Ever been in a cramped camping situation when there’s just not enough room for everyone and their gear? Whether you’re planning to go to a festival and need to set up shop for a week or simply tired of people crawling over you to get out of the tent at night, getting a cabin tent is the perfect solution to simply having more space.
What is it the Americans say? Go big or go home. Yeah, that is kind of the deal with cabin tents.
These large and comfortable tents provide enough space for big groups, families, or couples hoping for a tent in which to comfortably spread out with a dog.
So how exactly do you pick a cabin tent? This epic guide aims to show you the top picks from our gear experts. Testing and writing about tents is kind of just our thing, you know?
There is a tent for every style and budget on this list so let’s dive right in…
Quick Answer: These are the Best Cabin Tents of 2025
- #1 – Overall Best Cabin Tent: REI Co-op Kingdom 6 Tent
- #2 – Best Tent for Car Camping: REI Co-op Base Camp 6 Tent
- #3 – Best Cabin Tent for Families (and a Dog): Coleman Skydome Darkroom 8-Person Tent
- #4 – Best Cabin Tent for Couples: MSR Habitude 4 Tent
- #5 – Best Cabin Tent for Festivals (for a Couple): REI Co-op Skyward 4 Tent
- #6 – Best Budget Cabin Tent: Coleman Elite Montana 8 Person Tent
- #7 – Best Rooftop Cabin Tent: Thule Tepui Explorer Autana 4
- #8 – Most Comfortable Small Cabin Tent: Nemo Wagontop 4 Tent
REI Co-op Kingdom 6 Tent
- > $499
- > Super roomy and comfortable
- > Durable and well ventilated
REI Co-op Base Camp 6 Tent
- > $549
- > Durable material and sturdy poles
- > Has a reflective coating
Coleman Skydome Darkroom 8-Person Tent
- > $230
- > Single-wall design
- > Well ventilated
MSR Habitude 4 Tent
- > $599.95
- > Generously-sized vestibule
- > Several pockets inside the tent and hang loops
REI Co-op Skyward 4 Tent
- > $374
- > Freestanding tent
- > Two doors, and one door has a vestibule
Thule Tepui Explorer Autana 4
- > $
- > Comes with an annex and extended canopy
- > Highly weather resistant
Nemo Wagontop 4 Tent
- > $
- > Single-wall design
- > Generously sized vestibule
REI is one of America’s biggest and most-loved outdoor gear retailers.
Now, for just $30, get a lifetime membership that entitles you to 10% OFF on most items, access to their trade-in scheme and discount rentals.
Join REI Today!#1 – Overall Best Cabin Tent: REI Co-op Kingdom 6 Tent
Our pick for overall best cabin tent is REI Co-op Kingdom 6 Tent
- Price: $499
- Capacity: 6 people
- Weight: 21 pounds, 6 ounces
- Rainfly Included?: Yes
- Square Feet: 83.3 square feet plus 29 square feet in vestibule
With two huge doors and a peak height of 75 inches, the Kingdom 6 is the ultimate cabin and family tent. It can accommodate up to six people sleeping side by side. Alternatively, this is a super roomy and comfortable option for couples or families with one or two small children.
One of the doors has a large vestibule area which can be used to store wet boots or large coolers, and the other door has a protected awning. Even though the Kingdom 6 is a massive tent, it has a fairly easy set up that two people can handle without a problem.
Although the Kingdom 6 is considered “freestanding,” using the guy lines is still usually necessary in order to properly secure the tent, especially if there is any wind. Like other cabin tents, the major downside to the Kingdom 6 is that the size makes it susceptible to wind damage.
For being such a big tent however, the Kingdom 6 does a good job of being both durable and well ventilated. You can roll up the rain tarp for additional ventilation, and two top vents maintain air flow in the tent even during bad weather.
The entire tent packs into a convenient backpack carrying pack, which helps with transportation from your car to the campsite. Unfortunately, the footprint isn’t included, which is a good investment to make in order to protect the tent floor.
- Good ventilation
- Backpack carry bag
- Comfortable living space
- Footprint not included
- Weak tent stakes
- Needs use of guy lines to properly secure
#2 – Best Tent for Car Camping: REI Co-op Base Camp 6 Tent
REI Co-op Base Camp 6 Tent is our top pick for the best tent for car camping
- Price: $549
- Capacity: 6 people
- Weight: 20 pounds, 10 ounces
- Rainfly Included?: Yes
- Square Feet: 84 square feet plus 27 + 17 square feet in vestibule
The Base Camp 6 is large enough for groups or families, but could also function well for couples who want more space and room for gear. Two people can set up the tent together without a problem, and the two doors mean that it’s not necessary to crawl over each other to get in and out.
Thanks to the durable material and sturdy poles, the Base Camp 6 is considered a 3-4 season tent. You certainly don’t want to use it in a heavy snowstorm, but some light frost or a gentle snow dusting isn’t going to ruin it.
For ventilation, the Base Camp has two roof vents and one low side vent to help create a “chimney effect”. This allows air to continuously circulate inside, helping to prevent condensation from forming especially during damp and humid weather.
Inside there are multiple storage pockets and loops for attaching camping lights. The trim of the tent has a reflective coating on it so you can easily spot the tent at night.
- Good ventilation
- Durable (can be 4 season)
- Reflective trim and many inside pockets
- Storage bag is a bit small
- Footprint not included
#3 – Best Cabin Tent for Families (and a Dog): Coleman Skydome Darkroom 8-Person Tent
Meet the best cabin tent for families (and a dog): Coleman Skydome Darkroom 8-Person Tent
- Price: $230
- Capacity: 8+ people
- Weight: 22 lbs. 9.6 oz.
- Rainfly Included?: Yes
- Square Feet: 12 x 9 feet
Family camping trips just got a whole lot more enjoyable thanks to the Coleman Skydome Darkroom 8-Person Tent. This massive tent can accommodate everyone, including the dog, and still have room to spare for backpacks, games, or sporting equipment.
The tent has dark room technology construction, meaning that it blocks 90% of sunlight and reduces heat inside the tent. It also comes with pre-attached poles which makes it super quick and easy to put up.
The Coleman Skydome is still fairly well ventilated thanks to the large-screened windows. With a peak height of 76 inches, it’s also tall enough that most people can stand and walk around inside.
Although the design is considered freestanding, the huge size means that the Coleman Skydome is very susceptible to being blown around in the wind. So we’d highly recommend using guy lines and stakes in order to prevent any wind damage. Though it is tested to withstand winds up to 35 mph.
Coleman has upgraded the floor to a 1,000-denier fabric which is more durable than past models. However, in order to better protect the floor against roots or sharp rocks (or a dog’s claws), it’s best to get the footprint or a good tarp as well.
- Most people can walk around inside
- Fiberglass poles
- Simple set up for such a large tent
- Footprint not included
- Size means more potential for wind damage
#4 – Best Cabin Tent for Couples: MSR Habitude 4 Tent
Our pick for best cabin tent for couples is MSR Habitude 4 Tent
- Price: $599.95
- Capacity: 4 people
- Weight: 12 pounds, 10 ounces
- Rainfly Included?: Yes
- Square Feet: 62.4 square feet, plus 23.5 square feet in vestibule
Who said cabin tents had to be for groups or families? Couples can also appreciate the benefits of a larger tent to make more room for your gear. Alternatively, this tent is even big enough for a blow up mattress if you’re going for a truly luxury camping trip.
The Habitude 4 is a bit smaller than some cabin tents, but that also makes it more manageable to set up and transport. It’s an easy two-person job to get the tent up, or with a bit of practice, one person could also do it alone.
Most of the best cabin tents have two doors, but the Habitude 4 only has one. It does have a generously-sized vestibule, so for couples, this shouldn’t be a problem.
Thanks to the nearly vertical sidewalls and peak height of 73 inches, it’s possible for most people to stand up inside, or at least move around with relative ease. There are also several pockets inside the tent and hang loops for securing camping lights.
- Sturdy design and durable rainfly
- Large vestibule
- Pockets and hang loops inside
- Only 1 door
- Footprint not included
#5 – Best Cabin Tent for Festivals (for a Couple): REI Co-op Skyward 4 Tent
Our top pick for best cabin tent for festivals (for a couple) is REI Co-op Skyward 4 Tent
- Price: $374
- Capacity: 4 people
- Weight: 13 lbs. 11 oz.
- Rainfly Included?: Yes
- Square Feet: 60 square feet plus 19.5 square feet in vestibule
The quickest way to ruin a festival experience is for one heavy rainstorm to flood your tent and leave you and your gear soaked. To prevent this disaster, getting a cabin tent like the Skyward 4 is a good idea.
Although this tent is a little less durable than the MSR Habitude 4, it’s still able to hold up just fine to some wind and rain. It’s not cheap, but it’s also not exorbitantly expensive, so it’s a reasonable investment for festival goers.
The Skyward 4 can accommodate up to 4 adults, but for a longer festival event it’s better suited for couples who want some extra room for gear or larger and comfier camping pads. There are two doors, and one door has a vestibule for storing wet boots or backpacks.
Even though the Skyward 4 is considered a freestanding tent, it’s better to use the guylines and stakes to properly secure it, especially if there’s any wind. Although the vertical walls and rectangular floor offer more space, the straight sides act more like sails than dome shaped tents.
- More budget friendly
- 1 door and 1 large vestibule
- Easy set up
- Easily blown around in wind
- Footprint not included
#6 – Best Budget Cabin Tent: Coleman Elite Montana 8 Person Tent
Coleman Elite Montana 8 Person Tent is our top pick for the best budget cabin tent
- Price: $236.99
- Capacity: 7+ people
- Weight: 27.4 pounds
- Rainfly Included?: Yes
- Square Feet: 112 square feet
If you want a durable and high-quality material tent, then cheap is not the way to go. However, if you’re only planning on using a cabin tent for light camping in mild weather, then the Coleman Elite Montana is a good option.
As the cheapest tent on this list, it certainly doesn’t meet the quality standards of our other options. However, it still does a decent job of providing a comfortable and relatively weatherproof structure for big families or group camping trips.
For being such a large tent, it has a fairly easy set-up, although it’s definitely at least a two person job. There is a rainfly, but in heavy rain or windy conditions, it’s still fairly easy for water to get inside.
Although the tent is large, there’s only one door. This means that for people sleeping on the ends, it can be a little more difficult to get out at night. The Coleman Montana 8 also lacks a vestibule, but you can purchase separate awning-style vestibules if you want.
Overall, although the price of the Coleman Montana 8 may look appealing, it’s really only meant for light camping like overnights in the backyard, short road trips, or stays at the cabin. If you want something that’s going to last, it’s better to invest more money upfront for a product that won’t need to be replaced after a few heavy rainstorms.
- Budget friendly
- Very large and over 6 feet in height
- Not as durable
- One door, no vestibule
#7 – Best Rooftop Cabin Tent: Thule Tepui Explorer Autana 4
Our top pick for best rooftop cabin tent is Thule Tepui Explorer Autana 4
- Price: $
- Capacity: 4 people
- Weight: 190 pounds
- Rainfly Included?: Weatherproof canopy
- Square Feet: 48 square feet
Going from the cheapest cabin tent to the most expensive, the Tepui Explorer Autana 4 is top of the line when it comes to cabin tents. It’s bigger than other rooftop tents, and also comes with an annex and extended canopy for additional privacy next to your car.
The Autana 4 can sleep up to four people, but it’s ideal for couples to enjoy going on long car camping trips together. No matter where the road takes you, you can count on a comfy night’s sleep thanks to the high-density foam mattress which comes with the tent.
Like other rooftop tents, the Autana 4 has only one door, but there are numerous mesh paneled windows for ventilation and a great view from your cartop perch. Being 190 pounds, it’s definitely a two-person job to get the tent on top of your car. However, after that, set-up is easy and you’ll have the tent up and ready to go within a few minutes of parking your vehicle.
Instead of a separate rainfly, the Autana 4 has a polyester and cotton blend canopy which is highly weather resistant. Even heavy rainstorms won’t cause much of a problem, and the tent can also withstand a light dusting of snow and colder temperatures.
If you’re already an invested car camper and you enjoy spending long periods of time on the road, then a rooftop tent like the Autana 4 could be worth it.
- Very durable
- High-density foam mattress
- Comes with annex
- Very expensive
- Heavy
Do You Want to Travel FOREVER??
Pop your email in below to get a FREE copy of ‘How to Travel the World on $10 a Day!’.
#8 – Most Comfortable Small Cabin Tent: Nemo Wagontop 4 Tent
Nemo Wagontop 4 Tent is one of the most comfortable small cabin tent
- Price: $
- Capacity: 4 people
- Weight: 16 pounds, 2 ounces
- Rainfly Included?: No
- Square Feet: 69.4 square feet, plus 26.9 square feet in vestibule
For couples or even solo car campers looking for a comfortable but smaller cabin tent, the Wagontop 4 is a great option. With a peak height of 80 inches and nearly vertical side walls, it’s easy to stand upright inside the tent and move around.
It’s basically a smaller version of the Wagontop 8 highlighted earlier in the article, and has the same single-wall design which integrates the rainfly in with the canopy of the tent. With only two poles, it’s also fairly easy to set up, even for one person once they get the hang of it.
The Wagontop 4 only has one door, but there’s a generously sized vestibule. There’s also organization pockets and gear loops inside for securing camping lights.
The biggest downside to the single-wall design is that the Wagontop 4 isn’t as well ventilated as some tents. This is no problem in dry weather, but in heavy rain storms there can sometimes be issues with water pooling. And although the large windows offer a great view, you won’t be able to roll back the fly for stargazing on clear nights.
- Easy set up
- Large vestibule
- Lots of pockets and gear loops
- Less ventilation from single-wall design
- Not good for strong winds
Best of the Rest
The truth is, even after selecting the best cabin tents, there were still other great products left over. If you aren’t sold on one of the cabin tents we’ve already listed, here are a few more options which might be the perfect fit for your camping needs.
Coleman Cabin Camping Tent
The Broke Backpacker is supported by you. Clicking through our links may earn us a small affiliate commission, and that's what allows us to keep producing free content 🙂 Learn more.
Like the Coleman Montana 8, this cabin tent is a good budget option if you’re looking for something simple for light camping. There is a 4-person and 6-person model to choose from depending on how big of a tent you want.
Although it doesn’t hold up well to heavy wind and rain, the Coleman Cabin will still do okay keeping you dry in light showers. Although the tent comes with a rainfly, water will pool or get inside the tent much faster than some of the other models on this list.
One of the most notable features of the Coleman Cabin tent is the large-screened “porch” in front. Instead of just having a vestibule, there is an additional screened area which can either act as a storage space or a spot to sit outside without needing to deal with bugs.
Both the 4 and 6 person models offer standing room for most adults. Inside the tent there are some storage pockets and one loop to hang a lantern from the ceiling. There are windows and ground vents for ventilation, although there are still sometimes issues with condensation, particularly in very humid weather.
The North Face Kaiju 4 Tent
A little smaller and lighter than other cabin tents, the Kaiju 4 is perfect for couples who want some extra room for gear or larger camping mattresses. Unlike some smaller cabin tents, the Kaiju still has 2 doors and vestibules (one large, one small) over each.
The tent has a dome shape, which makes it less like a kite in strong wind, and it’s easier for water to run off instead of pooling. However, the shape also means that there’s less room to move around inside, and the peak height of 68 inches means that taller people won’t be able to stand upright.
Inside the tent there are numerous pockets and gear loops, plus a pocket specifically for propping up a tablet for evening entertainment. There’s also a convenient foot wiper at the main door to help keep campsite dirt outside.
UST House Party 4
At only 11 pounds, 6 ounces this is a much lightweight 4 person cabin tent than other options on this list. It’s also not quite as durable, so it’s better suited to light camping, overnights, or a backyard “camp” for kids.
The plus side is that it’s very spacious inside with a peak height of 68 inches for standing room, and 57.9 square feet of space. There are two doors, but unfortunately no vestibules, although there is a small protective awning over one door.
The House Party 4 has a “tunnel” construction, with large front and back doors which make it easy to put mattresses, cots or other large gear inside for a more comfortable camping experience.
Marmot Guest House 4 Tent
This is a great cabin tent for groups or families thanks to the interior dividers which create separate “rooms” to give you more space and privacy. There’s also a screened porch area on the front of the tent which is a nice place to set up camping chairs, so you can be outside without needing to deal with bugs.
The four doors make entry and exit easy without needing to crawl over anyone, and three of the doors have vestibules. With a peak height of 76 inches, there’s also standing room throughout most of the interior of the tent.
In comparison with other cabin tents, the Marmot Guest House 4 is a bit more expensive, but you also get a high-quality and ultra-comfortable cabin tent.
Caddis Rapid 6
If the Marmot Guest House 6 is too expensive, then turn to the Caddis Rapid 6. Although it lacks some of the durability and cool features of the Marmot, it’s still a great 6 person cabin tent for festivals or family car camping trips.
The downside is that there is only one door and no vestibules, making it more difficult to leave wet dirty gear outside. Still, with the 100 square feet of interior space and easy room to stand throughout most of the tent, it’s a comfortable and spacious option.
There are also organization pockets and a gear loft, plus a Power Port where you can thread in an extension cord. Although the Caddis Rapid 6 isn’t meant for tough adventures, it will do the trick for nights at the cabin or summer car camping in decent weather.
REI Co-op Skyward 6
The Skyward 6 is a great mid-range cabin tent option — big enough to offer ample space, not super expensive, and relatively durable and weatherproof. With 6 ft 6 inches of height at the peak, it’s also tall enough for almost everyone to stand upright.
It’s a good family tent option thanks to the simple set up and 1 door with low door sills making it easier for small children to get in and out. The one door also has a vestibule area for storing wet clothing, dirty boots, or other bulky items.
Inside the tent there are high and low pockets as well as gear loops for lights. Thanks to the low vent and adjustable high vents, the Skyward also has good ventilation. In addition, on clear nights you can remove the rainfly for a view of the stars through the bug-proof mesh.
Now, you could spend a fat chunk of $$$ on the WRONG present for someone. Wrong size hiking boots, wrong fit backpack, wrong shape sleeping bag… As any adventurer will tell you, gear is a personal choice.
So give the adventurer in your life the gift of convenience: buy them an REI Co-op gift card! REI is The Broke Backpacker’s retailer of choice for ALL things outdoors, and an REI gift card is the perfect present you can buy from them. And then you won’t have to keep the receipt. 😉
Buy on REI!How to Choose the Best Cabin Tent
Maybe you already have an idea about what cabin tent you want to get after going through our list of top picks. Before you make your final decision, here are a few of the most important factors to consider when selecting a great cabin tent.
Size and Comfort
How many people are planning on using the tent? For big families or large groups of friends, a 6+ person capacity tent is best. Smaller families or couples may be better off with a 4 person tent which will still offer a generous amount of space but not be quite as big or expensive.
Whether or not a cabin tent has room to stand upright is another important feature. If you’re short, then most of the cabin tents on this list will provide enough room to stand, but for taller people, you’ll want to check what the peak height is since some tents may still require you to stoop.
When taking size into consideration, remember to check whether a cabin tent has vestibules. This additional space can make a tent much more comfortable and livable.
Furthermore, it will provide space for storing boots or camping coolers.
Weight
Cabin tents are simply too big for long backpacking treks and lightweight travel. Chances are, you’ll always be traveling with your vehicle, which means that weight is less of an issue. You should never be taking one of these tents on a proper backpacking trip. That would be insane.
Some of the tents on this list are indeed good candidates for expedition basecamps, but in that case you would probably have a porter carrying the tent anyway.
Photo: Chris Lininger
For circumstances when you know for a fact that you’ll have to carry a cabin tent for a small distance, you can look for cabin tents which come with a backpack bag.
Also keep in mind that heavier material tends to be more durable. Since you’ll probably be using a cabin tent for car camping or long-term base camps, it might actually be beneficial to invest in something heavier that will also last longer and do a better job keeping you dry.
Access and Doors
No one likes to get stepped on in the middle of the night when someone’s trying to get out the single tent door. Typically, most of the best cabin tents have at least two doors, if not more, but there are some exceptions.
Couples won’t have to worry so much about having two or more doors, but families or groups will probably want this feature. If you’re traveling with kids, check on how big the doors are and whether the door sills are high which are easy for young children to trip over.
Weatherability
One of the quickest ways to ruin a camping trip is by getting a wet tent interior. Sure, rainy weather isn’t much fun no matter what, but with a high-quality tent you can at least wait out the storm reading or playing cards without worrying about getting a wet sleeping bag.
High-quality tents are also more expensive, so if you’re searching for a budget cabin tent keep in mind that it’s not going to be made to withstand bad weather conditions. It’s always important to get a tent with a rainfly, or at least a single-wall structure where the rainfly is integrated into the body of the tent.
Unfortunately, many tents don’t come with footprints, which is also a good idea to get. Even having a decent quality tarp underneath the tent will help protect the floor and make it less likely for water to get inside.
Dome structured tents are usually considered the most waterproof tent type since the shape makes it easy for water to slide off, and it’s less likely to act as a sail in windy conditions. That being said, a lot of cabin tents have square or wagon structures, since these shapes offer more space to move around inside.
Setup
Bigger tents often have a more complex set up, and require at least two people to pitch properly. Chances are, if you’re searching for a cabin tent, you’ll always be using it with at least one other person.
If it’s your first time camping with a particular tent, it’s a good idea to set it up in your driveway or backyard before trying to pitch it in the dark at your campsite for the first time.
Some of the really massive tents may still be a bit too much for two people to handle. Even though it can be nice to have the extra space, couples will want to think about whether it’s feasible to set up the tent between them.
In general, 4-6 person tents are still easy enough for a 2 person set up. Beyond 6 however, the tents can be extremely challenging for two people, particularly if it’s rainy or windy. If you’re looking for something a little easier then have a look at the inflatable Crua Core 6 Person Tunnel Tent.
| Name | Capacity (Person) | Floor Space (inches) | Weight (lbs) | Price (USD) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| REI Co-op Kingdom 6 Tent | 6 | 11995 | 21 lbs 6 oz | 499 |
| REI Co-op Base Camp 6 Tent | 6 | 12096 | 20 lbs 10 oz | 549 |
| Coleman Skydome Darkroom 8-Person Tent | 8+ | 17985 | 22 lbs. 9.6 oz. | 230 |
| MSR Habitude 4 Tent | 4 | 8985 | 12 lbs 10 oz | 599.95 |
| REI Co-op Skyward 4 Tent | 4 | 8596 | 13 lbs. 11 oz. | 374 |
| Coleman Elite Montana 8 Person Tent | 7+ | 16128 | 27.4 | 236.99 |
| Thule Tepui Explorer Autana 4 | 4 | 6912 | 190 | – |
| Nemo Wagontop 4 Tent | 4 | 9273 | 20 lbs 1 oz | 439.93 |
| Coleman Cabin Camping Tent | 4 | 9216 | 24 | 219.99 |
| The North Face Kaiju 4 Tent | 4 | 8487 | 12 lbs 11.8 oz | 336 |
| UST House Party 4 | 4 | 8337 | 11 lbs 6 oz | 131.83 |
| Marmot Guest House 4 Tent | 4 | 13810 | 15 lbs. 1.5 oz. | 333.93 |
| Caddis Rapid 6 | 6 | 14400 | 25 lbs 8 oz | 349.95 |
| REI Co-op Skyward 6 | 6 | 11995 | 15 lbs. 7 oz. | 449 |
FAQ about the Best Cabin Tents
Still have some questions? No problem! We’ve listed and answered the most commonly asked questions below. Here’s what people usually want to know:
Our GREATEST Travel Secrets…
Pop your email here & get the original Broke Backpacker Bible for FREE.
Final Thoughts on the Best Cabin Tents
Lightweight backpacking certainly isn’t for everyone. If you’re someone who needs a little more elbow room while camping, then a cabin tent is the perfect choice.
With a great all-around cabin tent like the Kingdom 6, you’ll have a spacious and highly weatherable home on the road. Or for couples (or even solo adventurers) looking for a cabin tent on the smaller side, you can go with a 4 person option like the Nemo Wagontop 4 or North Face Kaiju 4.
Remember that even the highest quality tents still need proper care. As long as you take measures like making sure the tent is dry before packing it away, a great cabin tent can come with you on the road for years.
Buy Us a Coffee!
A couple of you lovely readers suggested we set up a tip jar for direct support as an alternative to booking through our links. So we created one!
You can now buy The Broke Backpacker a coffee. If you like and use our content to plan your trips, it’s a much appreciated way to show appreciation 🙂
