What are the Best Cabin Tents?

We’re offering our picks for the five best cabin tents to help you decide which one is best for your needs. Every one of them is a good value for the cost, none of them has serious flaws, and each one has at least one stand-out feature.

How do you go camping with a big group and not step on each other’s toes? One way might be to stay in a cabin tent. Most cabin tents have a lot more headroom than standard tents because they have a dome or hip roof that allows the ceilings to be higher.

Cabin tents also have extra square feet and more room for clothing and supplies. Most of them have storage pockets, and sometimes there’s an extra door.

When to use a Cabin Tent

The prime benefit of staying in a cabin tent is the extra room you get from the higher ceiling and larger size. It’s a good choice if you have kids because of all the stuff you have drag along for them.

With the extra space, there’s also the option of setting up cots instead of using sleeping bags. And if the weather’s nasty, it’s a lot more bearable to hang out in a cabin-size tent than to experience the forced togetherness of a smaller one.

Most people believe that the more spacious a tent is the more complex the setup will be. But we’ve found a couple of examples that break that stereotype.

If there’s a light sleeper in your group or a lot of extra equipment is needed, the additional room can make a big difference.

Basic Cabin Tent Features

Tent Liner

Some tents come with their own ‘footprint’, or tent liner. If yours doesn’t, then just cut a sturdy waterproof tarp a few inches bigger than the tent on each side. Setting the tent up on top of a tarp will help it stay waterproof and protect the bottom of the tent.

Stakes and Ropes

Cabin tents usually need to be staked down because of their size. Most are secured with guy lines as well, to add extra tension to the tent walls and keep the structure from blowing away in heavy winds. The ropes also keep the rainfly separated from the tent itself, helping it stay dry.

Tent Poles

Tents usually have either aluminum or fiberglass poles. Aluminum is lightweight but tends to bend more easily. Fiberglass poles are sturdier, but they are also heavier.

Tent

Polyester is better tent material than nylon because polyester is heavier and more waterproof, and it’s less likely to degrade under the sun’s ultraviolet rays. Some tents are also made of treated cotton for breathability.

Doors and Windows

A cabin tent needs a door and windows that are large enough for ventilation. Each opening should have a mesh screen to keep out bugs, along with a privacy flap that keeps out wind and rain. When zipped closed, windows and doors should seal completely and be waterproof.

Rainfly

Cabin tents usually have mesh ceilings with a rainfly overhead. A rainfly can be a flat tarp that sits a few inches above the tent. In more advanced designs, rainflies may have short, vertical sides attached for further protection, and even curved pieces over doors.

Ventilation

Proper ventilation will keep moisture from beading up on the inside of the tent. Besides the mesh ceiling, some tents have vents near the floor to keep air flowing. In the best cabin tents, seams are also sealed with heat tape at the factory to prevent moisture from getting in.

Extra features

Storage

Storage space is one extra that makes camping easier. Mesh pockets provide a place to stash flashlights, cell phones, keys and other little items. Loops along the walls give you a place to hang towels and clothing.

Vestibule

Having a vestibule is a luxury in a camping tent, especially when it’s rainy and muddy outside. This is a small entry area where you can leave muddy shoes before stepping into the main part of the tent. If you don’t have a vestibule, it helps to place a doormat just inside the door to the tent.

Two Doors

Having two doors improves ventilation in the tent and gives better access when a big group is camping together. With an extra door, you don’t have to crawl over other people to get out of the tent at night for a bathroom break!

Best Cabin Tents Buying Guide

There’s more to buying a tent than planning for how many people will be able to sleep in it. The weight and bulkiness are also important factors, depending on how you’re going to transport the tent and who’s going to set it up.

Which is more important to you, standing room or a sleek design that will resist the wind better? Depending on the camping conditions you envision, choosing a tent that’s highly rated to stay dry and stay put during storms might be a top consideration.

When looking for a tent, you’ll see a manufacturer’s estimate of how many people each tent can comfortably sleep. You might want to size down by subtracting one or two people from this number.

The number advertised usually doesn’t take into account clothing and supplies. You need enough room to move around without packing everybody in too tightly.

Coleman WeatherMaster 6-Person Tent

Coleman’s WeatherMaster lives up to its name with a weather-resistant design that keeps campers dry and comfortable. This spacious tent features a screen room in addition to the main sleeping area, providing extra space for storage or bug-free relaxation.

The tent boasts Coleman’s patented welded floors and inverted seams, which help keep water out even in heavy rain. There’s plenty of headroom with a center height of 6 feet 8 inches, allowing most adults to stand upright comfortably.

Setup takes about 20 minutes for two people, using color-coded poles for easier assembly. The WeatherMaster comfortably fits two queen-size air beds, making it ideal for family camping trips.

One standout feature is the hinged door, which adds a touch of home comfort to your camping experience. The tent also includes an E-Port, making it easy to bring electrical power inside.

While the WeatherMaster excels in many areas, it does have a few drawbacks. The tent is quite heavy at 32 pounds, which might be cumbersome for some campers. Additionally, some users report that the included stakes could be more durable.

The WeatherMaster’s ability to keep campers dry in challenging conditions is its strongest selling point. The added screen room also sets it apart from many competitors in the 6-person tent category.

NTK Arizona GT 8 Person Tent

The NTK Arizona GT 8 Person Tent is a robust and spacious shelter designed for larger groups or families who enjoy comfortable camping. This tent stands out for its durability and weather resistance, making it suitable for various outdoor conditions.

One of the tent’s key features is its high-quality construction. The body is made of heavy-duty polyester with a 2500mm hydrostatic rating, providing excellent protection against heavy rain. The seamless, anti-fungus treated polyethylene floor adds another layer of defense against ground moisture.

Setting up the Arizona GT takes about 15-20 minutes for two people. The color-coded poles and pin-and-ring system simplify the process, though first-time users might need a bit more time to get familiar with the setup.

With a center height of 6.2 feet, most adults can stand comfortably inside. The tent easily accommodates two queen air mattresses with room left for gear. A large D-style door and multiple windows ensure good ventilation and easy access.

A standout feature is the detachable room divider, allowing you to create separate sleeping areas or a living space. The full-coverage rainfly extends to the ground, forming a small vestibule for extra storage or sheltered entry.

On the downside, at 23.5 pounds, this tent is on the heavier side, which might be a consideration for those who need to carry it over long distances. Some users have also reported that despite good ventilation, the tent can get warm in hot weather.

The NTK Arizona GT 8 Person Tent excels in its weather resistance and spacious interior, making it a strong choice for group camping trips where comfort and protection from the elements are priorities.

Bushnell Shield Series 12-Person Instant Cabin Tent

The Bushnell Shield Series 12-Person Instant Cabin Tent is a spacious and innovative shelter that lives up to its “instant” claim. This tent is designed for large groups or families who want a hassle-free setup and a comfortable camping experience.

One of the most impressive features of this tent is its lightning-fast setup. Thanks to its pre-attached pole design, it can be erected in about 60 seconds – a real game-changer for those who dread complicated tent assemblies. Even taking it down is a breeze, and it fits back into its carry bag without a struggle.

The tent boasts a generous interior, with enough room to fit three queen air mattresses comfortably. With a center height of 7’6″, even tall campers can stand upright without any issues. The tent is divided into three rooms, offering privacy and flexible sleeping arrangements for large groups.

Weather protection is another strong point of the Bushnell Shield Series. It features a heat-reflective rainfly that not only keeps you dry but also helps regulate the temperature inside the tent. The floor is made of heavy-duty, water-repellent material, providing an extra barrier against ground moisture.

Ventilation is well-thought-out, with large mesh windows and ground vents that create good airflow. For added convenience, there are built-in storage pockets and a gear loft, helping you keep your camping area organized.

On the downside, at 47.5 pounds, this tent is quite heavy. While this isn’t an issue for car camping, it’s certainly not suitable for backpacking. Some users have also noted that while the tent is sturdy, it may require additional guy lines in very windy conditions.

The Bushnell Shield Series 12-Person Instant Cabin Tent stands out for its incredibly quick setup, spacious interior, and thoughtful features. It’s an excellent choice for large families or groups who prioritize comfort and convenience in their camping experience.

Browning Big Horn Family/Hunting Tent

This is the largest tent as far as square footage, but the 7.3 height is only in the middle third of the tent. It has two large doors and six windows, for lots of air flow.

The nearly vertical side walls have mesh wall pockets, and the rainfly is rounded over the doors. Like the others, the tent has an electrical port and zip-in room divider.

It takes two people 10 minutes to set up the tent. The poles are fiberglass, and the Browning is the only one of the five tents in the review with a crossed pole design.

This gives it more strength and stability in high winds. There’s enough room for two queen air mattresses along with bags and equipment.

The zippers have to be handled carefully because of large seams that cover them and get stuck easily. There’s also a slight gap remaining when they’re closed that allows small insects into the tent.

The sturdy crossed pole frame is one of the best value-added features. It’s also a nice touch that when the curtain is up, each side of the tent has a separate entrance.

Core 9-Person Instant Cabin Tent

There are two doors in the tent, and windows all around the perimeter. It has a room divider, two hanging storage pockets, an electric cord port and a center hook for a lantern.

Besides the doors and windows, there are air vents in the tent at floor level. This helps it stay put in heavy rain and wind and prevents indoor moisture.

This is the easiest tent to set up because of the pop-up frame with no poles to insert. It’s almost as easy to take it down and it fits into the original bag. This tent can fit two queen air mattresses with room to spare.

It takes two hands to close the door zippers without snagging because of the flaps over them.

The integrated frame allows instant setup, with no work guiding poles into sleeves. The maximum height extends to most of the tent.

Conclusion

Each one of these tents has unique features. The Coleman will ride out the storm and keep your belongings and bedding dry. The Wenzel is so light you can take it backpack camping.

The Standing Room seems much larger than its 10 x 10 footprint because of the vertical walls and 8.5-foot canopy ceiling. The Browning has the strongest frame, with its crossed fiberglass poles. And the Core basically sets itself up, as the only pop-up tent in the group.

These are the five best cabin tents we’ve found, and the best value for the price, in our opinion, is the Core 9-Person Instant Cabin Tent. It has two doors, extra ventilation, and a high enough ceiling to allow just about any adult to stand up inside. And, we have to admit it…you had us at ’60-second setup’!