We need to upgrade our 4 person backpacking tent for a larger size car camping tent. We are looking at the Wawona 8 with a footprint of 10'x14'. This will give our family plenty of space to spread out esp. during inclement weather.
Do most US public car camping spots allow this size tent footprint? I want to say yes since we will have to drive in and park our car in the camping spot. Also, any downsides with such a large tent? Thank you.
Update: Going with a Wawona 6, with the vestibule, it will be as big as the 8.
The 8 with a vestibule would be too big.
I picked up a Wawona 6 person tent and tried it out with the family this past weekend. The specs are 9.5’ x 8’. The vestibule added another 4’ to the 9.5’, so similar footprint to the Wawona 8.
Setting up wasn’t too bad, took longer than expected figuring out how the combined vestibule/rainfly sits and which poles to use where since one is curved and the other is straight.
The space was ok for 2 adults and 2 kids, would have liked more space to keep our clothes and cooler bags inside. It fit four sleeping pads fine, I doubt a 5th would’ve fit. Standing space was good, the sides were more vertical than slanted.
The vestibule was nice to have to put storage and buckets, fans, etc. that you don’t want to leave outside.
The rainfly was covered in morning dew, I am not sure if there was any way to make it more taut.
We are still on the fence if we should keep it or go for the Wawona 8. My wife wants the 8 for more space. I saw the Core 6 at Costco for $150 which is a steal compared to the Wawona 6, anyone have experience with it?
Hi, I am 6'4. I can stand up straight in my Wawona 6 and it is significantly more well equipped for high winds. Those shelters are entirely dependent on the canopy and forest has very high winds every year. Had to replace 2 super bent and crunched arms on my ez up this year from 2 years ago. Genuinely cant recommend the wawona enough. Its THE tent for forest IMO.
I highly recommend buying a different tent made for higher winds. I know its most ideal to cram in one tent but the wind and rain are going to make that tent really difficult to use and enjoy. Can't suggest the Wawona 6 enough. It'll fit 4 really well, and 6 if you buy camp bunks.
That’s what I have, I just realized from your response mixed up my Northface and Marmot. lol
It’s absolutely incredible, and surprisingly easy to set up.
I have a north face wawoma 6 (for me, my partner, and our dog) and in that I have to disagree. It has a huge vestibule to the point where you can leave the vestibule doors open and leave the tent door open in the rain and everything stays dry and you can sit there snuggled up reading a book with hot toddie and the sounds of the pitter-patter serenading you.
“There’s no such thing as bad weather just bad preparation” lol not fully true but we’ve all heard those words before lol
If you’re looking for something similar with good ventilation, you want the Wawona 6. Huge vestibule, tons of mesh and ventilation, etc. I’ve taken it out in the winter though a few times and it works great as well. I believe Nature Hike makes a knockoff for about half the price called The Kota. It looks almost the same but has some other features like a stove jack, etc. However, quality would not be near what the Wawona is (massive DAC MX poles…).
You mentioned the Big House tent from Big Agnes but I think you’d actually want the Bunk House. It has a bigger vestibule area. It’s a great tent, but it has a full fly and substantially less ventilation than the Wawona. I’ve only used a Bunk House in the winter and it was great.
Skip the Skydome honestly. It's decent for the price but the fiberglass poles and lightweight fabric don't handle wind or rain well, and with a 6 and 3 year old you're gonna want something that feels solid when you're wrestling gear in and out. The Wawona's a solid pick but the weight is brutal for what you're getting. At that price point the Big Agnes Wyoming has better materials and the extra headroom actually matters when you're chasing kids around getting them dressed. FWIW I have the Nemo Riff and it's been tank, but for family car camping something with a proper vestibule for muddy boots and gear makes a huge difference.
310TX
