This site is about camping tents for families and for groups of people. The term family here should be understood as parents with at least one kid. The term group can imply a combination of people of various ages and gender.
My own personal family story with tents has started practically since the moment I got married, and this was 36 years ago. Perhaps you would not believe, but my wife and me went on a honeymoon trip to a national park, and we were camping in the area where this was forbidden. The first night we realized why this was so; there was a bear walking around and we could hear it breathing heavily.
Obviously, we were stupid and ill-informed, or perhaps this was just my natural arrogance – nobody loves the Nature more than me, so nobody will tell me where I can stay overnight. Naturally, we were frightened and with the first daylight, we moved our camp to a regulated and safe camp zone. This was in a country that doesn’t exist any longer, disintegrated a few decades ago, but the national park is still there of course.
A few years later, with our two daughters, we were camping somewhere in the same tent. It was a tent for two without a proper vestibule, see the picture from that trip, an old-style A-frame type tent which we still keep at home, so imagine the mess. We were a young couple and could not afford to buy something bigger. But we managed somehow.
From such experiences, I know that one needs space in a tent, otherwise it can be a nightmare. This is why, if you go camping with kids, I always suggest having a tent that is designed for two people more. What I mean by that is the following: if you are a couple with one kid, have a tent for 5 people, and if this is about 2 kids use the tent for 6 people. This may be dependent on the tent’s design of course, but better more space than less.
The weather is not always great when you are outdoor, so you may spend more time in the tent than you have planned, and you need some space for your daily activities in such circumstances. After all, kids will need meals, and you will have to prepare them somehow. So these are the reasons for presenting tents for 5 people plus in this site.
However, there are some nice exceptions, and this is why we have a category of tents for 4 people. The reason is that there are some truly exceptional tents with the declared capacity of 4 people only, while the actual area is such that they can accommodate twice as many users and they can still have full comfort.
To see what I mean, it is enough to see the incredible Bushtec Adventure Echo 2200 Luxury Camping Tent with its inner area of 206 ft² (19.18 m²). In fact, this tent is also in the group of extra large tents here in the site, can you believe this?
Several decades later, I still go camping, and for my solo tours I use tents that are far larger than the tent above which we used for four of us. My favorite these days is the Snow Peak Alpha Breeze that is shown in the picture below from my last summer tour in the Dolomites.
So yes indeed, nowadays I have plenty of space in my camping tents, but I would happily exchange this for those happy moments in our small tent when the kids were around. They have their lives so this will never happen of course, and only I know how I feel about this. But perhaps grandkids will join me someday and bring joy back. Shall let you know.
Please get in touch with me if you have any question or comment. There is a comment box below.
JV
Good day,
Your site is quite informative. I wish I had found it before purchasing any of the tents I’ve used in the past. Currently I am looking for the rain fly for a Tahoe Gear TGT-GATEWAY-10 tent, and am getting no where. Has the company been absorbed by another? Their site address leads to VM Innovations. Many thanks for your time. Jill
Hi Jill, thank you fir the kind words. It is difficult to find details about this brand. They have a store on Amazon but even there there are no contact details. But this is the best place to try to get in touch with them. I doubt that they will have spare parts.
Very interested in the Eureka Space Camp 6. Your review was great! … This site states that there is a video of the set up of the Camp 4 but the setup is similar to the Camp 6. I didn’t see a link to that. … Also I did not see a price. I have somewhat of an idea of what they sell for. My wife and I are in our early to mid 60’s. Most of the time it’s just the two of us, but occasionally we have one of the Grandchildren. This tent could be the perfect fit for us.
Hi Allen, I am not sure what you are saying about the videos. You have two videos in the post, both showing the 4 person version which is exactly the same as the 6 person tent, just smaller in size.
As for the price, there are links to several sellers so just follow the links and compare prices. In a few clicks you will find out where the best price is.
Hi there, thanks for all this info!
Just wondering if you know whether the coleman darkroom skydome 10 person is feeestanding? Many other tent reviews specify but this one does not for some reason. Thanks very much!
Hi Vanessa, I assume you ask about this Coleman Skydome Camping Tent with Dark Room Technology. If so, then the answer is no, it is not freestanding.
Can a person put a stove flap and red fire proof bolt thru chimney cap in the core 6?
Hi, I am not sure what you are asking.
On the other hand, it is best that you ask such a question in the post where the tent is presented. This because I am also not sure which tent you have in mind, there are currently 9 tents from Core here in the site that are with 6-person capacity. None of them is designed for using a wood burning stove inside.
If you are asking about Crua Core Dome 6 Person Tent, the answer is the same, there is no chimney cap. Please make your question clear and I shall be able to say more.
My son and his wife came home with something called a “blackout tent”. It gets dark inside, I guess, so you can sleep? Anyway it’s been up in the back yard all year and a couple poles are broken and I want to clean it up & reclaim it. Thanks very much for your repair advice, I was afraid I’d have to buy all new poles! If you’re out in the wild, is it possible to just slide a big straw over the broken area then maybe duct tape it? Would it be bad to wash down a tent with Lysol? Just really hate to see this huge expense junked because it’s broken & dirty, Any advice on repair & cleaning would be helpful! (For a minute I considered taking it to a car wash) THANKS!! ❤️ YOU’RE AWESOME!!
Hi, yes for the broken pole. It is always a good idea to have a duct tape in the camp. The way you describe would surely work. As for the cleaning I am not sure because I do not know which tent this is. I assume you would wash the floor from inside. If this is polyethylene this might be washed but check on the brand’s site if you know it.
Hi JV,
I tried to send a message to you via the contact form. But it didn’t allow me to send the message.
May I know how to contact you?
Hi Serena
I have received no less than 10 messages from you through the contact form. I also tested the contact form and it works. So I shall reply to your message through email.
Thank you SO much for capturing all the research. It’s overwhelming when you think about how many options are out there! Your breakdown of info is so well-done, concise and organized – clearly thought out and with such careful intent. I think I have narrowed down my search…and you get all the thanks 🙂
Many thanks Christa, you made my day with your kind words. You are right, it is indeed overwhelming when you think about all possible categories of these large family camping tents. Best regards and thanks again.
we are looking for a tent in canada for in two weekends from now for two adults and a baby that would sleep in a pack in play and hopefully room to grow for at least one more kid. any suggestions??
Hi Graham, there are so many options. It depends on 1) what type of tent you want (dome, cabin, tunnel), 2) with or without rooms, 3) what type of fabric (synthetic or canvas), 4) what weather conditions (summer, 3-season).
I suggest starting from the smaller (by the declared capacity) 4-person tents. You will see that they are very large, this is on purpose, I add only those that can accommodate far more than 4 people, and they haverooms.
So have a look and tell me more, I shall be happy to guide you.
Tried to buy two of them….got cheated and now trying to get my money back
Not sure which tent you are talking about. Was it through Amazon? There must be a way to get in touch with them.
JV I have had a brief look at your website and I have to say I really love it.
Really good quality information. I love your enthusiasm.
I hope you get lots of comission for the work you do – you deserve it.
To me, this website is much better than what is currently out there on offer.
I have thought of creating something similar in the past, so hats off to you for actually doing it.
Much love and respect,
Dean Betts
Many thanks Dean, you made my day. I really love tents and whenever I am in the mountains and see tents in the camps I try to come close and see the model and features. There are so many great creations out there. The site is currently well ranked but it is hard to keep up with Google’s continuous updates of ranking algorithms. Best regards.