I need advice and recommendations on a structure/sun shade to cover a standard Texas State Park picnic table (6'-8'x30"x30"). Something akin to the Big Agnes Sage Canyon or the *discontinued* Kelty Big Shady.
I would like this structure to be almost self-supporting. Please do not suggest a fly/tarp with poles, as I find them too temperamental, and definitely NO pop-ups, as they don't pack down small enough for my needs.
I might be going with the Big Agnes (paired with some backup screw anchors), but I wanted to see if the more seasoned campers here had any advice.
Full Backstory
I am a Den Leader for a Cub Scout Pack, and one of my co-leaders has a Kelty Big Shady, and I am extremely envious. At a recent campout in March, we had some success with a rainfly with poles, however a large but brief rain burst demolished the fly/poles/lines/stakes/everything, and ruined dinner and the rest of the night. The burst also demolished several pop-up canopies. This event did not even budge the Kelty.
Since the Big Shady has been discontinued, I'm looking for something that will be a large enough sun/rain cover for a campsite picnic table for my Den. This means I need a structure that is big enough for 5-6 adults to stand under while the kids sit at the table for meals and activities. Ideally, I'd like to be able to cook under it as well, using the typical two-burner Coleman on a separate table with a 1lb propane bottle.
by i3oredom
2 Comments
I have a Big Agnes Three Forks and a wall for it but while it’s great for rain, I wouldn’t exactly call it tall enough for a bunch of adults to stand under it. It also doesn’t handle wind great with the wall up and the wall is basically required for shade when the sun isn’t directly overhead.
Sometimes I set it up over my backpacking tent if I expect lots of rain. Or if it’s already raining so the tent doesn’t get wet during setup.
They replaced the poles for free (asked for an on-trail fix instead of sending it in) when I left it up on a hill in Grand Teton and came back to it bent over.
I know you said pop ups were out, but I’d literally change the rest of my setup to accommodate one. I’ll never not have one when car camping. Makes those rainy days so much more enjoyable to have a protect med space outside where you can easily standup and fit multiple people.