It has an interior footprint of 87 square feet, which sleeps four adults on single pads, or two adults and two or three children, and can accommodate a crib. That wasn’t the tallest we encountered—the Eureka Copper Canyon LX 6 and the Alps Mountaineering Camp Creek 6 each topped out at 7 feet—but it’s enough space for most adults to maneuver standing up. The tent comes with a full rain fly that adds two vestibules for storage (each 14 square feet), totaling 115 square feet of livable space—which is fairly generous yet still practical for most campsites. After researching 30 six-person tents and testing 15 side by side on a total of five trips, we chose the Kelty Wireless 6 as the best entry-level camping tent for most families. It’s spacious, easy to set up, has weather protection, and is durable, all at an affordable price. The Wireless 6 lacks some of the premium materials found in pricier tents, but it features solid workmanship and should provide dependable, comfortable shelter in most three-season camping situations.
We were skeptical about the vestibule’s ability to handle wind, since it’s big and supported by a single pole, but it stood fast in 30 mph oceanside gusts and 15 mph hilltop winds. Coleman makes no dedicated footprints for its tents—the idea being that the polyethylene is tough enough not to need one. (Still, we suggest that you buy a groundsheet.) The tent has two small, internal pockets—fewer than on any of our other picks—and a loop at the ceiling center to hang a small, lightweight light. The tent weighs just 16 pounds, less than any other family tent we tested for this guide. Measuring 10 by 10 feet, the Sundome covers an area larger than that of our family-tent top pick though its lower roof leaves it with less headroom. One night during testing, for example, clouds loomed in the distance with clear skies overhead.
Despite having the smallest capacity of the tents we tested—42.5 square feet—the Mineral King 3 easily fits two people with a full-size mattress, or two sleeping pads, and gear. Two large vestibules add nearly 40 square feet combined—that is, 18.75 square feet on either side. You can also set up the tent without the fly while retaining some privacy, since ozark trail canopy the tent body has a high polyester wall on one side. Another potential drawback is that the mesh material is not entirely opaque, which may not be ideal for those seeking complete privacy. The screen house’s open design allows for excellent ventilation, but it may not effectively shield you from the view of neighboring properties or from passersby.
(We were stubborn and didn’t look at the instructions.) Once you identify the front and back, the process is straightforward. The fly goes up and over the tent body, covering only the upper half of the mesh dome, and then forms the glorious vestibule with the aid of a third pole. Use the extra stakes and guy-lines ozark trail screen house provided to stabilize the vestibule as much as you need. 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 with two main poles with added support from smaller brow poles.
The 14X12 comes with easy-to-follow instructions and requires minimal tools for assembly. Most customers can set up the screen house within a few hours, depending on their experience and the number of people assisting them. The frame is made from sturdy steel tubing, and the mesh material is easy to attach, creating a secure and durable structure. Overall, the Magnetic Door Screenhouses provides a welcome respite from those annoying bugs, and the convenient setup and lightweight materials make it a worthwhile addition to any picnic setup.
It lets you enjoy the beautiful outdoors without being eaten alive by mosquitoes or bugs. Plus, it’s great for keeping camp chairs and dog beds organized. They allow us to convert the screen room into a bedroom on one trip and a bug-free front porch on another, making this tent incredibly versatile. Camping with family has never been this enjoyable — the Ozark Trail 12-Person Instant Cabin Tent with Screen Room has exceeded my expectations.
The way the poles clip into hubs is a little hard to get apart. It seems like I am the second person to review this product, and the second one to give it a 1 Star rating. Goes together well, but as soon as we got a little shower…. Total collapse, hubs (2) shattered and two sets of poles completely destroyed.