Overall, it’s been a delightful journey with this Ozark Trail Screen House. It provided protection from the pests, a comfortable shade, and a beautiful open-air view. While there is room for some improvements, it’s worth considering for the price, especially for a peaceful day in the wilderness. I recently tried out the Ozark Trail Large Roof Screen House in blue, and I must say, it was a game-changer for my outdoor activities. The spacious interior fit perfectly over a picnic bench in our local park, providing a comfortable and cozy space for our family of four. The tent also had storage pockets to keep our small items off the ground, making it more convenient for us.
The Woodlands Screen House uses six lightweight aluminum poles, just like the Screen House Shelter. Like the REI model, the L.L.Bean tent uses polyester (ripstop, in this case), which is more resistant to UV damage and absorbs less moisture than nylon by weight. The Woodlands Screen House also has the advantage of eight guylines, whereas the Screen House Shelter ozark trail screen house includes none. In addition, this model has the same bug-deterring flap of fabric along the base as the REI tent, but while the REI’s flap is about 9 inches wide, the L.L.Bean’s flap is about 10.5 inches wide. Several REI reviewers who bought both the tent and the fly for rain protection note that the fly has only two walls, leaving much of the tent exposed.
One thing to note was that although the footprint is 13×9 ft, the actual covered area is not the same, being quite a bit smaller. The Ozark Trail Screen House does its job but needs to be used with the proper expectations. An ideal situation would be when the weather is agreeable and the wind is gentle. While the screen house performed well, there were a couple of minor drawbacks. The zipper opening could have been a bit taller for taller individuals, and the frame felt a bit less sturdy than some other high-end options on the market.
A high ceiling makes the tent feel brighter and more airy than other camping shelters with a similar footprint. The campground received a moderate rain on the second night and the roof collected water in several places, causing the screen house to collapse. This was not a heavy rain by any means as no other shelters or tents collapsed.
My experience with Ozark Trail equipment has been to reinforce the old adage “you get what you pay for”. I highly recommend that anyone looking for a good screen house spend the additional money and get a Swiss Gear. Don’t try to save a few dollars and end up with a POS like this one. Find the best hiking/camping product for your next outdoor adventure using our independent reviews and ratings. Choose your vessel and dive into the crystal-clear Missouri waters for the aquatic adventure of a lifetime.