With wagging tails and playful barks, there’s nothing better than heading out on a camping trip with our pups in tow. Because our dogs are family, whenever we head out on an outdoor adventure, we must have the right gear for everyone—including our furry friends.
Nevertheless, finding the best tent for camping with your dog isn’t always easy. That’s because adventuring with your loyal pup requires a tent that’s large enough, functional enough, and durable enough to handle an excitable canine in the mountains.
We know how important it is to ensure that your dog is comfortable and happy in the great outdoors.
So, to get you started, we’ve put together this list of the 14 best tents for camping with your dog. We’ve also created a detailed buyer’s guide to help you decide which shelter is right for your needs.
Best Tents for Camping With Dogs - Our Top 5 Picks
Nemo Wagontop 8
When luxury and comfort are the most important concerns while car camping, the Nemo Wagontop 8 is our top pick. One of the most spacious tents in its class, the Wagontop comes with a high ceiling height throughout, as well as a massive vestibule for either gear storage or a dog bed.
While this shelter has only 1 door, it does come with a huge entryway for easy entry and exit. Plus, it’s made from premium, highly durable 300D fabrics that can withstand rainstorms and sharp puppy claws.
The Wagontop 8 also has large panoramic windows to encourage breathability and keep you and your pup cool in hot weather.
Pros:
- Very durable and waterproof 300D floor fabric
- Spacious interior and high ceiling height
- Massive vestibule for gear storage
- Panoramic windows for ventilation
Cons:
- Very expensive
- Has only 1 door
ALPS Mountaineering Lynx 2
For campers on a budget, the ALPS Mountaineering Lynx 2 is a solid choice for backpacking with a pup. Boasting 2 doors, 2 vestibules, and an easy-pitch design, this shelter is perfect for comfortably snoozing with your dog at night.
The entire Lynx 2 is made from rugged materials, like 7000 series aluminum poles and a 75D polyester taffeta floor for added durability. It also comes with a fairly large floor area for a 2 person tent so you have enough room for your puppy.
Furthermore, the Lynx 2 features a mostly mesh canopy for increased airflow on muggy nights.
Pros:
- 2 doors and 2 vestibules
- Mesh canopy provides great airflow
- Durable materials
- Easy-pitch design
Cons:
- A little heavy for a 2 person tent
- Center height is a bit low
MSR Habitude 4
MSR’s first foray into the world of group camping tents, the MSR Habitude 4, is a fantastic choice for the whole family—paws and tails included. With enough space for up to 3 adults, plus a couple of pups, the Habitude is a spacious option at the campground.
It has a single massive door with a large vestibule for gear storage and easy entry. Additionally, this shelter has burly 68D taffeta polyester floor fabric that can withstand the most rambunctious of pups.
If that wasn’t enough, it also comes with an integrated porch light and plenty of storage pockets for enhanced livability.
Pros:
- Spacious interior and large entryway
- Very durable floor fabric
- Huge vestibule for gear storage
- Integrated porch light for convenience
Cons:
- Center height is 6’ (185cm), so it’s not tall enough for all campers
- Fairly bulky and heavy
Big Agnes Tensleep Station 6
The envy of campground campers everywhere, the Big Agnes Tensleep Station 6 is a cozy home away from home for you and your dog.
Featuring a standing-height interior and enough space for up to 4 campers and their big dogs, the Tensleep Station 6 is ideal for folks who take comfort seriously while camping.
It offers 2 large doors and an oversized vestibule to maximize your interior floor space for sleeping. Meanwhile, a color-coded set-up system makes pitching easy, while the walls of the rainfly can be rolled up for increased ventilation on hot evenings.
Oh, and the Tensleep Station 6 is crafted with thick polyester floors that have 1500m waterproofing for more durability on the trail.
Pros:
- Rainfly can be rolled up for ventilation
- 2 large entryways and vestibules
- Oversized interior with standing height
- Easy-pitch color-coded design
Cons:
- Some durability issues with zippers over time
CORE Instant Cabin 10
One of the most popular instant cabin tents to hit the market, the CORE Instant Cabin 10 is a sure bet for comfort-focused car campers. This model comes with a gigantic screen room and entryway to help provide maximum living space for your adventures.
At the same time, it can be pitched in a matter of minutes, thanks to its pre-attached pole construction. Furthermore, the fabric on this tent is reliable 68D polyester that’s designed to withstand years of use.
The Instant Cabin 10 also comes with a very tall center height, plenty of gear storage pockets, and adjustable ventilation to keep you and your pup happy throughout your adventures.
Pros:
- Instant-set-up design
- Gigantic screen room for gear storage
- Tall center height throughout
- Adjustable ventilation system
Cons:
- Tall height isn’t great in the wind
- Rainfly is not full-coverage
9 More Worthy Dog-Friendly Tents to Consider
Nemo Aurora 2
Featuring an innovative design, the Nemo Aurora 2 is engineered to maximize your interior living space using vertical walls and an intelligent floor layout. As a result, it’s a solid choice for backpacking with your pup.
Thanks to the Aurora 2’s spacious interior, 2 doors, and 2 vestibules, it’s comfortable enough for a couple and their faithful dog. Plus, though the tent is naturally durable enough for pups, you can also quickly install the Nemo Pawprint floor covering for added ruggedness in the mountains.
To help you maximize your interior space, this tent also comes with plenty of overhead gear pockets so that you have more room for cuddling with your furry friends at night.
Pros:
- Compatible with Nemo’s Pawprint floor covering
- Lots of overhead gear pockets
- Spacious interior and straight-wall design for livability
- 2 doors and 2 vestibules
Cons:
- Straight walls and taller ceiling aren’t great in the wind
- Fairly heavy for a 2 person tent
Marmot Orbit 6
Your home away from home in the campground, the Marmot Orbit 6 is a veritable castle in the great outdoors. Boasting one of the largest vestibules in our review, the Orbit 6 provides you with the flexibility you need in terms of gear storage to ensure that your pup has plenty of space at night.
The tent also comes with a burly seam-taped catenary-cut floor, which is rip-resistant for added peace of mind. Furthermore, Marmot designed this shelter with a color-coded easy-pitch system to save you time in camp.
There are also vents integrated throughout the Orbit 6 for improved ventilation in periods of inclement weather.
Pros:
- Exceptionally large vestibule
- Color-coded easy-pitch system
- Fully seam-taped floor for waterproofing
- Integrated vents throughout for breathability
Cons:
- Very heavy (nearly 22lbs/10kg)
Wenzel Klondike 8
A more affordable choice for car camping dog families, the Wenzel Klondike 8 is a simple solution for most camping needs. It’s engineered with a classic cabin-style design, but also includes a sizable screen porch, a large door, and mesh vents for increased livability and gear storage.
Although most tent screen porches are designed for use as gear storage areas or daytime hangouts, the Klondike 8’s porch is more advanced.
It even comes with zip-up walls so that you can increase your sleeping area and ensure that everyone, including your dogs, has enough space at night.
Pros:
- Large screen porch doubles as a sleeping area
- Integrated mesh vents for airflow
- Large door provides easy entry/exit
- Spacious interior
Cons:
- Some durability concerns with the tent’s fiberglass poles
- Tall center height and straight walls aren’t ideal in the wind
Marmot Limestone 4
If convenience is important to you while camping with your dog, the Marmot Limestone 4 might be what you’re looking for. Easy to set up, the Limestone 4 is a spacious tent that can be pitched in minutes thanks to its pre-bent poles and color-coded clips.
It offers 2 doors for easy entry as well as a single large vestibule for gear storage. At the same time, the Limestone 4 prioritizes durability with its burly 150D Oxford polyester floor fabric, which can withstand the sharpest of doggy claws.
Pros:
- Quick, color-coded pitch system
- Spacious interior thanks to its pre-bent poles
- 2 doors for easy entry
- Burly 150D Oxford polyester floor fabric
Cons:
- Peak height of 5’1” (155cm) is quite low
- Only 1 vestibule
MSR Hubba Tour 3
One of the more unique dog-friendly backpacking tents on the market, the MSR Hubba Tour 3 integrates the company’s award-winning Hubba design with a truly enormous vestibule.
Tipping the scales at 6.3lbs (2.8kg), it’s also reasonably lightweight, despite its quality materials and plentiful storage space.
Of course, what really sets the Hubba Tour 3 apart is its large vestibule. On 1 side of this tent, you have access to a huge covered space, which is big enough to store all your gear or serve as a changing area on rainy days.
At the same time, this tent boasts MSR’s proprietary Xtreme Shield Coating throughout to help you stay dry in foul weather.
Pros:
- Enormous vestibule for gear storage
- Fairly lightweight for a 3 person tent
- Xtreme Shield Coating for waterproofing
Cons:
- Somewhat bulky when packed
- Fairly pricey
Eureka! Assault Outfitter 4
Inspired by the US Marine Corps combat tent, the Eureka! Assault Outfitter 4 is a do-anything tent for 4 season adventures with your trusty pup. The tent can handle wind, rain, snow, and sand, making it a great option for the more adventurous among us.
With the Assault Outfitter 4, you get a free-standing dome tent with burly UV-inhibitor fabric that holds up well in nearly all conditions. Moreover, the tent has a large vestibule for gear storage that can convert into an awning in hot climates.
Finally, this shelter offers integrated vents for adjustable airflow throughout your adventures.
Pros:
- Durable military-inspired design
- Great for 4 season use
- Vestibule can convert into an awning
- Integrated vents for airflow
Cons:
- One of the heaviest 4 person tents (14.8lbs/6.7kg)
Big Agnes Salt Creek SL2
If weight savings are a priority, the Big Agnes Salt Creek SL2 is worthy of your attention. This lightweight and versatile shelter provides plenty of sleeping space for you and Fido, making it a reliable option for backcountry adventures.
It comes with 3 doors for maximum convenience, as well as a large vestibule for gear storage. One of the doors can be converted into an awning for use in sunny climates.
Meanwhile, the interior of this tent has steep walls to maximize your sleeping area, as well as a selection of gear storage pockets to help you stay organized on the go.
Pros:
- 3 doors for entry and exit
- Convertible awning for ventilation and sun protection
- Steep walls to maximize sleeping space
- Lots of gear storage pockets
Cons:
- Fairly low ceiling height
- Only 1 vestibule
Ozark Trail Instant Cabin 12
The largest tent in our review, the Ozark Trail Instant Cabin 12 is a go-to option for car camping adventures. With its instant-set-up design, this shelter can be pitched in just a few minutes. It offers 3 separate rooms with removable dividers for enhanced comfort at the campground.
Furthermore, this shelter from Ozark Trail comes with a screen room that can moonlight as an extra sleeping space when not used for gear storage.
It also has some of the most durable floor fabrics on the market, making it an ideal selection for any puppy-centric camping adventure.
Pros:
- 3 rooms with included room dividers for privacy
- Screen room provides gear storage or extra sleeping space
- Instant-set-up design
- Durable floor fabrics are dog-friendly
Cons:
- Tall center height isn’t great in high winds or heavy rain
- Very heavy (56.5lbs/25.6kg)
Marmot Thor 2
If winter camping with your dog is more your style, the Marmot Thor 2 is a sure bet. This highly versatile tent is just at home in snowy climes as it is on a sunny summer’s day, thanks to its rugged half-dome construction and 70D ripstop nylon floor.
Plus, the Thor 2 has 2 large doors with spacious vestibules, which are perfect for stashing your gear in snowy weather.
Furthermore, the tent’s pre-bent pole system allows for more vertical walls that enhance your living space. That way, you and your pup can be as comfortable as possible in the mountains.
Pros:
- 4 season design
- Half-dome construction is durable in foul weather
- Pre-bent poles help maximize living space
- 2 spacious vestibules for gear storage
Cons:
- Heavy, even for a 4 season tent
- Quite pricey
Features to Consider When Looking for a Dog-Friendly Tent
If you’re planning a camping trip with your dog, you must get a puppy-friendly tent.
Here are some of the most important features to consider as you shop:
Durability
Dogs are known for being a bit rambunctious, so having a tent that’s durable enough to withstand their shenanigans is essential.
As with any tent, a dog-friendly model should be durable enough to withstand harsh weather and frequent use, so sturdy poles and quality materials are key.
Furthermore, if you’re camping with a dog, you’ll want to look for a tent with rugged floor fabric. That’s because dogs tend to have sharp claws, which can easily rip through the lightweight textiles used in ultralight backpacking tents.
A floor thickness of at least 50D is critical if you want your gear to last for a lifetime of adventure.
Floor Space & Livability
Even the smallest of dogs has an uncanny ability to take up way too much space in bed at night.
Therefore, as you look for a tent for your camping trip, we highly recommend that you size up and get a model that’s bigger than you think you need.
For example, if you and your partner are camping with a large dog, you may want to consider a 3 person tent. This will help ensure that you have enough floor space to stretch out at night.
Additionally, keep an eye out for other features, like overhead gear storage, which can free up floor space for you and your pup.
Vestibules & Screen Porches
When you’re camping with your dog, having plenty of gear storage space is of the utmost importance. Thus, it’s worth getting a tent that comes with either a screen porch or a vestibule.
These add-ons provide a lot of extra space in your tent. You can use this space for gear storage or as a dedicated doggy sleeping area so that everyone has the room they need at night.
Ventilation
Tents can become uncomfortably warm on hot summer nights. While this might be a bit of a nuisance for you, the added warmth can be dangerous for your dog.
Because dogs don’t sweat as efficiently as humans do, they are more prone to heat stroke and other serious conditions in hot weather. Therefore, your tent must offer enough ventilation to keep your pup cool and comfortable on a hot summer’s night.
When searching for the best camping tent for you and your dog, keep an eye out for models that have large mesh windows, mesh canopies, or built-in vents.
All of these added features will go a long way toward keeping you and your furry friend cool in hot weather.
Dog Camping & Backpacking Essentials That Every Dog Owner Must Bring
Planning a camping trip with your dog requires packing the right gear for you and your pup. In addition to your personal gear, don’t forget to pack these dog essentials on your next adventure:
- Dog-friendly tent
- Blankets or a dog sleeping bag
- Food and water bowls
- Plenty of food and treats
- Dog toys and entertainment
- Harness and leash
- Collar with ID tags and a light
- Pet first aid kit
- Dog booties (a must for snowy weather)
Frequently asked questions
Does My Dog Need a Sleeping Bag?
Some dogs prefer to have their own sleeping bag, though many will be more than warm enough during the summer months. In general, smaller, short-haired dogs are more likely to need a sleeping bag on chilly nights than larger, long-haired pups.
Where Do Dogs Sleep When Camping?
There’s no hard-and-fast rule about where dogs sleep when camping. While some dogs enjoy sleeping in the tent with you, others prefer snoozing in your tent’s vestibule or in a dog crate.
However, most dogs will want to sleep in your tent with you at night.
Is It OK to Take a Puppy Camping?
It is OK to take a puppy camping so long as they have been fully vaccinated and are in good health. However, your puppy should be able to listen reliably to commands and should also be leash-trained.
For more advice, check out our guide to puppy camping.
Can You Buy a Tent With a Dog Door?
In general, no, you can’t buy a tent with a dog door. However, this is for the best, as you don’t want your pup to be able to wander around your campsite unattended. Instead, your dog should be either in your tent or on a leash at all times.
Final Thoughts
Choosing the right tent for you and your dog isn’t always easy. However, after our review of 14 of the top models available, one stood out above the rest: the Nemo Wagontop 8.
We particularly love the fact that the Wagontop 8 comes with a spacious interior for us and our pups. At the same time, it provides plenty of gear storage space in its large vestibule, without sacrificing its robustness in foul weather.
Oh, and its 1000D floor is one of the strongest on the market, so it’s ideal for use with playful pups.
For a more budget-friendly choice, it’s hard to top the ALPS Mountaineering Lynx 2. Despite its affordable price, the Lynx 2 offers impeccable breathability, livability, and durability for outdoor adventures with your dog.
At the end of the day, we hope that our review helped you find the best camping tent for you and your dog. We hope to see you and your furry friends on the trail sometime soon!
Gaby
Gaby is a professional outdoor educator, guide, and wilderness medicine instructor. She holds a master's degree in outdoor education and spends most of her time hanging out with penguins and polar bears in the polar region. When she's not outdoors, you can find her traveling, reading Nietzsche, and drinking copious double espressos.
