In a hurry? Our top pick for the best tent for camping with a dog is the Core 11 Person Family Cabin Tent with Screen Room.
Camping with your dog can be “ruff.” (See what I did there?) But it doesn’t have to be!
With the proper gear and equipment, you and your pooch can have a relaxing camping trip you desire.
Start with your tent to prepare for a successful journey. Here are the best tents for camping with dogs.
Best Tent For Camping With Your Dog: Our Top Choices
Core 11 Person Family Cabin Tent with Screen Room
Similar to the 6 person screen room cabin tent, this 11 person tent is a bohemeth.
Not only does it have 204 sq ft of living space, but has 72 sq ft of screen room space as well. And unlike the 6 person version, this screen room comes with a floor and a top rainfly.
This is a huge tent that can comfortably fit 3 queen camping air mattresses – no problem.
The only potential downside is that it is going to take a bit longer to put up – 20 minutes on average.
Pros:
- Giant screen room with 72 sq ft of outdoor space
- Huge interior with 204 sq ft of interior tent living space
- Great ventilation with plenty of windows
- Screen room completely seals up, preventing leaks and allowing for a secondary sleeping space
Cons:
- Only one entrance – could use a second
Best for: Big families looking for a screened in porch
Wenzel 8 Person Klondike Tent
The Wenzel 8 Person Klondike Tent measures 16” wide, 6’6” tall, and 11” deep. It includes an attached screen room to give your camping trip the comforts of home.
This tent is an affordable option for anyone who has a large breed hiking dog and needs plenty of room to move around while still keeping them close.
Pros:
- With 2 rooms and standing 6’6” tall, this tent is spacious enough to sleep 8 people so even the largest of dogs will have more than enough room.
- You don’t have to worry about your dogs getting loose when you step out to use the bathroom. The zippers are strong enough to hold even the smartest four-legged escape artists.
- This tent includes a detachable rainfly, so you are protected from any rain and wind. Detach the rainfly, and you’ve got a beautiful view of the sky for stargazing or enjoying the scenery.
- For hot days, there is built-in hi-low ventilation to keep the tent cool.
- Convenient accessory pockets are located all around the tent, sewn into the tent wall, to create a space that is easy to keep clean and clutter-free.
Cons:
- Takes more than one person to set up.
- Can be on the heavy side for anyone looking to backpack with this tent.
Best for: people with large breed dogs.
Coleman 6-Person DarkRoom Tent
Coleman’s unique DarkRoom technology and screened-in porch make this tent one of a kind. This tent will keep you and your dogs comfortable in any environment.
This affordable tent is great for anyone who wants to take their dog camping and still have room for everyone.
Pros:
- The darkroom effect allows for deeper, more comfortable sleep. It also provides a cooler environment keeping you and your dogs sweat-free.
- This tent easily fits a blow-up queen mattress or two tent cots (something like this).
- You can comfortably fit two adults and two dogs.
- Takes no time at all to pitch this tent with pre-attached poles.
- This screened-in porch is a great place for storage. You can also use it as a nice dog house.
- There is plenty of ventilation with several windows and mesh screening to keep air moving in all types of weather. The detachable rain fly also keeps things nice and dry in rainy weather.
Cons:
- Due to the pitch of the tent and no rain fly overhang, the screened “porch” area is inclined to get wet and become unusable in rainy weather.
- This tent is not tall. People upwards of 5’ 6” inches tall will have to hunch over to stand in the tent.
Best for: people with smaller dogs that want a tent that’ll keep them cool during hot summer days.
Core 6 Person Straight Wall Cabin Tent with Screen Room
If you are looking for a nice sized tent with plenty of screen room for your dog to run around, then you’ll want to consider this 6 person straight wall cabin tent, with 50 sq ft of screen room.
While not an instant tent, this tent is still quite easy to setup in only 15 minutes or less if you have help and get some practice.
The downside is that the screen room doesn’t have great coverage and will get wet. It also doesn’t have a floor.
Pros:
- Additional square footage with a 50 sq ft screen room
- Great wall tent with 3 windows and views for days
- Easy to put up in just 15 minutes or less
- Great ventilation thanks to windows on both sides and the front door
Cons:
- Screen Room doesn’t have rainfly or floor
Best for: Those who want a highly rated budget tent.
Napier Outdoors – Sportz SUV Tent
The Napier Outdoors Sportz is a large, roomy ground tent that makes camping out of your car a luxury. In fact, this tent is large enough to be a stand-alone tent without being attached to a car at all!
This Napier SUV tent has several other features that make it a great choice for taking your SUV and your dog camping. The most prominent is the bonus of turning your car into an extra room.
Pros:
- This tent is plenty large and roomy measuring 10 by 10 feet and 7 feet tall – it also includes an attached screen room and awning for even more room
- With so much room, this tent also functions very well as a stand-alone tent – it does not need to be attached to a car to work
- Large sections of mesh windows, especially in the screen room, allow for great airflow and lots of sunlight
- This tent is made out of durable, waterproof material, so it will definitely hold up during rain and wind
Cons:
- It’s so large, this tent takes two people to put up in a timely matter
- The screen room is on the wrong side of the tent, considering that most extra space in a campsite is on the passenger side, not the driver’s side
Best for: camping with the whole family, attached to the car or pitched on the ground.
Coleman WeatherMaster 6-Person Tent with Screen Room
Type: Cabin | Size: 6 person | Seasons: 3-season | Weight: 32 lbs | Inside Height: 80″ | Floor: 11 x 9 ft (99 sq ft) | Setup Time: 20 mins
I love Coleman tents, and the WeatherMaster is no exception! Separate rooms, a screened porch, and a hinged door make this tent one of my favorites. It’s an affordable option for anyone looking to take their dogs camping.
There is plenty of space in this tent for 6 people, as well as pets. With many features made to withstand weather and rugged conditions, this tent can easily withstand camping with a pet.
Plus, a hinged door means you can get in and out easily, and you don’t have to deal with any snagged zippers.
Pros:
- A sturdy, “bathtub” style bottom is resistant to tearing from dogs’ paws.
- This tent is rather large, with plenty of room two queen size air mattresses and other belongings such as bags and dog beds.
- The hinged door on this tent makes for easy access to the tent, especially for dogs, and prevents the fabric from getting caught in the zipper.
- Small conveniences like room dividers, pockets, hooks to hang lanterns, and places to run power into the tent make for comfy camping.
- Plenty of windows all around make this tent well ventilated.
- The screen room is great for storing gear and dog accessories and adding extra space to move around and do activities, even if the weather is nasty.
Cons:
- You may need two people to set this tent up efficiently since it is so large.
- This tent is not great for backpack camping.
- Some users report having a hard time getting it back into the bag it came in.
Best for: people with more than one dog who want a weather-resistant tent with plenty of space.
Coleman Skylodge 12 Person Tent
Another great Coleman tent makes the list. The Skylodge 12 Person tent comes with a sizeable 5 x 10 ft screen room, combined with an additional 190 sq ft of living space.
Coleman’s patented WeatherTec system utilizes a tub-like floor, welded corners and works to keep you dry.
The 7′ 4″ interior height makes this tent extremely roomy and comfortable from head to toe – but most of all the perfect tent to bring when camping with your dog.
Pros:
- 50 sq ft of extra living space in the screen room
- A relatively quick setup in only ten to twenty minutes to setup
- Coleman’s patented WeatherTec™ will keep you dry
- High center height (88.8 inches) and fits up to four queen-size airbeds
- 19′ x 10′ interior is extremely spacious at 190 sq feet
Cons:
- Not quite as waterproof as other tents on this list
Best for: families that want a tent with a screen room for extra gear storage
What to Look for in a Tent for You and Your Dog
When looking for a tent for you and your dog to go camping, it is important to keep a few things in mind.
First, consider the size of the tent you bring. When camping with your dog, you’ll want a little more room than you usually would.
Not only will you pack extra equipment for your dog, but you’ll also want to make sure there’s plenty of room for your dog to stretch their legs and walk around.
You should also consider the materials your tent is made out of. With your pooch in mind, rugged materials will be your best bet. This will ensure that your tent will withstand rough paws, ragged nails, slobber, and anything else an active pooch may bring in from the outdoors.
Another tent feature that is great for camping with dogs is an attached screened-in “porch” or vestibule. Having this extra space is great because it gives you somewhere safe to keep your dog. That way you can put your attention elsewhere (i.e. going to the bathroom or cooking) without worrying about Fido.
Since these areas are usually screened in, your dog will be able to be near you and see you while being out of the way and staying dry when it rains. This also allows them to still enjoy the outdoors!
What to Bring when Camping with Dogs?
Besides the essentials, there’s other gear you can pack to make your camping trip “dog-friendly.” Pack the food and water bowls, doo-doo bags, and leash, but consider bringing the following.
For starters, make sure to pack your dog’s favorite toys. These reminders of your home will comfort your dog and put them at ease if they are anxious about the trip. Not to mention, the toys will help keep your dog busy when you need to put your attention somewhere else.
Your dog’s dog bed can also make your tent more dog-friendly. Not only does it give them a cozy place to sleep, but it also keeps them from sleeping on the ground so they stay warm and dry (in case of leaks). If you’re camping in cold conditions, consider investing in a doggy sleeping bag to keep your pooch warm.
And, while most tents are suitable for camping with dogs, you also may want to invest in a couple of accessories to make the tent more secure. Use carabiner clips on door zippers to secure your pooch inside. You’d be surprised at what dogs will do to sneak out of a tent!
What to Expect From Your Dog While Camping
There is no way to know exactly how your dog will act while you are camping until you take them camping. If you have already been camping with your dog, you probably have a good idea of how they will behave. If you haven’t, you could make some assumptions based on their personality at home.
Also, if you want to get an idea of how your dog will act while camping, try doing a practice run in your backyard. Set up your tent and let your dog check it out. Even try to spend some time with your dog in there.
This will let you gauge how well your dog behaves in a tent. It’ll also give him or her a chance to start getting acclimated before you even leave.
Also, remember that dogs are creatures with unique minds and personalities. You may have a very well-trained dog but when introduced to the wilderness, their instincts may start to take over. One thing you could do to ensure they stay well-mannered is to brush up on their training and commands. Examples include a recall command, “leave it,” or even “go to bed” for when you’re in the tent.
Lastly, make sure you are prepared for anything by packing a dog first aid kit. Even if you brush up on your commands to keep your dog safe, you can never predict how the wildlife around you will act and how your dog will react.
A dog first aid kit could contain:
- First-aid instructions
- Band-aids or gauze
- Wound treatment (like Neosporin)
- Emergency Blanket
Or anything else that could aid in nursing your dog.
What to do with dogs when camping?
A great thing to do with your dog when camping is to take them on a hike.
Make sure that your dog is prepared by taking them on several hikes before you hit the campground.
You can also bring a frisbee or ball to play fetch with and/or any other toy that your dog enjoys.
Dogs also love sleeping, so bring an outdoor dog bed for them to lounge around in so they can get in their dog naps!
Our Verdict
After rating and reviewing these tents, I found that the best tent for camping with dogs is the Core 11 Person Family Cabin Tent with Screen Room. This tent has everything you need to camp with dogs. It’s got a screen room, enough space for large breed dogs, and doors with zippers strong enough to keep dogs in.
The Core 11 Person Tent will stay dry and breezy in all types of weather, beating out the competition for the next time you go camping with your dogs.
It’s also an affordable option to help you and your pooch be comfortable and relaxed for your entire camping trip.
