Big Tent Camping Basics

Pup tents and dome tents may be fine for the individual or the couple wanting to get away to nature for a few days, but what do you do when you have a family of five?

Fortunately for bigger families, there are a number of different types of big tents. Each has its own features and characteristics.

Cabin Tents

These are the most common type of big camping tents. Cabin tents typically sleep up to 16 people at a time. They usually have dividers that create walls, breaking up the tent into a number of rooms.

Cabin tents have large windows, and may even have a screened-in porch just outside of the entrance. Most of the time, cabin tents are tall enough that an adult can stand up inside without having to bend at all.

Cabin tents come in a number of different designs, shapes and sizes. There are square, rectangular and hexagonal cabin tents. There are cabin tents with a mesh roof and a rainfly, and ones that just have a single roof. There are cabin tents that sleep as few as 8, or as many as 24.

When you are looking for a cabin tent, here are some characteristics and extra features you want to look for:

• waterproof floor
• rain fly for weather protection
• lantern loop
• extra storage room
• windows with inside zips
• multiple doors for easy entry and exit
• insect protection screenings

Eureka Tents

This is another type of big camping tent. Eureka tents are freestanding, have spacious headroom and steep walls. Eureka tents have removable floors, doors that can be used as patio sunshades, and fully-enclosed inner hanging rooms.

Commercial Tents

A different type of big camping tent, a commercial tent, isn’t for sleeping. Instead, commercial tents are used to provide shelter from the elements during special events such as festivals, company outings or picnics, fundraisers, and even fairs. Commercial tents are made from long-lasting vinyl or sturdy canvas and can vary in size from 9’ x 10’ to 120’ x 400’.