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When you’re itching for a campfire and a night under the stars, there’s nothing better than packing up your four-legged friend, hitting the trails, and finding a good spot to camp. But if your dog snores, gets grungy exploring, or maybe has a habit of passing gas, you might not be all that eager to cozy up together in a single tent. So why not pitch your dog a tent of their very own?
Dog tents can be surprisingly useful tools—and not just for camping and backpacking enthusiasts. They offer sun protection and make a good place for your dog to rest in the shade while you’re fly fishing or relaxing on the beach. Dog trainers use them to stage animals during dog shows or agility training. And they’re nice to have on hand for backyard barbecues or at a park when there may be few options for shade.
If you’re thinking about a dog tent for your next outdoor adventure or to just have around the house, we’ve rounded up some great options to consider for a variety of situations—from backpacking to the backyard. Not sure where to start? Hop to our tips on how to pick a good dog tent for your needs, or read on to see our favorites.
- Best Overall: Ruff ‘n Ruffus Portable Foldable Pet Pen
- Best for the Beach: K9 Pop-up Travel Dog Tent
- Best for Camping: Yolafe Portable Dog Camping Tent
- Best for Backpacking: Alcott Pup Tent
- Best for Large Dogs: K&H Pet Products Original Pet Cot House
- Best for Small Dogs: Pop-Up Pet House in a Bag
- Best for Senior Dogs: Superjare Camping Dog Bed
- Best for Multiple Dogs: Pet Play Tent
- Best Play Tent: Pet Fit for Life Tent with Tunnel
- Best Crate-Style Tent: MidWest Canine Camper
- Best Indoor Tent: Best Pet Supplies Pet Tent-Soft Dog Bed
Best Overall: Ruff ‘n Ruffus Portable Foldable Pet Pen
This versatile pen is designed for everything from camping to backyard and indoor use. Simple to put up and made from durable and water-resistant material, it provides UV protection and ventilation on all sides. The shade cover can also be removed if you’re using the tent inside. Easy to transport, this dog tent comes with its own carrying case and folds flat when not in use for easy storage. And while it is lightweight enough for car camping and day trip adventures, you might want to consider a lighter option for backpacking trips.
Features of note:
- Comes in medium, large, and extra-large
- Weighs 2.4 pounds, 3.11 pounds, and 4.2 pounds
- Built-in straps allow for ground staking
- Includes collapsible food bowl
Best for the Beach: K9 Pop-Up Travel Dog Tent
K9 Sport Sack’s pop-up tent is super lightweight and portable, making it a breeze to take with you to the beach. It comfortably fits small to medium dogs and is easy to pack up and stow when it’s time to go. Wraparound screen windows make for great ventilation to help keep your dog cool, and the tent material offers UV protection for sunny beach days. We’re also big fans of the tent’s roll-up doggy door.
Features of note:
- Extremely lightweight material (both weigh less than a pound)
- UV protection
- Ventilated and equipped with a pet door
- Four aluminum stakes and fabric loops
Best for Camping: Yolafe Portable Dog Camping Tent
This heavy-duty dog tent is great for withstanding the elements that come with camping. An innovative cross-brace design adds sturdiness to the thick oxford waterproof covering, which is also claw-, scratch-, and bite-proof. All sides of the tent feature mesh screens to allow plenty of ventilation. It’s also simple to pitch and easy to take down. It is, however, on the heavier side, so you’ll want to keep this one for car camping instead of hiking.
Features of note:
- 600D oxford cloth with mesh screen
- Waterproof and damp proof
- Cross-brace construction and instant setup center hub design
- Measures 43″ L x 43 x W x 32″ H, Weighs 5.7 pounds
Best for Backpacking: Alcott Pup Tent
Clocking in at only 1.5 pounds, this dog tent is a good choice for more serious hiking and backpacking or excursions where pack weight needs to be kept to a minimum. It’s easy to assemble and simple to pack back up into a compact travel bag for organized storage. Note that the top isn’t waterproof, so if you anticipate wet weather, it’s a good idea to bring along your own rain cover.
Features of note:
- Reinforced fiberglass frame
- Waterproof base
- Four ground stakes and travel bag included
Best for Large Dogs: K&H Pet Products Original Pet Cot House
Finding a tent that accommodates your larger dog can be tricky. With a weight capacity of 200 pounds, this K&H Original Cot House is up to the task. It’s made with water-resistant denier nylon that is also resistant to bacteria, mildew, and mold. The elevated mesh cot provides good airflow, as do the tent’s two zippered side windows and front entrance.
If you want to use the cot as an indoor pet bed after your campout, the tent is removable. However, the main entrance can’t be zippered shut, making this more of a portable dog house and shelter than an outdoor-friendly pen.
Features of note:
- 200-pound weight capacity
- Cot cover is removable and washable
- Tent is detachable
- 30 x 42 x 32 inches, 7.9 pounds
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Best for Small Dogs: Pop-Up Pet House in a Bag
This smaller dog tent doubles as a pet barrier in the car—for optimal safety on your trek to and from the cabin. Made with durable nylon, it sets up and tears down in seconds. Three net windows allow optimal airflow, and the whole thing folds flat for simple storage.
Features of note:
- Best for smaller dogs
- No assembly required
- Includes anchoring stakes
Best for Senior Dogs: Superjare Camping Dog Bed
The platform’s suspension of this cot-like tent can help relieve pressure and tension for older dogs with joint or muscle issues. Designed to let your dog perch off the ground, it’s a great feature if you’re camping on an uneven or wet site. It also packs up easily and works well for the beach, the park—even the backyard!
Features of note:
- Easy set-up and break-down
- A detachable canopy offers shade as needed
- Can hold dogs up to 120 pounds
- 48 x 36 x 9.1 inches, 10.7 pounds
Best for Multiple Dogs: Pet Play Tent
This lightweight play tent is great for RVs, patios, and backyards when a simple shelter is needed. In other words, it might not be suitable for an alpine trek, but it is great for a trip to grandma’s! Its roomy design can accommodate multiple dogs and features an optional rain cover to help keep your pets dry and comfortable. When the weather is nice, the mesh outer layer provides great ventilation and visibility.
Features of note:
- Optional rain canopy protects against the elements
- Adjustable roll-up nylon siding on each tent side provides privacy or shade as needed
- Wide zippered door on two sides for easy access
- Ground stakes secure the tent to the ground
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Best Play Tent: Pet Fit for Life Tent with Tunnel
If you’re in the market for a backyard play tent rather than a weatherproof snoozing spot, it doesn’t get much more fun than the Pet Fit. With a grand total of 40 square feet of space, this dog tent can accommodate a whole party of petite pooches—plus it comes with a tunnel and cube.
Mesh sides offer your dog a view while providing necessary ventilation. The canopy is removable, and 10 stainless steel stakes are included for holding everything in place. This tent is totally customizable, so if you don’t have any use for the tunnel or cube, you can detach them. Need more space for multiple pets? You can daisy-chain additional Pet Fit For Life Tents for the ultimate small dog hangout.
It’s worth noting that grass does poke through the mesh floor, which makes this a better fit for dry, sunny playdates than muddy ones.
Features of note:
- Bonus food/water dish included
- Comes with carrying bag for easy transport and storage
- Sections can be added (or removed)
Best Crate-Style Tent: MidWest Canine Camper
If you need something tough, this MidWest Canine Camper should do the trick. With durable canvas, a strong steel tube frame, and reinforced corners, this is a tent that can handle a bit of wear and tear.
The folks at MidWest have considered your pet’s safety as well, offering features like locking zippers, top-door access, and non-slip feet. Large mesh windows and a roll-up entrance panel keep things cool and comfy. And when you’re done using the camper, it folds down flat and features a convenient carrying strap.
Features of note:
- Water-resistant base
- Easy set-up: no tools necessary
- Two color options: green and gray
- Available in four sizes: small, medium, large, and X-large
Best Indoor Tent: Best Pet Supplies Pet Tent Dog Bed
For pups who like a bit of privacy indoors, these plush tents offer a cute little private den. These tents come in either faux suede, linen, or corduroy—each has a soft poly-foam lining. An added bonus? The tent is machine washable for easy cleanup.
Features of note:
- Suitable for small/medium dogs
- Comes in three sizes
- Machine washable
How to Pick a Good Dog Tent for Camping with Your Pup
Pet tents come as varied as our four-legged friends themselves. So how do you know which tents are worth your time? Here are some boxes to tick during your search.
- Durable fabric and materials. Look for scratch-resistant materials that hold up to active pets. Tents made with sturdy nylon or durable canvas are winners in this category—a bonus if they feature flexible frames that won’t snap under pressure. Also, if your luck runs anything like ours, water resistance is a must.
- Ample ventilation. Uninhibited airflow is key to keeping your pooch comfy in hot summer weather. To prevent overheating, look for tents with multiple mesh windows and retractable panels that can stay open.
- Portability. The last thing you want at the end of a long backpacking day is a second tent to finagle. A good pet tent will be simple to set up and take down. Carrying bags and handles can also make them easy to tote around on your day-to-day adventures.
- Size. The rule of thumb for crates is to measure the length of your pup’s body from their nose to the base of their tail, then add a few inches—and the same principle holds for tents. You can size up a little if you’d like to add food and water to your pup’s tent, or double that if you’re looking to house two dogs on your adventures.
How We Chose Our Dog Tents
The products featured here were selected based on a combination of our own hands-on testing and a comprehensive look at customer reviews across a wide variety of retail platforms. When choosing our dog tents, we prioritized design, weight, sun and rain protection, and purpose. We’re also guided by the experience of living and playing alongside our own much-loved and strongly opinionated pets, who are never stingy with their feedback.
