
The North Face
Wawona 6
Spacious vestibule, strong in storms, but rainfly tricky solo.

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Same. I had the ten person lumos. A pole at a y junction broke in the wind.
Ozark trail makes good family tents. We returned our LL Bean tent 2 times due to shoddy workmanship and leaks . Each was set up 3 times and used a week at a time . The Ozark trail has far surpassed the quality of LLBean as far as water infiltration ( 0 leaks in OT seams even in torrential rain) I am no fan of Walmart but these tents are great. Cheap . Easy set up . Good warranty .
Go cheap .we love Ozark Trail tents. The kkds have tried to kill them and they are tough .. Bikes and scooters hit the screens and so far so good .
Go to Walmart and buy some Ozark trail camping goods . Tent Tarp Rope Hammocks Or Chairs Sleeping bags Cots or air matresses. Headlamps My niece uses this brand . The tents and tarps are great . This summer will be year 6 with Ozark Trail gear It is affordable and sturdy
Rather than get something expensive and that's designed only to be used by experts, I'd suggest the Ozark trail l-10 that goes on the outside of an easy up and then using the easy up as covered space. When you're camping with two or three small kids what you want is a lot of space for them to wiggle around inside the tent. What you don't want is a tent where you can't stand up or sit up and have to slide your way in and then sit inside a mummy bag motionless
Do whatever you want :)Ā We have a family of 6 and bring Ā like 3 tents the largest of which is a 10 person tent that is ridiculously large inside. Ā We have like a rotation to children in the tent depending on weather and who got scared and well basically donāt really care what anyone thinks?Ā We got the 10 person Ozark Trails tent from Walmart and that thing can fit like 3 queen size air mattresses so itās definitely got whatever room you are looking for lol.Ā
I have this one which has been great so far. Itās really heavy though. I suppose it doesnāt take up a ton of car space - if they got the6 person version (if there is one) that would probably work out fine. Thereās always space under a cot to store stuff also.
For two adults and two teens, if youāre going to be all in one tent, Walmart has an Ozark Trail 10 person tent with a little mesh foyer. Tent is mostly blue, and they have it in store in most Walmart if you want to look at the package. Itās lasted us four years of family camping including a week for summer camp every year. I think itās about $120, so definitely more affordable as far as big family tents go. It has lasted well even in high winds and bad rain storms. This one comes with room dividers which is helpful for changing clothes. Also has good ventilation so itās not just a greenhouse trapping all the heat in the summer. For mattresses, have you considered camping cots? We are also in the Midwest and especially June thru September campouts (both kids in scouts, we go one weekend every month and a whole week in July) I prefer a cot because I hate waking up sweaty on a mattress. We got the cheap Magellan cots at Academy. The best thing about a cot is you can put backpacks and bags under them so your tent isnāt a clutter nest. Not relying a pump or something that could pop is helpful too. The cot keeps the sleeping bag and pillow up off the floor so people arenāt stepping on them! If youāre super set on mattresses, the most comfortable one Iāve used is the Exped Megamat, but theyāre pricy. I sleep on them just as good as I do at home (seriously, best sleep ever), but I donāt need the extra insulation in the summer. The separate canopy can be fun. We splurged a couple years and got the Kelty big shady. Not sure if they still make them, but itās amazing for shade from the sun and the walls can be pitched lower to protect from rain or even blowing sand. We take it to the beach, the park, and on family campouts. It takes two people to set up, but my 10 year old and I can manage just fine. If youāre more set on a popup, the e-z up 10x10 has lasted us several summers and itās nice to have shade to eat under. The problem with a pop up like this is it wonāt fit in a sedan. The Kelty big shady packs up into something the size of a medium duffle bag which is why we got it originally. If itās hot out (60-80+) I usually donāt want my sleeping bag. I may bring it but in the summers I usually just want a light blanket and a pillow. If youāre grimy with no shower access, a top sheet will help keep your harder to wash sleeping surfaces cleaner. Other things Iād bring are camp chairs, maybe a cheaper 2 burner camp stove if you are in an area with fire bans, and then a big pot to use to wash other dishes (or heat large amounts of water if needed).
For a week of Cub Scout camp in the summer, something you can stand up in to change is good. Weāve used an ozark trail one for the past three summers and been fine, but thatās with a family of four. Iāll thread that one below so this comment doesnāt get deleted if the link gets flagged. For just one parent one scout, weāve used the done style 4 person tents from Alps and theyāre pretty comfy, but even short adults canāt fully stand in them. At that age, most of our cub scouts donāt mind sleeping just in a sleeping bag on the ground (Iām also cubmaster for our small pack). Some families like to use the Coleman quick cabins. These are heavy and donāt do great in high winds, but if youāre driving right up to the campsite theyāre super quick to set up and have good head room. Links incoming
Our family of four use an Ozark Trail 10 person tent. It was like $100 and itās been great. Held up in two heavy rains, I was impressed. With kids and dogs you will be glad for the extra room. You will need room for bags and shoes, etc. and it fills up quick.

The North Face
Wawona 6
Spacious vestibule, strong in storms, but rainfly tricky solo.

Gazelle Tents
T4 Hub Tent Series
Fastest setup, durable, but bulky and awkward door.

Durston
X-Mid 2
Ultralight, spacious 2P, but not for very strong winds.

Durston
X-Mid 1
Budget ultralight 1P, spacious, but large footprint.

Naturehike
Mongar 2 Backpack Tent (Nylon)
Budget 2P, spacious for price, but not for 4 seasons.

Ranked #1
Durston - X-Mid 2

Ranked #1
Gazelle Tents - T4 Hub Tent Series

Ranked #1
Gazelle Tents - T4 Hub Tent Series

Ranked #1
Durston - X-Mid 2

Ranked #1
The North Face - Wawona 6

Ranked #1
SlingFin - Portal 2