The Best Awning Tents For Family Camping
A built-in awning is great for adding extra protection from rain showers, wind gusts, or beaming summer sunshine. Here are some great tents that do just that.
REI's Wonderland Mud Room takes this concept to the next level. The palatial tent has two oversized doors big enough to back a wagon underneath, and panels along the rainfly that can be rolled up or staked out as an awning.
Nemo Wagontop Tent
The Nemo Wagontop Tent is one of the most impressively spacious tents that you can buy. It looks beautiful, packs easily, and is made from durable materials that can withstand years of use. However, it's not a tent that you want to hike too far with – it's more of a car-camping tent. The Wagontop is not easy to pitch and a heavy bout of wind can cause some issues, but once you've learned how to set up this tent, it is quite sturdy and comfortable.
The unique frame design maximizes interior space, creating a cavernous space that's ideal for families and groups of friends. The ceiling is a continuous 78 inches high, which means you have plenty of headroom for people of all heights (I'm 6'1" and had no problems changing clothes standing up in the tent).
It also features massive screened panoramic windows that open and close easily from the inside with upgraded hardware to provide optimal ventilation and views. Unfortunately, these large windows are attached by flaps that require you to reach your arms to the top of the tent to secure them – this is not ideal for kids or anyone short.
Other features include an optional footprint for improved stability and a rainfly that attaches to the front door to protect it from the elements. You can also add a Nemo Wagontop Sunshade or Victory Blanket to make this tent even more luxurious and functional. This is a tent that offers a lot of value and is protected by the NEMO lifetime warranty. It's worth the price and can be purchased from several online stores, including using the 4wd Supacentre Promo Code for potential discounts, as well as Moosejaw.
Mountain Hardwear Big Horn Tent
This tent is a true giant, with a floor area of around 244 ft2 (23 m2), it is on the list of the largest family camping tents. It has 4 rooms, two of which are sleeping ones and the other is a large living room, and it also has a porch that is visible in the picture above. It offers lots of windows and E-cable ports and it is built with a top-quality cotton canvas fabric with a polyester and cotton blend that is very tough and has a high waterproof rating. It is supported by air beams instead of classical poles and it can accommodate 3-5 people in a very comfortable way.
This freestanding tent has a large vestibule and a mesh screen room to keep your gear dry and away from the main sleeping area. Its livability is great, with plenty of headroom to allow 2 or 3 backpackers to sleep comfortably without bumping into each other. This is a very durable tent that can be used in any climate, but it should be staked down in strong winds to prevent it from blowing away.
With a huge floor space and plenty of height, this tent is an excellent choice for families who love to camp in the mountains. Its livability is very good, with enough room for up to 5 people, including children and pets. It also features lots of storage pockets, a covered vestibule, and easy-to-assemble poles. This tent is very affordable, especially considering its size and the fact that it is a 3-season model. It is a great option for those who want to enjoy a camping trip without breaking the bank, especially when using the All Over Coupon Code for potential discounts.
Mountain Hardwear Wagontop Tent
This 4-person tent is a solid option for those looking to take their camping adventures to the next level. It offers plenty of headroom and floor space to keep campers comfortable throughout the trip. It is a 3-season modified dome tent that is rated for use in most climates.
The tent is freestanding, meaning it stands up on its own and doesn’t need to be staked down into the ground. This is a huge advantage over other options that have to be staked down before they can even be set up.
Campers will appreciate the large screened windows that can be opened and closed easily from inside the tent, allowing for ventilation, views, and weather protection. The tent is also outfitted with ample vestibules to store gear and shoes. The tent is also fitted with upgraded hardware, custom hubs, and a super-durable 300-denier floor fabric that helps to make this tent stand out from the crowd.
The peak center height of this tent is a whopping 80 inches, which means that most people can stand up straight without ducking their heads when they are inside. This is a big step up from the typical height of other 4-person tents, and it makes this tent a great choice for taller campers.
The only drawback to this tent is that it doesn’t come with a rain fly, which can leave campers exposed to the elements during heavy rainfall or snowstorms. However, this can be easily remedied by purchasing a separate rainfly from Mountain Hardwear or another brand. Alternatively, this tent can be used in conjunction with the Big Agnes Bunk House 4 rainfly, which can be pitched separately as a vestibule or awning for extra coverage.
Mountain Hardwear Wagontop Tent with Garage
The Wagontop tent looks cool and offers a lot of interior space for its size. A hubbed pole structure with verticle walls gives campers room to stand up inside, and a unique window/door setup allows for both views and ventilation even when the rainfly is closed. Large, screened-meshed panoramic windows are also easy to open or close for protection from the weather. The garage on the front of the tent expands sheltered storage space for bikes, shoes, and gear, too.
We were impressed by the durability of this tent during our testing, especially considering it’s quite expensive. The wind buffeted the sides of the tent but didn’t damage any of the fiberglass poles. The roof lasted well, too, with only minor issues like a small gap where one of the rainfly corners came unattached during a heavy rainstorm. The awning on the front door also needs some additional support, and we’d love to see a better way to secure the windows.
Ventilation is another strength of this tent, thanks to the ground-level mesh windows and a gap in the main tent body. They can be opened wide for hot weather camping and stale air to vent out, or shut tightly when conditions turn colder. The rain fly can also be rolled up to seal the gap for colder conditions.
For a family-sized tent that’s a real standout in terms of livability, look no further than the Mountain Hardwear Wagontop Tent with Garage. This tent has all the space and comforts of a luxury camper without the price tag. It’s a great option for families and groups who enjoy car camping and don’t mind hauling a few more pounds in their packs. Plus, you can make it even more budget-friendly by using the Sports & Outdoors Promo Code for potential discounts.
White Duck Regatta Bell Tent
If you're in the market for a canvas tent but don't want to pay the premium price that comes with much more advanced features like zip-out floors and 360-degree views, then the White Duck Regatta is a great option. This tent is highly durable, with a large screened window and door that provides plenty of air flow for those warm summer nights. And it's also easy to set up, with no need for a complicated frame or hammering in A LOT of stakes.
The thing we love most about this tent is that it includes a sewn-in floor at no extra cost, which saves you the hassle of having to buy and carry a separate tarp or ground cloth. This floor is made from Army duck cotton canvas, which can withstand severe weather conditions and keeps you dry through any rainstorms that may come your way.
Another benefit of this tent is that it comes with a built-in electric cable outlet, which can be used to plug in your laptop or other electronics for use inside your tent. This feature is especially useful for glamping situations, and it can help you enjoy your favorite luxuries while camping in the great outdoors!
Finally, we love that this tent can comfortably sleep up to 6 people (though we'd recommend it for a maximum of 3). And it's packed down quite small, making it easy to transport and store in your vehicle. Plus, the cotton canvas body is incredibly durable, which means this tent will last for years to come. You won't be able to say that about lightweight nylon tents, which can start to mold quickly if they get wet.
Conclusion
choosing the best awning tent for your family camping trip can be a daunting task. However, with careful consideration of factors such as size, durability, ease of assembly, and weather resistance, you can make an informed decision. The Coleman WeatherMaster 10-Person Tent, the Ozark Trail 10-Person Dark Rest Instant Cabin Tent, and the Wenzel Klondike Tent are three of the best awning tents for family camping currently available in the market. Regardless of your choice, make sure to prioritize comfort, safety, and enjoyment for your family's outdoor adventure.
