Best Tents for Hot Weather Camping (stay COOL all Summer)


If you’re in a hurry and just want to find out what the best tents for hot weather camping are, then we recommend the Marmot Crane Creek Ultralight Backpacking and Camping Tent. 

We all love to camp in that sweet spot of temperature, between 50-75F. But what about when the temperatures are in the 80s, 90s, or even 100s? (I’m lookin’ at you, Texas)

While there are various tents that offer different amenities, it seems like we mostly discuss the types that are best for the cold. Obviously, having a proper tent in cold weather is good too. But… we overlook how miserable camping in a hot and muggy tent can be.

By the way, as an Amazon Associate, I earn when buying qualified products through links on my site.

best camping tent for hot weather

Since we kept seeing this problem come up, we decided to do an article on it to help you find the best possible tents for the hottest times of the year.

In a Hurry? Here’s Our Top 3 Picks…

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What to Look for in a Tent Made for Camping in The Heat

Before we dive into the actual tents, however, we need to address a few key things. People will often forget about the importance of what these tents provide. So much so, they will use tents made for various different purposes.

We’ll explain to you why this is a bad idea and why you should be looking into tents for hot weather camping immediately.

Tent UV Protection

Obviously, when you look into buying a tent that’s made for hot weather camping, you want to know how well it does against the sun. Many tents will be terrible in this department, but those made to handle the sun’s rays have been in use for several years.

The thing you need to determine is the best tent for you in this area. Sometimes, tents can become more expensive when you start to add in a lot of amenities. However, most tents with good UV Protection aren’t very far off from other tents in price.

Usually, UPF50+ is the average rating you’ll see for the tents that provide UV Protection. However, some might be cleared for more.

Tent Breathability

When it gets warm out, you do not want to be in a tent even if it has some UV Protection if there is no proper ventilation. You need to get some of that warmth out and the only way to do this is by having a tent that has mesh openings, windows, and a door that can zip open with ease.

It may not seem like you’re asking for much with this, and you’re not. However, some tents do not come with windows or even a mesh opening system. The best tents for hot weather camping WILL have them, however.

Tent Durability

Let’s be honest, when it gets warmer out we’re going to be hitting the trails for hiking, fishing, and anything else possible. However, if we go camping while doing this we will likely need to take a tent with us that can travel well, but also last if it’s dropped.

Meanwhile, we also need a tent that can hold up well against weather that may hit out of nowhere. The Spring and Summer are classic times of the year when random storms hit without a lot of, if any, notice beforehand.

Thus, we want to have a tent that is durable enough to handle this and anything else we throw at it.

Tent Waterproofness

Speaking of storms, wind and rain can be a huge issue for tents during even the lightest of storms. This is why you want to get a tent with some level of waterproofness. The level you need in this department will truly be determined by the area you’ll camp most.

If you camp in Seattle, there is a solid chance it may rain on your camping trip. Meanwhile, for those camping in California…you’re more likely to see a forest catch on fire than see rain. Thus, you may or may not need a heavily waterproof tent depending on the circumstances.

Usually, the best waterproof levels will be 3,000 to 5,000mm and up, as this can keep the inside of a tent dry in a big way. You will see “MM” ratings as well as “PU” ratings in this area. Both are waterproof concepts but can be measured differently, so keep that in mind.

How Easy The Tent Is To Assemble

As human beings, we can only handle so much in a given day. When it is hot outside, we may love the outdoors but we’re going to be wiped out near the end of a day. This is especially true if we’ve been climbing or hiking for most of the day.

The last thing we want to deal with is a tent that takes forever to set up. Most camping tents that are designed for camping in the heat will not be much of an issue here. The best tents usually take no time at all to assemble for each use. This ultimately comes down to the size you need.

Reviews: Best Tents For Hot Weather Camping

Marmot Limestone Camping Tent

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Marmot is a leader in outdoor equipment, but they are often ranked in the top sector alone for their impressive tents. This Marmot Crane Creek Ultralight Backpacking and Camping Tent version only helps us understand why that is as it’s one of the best tents for spring and summer camping that we have seen to date!

Naturally, we need to properly get a tent that can hold up against multiple different conditions. Marmot delivered that with this tent, as it uses a nylon fabric that is incredibly durable. It is seam-taped, allowing it to hold up against rain or snow in light forms.

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The overall floor is protected from punctures, abrasions, and scuffs here. This only makes it perfect for everyone.

We also like to call this tent “idiot-proof,” as it is likely the easiest large tent to set up that we have seen in some time. They color-coded the poles and clips to help you know where to put everything. On top of that, they included stakeout loops that allow you to pull the tarp taut and align it with the tent bottom itself.

This is a bigger tent, made for 4 to 6 people. However, it could also work for a couple and their dog or simply just a few people who want extra room.

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Coleman Dome Tent with Screen Room

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Coleman has always developed some incredible tents, so it should come as a shock to literally no one that they were able to create a great tent for warmer weather. Yet this is a tent that can hold up well against pretty much anything.

The frame of this tent is made to be very strong. It has to be, as it is cleared for 6 to 8 people depending on the size you decide to buy. As a result of this strong frame, it has been cleared to be capable of handling winds of up to 35 MPH.

On top of that, the tent uses a Polyester Taffeta fabric. This stuff is typically great at keeping water out of places. Alone, it is merely water-resistant as seams and things of that nature have to be used to make it waterproof. However, that did come into play and it was given a 75D rating as a result.

Coleman also used the WeatherTec System to add even more protection for the floors and overall tent. Essentially, this sucker can handle anything short of a flood.

Also included is a Screen Room that opens up the tent to its mesh lining. This is perfect for those who want to sit outside and avoid critters, as Coleman ensured that the mesh will keep bugs out completely.

The set-up is also incredibly easy, regardless of the size you buy. It takes roughly 15 minutes on average to set up completely.

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CORE 9 Person Instant Cabin Tent

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This tent option by the people at CORE goes above and beyond the call of duty. It is the kind of tent you’d use for a large family or perhaps a trip with the guys. It is massive, standing at 14’x 9’, it truly is one of the most affordable large tents on the market today.

It can fit 2 Queen Mattress comfortably and with a 78-inch height, most people can stand comfortably in it too. Perhaps you might be camping with another couple or you have a few kids around yet want your parental privacy. In either case, they include room divider is tremendous!

Wall storage pockets only help you keep things organized well.

Weather-wise, the tent is made from a durable 68D polyester fabric. Meanwhile, the rainfly included can be added or removed at your leisure. This is a perfect tent for warm weather, as it can properly ventilate with ease.

Adjustable intake vents are included to help bring in cooler air while expelling hot air that gets trapped in many other tents. On top of that, there is a mesh ceiling present when the fabric is removed. Yet the overall tent can open almost completely in the front, back, and both sides.

CORE’s specialized H20 Technology sort of doubles as both a rain protector and protects against UV rays coming in. That is certainly helpful in our book.

While the tent does weigh slightly over 30lbs due to its size, the set-up for it is very easy. This is a Pop-Up tent, so set-up takes roughly 60 seconds to accomplish.

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Kelty Trail Ridge 6 Camping Tent 

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The Kelty Trail Ridge tent is one of our favorites, as it offers so much for a fair price. It is also designed a bit different than other tents, allowing it to offer a special difference that helps it stand out.

First and foremost, there are steep walls and tons of room in this tent. You can choose to remove the ceiling or not, as they have essentially a meshed system that can open up completely to see the stars. It also helps to get a lot of warm air out.

Yet it zips up tightly, so no rain will get in once the ceiling goes back on. It holds up to 6 people and has 2 doors for people to enter and exit from. Also included are two poles for sturdiness and two vestibules.

The vestibule vents are great for allowing proper airflow, making the tent cooler in the warm weather months. On top of that, it helps to get any moisture out. While the great noiseless zipper is perfect for not disturbing those you’re camping with, it also does not swing around during windy weather.

The DAC® aluminum poles help to add stability in the wind, thereby clearing this tent for average winds and slightly higher. On top of that, the polyester lining is seam-taped to prevent any water from getting in.

However, it has not been given a rating so we cannot completely claim it is waterproof without that. This is why we claimed it is water-resistant, as the appearance of this type of fabric alone clears it for such a thing. Waterproofness, on the other hand, is another story.

Set-up for the tent is as easy as can be. Kelty offers a color-coded clip construction, making it easy to know where everything goes. Due to this, it takes roughly less than 20 minutes to put together.

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Coleman Sundome Tent

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This tent option by Coleman is yet another example that proves why Coleman is one of the industry leaders in tents. Their Sundome Tent is capable of holding 2 to 6 people, depending on the version you buy.

Obviously, the bigger the tent, the more room it will have and the more it’ll cost. Keep this in mind when deciding which version you’d prefer. Overall, the tent is perfect for any type of camping you want to do.

What makes this one of the best tents for hot weather camping is ultimately the large windows included on top of the ground vent and impressive ventilation system. These are included to assist in keeping you cool on those hot summer days.

The tent can also hold up well against most weather due to the included WeatherTec System. The fabric is protected well in the seams and zippers, which keeps water out for the most part. This tent also has waterproof floors as well as a strong frame, which ensures wind resistance.

Whether you get the smallest or largest version of this tent from Coleman, the set-up is a breeze too. It takes roughly 10 minutes according to Coleman. This is likely due to the continuous pole sleeves that make it snag-free. For those of you who know how bad it can be to get snagged up in these things, you’ll certainly appreciate that feature.

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Conclusion

We hope we offered a bit of assistance for those of you looking for a tent that’s suitable for hot weather camping. And while we feel that the Marmot is the best on the market for camping in the heat, we feel we found some absolute aces and we’re sure any of these tents will be perfect for your next camping trip in warmer weather.

For instance, you may enjoy the guaranteed perfection from the Coleman brand, making both dome tents perfect for you.

Some may also be interested in the great CORE tent, which is massive and packed with features all while being one of the easiest tents to set-up today. Meanwhile, some may enjoy the option from Kelty that holds up against weather well while also being large and light.

Regardless, no matter what tent you buy, there is sure to be a great value in it for years to come.

Peter

Peter is a software developer who loves to take every opportunity to go outside that he can get. Peter grew up going on long backpacking excursions with his family every Summer and now enjoys staying at the beautiful Texas State Parks and swimming in the amazing Texas Rivers.

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