Top 6 Best Family Tents for Car Camping in 2024
Looking for the best family tents for car camping? This has you covered. In this post I review the top 2024 tents, focusing on space, weather resistance and setup. Whether you want a big tent for a big family or something quick and easy to set up, you’ll find it here.
North Face Wawona 6
Best Overall: Spacious, durable, and weather-resistant, perfect for family adventures.
Coleman Skydome 6P
Best Budget: Affordable, easy to set up, and great for casual camping.
REI Co-op Base Camp 6
Best for Big Families: Ample space with a room divider for added privacy.
Gazelle T4 Hub
Best for Quick Setup: Set up in 90 seconds, perfect for families on the go.
MSR Habiscape 6
Most Durable: Built to last with rugged construction for any weather.
Nemo Aurora Highrise 6P
Best for Comfort: Tall, spacious, and airy, ideal for a comfortable camping trip.
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Top Family Tents
Choosing the right family tent can make car camping so much more comfortable. The tent should have plenty of space for comfort and storage, big enough for big groups and enough room to move around. A good tent will keep you dry and weather proof so you can enjoy your camping trip more.
This review shows the top family camping tents of 2024, each excelling in space, weather resistance and setup. Whether you need the best overall tent, a budget tent or something fast to set up, these are the tents I recommend. These tents are built to withstand wind and rain so you’re safe and dry.
Overall: The North Face Wawona 6
The North Face Wawona 6, in my opinion, is the overall best family camping tent. It has a 86 sq ft floor area and 76 inch peak height, one of the biggest interiors out there. So much space to move around and store your gear.
One of the best features of The North Face Wawona 6 is its big vestibule area, perfect for gear storage or cooking in bad weather. The hybrid double wall construction makes it weather resistant for different conditions. Made of 150D polyester taffeta, the tent walls are built to last.
At around $500 it’s a great value for its size and features. Comfort, durability and weather resistance all in one. Perfect for family adventures.
Budget: Coleman Skydome 6P
For a budget friendly option without sacrificing the essentials for a comfortable family camping experience with a cheap tent, the Coleman Skydome 6P is the best budget camping tent. It’s perfect for casual or short term camping trips.
The Coleman Skydome 6P has a traditional dome design, simple and effective structure that’s easy to set up and take down. It can fit 6 people, perfect for small to medium sized families. The materials and construction can handle light rain and mild weather, keeping you dry and comfortable.
The Coleman Skydome 6P is great value for the price, comfort and functionality. It’s perfect for families who want to get outdoors without breaking the bank.
Big Families: REI Co-op Base Camp 6
For big families, space and comfort is key. The REI Co-op Base Camp 6 excels in space and features for bigger groups, fits 6 people.
The REI Co-op Base Camp 6 has 84 sq ft interior space and 9’ 2” x 9’ 2” floor dimensions, plenty of space for sleeping and gear storage. One of the best features is the room divider, perfect for separate sleeping areas for added privacy. The tent also has 44 sq ft of vestibule space for gear storage, keeping the inside clutter free.
But setting up the REI Co-op Base Camp 6 can be a bit of a hassle and time consuming especially for beginners. It requires ground stakes and limited mesh can affect ventilation.
Despite those minor drawbacks, the REI Co-op Base Camp 6 is still a top choice for big family camping, for its space and family friendly features.
Quick Setup: Gazelle T4 Hub
For families who want to get outdoors fast, the Gazelle T4 Hub is the way to go. This tent is known for its fast setup time, 90 seconds. The hub design makes it easy to set up for families on the go.
The quick setup means families can enjoy camping without the hassle of complicated setup. Whether you arrive at the campsite late or want to get the kids settled fast, the Gazelle T4 Hub makes it easy. Its practical design means more time outdoors and less time setting up.
Overall the Gazelle T4 Hub is a great choice for families who value convenience and ease. Fast setup and user friendly design makes it one of the best car camping tents out there.
Most Durable: The MSR Habiscape 6
The MSR Habiscape 6 is built to last so it’s a great choice for families looking for a tent that will last. The symmetrical design and 7000 series aluminum poles make it quick and easy to set up for frequent campers who need reliability.
83 sq. ft. of floor space and 77 inches of peak height means even tall adults will have plenty of room to move around. The two big doors make entry and exit a breeze and allow you to bring in bulky gear like air mattresses. The 40-denier ripstop nylon canopy and 68-denier taffeta polyester floor, with 10,000 mm polyurethane coating will keep you dry in rain, wind or shine.
If you like to be organized the Habiscape 6 has 10 pockets in various heights so your essentials are always within arm’s reach. The bugproof pass-through pocket is a nice feature that allows you to grab your keys or headlamp from both inside and outside the tent.
Built for family camping the MSR Habiscape 6 is a solid investment so your family will be safe and comfortable no matter what.
Comfort: Nemo Aurora Highrise 6P
Comfort is a top priority for many families and the Nemo Aurora Highrise 6P is great at that. With an internal height of 77” it allows most campers to stand up comfortably, feels spacious and airy. Additional poles extend the sidewalls to add more interior space.
The Nemo Aurora Highrise 6P has plenty of mesh for good airflow, perfect for warm weather camping. The bathtub floor design adds extra water resistance for comfort in the rain. Two large doors for easy entry and a floor area of 83.3 sq ft for sleeping and living space.
Interior storage is also a highlight with 8 pockets for gear. User friendly color coded buckles for easy setup. Overall the Nemo Aurora Highrise 6P is great for comfort features, a top choice for family camping.
What to Look For in a Family Tent
When choosing a family tent consider:
- Size and capacity
- Weather resistance
- Ease of setup
- Ventilation and comfort
- Durability and quality
Each one is important. By reading through these sections you’ll find a tent that fits your camping style and needs.
Size and Capacity
For family camping, size and capacity is key. A family of four should look for a tent that fits 6-8 people to have plenty of room. An extra room means more sleeping space and gear storage and less feeling cramped. A family of three might be okay with a 4 person tent for a cozy but spacious environment.
The North Face Wawona 6 for example uses its 86 sq ft of floor space to fit 6 people comfortably. Great for larger families or those who want more room. And a tent with a peak height of at least 6’2” is recommended for enough headroom so you can move around without having to duck.
When choosing a tent consider both the floor area and overall interior space. A family tent should have around 85 sq ft of floor space for sleeping and gear storage.
Larger tents for bigger families can fit 7-8 people and everyone will have enough room to sleep and store their gear. Choosing the right size and capacity is key to a comfortable and enjoyable large family camping tents experience.
Weather Resistance
Weather resistance is important for any family camping tent. A tent that can withstand different weather conditions means a comfortable and dry camping experience. Key features are waterproof fabrics, full coverage rainflies and sturdy design that can handle strong winds.
For example the Coleman Skydome 6P has a full coverage rainfly for great water protection in heavy rain. The REI Co-op Base Camp 6 has a reinforced rainfly that goes almost to the ground for maximum weather protection. Tents like the Marmot Tungsten 4 have sealed seams and built in vents to prevent water leaks and moisture buildup.
Tents made of durable materials like nylon are preferred for their strength and abrasion resistance for added longevity in harsh conditions. All these weather resistant features combined make a tent more element proof and suitable for many camping scenarios.
Ease of Setup
Ease of setup is another important factor when choosing a family tent. The last thing you want to do is struggle with a complicated tent setup when you arrive at the campsite. Many family tents now have user friendly setup features like color coded poles and quick clip attachments to make it easier.
For example the Coleman Skydome 6P has pre attached poles that make setup a breeze. Instant tents have pre attached poles so setup is even faster which is great for families with young kids who need to get settled in quick. Size of the tent and number of adults to help with setup can also impact ease of setup.
Newer tent designs make it more user friendly so beginners can set up their tent without hassle. Setup time for a family tent should be around 10-15 minutes which is reasonable for tents of this size. Choose a tent with easy setup features so you can spend more time enjoying your camping trip and less time wrestling with instructions.
Ventilation and Comfort
Good ventilation is important in a family camping tent to reduce condensation and keep the interior comfortable. A well ventilated tent keeps the interior cool and minimizes moisture buildup which means a more comfortable camping experience. Many tents have good ventilation with features like multiple mesh windows and vents.
For example tents with oversized doors and large windows improve ventilation and overall camping experience. The ability to roll back vestibules also allows for customizable airflow. Good ventilation in a tent can be achieved through mesh panels and windows which keeps bugs out and allows fresh air to circulate.
Comfort features like multiple doors and storage pockets also add to the overall camping experience. The Nemo Aurora Highrise 6P has a large side door for easy access and several pockets for gear storage. Ventilation and comfort features are key to a pleasant and enjoyable family camping trip so your tent feels like home away from home.
Durability and Quality
Durability and quality is important when choosing a family tent. A quality tent made from durable materials will withstand frequent use and harsh weather conditions so it will last for many camping trips. For example the North Face Wawona 6 is made from 150D polyester taffeta so it will last.
High end camping tents use premium materials so it’s more reliable in all conditions. For example the Mountain Hardwear Mineral King 3 tent is made from 40D polyester mesh, ripstop polyester for the tub floor and DAC aluminum poles so it’s built to last. Thicker materials also provides added protection against sharp objects and makes the tent more robust so it can withstand wear and tear from frequent use.
Upgrading the materials and construction quality means sturdier poles, waterproof seams and a more durable tent. Most camping tents have a lifespan of 5-10 years depending on material quality and user care. High quality aluminum poles and double stitched sealed seams in a tent makes it a worthwhile investment for family camping.
How I Tested These Family Tents
Testing family tents is key to making sure they meet the needs of the campers. I personally tested several family tents in different outdoor conditions, weather resistance, comfort, ease of setup and overall value.
On my trips I encountered different weather conditions, from stormy weather with snow to 25mph gusts, which gave me a good idea of how these tents perform in real life camping scenarios. I timed setup and teardown to see how user friendly each tent is for families.
I also gathered feedback from other campers on their tent setup. I asked what they liked and what they struggled with, which helped me rate the overall quality and weather resistance of each tent. This combination of my own testing and gathering info ensures the tents I recommend are family camping friendly.
In short, finding the right family tent will make your outdoor experience better. From the best overall tent like The North Face Wawona 6 to the budget friendly Coleman Skydome 6P there’s a tent for every family and budget. Consider size and capacity, weather resistance, ease of setup, ventilation and durability.
Invest in a good tent and you’ll have comfort and protection and create memories with your family. So pack your camping gear, choose the right tent and hit the great outdoors!
