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Best Camping Tents

A group of Kelty tents at a backcountry campsite

Whether you're backpacking, car camping, or planning a family trip, selecting a quality tent is essential. When choosing the right tent, consider factors like budget, durability for harsh weather, and premium canvas options for a comfortable weekend. Whatever type of camping you are doing, our Camping Experts are here to help you find the best tent for your needs.

Best Tent for Easy Setup

Coleman Cabin Instant Setup 4-Person Tent

This Coleman Cabin tent is designed for campers who want to get their weekend started quickly, allowing you to unfold, extend, and secure the shelter in as little as 60 seconds. The pre-attached poles make the process intuitive, and an integrated vented rainfly offers weather protection without requiring any extra assembly.


Best Backpacking Tent

KELTY Discovery Trail 3-Person Backpacking Tent

Built for weekend play in the woods, this Kelty Discovery Trail free-standing dome tent utilizes a "Quick Corners" design for lightning-fast setup. It provides a comfortable night's sleep under the stars with its mesh canopy, while keeping you protected when the weather turns.


Best Family Tent

The North Face Wawona 6-Person Camping Tent

This The North Face Wawona tent combines convenience and comfort with a massive interior height that allows you to stand or sit in chairs comfortably inside both the tent and vestibule. It features a hybrid double-wall construction and uses color-coded poles and trims to make pitching simple.


Best 4-Season Tent

Big Agnes Battle Mountain 3-Person Camping Tent

Tested on 8,000-meter peaks, this Big Agnes Battle Mountain four-season mountaineering tent offers full protection in the harshest high-alpine and backcountry environments. Its durable construction and pole architecture ensure maximum stability through extreme weather, high winds, and moisture fluctuations.


Best Canvas Tent

Kodiak Canvas 12x12 Cabin Lodge 8-Person Canvas Tent

Where rugged meets refinement, this sturdy Kodiak Canvas tent provides a roomy interior with a 7.5 ft peak ceiling and vertical walls for walk-around comfort. It is stove-ready and features a galvanized steel tubing frame that can hold up to strong winds and snow loads.


Best Tipi Tent

Argali Outdoors Absaroka 4-Person Tipi Tent

Designed specifically for backcountry hunting, this Argali Outdoors four-season tipi tent strikes an ideal balance between space and weight. It features a tall pitch height to optimize wind sheer and snow shedding, and it can be set up as a warm hot-tent or run in lightweight mode.


Expert Pick

Big Agnes Copper Spur UL 3-Person Camping Tent

As Big Agnes's most popular ultralight backpacking tent, the Copper Spur UL 3 features a high-volume, freestanding architecture that maximizes your livable space without needing to stake out the corners. It acts as your ultimate home away from home when ultralight comfort is the priority.


Kayla | SCHEELS Expert
Kayla | SCHEELS Expert

Why Our Experts Love the Big Agnes Copper Spur

“The Big Agnes Copper Spur is impressively light and thoughtfully designed. The color-coded straps and frame make setup easy, and the tapered shape is perfect for a mummy-style sleeping bag. The UL 3 comfortably fits two people, but I’ve managed to fit up to three by keeping all our gear outside the tent.”

How We Picked the Best Camping Tents

At SCHEELS, we’re committed to offering Expert-level knowledge on the gear we sell. Through SCHEELS University and ongoing training with top brands, our associates build in-depth product knowledge to better understand what sets each tent apart. Combined with firsthand experience and customer feedback, that expertise helps us select and recommend the best camping tents for the season ahead.

With trusted brands like Big Agnes, Kodiak Canvas, Coleman, and more, SCHEELS has the best tent to help you tackle any type of camping adventure. If you have additional questions about what tent is right for you, stop into your local SCHEELS and speak with a Camping Expert!

About our Experts

Kayla | SCHEELS Expert
Kayla | SCHEELS Expert

Kayla grew up hiking in northern Minnesota, and it quickly became one of her favorite hobbies. She’s since become passionate about sharing this love for the outdoors with others—after spending a summer leading backpacking trips through the Rockies in western Montana, she now enjoys sharing her outdoor expertise through writing for SCHEELS.com.