenient carrying storage.

www.campmor.com

Alan

 

[lowangle al]

Glenn, have you considered a freestanding bug, sun and rain shelter.
I couldn't get the the link will work, it is called the King Camp Cairo 12x12 Instant Mosquito Canopy Tent. Something like this would protect you from everything. It would also give you privacy with the Sunshade Cloth. They say it sleeps five, which means they feel it's weatherproof enough to sleep in. This was a cheap one at 149.00, there were other ones for a lot more money that might be a better choice for an expedition, but this one seems like it would be great for car camping.