Welcome to our comprehensive guide on the best camping tents for 7 people! Whether you’re planning a family camping trip, a group adventure with friends, or a cozy getaway with loved ones, having a spacious and reliable tent is crucial for a comfortable outdoor experience. With countless options available in the market, we understand that finding the perfect tent can be overwhelming. That’s why we’ve curated a list of top-notch tents specifically designed to accommodate 7 people, ensuring ample space for everyone to sleep, relax, and enjoy the great outdoors. In this article, we’ll walk you through a detailed buyer’s guide that will help you make an informed decision when choosing the right tent
Key features & benefits
- Huge space.
- Great design.
- 3 rooms.
- Great ventilation.
- Great price.
- Great packed size.
- Great area/weight ratio.
Coleman Red Canyon 8 – what this is about
When it comes to the Coleman Red Canyon 8 Tent, there are a few key aspects that set it apart from the competition. In this section, we’ll delve into these aspects, exploring the remarkable design and spaciousness that make this tent a standout choice for camping enthusiasts.
Striking Design:
The Coleman Red Canyon 8 Tent boasts a design that is both eye-catching and functional. Its unique appearance makes it easily recognizable in any camping setting. The tent’s design has earned it a well-deserved spot on my list of the best 3-room family camping tents. Its distinct shape, color options, and attention to detail make it a tent that stands out from the crowd.
Impressive Floor Size:
One of the most remarkable features of the Coleman Red Canyon 8 Tent is its generous floor area. With 170 square feet (15.6 square meters) of space, this tent offers an abundance of room for you and your fellow campers. This floor size is truly exceptional, providing nearly 2 square meters per person. To put it into perspective, let’s compare it to other popular tents: the Core 9-Person Instant Cabin Tent offers 11.7 square meters of floor space, while the Coleman 8-Person Instant Camping Tent provides 12.9 square meters. As you can see, the Red Canyon 8’s floor area is significantly larger, making it a spacious and comfortable option for your camping
Not Freestanding
This tent is not freestanding: it is important to stake it to the ground to properly set it up and utilize all its features. This is not surprising considering the vast interior space and unique, albeit slightly complex, design that the tent offers. The need for proper anchoring ensures stability and ensures that the tent remains secure, even in windy conditions.
Ideal for 3-Season Camping:
The Coleman Red Canyon 8 Tent is specifically designed for 3-season camping. This means it is optimized for use in spring, summer, and fall, offering protection and comfort in mild weather conditions. The tent consists of an inner tent and a fly, providing a balance between ventilation and weather resistance.
- Inner Tent and Ventilation: The inner tent features numerous mesh openings that facilitate excellent airflow and ventilation, making it ideal for warm-weather camping. The mesh allows for free airflow, ensuring a comfortable and breathable interior space. However, it’s important to note that the mesh design may not be as suitable for colder environments.
- Dome-Shaped Design: The tent features a dome-shaped structure that comes with both advantages and limitations. It can be better described as an extended dome due to the two extra poles added to extend the main dome on the sides. This design provides stability and headroom in the central area. However, it’s important to consider that dome-shaped tents are not typically as resistant to harsh weather conditions as other tent designs.
Where to Buy:
This tent is available At Amazon and Walmart:
Who Is It For:
The Coleman Red Canyon 8 Tent is designed to cater to specific groups of campers, ensuring that everyone can enjoy its spaciousness and functionality. Here are the main target audiences that will greatly benefit from this tent:
- Groups of Friends: Whether you’re heading to open-air festivals or planning a camping trip with your buddies, the Coleman Red Canyon 8 Tent is perfect for accommodating groups of friends. With its substantial floor area and three separate rooms, it offers plenty of space for socializing, sleeping, and storing your gear.
- Families with Up to 4 Kids: When it comes to camping with children, space is always in high demand. The Red Canyon 8 Tent comes to the rescue by providing ample room for families with up to four kids. With separate rooms, each child can have their own space, ensuring a comfortable and enjoyable camping experience for everyone.
To maximize space inside the tent, consider using bunk cots. These ingenious sleeping arrangements not only save space but also add an element of fun for kids. Bunk cots also offer storage space underneath, allowing you to keep your camping gear organized and easily accessible.
Packed Size:
The packed size of the Coleman Red Canyon 8 Tent is truly extraordinary, measuring 25.6 x 11 x 10.2 inches (65 x 28 x 26 cm). This compact size enables convenient transportation, even on a motorbike. For campers who prefer motorcycle camping or have limited space in their vehicles, the Red Canyon 8 Tent offers a practical solution without compromising on its impressive size.
Weight Ratio:
The Coleman Red Canyon 8 Tent boasts an exceptional area-to-weight ratio compared to other tents on the market. With a ratio of 1.54 square meters per kilogram, it surpasses the average ratio of 1 or lower typically found in other tent models. This is due to its dome-shaped design, which offers a better weight-to-space ratio compared to cabin-type tents.
Weather Protection:
When it comes to camping, weather protection is of utmost importance. While the Coleman Red Canyon 8 Tent is designed for 3-season use, it’s essential to understand its capabilities and limitations to ensure a comfortable camping experience in various weather conditions. Let’s dive into the weather protection features of the Red Canyon 8 Tent.
The Fly:
The fly of the Coleman Red Canyon 8 Tent is not a full-coverage type, which comes with both advantages and disadvantages. On the positive side, the partial fly design allows for unobstructed views through the windows, enhancing the overall livability and pleasantness of the tent. Additionally, the fly is well-separated from the inner tent dome, allowing for optimal air circulation from all sides.
When it comes to protecting you from rain, the Coleman Red Canyon 8 Tent has some considerations to keep in mind. While it utilizes Coleman’s WeatherTec System, which includes welded seams on the floor and taped seams in other areas, as well as water-repellent materials and inverted seams in certain sections, it’s important to note that the protection from rain is not complete.
Door and Window:
The door of the Red Canyon 8 Tent comes with a panel from the inside that can be zipped up during rainy conditions. However, it’s worth mentioning that the small awning on the door doesn’t extend enough to fully protect the lower portion of the door. Therefore, when unzipping the door panel during rain, some water may enter the tent. It’s advisable to exercise caution and consider additional measures to prevent water ingress during heavy rainfall.
Ventilation:
Despite the partial fly design and considerations for rain protection, the Coleman Red Canyon 8 Tent still provides excellent ventilation. The tent features ample mesh openings and ventilation panels, ensuring a steady airflow throughout the interior. Even with the panels closed, the mesh and ventilation openings above the floor allow for optimal air circulation, keeping the tent well-ventilated and comfortable.
The Structure and Setup:
A tent’s structure and ease of setup play a crucial role in ensuring a hassle-free camping experience. In this section, let’s explore the structure and setup process of the Coleman Red Canyon 8 Tent.
Poles:
The Coleman Red Canyon 8 Tent comes with six shock-corded poles that are easy to use and essential for setting up the tent. Here’s a breakdown of the pole configuration:
- Two Main Poles create an X-shaped dome structure above the central zone of the tent.
- Two additional side poles create headspace for the side rooms. To fully utilize the headspace, it’s important to stake the tent to the ground. Keep in mind that the Red Canyon 8 Tent is not freestanding, meaning it requires proper staking for optimal setup and functionality.
- Two Shorter poles are used specifically with the fly to create small awnings on the front and back of the tent. These awnings offer additional protection and shade when needed.
Inner Space:
The interior space of the Coleman Red Canyon 8 Tent is a thing of beauty. The central area boasts ample headspace, with a height of 72 inches (1.83 meters). While the side areas have lower ceilings, they are perfectly suitable for sleeping and sitting on the ground or on cots.
The Dividers:
The Red Canyon 8 Tent features two removable dividers that can be attached to the side walls using toggles and loops. These dividers allow for privacy and help separate the interior into individual rooms. It’s important to note that the dividers do not reach the roof, allowing for a view of the side window even from the central area. Additionally, the dividers do not extend completely to the floor, likely to facilitate air circulation throughout the tent.
Setup:
Setting up the Coleman Red Canyon 8 Tent may require some effort, but it is a straightforward process. To get started, follow these general steps:
- Choose a suitable location: Look for a level and clear area to pitch your tent, preferably on soft ground.
- Lay out the tent body: Lay the tent body on the ground, ensuring the orientation is correct.
- Assemble the poles: Connect and insert the poles into the corresponding pole sleeves or grommets. Start with the main poles and then attach the side poles as directed.
- Raise the tent: Lift the assembled poles to raise the tent structure. Make sure the poles are secure and properly tensioned.
- Stake the tent: Stake down the corners and other key points of the tent to secure it to the ground. Ensure the tent is taut and stable.
- Attach the fly: If needed, attach the fly to provide additional weather protection. Insert the shorter poles to create the small awnings on the front and back of the tent.
- Adjust and fine-tune: Adjust the tension of the tent and fly as necessary to achieve optimal stability and appearance.
specification
- Type: 3-season, non-freestanding.
- Capacity: 8 people.
- Weight: 22.4 lb (10.16 kg).
- Shipping weight: 25.05 lb (11.36 kg).
- Dimensions: 17 x 10 ft (204 x 120 in; 5.2 x 3 m)
- Floor area: 170 ft² (15.6 m²).
- Area per person: 21.2 ft² (1.95 m²).
- Peak height: 72 in (1.83 m).
- Packed size: 25.6 x 11 x 10.2 in (65 x 28 x 26 cm).
- Colors: 3, see the pictures.
Pros
- Great price
- Three separate rooms
- Excellent ventilation
- Reasonable packed size
- Good area/weight ratio
Cons
- Huge floor space
- No vestibules or storage areas
- Only one door for such a large tent
- Limited stake-out points for the floor
- Fly doesn’t offer full coverage for rain protection.
Conclusion
The Coleman Red Canyon 8 Tent stands out as a remarkable choice for campers seeking a spacious and versatile camping shelter. With its generous floor area, three separate rooms, and excellent ventilation, this tent offers ample space and comfort for groups of friends or families with children. While it has a few limitations, such as the lack of vestibules and limited rain protection, the Red Canyon 8 Tent compensates with its attractive price point, convenient packed size, and overall value for money. Whether you’re embarking on a camping adventure with friends or enjoying a family getaway, the Coleman Red Canyon 8 Tent is ready to provide you with a memorable and enjoyable outdoor experience.
