The Coleman Skydome 6-Person Dark Room is a good choice for families with kids who wake at sunrise or still nap. Coleman says the fabric blocks 90% of sunlight and reduces heat inside. Owners on Amazon agree it blocks light well, though some report broken poles. It suits summer camping more than rough weather.
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This is a research-based review. We read Coleman’s listing, a summary of owner feedback on Amazon and OutdoorGearLab’s test of the related Sundome Dark Room. We have not tested this tent ourselves.
| Spec | Coleman Skydome 6-Person Dark Room |
|---|---|
| Sleeps | 6 on the label; better for a family of 4 with gear |
| Floor | About 10 x 8.5 ft, per retailer listings, so check the current listing |
| Center height | 6 ft, with nearly vertical walls |
| Setup | Under 5 minutes, says Coleman, with pre-attached poles |
| Weather | WeatherTec tub-like floor, welded corners and inverted seams; frame tested to 35 mph, says Coleman |
| Light | Blocks 90% of sunlight, says Coleman |
Coleman lists under 5 minutes with pre-attached poles. That doesn’t include your first try or staking it out, so give yourself more time and practice at home. A dim tent also makes it harder to find small items inside, so keep stakes and zipper pulls where you can reach them, and bring a headlamp.
Coleman says it blocks 90% of sunlight and reduces heat compared with a similar Coleman tent. We can’t confirm the exact number, but the evidence we read points the same way. Amazon owners often mention how well it blocks light. OutdoorGearLab tested the related Sundome Dark Room and found it really dark with the windows and door shut, and cooler than other tents in the sun.
Coleman lists its WeatherTec system, with a tub-like floor, welded corners and inverted seams, plus a frame tested to 35 mph. That suits typical summer trips. It’s not a tent for an exposed site or a serious storm, and strong wind or lightning are reasons to leave for a safe shelter. For wetter trips, compare our waterproof 6-person tents.
With nearly vertical walls and a 6-foot center height, the tent uses its floor well. Treat the 6-person label as a family of 4 with gear. One Amazon owner mentioned fitting a family of 5 with kids, but that will be snug. Two queen air beds take up about 120 inches of width, which leaves very little walking room in this tent.
Our guide to camping air mattresses and tent size guide can help you plan the floor.
Buy this if you camp mostly in summer, have young kids who wake with the sun or nap during the day, and want a simple tent.
Skip this if you regularly camp in wind or unsettled weather, or want room for two queen air beds and gear.
| Tent | Best For | Buy |
|---|---|---|
| Skydome 6-Person Dark Room | Families of about 4 | Check price on Amazon |
| Coleman Sundome 6 | Tighter budgets. OutdoorGearLab named the Dark Room version a Best Buy, so check which version the listing shows | Check price on Amazon |
| Skydome 4-Person Dark Room | 2 adults and 1 small child | Check price on Amazon |
| Skydome 8-Person Dark Room | Bigger families | Check price on Amazon |
Not sure about the size? Our best family camping tents guide compares brands, and our best tents under $200 covers budget options.
Bringing a toddler who still naps? See our camping with toddlers guide.
Does the Coleman Dark Room tent really block 90% of sunlight? 
That’s Coleman’s number, and we haven’t measured it. Amazon owners often mention how well it blocks light, and OutdoorGearLab found the related Sundome Dark Room really dark with the windows and door shut.
How long does the Coleman Skydome Dark Room tent take to set up? Coleman says under 5 minutes with pre-attached poles. Plan on more time the first time and once you add stakes. A practice run at home helps.
Is the Coleman Dark Room tent good for hot weather? It’s designed for that. Coleman says the fabric reduces heat compared with a similar Coleman tent, and OutdoorGearLab found the Sundome version cooler in the sun. Still check on kids in a closed tent on a hot day.
What size Coleman Dark Room tent fits a family of 4? The 6-person Skydome Dark Room suits most families of 4. Two queen air beds will leave very little floor, so sleeping pads or one queen plus kids’ pads will feel roomier.
Does the Coleman Dark Room tent leak in heavy rain? Coleman lists a tub-like floor, welded corners and inverted seams, which are designed to keep water out. It’s still a 3-season tent, so don’t choose it for serious storms.
