Burning Man is one of the most popular festivals in the US. The annual soiree happens in Black Rock City, a special city in the Black Rock Desert which is temporarily created for the sole purpose of providing a global cultural gathering for like-minded individuals from around the world. But, you probably know all this since you’re reading this article on the best tent for Burning Man.
One of the best ways to ensure that you enjoy a great time during this festival is to get yourself a sturdy Burning Man shelter to hide your head in at night and during the day.
Table of Contents
Best Burning Man Tents
The key to finding a quality tent is to make sure that it’s made from good quality materials that’ll keep you cool in the sweltering sun and protect you from the blowing sand.
Read on for a few of the top-rated options on the market.
1. Kodiak Canvas Flex-Bow 6-Person Canvas Tent
Tents made from canvas material are the best when it comes to surviving in an environment like the Black Rock desert. This makes the Kodiak canvas tent an ideal option for Burning Man. It’ll block the sun and the dust from entering your abode, as it’s made from light-colored canvas that’s designed to facilitate a cooler environment.
You’ll find this tent pretty handy when it comes to storing your festival gear throughout the festival. It’ll keep you and your belongings safe while you party, mingle, and make new friends.
Yes, the Kodak tent is pricey but as soon as you set eyes on it, it’s easy to see why. It’s made to last and offers great value for money. It’s a really good investment if you plan on being a regular at Burning Man because you can take it with you, year after year.
It’s worth noting that this isn’t the easiest tent to set up either, but practice makes perfect. Try to set it up a few times before you go camping so you won’t be fumbling with the heavy materials in the middle of the desert in less than ideal weather conditions.
2. Bessport Lightweight Backpacking Tent
This two-person camping tent from Bessport is one of the most comfortable tents at Burning Man. It’s very spacious and only weighs 5.2 pounds. This means you can carry it around effortlessly while you look for your ideal camping spot.
This tent is also well-ventilated which means it’s breathable enough to keep you comfortable in the humidity of Black Rock City.
Although lightweight, it’s durable enough to last for many Burning Man events to come and its reflective guy lines will keep you visible in low light conditions while helping you to maintain stability during those pesky wind storms.
We’re also happy to report that as a freestanding tent it’s incredibly easy to set up and disassemble. Plus, it’s available in three different colors, all of which are vibrant and expressive.
3. ALPS Mountaineering Lynx 2-Person Tent
Another great contender for a good tent for Burning Man is this model from ALPS Mountaineering. It comes with lots of great features such as easy setup thanks to a dual pole construction and freestanding design. This means you can install it in just a couple of minutes.
Because it’s made from polyester, this tent is perfect for hot weather conditions and is resistant to UV rays and water alike. It also comes with mesh panels for ventilation and protection from insects, as well as two large doorways and zippers.
Lastly, this tent has all the storage you’ll ever need to keep your valuables and any gifts you receive while enjoying the festival. It only weighs 5 pounds so it’s really easy to carry and just perfect for Burning Man.
4. GEERTOP Backpacking Tent
This is a great all-weather tent that’s designed to provide optimal interior comfort no matter what the climate is like outside. The tent features snow skits to protect from the adverse effects of winter weather and impressive thermal performance to keep the cold at bay and the interior cozy at all times.
It’s perfect for cold weather because it’s waterproof and sturdy enough to handle the demands of outdoor camping. The tent is made according to a custom design that makes it ideal when camping out in a windy, snowy, and rainy terrain. It’s also well-ventilated to ensure proper air circulation.
It’s worth noting that this is a multi-purpose tent made from lightweight yet high-quality materials. You can tell that it’s made with the end-user in mind because it has the ability to protect you against the elements at all times. The best part is that it’s really simple and easy to set up.
5. Snugpak Bunker 3 Person Tent and Tactical Shelter
This 3-person Snugpak Bunker tent is designed for basecamp applications and features a durable and rugged design that guarantees comfortability in extreme weather conditions. This is the best Burning Man tent for beginners because it’s easy to set up and it automatically regulates the airflow to prevent condensation and humidity.
This is thanks to two adjustable vents and a solid canopy which serves the additional purpose of creating a cozy environment when the temperature drops at night. Then you have the mesh pockets that allow you to store your gear more effectively and organize the space nicely.
You won’t have to worry about rain either because this tent comes with taped seams that are designed to keep water out, and the floor and fly are coated with 5000mmm waterproof polyurethane. The floor bathtub design is also water repellant which is great.
6. Coleman Cabin Tent with Instant Setup
The most common misconception about this tent is that it must be flimsy because of how easy it is to erect and also its affordability. But, that couldn’t be further from the truth. This is actually one of the most durable tents on this list despite the fact that it takes less than a minute to set up.
You can stake it down if you like and it won’t budge no matter how windy it gets. It also features reflective guy-lines that make it visible at night and during low light conditions so people don’t accidentally bump into it.
It’s also worth noting that it comes with pre-attached poles for your convenience which means that all you need to do is simply unfold the main tent in order to extend the poles and put it in place.
7. DANCHEL 4-Season Family Cotton Bell Tents
If you’re looking for a sturdy and well-made tent without the cost of a Kodiak, then the DANCHEL 4-season family tent is where your search ends. It’s made from thick cotton which is designed to keep you safe when the elements are designed to do their dance of life.
It comes in a wide variety of sizes with the largest one measuring 16.6 feet wide with a coverage potential of 216 square feet. This means it has the capacity to hold a party of 8 and its unique round shape makes it ideal for social occasions and gatherings of all kinds, even outside of Burning Man.
Not only that, but this tent comes with a jack which means you can cook inside it, which can come in handy for your other camping trips. You certainly won’t do much cooking at Burning Man. This tent is designed to protect you no matter what the weather is like, and the best part is that you can unzip the bottom part of the tent and turn it into a makeshift canopy tent.
This cotton tent also comes with other benefits such as being resistant to mold, fire, and water all at the same time. However, this comes at a price because this is one heavy tent that weighs 83 pounds.
8. NTK Laredo GT 8 to 9 Person Camping Tent
In keeping with its heavy-duty construction, this large 9-person tent from NTK Laredo takes 15 minutes to set up and requires two people at least.
Other than that, it’s made according to cutting-edge ping-and-ring technology which makes the whole installation process easier. The pole system is color-coded as well which further simplifies the setup of the tent.
Disassembling it is just as simple and all you have to do is follow the provided instructions which are quick and easy to understand. This tent also comes with a well-sized carry bag to keep your tent and all its components safe when it’s not in use.
The tent itself is quite spacious once setup and can easily fit about 8 to 9 grown adults with their own sleeping bags. Alternatively, you can fit up to three double-sized mattresses in there comfortably. This is what makes it the perfect tent for Burning Man.
How to Pick the Best Tent for Burning Man
Now that you know what the contenders are, it’s time to look at some points to consider in order to narrow down your options:
Material
The first thing you must consider when looking for a Burning Man tent or instant canopy is the strength of the materials that it’s made from. You want a tent that can withstand the elements, particularly the wind.
The Kodiak Tent Burning Man is ideal in this regard because it’s made from canvas which is able to remain balanced no matter how windy it gets.
Shade
Shade is another necessity if you plan on camping at Burning Man. The sun is usually incredibly intense during the day here so you want to have your own shaded area to retreat to every now and then.
Size
This particular feature is really up to you and is predicated on your needs. With that said, festivals like Burning Man require roomy spaces like 10 person camping tents due to where they’re located.
The last thing you need is to feel cooped up in a tiny tent with your friends. You want a truck tent like the ones we have shown in this Core tent guide that has enough space to keep your gear safe and dust-free.
Waterproof
Although it’s not common, rain does happen sometimes in Black Rock City. That’s why you need a hammock rainfly and a waterproof tent that’ll keep you and your stuff dry and cozy no matter how much the rain goddess decides to bless the desert of Black Rock City.
Dustproof
Black Rock City where Burning Man is hosted is one of the windiest and dustiest places in the US. It’s a desert after all so you want your desert tent to have dust-proof properties.
This includes open spaces and mesh features as well as a thick fabric that’s designed to protect the interior from dust. Canvas material is perfect for this as are sturdy zippers that won’t fall apart.
How to Cool Your Tent
Here are a few cooling methods that you can use to keep your tent comfortable:
Air Conditioner
If you can access an electrical connection through a camp-wide grid or personal generator, please do. You can use it to operate a cooling air conditioner if you wish.
Portable Fan
This is another easy solution that’s available to anyone that has access to a power source. Alternatively, you can bring a battery-powered fan or one of those tiny hand-held models.
Swamp Cooler
Swamp coolers cool the air through a combination of evaporation and moisture. It only requires two things to work; a dry environment and air circulation. The great thing about swamp coolers is that they’re easy to power and cheap as well.
Final Thoughts
Well, there you have it! That’s all you need to find the best tents for Burning Man. If you need further help to figure out which option to choose, allow us to recommend the Kodiak Canvas Flex-Bow 6-Person Canvas Tent.
It’s made from canvas which means it’s waterproof, weatherproof, cozy, and safe. It’s also rugged and comes with ample space for your belongings.
This is one of those tents that you’ll have for years to come and you’ll be glad to know that it’s well-ventilated and breathable as well.
So what is the best Burning Man tent from the list above? Can you please tell us what you think in the comments? Thank you so much!