The 10 Best Teepees For Camping
This wiki has been updated 17 times since it was first published in May of 2020. While camping teepees are often associated with the hot tents survivalists use in cold weather conditions, many are drawn to them simply for their style. Whether you’re an individual looking for a lightweight option to take backpacking or a group looking for something to huddle in overnight at a festival, one of the carefully researched options below is sure to protect you from the elements. When users buy our independently chosen editorial picks, we may earn commissions to help fund the Wiki.
Editor's Notes
June 29, 2020:
Camping teepees come in many sizes, from lightweight one-person tents, to larger family models that fit 6 or more people. No matter which teepee you choose, be sure to consider whether or not you’ll need a tent footprint for extra protection against damp conditions, as well as other odds and ends like tent stakes, as they are sometimes not included.
Moving forward, even though teepees like the OneTigris Smokey HUT and OneTigris Wild Haven have vent holes for camp stoves and/or claim to use fire retardant materials in their construction, we strongly urge you to never use an open flame or serious heat source inside any tent ever. Unless you're an Antarctic explorer or some other form of seasoned survivalist with years of experience and training who has no other choice but to warm their food inside a tent due to a blizzard, it’s just not a good idea for a number of reasons. From carbon monoxide poisoning to serious burns, there are many things that can go wrong. Of course, that’s just our recommendation, and we are sure that you can do your own research that will result in your own informed conclusion and lead to what you consider to be responsible conduct. We realize some of the teepees on the list may be built with stove use in mind, but just like operating a forklift or doing home electrical work, this isn’t something we would advise you to jump into without experience.
Finally, although some teepees like the OmniCore Designs Vented and Danchel Outdoor 4000 Pro claim to hold large groups of 6 or more, it should be noted that manufacturers get these numbers from a standard metric used to measure interiors based on sleeping pad areas. As such, please try to visualize the dimensions of the tent you plan to purchase before doing so in order to get a better idea of whether it is the right choice for you. If you can set up a mock tent with strings and things, that might help you imagine what your needs are.
Special Honors
Seek Outside While they also offer hiking packs, camp stoves, and other useful outdoor gear, this manufacturer and retailer focuses mostly on teepees, and as such, has a lot of thoughtful options designed for a range of excursions. In addition to an instructional section that includes topics like the pros and cons of tents without floors and how to deal with condensation, they have a blog, podcast, and a robust online forum. seekoutside.com
Nomadics Tipi Makers Although their designs are on the expensive side and definitely not intended for backpacking, the artisan teepees made by this company are something special you have to see with your own eyes. Based on traditional Sioux designs and made from 100% organic cotton, their offerings range from 8 to 26 feet where cover diameter is concerned, and come with all the ropes, stakes, and instructions you need to erect one yourself. The website itself is very well put together, with clear price and inventory tables, contact information, and a fun design-your-own section. tipi.com