Isidore (10) and a group of her friends pitched most of the REI Co-op Base Camp 6 themselves on a farm in Colorado, then slept in it alone and loved how big and cozy it was. It’s a five-pole dome tent with a full-coverage rainfly, two vestibules, and 14 interior pockets, and we also took it on summer road trips through Colorado, the Pacific Northwest, and the California coast. Plan ahead for setup, though. It’s involved.
Take me back to the family tent full guide
Best family tent for rough weather
REI Co-op Base Camp 6
The tent to bring when the forecast looks bad.
Capacity: 6 | Floor: 84 sq ft | Vestibules: 27 + 17 sq ft | Peak height: 74 in | Packaged weight: 20 lb 11.5 oz
Good for: Families who expect less-than-ideal weather and want a tent that keeps everyone’s stuff organized.
Skip if: An involved setup makes you hesitate, or you don’t need the space. It’s heavy.
Is the Base Camp 6 waterproof?
Yes. It has a full rainfly and fully taped seams, and it sits lower to the ground than a lot of tall family tents. We’ve had it in moderate rain without issue, and the full fly is why we trust it to stay waterproof longer than a partial-fly design.
Where we tested the Base Camp 6
The best night in it belonged to Isidore (10) and her friends. They pitched most of it on their own, needing one adult for the tall parts, then slept in it by themselves. They had more room than they needed.
Our own family used it on summer road trips. In Colorado, that meant hot, dry days and cold nights. In the Pacific Northwest, it was wet days and nights where nothing really dried out. On the California coast, we camped with ocean spray in the air. It’s also seen high winds and blasting sunshine.
Base Camp 6 features that actually stood out
Storage. It has 14 interior mesh pockets (we counted) plus two vestibules, which makes a real difference with a full tent. Our youngest kids filled the pockets with rocks and dirt and everything except camping gear.
The poles run through sleeves instead of clipping to the tent body, which helps in wind. It’s a big tent, so you’ll hear it flap and feel it, but it handles wind fine. Ventilation is okay through the four kickstand roof vents, and we had no condensation issues. For more airflow, leave a vestibule door partly unzipped.
What doesn’t work on the Base Camp 6
Setup is involved. It’s five poles, and pitching it properly takes 8 stakes, plus extras if you want to fully guy it out. It’s not the worst we’ve dealt with, but it takes time.
Our biggest gripe is the poles. They’re aluminum, but they bend a little more easily than we’d like. And at 6’2″, one of us brushes the peak with his head. Height could be a little better, though a taller tent would be harder to pitch.
How to care for the Base Camp 6
REI says to never machine-wash or machine-dry a tent. Clean it by hand with a soft sponge, cold water, and a mild, non-detergent soap, and skip bleach and harsh household cleaners. Dry it completely after every trip, and if you have to pack it up wet, set it up at home to dry right away. Store it loosely in a breathable bag somewhere cool and dry, not in a basement, attic, or car trunk.
Tent care tip: Empty the rocks and dirt out of all 14 pockets first (trust us), then hit the tent with a leaf blower. Dust left on the fabric holds moisture and makes leaks more likely.
Does the Base Camp 6 pack down?
Not small. It’s big and heavy, but it goes back into its stuff sack easily enough. The sack opens at one end with a cinch cord, which makes loading a little harder than a wide-open duffel, but once it’s in, it stays contained. The bag is heavy-duty, and we have no concerns about it ripping.
Base Camp 6 sizing guide
For us, the Base Camp is luxurious for two to three people, comfortable for four to five, and a little tight at six, depending on body size. We put the adults on the edges and the kids in the middle, and nobody had to sleep head to toe. The 110.2 x 110.2 inch floor is square, so it’s easy to arrange.
Who is the Base Camp 6 best for?
The Base Camp is for families who expect bad weather and want a tent that handles it. The full fly, taped seams, and lower profile make it the one we’d grab when the forecast looks rough, and the pockets keep a full tent organized. If you don’t need the space or the weather protection, it’s more tent, and more weight, than you need.
Pro tip: Pack extra stakes. It takes 8 just to pitch, and you’ll want more to guy it out.
How the Base Camp 6 compares to other family camping tents
| REI Co-op Base Camp 6 | The North Face Wawona 6 | Kelty Wireless 6 | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Price | $569 | $585 | $279.95 |
| Floor area | 84 sq ft | 75.7 sq ft | 86.5 sq ft |
| Vestibule area | 27 + 17 sq ft | 44.7 sq ft | 19.5 + 19.5 sq ft |
| Peak height | 74 in | 76 in | 74 in |
| Weight | 20 lb 11.5 oz | 19 lb 6.4 oz | 19 lb (packed) |
| Rainfly | Full | Partial | Full |
| Footprint included | No | No | No |
| Overall rating | 4.5/5.0 | 4.8/5.0 | 4.1/5.0 |
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.
More posts by Ben
