Tent camping, just 2 of us.

Do most people just use one tarp? How large do you suggest?

I have an 11 x 9 that I am planning to use which fits a couple chairs and not much else. Unsure if most do larger or two tarps? Also currently planning on NOT putting one over tent.

1 tarp, 10x10.

I use a 10x10 with a group of 3 with room to spare.

I use a 10x12 CCS tarp (which I think are the best) for solo trips. Perfect size for me. I've used mine for more than 15 years. Could be close to 20 years.

Tom

Just one for our group of 3 to 5. But last few trips I have taken a small second tarp and placed it over the latrine (if possible) if weather report called for a bunch of rain. It has added a little comfort at times.

I have a 10x10 and recently used it (just the one tarp) on a trip with two people and two dogs. We had rain for two days and had enough room under it to sit, cook, play cards etc.

I’m usually solo or with one other person. 10 x 12 for me, over kitchen/gathering area.

10' x 14' CCS for 1 to 4 people, but that's just me. I like the flexibility to be able to drop one side down to use as a windbreak. Mine is often set up so the windy side is 10 x 6 and the overhead portion is 10 x 8 or somewhere in that range and configuration. My brother has a 10' x 14' CCS also and he uses it the same way.

We have one regular tarp for overhead and several pieces of Tyvek. Usually at least one for inside the tent to keep sleeping mats/ bags dry. If water comes in at the seams it mostly goes under the floor tarp. Also can have one under the tent to prevent holes. A small doormat sized piece for each door to have a place to sit to put on shoes or stage stuff when cleaning out tent and one larger utility piece to put over firewood or gear when raining or to put under the tarp for a place to sit or lie down when raining. I liked having an extra small blue lightweight tarp from walmart to put food and dishes on, but have used the utility Tyvek for that as well. Tyvek is really light and can be folded and slid down the back of the pack between the liner and the bag and helps cushion the back of the pack on portages.

tomo: "I’m usually solo or with one other person. 10 x 12 for me, over kitchen/gathering area."

Solo or tandem, 10x12. Tent is waterproof.

For our group of 2-5, we take a CCS 10x14 and a Kelty 9x9. The CCS always goes up for sun and rain protection. If it's going to be really rainy, we'll also add the Kelty next to the CCS for additional rain protection of gear and fire wood. If the latrine is getting soaked, we could use the Kelty to cover that as needed. I'll probably add another CCS 10x14 at some point. I just love the versatility of the CCS tarps. The Kelty is a pain to hang properly, but it's light and small.

On my solos an 8x10 granite grear. On longer trips solos or with my son or a larger group also a 10x12 granite gear for privacy screen around the shower or additional lounging space if it's rainy.

If not putting one over the tent, one should be fine if you don’t care to bring one for Justin Case. I use an 8x10 over the front half of my lean+ & I carry a 10x14 for if I want a dry spot away from the tent (10x14 comfortably sat six people in chairs underneath).

cowdoc: "Just one for our group of 3 to 5. But last few trips I have taken a small second tarp and placed it over the latrine (if possible) if weather report called for a bunch of rain. It has added a little comfort at times."

Wow it never occurred to me in all these years to put a tarp over the latrine. What a great idea! Seems like a great little bit of comfort in a rain storm.

Normally one, 10" x 10" is very adequate.
In shoulder seasons, I take two, one to be pitched as a wind break. Can remember one trip in early October, especially windy and cold (even snowed) that as soon as you stepped out of the protection of the wind break it went from not too bad to really ugly.

I have 4 different size CCS tarps. Bigger the group the bigger the tarp I take. So far I have only taken one tarp with me. Last trip I took the 15 x 15. I would take the 10 x 10 as a second tarp if there is a lot of rain in the forecast or to block wind/rain. An advantage is I could use this to cover the throne or to even take it with us while day tripping. Might need it for couple of hours if we got caught in weather event while away from camp.

10x12 for two of us... cover picnic table or community meals area.
Also take one or two 6x6 for covering firewood or other uses.

Also a 15x15 tarp for my hammock.

Related question.... has anyone figured out a way of using a tarp over a campfire in rain? Or know of a tarp material that won't get holes from sparks?

Good question! Usually we take one primary tarp for sun/rain shelter- a BWJ 10x10, or on our last trip a Nemo Bugout 12x12. But we also take a little lightweight 6x6 tarp that we use for covering firewood, or for stringing vertically for shelter from the wind when we're trying to cook. It folds down to nothing and weighs very little. I got it from my Dad who had it for like 30 years before I got it. No clue what brand it was.

Related question.... has anyone figured out a way of using a tarp over a campfire in rain? Or know of a tarp material that won't get holes from sparks? "

We have strung our BWJ tarp over the fire without a problem. When doing so we keep the fire small and make sure the tarp is at least 7-8 feet off the ground.

Blackdogyak:"

Related question.... has anyone figured out a way of using a tarp over a campfire in rain? Or know of a tarp material that won't get holes from sparks? "

12x12 CCS tarp, always covering the fire ring. Not one burn hole in 5 years, primarily burning cedar. Just leave at least 5' or 6' of clearance.

Us as well. Every trip a CCS tarp gets placed over the fire grate for rain/ sunbreak. If you have confidence in rigging a tarp, this is really no big deal at all.

Right now, 1 old tarp. 7x9 I think? Works ok for some things, but looking to add a CCS tarp for next year for something bigger!

Happy to have our CCS 10x14, even when it's just the two of us.

1 tarp, 7x10, 2 people.