Trying to choose the best tent for backyard camping this year?
You’re in luck—choosing a tent for your backyard is a lot easier than selecting a tent for car camping or backpacking. You don’t have to worry about the tent being heavy or bulky, and it’s not essential that the tent perform especially well in rainy or otherwise icky weather, since you can always bail and head indoors if a storm crops up. That said, you may want to pick a tent that also will work well for future camping trips to more far-flung locations.
When choosing a tent for your backyard, you’ll probably want a tent that’s affordable, easy to set up, and lacking guylines that can be tripped over. The right tent size depends on how many members of your family (plus pooches and sleepover buddies) will be sleeping in the tent at once. A 6- or 8-person tent should be big enough for most purposes, and an even smaller tent may be fine for many folks.
What tent features are good for backyard camping? You’ll probably want a double-walled, 3-season tent that’s freestanding (meaning it can stand up on its own without guylines). A dome or cabin style should work well, though really any shape can work fine on your lawn, especially because backyards aren’t usually susceptible to the high winds that bedevil cabin tents. An “instant” style may be attractive to lots of people.
Here are some great models to consider:
- The beloved Coleman 6-Person Instant Cabin is an instant tent that’s amazingly easy to set up, plus it’s affordable. It can be a bit leaky in the rain and is a tad bulky for packing, but those aren’t huge issues for backyard camping. Price: $159.91 on Amazon.
- Another great choice is the Eureka Copper Canyon LX 6. It’s spacious, good quality, easy to set up, and reasonably priced. Price: $289.99 at Campmor.
- The REI Kingdom 6 is a great upgrade choice if you’re planning to also use your tent for car camping trips. It consistently receives excellent reviews. The Kingdom is very spacious, high quality, has lots of helpful pockets, and is relatively easy to set up. The downside is the higher cost. Price: $499 at REI.
- The Coleman 6-Person Dark Room Sundome features neat technology that keeps the tent relatively dark and cool, so it’s a good choice for backyard campers in warm locations. It’s pretty inexpensive, though it won’t be as durable as some of the higher-end options and doesn’t have great head room. Price: $131.99 at Target.
- The Big Agnes Big House 6 is roomy, features an attached welcome mat, and can be set up as a sun shelter. It would also make for a great car camping choice, though it’s somewhat pricey. Price: $449.95 at Backcountry.com.
- Last but not least, the Vidalido 5-6 person camping tent is a particularly attractive option for those concerned about backyard aesthetics. It’s shaped like a cone and comes with festive, colorful flags. It’s also easy to set up and reasonably priced. Price: $175.95 at Amazon.
After your camping “trip” make sure to let your tent dry all the way before stowing it, and store your tent somewhat loosely rather than cramming it into a stuff sack.
Happy camping, everyone!
