At Forbes Vetted, we bring decades of hands-on experience to the table when testing and reviewing the best camping tents. Our seasoned team has pitched tents everywhere from popular festivals to quiet local campgrounds to remote backcountry sites across the US and around the world. For 2024, we’ve highlighted six camping tents that excel in their respective categories, each one assessed on durability, weather resistance, ease of setup, weight and interior space to ensure they meet your specific needs. The following models from Big Agnes, The North Face, Nemo, REI and others represent the best camping tents based on experience and hours of testing.
Best Camping Tent Overall: The North Face Wawona 6
Best Value Camping Tent: REI Campwell 4
Best Backpacking Tent: Big Agnes Copper Spur HV UL2
Best For Easy Setup: Decathlon Quechua 2 Second
Best Four-Person Camping Tent: Marmot Limestone 4P
Best Two-Person Camping Tent: Nemo Dagger Osmo 2P
Best Camping Tent Overall
A Simple, Spacious Shelter For Most Situations
The North Face Wawona 6
Capacity: 6 people | Weight: 20.9 pounds | Floor Area: 86.1 square feet | Peak Height: 76 inches
Pros:
- Large vestibule
- Color-coded poles for easy setup
- Reviews say it performs well in wind and rain
Cons:
- Footprint sold separately
- Too big and bulky for backpacking
The North Face Wawona 6 is a great camping tent that earned high marks from our experts. This design is perfect for families and groups who want a reliable and spacious shelter, as it features a tall max height and an expansive vestibule that provides ample space for storing gear, cooking or just lounging out of the elements. Setting up the tent is a breeze thanks to the color-coded poles, making the process quick and straightforward, even for beginners.
In our opinion, the Wawona 6 performs admirably in both wind and rain, keeping campers dry and secure during unexpected weather. While the tent is well-designed, it’s worth noting that the footprint, which can help extend the life of your tent floor, is sold separately. Additionally, given its size and weight, the Wawona 6 is not suitable for backpacking trips—it’s designed for car camping or situations where weight and bulk aren’t primary concerns. Overall, it’s a top choice for campers seeking comfort, space and reliability.
Best Value Camping Tent
A Model That Balances Space With A Wallet-Friendly Sticker Price
Capacity: 4 people | Weight: 11.9 pounds | Floor Area: 60 square feet | Peak Height: 62 inches
Pros:
- Spacious for large groups
- Nearly-vertical walls
- Mesh top for stargazing
Cons:
- Door lacks a mesh screen for ventilation
- Window might leak a little during heavy rain
REI’s in-house experts designed the Campwell 4, a value-driven tent for campers seeking an affordable yet versatile shelter. Its clever design features a large rear window that switches between privacy, ventilation or an unobstructed view, and on clear nights, the mesh ceiling offers a wonderful opportunity for stargazing. The tent also receives a durable water repellent (DWR) treatment that helps moisture bead up on the canopy and rainfly fabric, keeping the interior dry during unexpected rain showers.
We appreciate that the tent's fiberglass poles and symmetrical structure make both setup and takedown a breeze, which is helpful if you’re packing up at a hectic campsite or trying to get out in a hurry. A spacious front door provides easy access and simplifies loading gear, while the cabin-style walls that sit upright accommodate larger sleeping platforms, like a cot. With that said, we wish the front door had a window of its own to promote airflow through the tent when the tarp is on, and you need to use some serious force to get the poles into their respective sleeves. Still, if you’re looking for a simple, spacious tent that balances features with price and comes backed by a strong warranty, this is a great option.
Best Backpacking Tent
A Lightweight Tent For Multi-Night Treks
Big Agnes Copper Spur HV UL2
Capacity: 2 people | Weight: 2.6 pounds | Floor Area: 29 square feet | Peak Height: 40 inches
Pros:
- Light trail weight is great for multi-day treks
- Reflective guylines are easy to see at night
- Dual-zippered doors allow easy entry/exit
Cons:
- Rainfly prone to leaks in heavy rains
Compact and ultralight is the name of the game for a backpacking tent, and the Cooper Spur HV UL2 is one of Big Agnes’ lightest freestanding tents with two doors, but it doesn’t skimp on the features in spite of its minimal weight.
The floor area is large enough to comfortably accommodate two people plus gear, and it’s tall enough to allow easy upright sitting in the center. Plus, it has dual-entry doors and vestibules. It features four mesh ceiling pockets as well as internal hang points for drying socks or hanging headlamps. And the full mesh inner tent is great for stargazing and ventilation on hot nights, while a rainfly keeps you warm and dry when the wind or thunderstorms come rolling through.
With that said, we found the interior to be a bit cramped with two people moving about, though this is to be expected given that Big Agnes is trying to shed every ounce of weight, and doing so means eliminating unnecessary space. What’s more, the tent is a bit delicate, and while ours didn’t tear, some reviews suggest the zippers and zipper pulls are fragile, and the same goes for the fabric. Essentially, you just need to take good care of it to ensure it will last—pack it with care, pitch it away from rocks and roots, and don’t wave around your trusty pocket knife in its presence. Do these things, and the Copper Spur HV UL2 will treat you well.
Best For Easy Setup
Pitch This Shelter In Less Than A Minute
Capacity: 3 people | Weight: 18.1 pounds | Floor Area: 46.8 square feet | Peak Height: 52 inches
Pros:
- Sets up with comical quickness and ease
- Clever door construction allows for easy entering/exiting
- Multiple side pockets for gear storage
Cons:
- Rainfly cannot be removed
We first spotted the Decathlon Quechua 2-Second Tent while hiking the Tour du Mont Blanc in Europe. Multiple guiding companies relied on its quick setup to prepare camp as hikers slowly trickled in from the trail, and after seeing it almost every night, we knew there was more to this tent than meets the eye. Turns out, if you pull a ripcord, the freestanding, dual-umbrella design sets up in less than a minute, and it’s just as easy to pack away in the morning when you’re ready to hit the trail.
While Decathlon offers a whole range of two- and three-person tents in its “2 Second” line, we love this three-person version, which is one of the best, most tricked-out models in Decathlon’s lineup. It has a number of thoughtful features, including T-shaped doors to help you exit without disturbing your tent mates, and pockets on the ceiling and walls that let you store your gear off the floor. Crack open a pair of special ventilation windows on warmer nights or zip things down tight for cooler campouts.
Unfortunately, the built-in rainfly isn’t detachable, so we don’t recommend this for camping in heavy heat, as you’ll want to maximize airflow on hot nights that are clear of rain. Otherwise, the price is right if you’re in the market for a well-designed tent that sets up super fast.
Best Four-Person Camping Tent
Superior Weatherproofing And Extra Space For Gear
Marmot Limestone 4P
Capacity: 4 people | Weight: 11.7 pounds | Floor Area: 59.2 square feet | Peak Height: 63 inches
Pros:
- Defends against the elements
- Dual doors for east entry/exit
- Vestibule adds a lot of gear storage space
Cons:
- Second door doesn’t offer bug mesh netting
Whether you’re in the market for a four-person tent to camp with friends, family or a four-legged companion, Marmot’s Limestone four-person tent is a solid choice. While it might look like a basic car camping tent, it’s incredibly stable and ready for gnarly weather, with a shape that deflects wind and a rainfly that extends to the ground for superior coverage. If it’s hot, a full mesh roof and a couple of mesh sidewalls provide excellent ventilation. With color-coded clips and poles, it’s easy to pitch the tent in about five minutes with a few people, and it’s just as easy to take it down and fold it up. Inside, Marmot adds creature comforts, including a clothesline to hang and dry equipment, and pockets throughout.
While Marmot bills the Limestone as a four-person tent, we consider that true only if you’re a family of four with two adults and two kids. Otherwise, the low ceiling height makes it feel small and better-suited for three adults, but large vestibules hold plenty of gear without exposing it to the elements. We also wish Marmot added mesh netting to both doors for bug-free airflow, but only one door comes with a screen. Minor drawbacks aside, this is a great option for families or groups in need of a sturdy tent that won’t let you down.
Best Two-Person Camping Tent
A Lightweight Tent That's Rich With Features
Nemo Dagger Osmo 2P
Capacity: 2 people | Weight: 4.13 pounds | Floor Area: 31.3 square feet | Peak Height: 42 inches
Pros:
- Just light enough for backpacking
- Two large doors and accompanying vestibules
- Planet-friendly materials
Cons:
- Expensive
- Zippers can be a little finicky
Nemo’s two-person Dagger Osmo tent is geared towards backpackers, but we found it to be a surprisingly great tent no matter the occasion. In spite of its size, we easily fit two six-foot camping pads inside with room to spare for small essentials, like additional layers, snacks and fluids, and large vestibules on either side store larger equipment. No, it’s not so spacious that you can stand up inside it, but you can sit up without hitting your head on the ceiling, and your shoulders have room as well. Nemo outfits the interior with large pockets for essentials, as well as diffuser pockets that create a soft glow of light from a bright headlamp. And the fabric feels quite strong in spite of its thinness—it stood up to foul weather in the Sierras and should last for a long time to come with proper care.
Unfortunately, the small zippers along the two doors and vestibules are a bit finicky, and you have to pull them carefully at the right angle to open or close entrances. The doors are also positioned in opposite directions, which indicates that you’re supposed to sleep head to toe, but we prefer to snooze in the same direction, so we made do. Ultimately, this is a great two-person tent that, while expensive, combines a lack of weight with useful features to make most campers and backpackers very happy.
MORE FROMFORBES VETTED
Why Trust Forbes Vetted
The Forbes Vetted gear team has researched and written their way through hundreds of gear guides, including a plethora of camping and hiking stories like the best camping chairs and best camp stoves.
- Forbes Vetted contributors Rachael Schultz and Steven John are both dedicated gear experts in their own right; Schultz lives in the mountains of Colorado where she regularly uses gear to hike, run, ski and bike, and her work has appeared in such publications as Men's Journal, Men's Health, Gear Patrol, Outside, Women's Health, Cosmo and InStyle. John, meanwhile, is a New York City-based writer who runs his own website, Dad Gear Review, where he tests and evaluates outdoors equipment.
- In addition to the contributions made by Schultz and John, we also enlisted the help of two camping experts: CMO for Northgate Resorts and head of marketplace marketing at Campspot, Tessa McCrackin; and Eric Bergdoll, WMA wilderness first responder, Leave No Trace Master Educator and head of Island Mountain Guides in Hawaii. They advised us on the most important factors to keep in mind when searching for a camping tent.
- This guide and its updates are overseen by gear editor Cam Vigliotta, who regularly car camps and backpacks across the country, from the quiet woods of New England to the magical forest of the Pacific Northwest. He has previously tested tents from Nemo, REI, Decathlon and Big Agnes.
- To keep this guide current and accurate, we update it frequently. It was last updated in June 2024 by Vigliotta, who reviewed added the Nemo Dagger 2P and REI Campwell 4 to the list while updating the Marmot Limestone 4P to the latest model.
How We Chose The Best Camping Tents
To curate this list of the best camping tents, we sought out highly-rated models from reputable brands and made the following considerations along the way:
- We considered how easy it would be to set up the tent, taking into account whether you could do so alone, or if you’d need a second set of hands. We also noted whether or not a brand would offer a strong warranty or repair program if a tent was damaged.
- We assessed each tent's weather resistance, including its ability to withstand rain, wind and other elements. We evaluated additional features that enhance the camping experience, such as multiple doors, vestibules, windows, ventilation options and storage pockets.
- We checked each tent’s weight and packed size to understand how easy it would be to transport and store, particularly for backpacking trips. We also looked at each tent's space and layout, noting how many people it could comfortably accommodate and whether it had vestibules for additional storage.
- We reviewed the durability of the tent materials, including the fabric, zippers and poles, to ensure they could handle rough conditions or abuse. We pored over customer reviews, making sure to exclude any tents that didn’t earn at least a 4 out of 5 star rating across retailers.
What To Consider When Buying A Camping Tent
From materials to dimensions to additional features, no two camping tents are truly alike. When the time comes to invest in a new camping tent, consider the following factors.
Size And Capacity
Start by determining how many people will be using the tent. Consider a larger tent if you want extra space for gear or prefer more comfort, and opt for a smaller one- or two-person tent if you’re packing light for backpacking trips or far-flung destinations.
Tent Type
Generally speaking, you can choose between freestanding tents that rely only on poles to stay upright, and non-freestanding tents that require stakes and guylines to stay upright. If you’re looking for the easiest option, a freestanding tent is the way to go, as you’ll have everything you need to pitch the tent no matter where you may be, and they’re much easier to set up.
Weather Resistance
Most tents are weather-resistant, but some defend against the elements better than others. Look for a tent with solid waterproofing (measured in millimeters, the higher figure the better), sealed seams and a rainfly to keep you dry during rainstorms.
Bergdoll recounts a particular trip in which a full-coverage rainfly came in handy: “I've been flash flooded out in the Grand Canyon and my six-year-old tent (pitched in a high spot, not in a wash) was surprisingly dry at the end of it all, even with sheets of rain falling from the sky.” Of course, more material means more weight, which also makes for a harder hike, but Bergdoll points out that “a full-coverage rainfly also allows room for gear outside the bug net of the tent, almost doubling its [effective] footprint.”
Ventilation
Tents with mesh panels and adequate ventilation will reduce condensation and keep you comfortable during warm weather. Some tents feature mesh tops that promote airflow, while others rely on large door openings to push air through the tent. Even if you’ve got your eye on a tent with lots of ventilation, it will also come with a rainfly, so there’s no need to worry that rain or moisture will get in through the ventilation points. Simply install the rainfly to keep moisture out.
Weight
Consider the tent's weight, especially if you plan to backpack or hike to your camping spot. Lightweight tents are preferable for backpacking, as they weigh up to three or four pounds (some ultralight models weigh much less), while traditional camping tents are better-suited for car camping, as they offer additional features and creature comforts that tend to make them a bit heavier.
When comparing tent weights, you may see two terms: trail weight and packed weight. The trail weight (a.k.a. the minimum weight) is lighter for any tent because it only factors in the body, poles and rainfly. The packed weight, meanwhile, may include stakes, guy lines, stuff sacks, and other accessories.
Packed Size
Take a look at the size of the tent when it’s packed away, especially if you have limited space in your backpack or vehicle. Some ultralight tents pack incredibly small to save space (like the Big Agnes Copper Spur HV UL2), while others are large and built specifically for car camping (like the Decathlon Quechua 2 Second Tent).
Interior Features And Vestibules
Consider features like gear storage pockets, interior loops for hanging a lantern, dividers for privacy and a vestibule if needed. Think of vestibules like your front or back porch. They’re essentially a covered space attached to your tent, so you can place your wet and dirt gear there instead of sleeping beside it. Vestibules and special interior features may not dictate which tent is right for you, but they can improve upon your experience, especially if you’re new to camping.
What Is The Best Camping Tent Brand?
Whether you’re car camping at your local park or backpacking deep in the backcountry, the best camping tent brands are reliable and well-respected. This includes the likes of The North Face, REI, Big Agnes, MSR, Marmot, Kelty, Coleman, Sea to Summit and White Duck Outdoors. You’ll find many of our top picks are from these popular brands. The best camping tent brand for you, though, will depend on your individual needs. However, our overall favorite—The Wawona 4 from North Face—is a good place to start.
What Camping Tent Is Best For Families?
When looking for a camping tent for your family, it’s important to prioritize space, comfort and durability. Depending on how many people are in your family, you may want to consider a large 6-person tent that’ll provide enough space for everyone, and one that can withstand any abuse mother nature or your children throw at it. The MSR Habitude 6 checks all these boxes, plus it comes with a standing-height ceiling, a front vestibule and an integrated porch light.
Do I Need More Than One Camping Tent?
It depends where and when you camp most often—that is, car camping versus backpacking, and three seasons versus four. Usually, a comfortable, heavy tent designed for car camping will be too cumbersome to take backpacking, so you’d want a separate lightweight, packable tent for backcountry trips. However, a backpacking tent can work for car camping, although you’ll be slightly cramped.
The same goes for winter camping, thru-hiking, and beyond. Ultimately, whether or not you need more than one tent comes down to your budget, storage space, and whether or not you can make do with what you already have.
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