Best 6-8 Person Tents For Comfortable & Spacious Camping
My pick for the best overall 6 to 8-person tent is the Browning Camping Big Horn Tent. This cabin tent has a peak height of over 7 ft., meaning tall people can easily stand upright in it. The wall divider gives you two large rooms and a bit of extra privacy. The rain fly is also effective and covers the entire roof.
Due to its durable design, the Big Horn Tent is fairly expensive. But you get what you pay for, and the tent will last years. Because of its height, it may feel a bit unstable in high winds. However, with ample stakes and guylines, you can create a secure hold. The massive tent also comes with six windows and two doors, so you can enter or exit without disturbing others.
The Browning Big Horn Tent is often marketed to hunters, which tells you a few things. First, it is sturdy enough to provide hunters with a reliable base camp. And secondly, it can take abuse from the variable weather and lots of gear while still functioning. For families and big groups, that durability is going to come in handy, along with its superb 150 square feet of floor space.
Fitting families and groups into one tent is complicated. The overall size of the group, the weather, and your gear are all important things to consider. A bad selection can break, rip in strong wind or fail to keep the weather at bay. If you want to share outdoor memories with larger groups, it’s time to upgrade to one of the best 6 to 8 person tents.
Big camping trips with friends and family are lots of fun. But up until recently, selections were limited to flimsy shelters that ripped easily or weren’t waterproof. Luckily, that’s changed and you can find nine reliable larger tents below.
My Review Process
I’ve been hiking and camping for more than 25 years. Like most, I started with a HUGE knowledge gap that I filled through trial and error. I’ve had really great tents and tents that left me soaked and miserable. My goal is to help you find the best tent for your needs.
In this guide, I’ll lay out tents and their pros and cons. Below that, I’ll walk you through a comprehensive buying guide. When you finish this article, you’ll be ready to take friends and family into the great outdoors under the protection of a reliable 6 to 8 person tent.
Best 6 to 8 Person Tent Overall
My pick for the best overall 6 to 8-person tent is the Browning Camping Big Horn Tent. This cabin tent has a peak height of over 7 ft., meaning tall people can easily stand upright in it. The wall divider gives you two large rooms and a bit of extra privacy. The rain fly is also effective and covers the entire roof.
Due to its durable design, the Big Horn Tent is fairly expensive. But you get what you pay for, and the tent will last years. Because of its height, it may feel a bit unstable in high winds. However, with ample stakes and guylines, you can create a secure hold. The massive tent also comes with six windows and two doors, so you can enter or exit without disturbing others.
The Browning Big Horn Tent is often marketed to hunters, which tells you a few things. First, it is sturdy enough to provide hunters with a reliable base camp. And secondly, it can take abuse from the variable weather and lots of gear while still functioning. For families and big groups, that durability is going to come in handy, along with its superb 150 square feet of floor space.
Best 6 to 8 Person Tent On A Budget
Ozark Trail has been a leading contender in outdoor gear on the inexpensive side, and the 8-Person Modified Dome Tent is my budget pick. The price is fantastic, and the tent is relatively lightweight. It’s also easy to set up and comes with a rain fly.
The biggest downside to Ozark Trail is the quality of the tent fabric used. These tents tend to have obvious wear and tear issues over time. If you want something to last 10 years, Ozark Trail likely won’t be the best solution. However, if you only plan to use a large tent like this 1-5 times a year, then it’s a useful and budget-friendly option.
Best 6 to 8 Person Tent for 4 Seasons
The Kodiak canvas Flex-Bow is one burly, high-quality tent and my pick for the best 6-8 person 4-season tent. The incredible durability holds up to the most extreme weather with ease. You can set this bad boy up and keep it in the same outdoor location for months without wear and tear issues due to the heavy-duty canvas material.
The packed weight of the cabin tent is substantial at nearly 80 pounds. And while it comes with an awning to cover your camping porch, a protected vestibule is a separate purchase. However, with two large doors, an extended awning, and adequate ventilation, the Kodiak Canvas Flex Bow is ready to handle the outdoors in all seasons.
Best 6 to 8 Person Tent for 3 Seasons
The Eureka Copper Canyon LX8 is my pick for the best 3-season tent. The fully assembled tent weighs 33.5 pounds, which is less than half the weight of some heavier models. Additionally, the center height is 7 feet, meaning you can stand comfortably in the tent. There’s also a handy hammock-style gear loft hanging from the ceiling for extra storage.
On the negative side, the setup is noticeably longer than other options. However, the instructions are easy to follow, and once it’s up, the tent will provide a perfect base camp for families. The nearly vertical walls increase the spacious feel of the interior. And with multiple windows and rainfly zippers, plenty of ventilation options exist.
This is the perfect tent if you want a large, lightweight shelter for warmer months that also provides extra storage for your gear.
Best 6 to 8 Person Tent for the Whole Family
The CORE 9-Person extended dome is a great tent for family camping. The affordable 3-room tent comes with removable dividers and a spacious central chamber. This family camping tent also has a lot of mesh, which creates excellent ventilation for warmer camping weather. The setup is quite easy, and the price is certainly a highlight.
This is not a cabin-style tent, so the center height is a lot smaller. The two “rooms” on either side of the central area are also smaller. Frustratingly, there’s only one door, and while shoving 9 people in it is certainly possible, it would be uncomfortable. However, the price, set-up convenience, included electric cable port, and ventilation makes it a great choice for families.
Best Waterproof 6 to 8 Person Tent
The Nemo Wagontop is my pick for the most waterproof 6-8 person tent. I love the unique design and the big, detachable vestibule for gear storage. It's closer to a cabin tent than a dome tent, but unlike the cabin style, is much longer than wide. I’m also a fan of the rain fly, which extends all the way down to near the ground and can stand up to heavy rains.
Because of the height and length of the tent, high winds would make sleeping in it a bit uncomfortable. However, loading the tent down with weight and using the stakes and guylines will help stabilize the setup. This awesome tent has a center height of ~6.7 ft. tall, giving it lots of space for most adults to stand up in. The mesh window panels also help add extra ventilation.
This tent is ideal for wetter environments. The vestibule is large and can hold all your wet gear while the rain fly covers every inch of the tent's surface.
Best 6 to 8 Person Dome Tent
If you need a simple dome tent solution for family camping, the Coleman Montana 8-Person Tent is for you. Behind a stellar price point, this fairly durable solution is a breeze to set up and a great low-maintenance purchase. The extended awning over the door is a nice touch, alongside the battery-powered ceiling light.
The Coleman Montana is not a forever tent, and over time, the fabric may rip. It is very water resistant but isn't a completely waterproof tent. Additionally, while spacious, there aren’t any extra features like a room divider or extra doors. But if you’re only planning on using it a handful of times a year, the Coleman Montana 8 is a fantastic dome tent.
Easiest 6 to 8 Person Tent to Set Up
Big Agnes is a great outdoor company, and the Bunk House 8 is the easiest large tent to set up. Because of its durable three-aluminum pole design, the tent is freestanding. It also comes with two separate doors and two separate vestibules that are rainfly-protected. Similar to the Nemo Wagontop, the rainfly extends all the way over the tent, guaranteeing effective waterproofing.
This is an expensive option, and while the tent fabric is high-quality, it’s not thick enough to keep you cozy in cold weather. However, the free-standing structure, room dividers, and full rainfly make it a fantastic tent for large groups. A fully assembled Big Agnes Bunkhouse comes with 104 square feet of space.
If you want to set up a large, durable tent quickly, the Big Agnes Bunk House 8 is for you.
What Are 6 To 8 Person Tents?
These are high-capacity outdoor recreation shelters. 6 to 8 person tents come with plenty of space to sleep multiple people and often feature two or three rooms. These tents make a perfect centralized base camp to launch adventures from.
Tents with lots of space also cater to those of us looking to get outside without the commitment of demanding hikes. They’re perfect for large groups, families with small kids, and front country camping.
Keep in mind that 6 to 8 person tents are not the same as mountaineering tents or bivy sacks.
The Buying Guide
Before settling on your next 6 to 8 person tent, take a look at some of the considerations below.
Shape: Dome or Cabin Style
Larger tents come in two primary styles, dome tents, and cabin tents. Dome designs look more like backpacking tents, use flexible poles as anchors, and usually offer decent wind resistance. They also weigh less. However, tent walls are inwardly angled to create the dome shape, which eats into overall space.
Cabin tents can be freestanding or require stakes and guy lines but generally offer more durability. The sturdiest tents on our list are cabin tents, but they usually cost and weigh a lot more. The cabin design does give you vertical or near-vertical walls, which adds more usable space.
There is a variation of the dome camping tent where the tent body resembles a tunnel. Options like the NEMO Wagontop and Big Agnes Bunkhouse are examples. These tend to be relatively lightweight 8-person tents.
Value
Value is based on your individual needs. If you only camp 1-2 times a year, a more affordable tent with a basic design might be perfect. If you camp multiple times a year and place value on how long the tent will last, options that emphasize durability and advanced features will provide greater value.
Durability / Material (Fabrics & Poles)
Large tents are usually made from a few materials, namely: canvas, nylon, polyester, and mesh. Single-layer polyester or nylon tents are lighter than canvas but not as durable. Canvas tents, like the Kodiak Canvas Flex-Bow, are the most durable, offering extra protection against the elements. They are also the heaviest. Mesh components are used for screens and ventilation.
A lot of poles are made from fiberglass, which is lightweight but not very durable. The most durable tent poles are steel or aluminum based. Very high-end poles are made from carbon fiber.
Floor Size / Space / Rooms / Dividers / Doors
With 6-8 person tents, you want enough space to fit everyone. In many cases, you can fit 8 people into a larger tent but won't have any extra space for gear or supplies. Look for tents with a large floor size, ideally between 100 and 150 square feet. The higher end of the scale should give you plenty of extra storage space.
Dome Tents will have great floor space but angled walls and less center height. Cabin tents generally have straighter walls and a tall peak height, which makes the inside feel more spacious. Two doors are better than one, so you can exit the tent without distributing others, and a room divider helps create a bit of privacy for children or couples.
Height, Weight, Packed Size And Portability
Height is important so you can be comfortable; however, taller tents will be affected by strong winds. The overall weight is related to the tent material, and canvas weighs a ton, which also affects portability. Make sure you take a little time to practice packing and unpacking the tent at home. It’ll help you breeze through the process when you get to a campsite.
Ease of Setup / Take Down
Setting up a large tent doesn’t need to be an ordeal but may require two people. You can get an idea of how long a setup will take by counting how many poles are included. More poles usually mean a longer time to set up.
The easiest versions are freestanding instant tents with poles already assembled that simply pop into place. Other useful features include color-coded poles, which will speed the process along. For the most secure hold, use any included tent stakes and guy lines.
Weather Protection / Seasonality
Check for features like inverted seams, which hide stitching holes and increase waterproofing. However, there’s more to think about than waterproofing. Some of the tallest cabin-style tents can shake and rattle uncomfortably in high winds. Tents that favor mesh will be great for ventilation but won’t retain heat well and shouldn’t be used for cold-weather camping.
Think about moisture, wind, temperature, ventilation, and how many seasons the tent is rated for. Vestibules are also great additions for keeping gear dry in inclement weather. Look for HH ratings, which are used to measure how much water pressure it takes before a tent starts leaking. Anything over 1000 mm will resist light rain.
Summary
6 to 8 person tents are useful for large groups or your entire family. My favorite and best overall is the Browning Camping Big Horn Tent. If you want to spend an extended time outdoors in variable conditions, the durable Kodiak Canvas Flex-Bow is an amazing choice.
Budget tent shoppers will love the Ozark Trail 8-Person Modified Dome Tent. And last but certainly not least, the best waterproof tent for 6 to 8 people is the NEMO Wagontop.
Common questions
I’m happiest on long backpacking trips into little-known pockets of wilderness, skiing down backcountry mountains, and on all-fours, scrambling the rocky spines of alpine ridges. When I'm not adventuring in the outdoors, I'm most likely writing about them.
*The information on this site is based on research and first-hand experience but should not be treated as medical advice. Before beginning any new activity, we recommend consulting with a physician, nutritionist or other relevant professional healthcare provider.
