What Is The Best Tent For A Family Of 4

The Best Family Tents

The most important aspect of any family camping vacation is comfort, and comfort starts with a dependable tent. However, with so many different tent designs, tent materials, and tent features to choose from, it can be difficult to determine which tent is the greatest value. To assist you, we’ve compiled a list of the finest family tents that are both trustworthy and economical to consider before setting out to begin your camping season – whether it’s in a remote part of the woods or right in your own backyard.

• Best Tent Overall: Coleman WeatherMaster 6-person Tent with Screen Room
• Best Tent for Easy Setup: Ozark Trail 9-person Instant Camping Tent
• Best Family Tent for Ventilation: CORE 6-Person Instant Cabin Tent
• Best Family Tent with Screen Room: Coleman Dome Tent with Screen Room
• Best Tent for Big Families: Ozark Trail 3-Room Instant Cabin Tent
• Best Tent for Fun: Winterial 6-7 Person Teepee Tent

Best Family Tent:Coleman WeatherMaster 6-person Tent with Screen Room

The Most Important Characteristics

• Interior: Spacious enough to accommodate two queen-sized air mattresses
• Exterior: Footprint: 119 feet, with 6 feet 8 inches of headroom. Construction: Designed for year-round comfort in all weather conditions.

Why It Made the CutThe Coleman WeatherMaster models offer various creature-comfort amenities built into the design that any family would appreciate while camping without breaking the bank. Advantages and disadvantages Pros

• Fabric seams that are welded together to keep moisture out
• Separate screen room with no floors
• Easy access and exit through a hinged door

Description of the Product Coleman has been one of the most recognized brands in the business for a very, very long time when it comes to the finest family tent and camping gear in general, and the Coleman Family Tent is no exception. There’s no surprise they’ve been able to review tent designs from years past, sort out what worked and didn’t and come up with a family fortress that’s simple to put together. This tent is also firm in strong winds and immune to even the hardest rains, and it has enough space for a small family to sleep comfortably inside.

When compared to typical family-sized tents, the WeatherMaster weighs more than twice as much and is significantly more substantial, making it difficult to transport long distances.

Best Instant Tent for Families:Ozark Trail 9-person Instant Camping Tent

The Most Important Characteristics

• Inside, the space is large enough to seat seven or more persons
• The footprint is 14 13.5 feet by 7 feet, with 7 feet of headroom. Polyester fabric and alloy steel poles are used in the construction.

Why it was included in the final cut A true two-minute setup time is achieved with this tent, which has poles that have been pre-attached to the cloth and are spring loaded to open like a traditional umbrella. Advantages and disadvantages Pros

• Simple to put together and take apart
• Ports for electrical cords
• A removable wall divider

• Carry weight (40 pounds) and size
• Lack of a floor under the screen porch
• Little rainfly
• No awning.

Description of the Product Coolers full of food and beverages, bags full of clothes and gear, and a tank of petrol in your car are all ready to go. As a result, when you finally get at your campground, the last thing you want to do is exert more effort beyond what is necessary. These are the situations whereOzark’s Instant Tents can be of great use. This type, which is one of the finest quick tents for families, is spacious enough to accommodate multiple adults. Furthermore, because the poles are interwoven into the fabric, all you have to do to use it is spread it out and pop it open like an umbrella on a rainy day to use it.

Furthermore, there is also a moveable wall that divides the inside area in the event that a camper desires some personal space.

Installing and disassembling the integrated pole system is simple and straightforward; however, take cautious not to bend or damage any of them because they are difficult (if not impossible) to replace.

Best Family Tent for Ventilation:CORE 6-Person Instant Cabin Tent

The Most Important Characteristics

• Interior: Two queen-sized air mattresses are accommodated in this space. 11-foot-by-nine-foot footprint with nine feet of headroom Waterproof seams are used throughout the construction process.

This Cabin Earned the CutTheCORE Instant Cabin incorporates several useful elements into an elegantly simple square-shaped form that may help campers keep organized. There are mesh screens on every wall and the roof to provide for optimal ventilation. Advantages and disadvantages Pros

• Large entrance door and awning
• Inside wall organizers that swing from the ceiling
• Fabric that is both durable and water-repellent

• A little rainfly
• A pair of weak zippers
• Not suitable for cold or windy weather

Product Description If you’re forced to spend the night in a warm, humid, poorly ventilated shelter, camping isn’t very pleasant. With the CORE 6-person Instant Cabin tent, you won’t have to worry about that. Not only is this model the finest family tent for ventilation, but it also features screens on all four walls and the roof, making it the best family tent for privacy. A large adjustable vent system along the floor allows you to pull cold air from the ground into the tent while warm air filters in through the mesh ceiling, among other advantages.

Due to the fact that the poles are integrated into the tent fabric, set-up is simplified, and the size and number of mesh screens ensure that the inside is kept fresh and cool.

Best Family Tent with Screen Room:Coleman Dome Tent with Screen Room

Product Description If you have to spend the night in a heated, humid, and unventilated shelter, camping is not a pleasant experience. The CORE 6-person Instant Cabin tent prevents this from happening. Additionally, it features screens on all four walls and the roof, making it the greatest family tent in terms of ventilation. Other features include an extra-large adjustable vent system along the floor, which allows you to pull cold air from the ground into the tent as the heated air filters through the mesh ceiling.

It is quick and straightforward to erect since the poles are incorporated into the tent fabric.

• Interior: Spacious enough to accommodate two queen-sized air beds. The footprint is 109.5 feet, with 5 feet and 8 inches of headroom. welded corners and an inverted seam are used in the construction.

Why it was included in the final cut Because Coleman did not have to charge as much for some of the amenities included in its higher-end tents, such as heat-sealed seams and a mesh screen porch, it was able to provide them at a lower cost. Advantages and disadvantages Pros

• Porch flooring that extends to the ceiling
• Window awnings on the rainfly
• Inside storage compartments

Description of the Product TheColeman Domeis an excellent choice for those who want to camp on a tight budget. As the best family tent with a screen room, this model stands out since it is spacious enough to accommodate many people, and because the screen porch has a polyester floor, you can store boots and other items outside, freeing up extra space inside for rest and relaxation. Because of its compact size, it’s perfect for fast car camping trips or putting in someone’s “emergency box” in the back of a pickup truck.

It’s important to remember that the rain fly does not cover the screen porch, which means that wind and rain will be able to get through and wet whatever you have stored outside the tent’s front entrance.

Best 6 Person Tent:Ozark Trail 3-Room Instant Cabin Tent

The Most Important Characteristics

• Interior: Two queen-sized air mattresses are accommodated in this space. The footprint is 16 by 16 feet, with 6 feet and 10 inches of headroom. Free-standing frame design with a 6-inch tub floor soldered to the frame
• Construction

Why it was included in the final cut This tent can accommodate a big number of people, whether your family is very large or you just wish to pack friends or relatives into a single sleeping space. Its L-shaped footprint allows campers to stretch out comfortably, and the detachable walls guarantee that everyone has their own personal area. Advantages and disadvantages Pros

• Tent poles that have already been connected
• Electrical cable ports
• Ground-level air vents

• Poor rain fly design
• Weak fabric
• Heavy carry weight (55 pounds)

Description of the Product For the camper who lives by the mantra, “Go big or go home,” the Ozark Instant Cabin is the perfect choice. Besides that, the Ozarks are a massive region. This style, which can accommodate up to 12 people in three different rooms, is ideal for large family gatherings or situations when having one tent for everyone is preferable to having numerous tents scattered about (separated by removable dividers). The extensible poles are already linked to the tent, as is the case with many other Ozark tent types, and the complete structure can be set up in a matter of minutes.

If you need to accommodate a large number of people under one roof, this is the best 6 person tent on the market.

Most Spacious:Winterial 6-7 Person Teepee Tent

The Most Important Characteristics

• The inside has a 10-foot circle and a footprint of 1212 feet. Waterproof 210T polyester is used in the construction.

Why it was included in the final cut For those occasions when you want plenty of space for your equipment, plenty of headroom up above, and something that is simple to set up and take down, this model is an excellent choice. Advantages and disadvantages Pros

• Waterproof stitching
• Quick and simple setup
• Relatively light weight (15 pounds).

• There is no bug netting, the material is thin, and there are no inside storage compartments.

Description of the Product Teepees are popular because of their basic design; with a single pole and piece of cloth, you can create a huge footprint with plenty of headroom for a small investment. This model includes adequate sleeping room for many people, or enough sleeping space for a small group of people, as well as storage space for equipment and supplies. The material is designed to survive exposure to the elements. The top of the structure does not have a screen or a wood-burning port, so don’t be shocked if pests find their way in, and be prepared with an other (and safe) source of heat for those chilly evenings.

Despite the fact that this tent is promoted as a four-season model, the thin fabric and lightweight center pole make it more suitable for spring, summer, and early fall weather conditions.

Final Thoughts

Despite the fact that I’ve hunted and fished all over the West’s backcountry, one of my favorite ways to channel my inner Clark Griswold is to load up the family and scoot down the highway to find respite in the form of a polyester dome shelter, a campfire, and the most gooey s’mores this side of the Mississippi. It is in fact our family custom to go camping the day following the final day of school, which serves as an official kick-off to summer vacation. We went to the Sawtooth Mountains in Idaho last year and had a great time.

For this year’s trip, we’re going to be exploring the rivers and lakes in and around Bend, Oregon. In order to have the finest family tent experience possible, I recommend that you bring one of my tried and true recommendations with you.

Methodology

I initially defined a “family tent” as a movable shelter that can accommodate six or more people in order to compile my list of the finest family tents on the market (there are many smaller tents on the market if your family only has three or four campers). From then, I concentrated on the essential components of each tent, which were as follows:

• Is the material used for the poles, fly, and fabric of a long-lasting quality? Construction: Is the tent constructed to withstand inclement weather? Pack weight: Is the tent light enough to be moved without difficulty? Specifications: Does the tent contain inside pockets, vestibules, or other features? Is the tent meant to accommodate a family (with many rooms and plenty of space)
• Is the tent designed to be lightweight
• Ease of Setup: Can the tent be set up by one or two persons relatively quickly and easily?

Things to Consider Before Buying a Family Tent

Possessing the appropriate (or incorrect) family tent may make or ruin a camping trip. Carrying anything that is too little or badly designed may turn every journey into a nightmare, yet dragging something that is too enormous and unwieldy, or that is difficult to put up, can be just as irritating. Begin by determining how much of a tent you will actually require. Depending on your needs, a six-person model may be plenty for your little family and the quantity of stuff you bring along with you.

In the event that you plan to build anything larger, continue to place a strong emphasis on things like materials and construction, but keep in mind that the larger your home is, the more difficult it will be to carry it from one location to another.

Depending on where you live, you may not have enough room or a flat enough surface to handle extra-large footprints.

Read Next:Five Things to Consider Before Buying an Extra-Large Tent

Answers to some of the most often asked questions while looking for a family tent.

Q: How important is a rainfly?

When it comes to tents, most come with a rainfly, but most of them are only large enough to cover the very top half, which does nothing to prevent wind and moisture from seeping in via windows or porch screens. If you want maximum protection from the elements, invest in a tent with a rainfly that extends directly to the ground and wraps entirely around the tent.

Q: How important is inside storage?

Getting comfortable inside a tent entails more than simply unrolling a sleeping bag in the direction of where you intend to sleep. In addition, it involves having necessary materials such as flashlights, water, eyeglasses, and other objects within reach at all times. Consider where people will sleep and where they will store their belongings in relation to the storage places and pockets built into the tent, as well as additional creature comforts such as where you would place an LED lamp to illuminate the interior of the tent throughout the night.

Q: Should I worry about tent shape?

Every tent design has its advantages and disadvantages. A classic, straight-walled cabin-style shelter can provide a lot of internal space and headspace, but the flat walls function as sails in high gusts, making it difficult to navigate. A dome-style tent is less sensitive to wind, but it does not provide as much headspace or area to move around as a traditional tent.

Make certain that the poles and materials you use are made to withstand the circumstances you may experience, and don’t be afraid to invest in additional, extra-long, heavy-duty ground stakes to ensure that your structure is properly staked down.

Outdoor Life Values

Outdoor Life editors aren’t only interested in hunting and fishing as pastimes; the pursuit of these interests helps to define who we are as people. Our authors are also avid outdoor enthusiasts, both men and women. The Outdoor Life has been analyzing the latest and best outdoor gear for more than a century, and our readers have benefited from our no-nonsense approach. We put our goods through their paces in the field under real-world situations. In every product review, we discuss the advantages and disadvantages of the product so that you know precisely what you’re getting if you decide to purchase the equipment we cover.

If we’re covering it, you can rest assured that it’s legitimate.

Best Tents for Campers, Backpackers, and Families

Camping is a lot of work! No, I’m not kidding. If you’re planning on going camping, you’ll almost certainly need a tent. If you’re a fan of sleeping beneath the stars, you might disagree (we’re in the midst of testing several hammocks), but we like doing so when the weather permits. However, locating and providing suitable shelter for yourself, your family, or your pets is a non-negotiable step toward being comfortable in the great outdoors the vast majority of the time. There are as many different types of tents as there are different methods to go camping, and they are available in a wide variety of prices and features.

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The Best Family Tents For Taking the Whole Crew Camping

Staff The camping season has begun in earnest. The use of a robust, large shelter is essential if you intend to spend the weekend (or longer) away from your home with your family. The good news is that there are a plethora of alternatives available, each with a unique set of characteristics and priced accordingly. The bad news is that there are numerous possibilities, which means you’ll have to spend time deciding which one to buy, time that might be better spent organizing your vacation.

The greatest part is that we done all of the legwork for you. Among the information in this guide is buying advice so that you know what to look for, as well as reviews of 10 excellent family tents that we’ve tried and endorsed.

What to Consider

Acquiring a large enough tent is crucial to maintaining family harmony and having a decent night’s sleep on camping trips. Tent makers produce versions that can accommodate groups of four to twelve individuals. The majority of the time, once your sleeping bags and pads are unfolded, there isn’t much additional floor room. If you want enough space for everyone’s travel bags or if Fido wants a place to rest, we recommend purchasing a size larger than is really necessary. Some bigger tents are equipped with room dividers, which provide additional privacy.

• When compared to the standard dome, which is typically less than five feet high at its tallest point, tunnel- and cabin-shaped tents can reach heights of more than six feet.
• Pay attention to the number of doors a tent has as well—having more than one minimizes the likelihood that a tentmate may crawl over you in the middle of the night if nature calls throughout the night.
• Rain flies and tent bodies are frequently treated with a durable water repellent (DWR) or polyurethane coating, and they are constructed with seams sealed.
• For enhanced weatherproofing, look for a fly that covers the whole opening or at the very least has an awning.

How We Tested and Selected

When I was growing up, the bulk of my summers consisted of at least one family camping trip. These days, I camp throughout the year on public areas, as well as in my own backyards on occasion. I’ve slept under the stars in all kinds of weather, including heat, rain, wind, and snow, all over the lower 48 states. For Popular Mechanics, this list contains tents that I’ve personally tested and used over the past two years, as well as popular versions available on retail websites such asAmazon and Walmart that I’ve evaluated based on user feedback and my own knowledge.

• Then I looked at the spaciousness, features, materials, weights, architecture, ease or difficulty of pitching, and pricing of 18 different models to make a final decision.
• Picked by the editors REI Co-op is a cooperative that sells outdoor gear.
• It had a floor size of 69.4 square feet, a peak height of 6 feet, and two doors.
• With the help of tall, round doors and vertical walls, we were able to enter the building and stand without bending over.
• A total of 20 mesh pockets provide adequate storage space, and the larger versions have a detachable curtain that divides the abundant square footage into separate areas for mom and dad, pets, and excess belongings.
• All of these amenities come at a high price, but it’s an investment you shouldn’t hesitate to make if you’re looking for a long-lasting tent that can accommodate the entire family.
• Height:4 feet 11 inches|

Floor space:63 square feet|

In comparison to other four-person tents, it costs less than half the price and has significantly more square area than its competitors.

A zippered port is ideal for bringing an electrical wire from your campsite’s plug into your vehicle.

Although we tested it after a full day of rain, a significant quantity of water leaked in during our testing.

It is impossible to beat the Sundome if you are willing to go without a vast room and do not require bombproof weather protection.

Floor space: 64 sq ft|

Number of doors: 1 Once inside the Copper Canyon LX, even the tallest individuals will not be need to squat.

Taking use of the increased clearance, Eureka has installed four mesh pockets, two detachable gear lofts, and a hook in the center, which we used to hang a light from.

Despite its considerable height, pitching the LX is a straightforward process.

In contrast to the more confined shelters, the more expansive Copper Canyon will have you ready to get back home by day two.

Floor space: 57.9 square feet|

Doors: two The House Party, with its huge mesh panels that provide excellent ventilation and its hybrid single-wall construction, appears to be tailor-made for summer.

These coverings unzip and may be tucked away out of the way to allow for the most ventilation possible.

The interior is a little snug for four people, but the storage—eight mesh pockets, four loops, and a central hook that are all out of reach of younger children—kept our belongings well-organized and protected.

Even so, it’s not a bad idea to study the pitching instructions before you make your first pitch.

Shop for 4 people|Shop for 6 people Porch with ScreensColeman Evanston Porch with Screens Specified weight: 20 lb 14.4 oz|

Peak height: 5 ft 8 in.|

Specified dimensions: Nothing improves the livability of a tent quite like adding more room.

The Evanston can accommodate six people comfortably inside.

However, if the weather turns, don’t leave anything in this extra area that you wouldn’t want to become waterlogged.

Shop for 6 people|Shop for 8 people Fly that blocks out the sun Coleman Dark Room Skydome 4 (also known as the Coleman Dark Room Skydome 4) Weight provided: 10 lb 10 oz|

Peak height: 4 ft 8 in.|

In order to make tents and flies more opaque, companies utilize light-blocking materials to make them more opaque (often at the expense of some interior breathability).

We tried out the traditional Skydome and were pleased to find that the steeper walls provided a comfortable, if not excessive, amount of headspace.

The (quite modest) Skydome and its companion are a fantastic choice if you want a tent that is easy to set up and allows you to get more sleep.

|

There are 1 door and 12 lb 10 oz in the provided weight.

An extra layer of protection between you and the elements is provided by the full-coverage fly, which is supported by overlapping aluminum poles.

Because of its more vertical sides, the Habitude dome tent is taller than typical dome tents, reaching over six feet in height.

The Habitude is the one to bring while traveling in difficult regions.

Cabin 9 is available now.

Floor space: 126 sq ft|

Number of doors: 2 When you’ve got a group of people, you can all fit into this nine-person monster.

It is also equipped with a detachable room divider and two doors.

To begin, raise the roof poles and then extend the telescoping side poles to raise the walls and finish with the little fly, as seen in the photo.

Large windows allow for cross-breeze circulation, and the door at the far end of the tent opens completely to allow for unhindered access and escape.

Exceptional Storage The North Face Wawona 6 is a technical mountaineering jacket.

Floor space: 86.1 sq ft|

Number of doors: 2 The chances are good that you’re the type of person who values a temporary shelter that has adequate room for your belongings as well as a place to sleep on a camping trip.

A three-pocket storage system on the back “window” of the tent was added by The North Face for the 2021 model year.

On top of all that, the Wawona is equipped with ceiling pockets and a colossal vestibule with a footprint that is almost as huge as that of the Coleman Skydome tent.

Shop for 4 people|Shop for 6 people Most Reasonably Priced The Ozark Trail Dome is a landmark in the Ozark Mountains.

Floor space: 68 sq ft|

Number of doors: 1 The daily campground prices for this dome tent from Walmart’s budget-friendly camping line have been found to be far more than this.

Homey elements such as the tiny awning and mat outside the entrance are included, and there is a connection for plugging in electric wires inside.

This covered compartment, which can be accessed from either the inside or the outside of the tent, keeps your boots dry while without contaminating the tent floor.

However, for those on a tight budget, crouching will be well worth the effort.

Adrienne Donica is the Outdoors Editor for Popular Mechanics, where she tests and reviews hiking, camping, and other adventure gear.

This material was generated and maintained by a third party and imported onto this website in order to assist users in providing their email addresses for further consideration. You may be able to discover further information on this and other related items at the website piano.io.

The 17 Best Camping Tents, According to Outdoor Experts

As a hiking guide for Outdoor Adventure Club, Heather Landeros suggests the Kingdom 6 for families or anyone want to glamp in the woods. “It’s quite simple to put together, has two doors, and is tall enough that you can stand up in it,” Landeros explains. “My husband and I can put our queen-size air mattress in our tent with plenty of room left over for our stuff, a washing basket, and a tent heater for chilly mornings.” ” Tent for ten people Bradford like Coleman’s 10-person WeatherMaster for family camping because it can be divided into two rooms, allowing for enough of space for both children and adults to play and relax.

The tent has enough space to accommodate three queen-size airbeds, or two queen-size airbeds with additional space for baggage or hanging out.

This tent features two entrances, one of which is a hinged door, which makes getting in and out of the tent quite simple.

Coleman WeatherMaster 10-Person Outdoor Tent

Tent for Eight People Coleman’s eight-person Instant Family Tent is one of Bradford’s top recommendations for a variety of uses, including big gatherings of people and single vehicle campers. In addition to comfort camping on her own, she uses it on group excursions with Black Girls Camp, an Ohio state-registered charity dedicated to increasing the number of black women who go camping and providing a safe environment for them to learn about and enjoy being in the great outdoors. The tent can be set up in less than a minute thanks to the snap-in poles, which are both robust and simple to use.

However, she points out that while the instant-pitch tent is convenient, especially after a long drive, it does not pack down as small and is not quite as winter-friendly as some of her favorite traditional pitch tents, such as the Field and Stream Cross Vent 8-Person Tent from Field & Stream Outdoors.

Coleman Instant Family Tent

As a result, when backpacking, you must carry all of your belongings with you on the trail, making even the smallest amount of weight matter. The ideal hiking equipment should be lightweight, multipurpose, and long-lasting. Michelle Markel, a long-distance hiker and the creator of supportpubliclands.com, says that when it comes to backpacking tents, “tent weight is one of the most critical concerns, since on a long-distance trek, every ounce matters.” However, you must strike a balance between weight and durability since you do not want your shelter to crumble or rip during a storm or in the middle of a weeklong walk.

In the words of Reed, “It doesn’t matter whether your tent weighs less than one pound as long as it leaks water on the route.” Tents made of ripstop fabric and metal poles are the most durable option for outdoor use.

“When going light means really, very light (or if you’re headed somewhere with warm weather), don’t rule it out,” she advises.

For summer camping, they also allow for more ventilation, and they’re reasonably easy to get by almost everywhere you go to buy groceries.

It will also be easier to use a tarp if you know where you’re going to camp ahead of time—somewhere with plenty of space to set up your tent poles and that isn’t too windy would be excellent for this.

Best Tents for Camping

There have been 49 reviews, with an average rating of 4.2 stars. Whether you’re a family vehicle camper, an overlander, or anywhere in between, pull up a chair because your next nylon apartment quest begins right here. This year’s crop of vehicle camping tents demonstrates that there is a suitable home away from home for everyone who want to head out into the great outdoors. The short version is as follows: The fact that you’re vehicle camping means that you don’t have to be concerned about the volume or weight of your stuff.

In addition, such shelters are frequently less complicated to set up than their hiking counterparts, and they are also less expensive.

We put the best tents available at REI through their paces and condensed all of the feedback into the information you’ll find in this guide.

Test Results

Check out the findings of our round-robin below for some quick recommendations, or continue reading for more in-depth assessments.

• Best All-Around Camping Tent: REI Co-op Kingdom 6
• Best Camping Tent for Small Groups: Big Agnes Dog House 4
• Best Camping Tent for People Who Want Just One: Exped Outer Space II
• Best Cartop Tent: Thule Tepui Explorer Ayer 2
• Best Cartop Tent: Thule Tepui Explorer A

Other Top Performers

• REI Co-op Grand Hut 4
• Marmot Limestone 4P
• Kelty Discovery Dome 4
• REI Co-op Grand Hut 4
• REI Co-op Grand Hut

REI Co-op Kingdom 6 Tent

The best all-around camping tent is available at REI Co-op. Winner of the Editors’ Choice Award received $298.93 from REI Co-op.

• Number of doors:2
• Floor area:83.3 sq. ft.
• Vestibule area:29 sq. ft.
• Peak height:75 in. Score:95 Weight when packaged: 21 lbs. 6 oz.

Results of the testing: One tester termed this opulent tent his “party palace,” and we couldn’t agree with him more. Not only is the 75-inch peak height one of the highest in our survey, but this monster provides well over 100 square feet of space between the floor area and vestibule, which is larger than some brick-and-mortar bedrooms. In order to do this, theREI Co-opKingdom 6 is equipped with a divider, allowing campers to divide the rectangular floor layout into two separate chambers, each with its own entrance.

1. Upon entering, you will find a vestibule of 29 square feet on the front side, where you may keep boots, backpacks, and damp items.
2. Alternatively, you may raise the doors up with a couple of tarp poles and guylines to create a front porch with an awning.
3. “It’s similar to our gear garage,” one tester explains.
4. On rainy days, we might as well eat under the gazebo.” When properly guyed out, the Kingdom 6 functioned admirably for us in heavy rain and wind, and testers reported no leaks, even when the tent was placed on the lawn when the sprinklers turned off (all in the name of good testing).
5. You should choose a tent with a higher aerodynamic profile if you want to camp on exposed territory or in adverse weather conditions.
6. The Kingdom 6 may be compressed into a package the size of a child.
7. Furthermore, with a tent this large, you will very certainly have assistance similar to that of a barn rising.

Click here to purchase. The bottom line is this: Take advantage of the largest amount of living space available in the Kingdom 6, which offers two rooms that can comfortably accommodate families and individuals wishing to stretch out.

Testing stats:

• Colorado, South Dakota, Utah, and Washington are among the states that have been tested. The best testing story: “Google Maps is the key to successful desert vehicle camping,” one tester (who, yes, is a millennial) comments of his experience. When we drove nearly directly to the edge of a 1,000-foot-deep canyon and set up our camp with a view over the rim, we recognized how important our preparation had been.”

Results of the experiment: Sometimes, simpler is better. The Big Agnes Dog House 4 is an example of a no-frills shelter that accomplishes everything you want it to do and nothing you don’t. Setup is simple and self-explanatory, even for first-time campers, thanks to a logical pole structure and color-coded webbing and buckles. True story: Our tester was able to build the Dog House 4 in a matter of minutes on his first attempt (despite the fact that he didn’t follow the directions, as he points out).

• The partial fly (which protrudes from the top of the tent like a bucket hat) is constantly connected, thus there is no room for error in the design.
• The Dog House 4 has a surprising amount of space inside.
• A big D-door, an adjacent huge window, and two vents in the peak offer enough airflow and make arriving and exiting from the room simple.
• And, at $250, it’s one of the most affordable of the tents we tested.
• The bottom line is that the Dog House 4 is a complete package that includes everything you need and nothing you don’t.

Testing stats:

• California, New York, and Washington are among the states that have participated in the testing. The best testing story: During the spring 2020 pandemic, one tester’s Dog House 4 has been transformed into his family’s shelter-in-place backyard weekend retreat. As he points out, “the water resistance to the automated sprinklers was above normal.”

Exped Outer Space II Tent

The best tent for people who just want one is available for $256.93 at REI Co-op.

• A score of 91 was achieved
• The floor space was 30 square feet, and the vestibule area was 26.9 square feet for the bigger and 7.5 square feet for the smaller
• Peak height is 59 inches. Doors: 2
• Weight in package: 6 lbs 5 oz
• Number of doors:

Testing revealed that life is already difficult enough without needing to purchase specialized tents for car camping and trekking. Make your life easier with the ExpedOuter Space II, a brand-new shelter that can comfortably do both functions. And you’ll feel quite comfortable: A vestibule large enough to accommodate two chairs and a cooler is included with this tent. It makes sense: we go camping in order to spend time outside rather than indoors. The Outer Space II’s 27-square-foot vestibule, which is larger than many hiking tents on its own, has its own pole framework that can be staked down conventionally, but campers may roll back the rainfly from the sides to create a covered patio for dining or lounging in the shade (pictured).

The tent body and fly were separated when a washout appeared imminent, resulting in an enclosed chamber large enough to accommodate a few of damp neighbors from the next campground over.

When lying down, two campers have plenty of shoulder room, as well as enough space to sit up comfortably.

The tent weighs around 3 pounds per person while hiking, and because it is constructed with an outside pole layout, you cannot remove the fly in good weather—but these are minor trade-offs for the most adaptable tent we found in our testing process.

Click here to purchase. The bottom line is this: Make the most of adverse weather with the Outer Space II, which features a big, tent-sized vestibule and is just light enough to serve as a trekking shelter in addition to its primary use as a tent.

Testing stats:

• The number of nights out is 12
• The testing state is Colorado
• What one tester considers to be the best testing story: “It was warm enough when camping up in Steamboat Springs, Colorado, that I was able to sleep with both vestibules peeled back,” he adds. Because of this, I was able to catch a glimpse of the enormous bull moose wandering past camp early one morning.”

The results of the test were as follows: A roof-top tent is a comfortable and practical home away from home that sits somewhere in the middle of vehicle camping and van lifestyle. The pop-up-style shelter from Thulenests is housed in a spacious, zippered compartment that attaches to your vehicle racks; to use it, simply remove the cover, extend the ladder, and flip open the clamshell floor; to store it, simply remove the cover and place it in a dry place. The learning curve is small, and one tester claims to have reduced her setup time to 30 seconds or less.

• As an alternative to removing it every weekend, we propose installing it once and leaving it there throughout the camping season.
• She could arrive at camp late and just snap open her Ayer 2.
• In the Ayer 2, there is enough space for two individuals to sit upright and play cards comfortably (with a 70-pound husky dozing on the other end), or for three persons to sleep side by side in a comfortable position.
• The Ayer 2 comes equipped with a 2.5-inch-thick foam mattress, which is a significant improvement over the mattresses that college students are used to sleeping on.
• Click here to purchase.

Testing stats:

• California, Colorado, Nevada, and Utah are the testing states. There are 26 nights out in all. A tester shares his or her favorite testing story: “While offroading behind Red Rocks National Conservation Area in Nevada, we weren’t sure if we were going to find a manageable campsite, but when we stumbled into an opening bordered by rocky cliffs and desert cacti, we knew it was going to be one of the best campsites of the trip,” one of our testers recalls.

Other Top Performers

TheREI Co-test op’s results have been released. This movable cabin for a small party offers the elegance and room of theKingdom 6 while maintaining the simplicity and affordability of theDog House 4, thereby bridging the gap between the two. Campers taller than 6 feet should be able to stand up and walk around without bumping into sloping walls because of the geometry of the Grand Hut 4. Because the Grand Hut 4 is more cube-like than pyramidal, the entire floor plan is usable, and campers taller than 6 feet should be able to stand up and walk around without bumping into sloping walls.

In the words of one tester, “we moved our pads and sleeping bags to form a living room to one side, then set up the iPad to the other side for an A+ movie-watching arrangement.” Because the rainfly stretches all the way to the ground, according to the same tester, there was no leaking in either vestibule.

1. Click here to purchase.
2. Results of the tests: Despite the rain, our group of four testers remained dry and comfortable in the Limestone 4P while camping in New York’s Coyle Hill State Forest.
3. Even when our crew brought five additional friends over for a game of cards, everyone was able to sit comfortably in a circle with plenty of space in the centre to play.
4. Another, smaller door at the back allows you to enter and depart without disturbing your companion without any difficulty.
5. The results of the test were as follows: It is not necessary to spend a lot of money to sleep beneath the stars.
6. Its basic three-pole frame is obvious and simple to learn, especially for those of us who are new to camping.

Also included are an expansive D-shaped door, inside organizing pockets, and interior loops for tying a light or gear loft to the dome. Click here to purchase. All Car-Camping Tents may be found here.

Buying Advice

Car-camping tents are often larger, more roomy, and more feature-rich than backpacking tents, but they are also significantly heavier than backpacking tents. Obviously, you’d have a problem if you had to transport your entire setup everytime you went, but that’s the beauty of vehicle camping. Weighing less is not a problem when driving to your camping destination. The tents recommended in this list are spacious, well-equipped, and reasonably priced. Although they are not the most portable, there are several crossover tents (such as the Exped Outer Space II) that are light enough to carry on a backpacking trip while being exceptionally comfortable in a front-country campsite environment.

Capacity

Every tent model has a number in its name that, approximately speaking, corresponds to the number of people that can fit inside, lying down shoulder to shoulder, in the tent. The industry does not have a set guideline for how much space each person should have, so think of it as a maximum; four people can sleep well in a four-person tent, but you’ll be more comfortable in a six-person shelter. Before purchasing a tent, be sure to check over the specifications. The floor area may assist you in determining where the sleeping pads should be placed in order to optimize space, and the peak height can inform you of how much headroom you’ll have in your sleeping area.

Vestibules and Doors

Although the room within the main body of the tent is important, it’s not the only place that matters. If you’re dealing with inclement weather or otherwise spending a lot of time inside your tent, you’ll want to get as much items out of it as possible. Vestibules play an important role in this. These indoor-outdoor areas on the opposite side of the entrance are covered and accessible from the interior of the tent, but they do not take up any more floor space in the tent. This is a fantastic place to keep extra equipment and wet clothing.

Everyone can enter and depart without tripping over one another or getting in the line of anybody else’s progress.

Features

It’s also important thinking about elements like organization, ventilation, and even color when designing a space. Extra features tend to raise the price of a shelter, but they might be well worth it in the long run. Interior pockets, gear lofts, and gear loops allow you to keep your sundries off the floor and out of the way, allowing you to save floor room for sleeping and sleeping gear storage. Having the option of designating one pocket for each sleeper is convenient, but it is not required.

If you have numerous people sleeping in a tent, or if you are camping in rain or high humidity, you may want to be able to open the tent vents to promote ventilation and reduce condensation to keep the tent from becoming too hot.

When it’s dreary and murky outside, a brightly colored tent may help to make the inside of the tent feel more cozy and enjoyable. Additionally, it is more apparent from a distance. A tent with a neutral color scheme, on the other hand, will fit in better with its surroundings.

Methodology

The REI Outdoor Store dispatched 22 members (along with their friends, families, and pets) from around the country to vehicle campsites and areas of wide-open public land in the summer and fall of 2019 to review the best shelters available on the REI website. Despite the burning heat, torrential rain, and gale-force winds, they were able to thoroughly inspect everything from leaks to privacy windows. At the end of the day, each tester evaluated each shelter based on its spaciousness, weather protection, durability, features, cost, and utility.

TheREI Co-op Kingdom 6, Big Agnes Dog House 4, Exped Outer Space II, and Thule Tepui Explorer Ayer 2 all performed exceptionally well in most categories; theREI Co-op Grand Hut 4, Marmot Limestone 4P, and Kelty Discovery Dome 4all performed exceptionally well in at least one—but not all—categories.

Related Articles

Article written by Ryan Wichelns about how to choose a camping tent. Ryan works as a freelance journalist and mountaineer in his spare time. His favorite climbs are the strange, unattractive snow- and ice-covered mounds in the middle of nowhere that take a weeklong scree-choked struggle just to get close enough to perhaps climb. Don’t bother asking him why. Since 2017, I’ve been a member of REI.

Best Tents For A Family Of 4

I hope you enjoy the things I’ve selected below; but, please be aware that I receive a commission on qualifying sales made via my Amazon affiliate link. This means that if you purchase something after clicking on one of the links on this page, I may receive a commission. Time to take the troops camping, but you’re not sure which tents would be appropriate for a family of four. It’s a regular problem for people to be unclear of what size tent they truly require. When you consider that a traditional four-person tent is nowhere near large enough to accommodate a family of four campers, it makes sense.

• As a result of placing four sleeping bags side by side, these tents have been given this designation.
• However, unless you enjoy sleeping in a tin can of sardines, you will most likely want to invest in a larger family size tent.
• The reason for this is that they do not have to be as huge as a family of six tent while still keeping a reasonable price range.
• Don’t anticipate a five-star camping experience from a tent purchased from a two-dollar discount store.
• A tent of this size, on the other hand, is ideal for camping in approved camping areas.
• These sorts of campgrounds have set camping site sizes, so if your tent is too large, you may be unable to stay in some areas or may be required to pay for two camping spots.
• I even have difficulties with my tent for 5 people at times since the length of it presents problems when it comes to finding a location to put it up on.

However, I will never pay for two campsites only to have an extra foot of tent length in my tent. However, with a tent large enough to accommodate a family of four, you should not have this problem.

What Size Tent Do 4 People Need Then

Below you can discover my own recommendations for camping with a group of four people. Size, quality, and weatherproof qualities are all factors considered while selecting these tents. When camping with a young family, the last thing you want is a tent that leaks water on your gear and/or your head while you’re sleeping. However, as a matter of thumb, the smallest space I allow for one person to sleep is 9ft2. As a result, a minimum of 36ft2 would be required for four persons. When it comes to accommodating a larger individual, more room will be required, and if you are a tall individual, an establishment with a higher ceiling height will be desired.

1. From there, you’ll want to think about how many airbeds and/or cots you’ll be bringing, as well as the size of each bed.
2. After that, you should think about how much gear you will be storing inside the tent.
3. If this is the case, perhaps adding an extra room would be a smart idea.
4. These tents, on the other hand, are becoming a little bigger.
5. In an ideal situation, you’d want a two-room tent in which the two children share a room large enough to keep some of your belongings.
6. You may see below for a list of some of the best tents for a family of four that meet these standards.

My Top Rated Tent For Camping With 4 People

The Wenzel Klondike is the tent that I prefer the best in this size range. It’s labeled as an 8-person tent, but it’s large enough to accommodate a family of four. It provides ample room, shelter from the weather, and a reasonable ceiling height. All of this without being so large that it will not fit in tiny camping areas. The overall layout of the tent is 11’x16′, giving you a total of 176ft2 of floor space. The Klondike’s front screen room, on the other hand, is one of my favorite features.

There is a total of 60ft2 of space in the front screen room, which can be converted totally into a standard tent room.

Having this front screen area is beneficial during the warmer months because it offers you with a large open space for the air to circulate and keep things cool inside the tent. In addition, it allows you to set up a sitting area in the front where you will be protected from UV rays and rain.

The Main Room

The main room in the back of the house is larger and is intended to serve as the primary sleeping area. However, if you do not want to have four people sleeping in this room, you may always set up the front room as a playroom for the children. This is one of the reasons why I adore this tent. It’s really adaptable in terms of how you want to set it up. The back room has a total area of 98ft2, which means it can comfortably accommodate four persons. Considering the ceiling height of 6’5′′ in this area, it is a decent height for the adults to establish a base of operations.

It’s Got The Lot

Overall, the Klondike tent is one of my personal favorite camping destinations. It contains everything you need, and it is spacious enough to accommodate a family of four comfortably. Consequently, I wouldn’t alter anything about this tent if I were in your position. In order to keep ground water out, it includes a waterproof bathtub flooring, and a rainfly protects you from the elements from the top. With the air vents and the mesh ceiling, the air circulation is excellent, not to mention if you use the front room as a screen room, which also keeps out pests and insects.

However, keep in mind that you would need to cover the mesh ceiling in order to prevent the chilly air from escaping.

Best Waterproof Tent For 4 People

NTK is again another one of my personal favorite tent manufacturers. They manufacture high-end tents that, in my view, offer the greatest waterproofing characteristics available. It is my opinion that the NTK Indy GT XL tent be used for a family of four people. When compared to the Wenzel Klondike, which has a more cabin-like appearance, this tent has a more dome-like appearance. Despite the fact that it is a dome, the ceiling height is still rather high, reaching a maximum of 6’2′′. The Indy GT XL, which is labeled as a 6 person tent, is smaller than the Klondike and may be better suited to a family with very young children as opposed to a group of bigger teens.

Amazing Features

The beautiful thing about this tent is that it, too, can be converted into a two-room structure. It is possible to keep the tent’s front door open for more air circulation and a means to obtain fresh air without being exposed to the sun’s UV rays on one end, while the other end has an awning. Technically speaking, this region is referred to as thevestibule, and it is distinctive in that it opens up and gives a large amount of living space. The front half of the tent is 7’9″ by 6’2″ and is made of canvas.

However, after everything is zipped up, you may use this front room as a second sleeping space if you so want.

It has a footprint of 7’9″x7’9″ and can accommodate a queen-sized airbed as well as a single-sized airbed.

Throughout the main area, you will find lantern hooks and storage compartments to help you stay organized and tidy.

However, there are no windows, to put it another way. You would leave a wide aperture on the side of the vestibule open in order to allow air to flow when you have the rain fly completely down during a rainstorm.

Rain Proof?

When I hear the term NTK, the first thing that comes to me is waterproof. This is due to the fact that these tents, in my opinion, provide the finest protection from rain, storms, and severe winds. Starting with the rain fly, it has a 2500mm waterproof covering, which means it can withstand up to 2500mm of rain before you need to be concerned about it. However, if 2500mm of rain fell on you in a single night, I’d be more concerned about being carried away in the flood waters that may result from such a heavy downpour.

• As a result, there is no potential for rain to get inside the tent, and because there are no windows, wind and rain are unable to seep in through the seams.
• A bathtub-style floor covering is also used on the ground level of the building.
• This is critical if you want to have a tent that is completely waterproof.
• This tent’s unusual front vestibule is a fantastic feature since it features transparent panels that enable light to enter the tent without affecting the tent’s ability to withstand the elements of wind and rain.

Heavy Duty 4 Person Tent

For a family of four, the Montana by Coleman is an excellent choice if you want a heavy-duty yet large tent that is also affordable. The Montana tent is available with regular features or as part of the Coleman ‘Elite’ series of tents, which includes more advanced features. Elite is the way to go if you have a family. This is due to the fact that it has an internal lighting system. Several tents with built-in lights are available, but for my family of four, the Coleman Montana is the most practical solution.

Premium Tent Features

Along with the lights, the Elite is equipped with a number of additional high-end features, including:

1. When using a tent with a hinged door, it is much easier for children to enter and depart the tent without the risk of tearing the zippers
2. The windows will automatically roll down smoothly once you have unzipped them once you have unzipped them. Additionally, they may be opened at an angle to allow for better air circulation within the tent while it is raining. The quantity of stuffiness within the tent is being reduced. The WeatherTec System helps to make the tent one of the most water-resistant on the market. Awnings that are longer in length to cover the front entrance and windows to provide better protection from wind and rain

SizeSetup

Exactly the same as myCV tent, this Coleman Montanta has the same same setup. As a result, it is quite simple to put together. It makes use of a four-pole framework that has been somewhat changed to fit my CV. The assembly, on the other hand, is the same. If you are capable of inserting four poles via long material channels, you will be able to put up this beast in less than ten minutes. In terms of size, this is a good size for a family of four in my opinion. It can accommodate three queen air mattresses, but if you’re just taking four people camping, you can set up two queens and still have plenty of room for storage, a kitchen pantry, and other amenities.

On a general scale, the room is 16′ by 7′, with a ceiling height of 6’2″. The entire footprint is 119ft2, which is somewhat larger than the size of the NTK tent mentioned above.

When You Want More Out Of Your Tent

The Montana Elite tent is designed for those who like a stress-free camping experience. There is no doubt that the Elite features are well worth the slight additional expenditure. This is especially true if you have smaller children. The automatic roll-down windows, hinged door, and inside illumination are all fantastic features for children. Because there is less frustration when it comes to zippers and navigating inside a dark tent in the middle of the night, camping becomes a more pleasurable experience.

Four Person Tent For 2 To 3 Night Camping Trips

I was on the fence about suggesting this tent, not because it’s a horrible tent in the least, but because I didn’t know what to expect. However, this is due to the fact that it is not the greatest tent for harsh weather. After some consideration, I concluded that the likelihood of a family of four with small children camping in terrible weather was quite remote. This is one of the reasons why I usually check the weather forecast before going camping with my kids. This tent performs admirably in the majority of circumstances.

Just make sure you don’t do it on the side of a mountain or in a heavy storm, and you’ll be alright.

Its A Timber Ridge Tent

Now that we’ve gotten that out of the way, let’s talk about the tent itself. It’s an 8-person tent from Timber Ridge. This tent, in my opinion, is the perfect size for a family of four who enjoys short camping trips of 2 to 3 nights duration. It’s not difficult to do, and the set-up is straightforward. As a result, if you’re looking for a quick trip, this tent is ideal. It is not necessary to have a large and complicated camping setup for a short camping trip of 2 or 3 nights. The fact that it has two D-shaped entrances that are side by side is something I appreciate about this tent.

1. Consequently, you may designate one end for the children and the other end for the parents.
2. If you want a more open-style tent, the room partition may be removed completely.
3. When opposed to the NTK, this tent has a more conventional design.
4. This has the potential to be both beneficial and detrimental at times.

The Negatives I have

While the Timber Ridge tent has three windows, as opposed to the NTK’s single window and vestibule opening, it does not have the capacity to withstand inclement weather, as previously stated. However, if you have carefully planned your brief few-night excursion, you should avoid going camping in the middle of a storm in any case. The other issue I have with this tent is that it does not have any inside storage compartments or pockets.

In the event that you’ve never tented before, you won’t miss them nearly as much. However, if you are used to having several storage compartments, you will undoubtedly notice that this is a weakness in the Timber Ridge design.

Camping As A Family Of 4 In Winter

You should consider purchasing a canvas tent if you intend to brave the weather and go camping with your family during the winter months. These tents are significantly more durable than nylon or polyester tents, and they retain heat inside the tent a million times better than either of those materials. When camping in the winter, the Kodiak and Springbar tents are the finest canvas tents for a family of four to choose from. Both are of comparable size and can accommodate up to four people comfortably.

Just make sure you’re well-prepared by packing plenty of winter clothing and a canvas tent.