The 6 Best Camping Tents for 2024 Reviews by Wirecutter

Two large vestibules add nearly 40 square feet combined—that is, 18.75 square feet on either side. However, there were a few drawbacks I encountered during my camping trip. The tent’s durability was questionable, as it sustained damage due to strong winds, with the ties between the tent and the canopy ripping off and the pole bending. This resulted in a partial collapse of the tent, which forced an early end to the camping trip. The 16′ x 16′ size provided ample shade and weather protection, and the 50+ UV protection shielded me from the sun’s rays. The canopy held up well in 20–30 mph winds, and the adjustable shades were very handy.

ozark trail canopy

We invite you to keep the tradition alive with a mile of breathtaking riverfront camping and lodging along the picturesque Meramec River. Made from Dyneema® Composite Fabric, our award-winning ultralight shelters are designed for taking backpacking to the next level. Whether you prefer the 360° protection of an ultralight tent or the versatility of a flat tarp, we’ve got your next adventure covered. It is also important to consider the way in which the tent poles attach to the tent. Many of our picks use grommet attachments, which are more secure and simple to repair than key attachments if anything should break. It’s essential to follow the manufacturer’s instructions as outlined in the user manual when setting up your .

We found that company representatives are reluctant to estimate the lifespan of their tents. When pushed, most of the reps we talked to estimated five to 10 years, though the actual lifespan will vary widely depending on care and frequency of use (for more advice, read REI’s excellent tips). In conducting research for this guide, we heard multiple tales of careful campers who had been using the same tent for 15 years or more.

Despite losing some headroom in comparison with the Kelty Wireless 6 and The North Face Wawona 6, both of which measure six-foot-four in height, the Base Camp 6 offers a substantial six-foot-two. At $500, this modified dome-style ozark trail canopy tent isn’t cheap, but it represents substantial value. Many tents with similar profiles—such as the Big Agnes Dog House 6—either cost more or require you buy the tent body and attachable vestibule separately.

The canopy’s coverage is ample enough to fit multiple people comfortably under its shade. The ability to easily set it up and take it down is a major plus, making it perfect for a variety of outdoor events, including camping trips, picnics, and beach days. ozark trail chair The canopy’s 50-plus UV protection is undoubtedly a plus, but I found that the top vent was loose, causing water to pour in during a storm. Additionally, one of the poles snapped while setting up the canopy, which led to a slightly negative experience.

Easy to set up and pack away, the Mineral King 3 is a lightweight, two-door tent with a generous footprint and a sturdy dome shape. The size of the Ozark Trail Canopy you need depends on the number of people or items you need to shelter, as well as the space available at your camping or outdoor event site. The most popular sizes for Ozark Trail Canopies include 10×10, 10×15, and 10×20 feet.

This no-nonsense tent is intuitive to set up, has mesh on the top halves of two walls, includes a partial rain fly that’s easy to put on and stake out, and feels cheery inside and out. (We don’t recommend the smaller version of this tent for couples who might actually take it on the road; it was just too flimsy in our tests.) Also note that this tent does not come with its own groundsheet. Coleman says that the tent doesn’t need one, probably because its floor is a crinkly (though tough) tarp-like polyethylene, not a taped-seam polyester as in our other picks.

When it’s time to pack up and move on, the strong, telescoping, 3-position steel frame and feet make it easy to transport the canopy, offering stability on both concrete and dirt surfaces. With a 44-square-foot vestibule, and 86 square feet of interior living space, the tent has plenty of room to house beds, cribs, gear, pets, and camping furniture. Zippered doors can enclose the vestibule fully, so it serves as a separate room for the tent, or you can leave one or both open, so the vestibule can act like a porch or mudroom. The main tent body has a giant front door that’s oriented to make entry and exit easy for all the tent’s occupants at night, and a smaller back window that doubles as a second door. Despite these minor issues, I still believe the Ozark Trail 10′ x 10′ Straight Leg Instant Tailgate Canopy is a solid option for those looking for a quick and easy solution for outdoor shade.

Everyone who tested this tent loved it, and it’s not hard to understand why. With plenty of interior space, near-vertical walls, and a gigantic vestibule that could accommodate a golf cart, the Wawona feels more like a tiny home than a tent. The Wireless 6 goes up easily, using the same kind of intuitive pole and clip method as our couples’ pick. This type of pole tends to be less flexible and bulkier than pricier aluminum, and it can be a pain to handle. To test the tents, we first opened them, splayed out their parts, and tried to put them together without consulting the instructions.