Elevate your camping with the best cabin tents

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Leaving the world behind to kick back around a campfire has to be one of the best ways to detach, unplug, and reenergize. Sometimes, that involves hiking deep into the woods with nothing but a pack of survival essentials. Other times, it’s better to drive to your destination and set up a more comfortable campsite. If you’re loading the car full of coolers, folding chairs, and games, there’s no reason to make yourself crawl into a tiny tent at the end of the day. Cabin tents offer more room for you and your gear. They can also accommodate groups, so they’re great for bringing the kids or friends who don’t have their own tent along. Some of them are so comfortable that you might want to stay forever. We wouldn’t blame you if you did.

There are plenty of sizes and styles available, so let us help you narrow the selection down with these top picks.

If you imagine your ideal cabin tent, this one from Kazoo probably comes pretty close to fitting that description. A rip-resistant, waterproof polyester fly is tough enough for life in the outdoors and will keep you dry when the weather turns on you. The main tent’s mesh sides let you enjoy a panoramic view and fresh air. A fold-out awning shields the entry from sun and rain. This tent opens like an umbrella, so setup is quick and easy for a single person. The aluminum frame is lightweight and won’t rust. Once pitched, the peak stands 73 inches tall. The carrying case contains the tent, 10 guylines, 18 stakes, and a hammer. The whole package is four feet long, so you’ll definitely want to drive it to your campsite. Choose between four-person and six-person sizes.

If you’re on a budget, you can still get a quality cabin tent like this one from QT Qomotop. Saving money means you won’t get features like a total-coverage waterproof rain fly, although the water-resistant exterior and partial fly offer enough protection for most camping and light rain shouldn’t be a problem. Mesh windows and floor ventilation helps circulate air to keep your home-away-from-home fresh. The telescoping steel poles are heavier than aluminum but provide a very strong frame. Four sizes are available: choose an option that fits four, six, eight, or ten people (excluding gear). Interior heights range from 66 to 78 inches. There are taller options, but this cabin tent certainly offers more headroom than traditional tents. This tent is a contender on its own, but at this price it’s also a serious bargain.

Larger groups owe it to themselves to consider The Coleman WeatherMaster cabin tent, built by one of the premier manufacturers of outdoor equipment. The six-person size provides 99 square feet of sleeping space, enough for two queen air mattresses, and a 54-square-foot screen porch. The 10-person size doesn’t include a porch, but it does have 153 square feet of interior space that can fit three queen air mattresses. Both sizes boast an 80-inch center height that accommodates even the tallest campers. Inverted, sealed seams keep water from entering from the ground, and a waterproof rain fly protects the tent’s exterior. Setting up this cabin tent is probably more involved than you’re used to, so get some helpers and expect to spend about 20 minutes pitching it. Once you’re done, you’ll have one of the best cabin tents around.

The Core 11 cabin tent is rated for 11 people–and they do fit–but we like to think of this as a high-end escape for outdoorsy couples. The front screen room is large enough to sit and enjoy your dinner away from the bugs with a 180-degree view. It’s also a handy place to keep your gear at night. The main area of this tent is large enough to fit two queen mattresses (if you’re generous enough to share). A gear loft provides storage for small items where they can hang to dry and stay out of the way. The center peak is 86 inches tall and makes this cabin tent feel incredibly roomy. Enjoy stargazing with the see-through roof during nice weather, and button-down the waterproof rain fly when you need more shelter. This cabin tent is more expensive than some alternatives, but the premium features are well worth it.

Think of this Ozark Trail tent as a portable wilderness cabin for the whole family. Its large, L-shaped footprint fits 12 sleeping bags or three queen air mattresses. Screened-in windows can be opened for fresh air and a view, or closed with waterproof covers to stay dry and have some privacy. The peak interior height is 82 inches, and an awning extends between each section to create a sheltered entry, dining area, or place to store camping gear. Despite its impressive size, the whole thing can be set up in a matter of minutes. If you have access to electricity, there’s even a place to pass an extension cord into the tent without opening the entryway. When not in use, zip it shut to keep the critters out. A tent this large can only pack down so much, so make sure to save room in your vehicle for the 52-inch carrying case.

When you want the ultimate cabin tent experience, check out this masterpiece from Unistrengh. This roomy vacation getaway is more of a second home than a tent. Sizes as small as 10 feet in diameter are available, but we love the idea of the 23-foot portable palace. Its rugged construction and steep roof are suitable for all seasons. There’s even a place to install a chimney for a wood-burning stove. Waterproof canvas keeps you sheltered against rain and snow, while windows and the roll-up walls let in light and fresh air when the weather cooperates. The PVC floor is waterproof and strong enough to hold up to extended use. The price and size of this tent make it a stretch for most campers, but for the most luxurious outdoor adventure or even a rental or guest house, it’s just about perfect.

Related: 7 ways to upgrade your campsite

Types of cabin tents

Compared to normal camping tents, cabin tents are much more upright and provide more space. While all the cabin tents on our list are roomy and well-built, their sizes and features are what make them unique. You can find normal tents for a single person, but the smallest cabin tents are meant for groups of four. You can always take advantage of that size to give one or two people more room, but don’t expect your cabin tent to be quite as portable or compact as a traditional alternative. Cabin tents also differ from one another in their intended length of stay. Most are designed for short-term use. Others are much more robust and can be used year-round; just remember that setting them up is quite a task.  

Key features of cabin tents

  • Size: Since cabin tents are more about shape than size, you can find one that’s just right for you. Start small with a tent for four people, or bring the whole group with a 12-person tent.
  • Intended use: One of your main considerations should be the duration of your camping trips. Most cabin tents are well-suited to weekend or vacation camping, but a few have the potential to serve as a long-term getaway. 
  • Portability: Cabin tents are incredibly useful, but they’re not for everyone. If you plan on trekking into the wilderness, you’re better off with a traditional camping tent. If you can travel by vehicle, a cabin tent can be a major upgrade to your campsite.
  • Setup: As you might imagine, setting up a cabin tent can be a little more involved than a normal camping tent. Get the rest of your group to pitch in with setup and tear-down. 

Benefits of cabin tents

Cabin tents’ biggest advantage is interior space. If you can live with the extra weight and size on the way to the campsite, you’ll enjoy a tent that’s large enough for most people to stand comfortably in. Not having to high-crawl in and out of your tent is a perk that you’ll definitely appreciate once you experience it. Many come with extra features like awnings, screen windows, and multiple rooms. These perks make them an excellent choice for families who want to spend time together in the outdoors. 

Cabin tent pricing

Cabin tents certainly aren’t cheap, but they’re built from quality materials and make campsite life a lot more comfortable. Four-person tents start around $100 for basic amenities and go up to $250 for higher-end options. Tents built for groups of six to 12 cost anywhere from $200 to $350, depending on which features you prioritize. The most advanced, long-term cabin tents cost up to $1,000. At that price, you’ll get four-season lodging that could serve as a second home in the right situations.  

Related: 9 of the best camping and survival hatchets money can buy

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