17 Best Large Tents for Family Camping Trips [Updated for 2023]

When you’re looking forward to a season of family camping trips, you want to have the right tent for the job. These top picks for larger tents give the family lots of space for camping gear, relaxation, and privacy.

Whether on a tight budget or seeking a top-quality tent, any of these 17 picks for the best large camping tents will prepare you for an epic camping season with your family.

a camping tent set up by a tree that is one of the best large tents for family camping
The best large tents for camping have plenty of space for the entire family.

What is a Large Family Camping Tent?

Sleeping capacity defines a tent’s size (the number of sleeping bags that will fit in the tent). But with few industry standards, square footage varies by tent manufacturer.

For example, Eureka’s Copper Canyon LX 6 and The North Face’s Wawona 8 have about 100 square feet. Yet the Wawona is packing two more campers into the same space as Eureka.

When finding the best large camping tents, we’ve looked at tents with at least 100 square feet of space instead of just sleeping capacity.

How to Choose the Right Size Tent for Yor Family

Sleeping bags take up about 18 square feet of space, and a queen air mattress is approximately 33 square feet. That means a 100-square-foot tent has plenty of sleeping space for a family of 5.  

If you have more than five people or need additional space for camping gear, then you’ll want to look at larger tents. Plan for about 18-20 square feet per person. 

We’ve also included extra-large camping tents in this list that are large enough for families of 7 or campers who need additional storage space or a living area. These tents are at least 150 square feet of floor space.

When you need a spacious tent, you already know to look for a higher sleeping capacity. But with no industry standard, pay attention to the total feet of floor space too.

What to Look for When Choosing a Large Camping Tent

Before investing in large or extra-large camping tents, consider how the extra space will be used and what features you want in a tent.

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  • Type of Tent: Cabin and extended dome tents are the most common types of larger tents. The near-vertical walls of a cabin tent provide plenty of standing room and fit tall air mattresses and cots well.
  • Ease of Setup: The extra material in a large family camping tent can make the pitching more challenging than for a 2- or 4-person tent. Consider an instant setup tent with pre-attached poles. Color-coded poles are another helpful feature for quick setup. 
  • Other Features: Gear lofts and storage pockets keep things organized and valuables within reach. No-see-um mesh windows are fantastic for stargazing and keeping bugs out but take away privacy. Removable dividers for extra privacy are other nice features in a family tent.

Find more tips on choosing the perfect family camping tent here.

Pros and Cons of Large Camping Tents

Camping in large or extra-large family camping tents isn’t for everyone. Here is what to consider before making your purchase.

Pros

  • Plenty of space for bedding that takes more space than sleeping bags, like tall cots and queen air mattresses.
  • There is lots of space for extra gear, such as side tables, heaters, or fans.
  • Large tents are made in styles with generous standing room for tall campers.

Cons

  • The size, especially extra-large family camping tents, can be too big for tent pads at developed campgrounds. Check campground rules to ensure your tent meets any restrictions.
  • While tall tents have ample space for standing room, it can take extra effort to warm that space while camping in cold weather.
  • Even the best large tents can get heavy and bulky, making packing and transport tricky.

The Best Large Camping Tents

When your family needs the space to sleep comfortably and store all the gear on your camping checklist, these picks for the best tents for large families will do the job. Starting at 100 sq feet of floor space, here are 17 tents to consider for your next family camping trip.

1. Gazelle T4 Plus Hub Tent With Screen Room

Best for those who don’t always need a lot of sleeping space

The North Face Wawona 8

Wawona 8 Tent Specs

  • Sleeping Capacity: 8 Person
  • Weight: 19.5 lbs
  • Peak Height: 6 ft 6 in
  • Square Footage: 112 ft
  • Room Divider: Yes
  • Rainfly: Included

We camp in the Wawona 6, and we love it. The North Face Wawona 8 is the same excellent quality with even more space for gear and people.

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The large vestibule provides a space to keep you and your camping gear dry in bad weather.

While this tent comes with a 45-square-foot vestibule, the additional storage space described in the product description is sold separately. The provides an additional 73 sq ft of vestibule space.

What We Love:

  • a lightweight tent that is easy to transport
  • separate doors for even more privacy when the optional room divider is used
  • color-coded poles make setup even easier
  • mesh ceiling for air circulation and stargazing
  • holds up well in heavy rain

What We Don’t:

  • it’s an expensive tent (but it does come with a lifetime warranty)
  • the footprint is sold separately

Last year, we recommended the REI Kingdom 8 tunnel tent, which is no longer available. The largest tent in its replacement line, the , is about 80 square feet, which is too small for our list of the best large tents.


3. NEMO Wagontop 8 Tent

Best for campers who want a great quality tent that lasts

Wagontop 8 Tent Specs

  • Sleeping Capacity: 8 Person
  • Weight: 30 lbs
  • Peak Height: 6 ft 8 in
  • Square Footage: 125 sq ft
  • Room Divider: No
  • Rainfly: n/a (single-walled tent, with 1,500mm coating)

With a peak height of close to 7 ft throughout the tent, the is ideal for tall campers. This tent includes a separate space to store or to sit out rainstorms. The Wagontop is new and improved in 2020, with better windows and more durable floors. The unique tent design is similar to a cabin-style tent, but the sloped ceiling provides additional weather resistance.

What We Love:

  • includes a lifetime warranty
  • the door is fully enclosed, making this a good tent for colder weather
  • waterproof materials will hold up in heavy rains

What We Don’t:

  • not the easiest to set up
  • this premium tent is not budget-friendly and is one of the most expensive tents on our list
  • no privacy dividers to create separate rooms

4. Core 9-Person Instant Cabin Tent

Best for campers who need a super easy tent setup

9-Person Instant Cabin Tent from Core Equipment
9-Person Instant Cabin Tent from Core Equipment

Core 9 Person Tent Specs

  • Sleeping Capacity: 9 Person
  • Weight: 37 lbs
  • Peak Height: 6 ft 6 in
  • Square Footage: 126 ft
  • Room Divider: Yes
  • Rainfly: Included
  • Electrical Port: Yes

People love the instant tents from Kansas-based Core Equipment for the minimal setup time. The pre-attached poles mean no fumbling with connecting them to hooks or loops.

Core H20 Block Technology helps keep water out, and the hinged doors make it easy to get in and out of the tent.

What We Love:

  • easily packs back into the carry bag
  • effortless setup
  • reasonably priced for new campers
  • air intake vents near the tent’s floor provide excellent ventilation

What We Don’t:

  • taking the tent down isn’t as easy as setting up
  • tent stakes that are included don’t hold up well
  • this tent is a bit heavy compared to others on the list of the best large camping tents featured here

Related Reading: Easiest Tent To Set Up By Yourself: 6 Best Instant Tent Picks for 2023

5. Campros 8-Person Camping Tent

Best for campers who are more interested in a reliable tent at a reasonable price than the brand

Campros 8-Person Tent Specs

  • Sleeping Capacity: 8 People
  • Weight: 17 lbs
  • Peak Height: 6 ft
  • Square Footage: 126 sq ft
  • Room Divider: Yes
  • Rainfly Included: Yes (600mm coated for water resistance)

California-based Campros, an under-the-radar outdoor equipment company, has been making high-quality tents at an affordable price for over ten years.

This tent is lightweight enough to use as a backpacking tent when you want to head into the backcountry with the family. The mesh ceiling makes it perfect for stargazing and camping in hot weather. The included rainfly keeps light rain and cold air out in less-than-ideal weather conditions.

The lack of windows on the back of the tent creates a built-in movie screen for families who camp with a projector.

What We Love:

  • rainfly is color-coded for quick and easy setup
  • includes a doormat
  • very lightweight tent
  • a highly-rated, affordable tent

What We Don’t:

  • the back of the tent doesn’t have windows for ventilation throughout the tent
  • with a peak height of 6′, this tent doesn’t have the headroom of other tents on this list
  • the tent door has only one zipper

6. Coleman Dark Room Instant Cabin Tent

Best for camping in hot weather

Coleman Instant Cabin Tent Specs

  • Sleeping Capacity: 10 Person
  • Weight: 42 lbs
  • Peak Height: 6 ft 7 in
  • Square Footage: 140 sq ft
  • Room Divider: Yes
  • Rainfly: Included
  • Electrical Port: Yes

The Coleman 10-Person Dark Room Instant Cabin Tent is a great summer tent, especially in areas that frequently get unexpected rains. The included rainfly has a Dark Room technology that blocks 90% of sunlight to keep the tent cool and a WeatherTec system to ensure rain doesn’t make its way into the tent.

The cabin-style tent means more headroom and standing space for the adults, reaching 6 ft 7 at peak height.

What We Love:

  • Dark Room technology to keep the tent cool in the summer
  • glow-in-the-dark guylines to keep the kiddos from tripping
  • quick setup (60 seconds!)
  • expandable carrying bag makes repacking easy

What We Don’t:

  • sealing the seams is still recommended since the WeatherTec system only applies to the tent material
  • the off-centered door can take some getting used to in the dark
  • this is a heavy tent, weighing 42 lbs

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7. Browning Camping Big Horn Two-Room Tent

Best for tall campers

Big Horn Tent Specs

  • Sleeping Capacity: 8 Person
  • Weight: 35 lbs
  • Peak Height: 7 ft 3 in
  • Square Footage: 150 sq ft
  • Room Divider: Yes
  • Rainfly: Included (75-denier coating)

Browning specializes in hunting gear and is part of the same company that owns ALPS Mountaineering, so there is a history of durable outdoor products behind this brand.

This is our pick for tall campers with a peak height of over 7 feet that spans most of the tent area. It’s also one of the more spacious in our list of the best large camping tents at 150 sq feet of sleeping space. The two-room design gives privacy or extra living space.

What We Love:

  • straight walls for maximum use of the tent area
  • mesh roof for stargazing with privacy panels on the walls
  • easy setup and takedown, even with one person
  • backed by a lifetime warranty

What We Don’t:

  • at 35 lbs, this is not the most lightweight tent
  • zippers on doors don’t fully come together and leave a gap

The Best Extra-Large Family Camping Tents

These highly rated extra-large family camping tents have more than 150 square feet of sleeping area. These tents will all sleep families of 7 or more.

8. Wenzel Klondike 8

Best for campers who need some flexibility with their tent and are on a budget

Wenzel Klondike 8 Tent
Wenzel Klondike 8 Tent

Klondike 8 Tent Specs

  • Sleeping Capacity: 8 Person
  • Weight: 29 lbs
  • Peak Height: 6 ft 6 in
  • Square Footage: a total of 158 ft of tent space (98 square feet, with an additional 60 ft of space in the screen room)
  • Room Divider: No, but a permanent wall separates the rooms
  • Rainfly: Included

Like the Gazelle T4 Plus Hub Tent, the Wenzel Klondike 8 has a separate space that can flex between extra sleeping space or a screen room. But this tent is a more budget-friendly option.

The main room of the tent is large enough to sleep a family of 5. The screen room has ample space to sleep additional people or be used to store camping gear or as a living space.

Related Reading: The Best Camping Gifts for Your Favorite Tent Camper or RV Owner

What We Love:

  • relatively lightweight compared to other extra-large family camping tents
  • Wenzel tents are made in the USA
  • bathtub floor prevents leaks through seams
  • ground ventilation keeps campers cooler in the summer

What We Don’t:

  • no electrical port
  • lower peak height in the screened porch can take getting used to
  • no separate entrance to the main space of the tent
  • it isn’t a free-standing tent, so it must be staked down for setup

9. Eureka! Copper Canyon LX 12-Person Tent

Best for another excellent pick for tall campers

Copper Canyon Tent Specs

  • Sleeping Capacity: 12 Person
  • Weight: 38 lbs
  • Peak Height: 7 ft
  • Square Footage: 168 sq ft
  • Room Divider: Yes
  • Rainfly: Included (1,200 mm)

I’m a little partial to this brand since my camping trips as a kid were always in Eureka tents. The company has roots in making wagon covers in the late 1800s, so they know a thing or two about shelter in the outdoors.

At 7 feet tall with near-vertical walls, there is lots of space for tall campers to walk around in the tent.

Recent updates to the Copper Canyon LX line include an extended fly for better weather coverage and replacing toggles for the zippers on the mesh windows.

There are smaller versions of the Copper Canyon if you don’t need the amount of space in the 12-person tent. The Eureka Copper Canyon LX is also made in 6-, 8-, and 10-Person tents.

What We Love:

  • nearly vertical walls are great for cots and air mattresses
  • electrical port (E! Powerport) make it easy to run electricity into the tent
  • steel and fiberglass poles give a balance of weight and durability
  • mesh roof for stargazing

What We Don’t:

  • a fitted footprint is not available, but the thin floor material needs some extra protection
  • window closures are toggles instead of zippers, which can be noisy in windy weather
  • not the easiest to setup
  • one of the pricier tents on our list, it is not budget-friendly

10. Core Equipment 12-Person Straight Wall Cabin Tent

Best for tall campers who want the room to move around

Core 12-Person Tent Specs

  • Sleeping Capacity: 12 Person
  • Weight: 41 lbs
  • Peak Height: 7 ft 2 in
  • Square Footage: 176 sq ft
  • Room Divider: Yes
  • Rainfly: Included

Core Equipment is primarily known for its highly-rated instant setup tents, and they also make great tents with a more traditional setup. They’ve still made it easy, though, with color-coding all the parts to minimize setup time.

The removable room divider creates separate spaces that you can use for additional sleeping, lounging, or use as a few extra feet of storage space.

What We Love:

  • color-coded poles, sleeves, and joints for easy setup
  • roomy carry bag makes repacking easy
  • stargazing roof
  • adjustable ventilation for warm summer nights

What We Don’t:

  • high peak height is harder to keep warm when camping in cold weather
  • one of the heaviest tents featured here
  • requires multiple people to set up
  • fiberglass poles break or splinter easily

11. Coleman Evanston Screened 8 Tent

Best for camping in cold weather and windy conditions

Coleman Evanston 8 Tent is one of the best large camping tents
Coleman’s Evanston 8 Tent

Evanston Tent Specs

  • Sleeping Capacity: 8 Person
  • Weight: 27 lbs
  • Peak Height: 6 ft
  • Square Footage: 180 sq ft
  • Room Divider: No
  • Rainfly: Included

There may be better options than the dome-style tent for tall campers, but the lower profile does well in windy conditions and is better at keeping in the heat in cold weather. You’ll stay warmer through the night with less air in the tent to heat.

We love this spacious tent for families ready to take their first camping trip. At less than $150, this inexpensive tent is a low investment for anyone just starting out camping. The Evanston line of tents from Coleman has a 50 sq ft screen porch for a space to protect from sun or rain – or to store some gear.

What We Love:

  • an affordable price tag that is a great starter tent
  • continuous pole sleeves provide extra support
  • lightweight tent
  • low peak height helps keep the tent warm in cold weather

What We Don’t:

  • quality may not stand up to heavy or frequent use
  • no wall to cover screens lets cold air in / warm air out
  • fiberglass poles are not as durable

12. Ozark Trail 11-Person 3-Room Tent

Best for new campers who want to start out on a budget

Ozark Trail 3-Room Tent Specs

  • Sleeping Capacity: 11 Person
  • Weight: 39 lbs
  • Peak Height: 6 ft 4 in
  • Square Footage: 196 sq ft
  • Room Divider: Yes
  • Rainfly: Included
  • Electrical Port: Yes

Priced at well under $150, Ozark Trail’s 11-Person Cabin Tent is an inexpensive tent, which is ideal for new campers. The lightweight tent is very portable, which you’ll appreciate at walk-in campsites. Electrical cord access to port electricity into the tent lets campers have some of the comforts of home.

What We Love:

  • very lightweight tent, even for the size
  • electrical port to run cords into the tent
  • budget-friendly for those who want to try camping

What We Don’t:

  • tents stakes tend to need to be replaced
  • difficult to get back into the carry bag, especially with rainfly and poles
  • no separate door into the second room

13. Bushnell 12-Person Instant Cabin Tent

Best for hot weather camping

Bushnell Tent Features

  • Sleeping Capacity: 12 Person
  • Weight: 60 lbs
  • Peak Height: 6 ft 8 in
  • Square Footage: 198 sq ft
  • Room Divider: Yes, 2 are included
  • Rainfly: Included (600mm coating)

The Bushnell Instant Cabin Tent is sure to keep campers cool on hot nights at the campground. This Amazon-exclusive tent has an A/C vent and Heat Shield technology with a reflective coating to keep the tent dark and cool. The steel tent poles are very durable, which does add to the weight.

The two room dividers let campers create a 3-room tent for multiple sleeping or living zones, making this a great tent for camping with friends.

What We Love:

  • 2 room dividers for even more privacy options
  • steel tent poles that are heavy but durable
  • A/C vent and Heat Shield for keeping tent cool
  • very easy setup

What We Don’t:

  • at over $500, this isn’t a budget-friendly tent
  • a weight of 60 lbs is harder to transport
  • no separate doors to each sleeping area
  • difficult to get back into the carry bag

14. NTK Arizona GT 12-Person Tent

Best for campers who want an all-around good tent at a reasonable price

NTK Arizona GT 12-Person Tent
NTK Arizona GT sleeps 12

Arizona GT 12 Tent Specs

  • Sleeping Capacity: 12 Person
  • Weight: 42 lbs
  • Peak Height: 6 ft 9 in
  • Square Footage: 213 sq ft
  • Room Divider: Yes (2 dividers are included)
  • Rainfly: Included (2,500mm PU)

This tent has a little bit of everything: low weight, lots of headroom, and a good-sized floor area. The removable room divider provides privacy, and an electrical port makes running electricity into the tent easy.

The Nano-Flex technology used in the fiberglass poles for the NTK Arizona GT 12 is more durable than traditional fiberglass poles. We would still purchase a spare, just in case.

What We Love:

  • very highly rated waterproofness on the rainfly
  • lightweight tent, especially for the size
  • simple, color-coded setup
  • durable floor material

What We Don’t:

  • one door for all three rooms means a bit less privacy
  • difficult to repack in the carry bag
  • heavily sloped walls can be hard to fit cots and air mattresses

Related Reading: Kelty Trail Ridge 6 Tent: What to Know Before You Buy

15. Regatta Bell Tent from White Duck Outdoors

Best for glampers and long-term camping trips

Regatta Bell Tent Specs

  • Sleeping Capacity: 8 Person
  • Weight: 83 lbs
  • Peak Height: 9 ft 10 in (wall height 2 ft 7 in)
  • Square Footage: 211 sq ft
  • Room Divider: No
  • Rainfly Included: n/a (single-walled tent)
  • Electrical Port: Yes

Our pick for the best glamping tent is the largest and heaviest on our list of the best large camping tents. The 4-season Regatta Bell canvas tent will hold up in almost any weather.

A tall tent made with durable materials. A bell tent is like a teepee tent, but the vertical walls make better use of the space in the tent. The Regatta Bell Canvas tent has tons of space but is best for campers who often head out into the wilderness for more than just a weekend.

What We Love:

  • canvas tent body makes this tent extremely durable and great for any weather
  • strong and durable steel poles
  • includes a stove jack for cold-weather camping

What We Don’t:

  • canvas tents are heavy, making this tent challenging to transport
  • no room dividers for privacy
  • this premium tent is not budget-friendly

16. Ozark Trail 11-Person Instant Hexagon Cabin Tent

Best for those who need lots of storage space

Ozark Trail 11-Person Instant Hexagon Cabin Tent

Hexagon Cabin Tent Specs

  • Sleeping Capacity: 11 Person
  • Weight: 37 lbs
  • Peak Height: 6 ft 10 in
  • Square Footage: 255 sq ft
  • Room Divider: No
  • Rainfly: Included

This tent is huge! At over 250 square feet, there is plenty of room for the entire family, plus lots of space to store and organize gear. That extra space can come at a cost in cold weather, though, with so much air to keep warm.

While the setup of this instant tent is super easy, reviewers recommend reading the instructions to ensure it’s done correctly. Otherwise, the tent may not hold up in low to moderate winds.

What We Love:

  • quick, easy setup (2 minutes)
  • expandable carry bag makes packing up easy too
  • electrical port to run electricity
  • floor vents allow the air to circulate on hot days

What We Don’t:

  • no room divider to give privacy
  • the awning, which doubles as a door, needs to be collapsed when privacy is needed
  • hexagon shape can be an inefficient use of space

17. Ozark Trail 20-Person 4-Room Cabin Tent

Best for large families or groups who need lots of space for people and gear

Ozark Trail 20-Person 4-Room Cabin Tent

Ozark Trail 20-Person Tent Specs

  • Sleeping Capacity: 10 Person
  • Weight: 16 lbs
  • Peak Height: 6 ft 4 in
  • Square Footage: 140 sq ft
  • Room Divider: Yes
  • Rainfly: Included (600mm PU coating)

Ozark Trail’s 20-person cabin tent is the biggest family camping tent we could find. An impressive 283 sq ft tent sleeps up to 20 people (though it will be a very tight fit)—this massive tent with a floor plan that can accommodate six queen air mattresses.

At 50 lbs, it’s lighter than some extra-large family camping tents featured here. The water resistant,  600mm coated rain fly will hold up in light rain.

What We Love:

  • separate entrances to each room for privacy
  • eight mesh windows provide excellent ventilation
  • a generous amount of space at an affordable price

What We Don’t:

  • not a quick setup, due to the size of the tent
  • may be too large for some campgrounds
  • the rain fly doesn’t extend enough to provide rain protection over the windows
  • fiberglass poles splinter easily (we recommend bringing extras on your camping trip)

Frequently Asked Questions

Comfortable campers are happy campers, and having the best large tent for family camping trips can make a big difference in your outdoor experience. No matter how you like to camp (or glamp) or how many people you want to accommodate, there’s a large camping tent that is perfect for your family. Before purchasing, consider factors other than the interior space – like waterproofing, size, setup speed, and portability.

With our 2023 guide to the best large camping tents and reviews, you’ll be able to find the perfect tent for your family’s needs while also staying within your budget. 


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