Coleman says that the tent doesn’t need one, probably because its floor is a crinkly (though tough) tarp-like polyethylene, not a taped-seam polyester as in our other picks. Though the Marmot Tungsten 4-Person Tent lacks the Mineral King 3’s adaptable fly, which makes access and protection from the elements such a breeze, the Tungsten 4 provides more living space and equal protection against the elements. A full rain fly with easy-attach color-coded clips covers the tent body and adds two large vestibules. Like the Mineral King 3, the Tungsten has aluminum poles that are connected at the top (for lightning-quick pitching) and pre-bent, which increases the dome tent’s headroom. At $500, this modified dome-style tent isn’t cheap, but it represents substantial value.
Great on both touring 4×4 setups and camper trailers, our Shower Tent is ideal for those looking for a bit of extra luxury while out on the road. Useful as both a shower room and as a toilet or changing space, it can be adjusted in size so that it suits the height of your vehicle perfectly. The tent comes with everything you need to get it setup, as well as a removable floor with drain, and a velcro roof piece. A Walmart in one town may allow overnight parking, but the next town over will not. Be sure to read all posted signage and, if it is a business and they are open, go inside and ask permission from the manager.
You can also get a nice cross breeze going by leaving the vestibules open. On sunny days and clear nights, take off the fly and enjoy the sky through the tent’s clear mesh canopy. Some testers, though, thought the tent was stuffy when the fly was fully closed and the sun was out. Our only quibble with the Mineral King 3 is that it comes with only six stakes. (Our runner-up pick comes with eight.) Six is enough to secure the tent and fly but not to fully secure the tent’s extra lines in very windy conditions.
Finding a small, light tent is the logical approach when you’re backpacking. But with car camping—the industry term for what most people consider just camping—you’ll likely be parking ozark trail shower tent next to your campsite and unloading. If you won’t be carrying your tent more than a couple hundred feet, more space means more comfort (as well as more room for your stuff).
While few national parks allow for free camping, many national parks are bordered by national forest or grasslands. Drive a few minutes out of the park, pull into a quiet spot in the national forest, and enjoy the solitude. Wirecutter is the product recommendation service from The New York Times. Our journalists combine independent research with (occasionally) over-the-top testing so you can make quick and confident buying decisions.
Overnight parking locations almost universally do not allow tent camping, so are best suited for those staying in RVs or vans. If you’re camping in an area that allows overnight parking, such as a truck stop or Walmart parking lot, you will likely have access to a bathroom and a place to dispose of ozark trail instant cabin garbage. Free camping is camping overnight in your RV or tent at a location where you do not have to pay. Free camping is sometimes called boondocking, primitive camping, dry camping, and dispersed camping. We found that company representatives are reluctant to estimate the lifespan of their tents.