More often than not, you will find yourself in a scenario where the night sky above you is crystal-clear and topped with gazillions of stars. This is certainly an awe-inspiring and romantic sight, especially if you are camping with your partner. How awesome would it be to gaze at the stars from your tent’s comfort, a scenario straight out of a romantic novel? Read on further to find out what are the best tents for stargazing, and all about the things you need to know about their specifications. We have tailored the list to fit all camper profiles, from solo to group campers.
Short on time? Here are our top picks:
- Core 9 Person Extended Dome Tent – lightweight, easy & fast setup, 183 cm tall ceiling, 600mm rain protection
- MSR Hubba Hubba NX 2-Person Tent – 3,000mm rain protection, weighs only 1,56 kg, mesh roof and walls, extra storage pockets
- Kelty Night Owl – 1,800mm water resistance, two doors & two large vestibules, aluminum poles
- Big Agnes – Copper Spur HV Ultralight Backpacking Tent – 1,200mm water resistance, color-coded aluminum poles, lightweight at 1,39 kg
- Clostnature 2 Person Backpacking Tent – 210T Polyester + PU 5000 material, lightweight, two doors
1) Core 9 Person Extended Dome Tent
This huge, 9-person tent feels like a portable observatory once you set it up and stargaze during the night. Its sheer size screams camping adventures with friends and family. Even though this tent is very spacious, it is surprising how short its setup time is. Once you get the hang of the fiberglass pole positioning, you can set up the tent in 5 minutes! One downside that comes with such a size is that the tent is quite heavy, weighing 18,25 lbs (8,28 kg), so you can forget about bringing this tent for a backpacking trip!
For stargazing, few tents come to this level. Mesh is all over the tent, from the ceiling to the walls, making for a mesmerizing experience during nighttime. The curved, 72″ (183 cm) tall ceiling looks like a portable rendition of a Gothic church ceiling.
If it is colder or starting to rain, you may want to put a rainfly over all that mesh. Sadly, the rainfly isn’t built for harsh weather like strong winds or heavy rain, as it provided only 600mm rain protection. You may want to get a waterproofing spray along on your trip.
This 2-season tent is fantastic for a family camping adventure if you are camping in fair weather.
2) MSR Hubba Hubba NX 2-Person Tent
The Hubba Hubba stands among the best when it comes to tents for stargazing. Yes, this tent is a bit expensive for a 2-person tent, but it more than makes up for it with its high-quality.
Even if you are an inexperienced camper, you won’t have too many difficulties setting up this tent. As this is a 3-season tent, you can expect it to withstand most of what elements can throw at it, apart from winter conditions, but there are ways to keep yourself warm during winter camping. Its rainfly comes with a 3,000mm rain protection, which is just perfect even for camping in the rain. It is also one of the best stargazing tents for backpackers, as it weighs only 3,44 lbs (1,56 kg).
This tent is optimized for two people as it has two doors and two vestibules. It could use more storage pockets, but you can use the vestibule area for storing your belongings instead. Out of all features, you must have come for the stargazing qualities. Well, the Hubba Hubba features mesh walls and a mesh roof, which makes it excellent for stargazing.
The Hubba Hubba may be a bit on the pricier side, but its sheer durability and portability make it ideal for a backpacking trip for a couple. And what is a more romantic backpacking setup than a starry sky and a lovely evening breeze?
3) Kelty Night Owl
Kelty is one of the top tent brands when it comes to providing optimal stargazing experiences. That’s the field where the Night Owl excels in! It features a rollable, 1800mm water-resistant rainfly dubbed as Stargazing Fly. Combine this with No-see-um mesh walls and ceiling, and you have yourself a romantic stargazing adventure! If the rain comes around, you can roll the rainfly back with minimal effort, and keep yourself sheltered.
The set up of the Night Owl is simple, thanks to the color-coded, aluminum poles. Once you set up this freestanding tent, you may face a few difficulties setting up the rainfly. When you set it up, make sure to clip the poles with the rainfly!
The interior of the tent is quite spacious. To further add up to that, Night Owl has two large vestibules for additional space and two doors so that you don’t disturb your partner when going out at night. Another nice addition are the nightlight pockets that can come in handy to place any light you may have. You should know that this tent comes pre-equipped with a footprint, which is an amazing bonus.
The Kelty Night Owl is an excellent choice for backpacking, and once you master its set up process, you can enjoy its ample space ideal for stargazing long into the night.
4) Big Agnes – Copper Spur HV Ultralight Backpacking Tent
If you need an ultralight and ultra-durable backpacking tent for stargazing, you may find these qualities and a bit more in the Copper Spur tent from Big Agnes. It is the best for two people who are eager to enjoy a breathtaking stargazing experience.
This is a 4-season tent, so it comes with a few suitable characteristics. First of all, its rainfly fabric features 1,200mm water resistance and is tear-resistant. Combine this with two doors that include two vestibules, and you have a tent with hefty wind resistance. Keep in mind that the floor is a bit thin, so you will require a footprint that isn’t included in this tent.
Backpackers will enjoy its low weight of 3,06 lbs (1,39 kg) and its ease of set up thanks to its color-coded aluminum poles. It will stay very tight when pitched, which is a must if you are camping in a storm. To further increase its storm protection, you can tie the included guy ropes. If you need to pack your stuff, there are two interior mesh pockets and two electric cord pockets.
When you remove or roll up the rainfly, you will be left with a mesh wall and roof structure ideal for stargazing. Just lay down and wonder which stars are above you.
We want to note that the Copper Spur does come at a hefty price. Nevertheless, the features it offers make it the best ultralight tent for stargazing by a mile.
5) Clostnature 2 Person Backpacking Tent
Looking for the best value for your money when looking for a stargazing tent? Well, this backpacking tent from Clostnature is the closest one that we have found. If you are on a tight budget, you will be surprised to know that this tent offers a comfortable, 3-season experience for two people.
First of all, it is incredibly hard to find a tent at this price tag with a rainfly canvas made of 210T Polyester + PU 5000 material. Thanks to that, this tent will stay dry and ventilated in areas with high moisture and rainfall. Keep in mind that this material has high water resistance, but is not tear-resistant. Also, this tent doesn’t come with a footprint, so make sure to secure add a few layers to make your flooring more comfortable.
The tent has two doors for easy entry and exit, and two vestibules to keep your things covered from the elements. When the night falls, you can take down the rainfly and enjoy the starlight above you. The mesh walls and roof will ensure a lovely stargazing experience.
The tent is pretty lightweight at 5lbs (2,27 kg) and is very easy to set up its freestanding structure backed up by aluminum poles. If any damage happens to this tent, Clostnature offers a lifetime warranty, which is an excellent topping to the package!
Clostnature really kicks it out of the park with this tent! For such a low price, you will get a seasonal tent that you can use for years to come!
What To Look In The Best Tents For Stargazing?
Well, shopping for a stargazing tent might be awfully similar to buying a regular tent. Here are some key specifications to differentiate a stargazing tent from a regular one:
- Transparent Material
- Layout
- Ease of Setup
- Insect Repellents
- Weatherproofing
Transparent Material
When looking for the best stargazing tents, the first thing you should consider is that its material allows you to see the bright night sky. Most staple features of stargazing tents are:
- Double walls
- Mesh panels and ceiling
- Rollable doors and walls
- Rainfly
First of all, when you look for a tent with double walls, it should be in combination with lots of mesh panels and a mesh ceiling. This is a perfect setup for stargazing in your tent, as you can roll up the walls and the door, and the mesh walls and roof will provide you with a mesmerizing view.
Note: If the tent is fully meshed, a rainfly is essential to keep the tent secure during harsh weather conditions.
If the tent has no mesh walls, make sure that the roof is of mesh material. This will make for a very comfy stargazing experience – just lay down on your back and stare at the infinity of our universe.
To sum it up, more mesh is always welcome when it comes to stargazing tents.
Layout
When you are stargazing, you want to have a full focus on the night sky above. You definitely don’t want a random tent component popping up in your view. That’s why you should consider the layout of the tent!
The rule of the thumb is that you want to find a tent that doesn’t pack a lot of poles into the setup. For stargazing purposes, dome and tunnel-shaped tents are your best choice. They won’t obstruct your vision from the stars and often come with lots of mesh on the ceiling and the walls.
Ease of Setup
Regarding what the purpose of your tent is, you might look for one that is easy to set up and dismantle. You don’t want to go through a nightmare of a complicated tent set up procedure. Well, what determines a tent that is simple to set up?
First of all, look for a tent that you can set up without staking. That way, you can find an ideal spot for your tent without the need to stake it.
Also, color-coded poles are a way to go if you want a swift tent set up! You will know which pole goes where and won’t waste precious time! When it comes to poles, opt for those that clip to the tent for the easiest setup.
Insect Repellents
You want to enjoy the night in your tent stargazing, but you cannot focus because of all the bugs in your tent? Well, we’ve been there, and it’s not comfortable. While this factor may not apply to everyone (which depends on the area you are camping in), there is a big possibility that you will camp in an area that is full of insects that bite.
To ensure maximum insect protection, your tent should feature the following:
- double walls
- mesh interior and doors
The above is an ideal combination for a tent for stargazing. You can roll down one wall for additional airflow, which will be amplified thanks to the mesh interior and doors that provide more airflow. In return, insects won’t be able to fly in your tent due to the mesh blocking their entrance.
Weatherproofing
Even though you probably won’t gaze at the stars when it’s raining, you never know what kind of weather conditions may come unexpectedly. To ensure minimal surprises when such a situation occurs, make sure to invest in a tent that provides decent weather resistance.
Things to look out in a weather-resistant tent:
- rainfly
- double walls
- PU fabric – at least 3,000 mm rating
- sealed seams
The rainfly is the most important factor here, so if you are tight on a budget, make sure to pick a tent that includes it. It will keep your weight load lower and will offer decent protection from the elements. If your tent doesn’t come with a rainfly, make sure to learn to make a tarp shelter that will protect you from rain and wind.
Conclusion
Stargazing is one of the favorite activities for seasoned campers. There is nothing more mesmerizing during a clear night than contemplating how small we are in the infinity above us. It goes without saying that finding the best tent for stargazing is no little thing! We hope that this post has helped you with your choice.
Have fun camping with your loved ones or alone! Don’t forget to look up during the night and awe in wonder!
Oh, did you know that you can experience the stunning milky way from Sardinia, Pyrenees, or Algarve?
