We take our furry friends everywhere, don’t we? Especially if they’re fond of the outdoors, walking and hiking just wouldn’t be the same without them by our side. That being the case, why wouldn’t you want to bring them camping with you too?While there are tents for dogs, keeping them with you in your shelter is going to be safer and more secure for them. I’m sure both of you will enjoy the extra companionship as well! That’s why we went ahead and found some of the best tents for camping with dogs, so that you can be safe, happy, and comfortable the next time you want to go exploring with your pooch.
In this article, we’ll be reviewing the following best tents for camping with dogs:
- Sea to Summit Telos TR3 Tent – Editor’s Choice
- NEMO Dagger OSMO 2P Tent – Best Backpacking Tent for Camping with Dogs
- Snow Peak Vault Dome Tent – Best Waterproof Tent
- Mountain Hardwear Mineral King 3 Tent – Best Mid-Range Tent
- The North Face Wawona 6 Tent – Tent with Tallest Peak Height
- MSR Habitude 6 Tent – Best Overall ↟
- Big Agnes Spicer Peak 4 Tent – Best Mid-Size Tent
- Eureka Space Camp 4-Person Tent – Best for Ventilation
Size
If you’ve ever gone camping before, you know that tent capacities can be deceiving. The product might tell you that it can sleep 4 adults, but will you be comfortable doing that? Probably not.In most cases, you can just treat your dog like a small child, in terms of how much space they’ll take up inside the tent. If it’s just you and your pet who are car camping, I’d suggest going with a 3 person tent at the bare minimum. Of course, you can always go larger too, but a 3 person tent will give you and your pooch enough space to spread out comfortably without being too difficult to pitch by yourself.Backpacking is a different story, though. In an effort to stay as lightweight as possible, you’ll want to stick with a 2 person tent. It’ll be a tighter fit, but the weight reduction makes it a worthy tradeoff.
Durability
Generally speaking, you’re always going to want a durable tent. However, you’ll have to take that to the next level when you’re tent camping with a dog, since their claws have a bad habit of tearing through flimsy materials. We didn’t review them in this article, but something like the Big Agnes Tiger Wall or the Nemo Hornet would be a bad choice in shelter if you have a dog with you. They’re great tents if you’re by yourself, but the material is so thin that it would be in shreds by the end of your dog camping trip.So what should you be looking out for in terms of durability? The thickness of the tent fabric is going to be a good place to start. You can get a sense for this by looking at the denier of the material – the higher the number, the thicker the individual threads are, which equates to a more durable fabric.As an example, the Nemo Hornet I just mentioned has a floor denier of 15, which is pretty low. In comparison, the REI Skyward 6 tent that we’ve reviewed below has a floor denier of 150, which is higher than average. There’s no question about which one will be better able to withstand the wear and tear that your dog creates.Of course, durability extends past your tent fabric as well. It’s good to have sturdy set of poles that won’t snap in strong winds, or give you slivers when you’re trying to slide them in and out of the tent (I’m looking at you, fiberglass). I’d suggest sticking with aluminum when possible, since it’s lightweight, strong, and can be used in all weather conditions. Steel is also a good choice when you have a larger, dog friendly tent that needs more support.
Weight
Heavy tents are often stronger and more durable, but at the same time, do you really want to lug around 20 pounds just for your shelter? Oftentimes, this internal debate that we face regarding weight comes down to where we plan on camping. Are we setting up right next to our car? If so, the tent could be 5 pounds or 50 pounds and it wouldn’t make too much of a difference. Will we have to carry our gear a significant distance just to reach the campsite? Something lighter would be very much appreciated in that circumstance.
Ease of Access
How easy is it to get in and out of the tent? It’s a good question to ask, even when you don’t have a dog with you. If you’re advanced in years, or your body just doesn’t work the way it used to, you’ll want a shelter that lets you come and go with ease.Since your dog will likely be sleeping with you inside the tent, you’ll want to make sure it’s easy for them to enter and exit as well. Dogs can’t lift their legs as high as we can (especially if they’re a smaller breed to begin with), so it’s a lot easier if you buy a tent with that in mind. Though picking a dog friendly tent with a low clearance is important, you may still need to lift them through the doorway to prevent them from tripping.
Ventilation
No one likes a hot, stuffy tent, and that includes your dog. Good ventilation is what will keep you sane on those summer nights when it feels like you’re lying in a sauna, and the airflow also helps reduce the buildup of condensation. Big windows are nice to have on larger shelters, but they aren’t standard on most tents. For the most part, you’ll have to rely on vents built into the roof, an open door, or the occasional ground vent to keep air circulating.
Best Tents for Camping with Dogs – Reviewed
Sea to Summit Telos TR3 Tent
- Tent Material: Nylon
- Pole Material: Aluminum
- Weight: 4.6 Pounds
- Peak Height: 52.4 Inches
- Number of Doors: 2
- Comes with Footprint: No
Without fail, the Sea to Summit Telos line has continued to impress me over and over again. It’s a multifunctional tent that leaves a lot of room for customization, especially when it comes to the rainfly. You can have the fly covering the tent like usual, when it’s raining, and expect to have a sufficient amount of protection from the elements. No water will leak in, and there are enough vents to keep air moving without making an opening for moisture.You can also roll the rainfly back to the tension ridge, expanding your view of the outdoors without giving up on protection completely. It’s an especially handy feature for stargazing, or just for creating a little more air flow to keep things cool and condensation free. To take it one step further, the Telos gives you the option to convert the entire tent into a semi-open shelter called “hang out mode.”The neat features don’t end there, though. With uniquely shaped poles that create near vertical walls inside the tent, you’ll have an unnaturally large amount of space to house both you and your dog. As a bonus, the doors are also bigger than average, allowing taller people to come and go with a bit more ease.It would be nice if it came with a footprint, but those are easy enough to buy separately or make yourself. Regardless of which route you pursue, I’d recommend getting some sort of groundsheet, as it will extend the life of your shelter and prevent water from seeping in.Pros:– Rainfly can be used in multiple ways- Lightweight and durable- Vertical walls provide more space- Very tall doors- Great ventilation- Fun “hang out mode” functionalityCons:– Doesn’t come with a footprint
NEMO Dagger OSMO 2P Tent
- Tent Material: Nylon
- Pole Material: Aluminum
- Weight: 3.3 Pounds
- Peak Height: 37 Inches
- Number of Doors: 2
- Comes with Footprint: No
I’ve said it a number of times over the years, but I’ll say it again: Backpacking is my favorite way to go camping. Hitting the trail, hiking out to amazing locations, and knowing that everything you need is safely stored on your back is an addicting feeling. If you’re a proud dog owner and feel the same way I do, why not bring your pooch with on your next trek?The Nemo Dagger OSMO will allow you to do just that. As a two person tent, it has enough room for both of you, but the beauty of the OSMO is that it barely weighs more than a single person tent. At 3.3 pounds, it’s the perfect lightweight tent for backpacking with dogs. The design is sleek and simple to setup, and there are a surprising number of storage options both inside and outside the tent. In particular, the two vestibules are really nice to have, as they protect your gear better than your average vestibule will.But don’t be fooled – all good things come with a price. When it comes to lightweight tents, the common gripe is the reduction in durability that you get with thinner, lighter materials. Will that happen with the OSMO? I think it would be naive to say it won’t, especially taking into account your dog’s nails digging into the fabric.That being said, Nemo does have a great warranty, and their customer service is top of the line. If anything does happen to your tent, you can be sure that they’ll help you out with anything you need. Pros:– Extremely lightweight- Easy to put together- Nemo has a great warranty- Sleek design- Very waterproofCons:– Lacking in durability
Snow Peak Vault Dome Tent
- Tent Material: Polyester
- Pole Material: Duralumin A6061
- Weight: 17.4 Pounds
- Peak Height: 57 Inches
- Number of Doors: 2
- Comes with Footprint: No
Space can be a real concern when you’re looking for the best tents for camping with dogs. You want to have enough room inside where both you and your pup (and anyone else joining you) won’t feel claustrophobic and trapped. But at the same time, larger tents are often heavier and more difficult to pitch, so you’ll have to find the balance between these extremes.But if you value your personal space, you’ll love the Snow Peak Vault Dome. It’s marketed as a 4 person tent, but honestly, they could probably get away with labeling it a 6 person tent. The interior is absolutely spacious, and the peak height comes in at a very reasonable 57 inches, which is a pretty good height for a 4 person tent. It’s the perfect size for a family of 4 (dog included), or if you like having a little extra room for your gear, it’s great for 2 or 3 people as well.This spacious tent is surrounded by mesh windows and doors to keep things nice and ventilated. And when a rainstorm rolls through, the waterproof rainfly and sealed seams ensure you stay cozy and dry inside your fortress. Just make sure everything is guyed out properly to avoid water accumulation on the roof, which may oversaturate the fabric and begin to leak.Two people can set this shelter up with relative ease, despite its overall size and bulk. Even a solo setup is possible for you to accomplish in under 15 minutes, if you’ve had a little experience under your belt. When you’re all done, pull out your camping chairs, and enjoy a peaceful time under the massive vestibule with your dog in the great outdoors.Pros:– Easy setup- Very spacious- Plenty of ventilation- Waterproof- Tall peak height- Included awningCons:– Guylines can be a little quirky
Mountain Hardwear Mineral King 3 Tent
- Tent Material: Polyester
- Pole Material: DAC Pressfit
- Weight: 7 Pounds
- Peak Height: 48 Inches
- Number of Doors: 2
- Comes with Footprint: Yes
The Mountain Hardwear Mineral King is what I would consider a solid, mid-range 3 person tent. At 7 pounds, it’s certainly not the lightest shelter out there, but the weight isn’t terribly unreasonable either. You could carry it longer distances if you wanted to, especially if you had the help of a friend, or you could use it for tent camping. It’s certainly large enough for you to fit a cot or two inside, along with a few other creature comforts to make your trip more enjoyable.With a symmetrical and rectangular body, the Mineral King maximizes the amount of interior space. Despite being a dome tent, the walls are near vertical, allowing you to push your sleeping arrangements closer to the edge of the tent. Considering the floor is just under 43 square feet, it’s one of those rare 3 person tents that can actually accommodate the marketed capacity.While the floor could use some work when it comes to waterproofing, the included footprint will keep things from getting out of hand. Still, you may consider using a waterproofing spray to give yourself another layer of protection. On the other hand, the rainfly itself works great at repelling water, so you won’t be getting wet from above – unless it’s condensation. Which, considering much of the tent is made from mesh, the ventilation should keep things pretty cool and dry.It’s an easy tent to pitch, and just as simple to take down again. While the floor does sport a bathtub style, I find that the walls don’t come up high enough to be a problem for most dog breeds. Generally speaking, they shouldn’t have any trouble coming and going, and that goes the same for you as well!Pros:– Spacious interior- Waterproof rainfly- Dual vestibules- Somewhat affordable price- Light weightCons:– Floor may leak in excessive rain
The North Face Wawona 6 Tent
- Tent Material: Polyester
- Pole Material: DAC MX
- Weight: 20.9 Pounds
- Peak Height: 76 Inches
- Number of Doors: 2
- Comes with Footprint: No
Once you start entering the realm of large tents (what I consider to be anything with a 6 person capacity or higher), outdoor storage opportunities become few and far between. Vestibules are common in smaller shelters, but most of the time, it seems like larger tents just expect you to bring all of your gear inside the shelter with you. While it’s certainly a viable option, I’ve never been a fan of how this method will take up space inside your shelter that you could use for another purpose. Not to mention, I don’t enjoy tracking my dirty boots into my living space either.That being said, The North Face Wawona is one of those rare 6 person tents that provides protected space outside for certain items. Keep your dirty items out there, and store your other personal belongings inside the several mesh storage pockets that can be found on the inside.It’s a tall tent with a peak height of 76 inches. For most of you, that means unobstructed movement throughout the shelter, without a need to bend over or slouch. With the rainfly off, the mesh ceiling will make the tent feel even more spacious, as you’ll have a pretty open view of the outside. That being said, ventilation won’t be a struggle at all, especially when you factor in the generous amount of mesh used on the doors as well. Since the doors aren’t covered by the rainfly, you’ll have a fairly steady breeze coming through all day.I wish a footprint came with the tent, but I could say that about most of the products in this review. If you want to buy one separately (which I would recommend doing), The North Face does sell one specifically for this tent. Otherwise, if you want a fun DIY project, you could always make one for yourself.Pros:– Easy to set up- Skylights- Well ventilated- Good in bad weather- Tall peak heightCons:– No footprint
MSR Habitude 6 Tent ↟
- Tent Material: Polyester
- Pole Material: Aluminum
- Weight: 14 Pounds
- Peak Height: 73 inches
- Number of Doors: 1
- Comes with Footprint: No
Perfect for family camping trips, the MSR Habitude prides itself on being a spacious, yet portable, tent. As a 14 pound shelter, it’s shockingly lightweight, given the horizontal and vertical space that you get with it. The peak height measures in at 73 inches, and there’s 83 square feet of floor space for you to spread out on.Despite being so large, setup is simple, and can be completed by yourself with relative ease. This is primarily thanks to the hubbed pole design and extensive use of color coding to make the process straightforward and intuitive. Put it together in a matter of minutes, and make use of the time saved by enjoying your favorite outdoor activities.It comes with an integrated porch light (batteries not included) to help you see more clearly when you’re coming and going during the night. With the rainfly on, everything seals up nicely, tanking any bad weather that rolls through without too much trouble. Because it is a larger tent, you can expect it to be something of a windcatcher. However, when it’s properly guyed out, it’s sturdy enough to withstand gusts that come close to 30 miles per hour.The minimal amount of mesh does make ventilation a problem, but it also keeps out fine sand, dirt, and dust particles. So, I guess, pick your poison. I find that most tents struggle with air movement, regardless of the amount of mesh, so I like that the Habitude acts as a strong barrier.Pros:– Easy setup- Spacious interior- Good sized vestibule- Waterproof- Tall peak height- Great barrier against fine particlesCons:– Relatively poor ventilation
Big Agnes Spicer Peak 4 Tent
- Tent Material: Polyester
- Pole Material: Aluminum
- Weight: 12 Pounds
- Peak Height: 70 inches
- Number of Doors: 2
- Comes with Footprint: No
Pictures rarely allow you to get an accurate representation of a product, especially when there’s nothing to compare it against. So when you take a look at the Spicer Peak 4 person tent, you likely won’t feel the full force of how large this shelter actually is. With 58 square feet to work with, and a peak height of 70 inches, you’ll hardly feel cramped inside. I find that it’s the perfect size to house a double camping cot and a dog bed comfortably. And since the walls are vertical, you’ll be able to press that cot right up against them to maximize the amount of usable space you have.Setup couldn’t be easier, and it shouldn’t take you more than 5 minutes to accomplish, once you’ve had a little practice. Taking it down again is just as simple, but unfortunately, it’s one of those tents that just doesn’t want to go back into its carry case. There’s an art form to it that you’ll pick up after some trial and error, but it can be frustrating the first couple of time that you attempt it.However, almost everything else about the tent is above average. The bathtub floor and waterproof rainfly do a great job of keeping moisture out, though I would recommend purchasing the footprint for the tent for added protection. At 11 pounds, it’s actually a fairly lightweight 4 person shelter as well, making it easier to carry it longer distances. There aren’t many windows or vents to air out the interior during a rainstorm, but with the fly off, there’s plenty of mesh to let a breeze in. Storage is also adequate for a tent this size, offering a good mixture of both interior pockets and loops, and exterior vestibules to get your gear out of the way.Pros:– Easy to set up- Surprisingly spacious- Tub style floor- Waterproof- Very durableCons:– Difficult to put back in the carry bag
Eureka Space Camp 4-Person Tent
- Tent Material: Polyester
- Pole Material: Aluminum
- Weight: 14 Pounds
- Peak Height: 68 Inches
- Number of Doors: 2
- Comes with Footprint: No
Finally, we have the Eureka Space Camp 4 person tent to top off this list. It’s a shelter known for its massive doors, adjustable airflow system, and durable frame, which is perfect for comfort seekers. With some practice and an extra set of hands, the tent will go up in a matter of minutes. The interior is quite spacious for a 4 person tent, with 60 square feet of floor space to work with. It also has a surprising number of pockets for you to work with to store your gear (and dog toys) – 10 of them, to be precise. And on the outside, there’s a generous vestibule for you to keep your shoes and other items that you don’t want to bring into the tent. The design is similar to what you’ll find on the REI Skyward tent mentioned above, even down to the awning that extends from over the door.The rainfly works well, and can be fully zipped to cover the vestibule area. However, since the footprint extends under the vestibule, like a welcome mat, there is a possibility of water pooling on top of it during rain showers. In extreme cases, it could oversaturate your tent floor and leak into your sleeping space.Overall, the design is spacious and well suited for taller people who want enough headroom to stand and change clothes. Despite a few hiccups in the quality, it’s a solid tent that was designed for comfort.Pros:– Spacious interior- Tall peak height- Large vestibule- Easy setup- Durable frame- Great ventilationCons:– The floor may leak in heavy rainstorms
At Untamed Space, we’re passionate about helping you have the best camping experience possible. Our team of experts have experience camping and backpacking all over the world, allowing them to provide insightful and relevant content to guide you in your outdoor pursuits.All of our reviews are based on a combination of firsthand experience, extensive research, and an analysis of customer feedback. We are an independent website and do not receive payments or incentives from manufacturers to promote their products, and we continuously update our content to provide new information based on product availability. Wherever you are in your journey, whatever gear you’re searching for, you can be sure to find unbiased and up-to-date reviews for all of your needs.
FAQ
Final Thoughts
When you’re looking at the best tents for camping with dogs, there are several keys features to pay attention to. Not only does the shelter need to be spacious enough to hold you and your dog (and anyone else who might be joining you), but it also needs to be extra durable.Of course, you can’t forget about the standard features that you should always insist on. The tent should be waterproof, well ventilated, and easy to setup, regardless of its size or shape. That being said, we felt that the MSR Habitude 6 tent checked the greatest number of boxes. Strong and lightweight with plenty of space, it’s a great option for anyone who wants to go camping with their dog.
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