Top Tents for Camping with a Dog: Guide to Making a Tent Dog-Friendly

Top Tents for Camping with a Dog: Guide to Making a Tent Dog-Friendly

62 Models Considered
87 Hours of Research
5 Experts Interviewed
221 Reviews Analyzed

Are you seeking the best tents for camping with a dog available in 2023? We scoured the market, investigating over 50 alternatives before buying and testing 6 great ones. You might be wondering: how can I bring my dog camping with me if I just have a tent? Luckily, any tent can be made dog-friendly, so you don’t have to go out of your way to change something about your tent or buy a specific one.

We recommend that you mainly consider the tent floor and ventilation when you’re camping with your dog, so your dog feels just as safe and comfortable as you do. These are the best tents for camping with dogs that can easily be made dog friendly. They have awesome ventilation and floors that will make your dog cozy in its temporary home. Also, they offer features like UV resistance, spacious interior, plenty of space for storage, illuminated rooftops, and waterproof, durable material that will last a long time. You and your best friend can enjoy the great outdoors together, in style!

Editor’s ChoiceColeman Evanstone Dome Tent

Material Polyester 75D
Capacity 6-8 persons
Weight 19.4 lbs
Waterproof Yes

The Coleman Evanstone Dome Tent is made from polyester taffeta 75D and has a WeatherTec system with patented welded floors and seams that are inverted. This design will keep you dry in heavy rain. It measures 10 x 9 feet with a 5 ft 8in center in its height. The screen room is 10 x 5 ft, which means there’s enough space for 2 queen sized beds! You could even have one queen sized bed and then extra space for at least one dog. You can hang out without having to worry about bugs or mosquitoes in the separate screen room that’s included. However, it is not as bug protected as the Oileus Pop Up tent, so bring extra mosquito spray!

Our tested experience has found that this tent is a great price for a big person tent. Tents of this size are typically much more expensive, so you’re getting a great deal with this tent. It comes from a reliable manufacturer, and there are 6 and 8 person options available. Because it comes from a trustworthy maker, it means that this tent will last a long time and you know that you’re getting the best quality material. Whether you’re camping with your friends or your family, there will be plenty of space in this tent! You can bring your dogs along and have just enough space for some extra people. Your dogs can feel comfortable and like they have enough space to lounge around.

Pros
  • Reliable manufacturer
  • Large tent with two size options
  • Great price
Cons
  • Not as UV protected when compared to other tents

Best for 2 Adults and a DogALPS Mountaneering LYNX

Material Polyester 75D
Capacity 2 persons
Weight 5 lbs
Waterproof Yes

The ALPS Mountaineering LYNX is the best tent for 2 adults and a dog. It has #8 zippers which are durable and known to last a long time. It has a lot of space, as its base size is 5′ x 7’6, its center height is 46″, and its total weight is just over 5 pounds. It has tons of storage pockets which is great for anything from your hiking gear to cellphones, books, and sunglasses. Its aluminum stakes and guy ropes will keep it steady and fixated on the ground, even in inclement weather.

We’ve tested its special features and have found that it has great ventilation. You can hang out with one other person and your dog without feeling stuffy, and you’ll get a nice breeze when you’re hanging out inside. Even when the sun is beating down on the tent, you won’t feel like you’re roasting inside! The extra storage space for your gear or pet is convenient because you can bring your extra gear with you and easily store it away inside of your tent, away from any outdoor elements that could potentially damage it. It’s UV resistant, so you won’t be exposed to harmful sunrays when you’re inside of your tent and it will act as an extra barrier from the sun. However, it is not as durable in windy weather as the Outbound. However, it’s still the best tent for two adults and a dog.

Pros
  • UV resistant
  • Great ventilation
  • Good storage space
Cons
  • Not as much bug protection

Best for Pet IsolationColeman Elite WeatherMaster

Material Polyester 75D
Capacity 6 persons
Weight 41 lbs
Waterproof Yes

The Coleman Elite WeatherMaster tent is the best tent for pet isolation. It’s made of polyester taffeta 75D. You’ll get an attached screen room that measures at 9x6 ft for extra bug protection. It’s 6 feet 8 inches in its center height, so you’ll have tons of standing room, which is great especially if you’re a tall person! Our tested experience has found that there’s a special separated room for pet if needed. This makes it one of the best camping tents for dogs, in that your dog will have the space, comfort, and coziness that it needs.

Dogs can benefit from having some space, so this is a great tent for just that! It also has an illuminated roof and an LED system with brightness settings for interior light that is overhead. If you’re hanging out at night, reading a book, or playing cards, this light will come in handy! You don’t have to worry about searching for your headtorch in the dark, you can simply turn on the overhead light. On the downside, the main part of the tent has no bug net like the Oileus Pop Up tent does, so pesky critters might sneak inside. It’s also the most expensive tent on the list, so if you’re on a budget, this might not be suitable for you.

Pros
  • Separate pet room
  • Illuminated roof
Cons
  • Main part has no bug net
  • Most expensive

Most Ventilated TentOileus Pop Up

Material Polyester
Capacity 4-6 persons
Weight 9.3 lbs
Waterproof No

The Oileus Pop Up tent is the most ventilated tent on the list! It has 2 mesh doors and 2 mesh windows, with an extra big mesh roof sky window. This allows for proper cross ventilation within the tent, which means you won’t feel stuffy and will get to enjoy a nice cold breeze even on the hottest days. The high-density mesh net keeps the air fresh while also keeping the bugs out effectively. It’s made of 210T upgrade polyester with super sturdy zippers that will keep it situated on the ground. There are 10 guy lines and 14 reinforced, upgraded stakes that will keep the entire tent in its place during the most intense winds.

Our tested experience has found that this is a pop up tent that’s totally bug protected. You can relax and not have to think about putting on extra bug spray or worrying about bugs sneaking into your tent. The zippers and material keep the bugs out, so you won’t wake up with tons of mosquito bites! It would have been the top-1 choice if not for the price and for the leaks that happen in rainy weather, it’s not as waterproof as the Outbound. However, because of its ventilation and material that give it its extra durability and stability, this makes it one of the best tents with dogs. Your dog will have proper ventilation and be super comfortable inside!

Pros
  • Bug protected
  • Sturdy guy lines and stakes
Cons
  • Leaks in rainy weather
  • Expensive

Best Bang for the BuckOutbound Dome Tent for Camping with Carry Bag and Rainfly

Material Polyester 68D
Capacity 6 persons
Weight 16 lbs
Waterproof Yes

The Outbound tent is not only one of the best camping tents for dogs, but also the best bang for your buck. It has a fiberglass frame system that is durable and will give you a super-fast tent set up. It only weighs 16 pounds. It has a coated rain fly and a front canopy of 600mm, and a lightweight material. It’s 12 feet x 7 feet x 5’5” feet in diameters, with a polyester bathtub floor that makes it uber waterproof and will keep the rain out, even in the heaviest of rainfall. You can easily transport it with you in its zippered duffle bag. If you’re constantly on the move and want to bring this tent with you everywhere you go, it’s easily portable.

Our team has tested this tent and found that it’s durable for windy weather and is also the most waterproof on the list. This will keep you and your dog safe and dry during the heaviest of rainfalls and the toughest wind. Your dog will feel safe and secure inside of this tent! On the other hand, it unfortunately has the lowest ventilation capability on the list, especially when compared to the ALPS Mountaineering LYNX. You and your dog might feel a bit stuffy inside of this tent. If you leave the door open when the weather is nice, this can help mitigate the problem.

Pros
  • Durable in wind
  • Waterproof
  • Easily transportable
Cons
  • Poor ventilation

Best 1-person TentHyke & Byke Zion Backpacking Tent with Footprint

Material Polyester 63D
Capacity 1-2 persons
Weight 3.8 lbs
Waterproof Yes

The Hyke & Byke Zion has no-see-um mesh walls, and 12, 7000 series aluminum alloy stakes. The guy lines are reflective and have tension lock cord adjustment, with a proprietary stake presser that will keep it situated to the ground. You can relax and know that it won’t blow away in the wind! There’s a PU 5000 footprint and a ceiling loft pocket that’s made of mesh and is detachable. There’s lots of interior space due to its vertical walls. It’s easily transportable and packs into a small carrying sack.

Our team has found that its tested experience has enough space for 1 adult + 1 kid and a dog. You can bring your child and your dog with you when you go camping! You can all sleep comfortably side by side without having to feel stuffy or squished inside. There are also tons of storage pockets for your phone, books, camera, and other small items that you won’t have to keep looking for inside of your tent if it gets messy. It has wonderful ventilation that will keep you and your dog cool. On the downside, it’s not as durable or windproof as Outbound, so you might have to be more careful in windy weather.

Pros
  • Spacious
  • Storage pockets
  • Good ventilation
Cons
  • Not as durable or waterproof as other tents

Buyer’s Guide

There are so many important features to check when choosing the top tents when camping with a dog. Firstly, you’ll want to choose a tent that has good ventilation, so you and your dog aren’t feeling stuffy inside of your tent. With good ventilation, you’ll be able to relax and enjoy the sunshine without suffering inside of a hot tent. Additionally, you’ll want a tent with a good floor so your dog can lie down comfortably. Having a waterproof tent will prevent mold and mildew from forming inside and ruining the interior and material of your tent.

Dog in a Tent

If the tent has durable zippers, this will make sure that it lasts a long time and you won’t have to worry about replacing the material. It will also make sure that your dog stays put inside of the tent and you don’t have to worry about it escaping if it smells or hears another animal! Additionally, if the tent has decent stakes it will stay attached to the ground, even in high winds. You can never truly predict the weather, so if your tent is situated in the ground, then you won’t have to worry about it falling down when you’re inside of it or blowing away when you’re out on a hike during high winds.

How can you make your tent dog friendly?

As long as your tent is properly ventilated and there’s enough space inside, your tent will be dog friendly. Your dog doesn’t want to feel claustrophobic inside of its tent, just as you wouldn’t want to! Luckily, the 6 tents on this list offer proper ventilation and enough space for you and your dog.

Not only that, it will help if your tent is waterproof, especially if your dog loves the water and loves jumping around in rivers and lakes. Additionally, if it rains, your dog will probably get wet, which means it will be inside of your tent with damp paws. With a waterproof tent, you can be sure that your tent won’t grow mold or break down from ruined material that got damaged from water.

Conclusion

These are the best camping tents for dogs on the market. We’ve tested tons of tents and found that these are the best ones with the most ideal features when you go camping with your dog. The Coleman Evanstone Dome Tent is our top choice because of its price, manufacturer that’s reliable, and its spacious interior that gives enough room for many people -- plus your dog. The Coleman Elite WeatherMaster is the best tent on the list for dog isolation. If your dog loves having alone time and loves a bit of peace and quiet, then this is your best bet. Some dogs need more alone time than others, so having this special room for your dog is an added bonus. The ALPS Mountaineering LYNX is the best for 2 adults and a dog, and offers features like extra storage space and pockets, UV resistant material, and great ventilation.

Dog with a woman camping together

If you’re on a bit of a budget and are looking for a tent that offers the best bang for your buck, then make sure you grab the Outbound. It’s really durable in the wind, waterproof, and easily transportable. You can carry it around with you whereever you go and not have to worry about having too much extra weight on your hands. The Hyke & Byke Zion is the best 1-person tent, so if you’re a solo camper who only camps with their dog, then this is a great option. It’s spacious, has tons of storage pockets, and great ventilation that lets in a nice breeze. The most ventilated tent on the list is the Oileus Pop Up tent. This is a great option if you’re going camping somewhere with a very hot climate and don’t want to be suffering the heat inside of your tent!

Woman and dog in a tent

Whichever tent you choose, make sure you’re making a personal decision. That way, you’ll be able to stick to your own budget and can also choose a tent that’s suitable for your dog. If you plan on camping with several people plus your dog, then getting a bigger tent is a good idea. If it’s just you and your dog and the open road, then a smaller tent that’s easier to carry around makes a lot more sense to get than a big tent. As long as the tent is made of quality material and special features that will keep it planted in the ground, you can ensure that you’ll have this tent for a long time, and on many different adventures!

Frequently Asked Questions

q: What is the best camping food for a dog?
a:

Bring along some collapsible drink and food bowls for your dog. The best camping food for a dog is dehydrated dog food. It’s lightweight, easy to store, and easy to carry around. It will stay fresh no matter how long you’re camping for. All you need to do is add warm water to your dog’s food bowl and it will turn into a delicious meal for them. You can also pack small treats for your dog when you go camping to give them a little gift here and there. These can be small biscuits that are easy to carry around.

q: Can dogs sleep in tents?
a:

Yes! Dogs can sleep in tents and they will feel comfortable and safe, as long as there’s enough space for them to relax. They’ll be kept out of the rain, out of the sun, and away from any critters that might wander by your tent, like birds, snakes, squirrels, or foxes. This will keep your dog out of trouble and keep them from accidentally running away from your tent in pursuit of the animal. You can leave toys and food inside of the tent, so the dog treats the space as their own home.

q: Can I leave my dog in a tent?
a:

You can technically leave your dog in your tent for a short amount of time, but it’s not recommended to do it for extended amounts of time. While it would be considered safe to keep your dog in your tent while you go fetch something from the car or go on a short walk, it’s best if this is kept to a minimum. Dog’s don’t like to be left in tents alone, especially if it’s during the hottest part of the day, or if there’s a big thunderstorm. They will be left feeling scared and might try to claw their way out of the tent. This will leave them with unnecessary stress and anxiety that could otherwise be avoided. If you think you’ll need to leave your dog inside of the tent at any point on your trip, then it’s a better idea to not bring your dog with you at all.

Top Tents for Camping with a Dog: Guide to Making a Tent Dog-Friendly
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