Camping Tent Reviews

I have read lots of camping tent reviews and have spent the greater part of my life going through countless different makes and models in the search for the best camping tent. In the end, there are a few that come out on top, but it’s up to you to decide what you need out of your camping tent. Check out my own camping tent reviews below and then decide which might be right for your needs. I’ve given a review of the best I’ve encountered out of different categories of tents, so go ahead and jump through the camping tent reviews to the one you are looking for.

If you’re planning on doing some leisurely camping with a group, the best family dome tent I’ve come across is the Columbia Bugaboo II 12-Foot-by-9-Foot 4-Pole 5-Person Dome Tent. This bad boy is sturdy enough to keep five people safe and dry inside during a storm but well ventilated as well. The color-coded poles make it a breeze to set up. At the time I wrote these camping tent reviews, this tent is going for $149.88, which in my opinion is much more than worth it.

If you're planning a group camping trip, which I highly recommend, it will be infinitely more comfortable with a multi-room tent and the two room cabin tent I’ve recently fallen in love with is Eureka! Copper Canyon 1312 Eight-Person 13-Foot by 12-Foot Family Tent. It has that killer combination of great ventilation but full rain and weather protection. It’s easy to pitch and pack up and has lots of extra space for your equipment. You’ll generally find this tent for just under $300, but I feel it’s a very worthy investment as large family and group camping trips are just the stuff of life.

For the backpacker’s camping experience, you’re going to need a lightweight backpacking tent that won’t weigh you down as you’re out trekking. My favorite tent in this category by far is the Sierra Designs Vapor Light 2 Two-Person Ultralight Tent. It’s an ultra lightweight camping tent with lots of space that actually manages to keep you completely dry even in extreme conditions which is rare for the backpacking tents out there. It’s easy to set up and is only about three pounds, which is the main reason this tent is so expensive. It runs for about $329 but if you can afford it, you’ll thank yourself later when you’re light on your feet while backpacking.

The last of my camping tent reviews goes out to those backpackers who are on a tighter budget and are need of a lightweight camping tent. The Eureka Timberline 2 Adventure 7-Foot by 5-Foot Two-Person Tentis a two-person backpacking tent that’s extremely sturdy but easy to set up. It has some nice storage inside and a vestibule for extra space. It weighs about six pounds which is manageable and a great deal for the price, which is generally about $110. Small price to pay for a fantastic camping experience!

Camping Ideas

If you’re like most people who’ve never been camping before, you’re probably wondering what on earth you’re even going to do out there in the wilderness for all those days without television and internet and all those things we normally fill our time with. Well, let me say, you’re in for a treat, and don’t worry, I have lots of camping ideas that will help you have the greatest trip of your life!

First of all, any leisurely recreational activities you can think of to do outdoors, you can do camping, so let’s skip things like bicycling, canoeing, fishing, hunting and hiking and go straight to the slightly less conventional camping ideas. There are some things that are just tradition and these camping ideas have made for some of the best camping stories!

Camping is all about relaxing and exploring. Try taking a camera with you and seeing what you can find. I often find I get lost in the searching and come back with few pictures to show for my own blissful contentment. But on the rare occasions that I’ve gotten lucky, I’ve accumulated some great shots of animals, insects and gorgeous scenery.

When thinking up camping ideas of your own, you can surely put the least energy into planning your nights. If you ask any camper their greatest camping memories, you’re likely to hear lots of stories about exciting nights camping under the stars. You’re sure to have a great time even with no pre-planned camping ideas, but here are a few suggestions to get you going.

Have a BBQ and share some great conversation over your delicious grilled meal. Sit and do some star-gazing. See if you can't pick out some constellations or invent ones of your own! If you or someone on your trip plays guitar, have a campfire sing-along. Sounds cheesy, I know, but I promise you it’s a great time. Bring along joke books or ghost stories to tell around the fire. Play silly games like truth or dare or twenty-one questions. Go on a midnight walk and explore in the dark – be careful with this one! Of course some of these camping ideas have a known association with the consumption of a few drinks, but the twinkling night sky and the crackling campfire can be just as intoxicating on its own.

To top up this quick camping ideas list, I have to end with one of my favorite camping activities. Get out there and go for a midnight lake swim. Clothing optional!

Camping Clothes

So your trip is set and you’re thinking about what kinds of camping clothes to bring? Very smart of you! Camping clothes are one of those key elements that can make or break your trip. There is nothing worse than being cold and wet or having camping clothes that are uncomfortable and hard to move in. The general rule to follow is that the camping clothes you choose should work for you – you shouldn’t have to think about them! Now, let’s get into some of the types of things you will need to get your hands on before you set out on your camping trip!

You need to think about where you’re going, what the weather will be like, and what you’re planning on doing when preparing for your camping trip. Obviously if you’re camping in the mountains in the snow, you’ll need very different camping clothes than if you’re camping in the desert in the summer! No matter where you’re going and what you’re planning on doing, you need to find the camping clothing that will offer you protection from the elements you’ll be facing.

You’ll need to find clothing that’s more sturdy and durable than your average everyday wear. Out in the wilderness, it’s inevitable that you’ll get yourself the random scrape, sunburn or insect bite. If you’re going to be in an area where this is likely, make sure to cover your skin wisely. A quick encounter with a poisonous plant can often turn your trip into something of a nightmare, but if you’re smart, your camping clothes can prevent such mishaps.

If you’re going to be camping in cold weather, find yourself thick yet breathable clothes. You want to stay as light as possible, and camping clothes made from breathable materials allow any moisture to escape but still keep you warm inside.

If you’ll be camping in warmer weather, look for loose camping clothes that help to keep a lot of air circulating. Make sure you find out what you’ll be up against in the area you’ll be. Don’t make the mistake of wearing shorts just because it’s hot if you’re planning on trekking through a wooded area.

If you’re not positive what the weather will be like, the smartest thing you can do is to layer. You just need to make sure you find camping clothes that are lightweight so that they don’t become a burden. Choose wisely, and you could have the greatest camping trip of your life!