The separate fly, which covers the upper half of the tent, uses a third, shorter “brow” pole to form protective peaks over the door and the back window. In our tests, an experienced camper took only about six minutes on the first try to set up the tent body alone and stake it out. Getting the fly placed and staked properly took about five more minutes. One night during testing, for example, clouds loomed in the distance with clear skies overhead. After we pitched the tent, the Mineral King 3’s adaptable fly let us leave half the mesh dome uncovered.
Families who regularly pitch their tent in rainy locales need a wind-fighting tent with a good-size vestibule for storing wet shoes and gear, as well as a full rain fly for added weather protection. Car campers who plan to brave miserable weather will appreciate the extra strength and protection of the REI Co-op Base Camp 4 Tent. The main bodies of our other picks are structured ozark trail canopy tent with two main poles with added support from smaller brow poles. The Base Camp, by contrast, has four full-size aluminum struts woven throughout it, somewhat like a basket, plus an additional brow pole that frames the front entrance and supports the larger of the two vestibules. The Base Camp also offers more privacy compared with our other picks—with or without the rain fly.
With plenty of interior space, near-vertical walls, and a gigantic vestibule that could accommodate a golf cart, the Wawona feels more like a tiny home than a tent. In terms of how the two tents feel, the Marmot Tungsten 4 is more geared toward hunkering down and providing stalwart defense against wind, rain, and sun. In contrast to the Mineral King 3’s triangular vestibules, the Tungsten 4’s vestibules are trapezoidal, opening via a central door with protected areas on either side. This design does a better job shielding the tent from incoming—and sideways—wind and rain.
The Skyward has a 6′ 6″ height profile and a larger-than-normal, built-in vestibule. Since 2012, our team has reviewed close to 300 tents, including the top 16 car camping options in this review. See which ones stood up to our rigorous testing as we take you on a deep dive into the inner workings of the tent market. We put these tents to the test across some pretty rugged terrain and the complicated environment of a family, teenagers, and two moderately trained dogs. With the help of our years of experience, we’ve gathered all the information you’ll need to pick the perfect tent for your next outdoor adventure. This one-room, square tent stood out from all the rest of the tents, and will now be my go-to car camping tent.
A footprint doesn’t take up much space, is relatively inexpensive, and is much easier to repair or replace than a tent bottom if it tears. Its fly extends into a huge front vestibule that can store large items like bikes, or even accommodate a table and chairs. Adults over 6 feet tall will be able to walk upright inside this tent—which has almost-vertical walls that can easily accommodate beds, cribs, and cots—as well as in the vestibule. If you are looking for a budget camping tent, the single best upgrade to your durability is swapping out the fiberglass poles and getting a set of aluminum ones.
Except for the impressive Kelty Wireless 6, the mesh areas on the budget tents we reviewed are at least twice as large as the other tents and feel significantly cheaper in quality. Get better poles and be cautious around your mesh, and a budget tent can last you for years. The drawbacks of this type of structure are weight and size.
These tents offer great storage and covered cooking and cleaning stations, and they are plenty big enough to handle loads of gear. Enjoy the East Coast’s bustling boardwalks in Myrtle Beach or historic New England lighthouses. Reel in a trophy catch on the Gulf Coast or bring the kids snorkeling along the Florida Keys. Out on the West Coast, embark on an adventure hiking the Oregon Coast’s rugged trails, island hop along the San Juan Islands, or laze beside the Southern California Coast’s laidback surf. Skip the same old stretch of sand and find a new favorite beach hideaway. Pricing, selection, and availability of clearance items are determined by each store.
Breaking the dome shape mold but still scoring top points are the MSR Habitude 4 and Snow Peak Alpha Breeze. And while a touch on the broadside, the included guylines and slanted vestibule face make this tent very wind worthy. The Alpha Breeze sports thick canvas and a robust A-frame-inspired design — features made to handle the elements with ease. It also has super thick poles, metal guylines, and a whopping 20 stakes.
Our head tester Rob Gaedtke put these tents to the test so that you can choose your next home-away-from-home with confidence. He has raced across India, ozark trail instant cabin done an IronMan in Mexico, and Jeeped through the African safari. Over the past 20 years, Rob has set up hundreds of basecamps across various terrain.