Let us have a look at some of the easiest tents to set up by yourself, for the nervous first timers and lazy bums among us! For a quick roundup, see the table below:
Camping is one of the best ways to get outside and have adventures in the great outdoors. There are not many better ways to spend time with family and friends, be active, and see the wonders of nature at the same time.
Although we love to camp, it can be difficult and irritating trying to pack up all of your essentials into a backpack or truck. It is also hard to narrow down what things you may need on your trip.
Number one on your list should always be a great tent. Having the best tent will make or break your camping experience.
If you have a tent that is super easy to set up, you do not have to waste time worrying about fighting with poles and stakes and you can get back to having adventures, fun, and an amazing camping quest.
Without a doubt, the easiest tents to set up by yourself are instant or pop-up tents. These tents do everything it says on the label. You just open the bag and they pop up!
We know how much of a drag it is to go looking for the perfect essentials for your next camping trip, so we have done all of the research for you. Be sure to have a great simple experience with the easiest tents to set up yourself. This way you can get back to inhaling the open air and trekking through the woods on your next great venture.
Feel the call of the wild with our guide of the easiest tents that you need to use on your camping trip:
Easiest Tents to Set Up by Yourself
For all intents and purposes, the Coleman Cabin Instant Tent is the perfect addition to your camping trip, with a quick setup time of under 60 seconds! With sizes available in 4, 6, and 10 person tents, it can fit any camping companions you may have.
You’re sure to be a happy camper with this easy-to-use tent. With enhanced ventilation, durable taped seams, welded corners, and inverted seams to prevent any water from leaking into your tent.
This tent has a powerful integrated rainfly for added weather protection. The best features of this easy-to-set-up tent are its blackout technology and 90% sunlight protection to assure that you are never woken up by those bright early mornings!
What is even more convenient is the storage, with an included carry bag and lightweight design, this tent even comes with preassembled poles to save your precious adventure time.
The Coleman Cabin Tent is built to last with durable and double-thick fabric that stands the test of time against the elements, season after season.
Coleman Cabin Tent with Instant Set up
Highlights: Set-up in under 60 seconds! Available in 4, 6, and 10 person sizes.
The easiest tent to set up by yourself is the Coleman Cabin Tent with Instant Set Up technology. This impressive tent sets up in under 60 seconds! It is available for purchase in 4, 6, and 10 person sizes, to fit any of your camping companions.
This tent is made of polyester, with durable taped seams, welded corners, and inverted seams that keep all water from getting in. Sleep easy knowing that you are protected from rain, mud, and any seepage from the weather conditions.
This tent is built to last as long as you do in the great outdoors. With durable, long-lasting, and double-thick fabric, this tent stands the test of time against all of the elements, season after season.
The ventilation is greatly enhanced, with an integrated rainfly that offers optimal weather protection and sufficient airflow within.
We love the instant setup feature that can work as fast as one minute. You can even fit 2 queen-sized air beds in this tent.
The Coleman Cabin Tent is highly useful for camping trips as it works to block 90% of sunlight and reduces heat from entering high-temperature locations. In addition, this easy-to-pitch tent utilizes blackout technology which means the sun will not wake you before you want to.
Convenience is key with this tent, with a carry bag included, and preassembled poles to save your precious time for adventuring.
PROS:
- 60 second set up
- Preassembled poles included
- Blocks 90% of sunlight
- Blackout technology
- Fits 2 queen sized air mattresses
- Durable
- High quality materials
CONS:
- Can get hot inside
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Big Agnes Copper Spur 2 Man Tent
Highlights: Convenient interior loops to attach camping gear or lights.
Big Agnes makes their tents with the strongest and most lightweight materials while providing the easiest setup for your camping experience. The Big Agnes Copper Spur Tent features awning-style vestibules that can expand your camping living space but also provide ample drizzle and sun protection.
The hook-and-loop closure tabs connect your fly to pole structure and give you perfect pitch and stability in all weather conditions. Additionally, all seams are taped and waterproof with durable zippers and a storm flap.
What we love about this tent are the multiple interior loops to attach your gear or camp lights and make your tent feel just like home while on the road.
Its dual zipper doors are smooth-closing and allow easy access and exit. The tent has great airflow and reduced condensation build-up, no matter what the weather. This product is made from a nylon and polyester combination, with 2 doors and a spacious design for your next camping trip.
PROS:
- Strong materials
- Lightweight
- Awning style vestibules
- Sun protection
- Taped seams
- Durable zippers
- Includes storm flap
- Easy access
CONS:
- Prone to leakage- always use a tarp
Coleman Sundome Tent
Highlights: Super large size tent, super easy to install. Comes with rainfly and Carry Bag.
The Coleman Sundome Tent is a number 1 bestseller. It is available in 2, 3, 4, and 6 persons sized tents. Made from polyester taffeta with a 75 denier flysheet, this tent is completely weatherproof, with welded corners and inverted seams to keep any water from entering the tent.
Even better, Coleman includes a rainfly for extra weather protection. This impressive small tent is wind and rain-tested, with a strong and durable frame that can withstand 35+ mph winds.
With great ventilation and large windows to enhance airflow, you will be sure to have a great camping experience with this easy-to-set-up tent.
It only takes 10 minutes out of your day and you are set up and ready to go. What we love about this tent is the E-port which makes it simple to bring electrical power into your tent.
Coleman also offers a 1-year warranty if you are not happy. But with shock-corded fiberglass poles engineered to withstand stormy weather, mesh ventilation, extremely waterproof technology, and lightweight materials, we can’t see why you would not be.
PROS:
- Weatherproof and waterproof
- Includes rainfly
- Inverted seams
- Includes E-port
- 1 year warranty
- Lightweight
- Set up in under 10 minutes
- Can withstand 35 mph winds
CONS:
- Made of cheap materials
- Can leak after extensive use
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Core 9 Person Cabin Tent
Highlights: Super large size tent, super easy to install. Comes with rainfly and Carry Bag.
One of the most popular tents from Elevate Inc is the Core 9-Person Instant. Despite its huge size, you can set this tent up in just a matter of seconds with the help of its telescoping poles that are attached to the internal structure. In just a few minutes, the tent opens like a popup tent.
With an expansive 14′ x 9′ size, this tent is a boon for tall people like me, since it has a 6’5″ height in the center. It easily fits in two air beds, and if you squeeze in a bit tight, you can actually fit in nine people like it says (unlike most other tents).
It has a 68D Polyester fabric construction, which resists water up to 600mm rainfall. The flooring is also quite durable, made from 125gsm P.E. What I really love about this tent is the optional divider that you can put in for privacy.
One thing that the folks at Elevate do is to always include a rainfly in their products, which is very handy. Though I love the great views that you can get from the mesh windows and ceiling panels, nobody likes rainwater seeping into their tent, so a rainfly comes in real handy. It even has a nice carry bag which you can fit everything into when its time to leave
PROS:
- Advanced venting system, lots of air. Mesh windows
- Large T-shaped door
- Room divider
- Rainfly included
- Durable and waterproof
- Can be installed just like a popup tent in seconds
CONS:
- No awning or vestibule in the tent
- The stakes are a bit weak
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Moon Lence Instant Pop Up Tent
Highlights: Incredibly lightweight, with a pop up mechanism for setup in under a minute.
For easy set up, Moon Lence offers their automatic set up waterproof and windproof tent for 4-5 persons.
This tent comes in green, blue and orange to suit any happy camper. The roomy, spacious design remains incredibly lightweight and easy to carry around everywhere you go with its own carry bag.
The tent includes 4 large mesh windows and dual zippers on the door for better ventilation. This tent never loses its high wind resistance and maximum security for all round protection in difficult weather conditions.
The instant pop up mechanism makes this tent easy to set up by yourself in under a minute. Save your time and energy for your camping adventures with this useful tent.
PROS:
- Automatic set up in under 1 minute
- Pop up tent
- Comes with own carry bag
- Lightweight
- Includes 4 mesh windows and 1 door
- Great ventilation
- High wind resistance
CONS:
- Does not have a rainfly
- Cheaply made
- Flimsy
Finding the easiest and best tent to set up on your next camping trip can be almost as difficult as setting up a regular tent by yourself.
We have put together an extensive buying guide to help you pick the right one for your travels. In addition, we have a handy frequently asked questions section to help you get started on your next adventure.
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Easiest Tents to Set Up by Yourself – Buyer’s Guide
How to find the easiest tents to set up by yourself
Finding the right tent for your camping trip is essential to your experience. Before purchasing a new tent you should consider what you want to use it for, when you want to use it and where. This way you can ensure that your tent has all of the necessary capabilities for your next camping adventure.
The easiest tents to set up by yourself often have the quickest and most efficient set up time. These tents are most likely pop up tents or instant tents. These tents can be carried easily in their own carry bag, packed into your vehicle and you are away to go!
You need a tent that can reduce your set up time so that you can focus on spending time in the great outdoors. In this sense, it may be beneficial to look for a tent with a carry bag so that you know you can take it wherever the road takes you.
You will also need to purchase a tent that is lightweight enough that you can carry it on your travels with ease and comfort.
You should always consider what materials your tents are made from. This way you can gauge which ones are suitable for what type of weather conditions or environment you may be expecting on your trip.
You will need a durable tent for tough weather conditions, and you may possibly need a cover if you are expecting some rain or a downpour.
One of the most important factors that you need to consider when purchasing a new tent is the size capacity. You need to make sure that the tent will fit whoever is joining you on your camping journey.
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Easiest Tents to Set Up by Yourself – Frequently Asked Questions
How long does it take to set up a tent by yourself?
This is a very broad question, and one that depends entirely on the size and specifications of your tent.
Generally speaking, the average tent will take about 20 minutes to a half hour to erect by yourself.
However it can be a very frustrating task, and if you definitely have no one to help you out, then it can be far more beneficial to buy a pop up or an instant tent to save you time.
How do you set up a pop up tent?
A pop up or instant tent is the easiest type of tent to pitch by yourself. These tents often come in their own carry bag, are lightweight and easy to take on any camping trip with you.
These tents are super easy to set up, you simply open the bag, pull it out and pitch it in your favorite spot. They require minimal pole assembly and pegging.
Should you put tarp under a tent?
It is not entirely necessary to use a tarp under your tent, but we do advise that you do. By adding or putting some sort of tarp or ground cover underneath your tent, you can ensure its ability to stay warm and dry.
By having a tarp under your tent, you can reduce water and mud seepage from entering your tent and making you uncomfortable. Using a tarp beneath your tent can also aid the prevention of punctures to the bottom of your tent, and ensure that you can use it time and time again.
We recommend that you buy a tarp that is slightly smaller than the size of your tent. This way, when rain falls from the top of your tent and runs down the sides, it will not seep into an oversized tarp and find its way inside.
An oversized tarp will tend to pool any water that falls, and you may be sitting in a tent bath by the end of a storm. Pick a tarp that is 2-3 inches smaller than the exterior dimensions of your tent.
In general, tarps provide an extra layer of protections between you and the ground. This way you can stay warmer, drier and more comfortable for longer.
What is the best waterproofing for tents?
Most quality tents already come equipped with waterproofing properties for protection from harsh weather conditions.
However, after extensive use, your tent’s waterproof coating can wear away or become less protecting. If this has happened to you, you may not need to purchase a brand new tent, but simply a waterproofing spray.
We recommend the Kiwi Camp Dry Heavy Duty Water Repellent or Nikwax Tent and Gear Waterproofing spray for reinforcing the waterproofing on your tent.
Pick a dry day, set up your tent and make sure you clean it before applying a spray. Make sure you apply the waterproofing spray well and coat all of the seams of your tent.
Can I use a pop up canopy in the wind?
It is a well known tale that pop up canopies cannot withstand windy weather conditions. This is not always the case.
It is true that some pop up canopy tents do not cope well in the wind, however, most are designed to cope just fine. So, at the slightest breath of wind, do not cancel that trip just yet.
