Curated Camping & Hiking experts help thousands of customers every season find the right gear within their budget. Check out their most recommended tents under $250, and then be sure to chat with an expert here on Curated for free advice and recommendations on the best tent for your needs.
- Eureka Suma Tent
- Mountainsmith Bear Creek Tent
- Eureka! Midori Tent
- Mountainsmith Bear Creek 4 Person Tent · Olympic Blue
- Mountainsmith Morrison Evo Tent
- Eureka! Tetragon NX Tent
- Eureka! Summer Pass Tent
- Coleman Skydome™ Camping Tent
- Eureka! Solitaire AL 1 Person Tent · Jasmine Green, Mediterranean Blue, Dark Shadow
- Coleman Skydome™ Camping Tent with Dark Room Technology
Eureka Suma Tent
Super lightweight and affordable 2 person tent! Ample space - 88" x 55" floor dimensions and a peak height of 42". Plus it has a mesh lining for those starry nights :)
A solid first tent, it won't break the bank but will still last a long time. This tent is decently lightweight, but has plenty of headroom.
It's lightweight, easy to use, and affordable! Great for camping, and not heavy if you ever want to take it out on the trails.
Mountainsmith Bear Creek Tent
A versatile one-door tent, this piece is thoroughly waterproof and is 5lbs 3 oz! Great for concerts, car camping, picnics, and everything in between. Designed for three-season camping, this two pole design will be a great addition to your personal collection when you want to either have a little extra room for yourself or you want to camp with your significant other.
Weighs 5lbs 3oz when packed with the footprint (included!). The tent body is not required to set up. You can combine the footprint and the rainfly for a lightweight options. Great ventilation with the No-See-Um mesh and bathtub floor combo!
Comes with a rainfly and a footprint that can be used without the tent body to save space and weight when backpacking.
Eureka! Midori Tent
Increased headroom for great livable space, two large doors and vestibules for ease of entry as well as spacious vestibules for storing gear. Trail weight at just over 6 pounds makes this a great option for backpackers on a budget or not counting ounces but seeking quality, weatherproof design.
Great for backpacking or car camping for 2 people, or 1 person and a furry friend! This tent has maximum headroom and is made from durable fabric! Minimum trail weight for this set up is 4lbs13oz which is pretty great!!
Great budget, yet entirely functional option for the backpacker looking to keep the load on the light side.
Mountainsmith Bear Creek 4 Person Tent · Olympic Blue
Great summer camping option, perfect for car camping. Can be used for backpacking however there are lighter options.
Mountainsmith Morrison Evo Tent
A nice durable and great weather-resistant tent that folds down nicely for backpacking that fits 2 comfortably! Fast setup, easy takedown. Also has mesh storage pockets on the interior for any gear that needs to stay outside the sleeping back or backpacks!
Comes with a brow pole for a roomy feel and a good amount of space! Great price an a sweet tent. Based on the award winning Morrison Evo!
2 Person tent on a budget. Great for car camping and casual backpacking.
Eureka! Tetragon NX Tent
Need a great priced tent to get started? The Eureka checks off all the boxes. There's plenty of space for 3-4 people and it comes with a rainfly to keep out bad weather or dew but can be removed when you want to look at the sky.
This is a great budget option for a quality tent! It's durable and could stand up to a dog and children.
Good for casual car campers or those getting started!
Eureka! Summer Pass Tent
Nice mesh canopy to keep the bugs out and gives great views of the night sky. Two large vestibules provide dry storage for your gear.
2-person and 2-door tent that is really versatile! Great for car camping, backpacking, and everything in between!
Car camping and short-mid distance backpacking trips.
Coleman Skydome™ Camping Tent
This massive 6-person tent has 80 sq ft of interior space and a peak height of 6 ft, and it boasts nearly vertical walls to provide even more headspace then some of Coleman's other tent models, making it large enough for the whole fam or camping trips with friends! This tent offers plenty of waterproofing features, including a tub-like floor, welded corners, and inverted seams so you stay dry! Other features include internal pockets for small item organization, a large door for easy exit and entry, and Coleman boasts an easy 5-minute set up.
Vertical walls offer extra headroom and features like pre-attached poles for easy set up, a tub-like floor, welded corners and inverted seams keep you and your gear dry! This tent comes in a variety of sizes (2-8 person), we can find the perfect one for your situation! The specs for the 8 person are below:
- Dimensions: 16 x 7 ft
- Center Height:6 ft
- Fits 3 queen size air mattress
- Frame has been tested to 35 MPH winds
- Packs down to compact size for car camping
- Reviews confirm that this tent holds up great in wind and rain
Great entry level option for campground or car camping on a budget with plenty of livable space and Coleman trusted features and quality.
Eureka! Solitaire AL 1 Person Tent · Jasmine Green, Mediterranean Blue, Dark Shadow
Excellent option for solo excursions. Very lightweight without sacrificing durability or protection from the elements. This 3-season tent is perfectly sized for one user, and their gear to fit comfortably within!
Eureka's Solitaire is the perfect first backpacking tent! It is 3 season, single person, durable, & lightweight. :)
Great option for you running solo. Super lightweight and most likely space for the pup!
Coleman Skydome™ Camping Tent with Dark Room Technology
Perfect for car camping as it has a quick 5 minute setup! Dark Room tech blocks out 90% of the sunlight so you can sleep in on those trips you're looking to escape it all. Nearly vertical walls give you about 20% more headroom than traditional tents. The frame is pretty durable and is rated up to 35 mph winds. Adverse conditions coming your way? The WeatherTec system has you covered for keeping you and your gear dry. Can fit 1 queen size air mattress.
Coleman Skylodge Instant Camping Tent
Sets up super quick using telescoping pre-attached poles, keeping things intuitive and simple. The WeatherTec system keeps you and your gear dry in all conditions you'll encounter. Fits 1 queen size air mattress, wide door makes it effortless to transport your gear in and out throughout the setup/teardown process. Stuff-and-roll carry bag makes it seamless to pack up your tent. Mesh pockets to organize your gear! Killer car camping option!
The North Face Stormbreak 2 Tent
The North Face Stormbreak 2 is a three season tent with about 30 square feet of floor area for two people. This tent comes with a vestibule and carrying bag. It is a free standing tent with a packed weight of around 5lbs 14.2oz. Two doors for easy access and airflow on hot nights with ground ventilation.
Black Diamond Spotlight Bivy · Wasabi
Providing just a little more wiggle room than options like the Twilight from Black Diamond at not a whole lot more of a weight increase sitting at 1lb 7oz for your average pack weight. Packs down to 4" X 7.5". Killer choice for 4 seasons and with a single DAC Featherlite pole, you get a little extra space over your head and shoulders versus more traditional bivy options. Has a mesh panel with an awning for ventilation and a large zippered entry for ease of use.
Designed for the gram counting minimalist and good for all 4 seasons!
Coleman Skydome™ XL Camping Tent
Under 5 minute setup time with 2 people, thanks to pre attached poles, can fit 3 queen airbeds and includes a room divider along with 2 wide doors. Equipped with Coleman's WeatherTec system providing a tub like floor, welded corners along with inverted and taped seams on the rainfly and tent body to keep water out. Rated to resist up to 35 mph winds. Ground vents keep things breathable in the warmer months along with large door awnings to maximize ventilation. Mesh pockets to keep gear organized along with an e-port for access to an extension cord so you can bring you electronics inside! 16' X 9' with a 6.5' center height. Comes with an expandable carry bag for easy packing.
Six Moon Designs Skyscape Scout Tent · Green
Great little 1p tent by Six Moon Designs. This is a good quality tent at a very impressive price point for the quality known for this brand. This is also quite light and packable.
Black Diamond Twilight Bivy Shelter · Wasabi
This bivy has a frameless construction to minimize weight and packs down to 3 x 5 inches. Nanoshield fabric is durable, breathable, and has the highest water column rating of any other similar fabric. A waterproof finish enhances fabric performance.
Warmth and staying dry during the winter. Lightweight and compact in your pack so you have room for other gear.
Marmot Agate Tent
This is a great ultralight tent option for a couple people, made to last and keep you protected. Also made to incorporate trekking poles for the structure if you want to cut down on more weight.
Decathlon 2 Seconds 2 Person Tent
At 6.4 lbs this is a pretty light to use for general camping and very effective for what you need. Fits two people.
Eureka! Nobugzone Screenhouse · Legion Blue, Silver Birch, Cadmium
This easy to pop tent features no see um mesh to keep bugs at bay, provides shade and adds weather protection. The easy to tote storage bag can easily slide into your car for use when needed at the camp site.
Nemo Victory Sunshade 2 Person Tarp · Green/Olive
This is a very sturdy and well designed structure that features privacy mesh along the sides, pairs with Victory 4p blankets, fits two chairs comfortably, locking poles with grommets for a secure attachment even in wind as well as internal pockets, guy out points and stakes.
Easy set up and design. Meshed walls to block the sun but not restrict your view. SPF 50 fabric that will allow you to be out in the sun all day and not worry about getting a sunburn.
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