If you want to gaze out at the night sky, our guide to the best tents for stargazing can help you out.
A good tent for stargazing will give you a great view of the sky, while still protecting you against insect bites. There are some great tents out there for enjoying the view, but which one is best?
The bottom line straight up: We like the Coleman Hooligan. It’s great for young families or couples wanting a bit more room in their tent and will give you some great views at night.
We also like:
- Big Agnes Copper Spur HV – ideal for backpackers, it has some great features that will make your life a little easier while travelling
- Mobihome 6-Person Pop-Up Tent – perfect for larger groups, this will give you plenty of space
Today we’ll be looking at:
- What you should look for in a tent for stargazing
- 6 of the best, including their specs, features, pros and cons
- Some commonly asked questions
- Which ones we like the best and why
Let’s get going!
Table of Contents
- The Best Tents for Stargazing Compared
- What to Look for in a Tent for Stargazing
- Top 6 Best Tents for Stargazing
- Frequently Asked Questions
- To Sum Up – Which Tent for Stargazing is Best?
The Best Tents for Stargazing Compared
What to Look for in a Tent for Stargazing
Here are the basic things you need to know about finding a great tent for stargazing.
Viewpoint
A tent for stargazing will give you a really good view of the outdoors, while keeping you protected from being bitten by insects. Usually, this is done by having a mesh inner tent with a removable waterproof layer (the rainfly). Once the rainfly is removed, you can see outside.
Other tents have mesh panels, either in the ceiling or on the walls (or both). This will still allow you to see out at night.
The other thing to consider is whether you want a covered porch area. This will give you a bit of shelter, while allowing you to sit up and take in the fresh air.
If you’re new to stargazing and you want to know more, check out Sky and Telescope’s guide to Astronomy for Beginners.
Size and Layout
Although a tent description may say something along the lines of ‘6-man tent’, it may not have enough room for 6 adults to comfortably sleep/lounge alongside each other. It’s always good to look at the floor space to see where you’d put your beds or sleeping pads.
It’s also a good idea to check out the center height. If you’re a taller camper, and you still want to walk around without bending over, it’s definitely worth looking at a taller tent. Cabin tents, with straight walls, are ideal if you want extra head room. Dome tents are smaller and more lightweight, but you won’t necessarily be able to stand up and walk around in them.
You could also look at storage space. Small storage pockets sewn into the walls are great for your valuables, but for larger items like waterproof jackets or backpacks, it’s worth checking if your tent has a covered vestibule or overhead storage loft.
Weatherproofing
If you want to stay dry and warm in bad weather, you’ll need a tent that can hold up against the elements. Our guide to the best tents for bad weather can help you to find a robust tent if you don’t find one in this article that suits you.
A strong frame will help to keep your tent together in the wind, as well as smaller features like reinforced pole clips (these are the mechanisms that some tents use to lock poles together to create the structure of the tent. The stronger the clips, the less likely they are to break).
In terms of rain proofing, sealed seams and covered zippers can stop rain from getting in. You can also look at the hydrostatic head measurement (which is measured in millimeters). This refers to the depth of the pool of water that will collect on the top of your tent when it rains. The bigger the measurement, the more waterproof the top of your tent will be. 1,500mm and above is a good measurement to aim for.
The rainfly is the outer layer of a tent, which protects the inner tent from getting wet. The footprint, meanwhile, will stop moisture from seeping in underneath. Not all tents come with footprints included. If yours doesn’t, we’d recommend the REDCAMP Waterproofing Camping Tarp.
If you want to find a good tent for the rain, you can read our guide. Or, you can check out Trespass’s tips for camping in the rain.
Seasons
A tent ‘season’ refers to the weather conditions it can deal with. Here’s an overview:
- 1 Season – Lightweight tents, with little-to-no waterproofing. These are great for hot weather or festivals, as they tend to be easy to carry.
- 2 Seasons – Slightly more waterproof than 1-season tents, these will keep out the odd shower but won’t protect you against harsher weather.
- 3 Seasons – These should offer good protection against windy and rainy weather, as well as ventilation for hotter days.
- 4 and 5 Seasons – These are harder to find than the other types, as they’re designed for very harsh weather. If you’re camping in snow, it’s worth looking into a 4-season tent. 5-season tents are designed for expeditions and are usually very expensive.
You can find out more in our 3-season vs 4-season tent comparison. Generally speaking, we’d recommend a 3-season tent as your most versatile option.
Materials
Tent walls tend to be made from one of the following materials:
- PVC (Poly Vinyl Chloride) – This is a cheap option and offers some waterproofing but isn’t the most durable.
- Polyester – This is a popular material for tents, as it’s lightweight and durable.
- Nylon – This is similar to polyester, but can suffer from UV damage over time, making it a less durable option.
- Polycotton Canvas – A polyester/cotton mixture, this is a strong durable material.
- Cotton – Cotton tents are rarer to find. They need to be ‘weathered’, which involves leaving them out in the rain a couple of times. Initially they will leak, but as they get wet, the fibres swell and draw together, making them more waterproof for next time.
Tents tend to be coated with a waterproof material, like polyurethane or acrylic.
Ease of Setup
How easy is it to set up your tent? It’s worth checking to see how suitable it is for beginners if you’re new to camping. A few things to look for are color-coded poles or continuous pole sleeves (this means you won’t have to keep re-threading the poles through gaps in the material). Some tents come with the poles pre-threaded, which makes it a lot easier.
Some tents do take longer than others. If you’re looking at a very large tent, it’s going to take a bit longer (and may require more people for set up), as it involves working with a lot of material.
If you want something really easy to put together, look for an instant tent. These are ideal as they are designed to take just minutes to put together.
Portability
If you’re a backpacker, you’ll want the most lightweight tent you can find, as you’ll have to carry it around a lot. Checking the weight can help you decide if a particular tent will work for you (it’s also worth checking the weight if you want to take your tent on a plane).
It’s also worth checking the size packed for this reason. Usually, a tent will come with a carry bag, which makes it easier to transport. However, some tents fold up smaller than others, so if you’re tight on space, it’s worth checking.
Top 6 Best Tents for Stargazing
Now let’s take a look at 6 of the best tents for stargazing – we’ll be looking at each in detail, including their key features, pros, and cons, so you can find the best one for you.
Coleman Cabin Camping Tent with Screen Room – Best Tent with Porch Area
Key Features
- Sleeps: 6
- Size:
13 x 10 x 6ft 4in (ft)
156 x 120 x 76.8 (in)
396 x 305 x 195 (cm) - Size Packed:
26 x 12 (in)
66 x 30 (cm) - Carry bag included: Yes
- Weight: 22lbs / 9.86kgs
- Materials: Coated polyester
- Seasons: 3
The Coleman Cabin Camping Tent with Screen Room is good for stargazing for two reasons. Firstly, the rainfly can be removed, leaving panoramic mesh windows at the top – so if you’re lying in bed at night, you can gaze out as you drift off to sleep. Secondly, it has an enclosed porch area, which will allow you to sit outside while still having some overhead cover.
It’s a 6-man tent with a decent amount of floor space, and good headroom at 6ft 4in (76.8in / 195cm). It has small pockets for valuables, and you can store gear in the porch area too.
It has welded seams which curve upwards at the edges, which is designed to prevent moisture from seeping in underneath. The rainfly, when used, provides a good amount of waterproofing. Thanks to the mesh top, the ventilation is great.
The downside is that it’s a bit more time consuming to put together than some of the others on this list. At 25-30 minutes, it’s not going to be the best choice if you were after more of an instant tent. However, it’s not particularly complex to do. It’s heavy to carry in the bag too, so it’s not the most easily transportable tent on this list.
Pros
- The screen room and mesh top make it great for stargazing
- The waterproofing is good
- It has great ventilation
Cons
- It takes a little longer to assemble
- It’s heavy to carry
HIKERGARDEN 6-Person Tent – Best for Windy Weather
Key Features
- Sleeps: 6
- Size:
10 x 8 x 6ft 3in (ft)
120 x 96 x 76 (in)
305 x 244 x 193 (cm) - Size Packed:
24 x 8.7 (in)
61 x 23 (cm) - Carry bag included: Yes
- Weight: 23lbs / 10.43kg
- Materials: Polyester
- Seasons: 3
The HIKERGARDEN 6-Person Tent is great for stargazing, thanks to the mesh panels on top. Once the rainfly has been removed, it gives you a beautiful view of the night sky.
It’s a pretty roomy tent, able to fit two queen-sized air mattresses. It has small mesh pockets and a covered e-port, but doesn’t have a porch or overhead storage area, which means you’ll have to stash your gear on the floor.
Weatherproofing-wise, it has 1,000mm of water resistance. It’s not going to withstand a prolonged downpour, but it should keep you pretty well protected against the odd shower. The ventilation is great when the rainfly is removed. The frame is strong and holds up well against wind.
It takes about 10-15 minutes to put together. Not the quickest on this list, but certainly not too bad given the size. It packs down into a small carry bag, but it is pretty heavy to carry, so won’t suit you if you’re backpacking.
Pros
- Large mesh panels above are great for looking out at the stars
- Good ventilation
- Lots of floor space
- Simple to set up
Cons
- Not much room for storage
- Will start to leak in prolonged rain
Mountainsmith Morrison 2-Person 3-Season Tent – Best for Storage
Key Features
- Sleeps: 2
- Size:
7ft 6in x 4ft 6in x 3ft 5in (ft)
92 x 56 x 43 (in)
233 x 142 x 109 (cm) - Size packed:
8 x 18 (in)
20 x 46 (cm) - Carry bag included: Yes
- Weight: 4lb 11oz / 2.2kg
- Materials: Coated polyester
- Seasons: 3
The Mountainsmith Morrison 2-Person 3-Season Tent is great for stargazing. It has a removable rainfly with large mesh panels on all sides, giving you a great view at night.
It’s roomy for 2 people, and it has great storage thanks to the vestibules on either side. This makes it ideal for backpackers, as you can put your backpacks and bulkier gear in there. It has a removable canopy shelf for small items too, and it has a removable gear loft and interior pockets. Essentially, for such a small tent, it has a huge amount of storage space!
The weatherproofing is pretty good. The coated polyester rainfly is good at keeping the rain out, and you’ll still have good ventilation. It has a polyester floor, but the footprint has to be bought separately. We’d recommend the Morrison 2 Footprint as it’s designed to go with this particular tent.
It’s pretty easy to put together. It has just two poles and color-coded rainfly attachments, so it’s simple to work out where everything is supposed to go. The instructions are printed on the bag too, so you won’t have to worry about misplacing them. It packs down into a small bag and it’s lightweight to carry.
Pros
- Large mesh panels are ideal for stargazing
- Comes with lots of storage space
- Weatherproofing is good
- Simple to put together
Cons
- Doesn’t have a footprint included
Coleman Hooligan – Best for Young Families
Key Features
- Sleeps: 4
- Size:
9 x 7 x 4ft 1in (ft)
108 x 84 x 50 (in)
275 x 214 x 126 (cm) - Size packed:
30 x 6 (in)
76 x 15 (cm) - Weight: 7.8lb / 3.5kg
- Materials: Coated double-thick nylon
- Seasons: 3
The Coleman Hooligan has a fully removable rainfly with mesh windows underneath that reach from the ceiling almost all the way down to the floor – giving you a full view of the stars at night.
It’s advertised as a 4-person tent, but it would be a bit tight for 4 adults. 2 adults and 2 kids would fit nicely in this tent, or it would make a good roomy tent for 2 backpackers. It has a vestibule for storage and small storage pockets.
The coated rainfly is great for keeping the rain out, and the ventilation is great. It has welded seams to stop leaks from getting in at the sides. However, the stakes (which you drive into the ground to anchor your tent firmly) are a bit flimsy. We’d recommend buying some stronger ones instead, like the Huji Galvanized Steel Stakes.
It’s a really easy tent to set up. It has continuous pole sleeves, which means you won’t have to keep rethreading the poles through gaps in the material. It folds up small into a lightweight carry bag.
Pros
- Provides a great view of the night sky thanks to the removable rainfly
- Waterproofing is good
- Includes a vestibule for storage
- Simple to put together
Cons
- Stakes included are flimsy
- Might be too small for 4 adults
Mobihome 6-Person Pop Up Tent – Best for Larger Groups
Key Features
- Sleeps: 6
- Size:
13 x 7 x 4ft 5in (ft)
161 x 83 x 55 (in)
410 x 210 x 140 (cm) - Size Packed:
35 x 9 (in)
88.9 x 22.8 (cm) - Carry bag included: Yes
- Weight: 14lbs 3oz / 6.48kg
- Materials: Coated polyester
- Seasons: 3
The Mobihome 6-Person Pop-Up Tent is good for stargazing. The rainfly can be rolled back, and you can sit up and look out of the side panels or lay down and gaze up at the stars.
It’s a roomy tent, with enough room for 2 queen-sized air mattresses. It has storage pockets for your smaller items, with no vestibule or overhead storage, but there is a lot of floor space which could make up for this.
The rainproofing is decent at 1,500mm for the rainfly. However, in prolonged heavy rain, it could cause problems, as a few leaks may still get through. It has great ventilation and a strong frame.
It’s simple to set up. Just spread the tent flat, extend the poles all the way, and hold the bottom with one hand while pulling up the frame in the center. It clicks into place and takes just minutes to do. So, if you’re looking for a fast tent to set up, this could be a good one for you. It folds up fairly small into the carry bag included.
Pros
- Large mesh panels allow you to look out at night
- Lots of floor space
- Setup is very fast
Cons
- Lacks storage
- May leak in prolonged rain
Big Agnes Copper Spur HV – Best for Backpackers
Key Features
- Sleeps: 1
- Size:
7ft 3in x 3ft 1 in x 3ft 1in (ft)
88 x 38 x 38 (in)
224 x 97 x 97 (cm) - Size Packed:
17.5 x 5.5 (in)
44 x 14 (cm) - Carry bag included: Yes
- Weight: 2lbs 6oz / 1.08kgc
- Materials: Coated polyester
- Seasons: 3
The Big Agnes Copper Spur HV is good for looking out at the stars, thanks to the fully removable rainfly – the tent underneath is mesh, allowing you a full view of the night sky.
It’s a great tent for a backpacker, with a good amount of floor space for 1 person. It has a large storage area to keep your gear off the floor, as well as smaller ‘media’ pockets for your devices, with covered e-ports (covered holes to feed electrical cables through). It also has hooks on the inside which means you can attach a gear loft if you have one (we like the E-Z UP GLCBGY Gear Loft if you want a small, lightweight storage loft for your gear).
The rainfly is made with double rip-stop nylon, which means it’s designed to be able to resist rips and tears. It has UV protection, and it has a strong frame that is designed to lock together tightly once they are snapped into position, which means it should hold up against windy weather. It has decent rainproofing at 1,200mm, which won’t hold up against very heavy prolonged rain, but it’s pretty good in the face of the odd shower.
Tent Setup
In terms of setup, it’s really easy, with simple instructions – it should take less than 10 minutes and will become quicker with practice. It folds up into a very small carry bag and it’s very lightweight, making it a good choice for backpackers. The one thing we’d say is that it’s on the expensive side for a 1-person tent. If you’re looking for a cheaper option, try our guide to the best backpacking tents under $100.
Pros
- Removable rainfly with mesh walls allows you to gaze out at night
- Good amount of floor space for 1 person
- Storage is great
- The setup is fast and easy
Cons
- Won’t hold up against prolonged rain
- Quite pricey for a 1-person tent
Frequently Asked Questions
Here are some of the most frequently asked questions about tents for stargazing:
Will mesh walls keep out insects?
Yes. Mesh walls will keep out a lot of insects, provided that you keep the outer doors shut as much as possible to prevent them from flying in!
For more tips on keeping insects at bay, check out the Eureka! guide to common insects and how to protect yourself.
What other equipment can I take with me for stargazing?
Binoculars are a great, portable item you can take with you when you’re camping. Try the Celestron SkyMaster Giant Binoculars for a great, close-up view of the stars.
Can I take my tent with me on a plane?
Yes. Just check the weight and size to make sure it fits with your airline’s requirements, and you’ll be good to take it with you (check out the TSA’s guide to which items are suitable to take on a plane for more information).
Where can I go to get a good view of the night sky?
We can recommend a couple of places. You could try the Lost Coast Trail in California, which has some amazing campsites, situated close to beaches, with some beautiful views of clear skies at night. Or, if you want a true tropical paradise, Palaui Island is stunning. Unspoiled by light pollution, the only campsite (the Punta Verde) is a beautiful spot for stargazing at night.
If you want to dream big, check out the National Geographic guide to the world’s best stargazing spots – there are some seriously beautiful skies out there!
To Sum Up – Which Tent for Stargazing is Best?
So, which tent is the best for stargazing?
We really like the Coleman Hooligan. It has decent weatherproofing, it’s a nice spacious tent for couples or young families, and it will allow you to see the sky at night clearly.
We also like the Big Agnes Copper Spur HV. It’s expensive for a 1-person tent but has a lot of neat features for backpackers. It will give you a beautiful view of the night sky.
Or, if you’re in a larger group, we’d recommend the Mobihome 6-Person Pop-Up Tent. It’s got a lot of floor space and will allow everyone to gaze out at night.
We hope this has helped you to find the perfect tent for stargazing!