10 Best Teepee Tents of 2023 | For Camping
The teepee tent is a historically reliable camping shelter and famous for its versatility: It can keep the heat off in the summer, provide adequate warmth in the winter, and keep you dry when the weather turns. Aside from the strappings of its time-earned reputation, modern tents built in the teepee style have some unique benefits over other styles of outdoor shelter.
- Oftentimes they only take one person to set up. Depending on the model it can be as easy as staking out the corners and setting one pole up in the middle.
- There’s a ton of space compared to the amount they weigh, making them great options for camping.
- Their construction is conducive to ventilation. Some models make additional improvements on this by adding easy opening flaps.
- Historically they’re designed to have fires in them. Many options have built in stove flumes or are easily modified to accommodate such needs.
The Top 5 Teepee Tents in 2023
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1
Best Overall: Blackdeer 4 Person -
2
Best for Car Camping: Vidalido Family -
3
Great Budget Option: Ozark Trail 7 -
4
Best for Long Camping Trips: PlayDo Waterproof Cotton Canvas -
5
Great Ventilation: Danchel 13 Foot Lightweight
All the Teepee Tents We've tested
This colorful 4 Person Teepee from Blackdeer represents the best that frontcountry tents have to offer. It’s affordable, practical, and easy to set up. Unlike most of other shelters of this style, the Blackdeer Teepee is a freestanding structure that can be moved around, and set up without the use of stakes. It’s a great tent for casual outings and outdoor events, and is big enough for small families.
The only criticism is that for its size and capacity, it can be a bit bulky in travel due to its four post design. Regardless, this tent is a solid shelter for those who are looking for something easy and dependable.
Specs & Features
- Sleeps 4 people
- 4 Pole construction
- Single piece walls and floors
- Weighs 16.5 lbs
- Priced around $150 USD
Our Overall Review
We have thoroughly tested - and read reviews from other experts and users. In summary, this is what we think:
Things we like:
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Good price point for a four person tent
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No center pole like many teepees, meaning more room on the inside
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Middle ground between lightweight tent and more permanent structures
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Freestanding
Things we don't like:
Bulky transport
The Vidalido Teepee Tent is a fairly typical take on the contemporary teepee design. Its spaciousness, affordability, and ability to be customized make it an excellent choice for potential festival goers and families. The central pole is definitely a factor in moving around the inside of the tent, but that’s a problem you’re likely to run into with most tents of this style.
Overall, this tent is best suited for frontcountry trips and car camping. It’s comfortable, well-ventilated, and has enough room inside to play cards. That said, car campers might want to consider getting an RTT if the tent’s central pole is a dealbreaker.
Specs & Features
- Shelters 4-5 people
- Weighs just over 10 lbs
- Removable mesh/bugnet
- Door and roof ventilation
- Priced around $170 USD
Our Overall Review
We have thoroughly tested - and read reviews from other experts and users. In summary, this is what we think:
Things we like:
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Placed at an excellent price point for a tent that can shelter a large number of people. Perfect for a family outing or a festival.
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The removable bugnet means you can set up just a large mesh structure to see out into the open air, a pure tarp shelter to use for eating and changing, or a fully-housed sleeping shelter.
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Comes with an additional pole used for propping the door open, you can use this to make a fun vestibule structure to get some shelter from the sun, or keep gear dry in a light rain.
Things we don't like:
While having multiple pieces allows for more options, setting up the entire structure when those pieces have been separated for a while can be more time consuming than you would expect from a teepee tent.
Like many tents of this style, it isn’t a freestanding structure. You need to be able to get the stakes in the ground in order to set it up which might pose a problem in rocky soil.
The setup is fairly intuitive. But there have been complaints about the instructions being difficult to follow the first few times you attempt to assemble it.
Where to buy:
Camping is an enduring family tradition widely considered an affordable alternative to travel. As the outdoors explodes in popularity, so too does the price of outdoor equipment. The gulf between cheap, unreliable gear and high-end technical equipment is huge, and there are few dependable options between the two. There are some alternatives, and they might be a little easier to find than you’d expect.
We had the chance to try out Ozark Trail’s 7 Person Teepee. A spacious, family-style tent with a startlingly low price point. In terms of sheltering a handful of people for a premium, there are few better options- though notable drawbacks come with the affordability.
Below we’ll take a closer look at Ozark Trail Teepee- its faults, features, and what you can do to get the most out of it. To see how it stacks up to other tents with similar style and function, check out our best teepee tents page.
Specs & Features
- Fits 2 queen-sized air mattresses
- Fully integrated floor
- 2 Pole Design with no central pole
- 4 Fully zippered and meshed windows
- Rear awning window
Our Overall Review
We have thoroughly tested - and read reviews from other experts and users. In summary, this is what we think:
Things we like:
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Super affordable option for outdoor shelters
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No central pole means maximized interior space
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Huge potential ventilation depending on the weather
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Relatively simple setup
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Decent solution for car and backyard camping in good weather
Things we don't like:
By no metric will this ever sleep seven comfortably
Not seam-sealed and unsuitable for very wet weather
Not going to survive rough treatment very long
The PlayDo Cotton Canvas teepee Tent is a monstrous, bombproof shelter. It’s much more suited for use as a basecamp than a quick temporary tent. There’s enough space inside of it to fit a large family, or an expedition team and all of their gear while still having enough space to stay comfortable. It’s a great choice for hunters or people who plan on spending a long time outdoors and need a semi-permanent shelter.
Due to its sheer mass, you’re probably going to need to split it up into individual parts to carry, or throw it on the back of a mule.
Specs & Features
- Sleeps up to 9 people
- Nearly 10 feet in height
- Made of high-strength water-treated cotton
- Multiple ventilation points
- Priced at $600 USD
Our Overall Review
We have thoroughly tested - and read reviews from other experts and users. In summary, this is what we think:
Things we like:
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Massive size allows you to fit a lot of people or a lot of gear into a single structure.
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Heavy-duty canvas material is tough enough to withstand any weather you throw at it.
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PVC groundsheet prevents water from seeping in, no matter how wet it gets.
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Everything is reinforced, zippers, pole sprockets and all.
Things we don't like:
The heavy-duty construction means it weighs a lot.
Much more expensive than less intensive options.
The cotton will mold if it is put away wet and not dried in a couple days.
It is time consuming to stake out all of the fly lines.
Can be a struggle to pack back up and fit into the bag after it has been set up.
Where to buy:
Danchel’s 13 ft model teepee is an excellent choice for getting out friends and family into the wilderness. It takes all of the benefits of a teepee style tent and maximizes available space by using a tapered, bell-style to get the bottoms of the walls vertical. While the “lightweight” qualifier is definitely subject to some scrutiny, the Danchel Teepee is objectively compact based on durability and space it provides.
With a wide door and three easy-access windows, you can be close to nature on your own terms. Its weatherproof construction keeps the wild out when necessary. Due to its airy design, and well-tailored ventilation system, this tent is best suited for large groups in warm climates.
Specs & Features
- Sleeps up to 7 people
- Tapered bell-tent design
- 5 netted windows, 3 ventilation ports, 2 transparent windows, and rollback doors
- Weather/UV resistant polyester construction
- Weighs 25lbs
Our Overall Review
We have thoroughly tested - and read reviews from other experts and users. In summary, this is what we think:
Things we like:
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Great space optimization through smart construction
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Simplicity in design, easy to set up and take down
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Built in floor that keeps moisture out
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Great tent for families or large groups of people in a casual setting
Things we don't like:
A little on the heavy side compared to similar tents of the same size
Windows zip from the outside, which can be inconvenient in case of unexpected weather
Central pole isn’t as durable as you might hope for a tent with this much heft
Where to buy:
Teton Sports canvas bell tent is not to be missed by those looking for a heavy duty, 4 season shelter. The integrity of its construction is unparalleled by any other tent covered in this guide. It’s suitable for family excursions to the woods, festivals, mule trips, and other more demanding pursuits.
This is a great choice for those who are willing to overlook the extra weight in exchange for integrity and longevity.
Specs & Features
- Comes in 10, 12 person and 16 person varieties
- Streamlined 2-pole set up
- Reinforced seams and leakproof floor
- Weighs approximately 60 lbs.
- Set up as a tent or just a canopy
Our Overall Review
We have thoroughly tested - and read reviews from other experts and users. In summary, this is what we think:
Things we like:
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Excellent construction, the reinforced seams and completely waterproof floor will keep weather out in adverse conditions.
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Easy set up for a bell tent of this size compared to similar models.
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Can easily be converted to hold a stove, or accommodate other modifications.
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Zip on canopy and can be easily set up as a temporary shelter without walls.
Things we don't like:
Very heavy (around 60 lbs.) compared to similar models
Some people complain about it not being as big as expected on the inside.
Where to buy:
Gear Guide’s teepee tents split the difference between more sturdy, full canvas basecamp tents and the lighter family style options detailed in this guide. It’s light and compact enough to carry with you awhile without sacrificing the built in floor nor the intensive weatherproofing measures.
The Gear Guide Teepee is an easy choice for dedicated car campers and overland adventurers who prefer a more spacious shelter over an RTT.
Specs & Features
- 10x10 frame is big enough to fit 2comfortably
- Central pole design typical of teepee tents
- Built in floor and bug mesh
- Weighs around 12 lbs
- Priced at $150 USD
Our Overall Review
We have thoroughly tested - and read reviews from other experts and users. In summary, this is what we think:
Things we like:
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Well thought-out ventilation system and bug mesh
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Made of quality materials and solid construction without being too heavy
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Central pole allows for a quick set up, and built in guy-lines help in event of high winds
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Reasonably priced for a weatherproof tent
Things we don't like:
The way the floor is built can allow water to pool into the tent if it is set up in a low point
Some people have had issues with the factory seam sealing, and have had to redo it
Staking it out properly requires a bit of finesse
The Wenzel Outdoors Shenanigan isn’t going to wow you with its durability or stoutness in resisting the elements. But as a shelter for casual outings it’s very practical at a great price, and has the added benefit of a fun patterned finish.
It follows in the tradition of your typical, single pole teepee design. While the structure isn’t free standing, it’s lightweight and simple enough for a single person to set up, and spacious enough for five if you like each other. The Shenanigan is a solid tent, and perhaps a great option for anyone who needs something easy to spot in a crowded campground.
Specs & Features
- At its highest, the center pole stretches to 94” leaving enough space to sleep 5
- Built in footprint and bug mesh
- Easy open ventilation
- Weighs around 2 lbs
- Priced around $100 USD
Our Overall Review
We have thoroughly tested - and read reviews from other experts and users. In summary, this is what we think:
Things we like:
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A very spacious tent for small groups
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Very reasonably priced
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Well planned ventilation system
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One of the most stylish tents on the market
Things we don't like:
Not equipped to handle severe weather
You may run into some trouble trying to set it up in high winds alone
The iconic Black Diamond Mega Light is a teepee tent that has been around in some form or another since the ’80s. Due to its spaciousness, resilience, and packability, the Mega Light has developed quite a reputation among ultralight backpackers and mountaineers. The pyramid shape is about as classic as it comes for a teepee, and the switch to a silnylon body from coated polyester makes the Mega Light a leader in both weight and ventilation. It’s highly-modifiable and beloved by basecamp builders and backcountry minimalists from the mountains to the valleys.
I’ve put probably 100 nights into my Mega Light, and as a disclaimer, my preferences skew wholly toward simplicity and low-weight. I relied wholly upon my Mega Light for a couple of late fall months in the temperate rainforests of the PNW and used it as both shelter and auxiliary basecamp building while on ski tours. Based on my experience, the Black Diamond Mega Light is a more-than-acceptable option for any season or situation, provided you can find a good place to set it up.
Specs & Features
- 30D SilNylon
- Holds up to 4
- Single full-length zippered door
- Carbon fiber center pole
- Pole Link Converter for a lightweight setup
Our Overall Review
We have thoroughly tested - and read reviews from other experts and users. In summary, this is what we think:
Things we like:
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Top of class space-per-weight
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Wind resistant construction
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Comfortably sleeps two with plenty of room for your gear
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More affordable than similar technical options
Things we don't like:
A very minimalist take on a teepee tent with no floor or bug mesh
Difficult to set up on a hard or rocky ground
Doesn't come factory seam sealed
Where to buy:
In keeping with the tradition of no-nonsense ultralight shelters, The MSR Front Range is another example of a “Mid” style tent that can serve as an emergency shelter or a lightweight alternative to traditional tents. The Front Range capitalizes on its already minimal design by allowing users to substitute a ski pole or trekking pole as the central support, further reducing the weight one needs to carry.
It also has the benefit of a pre-weatherproofed exterior, saving on the time and effort you’d need to use to take it out into the wilderness.
Specs & Features
- Sleeps up to 4 people
- Weighs around 2 lbs
- Frameless, floorless design
- Priced at $280 USD
Our Overall Review
We have thoroughly tested - and read reviews from other experts and users. In summary, this is what we think:
Things we like:
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Can be set up with a trekking/ski pole instead of included support
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Weatherproof coating can keep moisture out
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Doors can roll back to open all of the way
Things we don't like:
A bit more expensive than other tents of similar size and style
Bug net and floor not included
Very tight squeeze to actually fit 4 people in there
Where to buy:
Like most shelters in the ultralight section of this guide, the Iron Wall Stove Tent from OneTigris is staunchly practical and fixated on utility. However, it is unique among lightweight tents in its intention to be paired with a stove. For those interested in setting up a fall or winter basecamp the Iron Wall is a great middle ground between a lightweight tent and a traditional permanent camp.
Specs & Features
- Sleeps 2 people
- Weighs around 4 lbs
- Priced at $180 USD
- Stove Compatible
Our Overall Review
We have thoroughly tested - and read reviews from other experts and users. In summary, this is what we think:
Things we like:
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Built in mesh for protection against insects
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Can be bought bundled with a stove for less than $300USD
Things we don't like:
The included mesh cuts down on interior space significantly
Tight fit with two people and a stove
Where to buy:
Too often in the ultralight backpacking community it seems like when you buy lighter gear with less features and amenities, it somehow ends up costing more. River Country Products seems to have found the answer- at less than $50 USD with a built in mesh and sleeping floor, their single man Trekking Pole Tent is the best deal on the market.
This shelter, though it only sleeps one, has everything an individual could want or need in a basic tent. While it’s not the lightest tent ever made, you can’t argue with the price or the practicality. If you’re a backpacker who doesn’t mind putting some work into their tent, look no further than this low cost shelter.
Specs & Features
- Single person tent, with a vestibule for gear
- Can be set up with a trekking pole
- Built in floor and bug net
- Weighs less than 2.5 lbs
- Priced at $49 USD
Our Overall Review
We have thoroughly tested - and read reviews from other experts and users. In summary, this is what we think:
Things we like:
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Lightweight shelter at an unbeatable price
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Built in floor and bugnet
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Can be set up with a trekking pole, using a large stick, or by tying the top to a low branch
Things we don't like:
Not factory seam sealed or waterproofed, you need to put some work into it before its ready to handle weather
Where to buy:
Which Tent is Right for Me?
If you’re in the market for a new tent, you should consider a teepee style tent as an alternative to the classic technical backcountry tents.
Teepee tents, also contemporarily known as mids or pyramid tents. Aside from a rustic aesthetic appeal, this style of tent has withstood the test of centuries as one of the most reliable styles of nomadic shelter ever created.
Modern takes on the teepee are a far cry from the skin and pole design of their predecessors, but the function remains the same. They’re reliable, versatile shelters can get the job done in all four seasons. Construction can range anywhere from a pared down tarp shelter, to burly canvas teepee tent.
Depending on the style of camping you prefer, they can also make great, easily transportable backpacking tents.
The Drawbacks
This style of tent can have niche applications, and may not be the most intuitive option depending on your needs. Many of the backcountry options are very rugged to save on weight and pack space.
- Many models rely on a central pole to keep them supported. A lot of people find this to be a major drawback.
- Lightweight options often don’t include a floor and bug net, making for a closer experience to nature than many people are prepared for.
- More often than not teepee style tents aren’t freestanding. Meaning that you need to have ground soft enough to drive stakes in order to set them up, and have to stake them out all over again to move them.
Frontcountry/Family Tents
One of the biggest benefits of having a teepee style tent for family or frontcountry outings is how easy they are to set up compared to other “large” tents. For single-pole style teepee tents, setup is often as easy as staking down the bottom and propping it up with a pole.
Even the tents with external frames, though they might require more than one person to set up, are on average far less complicated than a multi-piece dome tent with a vestibule.
These large, family style tents have the added perk of ventilation. When you’re housing up to twelve people in the same shelter, having a reliable means of airflow is a must.
Choosing the Right Tent for Your Needs
One of the best things about a teepee tent is its versatility. If you need a shelter, whether it be a spacious family sized shelter to house the kids and dogs, or a small basecamp for extended backcountry trips, there are certain specific tents to fit both those needs and more.
The teepee style’s simple design allows them to be specialized to a high degree, and you’ll see all arrays of takes on design. It’s all about what your needs are.
If you’re looking for something to shelter a lot of people and don’t mind the extra weight, tents in the frontcountry section are a great option with many at affordable prices.
On the other hand, if you want a shelter that isn’t a burden to carry long distances, and don’t mind roughing it a little bit more, a style of teepee called a “Mid” has been a staple choice in the mountaineering industry for the last few decades.
Thanks for taking a look through this guide. The value of a teepee tent lies in its efficiency and versatility, if you’re considering a different style or want to optimize your tent for a more specific activity- check out our other guides here.
If you already have a teepee tent or you just bought one, leave a comment in the comment section below and share your experience with it.
Comments
We recently moved to using teepee style camping tents because now we can bring more people camping with us. What’s important is that everyone in the group knows at least a little bit of how to prop and maintain the tents.