Camping in the desert without a good tent is always a bad idea. Desert may seem like a safe, warm, and easy place to camp in, but is it really like that? No. Desert can be a dangerous place to camp in, and that’s why you should buy only the best tent for desert camping.
A good tent will protect you from all the natural elements such as sand storms, very hot temperatures during the day, and icy cold nights. We have made a list of such tents and in this list, you’ll find not one, not two, but 7 best tents for desert camping.
In a hurry? Here are 4 best tents for desert camping in 2022:
| Image | Name | Specs | Best Deals |
|---|---|---|---|
 |
Coleman Cabin Tent with Instant Setup | – 1 minute assembly – waterproof materials – suitable for 3 seasons |
Check Price |
 |
Featherstone 2 Person Backpacking Tent | – micro mesh fabric – bathtub floor design |
Check Price |
 |
Mountainsmith Morrison 2 Person Tent | – 2 doors – great ventilation |
Check Price |
 |
Core 9 Person Instant Cabin Tent | – removable rainfly – room divider |
Check Price |
1. Coleman Cabin Tent with Instant Setup
The first desert tent on our list comes from a reputable tent maker Coleman. It’s a cabin tent with an instant set up that will take you less than 1 minute to fully assemble.
This tent is weatherproof. You will be protected both from rain and sand storms, while the integrated rainfly provides great airflow inside the tent. With its double-thick fabric, you won’t have to worry about buying a new tent each year.
Each Coleman tent goes through the same tests of durability, so you don’t have to worry about rain coming in or winds breaking it apart. Check out the testing process in a video down below. You can never go wrong with this brand, it could easily be the best tent for desert camping out there.
You can choose between 10, 6, and 4 person size variants. It can be used safely in 3 different seasons and it has a zipper closure type.
2. Featherstone 2 Person Backpacking Tent
An extremely lightweight desert tent that’s suitable for the two of you. This tent has micro-mesh fabric which keeps the air fresh and there is no condensation. You can easily move the location because of its freestanding structure.
It’s big enough for two people, but you won’t be able to stand inside of it. This tent has a 3000mm polyurethane hydrostatic rated coating both on the rainfly and its floor. Sand storms won’t penetrate the rainfly either.
You can easily remove the rainfly and have a great view due to its mesh interior as you may see below.
The bottom of the tent has a Bathtub Floor Design which elevates the tent and protects you from wet grounds. It’s very easy to set it up and you can pack the whole tent into one backpack. It’s an ideal tent for backpackers because of how easy it is to store it.
3. Mountainsmith Morrison 2 Person Tent
The third tent on our list is this lightweight Mountainsmith Morrison desert tent. You can use this tent in 3 seasons and it has enough room for 2 people. It will protect you from all the natural elements and some customers even claim it’s good enough for winter too.
Like the Featherstone tent, it also has a bathtub floor design to protect you from cold and wet grounds. Mountainsmith is a reputable brand that has a 40-year long tradition of making camping gear.
You don’t have to worry about a long setup as this tent doesn’t take long to assemble. In case you forget, there are setup instructions printed on the stuff sack. You can see how easy the whole setup process is in the video down below.
Customers often complain that it’s too heavy for backpacking. However, it’s still very light when compared to competitor tents. This is one of the best tents for desert camping that you can get.
There are two doors, so no more clumsy accidents while stepping over each other. It has aluminum poles and stakes that will easily withstand desert winds.
4. Core 9 Person Instant Cabin Tent
Some of you have big families, or you go camping with a group of friends. That’s why we decided it would be fair to include big desert tents as well. Core Instant Cabin Tent can fit up to 9 people, and it is 78″ tall at the center.
It weighs 27.62 pounds which is not a lot if you consider 9 people can fit it in. Rain fly and carry bag are both included in the package. One feature that separates this tent from the others is the electrical cord access port.
You can use that access port during nice weather and fully close it if necessary. Rainfly can be fully removed if you want to enjoy the sky. Once removed, there is a mesh ceiling panel that will keep the bugs out.
The room can be divided for some extra privacy. There are intake vents on the ground that will draw cool air and let the hot escape through the mesh ceiling. This might be the best tent for desert camping if you want lots of space, air, and protection.
5. Coleman Octagon 98
Once again, a great tent by Coleman, but this time it’s big enough for 8 people. This is a durable desert tent that has a steel construction. It is made from the highest quality materials, so you don’t have to worry about desert storms or heavy rains.
There are cup holders and two storage pockets on the inside of the tent in which you can put your necessities. Rainfly can be easily removed so you can enjoy the nature around you through the mesh windows and roof.
You can quickly see how spacious this tent is in the video down below. The pole attachments are color-coded, which allows an easier setup. Like the prior tent on the list, it also has a privacy divider, and you can fit two queen-sized airbeds inside.
6. The North Face Stormbreak 2
How to make a post about the best tent for desert camping and not include at least one of The North Face tents in it? For more than 50 years, The North Face has been manufacturing all kinds of activewear and outdoor sports gear.
Stormbreak 2 can fit two people inside, hence the name. It’s made for three seasons, but people use it in the winter as well. This tent has two doors, one on each side. You can remove the rainfly to enjoy the view and the mesh will protect you from the insects.
It’s a lightweight tent weighing only 5 pounds, so it’s easily transferable. You can’t stand straight in it, but there is plenty of space for 2 people and some luggage. The setup is quick and simple as you may see in the video down below.
7. Gazelle GT400GR T4
Last on our list is the GT400GR T4 by Gazelle which can fit up to four persons. This tent is ideal for a smaller family. You can assemble and take it down in under 90 seconds.
There are six different windows with mesh on it, so you get both protection and an awesome view. You can easily remove the floor when the time for cleaning comes. All of the materials are UV50+ rated, so no more sun damage while camping.
The floor has a 5000mm water-resistance rating, while the rest of the tent is 2000mm water-resistant. It’s 78″ tall which allows you to stand straight inside the tent. If you prefer bigger tents, make sure you check out our 8-person family tent guide.
You don’t have to worry about ground stakes as you get 12 of them with the tent. Also, you’ll get the assembly instructions, so no worries if this is your first tent. It is best to see how the tent looks like through a video, so take a look down below.
Things to Know Before Getting a Desert Tent – Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
1. Do I need a rainfly in desert?
We all know that there isn’t much rain in the desert, but rainfly is not only helpful with the rain. It can help you stop the sand from coming in, and it also creates a shade.
2. How to keep sand out of my tent?
Let’s face it, you will never keep all of the sand out of your tent. However, you can reduce it drastically by doing a few tricks. Keep the shoes out, do not bring them in. Always keep some kind of a brush or a dustpan near the entrance, that way you can easily clean the sand off yourself.
3. What tent color is the best?
When you are camping in the desert, always choose lighter colours. They absorb much less light, so your tent won’t get as hot.
4. How to cool a tent?
Buy yourself a desert camping tent that has mesh windows and a ceiling. That will allow the hot air to ‘escape’ from your tent. Detachable rainfly also does wonders during the summer months. Also, a meshed ceiling gives you an amazing view of the night sky which is usually filled with stars in the middle of the desert. We wrote about stargazing tents, so make sure to check our guide.
5. Do I need special stakes for desert camping?
No, but having special sand stakes would definitely help. It’s easier to set up your tent if you have sand stakes.
Final Words
There are many great tents for desert camping out there. Naturally, all of them have pros and cons which you should take into account. Whichever desert tent you get, make sure it is a sand-proof tent. Also, it is wise to buy a second pair of tent stakes since the desert ground can be hard and they often bend.
