The Best Family Tents for a Smooth Camping Trip (2024)

Our top recommendation sets the bar high. The Nemo Aurora Highrise Camping Tent has an impressive peak height of 6.25 feet, which makes it a rare find for tall campers who want to step inside without crouching down and move around freely. When it came to organization, we liked being able to store gear in the vestibules that are located at not one, but two entrances. We stashed smaller items, like books, electronics, and bug spray, in the interior gear pockets, so they were organized but always in reach. When it comes to protection from the elements, this tent does not disappoint. We camped for two nights on a windy beach and found that nothing — not even a wolf — could blow this house down. Light rain during the trip reinforced the tent’s waterproof rating, and there is an oversized fly to batten down the hatches when a light drizzle of rain turns into a heavy pour. We do wish that the rainfly reached all the way down to the ground on all sides, though, as this would be ideal for camping in cold climates.

The whole assembly process is quick and intuitive, and it’s straightforward enough for first-time campers to set up in a flash. Even after five months of use, assembling and packing/unpacking the tent is simple and quick. We loved getting to the fun parts of camping faster, like singing around a campfire and roasting marshmallows. The tent’s light blue color and whimsical floor pattern are also helpful ingredients for family fun.

The Details: 15.8 pounds | 90 x 100-inch floor | 4-person

When you’ve got up to six people sleeping horizontally at night, you need a tent that can fit everyone and the kitchen sink. This vertical tent designed with a 76-inch ceiling fits the bill, making it the perfect hotel underneath the stars for family camping trips or weekend getaways to music festivals with friends. Our testing gang consisted of two adults and two young children. We slept on queen-sized air mattresses and kid-sized sleeping bags, respectively. Even with a full brood, there was enough room for everyone to spread out like an eagle without arms or heads grazing the sides of the tent. Overpackers won’t lose sleep over gear cramping their space, as the two vestibules take the brunt of housing items.

With the tent being so spacious, it's a perfect hangout spot for rainy days or late nights. Anyone can feel like a gifted host with features like a lampshade pocket at the top of the ceiling to provide ambient light — perfect for telling scary ghost stories — and two separate D-shaped doors to keep campers from bumping into one another on the way in or out. There’s a mesh lining at the top of the tent for letting sunlight in during the day and laying back to admire the stars at night. After five months of use, the quality of the materials seem high and using the zippers and stretching the fabric frequently has not changed the tent's functionality.

The Details: 15.79 pounds | 120 x 100-inch floor | 6-person

Another great choice for campers looking for extra storage on their campsites, the North Face Wawona 6 is outfitted with a large vestibule that simplifies storing gear and changing out of dirty shoes and clothes. This tent also exceeded our expectations by handling rain well, no doubt thanks to the heavy-duty double wall construction. Although the wind was heavy, the tent’s 75-denier polyester fabric with a 1,200-millimeter waterproof rating was durable enough that no additional anchoring was needed, and after five months of use, the tent still looks brand new.

Setup and disassembly are a breeze. The brand updated its previous assembly process with improvements like a color-coded system of pole colors matching the pole sleeve and a re-engineered DAC MX poleset that’s capable of bending without breaking. A wide cinch-top opening on the carrying case also contributes to easy campsite cleanup.

The Details:20.93 pounds | 120 x 96 inches floor | 6-person

Camping as a family is a great way to create cherished memories. But the trip isn’t going to start off on the right foot if Dad’s back is hurting from carrying a heavy backpacking tent and the kids keep asking, “Are we there yet?” This tent provides the balance needed between spaciousness and portability. It’s a three-person tent, ideal for small families or couples who want extra room. We were comfortable testing it with two adults and a yellow lab. Even at 5 feet, 6 inches, one of our campers had to duck down at times. But the tent has your back in other ways, like its waterproofing features. Vertical walls ensure that rain rolls off the tent and doesn’t get trapped underneath the flooring. There’s a vent located at the highest point of the tent for a breath of fresh air, and other little touches to appreciate include four inner pockets, gear lofts, and mesh inner panels to keep bugs at bay.

The Details: 6.98 pounds | 90.5 x 78.7-inch floor | 3-person | 4,000 millimeters

It’s a tall order to find a tent that can fit an extra-tall person. We like this tent by REI, which is the tallest tent on our list at 6 feet and 6 inches. A 6-foot, 4-inch camper who tested the Wonderland with us was overjoyed by the extra room. It also affords plenty of interior space for storage. We brought along a queen-size air mattress, a twin cot, bags, and a dog bed. Two large corner pockets were perfect for keeping small belongings safe.

Normally, extra height on a tent makes it vulnerable to getting thrashed in the wind. This wasn't a problem with the Wonderland thanks to the added stability from the triangulated center pole and an extended ridge pole. We’ve raved about the tent’s height so far, but it did have some drawbacks during installation. Our shorter tester needed a rope to grab the middle support pole, so you may need someone to help you set up the tent. But since it sleeps six, help shouldn’t be hard to find. Bug-proof mesh, awnings for shade and rain protection, and an interior divider wall for privacy are some of our favorite features, and the overall structure shows no wear and tear after five months of regular use.

The Details: 22.93 pounds | 120 x 100-inch floor | 6-person

Shopping on a budget is easy with this tent that packs incredible value. It comes in two colors and fits two queen-sized beds. We found it more than spacious enough for a camping couple and a large dog. Without the frills that come with a more expensive tent, setup was easy. Snag-free sleeves made the poles glide in like butter. The poles are sturdy but still bendable, so they always have some give.The tub-like design of the waterproof floor means no water makes it to your sleeping bag. This WeatherTec system consists of inverted seams, welded corners, and a strong frame to handle high winds just as effortlessly. Since the ground vent is meant to keep cool air in and hot air out, this is an ideal tent for the summer months, and two zippered windows keep nature close but bugs at bay.

The Details: 120 x 120 x 72-inch floor | 6-person

Frequently Asked Questions

• How big of a tent do I need?

  This depends on how many people you’ll be camping with. While there’s no industry standard for how much space is needed, 30 to 40 square feet per person is recommended. But a lot of factors can affect this decision, including a person’s height and weight, their sleeping habits (do you or your guests toss and turn at night?), and whether pets or small children are coming along.

  The size of your sleeping gear is another consideration. According to Gamber, a camping bed is usually 20 to 25 inches wide for single people. So if you put four people in a four-person tent, you should be able to fit four people and their beds comfortably. There’s also always the option of sizing up, which we recommend when trail weight isn’t an issue. “Consumers are buying three-person tents fairly often for two people,” Gamber explains.

• What’s the best way to clean a tent?

  There’s a right way and a wrong way to clean a tent. The wrong way is using a washing machine. The right way utilizes these steps:

  What you’ll need:

  • Bucket or tub
  • Cold to lukewarm water
  • Mild fragrance-free soap
  • Soft-bristled brush or a brush intended for cleaning outdoor gear
  • Sponge or cloth

  Steps:

  1. Fill a bucket or tub with cold to lukewarm water and add in your soap (larger tents may require a larger bucket and more water and soap).
  2. Submerge the tent into the water and let it soak for 20 minutes.
  3. Switching between the soft-bristled brush and sponge or cloth, wipe down the fabric of the tent to remove dirt, mud, grass stains, and pieces of debris (sticks, rocks, etc), and be sure to clean out zippers.
  4. If the water is very brown at this point, repeat steps 1-3 again.
  5. Once the water is no longer turning brown, drain the tub and rinse the tent thoroughly with clean water until all the soap residue is gone.
  6. Dry the tent in a cool, shaded area, ideally away from where there could be bird droppings.

• How do I make a tent more comfortable?

  A tent is never going to be as comfortable as, say, a hotel room, but there are ways to maximize comfort, starting with choosing the right gear. This includes items like a high-quality air mattress that won’t deflate during the night, a sleeping bag to keep you warm in the cold months and wick away sweat during the heat, and extra floor padding.

  Don’t want to splurge on too many items? Utilize what you already own. For example, you can use makeshift floor padding by bringing along sleeping pads, yoga mats, and moving blankets. A tent heater, extra blankets, cushions, and a rug are also worth considering. To ensure you always sleep like a rock, don’t forget about safety accessories like flashlights, bear spray, and padlocks.

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