Best 6 Person Tent for Group and Family Camping in 2024

By: Ashley Vitiello | Last Updated on October 20, 2024

Every recommendation we make has been used, tested, and expertly selected by us. If you buy from a link,ย we may earn a commission.

The North Face Wawona 6 is the all around best 6 person tent because it has everything you could want and need – high quality materials, a lifetime warranty, plenty of space to stand upright, and an oversized covered porch for gear storage.

We understand that this may not be everyoneโ€™s top pick, so weโ€™ve also assembled our other favorite options below โ€“ that way you can pick the perfect six person tent that best fits your needs.

6-person camping tents are the best of both worlds between four and 8 person options because they are large enough for most families and often tall enough to stand in. A 4-person may be too small for campers looking to store gear or bring furry companions, but an 8-person may be too large or complex to set up. A 6-person tent will offer great value for the most innovative features and high-quality materials meant to survive many camping seasons.

These are some of the best camping tents, ranging from simple and more affordable to luxurious setups with a living space or screen room. Weโ€™ve selected tents that are all highly rated by users and vary significantly in features, brand name, and price. Weโ€™ve done in-depth research and unbiased product testing on many tents, and only seven have made this final list. This is to give you the most comprehensive list of the best 6-person tents currently on the market, so you can pick whatโ€™s best for your needs.

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The 8 Best 6 Person Tents

IMAGE PRODUCT
The North Face Wawona 6
  • Spacious tent vestibule for gear storage or seating area
  • Great quality from a great brand
  • Ample gear stash pockets inside
VIEW BEST PRICE โ†’
NEMO Aurora Highrise 6
  • NEMO lifetime warranty
  • High quality build
  • Lots of headroom
VIEW BEST PRICE โ†’
MSR Habitude 6
  • Over-the-top waterhead rating of 10,000mm on the floor
  • Weighs only 14 pounds
  • Stainless steel zipper for easy sliding
VIEW BEST PRICE โ†’
Eureka! Space Camp 6
  • Excellent ventilation thatโ€™s adjustable
  • Oversized mesh doors on each side
  • Aluminum poles
VIEW BEST PRICE โ†’
REI Co-op Skyward 6
  • REI has an outstanding one year return policy
  • Awning over door creates drip-free entry space
  • Well thought-out privacy design
VIEW BEST PRICE โ†’
REI Co Op Base Camp 6
  • Great for 3-4 season camping
  • Two doors and two vestibules
  • 14 interior pockets
VIEW BEST PRICE โ†’
Kelty Discovery Basecamp 6
  • Most affordable tent on this list
  • Quick setup and takedown time
  • Simple and effective features
VIEW BEST PRICE โ†’
White Duck Avalon 13โ€ฒ
  • Canvas tent thatโ€™s built to last a lifetime
  • Spacious interior
  • High quality construction with waterproof material
VIEW BEST PRICE โ†’

The North Face Wawona 6 – Editor’s Choice

north face wawona review

The North Face has been around since 1966 and continually explores ways to make a difference for each other and the planet. They have a well-rounded sustainability promise, with significant goals to be accomplished by 2025 (like 100% of their top materials to be recycled, responsibly sourced, renewable, or regeneratively grown). Their Wawona 6 is named after the famous Redwood tree that fell in 1969 but can still be visited where it lays.

The Wawona consistently makes a list of the best 6-person tents, and for a good reason – it’s an excellent build with high-quality fabrics and some of the best aluminum poles around. The poles are DAC MX, but what is that exactly? DAC produces the highest performance and highest quality aluminum on the market today, and these poles are “stronger without any weight penalty,” according to North Face. The poles are also color-coded for easy setup, which takes less than 10 minutes.

One of our favorite design aspects is the oversized vestibule, which can double as gear storage or a seating area with plenty of space for multiple camp chairs. It has two large doors that offer plenty of cross breeze, and from there, you can access the main cabin where the intended sleeping quarters are. There’s also a decent-sized door on the rear of the tent body, with several mesh pockets for storing items within reach.

There’s lots of mesh as shown on this Wawona in ‘exuberance orange’ color. It’s also available in Agave Green.

This version of the Wawona has been redesigned from a previous model, so it now offers a double wall construction, which helps with air circulation and condensation. They also updated the poles to a more robust material, making the setup quicker and easier.

The fabric has a 1200mm waterhead rating, considered waterproof and weather resistant. The canopy and rainfly are a 75-denier fabric, and the floor is 150-denier, meaning that this tent is ready to withstand years of use and wind without letting a drop of water inside.

The dome shape has a peak height of 78″ (6ft. 6in.), which allows most campers to stand upright in the center of the tent, but the sloping walls don’t allow for roaming height throughout the whole tent.

Combine all these features with ample mesh for ventilation and lots of storage pockets. You have a great family camping tent with plenty of space and storage, high-quality construction, and strong materials.

Specifications

  • Season: 3
  • # of Doors: 2 (plus two vestibule doors)
  • # of Vestibules: 1
  • Vestibule Square Feet: 44.7 sq.ft.
  • Weight: 20.9 lbs.
  • Floor Dimensions: 120โ€ x 96โ€
  • Floor Space: 80 sq ft
  • Peak height: 78โ€ (6ft. 6in.)
  • Pole Material: DAC MX
  • Waterhead rating: 1200mm PU all around
  • Fabric Quality: 75D polyester canopy and rain fly, 40D mesh, 150D polyester floor
  • Highlight: Covered porch/storage space & lots of mesh

Pros

  • Spacious tent vestibule for gear storage or seating area
  • Great quality from a great brand
  • Ample gear stash pockets inside
  • DAC MX lightweight and strong poles
  • Generous max height

Cons

  • Slightly complicated setup with the vestibule but quick once you get the hang of it

NEMO Aurora Highrise 6 – Runner Up

NEMO’s latest addition to the camping market is their Aurora series, which is a line of high quality tents that we are currently loving. This Highrise 6 is one of our favorite tents on the market and we couldn’t recommend it more.

The first feature that really stood out to us is the 77″ (6ft.9in.) max height, which gives plenty of headroom for taller campers to stand upright. Plus, with steep side walls, the interior feels massive and we felt like there was standing room throughout the entire tent.

We also love the two windows that are weather protected. These really came in handy on a rainy day where we needed some air flow – we simply opened the windows from the inside and had a breeze even with the rainfly on.

Any tent we review has to meet some qualifications when it comes to materials, and this NEMO tent excels with flying colors. It uses thick fabrics, aluminum poles, and high quality mesh. The waterhead rating meets and exceeds our expectations, so you can be sure you’re protected from the elements.

As added bonuses, the printed floor brings some fun to a classic tent design and the Nightlight Pockets turn your headlamp into a tent lantern with a even glow. All these features mean this tent is one of the best purchases you could make if you’re searching for something that’s built to last a lifetime.

Specifications

  • Season: 3
  • # of Doors: 2
  • # of Vestibules: 2
  • Vestibule Square Feet: 23.6 + 23.6 sq.ft.
  • Weight: 18lbs. 14oz.
  • Floor Dimensions: 120 x 100 inches
  • Floor Space: 83 sq ft
  • Peak height: 77โ€ (6ft. 5in.)
  • Pole Material: Aluminum
  • Waterhead rating: 1200mm rainfly, 1500mm floor
  • Fabric Quality: 68-denier canopy and rainfly, 150-denier floor
  • Highlight: High quality materials for a great price.

Pros

  • NEMO lifetime warranty
  • High quality build
  • Lots of headroom
  • 2 doors with vestibules
  • Nightlight Pockets
  • Standing height

Cons

  • Taller walls may not be ideal for wind

MSR Habitude 6 – Highest Quality

msr habitude review

Unlike most other outdoor gear companies, MSR didn’t start with a product. Instead, it started with its founder, Larry Penberthy, who sought to test gear from other companies (hence the company name Mountain Safety Research). He found that the gear he was testing frequently failed well below its advertised specs, so he set forth to change his one-man crusade into a pioneering company that would set itself apart from the rest.

MSR frequently wows us with their products, and their Habitude 6 is one of our favorite high-quality tents of all time. Weighing only 14 pounds, it’s one of the lightest tents on this list, making it easier to carry and ideal for canoe/water trips or as a basecamp for mountain bike rides. Even with its lighter weight, it still has a generous high ceiling (6ft. 1in.) with near vertical sidewalls, robust fabrics, and high quality aluminum poles.

MSR uses high quality fabrics and materials that are meant to withstand the test of time, kids, and the elements. With a 1500mm full-coverage rainfly and an off-the-charts 10,000mm floor, you can be sure you’re protected from moisture even in heavy rains. 68-denier polyester fabrics resist wind and tearing, and the stainless steel zippers endure rough use.

Sometimes it’s the little things in life, and this tent uses those to their advantage. One of our favorite elements is the built in porch light, which presses on and off to lightly illuminate the vestibule space for easy access, even for middle of the night bathroom trips. There’s also several storage pockets, color-coded poles and clips, and the limited mesh balances airflow and privacy.

If adventure is in your family’s DNA, then choose the Habitude 6 that’s built to withstand kids, weather, high winds, and the rigors of primitive camping. MSR makes superior products with lots of great features that make this one of the best car camping tents this year.

Specifications

  • Season: 3-3.5
  • # of Doors: 1
  • # of Vestibules: 1
  • Vestibule Space: 24.5 sq.ft.
  • Weight: 14lbs
  • Floor Dimensions: 120โ€ x 100โ€ (83.3 sq.ft.)
  • Floor Area: 83 sq.ft.
  • Peak height: 73โ€ (6ft. 1in.)
  • Poles: 7000-series Aluminum
  • Fabric Quality: 68D Polyester canopy, rain fly, and floor
  • Waterhead rating: 1500mm rainfly, and 10,000mm floor
  • Highlights: Generous amount of storage pockets, superior waterproofing, and integrated light in the porch area

Pros

  • Over-the-top waterhead rating of 10,000mm on the floor
  • Super high quality tent
  • Weighs only 14 pounds
  • Stainless steel zipper for easy sliding

Cons

  • On the more expensive side (but it’s worth it!)

Eureka! Space Camp 6 – Honorable Mention

best cabin tent for 6 people eureka space camp review

Erueka! has been around since the late 1800s and has been making high quality tents for a long time. Their experience means they make some of the best tents on the market today. After all, they did make the tent that went with Sir Edmund Hillary on his Everest summit. While this tent won’t take you up that high, it would be a great addition to any group or family camping gear because of its ample ventilation and generous space.

For the ventilation, they’ve included their adjustable High/Low system that has vents all around the exterior of the tent to let heat and condensation escape. Plus, when the rainfly is off, there’s tons of mesh for those warmer summer nights. The full coverage rain fly protects you from the elements and creates two large vestibules, or you can fold these back and expose the oversized mesh doors. There’s two doors (one on each side) so everyone has easy access in and out of the tent, and it’s easier to put in large air mattresses as well. This combination of mesh, vents, and a superior rainfly helps you find the right airflow for all weather conditions, keeping you and your group comfortable as much as possible.

Some other stand-out features are the aluminum frame, tall peak height around the whole camping tent, 10 storage pockets, 1500mm-1800mm waterhead rating, and 68-denier polyester fabric. This all adds up to a great family tent that’s ready for a variety of weather conditions.

Specifications

  • Season: 3
  • # of Doors: 2
  • # of Vestibules: 2
  • Vestibule Square Feet: 39.5 sq.ft.
  • Weight: 17lbs 4oz
  • Floor Dimensions: 120โ€ x 100″
  • Floor Space: 83.33 sq ft
  • Peak height: 76โ€
  • Pole Material: Aluminum
  • Waterhead rating: 1500mm canopy and rain fly, 1800mm floor
  • Fabric Quality: 68D Polyester
  • Highlight: Excellent circulation with mesh and high/low venting

Pros

  • Excellent ventilation that’s adjustable
  • Oversized mesh doors on each side
  • Aluminum poles
  • Tall max height with near vertical walls
  • Double gear loft

Cons

  • Smaller vestibules considering the size of the tent

REI Co-op Skyward 6 – Tallest

rei skyward review

REI is easily one of the most well-known brands when it comes to outdoor gear, and we really love their products and their one year return policy. Essentially, you can use the product and if you don’t like it or something happens within the first year, you can just return it. This Skyward 6 camping tent gets its name from the mesh ceiling, so you can look ‘skyward’ on clear, dry nights. This mesh area also allows for heat and condensation to escape upwards, enhancing ventilation that you also get from the door and back windows.

We immediately noticed its tall max height (6ft. 6in.) and rectangular shape that maximizes the livable interior space – it’s one of the larger cabin style tents with a six person capacity. Another stand-out feature is the brow pole over the entrance, which creates an awning and makes for a drip-free entry space. This is a clever design you don’t see in many tents and it allows the user to enter the tent without getting as wet.

You can extend the vestibule upwards to create an awning, or use the double ground stakes to attach it to the ground. The different options give you a variety of interior space that can store gear or create a sunshade.

This tent offers some of the best privacy design aspects unlike other tents on this list. The mesh on the front and back of the tent zipper shut with polyester window covers, and the rest of the mesh is on the top of the tall tent. Even with the rainfly off, you can still get enough privacy to change clothes and sleep in peace. You can even close the vestibule while the rainfly is off, offering you lots of flexibility in how you use the space.

Their name brand Skyward 6 is a great car camping tent from a company you can trust. Its simple design can be set up quickly by just one person, and the multi-use vestibule flap can be used in a variety of ways. This makes for a great, simple, family tent that’s built to last.

Specifications

  • Seasons: 3
  • # of Doors: 1
  • # of Vestibules: 1
  • Vestibule Square Feet: 19.5 sq.ft.
  • Weight: 15 lbs 7oz
  • Floor Dimensions: 120โ€ x 100″
  • Floor Space: 83 sq ft
  • Peak height: 78โ€ (6ft. 9in.)
  • Poles: Aluminum
  • Waterhead rating: 1500mm canopy and rain fly, 1800mm floor
  • Fabric Quality: 75D Polyester canopy and rain fly, 150D Polyester floor
  • Highlight: Simple design for ease of setup without the extra fuss

Pros

  • REI has an outstanding one year return policy
  • Awning over door creates drip-free entry space
  • Well thought-out privacy design
  • Vestibule can be an awning, sunshade, or be closed for gear storage
  • Near vertical tent walls

Cons

  • Cap rainfly isn’t as protective as full coverage rainfly

REI Co Op Base Camp 6 – For Cold Weather Camping

rei base camp tent review

This REI Co Op Base Camp 6 is another great camping tent from REI that has some similarities to their Skyward (reviewed above), but is an overall different tent with separate applications. You’ll find that the Base Camp is intended for “3+” season camping, meaning it is a three season tent that performs well in light winter conditions like light snow and winds. It would also be great for shoulder season camping, where you’re more likely to encounter cooler conditions than warmer ones. This is because the dome shape has less mesh but enough ventilation to let out heat and condensation.

Notice the zipper on the upper part of the tent (upper left of this photo).

One of the coolest design features on this tent is that you have the ability to adjust the roof vents from the inside of your tent. There’s a zippered section in the ceiling that allows you to reach out and either open or close the exterior vents. So even if you’re stuck inside during rainy weather or adverse conditions, you can control ventilation without going outside. This is something we have never seen in a tent before, but we hope more companies will start following suit.

The Base Camp is surprisingly large on the inside, with a max height of 74 inches (6ft. 2in.) that allows most people to stand up straight. This maximizes interior livability while still being stable enough to withstand more adverse conditions than your average 3 season tent. We appreciate that there’s two doors on this tent, which allows for easy access for multiple people without having to step over your camping buddies.

This car camping tent is great for those who encounter slightly more adverse conditions than your casual camper, and this includes wind and light snow. It’s a great pick for someone who wants more weather resistance while still having the livability of a three season tent.

Specifications

  • Season: 3+
  • # of Doors: 2
  • # of Vestibules: 2
  • Vestibule Square Feet: 44
  • Weight: 20lbs 10oz
  • Floor Dimensions: 110โ€ x 110โ€
  • Floor Area: 84 sq.ft.
  • Peak height: 74โ€
  • Poles: Aluminum
  • Fabric Quality: 150D floor
  • Highlight: Designed for 3-4 season camping. Great from colder temps, wind and light snow.

Pros

  • Great for 3-4 season camping
  • Two doors and two vestibules
  • 14 interior pockets
  • Can open/close exterior vents from the inside of the tent

Cons

  • Less mesh for warmer weather

Best Cheap 6 Person Tent – Kelty Discovery Basecamp 6

kelty basecamp review

Kelty is one of the best brands on the market for quality and affordable tents, so it’s no surprise that their Discovery Basecamp 6 is one of the most highly rated tents on this list (and on the market). It’s our favorite budget camping tent with a simple 2-pole design with a quick setup and takedown time. This gave us a stress-free experience and we get to spend more time enjoying the outdoors on quick weekend getaways or overnight camping trips. Plus, it comes with Kelty’s lifetime warranty and they have a strong sustainability practice to protect the outdoors for generations to come.

Closeup of Kelty’s Quick Corners

While it’s a more simple tent body design that’s built to cut costs, it has everything we need in a camping tent. We believe it’s super user-friendly too, utilizing Kelty’s ‘quick corner’ sleeves for quick setup and pre-attached guylines so you can spend less time worrying about knots.

Even though it’s a basic configuration, there’s still several aspects that take this tent up a notch. One of the first things we noticed was the brow across the door, which creates a break for water and gives the opening a drip-free entrance. There’s also several internal mesh pockets for small gear, and the internal max height of 68″ (5ft. 8in.) is still enough room for campers to stand at least mostly upright.

The Kelty Discovery Basecamp 6 is not full of features seen on the more expensive options on this list, but it does outperform similar, more affordable tents in its category. This makes this tent best for casual car camping, budget-conscious campers, beginners, and even experienced adventurers who want something simple yet effective.

Specifications

  • # of Doors: 1
  • # of Vestibules: 0
  • Weight: 13.8 lbs
  • Floor Dimension: 119โ€ x 106โ€
  • Square Footage: 87.6 sq.ft.
  • Peak height: 68โ€
  • Tent Poles: Fiberglass
  • Waterhead rating: 1200mm
  • Material: 68D Polyester
  • Highlight: Great value at a very affordable price

Pros

  • Most affordable tent on this list
  • Quick setup and takedown time
  • Simple and effective features
  • Great value
  • Lifetime warranty
  • Lightest tent on this list

Cons

  • No premium features like other tents on this list

White Duck Avalon 13′

white duck Avalon 13 review

If you’ve ever been interested in owning a canvas tent, or if you’re generally open to the idea, we would highly recommend taking the plunge and trying it out. White Duck is our favorite manufacturer of canvas tents, and they make a super high quality product that’s built to last. With proper maintenance, this tent could be the last camping tent you’ll ever need to buy. Plus, it’s the only tent on this list that’s made from environmentally friendly materials.

The Avalon is an amazing bell shaped tent that offers a tall max height of 8’2″ and is made from heavy duty cotton canvas that’s strong, breathable, environmentally friendly, and is waterproof right out of the box. With a 13′ diameter, we found there to be plenty of space to sleep six campers, or you can make it a glamping tent that sleep less people but can fit a queen sized air mattress or a few smaller mattresses.

There’s eight windows that circle the lower part of the tent, and they zipper open to reveal mesh for ventilation, or can stay closed for weather protection. We thought this added a nice design element while also being functional for warmer camping trips.

The door can also be open, closed, or mesh, letting you customize the amount of fresh air you want. Or if you want to use it in the winter time, it’s perfect for hot tenting, which is where you combine a tent with stove jack (a stove jack is the opening for the chimeny pipe) with a wood burning stove.

Even though this tent may seem like a more complex setup, we think it actually doesn’t take much longer than any of the other ones above, especially once you get the hang of it. You simply stake out the pre-attached guylines, then prop it up with the single center pole. Add in the a-frame door pole, tighten the guylines, and you’re done!

This canvas tent is perfect for people who don’t typically camp in campgrounds that have small tent pads, as it does have a larger footprint that may not be as ideal for all campgrounds. We would also highly recommend it for someone wanting a tent that will last a long time and/or someone who wants the ability to camp year-round in all four seasons regardless of rain, wind, and snow.

Specifications

  • Weight:  94-104 lbs.
  • Floor size: 13′ diameter
  • Peak height: 8’2”
  • Poles: galvanized steel
  • Fabric: 10.10oz army duck cotton canvas
  • Highlight: Best canvas tent on the market that sleeps six campers

Pros

  • Canvas tent that’s built to last a lifetime
  • Spacious interior
  • High quality construction with waterproof material
  • Lots of ventilation
  • Can be used year-round in all weather conditions

Cons

  • Larger footprint may not be ideal for all campgrounds

How We Test, Review, And Rate

We love outdoor gear, and we love recommending gear that adds value to our outdoor adventure. We know and understand the importance of having gear thatโ€™s worth every penny, so we thoroughly research and test every product we recommend. No matter how we procure an item, our goal is to remain as unbiased as possible, and we put it to the test against its competitors to find the best and worst features.

We also understand that each adventurer is different, and our favorite 6 person tent may not be yours. Thatโ€™s why we rate and review a wide variety of products currently available, so you can see a breakdown of all the features and pick whatโ€™s best for you and your situation. We donโ€™t recommend anything we wouldnโ€™t personally use, so whether youโ€™re looking for highest quality, an affordable price, superior weather resistance, a certain brand, or any other desirable feature, thereโ€™s sure to be a tent on our list thatโ€™s perfect for you.

Thing to Consider When Choosing a 6 Person Tent

All of these factors to take into consideration relate back to typical use. This means how you typically use your camping tent, but also refers to the general number of campers you bring with you, the usual weather you enjoy, the types of ground you camp on, and so much more. So when you’re looking at your favorite features in comparison to these considerations, think about your usual camping trip and the things you encounter.

Comparison Table

This comparison table takes some of the most important specifications from each tent on our list and puts it into an easy to read format so you can directly compare each one to its competitors. You can see that we’ve included price, weight, square footage, peak height, materials, and user reviews.

Tent ModelPriceWeightSquare FootagePeak HeightMaterialsUser Reviews
North Face Wawona 6$$20lbs 15oz80 sq.ft.78 in75-denier canopy and rainfly, 150-denier floor, all with 1200mm4.5/5
NEMO Aurora Highrise 6P$$18 lbs. 14oz.99.6 sq.ft.77 in68-denier canopy, 150-denier floor4.4/5
Eureka Space Camp$$17lbs 4.8oz83sqft76 in68-denier 1200mm4/5
REI Skyward$$15lbs 7oz83 sqft78 in75-denier rainfly, 150-denier floor 1200mm4.5/5
MSR Habitute$$$13.37lbs83sqft77 in68denier with 1500mm rainfly and 10,000mm floor5/5
REI Base Camp 6$$20lbs 10oz84sqft74 in150-denier floor 1200mm4/5
Kelty Discovery Basecamp 6 $13lbs 14oz88sqft68 in68-denier4.5/5
Side-by-side quantitative comparison of our favorite 6 person tents

Capacity

If you’re purchasing a tent based on capacity, the number one factor to take into consideration is the size. You can pick a cool tent with all the features you want, but if it’s too small for your group, you’ll ultimately end up having to spend more money on something else. Keep in mind that a manufacturer rating of “6 person” means six people sleeping shoulder to shoulder in close quarters.

If you want to have the extra room to move around, store gear, or even get out the door without stepping on someone, you should subtract at least two campers from the recommended capacity. It’s better to air on the side of extra space instead of risking having too little. That means if you’re camping with four people, you should get at least a six person tent.

This makes six person tents a great option for the following situations: 1) couples who like to carry lots of extra gear into their tent, or 2) couples with multiple four-legged companions, 3) families with three to four people, 4) groups who like having the extra space and large vestibules that typically accompany 6 person tents.

The only exceptions to this are weight and cold weather camping. If weight is a concern for you (e.g., having to carry it backpacking or if you typically use walk-in campsites), then obviously it would be in your favor to pick something lighter and closer to the actual size you need. Or if you typically camp in cold weather, then larger camping tents are harder to heat and you should purchase a capacity closer to the actual number of campers you typically have.

Another way to compare tents by size is looking at the square footage of each one. Even those the tents above are all considered an eight person capacity, they donโ€™t necessarily have the same square footage. You can use the information in our post about how much space do you need in a camping tent to figure out your optimal square footage per person, then use that to figure out what tent may be best size-wise for your situation.

Durability & Quality

While it can be tempting to just find the cheapest option on the internet and cross your fingers nothing goes wrong, it’s really worth getting a quality tent that’s meant to last multiple seasons. Some ways you can determine this is by looking at the quality of the fabrics and the material used for the poles.

The Aurora Highrise has great quality materials and rain protected windows for ventilation.

Waterhead rating (or hydrostatic head) is a measurement of how waterproof a tent fabric is. The rainfly on a tent should be at least 1200mm or higher, with higher numbers being better. The floor should be a similar or even higher number, since it’s exposed to moisture on the ground and any pooling of water from rain. We wouldn’t recommend purchasing anything below 1200mm, as that starts to get into water-resistant instead of waterproof.

Denier refers to the thickness of the threads used to make a fabric. For example, 10-denier (or 10D) contains 10 yarns in each thread. The higher this number the better, with most three season tents sitting around 60-70 denier. This is a good number for casual campers, but you should also consider what the denier is on the floor. Since the floor of the tent will be exposed to rocks, dirt, water, feet, and more, they should be built to withstand these for prolonged periods of time. A great example of this is the NEMO Aurora Highrise above, which has a 68D canopy and rainfly, but a 150D floor.

Tent poles are typically made of either aluminum or fiberglass, with aluminum being the preferred material for durability and strength. Most of the tents on this list use aluminum, but the cheaper the tent, the more likely they are using fiberglass. This isn’t necessarily a deal-breaker, but is something worth considering if you want to be prepared for exposure to wind, rain, or cold weather, as fiberglass poles are prone to splitting in these conditions.

Max Height and Shape

A six person tent is where we start to see generous headspace and most of the tents above let you stand up straight in most parts of the tent body. This makes it easier to change clothes, and is overall easier to navigate in and out of the tent since you don’t have to stoop like you would in smaller tents.

Tent shape can be a factor in headspace, with a cabin style tent typically having more room than traditional dome shaped tents. Cabin tents will have near vertical walls, which allows for standing height throughout the majority of the tent. Some examples of cabin tents from above are the Eureka! Space Camp and REI Skyward.

Dome tents will have more sloped walls, meaning the max height will be mostly located in the center of the tent and the height will decrease as you move towards the exterior. Some examples of dome tents from above are the NEMO Aurora Highrise, MSR Habitude, REI Base Camp, and the Kelty Discovery, plus our Editor’s Choice North Face Wawona is a modified dome tent.

The REI Basecamp 6 is a dome tent, which makes it more weather resistant because its shape allows wind to shoot around the walls.

The downside of having a taller maximum height is that the tent walls are more likely to catch wind like a sail, especially in a cabin tent where the vertical walls don’t allow the wind to rush around them like a dome tent’s more contoured shape. If you frequently camp in adverse conditions and strong winds, perhaps consider getting a dome tent over a cabin tent. If weather resistance isn’t as important since you primarily camp in ideal conditions, then both a cabin tent or a dome tent would be able to withstand basic weather conditions you would encounter.

Price

As camping tents get bigger, the price inherently rises – more materials costs more money. That’s why you’ll see that a quality 6 person camping tent may be a tad more expensive than you initially anticipated, especially since we’ve only included high quality tents on our list above. That being said, the tents above are highly rated, made of high quality materials, and are made by well-known brands with good warranties. They’re going to be worth the money and will last you for lots of family camping trips to come.

If you aren’t as picky about having extra space and don’t want to spend the extra money, it would be worth looking at a tent with a capacity more similar to your regular party size. Or if you need a six person tent, the most affordable tent on this list is the Kelty Discovery Basecamp above. It nicely balances price while still having thicker fabrics and a decent waterhead rating. The only things it cut back on was max height, a small rainfly (but it still provides enough coverage), and fiberglass poles that typically won’t last as long as aluminum.

If you’re on a super tight budget, you could also explore tents under $100 or tents under $200, but you’ll find that they won’t last as long or have as many features as the tents on our list above.

How Big is a 6 Person Tent?

A 6 person tent averages around 80-100 square feet with dimensions that are near 120″x100″ on average. The peak height is usually over 6 feet tall and averages somewhere around 6ft. 5in. tall. These measurements vary greatly between specific tent models, so it’s worth checking out each individual tent’s specifications to get an idea of it’s size and shape.

As we already said early, a 6 person tent is much more comfortable for only 4 people or less. It would be quite snug for six adults, but if you decrease the number of people in the tent then it will become more comfortable and you’ll have more space for storing gear.

Tent ModelDimensionsSquare FootagePeak Height
North Face Wawona 6120″ x 96″ (10ft. x 8ft.)80 sq.ft.78 inches (6ft. 6in.)
NEMO Aurora Highrise 6P120″ x 100″ (12ft. x 8.3ft.)99.6 sq.ft.77 inches (6ft. 5in.)
Eureka Space Camp120″ x 100″ (12ft. x 8.3ft.)99.6 sq.ft.76 inches (6ft. 4in.)
Kelty Discovery Basecamp 6 119″ x 106″ (9.9ft. x 8.8ft.)87 sq.ft.68 inches (5ft. 8in)
Side-by-side quantitative comparison of our favorite 6 person tents

FAQ

What’s the best 6 person tent?

Our top pick for the best 6 person tent is The North Face Wawona. With its spacious design, oversized vestibule, ample mesh, and strong poles, it’s a great build with fantastic features, all at a fair price.

What size tent is best for 4 people?

Because we always recommend sizing up at least two people when purchasing a tent based on capacity, four people would sleep most comfortably in a 6 person tent or larger.

How many people would a 6 person tent sleep?

A 6 person tent would be best suited for four people or less, making it perfect for families with kids or couples who want extra space for storage or pets.

Conclusion

These 6 person tents are well worth the price and offer great overall quality with snazzy features like large vestibules, extra headspace, and even full on living areas. All of the tents on this list are super highly rated and worth the recommendation, so you can’t go wrong no matter what you pick. Whether you’re going with our Editor’s Choice North Face Wawona, the high quality NEMO Aurora Highrise, or any of the other tents above, they will be great additions to your next outdoor adventure.

Our #1 Recommendation: North Face Wawona 6 Person

The North Face makes this awesome six person tent that features an oversized vestibule, a spacious interior, and plenty of weather protection, and it’s perfect for someone shopping for a 6 person tent for their next camping trip.

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Why Trust Know Nothing Nomads?

Since 2017,ย Know Nothing Nomadsย has cemented itself as the “approachable experts” in everything camping, hiking, and adventuring in the Great Outdoors.

With over 60 years of experience in the outdoors, we don’t just talk about outdoor gear or recommend a good hiking trail.

We USE the gear we talk about. We’ve hiked 1000’s of miles and camped 1000’s of nights in the wilderness.

We don’tย just know a few thingsย about the outdoors โ€” WE EAT, SLEEP, AND BREATHE IT.

We are not journalists from a magazine telling someone else’s stories from behind a computer. We are the ACTUAL outdoorsmen that those people write about.ย 

We are not a “gear lab” that runs tests on gear in life-like conditions.ย We are the seasoned, “trial-by-fire” experts who have taken the gear into the wilderness and USED IT.ย Read about our gear testing process here

We started Know Nothing Nomadsย to share our passion and expertise with our readers to inspire, educate, and enable you to explore the outdoors in the way that we have. And you will be more equipped and capable than ever before with the knowledge you gain here guiding you along the way.

And the best part? We are real people that LOVE our readers and this community. If you need anything or have a question about any of the things we have to write about, just reach out. Normally, one of us can respond within 24 hours, sometimes within minutes.

You should also know that advertising does not influence our gear reviews in any way, shape, or form, and it never will.

While we always focus our attention on gear that stands out to usโ€”sometimes we discover that things aren’t up to our standards. This is exactly why we will always talk about the downfalls and compromises that we find while we are testing anything (If we find any).

About The Author

Ashley is an adventurous soul who loves all things nature, especially warm sunshine, wildflowers, scenic snacking, and mushrooms. She is an avid outdoor enthusiast who has spent years enjoying time outside doing things like hiking, camping, and rock climbing.
Her goal with Know Nothing Nomads is to make these hobbies easily accessible through knowledgeable content and how-to's based on all the stuff she's learned on her journey. If she isn't writing an article, she's probably in a forest looking at big mountain views and tiny pieces of moss on the side of the trail.

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Hey there!

We are Derek and Ashley of Know Nothing Nomads. Whether it is hiking, camping, or just generally being outside, we love it. We are so happy that you have found our little blog and hope that you stick around a while. Feel free to contact us with any questions or get in touch with us on social media!

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