The Best Family Tents For Camping Recommended
With summer right around the corner, it’s time to start planning your camping trips. If you’re planning on taking the whole fam with you, how do you know what are the best family tents? It’s important to find a tent that fits everyone and has the added features that you need for different types of camping trips.
If you’re totally confused about what kind of family tents to buy, we’ll break down the benefits of different family tents, what to look for, and our recommendations. Eureka! has been crafting tents for over a century and have been used in anything from backwoods camping to battlefields to mountaintops. Eureka! tents have been used in the harshest climates in the world, like Mount Everest. Rest assured that their tents will hold up and provide exactly what you need—plus all the added extras, too.
WHAT TO CONSIDER WHEN CHOOSING A FAMILY CAMPING TENT?
We know you may be confused by all of the family tents out there, but we’re here to help! It’s not too complicated if you consider the following features we’ve listed below. Let’s take a deep dive into the considerations and questions you need to ask before you take the plunge and buy a family tent.
SIZE AND CAPACITY
No one wants to be jammed inside a tent, especially if you’ve got kids who may already have trouble sleeping. The size and capacity of your family tent are going to be a key part of a fun camping trip for everyone involved.
- How many people are going to be in your tent?
- What about gear or storage? Are you planning on keeping some items in your tent?
- Are you planning on sleeping in a sleeping bag, air mattress, or cot?
- Are you car camping or backpacking? Car camping will allow you to store some essentials outside of your tent.
WEATHER AND BUG PROTECTION
Where are you planning on camping? High desert camping versus heavily wooded areas versus reserved campsites will most likely require different tents to camp optimally. Look at the history of the area during the season you’ll be visiting to see what the expected weather will be like. Don’t let mosquitoes or other insects keep you from having a relaxing night’s sleep, either. You’ll need to keep bug protection at the top of mind when you’re camping in the summer near water.
DOORS AND ACCESS
Unwieldy tent doors and entry access is a major pain point for many campers. Having large, accessible doors is a must for large camping crews, both for convenience and safety. Many tents have you crawling over family or tent mates to get out, campers have to duck, it’s easy to trip over the bottom, etc., and the list just continues. Finding a tent that offers easy in/out access should be a top priority.
ADDITIONAL FEATURES
Camping with the family means that extras are a must. The best family tents are the ones that get the kids interested in their surroundings, keep everything organized, and have easy access, Browse ones that have:
- Mesh roofs to stargaze. Have the kiddos with you? Teach them about constellations and see how many they can find.
- Awnings. They are a must for storing wet or dirty shoes after a day of camping. Leave them safely outside the tent.
- Storage pockets. Extra pockets are a necessity when sleeping in a tent with multiple people. Store your kindle, tablet, charging cords, video games, and other personal items. Surprise the kids with new books or toys to keep themselves busy before they fall asleep.
Some family tents offer ways to run an extension cord so that you can keep all of your gadgets charged.
EASE OF SETUP AND USE
Ever tried to set up a tent and ended so frustrated in the process that it took forever to relax? It’s time to ditch inconvenient tent setups and find something that you can put together in a breeze. Even though family tents are large, you can find ones through Eureka! can be set up and taken down in a snap.
This can be a great learning experience for the kiddos, too. Our recommended family tents only require one to two people to set up, and kids can help to take part in the action. Make a game out of it and the kids will be begging to help.
RECOMMENDED TENTS FOR FAMILY CAMPING
We’ve compiled a list of the best Eureka! family camping tents so that you can create some awesome memories to take home with you and say “goodbye” to frustration.
COPPER CANYON LX
If you’ve got a big car camping crew, the Copper Canyon LX is all you’ll need. One of the best family camping tents, this Eureka! model comes in four different sizes, all built with families and friends in mind. Sizes include:
- Copper Canyon LX 4 Person Tent
- Copper Canyon LX 6 Person Tent
- Copper Canyon LX 8 Person Tent
- Copper Canyon LX 12 Person Tent
While all of them vary in size depending on how large your crowd is, these family tents are made of a durable, steel and fiberglass frame that makes it easy for a one- or two-person setup. Use the near-vertical walls for space to change clothes, set up a cot, or just relax comfortably in a space that isn’t cramped. The Copper Canyon LX is waterproof, with plenty of ventilation, and screens that offer bug coverage and scenic views. Since you’ll be traveling with the fam, the zippered E! Powerport lets you run an extension cord to keep phones, tablets, and other gadgets charged.
Unique to the eight-person and 12-person tent, a large divider is provided down the middle—making it a great way to share a tent between two families. It’s like a two-bedroom cabin! And, like any big tent needs, there’s plenty of room to keep things organized with stash pockets and a gear loft.
JADE CANYON X
Eureka’s Jade Canyon X is like the Copper Canyon LX except with MORE. It comes with more livable space—30 percent more!—than typical cabin tent designs. You can make room for the entire crew with Eureka’s most liveable and comfortable group car camping tent. It comes in two sizes:
These tents are standing-room height (seven feet!), with near-vertical walls making it a comfortable space for everyone joining the fun. The overhanging open rain fly and four floor-to-ceiling windows help to circulate air. Even in the rain, the open rain fly and windows won’t leave your tent feeling stuffy, they are still promoting cooling air circulation. Outlast rain and wind storms with the sturdy steel/aluminum frame, which includes continuous pole sleeves, hubs, and clips for easy setup.
KOHANA
Weather can be tricky during camping season, so that’s why Eureka! offers the Kohana. This smartly designed, comfortably sized family tent is designed and sized to weather whatever nature brings you. This adventure-ready tent can be used for both car camping or backpacking. The Kohana comes in two models:
It’s designed to protect you, your family, and your gear from whatever mother nature has in store. A durable, all-aluminum frame keeps you protected, while the full coverage rain fly keeps you and your family dry. But that’s not all. The mesh canopy lets you stargaze on clear nights, while keeping the tent well-ventilated.
SPACE CAMP
For the ultimate comfortable family camping tent, look no further than the Space Camp. Just like the Kohana and Jade Canyon X, it comes in two sizes and is perfect for family camping.
Unlike the Kohana, the taller size offers an extra foot of headroom, giving it a more spacious and welcoming environment. The unique hybrid cabin and dome design provides more vertical walls. This three-season tent offers comfort for every member of the family. Eureka’s unique air exchange system has high/low adjustable venting that can help you find the right airflow no matter the weather conditions.
The durable all-aluminum frame helps you outlast any storm, while the two large doors and two vestibules keep the tent dry. The vestibules also act as extra storage space, so you can pack extra clothes, shoes, and outdoor gear. The ten pockets inside don’t hurt, either. Store all of your gadgets and tech with room to spare.
MAKE FAMILY CAMPING TRIPS FUN AGAIN WITH THE RIGHT TENTS
If taking the whole family on a camping adventure sounds frustrating or overwhelming, it’s probably because you don’t have the right family camping tent. Use our tent finder tool to determine what is the optimal tent for your family. Help create memories that will last a lifetime by choosing a tent that will keep you safe, offer plenty of room and storage, and keeps everyone comfortable.
Looking for other ways to improve your family camping trip? Check out our 10 Tips to Successful Family Camping!