Best Family Tents for 2024

Whether you’re new to camping or a seasoned pro, your first tent or your newest upgrade is one of the biggest and most exciting purchases. Your tent is your home away from home, and it’s important that it can fit your family and gear, and protect you from the elements.

If you live somewhere where it rains or can get gusty, you will thank yourself for squeezing a little more room into your budget for this item. Some items you can just go grab something from the grocery store and make do, but your tent is your shelter. And camping with kids, ensuring you have somewhere you can stay warm and dry is of the utmost importance. Choosing one of the best family tents for your family is worth the cost and effort.

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How to Choose the Best Tent for Your Family

Car Camping Tent or Backpacking Tent?

What type of camping do you plan to do? Will you be “car camping” or backpacking? If car camping, weight and bulk are less of a concern and you can focus on space and comfort at camp. If you’re backpacking with kids, chances are you’re also carrying a lot of their gear and weight and bulk will be very important.

The differences between packed sizes of 4 person tents can be significant. Our go-to car camping tent is twice the weight and size of our backpacking tent. But the way those backpacking tents cut down weight is by using ultra lightweight materials (adding cost), and cutting out some “extras” (like pockets, vestibule size, etc.). If you’re just starting out camping, a solid car camping tent is a great investment.

Tent Vestibule Size

Tent vestibules are great places to store your shoes and your packs (and for some families a great place for dogs to sleep). They can range from incredibly spacious and full height, to barely enough for your shoes. Many campers have strong opinions about vestibule size (I am no exception).

I find a giant vestibule to be a waste of fly fabric (which is bulky and heavy). Giant vestibules can also make getting into and out of the tent more of a process. But they can also be useful for tucking under and shedding your wet or muddy layers before entering into your dry cozy tent. If you have dogs this may be an ideal space for them to sleep, and you’ll prefer a larger vestibule.

Small vestibules on the other hand, can make entry into your tent on a wet day difficult. One of my tents has a vestibule so small that our shoes barely fit under it, and our packs go inside the tent instead. It’s shaving ounces to have no wasted fly fabric for the vestibule, but also makes use of the tent in the ran more of a hassle.

A good trick for entering small to medium sized vestibules in the rain is to take off rain pants or muddy/wet outer pants to your knees, unzip the tent inner, and sit down inside while you slip off your boots and outerwear for vestibule storage. We get pretty dirty at camp so having outerwear come off and only clean(ish) clothes go in is our rule.

Tent Size and Height

Kids are small, but we all know they can take up a LOT of space when they sleep. It’s a good rule of thumb to treat them like an adult person, especially since most tents that say 3p or 4p are actually pretty snug for that many adults. I have gotten my 3 young kids and myself into a 2p backpacking tent, but it’s not something I’m likely to repeat and certainly wouldn’t recommend buying less tent than family members; they’re only going to get bigger!

Most backpacking tents are substantially shorter than car camping tents. For many of us this is not a big deal, but if you have a taller family definitely look at the height of the tents. It’s not fun to have tent in your face while waiting out a storm in your tent.

Tents are often rectangular, which I prefer over square tents. With rectangle tents, I have options for which way to have us face, and how our camping mats fit best. We often face the short way, and sleep with double mats all the way across so the crack is at our knees not between us. Square tents take away this option.

If you already own sleeping pads, double check the tent dimensions and make sure your pads will fit. If those are on your to-buy list also, it is SO great when you can get an exact wall-to-wall fit out of your pads so nothing slides around. The Sea to Summit coupler straps can also help secure mats. Double pads can also save you money, weight, and prevent cracks.

Waterproof Camping Tents

Since your tent is your shelter, you need it to protect you from the elements. These tents we recommend are ALL double-wall tents that will protect you from rain.

If you live somewhere that it rains a lot (looking at you PNW…) it’s essential to know that you’ll stay dry in your tent. Most come seam-sealed, or have an option to purchase seam-sealing. You can also do this yourself with seam sealant.

The downside to having a nice tall space to stand in your car camping tent is that it can act like a sail and be blown away by strong winds. For most car camping, this won’t be an issue as campgrounds you access by car often have good wind breaks. If you’re camping somewhere windy and taking one of the giant tents like the Base Camp 4, make sure you can anchor it. If wind is often a factor where you camp, consider a more aerodynamic tent.

Ease of Set-Up

With one exception (Tarptent), all the tents recommended here are easy to set up. Poles are usually color-coded, and easy to thread through sleeves and loops. Most have directions printed on the bag. Almost all tents have instructional videos you can watch before your first set-up if you’re worried about figuring it out while managing the kiddos. (And a note about that… involving the kiddos in tent setup early and always will ensure this is a smooth part of your trip!).

A note about pop-up tents (Ozark Trail/Coleman): While a 60-second setup may sound great if you’re intimidated by camping, these tents don’t preform great in the rain or with condensation. They’re huge inside, but you run the risk of having to stay away from the wet edges of the tent. The “fly”/canopy only partially covers the edges, and they act like a single wall tent. They’re also enormous to pack.

Best Family Car Camping Tents

These tents range from 8 to 21 pounds. With the exception of the Marmot Limelight, none of them are suitable for backpacking, but all will make an awesome basecamp for your car camping adventure.

Many of them come in several different sizes, specs listed are for the 4p sizes. Remember to count your fur babies if they sleep in the tent with you, but if they’re vestibule sleepers all of these tents will have space for them to shelter.

All of these tents have two doors with the exception of the Vault, and all are free-standing. You can set them up without the rainfly for views or warm weather, and can set them up with just the fly if you want to use them as an open-air rain shelter. Some of them do not come with the footprint and this can be a surprise added expense if it’s something you use.

Big Agnes Bunk House 4

• Weight: 16 lbs. 3 oz.
• Floor Dimensions: 92 x 90 inches
• Peak Height: 72 inches
• Footprint Included?: No
• Price: $599.95

Pros: This tent has more vertical room than the Marmot Limelight, and more floor space as well.

Cons: Footprint is not included, poles have been reviewed as on the weaker end. Not aerodynamic.

Coleman Skydome Darkroom 6P

• Weight: 18 lbs.
• Floor Dimensions: 120 x 102 inches
• Peak Height: 72 inches
• Footprint Included?: No
• Price: $200

Pros: If you want to block out light for better sleeping or to cut down on hot tents in the sun, this is the tent you want. It blocks out 90% of light, is easy to set up, and is very affordable.

Cons: There is only one door and not many storage pouches/pockets.

Marmot Limestone 4P Tent

• Weight: 11 lbs. 12.2 oz.
• Floor Dimensions: 100 x 85.8 inches
• Peak Height: 65 inches
• Footprint Included?: Yes
• Price: $299.73

Pros: Spacious. Easy to set up. Large vestibules, but not so large that it seems overwhelming. The doors unzip in two directions and zip completely open (you can tuck the screen door down into a pocket) for ease of access and views. This would be wonderful in shoulder seasons to just let the air in through both sides of the tent. There are lots of clips to hang your stuff. Great pocket assortment, including two tiny triangle pockets on ceiling that are perfect for glasses, and lots of pockets on all sides of the floor.

Cons: None for car camping, though shorter than some of the other options (adults can not stand in it). Weight is a bit heavy (but doable) if using for backpacking.

MSR Habiscape 6 Tent

Team member Jessica’s family said they “LOVE the MSR Habiscape 6 for car camping”. Jessica even wrote a full review of the family car camping tent.

• Weight: 14 lbs. 6 oz.
• Floor Dimensions: 120 x 100 inches
• Peak Height: 77 inches
• Footprint Included?: Yes
• Price: $599.95

Pros: The MSR Habiscape 6 Tent has a spacious interior and six people can fit comfortably. It has very durable construction which is great for various weather conditions and extended outdoor adventures. Setting up the tent is quick and hassle-free, thanks to its intuitive design and color-coded poles. Additionally, the tent’s excellent ventilation, provided by multiple mesh windows and vents, creates a comfortable sleeping environment.

Cons: On the downside, the tent is relatively heavy, which might be a drawback for those prioritizing weight. Its higher price point could deter budget-conscious campers, despite its durability and reliability. The second vestibule is significantly smaller and not very functional in our testers opinion.

REI Wonderland 4 and 6 Tent

The REI Wonderland tent is a replacement for REI’s popular Kingdom tent line with updated features and quality. This tent comes in a 4-person and 6-person model. One of the main complaints about the Kingdom tent line was that it was not stable enough in winds, leading to buckling and sometimes rain getting in.

With the REI Wonderland Tent, REI fixed that problem but introducing a creative Y-brace into the tent frame body. We tested this tent in rain and wind, and it NEVER leaked. It also did not blow over, collapse, or really move more than normal.

The head room inside the tent is awesome. It also has built in mesh organizing pockets which makes finding keys, flashlights and wallets much easier.

I like to thoroughly test new tents, so when I set the Wonderland tent up, I did not use any guy lines or extra stakes. I also did not add any seam seal to it. We slept in the tent in a rain storm, and I was thrilled that there were zero drops in the tent. I also found the ventilation to be excellent–the lower zippered windows are brilliant.

• Weight: 21 lbs. 11 oz.
• Floor Dimensions: 100 in. x 100 in.
• Peak Height: 75 inches
• Footprint Included?: No
• Price: $549

Pros: Large doors (2) and 350 degree views, even with the fly on. Stable in windy conditions, even with a higher height. Lots of storage options in the tent making it ideal for organizing the whole family.

Cons: This tent is heavy, definitely making it a car-camping tent. It also has no vestibule, which is the trade-off for 360 degree views.

REI Wonderland Mudroom

By adding on the Wonderland Mudroom, you can add a tremendous amount of storage and hang out space to your Wonderland tent. We found the mudroom to be very waterproof, and sturdy in the wind. On a recent camping trip, two of our boys even decided to sleep in it with a ground cloth and it was perfect! Definitely worth adding on if you like extra room.

REI Base Camp 4 Tent

This rugged, mountaineering-inspired tent comes in a 4 person and 6 person model.

• Weight: 17 lbs. 5.6 oz.
• Floor Dimensions: 100 x 86 inches
• Peak Height: 63 inches
• Footprint Included?: No
• Price: $474.00

Pros: Stands up to the elements; tall enough to stand up in; decent-sized vestibules; two large  doors; plenty of storage pockets; once you get the hang of it, easy to set up alone or with the help of a kid. It also has good ventilation, but the solid sides zip up and down so it provides privacy even without the fly. We also like that you can open and close the vents from the inside (there are zippers in the ceiling of the tent) rather than having to do it from the outside.

Cons:  Square-shaped so if you have 6 people then one has to sleep at the feet of the others

Snow Peak Amenity Dome L

• Weight: 19 lbs. 9 oz.
• Floor Dimensions: 199 x 110 inches
• Peak Height: 58.8 inches
• Footprint Included?: No
• Price: $399.95

The Snow Peak Amenity Dome is a roomy 4-person tent, that is also available in a 6-person version. It is a comfy dome shape with a large vestibule big enough to hang out in in stormy weather.

You can also expand your covered area with an Amenity Hexa Tarp (size L fits 6 people)

Best Large Family Camping Tents

In addition to the tents above that come in larger 6p and 8p sizes, the following large family tents are sure to keep you and all your gear contained on your car camping adventures.

The North Face Wawona 6

• Weight: 20 lbs. 15 oz.
• Floor Dimensions: 120 x 96 inches
• Peak Height: 76 inches
• Footprint Included?: No
• Price: $500

Pros: Space! Lots of it and well laid out with pockets and height for tall folks. On clear nights you can remove the fly and have a starry night sleeping under the stars as the roof is all screen. No issues with condensation on cold nights, but insects love to get trapped between the fly and the mesh. The tent is reasonably aerodynamic for a tent of this size, and feels secure in wind. Jiana (Outdoor Family Chat member) says that after lots of research and testing, it’s one of the best large camping tents you can buy.

Cons: Only drawbacks are of course the amount space it takes up, both in your car and on the ground. Some campgrounds may not have space to accommodate such a large footprint.

The North Face Wawona 8

I know we covered the 6 person Wowona tent above, but the 8 person is different enough it’s worth having it’s own section. Amelia, mom of 5, says this is hands-down her favorite large family tent.

• Weight: 19 lbs. 6.4 oz.
• Floor Dimensions: 168 x 96 inches
• Peak Height: 78 inches
• Footprint Included?: No
• Price: $699

Pros: Space! This tent easily fits 7 adults comfortably. With 2 adults and 5 kids there is room to spare. There is a removable “wall” that can split the tent in half for privacy. We also love that it has three doors for easy in and out and lots of great pockets for stashing and hooks for hanging.

It also has an amazingly big “front porch” vestibule which doubles as an outdoor covered space to protect you from sun and/or rain.

Cons: Some campgrounds may not have space to accommodate such a large footprint. It doesn’t fit on most tent pads.

Big Agnes Bunkhouse 8

• Weight: 22lbs 15oz
• Floor Dimensions: 150 x 100 inches
• Peak Height: 82 inches
• Footprint included?: No, sold separately
• Price: $799.95

Pros: The Bunkhouse 8 sets up like a backpacking tent with all connected poles and color coding to simplify connections. The sides are completely mesh, which makes for awesome ventilation and sky views on a dry night. The tent is 7 feet tall inside, and really feels like it, with side walls that rise almost vertically.

We slept 6 inside, and unlike many 8 person tents, I could easily identify where the other two potential sleepers would go with no crowding. The rain cover is also backpacking-tent-style, sealing down well to create a cozy enclosure for chilly nights.

The vestibules are plenty large enough to store shoes and bags. The guylines are bright orange, and my kids specifically mentioned to me how nice that was when they could actually see them and avoid tripping during nighttime games!

It carries in a backpack style bag, which was really nice for carrying to our walk-in site.

Cons: The height is a little hard to manage on setup. I’m 5’7”, and could set it up with my 5’5” daughter, but it was hard to get to all the clips if done after raising, and tricky to figure out the clips if done before raising the tent. It would be nice if those were also color coded.

The mesh walls are so nice, but if you have warm and wet camping weather, you miss out on almost all of the ventilation. The rain cover doors hook open, but with the angle and the length of the tent, that doesn’t provide much airflow.

The footprint is large and too big for some camping pads; it’s pricey.

Best Family Backpacking Tents

For families who backpack, it usually means bringing multiple small tents that weigh less opposed to one large (and heavy) tent. However, if you’re willing to spend some extra money, 4-person backpacking tents DO exist.

We have found that a combo of 2 and 3 person tents is the most economical way to go for family backpacking.

Big Agnes Copper Spur HV UL2

The Big Agnes Copper Spur is widely regarded as one of the best family backpacking tents you can buy. It’s also available as a 3 person, 4 person, 5 person version.

• Weight: 3 lbs. 2 oz.
• Floor Dimensions: 88 x 52/42 (L x W head/foot) inches
• Peak Height: 40 inches
• Footprint Included?: No
• Price: $529.95

Pros: Very light weight making it perfect for backpacking. Feels very durable despite the light weight. Lots of different sizes available to fit your family. I use the 5 person version with my family of six and we love it as a family with young kiddos.

Cons: One of the more expensive tents on the market.

Check out our full review of the Big Agnes Copper Spur HV UL5 Tent.

Sierra Designs Meteor 4 Person Tent

Team Member Mary loves this tent – “For backpacking or bike packing, we like the Sierra designs meteor 4- it’s big enough for our family but light enough to pack. It’s not super roomy but worth it for the light weight. It’s held up to tons of use and it’s pretty reasonably priced.”

• Weight: 6 lbs 1 oz 
• Floor Dimensions: 91.5” x 86”
• Peak Height: 44 inches
• Footprint Included?: No
• Price: $369.95

Pros: The least expensive option on our backpacking tent list. Roomy enough for two adults and two kids or three kids if you have real tiny ones and are ok doing some “sleeping bag Tetris”. It has two entrances, decent sized vestibules to store gear, very comparable headroom and interior mesh pockets. It has a simple design which makes set up fast and is very durable.

Cons: Heavier than the rest on our backpacking list. The 4 person tent does feel more cramped if you have older children or adults rather than little kids.

Tarptent Hogback*

• Weight: 3 lbs. 15 oz.
• Floor Dimensions: 86 x 86 inches
• Peak Height: 49 inches
• Footprint Included?: No
• Price: $559.00

Tarptent is a relatively new company started by thru-hiker Henry Shires in 1999 after he couldn’t find a tent that met his specifications and decided to make his own. It has since become synonymous with wonderfully light innovative tents. The Hogback is their largest option; most Tarptents are geared towards 1p and 2p ultralight hikers.

Pros: By over a pound, this is the lightest 4p backpacking tent available, and feels very spacious inside. This tent is best for family backpacking, and is well suited to rainy weather because it features an “all-in-one” set up with the fly attached over the inner so your inside stays out of the elements. The fly features rigid triangular poles at each corner. This setup does make it more difficult to set up in the wind, but once up this handles wind beautifully. The optional crossing pole is advised for wind, but we’ve used the tent in very windy conditions without it and been very impressed. This tent can also handle snow load, with the optional crossing pole. There are two inner tent options, one partial solid (pictured here) and one that’s all mesh, better suited to warmer climates.

Cons: To take off the rainfly (for views or ventilation) you need to un-stake the fly, then stake in the inner part separately (and then remove those stakes when you put the fly back on). Not an intuitive setup and doesn’t come with directions; this is the first tent I have ever looked for directions for. The vestibules are nearly non-existent. Velcro and clip attachments seem at odd angles and locations (and make me miss regular tent clips and tie backs), and the inside hangs rather loose without many attachment points to the fly if the pitch isn’t perfect (and I’m still perfecting the pitch).

When you get in, unless you velcro the fly out of the way, it doesn’t stay folded over the top, and if it’s raining it will drip water into the inside while you’re working on getting into the tent. There are only two tiny mesh pockets inside and they’re right under the door.

The bathtub floor is not taught, but “floats” because of how it is attached to the fly. I love a taught floor and it keeps the mats in place better, so this is a little bothersome. There is no groundsheet option aside from a heavy Tyvek sheet, and because this tent is square my other groundsheets won’t fit it as well as I’d like.

Though my list of cons is quite large, I am picky when it comes to tents and I still really love this tent. I can’t help but love it, there is something fun and different about it. I love that it was one man’s vision for a better and lighter tent and due to the persistence of his fans it grew into a company. And it packs down SO small. It’s half the size and weight or the Marmot Limelight 4p mentioned above.

REI Half Dome 3+*

• Weight: 5 lbs. 11.7 oz.
• Floor Dimensions: 90 x 78 inches
• Peak Height: 44 inches
• Footprint Included?: Yes
• Price: $399.00

They now make this in a 2+ and 3+, I own the old version of the 2p, though the design of this tent is similar and I’ve loved all the iterations of it.

Pros: This is a really well designed tent that is a great choice for backpacking or car camping for smaller families. We’ve used the 2p size comfortably with one adult and one two small children, though if between sizes the 3p would be a great size for a growing family. Setup is intuitive and it handles the elements well. Lots of mesh makes for great views.

Canvas Tents for Camping

YES! Canvas tents work great for family camping and don’t have to be huge, heavy and bulky.

White Duck Regatta Bell Tent

The White Duck Regatta Bell Tent is perfect for families wanting the extra space and durability of a canvas tent that is still easy to put up and take down. Check out our full review here!

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Best Family Tents for 2024

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