A family of four has plenty of great options when it comes to camping tents. It may seem like there are just too many family camping tents to choose from, but we are here to help.
The best tent for a family of four is the Coleman Sundome 4 Tent. The Sundome 4 comfortably sleeps a family or group of 4. It’s lightweight, easy to set up, easy to pack, and has great weather resistance features. This is one of the best selling tents on the market — and for good reason. We highly recommend it.
Let’s take a closer look at the Coleman Sundome, as well as a few of the other best tents for families of four.
The Best Tents for a Family of Four
1. Coleman Sundome 4-Person Tent
The Coleman Sundome 4 Tent measures 9 x 7 feet, offering plenty of room for a family of four to sleep comfortably. The tent features a large, D-style door that provides easy access into and out of the tent. On the rear wall, there is a large mesh window, which works well to encourage airflow and keep the tent nice and cool in hot weather. Additionally, there are are large mesh vents on the roof of the tent, as well as small ground vents around the base.
With a shock cord fiberglass frame, the tent is freestanding and easy to set up. The included rainfly easily attaches, and there are very convenient clips and pole sleeves.
Features
Inside of the Sundome Tent, you will find an interior storage pocket which will keep your personal belongings safe. Additionally, there’s a flashlight loop on the ceiling which is great for lighting the tent hands-free.
Another great feature is the electrical access port, which is really awesome and allows you to power and charge any devices. If you are near an electrical source or generator, you can even use the access port to run AC power into the tent on those hotter days.
Weather Resistance
When it comes to weather resistance, this tent holds absolutely its own. It can handle almost all inclement weather, including high winds and rain. Both the walls and included rain fly are coated with a 450mm weather-resistant coating, which keeps any rain from seeping through. The seams are also welded shut to prevent leaking in the more susceptible areas. Additionally, the floor of the tent is a heavy duty bathtub style floor, which prevents any water from flooding or seeping through from the ground below.
What We Like
The best features of this tent are its durability and weather resistance. Like most tents from Coleman, the Sundome 4 tent is very high-quality. With very little maintenance, this tent should last for many years.
We are also big fans of freestanding tents. We are backpackers ourselves — so we really love the ease of setup and portability of freestanding tents like this one.
2. Alps Mountaineering Lynx 4-Person Tent
If you and the family are hiking or backpacking, the Lynx 4-Person Tent from Alps Mountaineering is the best tent for you. This dome style tent from Alps provides 64 square feet of space, measuring 7’6” x 6’6” inside, which can comfortably sleep a family of four.
What We Like
The reason this tent is so great for hiking and backpacking is that it’s extremely lightweight. The tent weighs just 7 pounds and 9 ounces, which makes it very easy to pack and carry long distances.
What We Don’t Like
With a center height of just 4’4”, you won’t be able to stand up inside. However, the ability to stand up inside is not a necessary feature for backpacking and will only add to the tent’s weight, so it may be a worthwhile sacrifice for you.
3. Gazelle T4 Pop-up Camping Tent
The Gazelle T4 Pop-up Camping Tent is another great option for a family of four. The tent provides 61 square feet of space, measuring 94 x 94 inches inside. The center height is 78 inches (6’ 5”) with straight walls, which means the height remains consistent throughout the entire tent. You will be able to comfortably stand up inside. However, the tent is a bit on the heavier side, weighing about 30 pounds.
What We Like
The best feature of the Gazelle T4 Tent is how easy it is to set up. With its pop-up feature, set up time is reduced down to just 90 seconds. When you’re ready to pack it up, the tent folds down in less than a minute and packs into a convenient 67.5 inch carry bag. So, in terms of convenience and ease, this tent from Gazelle is probably our favorite small family camping tent.
What We Don’t Like
While the Gazelle T4 Tent is easy to set up, it is definitely more ideal for car camping than for backpacking or hiking. The tent is a bit on the heavier side, weighing a hefty 30 pounds. You definitely don’t want to lug this tent down miles of trails. However, for families who prefer to car camp, the heavier weight is absolutely worth the ease and quickness of setting it up.
Final Thoughts
When it comes to camping with a small group or family, it’s important to choose a tent that meets your size needs. However, you also don’t want the tent to be too bulky. It is important to choose a tent that is weather resistant, durable, and high-quality. Depending on how important weight and ease of set up are to you, here are our top choices for the best camping tents for a family of four.
Happy Camping!
Is there an awesome small family tent that you think we should have included? What camping tent is the go-to for you and your family? We are always excited to try out and review new camping gear. Let us know your thoughts in the comment section below.
Nice list! How does Coleman Sundome compare with BushTec Adventure Delta Zulu?