The Best 8-Person Family Camping Tents

The Best 8-Person Family Camping Tents is a great place to start your search for a new tent. No surprise, the very best 8-person tents come from brands such as Coleman, CORE, Wenzel, and more.

There are many essential things you need to go camping with the family, such as sleeping bags and/or airbeds, and your bug spray and sunscreen.  Top of the list though, is the family camping tent. We believe that an 8-person tent is the minimum size you should consider for a family of 4 if you expect your time camping to exceed one or 2 nights.

To get an idea of the features you should look for, take a look at our post “Family Camping Tent Requirements”.  If you don’t have time to look at that post now, here’s a few key things to look out for:

• Size
• Ventilation
• Multiple Doors
• Easy Set-Up
• Packed size and weight

This is a pretty long review. We really try to give you value for your time. However, if you just want to cut to the chase – our top 8-person, family camping tent the:

Core 9-Person Extended Dome Tent

And yes,

We know it is a 9-person tent.

Benefits of Large Tents

If you plan on traveling with a family or group of people, bringing along a large tent that can fit everyone makes sense.

A larger tent provides for much more comfortable sleeping. Sleeping on a couple of queen sized airbeds is hugely more comfortable than sleeping on the ground or even on sleeping pads.

A good sized communal area or screen room gives you the space to bond with your loved ones comfortably inside, on the days that nature doesn’t permit outdoor activities?

With modern, larger tents, you can get many other benefits too. For instance:

• Height – sufficient to stand up straight
• Room dividers – give more privacy and help to organize tent space
• Multiple doors, windows and ventilation vents
• Easy to pitch and easy to take down
• Tough and robust
• Waterproof
• Integrated lantern hooks (or built in LED lights)
• Internal storage pockets

Vestibules & Other Storage Options

Larger tents often offer options that are not available on smaller models. If you can buy add-on vestibules or awnings it considerable extends the storage options available.

Vestibules can be very large with sufficient height to safely accommodate you camping kitchen. There are likely to be times when the ability to cook under cover is a major advantage.

Determining What Type of Tent You Need

Before buying a tent, ask yourself the following questions to ensure you pick the right one suited for your camping needs.

• How many people, on average, will be using the tent? Also, factor in the possibility of additional friends or pets who may also stay in the tent.
• What kind of camper are you? Do you like to camp in different climates and on different terrains, or do you generally stick to one area?
• How far are your campsites? Do you typically travel short or long distances to reach them?

You’ll also need to understand the different types of tents out there, as well as their respective features and benefits. For a comprehensive review on the types of tent readily available for family camping, take a look at our post on, How to Choose a Tent That is Right For Your Family.

Types of Tents

The kind of tent you need will depend on how you plan on using it. The following are a few common types of large tents, categorized by seasonal use:

Three-Season Tents

Three-season tents are the most popular types of tents because they support camping excursions that take place during the spring, summer, and fall. They are lightweight and easy to transport to and from any camping destination.

Three-season tents often feature mesh windows, providing adequate air circulation while keeping unwanted bugs out. However, these tents are not ideal for mainly sandy areas or locations experiencing harsh weather conditions.

Extended-Season Tents

Extended-season tents are built to be used around spring, summer, and fall—usually in early spring and late fall, when areas may see light to moderate snowfall. Because they are built for colder conditions, extended-season tents often have fewer mesh windows and more features that help strengthen them and retain warmth.

These tents are ideal for campers who camp at slightly higher elevations.  However, they are not designed for extreme winter weather like four-season tents.

Four-Season Tents

Also known as mountaineering tents, four-season tents are engineered to withstand harsh weather conditions, such as heavy snowfall and extreme winds. This is due to their heavy, warmth-retaining fabrics and often dome-like shape to allow snow to slide off easily.

If you plan on staying at a camping destination that will likely keep you more inside rather than out (such as a high, freezing mountain-top), this type of tent is for you.

Other Tent Features to Look For

• Rainfly – The rainfly of a tent is designed to keep the rain out on more drizzly days. Roof-only rainflies protect the top of the tent from rain or dew, while full-coverage rainflies offer the most protection from water as well as wind.
• Tent Material – Tents made with higher-denier fabric canopies and rainflies are much more sturdy than low-denier tents. In addition, tents with seam tape and high-denier fabric floors are less likely to experience water leakage.
• Interior Loops & Pockets – Lantern loops that are placed in the center or sides of a tent allow places for campers to hang lanterns during the evening. Some loops can be used to hang a storage net that can hold small items to prevent cluttering the tent floor. Interior tent pockets serve a similar function for storage.

5 of the Best 8-Person Family Camping Tents

The following are some of the top-selling tents that support large families or groups of people while camping:

1. Coleman Elite Montana 8-Person Tent

With a size of 16 by 7 feet – and just over six feet in height, the Coleman Elite Montana Outdoor Cabin Tent can fit up to eight people. More realistically, it can take three queen-sized inflated beds simultaneously.

The tent is easy to pitch and can be set up in under 15 minutes. Remember to allow much more time the first time you set up the tent. The quick set up leaves you plenty of time to get settled at your camping destination and start making memories with your family or friends.

Key Specs & Features

• The tent’s polyester taffeta material is excellent for protecting your family from wind and rain; the bottom of the tent, in particular, is designed with the WeatherTec system, which helps keep everyone dry during especially rainy days. Also, the cabin tent’s windows can be opened or rolled down at an angle, allowing the warm sunlight to come in while keeping the rain out.
• If lighting is a concern for overnight camping trips, the Coleman Elite Montana has a solution: the tent has six built-in LED lights (100 lumens) inside that offer high, low, and nightlight settings, so you can see at all times of the day. This powerful lighting system can be powered either by four D batteries or the included rechargeable battery pack.
• A final feature worth mentioning is the tent’s hinged, extended door, which offers not only a dry space to store camping supplies when it’s time for lights out but an easily accessible entrance and exit.

Coleman Elite Montana 8-Person – What We Like

• LED lighting is a nice touch
• Mesh roof aid good ventilation
• Hinged, D-door gives good access to the tent

Coleman Elite Montana 8-Person – What We Don’t Like

• There are several reports of poles breaking in windy conditions
• Several people found there tents let in water in even relatively light rain
• Coleman say their WeatherTec tents are not waterproof. We think this is misleading. It should be noted that most users do not have problems with water leaks though.

2. CORE 9 Person Instant Cabin Tent

If you’re looking to have some extra room, the waterproof CORE 9-Person Cabin Tent is a great option; it is built to fit up to nine people or two queen-sized airbeds.

Please note: there are several ‘instant tents’ in this review. If you want to know more, and see some videos of these tents in action, check out “Best Instant Family Camping Tent“

Key Specs & Features

• This tent only takes a minute to set-up with its pre-attached telescoping poles.
• In addition to a large 14 by 9-foot floor plan, this CORE tent has advanced ventilation, with vents located on the ground that draws in cool air while open. The tent also comes with a removable rain fly, ideal for families who want to look at the stars on clear days.
• The tent comes with a room divider, perfect for large families and groups with multiple couples who want some privacy; the divider can also be removed for a more open, shared space.
• The CORE Cabin Tent has a side T-door that makes it easy for campers to enter and exit, as well as provides regular airflow through the tent.
• A few of the tent’s smaller features include storage pockets and an electrical cord access port.

Core 9-Person Instant Cabin Tent – What We Like

• Very quick set-up and assembly. Can easily be erected by a single person in just a few minutes
• Users seem very happy with rain proofing
• Removable rain fly reveals wide mesh ceiling panels – with the rain fly rolled back you can lie in your bed and watch the stars in warmth and comfort
• Room divider – we like the extra privacy
• Very large T-doors. Entrance and exit is amazingly easy. The larger doors make a differnce

Core 9-Person Instant Cabin Tent – What We Don’t Like

• There are several reports of poles breaking on first use. This used to be a problem with instant tents but has largely been rectified. Hearing it is still happening on this Core tent is a little sad.
• Manufacturers claim the tent is water resistant rather than waterproof. While this may be honest, the tent material has only a 600mm hydrostatic rating. Other tents in this category have fabrics and seams waterproofed to 2-3000mm head.
• Relatively expensive – reflects the increased complexity of instant tents.
• Large packed size and weight

3. OT QOMOTOP Camping Tent

Like the previous tent, this waterproof OT QOMOTOP Camping Tent is another ‘instant’ tent that can be set-up in only a minute. As with all instant tents it has user-friendly telescoping poles and color-coded fly positioners. It measures 13 by 9 feet in floor space, with a peak height of six and a half feet—plenty of room for eight people or two queen-sized airbeds.

As always, we would go for the 2 queen sized air mattresses.

Key Specs & Features

• This tent comes with a room divider to provide campers with privacy when they need it.
• The tent has an upgraded ventilation system, which includes two adjustable ground vents and mesh roof that can be covered with a rain fly on cloudy days.
• Keep dirt and mud outside of the tent with its included doormat where you can keep shoes, boots, and other messy gear.
• A power port compartment allows you to connect to your power source at any time; while not in use, the power port can be closed to protect it from water damage.
• The tent’s gear lofts and interior pockets make it easy to store small items without cluttering the tent’s sleeping area at night.

OT QOMOTOP Camping Tent – What We Like

• The OT QOMOTOP gets almost universal positive reviews – there is not much to not like
• Rapid set-up
• Gear loft and gear pockets. Storage is always welcome in a family tent
• Door mat – it’s a nice touch
• Cheaper than other instant alternatives

OT QOMOTOP Camping Tent – What We Don’t Like

• It’s marketed as a waterproof tent. As with other instant tents, the tent fabric is only waterproofed to 600mm. We are sure this is to keep weight down but it is not as good as that on more traditional tent designs
• As with almost every instant tent we have reviewed – there are reports of poles breaking too easily. With the poles being telescopic, there are likely to be weaker sections. Instant tents need careful handling.

4. CORE 9 Person Extended Dome Tent

I guess we are bending the parameters of this review including a 9-person tent. Trouble is, 9 people is an odd size. It wouldn’t fit here or in our 10-person tent reviews.

And this tent deserves to be reviewed.

As the name suggests, the CORE 9 Extended Dome Tent can fit up to nine campers – in sleeping bag to sleeping bag, elbow to elbow configuration. It can also take three queen air mattresses at the same time in its spacious 16 by 9-foot floor area.

More realistically, it’s good for 2 queen sized airbeds with some living area and room for your gear.

Key Specs & Features

• One thing campers love about this particular tent is its ventilation and openness. There are adjustable air intake vents located along the ground, which allows hot air to escape through the tent’s mesh ceiling. With the ceiling also comes some great views of the sky.  However, you have the flexibility to attach a rainfly for rainy days. Inside the tent, there are two ridge poles that help maximize the amount of space you have.
• This tent also features an electric cord access point so you can stay connected with your power source.
• Other Features: Lantern hooks and interior pockets.

Core 9-Person Extended Dome Tent – What We Like

• Big tent with great usable floor area.
• Mesh roof and low level vents aid good ventilation
• Easy to take down – beats many instant tents in this reqard
• Large percentage of users claim this is the best tent they have ever owned
• Cheap given the features of this tent

Core 9-Person Extended Dome Tent – What We Don’t Like

• Needs 2 people to set-up. Set up can be difficult for anyone vertically challenged. The center of the tent has to be held up to its full height to allow the poles to be correctly located to tension the tent.
• There are a few reviews of broken poles and ripped fabric. To be fair, we see this on every single tent we review. The percentage of complaints for this tent is lower than for most others.

5. Wenzel 8 Person Klondike Tent

The Wenzel 8-Person Klondike Tent is made from Weather Armor fabrics to keep your family comfortable during windy and rainy days. Does it work? Read on.

Key Specs & Features

• 16 by 11-foot tent houses up to eight people or two queen-sized inflatable beds. Its peak height is six and a half feet, giving even the tallest of campers room to move around inside.
• The tent comes with a large screen awning for storage and protection from the sun and rain.
• The Wenzel Tent has vents located in the roof and back of the structure for hi-low air circulation on hotter days. On rainy days, you can add on the removable rain fly to prevent water from entering.
• Other Features: Accessory pockets.

Wenzel 8-Person Klondike Tent – What We Like

• Generously sized screen room giving plenty of living area and storage
• Well thought our ventilation system
• Easy set up

Wenzel 8-Person Klondike Tent – What We Don’t Like

• Around a third of the usable area of this tent is in the screen room. To get in 2 queen airbeds one has to go in the screen room. This is far from ideal.
• More reports on low quality and water leaks than other high-end 8-person tents
• WatertTec system only provides water resistance. Wenzel don’t publish any hydrostatic figures to compare to other tents
• Heavy for a traditional tent at 27pounds. You will not want to carry this tent too far.

Bottom Line

A cramped tent can lead to an unhappy family.  Avoid that problem entirely by investing in a high-quality tent that can host eight or more people, so you have the space to move around freely and happily.

Before buying a tent, make sure you set a benchmark for what you need in it, such as specific room space and key features. See our family tent baseline and use it to define your own requirements

Don’t forget that a quality tent is an important investment, and it is likely that you’ll be using it for many camping trips to come.  Keep that in mind as you start your search. Many of the tents mentioned above are highly rated, so they are great starting points if you’re not sure where to begin looking.

This tent will serve the whole family, so make sure you also get their input before you click “Buy Now.” This will contribute to positive camping experiences down the road, and will certainly lead to happy campers.

Our Choice

There are so many great tents in this review. We think this is the realistic entry point for truly comfortable family camping. It seems the tent manufacturers agree and pull out all the stops in specifying 8-person tents.

Our choice, by extremely fine margins:

Core 9-Person Extended Dome Tent