Camping tent quick picks
Budget-friendly tent: REI Co-op Wonderland 4 Tent
Large family tent: The North Face Wawona 6 Tent
Backpacking tent: Nemo Dagger Osmo 2 Tent
Pop-up tent: Coleman Camp Burst 4-Person Pop-Up Tent
Finding the best camping tent for you is arguably the most important step in preparing for a camping trip in the great outdoors — even more so than buying hiking gear or picking up accessories from your camping checklist. A comfortable, safe and reliable tent is key to feeling confident before heading out into nature.
We interviewed a number of outdoor experts for their advice on what to look for when shopping for a tent. Their insights cover everything from tent material and size to seasonality and durability, so you’ll be prepared for the best camping experience — no matter your adventure.
What size camping tent should I buy?
Tents come in all shapes and sizes. Some camping tents are great for multiday backcountry camping adventures, while others are perfect for a weekend trip with the family to a state park or private campground. “Every camper is going to have a different opinion about the features they want in a tent and the price they’re willing to pay,” says Ashleigh McClary, a gear expert and senior account manager at Backcountry.
Selecting a tent size depends a lot on who will be camping with you and where you’re going. Will you be bringing a dog? If so, you’ll likely want some extra room in the tent. Are you hiking into the backcountry with nothing but a pack on your back? You’ll most likely want a tent that’ll fit just one or two hikers.
“You’ll want to make sure the floor space of the tent you’re purchasing is enough for you, your gear and whoever is going to be with you,” McClary says. “Determine if you will be camping with kids, if it’s just one or two people, or if you want some extra room.”
For families, consider a four- or six-person tent. For backpacking, you’ll be happier with a lightweight tent that sleeps one to two people, depending on who you plan to go camping with. Also, consider if you want a vestibule. A tent vestibule is a small, covered area on the outside of the tent that provides room for storage and coverage from rainy weather. The larger the tent and rain fly, the more likely you’ll find a vestibule on the tent you plan to buy.
How much do camping tents usually cost?
“You get what you pay for” is a common phrase you’ll hear when it comes to outdoor gear. For some campers, the price point might be a make-or-break factor when selecting a tent. For others, buying a product they know will last is of utmost importance.
“Carving out a price range you’re willing to spend will help you define what sorts of tents you’re willing to look at,” says Bill Gamber, co-founder and president of Big Agnes. “From there, you can move on to considering simplicity versus full-featured tents, to weighing storage capability, weather resistance and camper capacity.”
Factors impacting the price of camping tents are typically tent material, pole material, tent size, weight and weatherproofing (i.e., four-season tents). For example, ultra-light tents run higher in price because they’re made of lower-denier fabrics, which are more expensive but super lightweight. Large tents like luxury camping tents and eight-person family camping tents are more expensive because they require more materials to make the tent.
“I always make sure to find the right balance between price and the features that are going to be best for the customer,” McClary says. “Sometimes the customer might want the least expensive product no matter what. But other times, they really just want something that’s going to last them for a long time and that’s worth their money.”
What type of tent do I need for each season?
Most tents come in two seasonalities: three-season and four-season. Spring, summer and fall camping are when most campers choose a three-season tent, and winter is when four-season tents come in handy for staying warm and protecting yourself from the elements.
“Three-season camping tents are meant to be used most of the year and in most conditions,” McClary says. “Four-season tents are usually a lot more wind-resistant and water-resistant. That way, they can handle the extreme temperatures and conditions of the winter. Most people will want to purchase a three-season tent unless they are going to be winter camping more often than not.”
McClary says one of the most important things to consider when buying a tent is the area or region you’re going to be using a tent in. “If you are in the Southeast, for instance, you want a really waterproof tent that’s going to keep you dry in the rain,” she says. “If you are in the Southwest, you’ll most likely want a tent that’s lighter and has a mesh door and walls for extra airflow.”
Will any tent I buy keep me and my camping gear dry?
The best way to stay dry while camping is by electing a tent with a rain fly that has been treated with a durable water repellent, or DWR. This treatment helps repel rain and water from the tent material. You also always want to make sure your tent has proper ventilation. If it doesn’t, you’ll experience moisture issues on the inside of the tent due to condensation, and you can also get hot.
The best camping tents for all types of campers
We talked to tent experts for their advice on the 24 best camping tents for any kind of camper. Whether you’re looking for a tent that will keep you dry or has plenty of room for the whole family, here are our picks.
Car camping tents
If you’re looking for lots of ventilation without sacrificing protection from the rain, this tent is a great option. Even with the rain fly on, you’ll feel airflow, thanks to triangle windows on the side walls and two huge mesh doors with weather-protective awnings.
This classic A-frame look will set off some tent envy at the campground. Two full side walls of mesh provide ample ventilation and the rain fly walls can roll up for added airflow at night or be easily rolled down if it starts to rain.
“If you’re searching for a three-season to four-season tent that will hold up in the rain, the Spicer Peak 4 is a really great option,” Gamber says. All seams on the Spicer are sealed with waterproof polyurethane tape, and the rain fly and floor are constructed with polyester taffeta with a 1,500-millimeter waterproof polyurethane coating.
The cabin-shaped Skyward 6 lets campers up to 6 foot 3 inches stand up straight in the main room of the tent. REI also touts its bug-proof mesh ceiling panels that enhance ventilation and provide a view of the stars on a clear night.
A no-frills car camping tent that takes five minutes to set up, the Skydome’s extra wide design makes it easy to move an air mattress and other gear around without a fuss. Its built-in tarp floor also adds extra protection from rocky or root-filled ground.
Whether you’re car camping with the family or a few friends, this tent has plenty of room for a six-person crew or extra amenities like air beds, cots and side tables. Double doors also help with ease of entering and exiting for larger groups.
Family camping tents
An extremely affordable tent that fits the entire family, the REI Campwell 4 makes the perfect tent for families who are new to camping, thanks to its entry-level price point and easy setup. This tent is tall, spacious and ideal for summer camping adventures. Plus, a full mesh ceiling gives the family an opportunity to stargaze on clear nights.
Loved for its super-dry rain fly, the Carbon River 6 features Eddie Bauer’s WeatherEdge waterproof technology that stands up to any storm, thanks to its polyurethane coating. The water-armor tub floor also ensures you and your gear stay dry from the floor up.
The Kelty Discovery Element 6 is a super airy and quick-setup option for family camping. With a mostly mesh design, this tent breathes well in the summer and comes with a waterproof rain fly and double stake-point vestibule for added exterior storage and coverage.
As great for music festivals as it is for campgrounds, the Bridger 6 is loved for its spacious capacity, tall ceiling and oversized front porch. A massive front vestibule keeps you out of the rain and sun, and provides extra living space outside the tent. Eight interior pockets can hold small and large items, from helmets and lanterns to shoes and cell phones.
This large tent provides copious amounts of vestibule space for protecting gear, hanging out and staying dry from the elements. The tent’s near-vertical walls and overhangs provide plenty of room to stand up and pack in all the amenities.
Big family or friend group? No problem. The Bunk House 6 comes recommended if you’re looking for all the accessories you could ask for. It features pockets, room dividers and even an option to turn it into an open shelter.
Need an even bigger tent? “The Bunk House 8 is a very roomy tent with a full vestibule, really nice storage and extra living space,” Gamber says. “It’s a great tent to drive into the campground with your truck or car — perfect for family car camping.”
Editor Favorite
This tent has a rain fly that doubles as a freestanding shelter big enough to keep the entire family safe from the rain or sun. The tent itself sleeps four and has an extra-tall ceiling so you can stand up inside.
Read our review
Backpacking camping tents
An affordable backpacking tent with plenty of room for two. Double stake-out vestibules give backcountry campers plenty of room to store their gear outside of this tent — and provide extra protection from the elements. The tent also has two adjustable ceiling vents for condensation control and comes with a fitted footprint.
Editor Favorite
Nemo says the Dagger Osmo is the brand’s best-selling and most livable backpacking tent. The tent is constructed with 100% recycled PFC/PFAS-free fabric that provides exceptional strength and is resistant to stretching when wet. Our editors have used this tent before and absolutely love it. The two-person has plenty of room to sleep two adults and a 40-pound dog.
This two-person ultra-light tent (just over 2 pounds) is super durable. Its solution-dyed fabric is highly resistant to UV fade and Big Agnes’ manufacturing process for the Tiger Wall UL2 Solution Dye tents drastically reduces energy and water consumption.
“I recommend the Driftwood 3 tent because it has a very durable 75D fly, tent body and floor plus huge vestibules to keep your gear dry,” McClary says. “It has plenty of floor space and interior height to be able to use for car camping, but since it weighs less than 6 pounds, it’s also perfect for backpacking. Bonus: The generously sized storage sack makes packing up a breeze.”
Winter camping tents
Often put to the test by mountaineers on year-round expeditions, this tent can withstand high winds, cold temperatures and the extra weight of snow. At 10 pounds, it’s also relatively lightweight considering how strong it is.
Best for cold weather backcountry camping, this teepee-shaped tent is a reasonably lightweight hot tent. Campers can install an optional portable tent wood stove using the stove jack port on the side wall or run a chimney through the center using a tent protector sleeve.
Luxury camping tents
The cabin-sized Canvas Tent makes for great spacious and cozy camping. With 12-, 16- and 20-foot diameters available, there’s plenty of room to set up creature comforts for car camping like cots, air mattresses, side tables or hanging lanterns.
Separate sleeping quarters connected by an oversized center vestibule make this tent an awesome option for privacy if you’re camping with another couple, kids or a friend. Two awning doors can also be propped open with a pair of hiking poles to expand usable hangout space and coverage.
Pop-up tents
A budget-friendly, family car-camping tent that takes (literally) seconds to set up and break down. The tent features an umbrella-inspired design, so to set it up you just need to pull on a couple of drawstrings placed on opposite sides of the tent, which expands the walls into their fully constructed shape. To break it down, just push two buttons and the tent will collapse into itself in seconds.
Super quick to set up and enjoy, the Coleman Camp Bust is a four-person, dome-shaped tent built to fit the whole family. The umbrella-style pop-up tent comes with preattached poles that make this tent super easy to set up in just three steps: unfold the tent, extend the legs and stake it down. It can withstand strong winds up to 35 mph, and taped seams keep water out in inclement weather.
Set up camp in 10 seconds with the Camp Burst four-person pop-up tent. The tent’s preassembled poles fold flat for quick and easy storage. It’s also equipped with darkroom technology that blocks out 90% of sunlight, so you can sleep in and reduce heat inside tent on extra hot days.
