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Best Camping Tents for Families with Dogs
Updated
The North Face Wawona 6 is our top pick for families with a dog, with a huge 65.7-square-foot vestibule for muddy paws and gear. The Kelty Wireless 6 costs about half as much and has two doors and two vestibules, and the CORE 10-Person suits families with more than one dog.
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A dog changes the tent math. You need floor space for kids, gear and a dog, plus a covered place for muddy paws. No maker we read rates a tent’s floor against claws, so protect it with a blanket and trimmed nails. We compared maker specs and owner feedback on Amazon. We have not tested these products ourselves.
Quick picks:
Best Overall: The North Face Wawona 6, for its huge vestibule.
Best Value: Kelty Wireless 6, for two doors and two vestibules.
Best for Multiple Dogs: CORE 10-Person Straight Wall, for floor space and a divider.
Comparison Table: Best Tents for Camping with Dogs
The vestibule is the reason to buy this for a dog: The North Face lists 65.7 square feet of covered area next to an 86-square-foot floor. Your dog has somewhere to shake off and dry before coming in, and gear stays out of the sleeping area. It weighs 19 pounds, 7 ounces. Owners find it easy to set up and report staying dry. The footprint is sold separately.
Why we picked it
Huge covered vestibule
86 square feet of floor
Owners report it’s easy to set up
What to watch for
The most expensive tent here
Footprint sold separately
Who it's for
Families who camp often with a dog.
Who should skip it
This is your first trip with your dog, so try a cheaper tent first.
Kelty lists two doors and two vestibules, a 74-inch height and 68-denier polyester, in a freestanding design. Two doors mean the dog doesn’t have to climb over everybody. Owners describe huge doors and lots of interior space.
Who it's for
A family of four plus a dog on regular car-camping trips.
Who should skip it
You want a very large covered area like the Wawona’s.
At 14 x 10 feet with an 86-inch center height, this gives you the most floor here, and CORE says it’s comfortable for 5 people with gear, so plan for fewer people when your dogs are big. The included divider can separate muddy gear or give dogs their own side. It uses traditional poles, not an instant frame, and we saw no vestibule in the listing.
Who it's for
Families with more than one dog, or big dogs.
Who should skip it
You want a covered vestibule or a very fast setup.
The Sundome is a low-cost way to find out whether your dog settles at a campsite. At 7 x 9 feet and 59 inches tall, it’s best for two adults and a dog, despite the 4-person label. Coleman lists 10-minute setup and a frame that withstands 35+ mph winds. Owner feedback on durability is mixed.
Protect the floor. Trim nails before the trip and lay a blanket where the dog sleeps. A thicker floor (higher denier) helps, but no tent floor is claw-proof.
A covered entry helps. A vestibule gives a wet or muddy dog somewhere to wait. Keep the dog with you, and never in a closed vestibule with a stove or heater.
Size up. A “6-person” rating assumes people only. A large dog can take up as much floor as a child. Our tent size guide helps with the math.
Ventilation and heat. A closed tent heats up fast, so don’t leave a dog in one on a warm day, even for a short time. Good mesh helps at night. See our camping with dogs guide and tents with separate rooms.
Final Verdict
Best Overall: The North Face Wawona 6, for its vestibule.
Best Value: Kelty Wireless 6, for a family of four and a dog.
Best for Multiple Dogs: CORE 10-Person Straight Wall, for floor space.
Best Budget: Coleman Sundome 4, for a first try with a small crew.
Frequently asked questions
What should I look for in a tent floor if I’m camping with a dog?
A higher denier (D) rating usually means a thicker floor, but no tent floor is claw-proof. Lay a blanket down, trim nails and wipe paws at the door.
How much extra tent space do I need for a dog?
Plan for roughly as much floor space as another child, and more for large breeds. A family of four plus a big dog will usually want more than a basic 6-person floor. Add more room for a second dog.
Are instant tents good for camping with dogs?
They can help, since a faster setup means less juggling with a dog on a leash. Have one adult hold the dog during setup whichever tent you use.
Will my dog’s claws damage a regular family tent?
They can, especially on thin floors. Trimmed nails, a blanket and a towel for paws go a long way. Check for holes before each trip.
Can I keep my dog in the tent vestibule instead of inside?
For a short time while they dry off, with you nearby. Don’t leave a dog alone there, and never use a stove or heater in a vestibule. At night, most families bring the dog inside.
Do I need a separate dog tent, or can my family tent work?
A well-chosen family tent with enough floor space works fine for most dogs. Separate dog tents are mainly useful if your dog is anxious around people sleeping close by, or if you’re maximizing space in a smaller tent.
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