Late last fall in Arapaho National Forest, we pitched the Mountain Hardwear Mineral King 3, didn’t guy it out, and watched wind and snow rip it out of the ground and blow it down the mountain. No damage. We ran it down and pitched it properly. It’s a three-person crossover tent, light enough to backpack with, roomy enough to car camp in, and the easiest pitch we’ve had. Just know it’s small and short, which makes it a different kind of family tent.
Take me back to the family tent full guide
Best crossover tent for car camping and backpacking
Mountain Hardwear Mineral King 3
One tent for car camping, river trips, and short backpacking trips. Guy it out.
Capacity: 3 | Floor: 42.5 sq ft | Vestibule: 20.9 sq ft | Peak height: 48 in | Packaged weight: 7 lb 13.7 oz
Good for: Families who want one versatile tent for car camping, river trips, tight campsites, and the occasional backpacking trip.
Skip if: You’re a larger family, need lots of room, and only car camp.
Is the Mineral King 3 waterproof?
Yes. On a summer river trip through Ruby-Horsethief on the Colorado River, night one brought an aggressive lightning storm and heavy rain. We were sure it would leak. It didn’t: dry as a bone. The seams are fully taped, the floor is bathtub style, and a footprint comes in the box.
Where we tested the Mineral King 3
Our most memorable trip in it was that river trip, just one of us and Cypress (5). We chose it because it’s small, saved room on the boat, and fit the tight river campsites where bigger tents didn’t.
The snowstorm was in the Colorado foothills. Late fall days there can be warm, but the weather shifts fast. We hadn’t loaded any gear into the tent or guyed it out when the wind and snow came in. It was a good lesson in guying out a tent, no matter how calm things look. We’ve also used it on plenty of general camping trips.
Mineral King 3 features that actually stood out
Setup. The main frame is two poles joined by a plastic hub, so you unfold it, click it together, and it’s basically there. A short pole adds the vestibules. We can pitch it solo in under five minutes. It’s freestanding, with two vestibules.
It’s low to the ground with a dome shape, so it sheds wind well. Pitched taut and guyed out, it doesn’t flap around and stays nice and quiet. Our kids love it because it’s cozy and feels more adventurous than a big tent.
What doesn’t work on the Mineral King 3
Condensation. On the river trip, we had moisture on the inside of the fly. The only vents are kickstand vents at the top of the vestibule doors, plus two-way zippers you can crack open. It doesn’t vent well when it’s buttoned up, especially on a warm evening that turns cold overnight.
The included stakes are basic and don’t hold well in sand, and there are no stakes for the guylines. If you want to fully guy it out, bring extras (we learned that one the hard way). The lighter zippers also snag fabric a little more easily.
How to care for the Mineral King 3
We couldn’t find tent-specific care instructions from Mountain Hardwear, so we care for it the way we care for every tent. Never machine-wash or machine-dry it. Clean it by hand with a soft sponge, cold water, and a mild, non-detergent soap, and skip bleach and harsh cleaners. Dry it completely after every trip, and if you pack it up wet, set it up at home to dry right away. Store it loosely in a breathable bag somewhere cool and dry.
Tent care tip: River sand gets into everything. When you get home, blow it off with a leaf blower before the tent goes back in the bag. Sand and dirt left on the fabric hold moisture against it.
Does the Mineral King 3 pack down?
Yes, smaller than any other tent we tested. It rolls up easily and goes back into its bag without a fight. The bag loads from the top and zips along its length (watch that the zipper doesn’t catch the tent body), and it has a shoulder strap, which helps when you’re carrying a million things for the kids. We’d backpack with it, splitting the tent between two packs.
Mineral King 3 sizing guide
For us, it’s luxurious for one, comfortable for two, and tight for three. Three works best as a parent and two small kids, with not much room left for gear. One of us is 6’2″ and can sit up, but getting dressed is a chore. It’s long enough to sleep in with room at the feet. One of us and Cypress shared a double sleeping bag in it and slept great.
Who is the Mineral King 3 best for?
The Mineral King is for families who want a versatile tent in the quiver: one that works for backpacking, river trips, and campsites too small for a big tent. It’s not ideal for any one of those, but it works for all of them. If you’re a big family that only car camps, this is the wrong tent.
Pro tip: Pack extra stakes for the guylines and use them every time, even when it’s calm.
How the Mineral King 3 compares to other family camping tents
| Mountain Hardwear Mineral King 3 | Marmot Tungsten 4P | NEMO Aurora Highrise 6 | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Price | $400 | $449 | $499.95 |
| Capacity | 3 | 4 | 6 |
| Floor area | 42.5 sq ft | 52.7 sq ft | 83.3 sq ft |
| Vestibule area | 20.9 sq ft | 36.6 sq ft | 23.6 + 23.6 sq ft |
| Peak height | 48 in | 52.8 in | 77 in |
| Packaged weight | 7 lb 13.7 oz | 9 lb 3.8 oz | 18 lb 10 oz |
| Footprint included | Yes | Yes | No |
| Overall rating | 4.5/5.0 | 4.3/5.0 | 4.7/5.0 |
Ben Dawson
I'm Ben Dawson: dad of two, former full-time van liver, and co-author of three Falcon Guides, including Hiking with Kids: Glacier and Waterton Lakes National Parks. I've worked in outdoor media for more than a decade, and I've been testing gear with Roxy since 2017 as a gear reviewer and analyst. These days most of my testing happens with a kid on my back or a tent full of them. I've carried and hiked with my kids more miles than I can count, from Canada to Mexico and plenty of places in between. My rule is pretty simple: if the kid is uncomfortable, or you are, nobody's having a good time out there. I tell you what works, what doesn't, and who it's actually for.
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