Host virtual work meetings poolside in Costa Rica or Belize, reset and refresh with a mountain view in Colorado, or immerse yourself in some coastal maritime history on Hilton Head Island. Let even your grandest ozark trail instant cabin vacation dreams take flight with a long-term stay. The tent is one complete package, meaning the tent poles are integrated into the actual tent. All you do is pull on the sides and top to pop the structure.
Regardless of the too-long poles, I found this setup to be the most complicated. The tent initially pops up and the hubs all locked into place quite easily. My challenge was with the three interior poles that need to be placed alongside and over the door to give the tent more structure.
At the first sign of rain, it took only a few seconds—and a quick hand stuck outside the tent—to unfurl the fly and secure it for a dry night’s sleep. When we awoke, we could roll back one part of the vestibule, make coffee, and watch the sky lighten even though it was still raining. For this guide, we focused on tents that suit the most common terrains you’re likely to encounter when car-camping—grassy lawns or clearings, beaches, dirt campsites, and basic platforms—in spring, summer, and fall. We’re not looking at tents designed for such specialized activities as mountaineering, backpacking, or winter camping, though some of our recommendations have cross-over potential.
Speaking of air, another big advantage of this tent for summer camping trips is its excellent ventilation. This tent features multiple mesh windows, a mesh ceiling, and an adjustable ground vent for plenty of air circulation to stay cool during the summer months. If you can afford to spend more on a family tent, we recommend The North Face Wawona 6. Everyone who tested this tent loved it, and it’s not hard to understand why.
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. It’s the perfect choice for three-season multipurpose camping. Typically this section is reserved for larger 6-person tents; however, the REI Skyward 4 and Marmot Tungsten 4 both packed enough family-friendly features to make the cut. If you are looking for a smaller, ozark trail instant cabin lighter alternative to a 6-person tent that can still handle a family, these are two great tents to explore. The North Face Wawona 6 checks most of the family-friendly boxes, easily sleeping a family of four with great height, storage, and covered outside space. Because of the large, tall vestibule, we were able to set up a camp shower for a quick rinse after a sweaty day of climbing.