Camping solo and camping with family are extremely different trips that require different gear. Comfort needs, food needs, space needs, etc. will be far different when you are on your own versus when you are caring for others. Your solo-camper self and your group-camper self will thus be different.

Now, that does not mean that the adventure will be any less satisfying. Rather it just implies that the gear you need to bring will be grander when more people are present. So leave the tiny stove at home, forget the one- or two-person tent, and don’t worry about your minimalist or ultralight setup.

Well, Hannah, what should I bring? I’m glad you asked. Here are my favorite tents for camping with the family—whether car camping or backpacking.

Coleman Skylodge 10-Person Instant Tent

Big enough for the kids, dogs, and more, the Coleman Skylodge 10-Person Instant Tent with Screen Room has a myriad of features that make it great for larger family camping trips. The huge screen room entrance is great for additional space to store gear and keep the mosquitoes out of your living space. The pre-attached poles and color-coded corners make setting up a breeze so you spend less time stressing about setting up and more time enjoying your surroundings.

This tent fits up to 10 people and two queen-size beds or 10 individual cots. Worried about headroom? The center has a height of 6ft 6in so you won’t bump your head here. The e-port is ideal for keeping electronics charged (or distracting any kids when they need to relax), so bring extension cords. The mesh storage pockets are great for organizing headlamps, snacks, medications, toiletries, or anything else you want handy and easy to find.

Browning Camping Big Horn Two-Room

The Browning Camping Big Horn Two-Room Tent is perfect for large camping groups wanting a freestanding tent and a comfortable basecamp for adventuring. This massive, 34lb tent is incredibly durable and tall with a center height of over 7ft. With two rooms, it’s ideal for those wanting privacy or space from each other (e.g., kids and adults can have their own space, or two families can each take a wing).

There are nine lightweight, fiberglass poles that are accompanied by pole clips and interior uprights. Two large doors and six windows offer great ventilation and create more livable space.

This tent can fit up to eight people, two queen-size beds, and has plenty of space for meandering around. Weatherproof seams make this a three-season tent great for summer barbecues or fall mountain trips.

Eureka! Copper Canyon LX Tent

The Eureka! Copper Canyon LX Tent comes in a variety of sizes, including four-person, six-person, eight-person, and 12-person. Eureka! is a highly rated and reviewed brand that is known for its durability and budget-friendly options.

The Copper Canyon’s 75-denier StormSheild rainfly is weather-resistant, and the 7ft ceilings create a roomy feel to the living space. Large zippered windows, a hanging gear loft, and lots of mesh pockets for storage and organization are only a handful of the unique features this tent has to offer that make it great for camping with loved ones.

Eureka! Space Camp 4-Person Tent

The Eureka! Space Camp 4 Tent is another durable and highly rated Eureka! tent. This tent is ideal for families needing a large, waterproof shelter. Two large entry and exit doors plus large vestibules create extra livable space and storage for gear.

The Space Camp uses a rugged, 7000-series aluminum frame to increase its storm durability. The high/low venting system within the tent allows for customizable airflow, and the interior pockets are crucial for storage and organization. So bring your furry friends and kids, the in-laws, or all the friends—this high-quality tent can easily handle them.

REI Co-op Wonderland 6 Tent

The REI Co-op Wonderland 6 Tent is a three-season, six-person tent that’s perfect for any and all campsite needs. This tent features large awnings, 360-degree views, and two separate rooms for privacy purposes. There are two massive doors that make it easy to bring in larger pieces of gear, such as inflatable mattresses, and the color-coded system makes setting up camp a breeze.

The Wonderland 6 Tent comes with eight aluminum poles, 18 stakes, and eight reattached reflective guylines. Near-vertical walls and a rectangular floor plan work to optimize the livable floor space and create a roomy feel to the inside quarters. Keep in mind when ordering that the footprint is not included with this tent and must be purchased separately.

Cedar Ridge Ironwood Two-Room

The Cedar Ridge Ironwood Two Room Tent from Alps Mountaineering is an eight-person tent that’s perfect for the whole family or two. This easy pitch tent makes setting up camp a breeze so you have more time exploring and less time organizing.

The two rooms are great to split up kids and parents, or night owls and the early birds, or even two smaller family/ friend groups. Each room has its own door making each separate space even more private. There are six zippered windows for customizing the ventilation flow throughout the indoor shelter. You can also remove the indoor-room separator to create one large space if that suits your camping needs better.

The rainfly is made with UV-resistant fabric to protect the tent from the sun and keep you cooler in warmer months. This tent offers 140 sq ft of indoor space, fiberglass poles, and weighs approximately 30lb.

MSR Elixir 4 Backpacking Tent

The MSR Elixir 4 Tent with Footprint is a three-season, four-person backpacking tent for the backpacking family. It weighs a total of 7lb, which can be split between two people for about 3.5lb per pack. There are two large doors for easy access and to limit the amount of crawling over people in the middle of the night to pee.

Color-coded poles make for easy setup, and the breathable fabrics and weatherproof fly fight the weather. Glow-in-the-dark zippers, built-in gear lofts, and pole geometry for extra elbow room are just a handful of the many unique features this tent has to offer. Large vestibules create even more storage for backpacks, muddy shoes, and other gear you don’t need inside your tent.

NEMO Wagontop Camping Tent

Want the ultimate luxury eight-person tent? The NEMO Wagontop 8 Tent is the tent of your dreams. Although on the pricier side of family camping tents, the price is well worth it for this tent and all the features it has to offer. The single-wall construction and four-pole setup is minimalistic but sturdy. The unique construction and floor plan create even more headspace than earlier models and allow for easy entry and exit from the two-door tent.

The Wagtontop has perhaps one of the largest screened-in porches on a tent that allows for optimal views, weather protection, and ventilation. NEMO has upgraded the floor with an even more durable 300-denier fabric, and has a massive amount of indoor organization and storage space. Extra mesh pockets and loops are perfect for hanging headlamps or a lantern. As with all of NEMO’s products, this tent comes with the famous NEMO lifetime warranty.

Sweet Dreams!

Whether you are first-time campers or experienced weekend warriors, these tents will give your family safety, comfort, and shelter from the natural world we love to explore. What do you think the best family tent is? Do you have any personal experience with these tents? Any crazy family camping stories? Hit up a Hiking and Camping Expert on Curated and let’s chat about all things outdoors.