An 8-person tent can be a great family base camp, but the headline capacity does not tell you how comfortable it will feel with airbeds, bags, and wet-weather gear inside. This guide compares roomy 8-person tents by usable floor space, standing height, setup design, ventilation, weather protection, and the features that matter most for car camping.
Updated for 2026: focus on the layout that matches your group. Quick-pitch models reduce campsite setup time, dividers add privacy, screened areas keep muddy gear out of the sleeping zone, and dark-room fabric can make bright mornings easier.
Affiliate disclosure: This roundup contains Amazon affiliate links. If you buy through a qualifying link, we may earn a commission at no extra cost to you.
Quick verdict: Coleman Skydome is the easiest match for buyers prioritizing fast setup; Skydome XL is better when floor space and multiple airbeds matter; Coleman Dark Room suits light-sensitive sleepers; and TIMBER RIDGE makes sense when a separate screen room is more valuable than low packed weight.
Capacity tip: “8-person” usually describes maximum sleeping capacity. For airbeds, luggage, and comfortable movement, plan for fewer occupants than the label suggests.
Top Picks
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Best For |
Product |
Why It Stands Out |
|---|---|---|
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Best Value Family Layout |
Room divider, five mesh windows, and a roomy 14 x 9 ft footprint. |
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Best Quick Setup |
Pre-attached poles, 12 x 9 ft floor, and a 6 ft 4 in center height. |
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Best for Big Groups |
16 x 7 ft floor, room divider, and space for up to three queen airbeds. |
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Best for Privacy |
Large family layout with a divider curtain, multiple mesh openings, and a carry bag. |
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Best Classic Family Tent |
Roomy 16 x 7 ft floor, tall interior, hinged door, and straightforward car-camping setup. |
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Best Dark-Room Option |
Dark Room fabric blocks much of the morning light while keeping the fast Skydome setup. |
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Best with Screened Porch |
Adds a separate screened area for gear, lounging, or extra campsite living space. |
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Best Maximum Living Space |
20 x 8 ft footprint, 76 in peak height, and a dedicated screen room. |
[Amazon Products Picked for You]
WEATHER PROTECTION: Water-resistant polyester construction with welded seams and removable rainfly keeps you dry in various conditions
ROOMY INTERIOR: Straight wall design with 72in center height create more space to stand up changing and move
Roomy 8 People Family Tent: Spacious tunnel design family outdoor tent for 8 people, with a size 20' (14'+6') x 9' x 80"(H), it is enough for 2 full air mattresses or 8 sleeping bags. An 80-inch height is enough for you to stand up while walking in the tent.
How We Picked These Tents
We compared published product specifications, layout, setup design, ventilation, weather-protection features, portability, and practical family-camping features. We also checked whether each model solves a distinct buyer need instead of keeping duplicate variants simply to make the list longer.
Room dividers, vestibules or screened porches, gear storage, electrical access, standing height, and airbed capacity all affect day-to-day comfort. Because prices and stock change, this guide does not rely on a fixed price band; use the Amazon links to check current pricing and availability before buying.
The CAMPROS CP is a roomy family tent rather than a true instant or pop-up shelter. Its roughly 14 x 9 ft floor, 72 in center height, five mesh windows, and divider curtain make it useful when you want standing room and a little privacy without moving into an oversized cabin tent.
Color-coded poles are intended to simplify setup, but this is still a conventional pole tent. Plan on two people for the easiest pitch, especially the first few times.
Best for: value-focused car campers who want a divider and lots of ventilation.
Skip if: you specifically want pre-attached poles, a true instant frame, or backpacking portability.
What People Say
Buyer feedback commonly centers on the roomy interior, ventilation, and straightforward color-coded setup. The recurring trade-offs are the normal ones for a large value-oriented family tent: fiberglass poles, basic stakes, and the need to pitch and tension the rainfly carefully in wet or windy weather.
It makes the most sense as a car-camping shelter where interior space matters more than packed size.
Review theme: Generally positive in the source review summary, with recurring trade-offs noted above.
Durability
The polyester body, rainfly, coated fabric, and fiberglass poles are aimed at normal three-season family camping rather than severe-weather use. Pitch on well-drained ground, tension the fly and guy lines correctly, and inspect the included stakes before exposed trips.
Indoor & Outdoor Use
This tent shines outdoors for family trips, festivals, backyard gatherings, and stargazing weekends — it’s free-standing and roomy, so you can use it on a campsite or your lawn. It’s fairly heavy and bulky to carry, so it’s not suitable for backpacking or long hikes; think car-to-site camping where comfort matters. Assembly is easiest with two people but many users can manage solo with a bit more time.
Why You’ll Like It
- Very roomy interior with 72 in center height — stand up and move around
- Good ventilation from multiple mesh windows and top panels
- Two-room layout with divider for privacy or a living area
- Color-coded poles make setup simple for two people
- Water-resistant design with rainfly and sealed seams
The Coleman Skydome 8-Person is a strong fit when setup speed is the priority. Coleman lists a 12 x 9 ft floor, a 6 ft 4 in center height, room for two queen airbeds, and pre-attached poles designed for setup in under five minutes.
WeatherTec construction, a wider door, mesh storage, and the taller wall shape make it practical for family car camping without adding a complicated multi-room frame.
Best for: families who want quick pitching and verified, easy-to-understand dimensions.
Skip if: you need a room divider, screened porch, or three-airbed layout.
What People Say
Customers commonly praise the roomy interior and the extra headroom—people like being able to stand up and move around comfortably. Many also call out the simple setup and appreciate that the rainfly keeps the inside dry on regular showers.
A few users note limits to ventilation on hot days and occasional reports of stakes, zippers or poles giving trouble in very strong wind, but most treat it as a dependable car-camping tent.
Review theme: Generally positive in the source review summary, with recurring trade-offs noted above.
Durability
Coleman states that the frame is tested to withstand winds up to 35 mph when properly pitched, and the WeatherTec system uses a tub-like floor, welded corners, and inverted seams. That test is not a guarantee for every campsite or storm, so exposed locations still call for careful staking and guy-line tension.
Indoor & Outdoor Use
This is best outdoors for car-to-site trips, backyard gatherings, festivals and holiday camping where space and comfort matter more than pack weight. The free-standing design and wide door make it easy to load air beds and gear, and the mesh panels keep things airy on cool nights.
At about 19.3 lb it’s bulky for backpacking, and solo setup can take longer than the advertised five minutes, so plan for two people if possible.
Why You’ll Like It
- Very quick setup thanks to pre-attached poles
- Extra headroom from near-vertical walls (6 ft. 4 in. center height)
- Roomy interior fits two queen air mattresses
- Included rainfly and WeatherTec protection for typical rainy weekends
- Mesh storage pockets and a wider door for easier gear access
The Coleman Skydome XL trades a little more packed bulk for significantly more usable family space. Coleman lists a 16 x 7 ft floor, 6 ft center height, room for three queen airbeds, a room divider, and pre-attached poles designed for setup in under five minutes with two people.
The WeatherTec system, wide door, ground vent, E-port, mesh pockets, and large door awnings make it a practical large-group car-camping tent.
Best for: larger families or groups that want three-airbed capacity without a long pitch.
Skip if: you camp solo often or want the lightest packed tent.
What People Say
You’ll often hear that buyers love how roomy this tent is and how fast it goes up once you get the hang of it. People praise the WeatherTec floor and the ventilation features for keeping things comfortable in rain and windy nights. A smaller group mention challenges with packing it back into the bag, occasional unclear instructions, or rare quality issues, so a little practice and extra stakes or a footprint can save you headaches.
Review theme: Generally positive in the source review summary, with recurring trade-offs noted above.
Durability
The Skydome XL is built as a roomy three-season family tent rather than an expedition shelter. The WeatherTec design adds water-management features, but careful site choice, full staking, and proper guy-line tension still matter in strong wind or prolonged rain.
A footprint can help protect the floor from abrasive ground, and practicing the takedown makes repacking easier.
Indoor & Outdoor Use
This is built for car camping, festivals, backyard holidays and family getaways where weight isn’t the top priority. You can stand up inside comfortably and move around thanks to the vertical walls and 16 x 7 ft floor; the E-port and mesh pockets make it handy for semi-permanent campsite setups.
It’s bulky for backpacking and setup/takedown is easiest with two people, but for road trips and family trips it’s very practical.
Why You’ll Like It
- Sets up quickly with pre-attached poles—about 5 minutes with two people
- Spacious interior fits up to three queen airbeds or a big family setup
- WeatherTec system with tub floor and welded corners for better water protection
- Wide door, ground vent and mesh storage pockets for airflow and organization
- E-port for bringing in power and a color-coded rainfly for easier orientation
The GoHimal 8-Person focuses on space, ventilation, and a simple privacy divider. Its listed footprint is approximately 169 x 95 in with a 76 in peak height, giving adults useful standing room while the mesh openings help airflow.
The polyester body, rainfly, fiberglass poles, divider curtain, and carry bag are aimed at drive-up family camping. Plan on a two-person setup and practice once at home before relying on a fast campsite pitch.
Best for: groups that want a tall interior and a divider without paying mainly for brand-name features.
Skip if: you need pre-attached poles or a screened porch.
What People Say
You’ll notice most buyers are impressed by how much space this tent offers and how well it keeps water out in typical rainy conditions. People often highlight the divider, ventilation and easy setup as big pluses, while a few mention zipper snags, the included stakes being basic, and that packing it back into the bag takes practice.
Review theme: Generally positive in the source review summary, with recurring trade-offs noted above.
Durability
Overall users treat this like a dependable family tent — many report it handled heavy rain, wind and multiple trips without seam leaks or major damage. The fiberglass poles and PU coating are fine for car camping and festival use, but some campers upgrade the stakes or take extra care with the floor to avoid wear over time.
Indoor & Outdoor Use
This tent is best for car camping, family trips, festivals and backyard holidays where you want standing room and organized sleeping space. It’s bulky for backpacking but great if you drive to site; you’ll appreciate the roomy interior, divider options and ventilation for longer stays.
Why You’ll Like It
- Very roomy — fits up to three queen air mattresses or eight sleeping bags
- PU-coated polyester fabric and rainfly for solid water resistance
- Divider curtain creates a separate privacy area inside the main tent
- Good ventilation with a top canopy, large mesh door and multiple windows
- Free-standing fiberglass pole design with an included carry bag for transport
The Coleman Montana 8-Person is a traditional large family tent with a 16 x 7 ft floor and about 74 in of peak height. Its hinged door, rainfly, interior storage, and roomy layout make it easier to live in than a low dome when you are staying several nights.
Setup is more conventional than the Skydome line, so allow more time and ideally pitch with a second person. This model makes the most sense when standing room and a familiar family-tent layout matter more than five-minute setup claims.
Best for: car campers who want a roomy classic Coleman layout and easy entry.
Skip if: ultra-fast setup or low packed weight is your main priority.
What People Say
Most buyers say the tent feels very spacious and stands up well to typical rain and wind, which makes it a go-to for family car camping and festival trips. People often praise the tall interior, easy setup and handy features like pockets and a cord port, while a minority mention door zippers or Velcro alignment as a bit fiddly and that the included stakes are basic.
Review theme: Generally positive in the source review summary, with recurring trade-offs noted above.
Durability
The Montana is best treated as a three-season family car-camping tent. Its larger body benefits from careful staking and guy-line use, and you should follow Coleman’s care guidance before adding aftermarket seam treatments or coatings.
Indoor & Outdoor Use
This tent is ideal for outdoor uses where space and comfort matter: family campsites, festivals, backyard holiday stays and road-trip stops. It’s bulky for carrying long distances, so it’s not a backpacking choice, but for drive-up camping you’ll enjoy the standing room, ventilation and organization it provides.
Why You’ll Like It
- Roomy 16 x 7 ft floor with space for a flexible family sleeping layout
- Standing center height so you can move around inside without crouching
- Included rainfly, welded corners and inverted seams for added weather protection
- Hinged D-door with small awning for easier entry and a covered spot for shoes or chairs
- Simple setup in about 15 minutes with free-standing fiberglass poles and a carry bag
- Interior storage pockets and an electrical port to keep gear organized and powered
The Coleman Skydome Dark Room keeps the quick-pitch Skydome format but adds light-blocking fabric. Coleman markets the Dark Room material as blocking about 90% of sunlight and reducing heat compared with a comparable Coleman tent, which can help with early-morning sleep and daytime naps.
The 8-person version uses a 12 x 9 ft floor, near-vertical walls, pre-attached poles, a wide door, and WeatherTec construction. Like the standard Skydome, it is a car-camping tent rather than a severe-weather shelter.
Best for: light-sensitive sleepers, families with children, and festival campers who value a darker interior.
Skip if: you want a room divider or screened living area.
What People Say
Most buyers love how dark and roomy the Skydome is — people frequently mention the blackout-style fabric, the tall interior, and how easy it is to get the tent up. Users also appreciate the weather-focused features like the tub floor and welded corners for keeping things dry. A fair number of campers note minor downsides: folding it back into the bag can take practice, and a few have reported wear or wind-related issues after heavy use.
Review theme: Generally positive in the source review summary, with recurring trade-offs noted above.
Durability
For routine car camping and seasonal festival use it holds up well for many owners thanks to the WeatherTec construction, but some campers report tears or pole issues after extended use or very exposed pitches. If you camp a lot in rough conditions, consider reinforcing stakes, careful pitching and using the warranty if needed.
Indoor & Outdoor Use
This tent shines for outdoor, drive-up scenarios — family trips, holiday backyard stays, festivals and car-camping weekends. It’s bulky at about 20.6 lb, so it’s not a backpacking choice, but the standing height, storage pockets and blackout fabric make it comfortable for multi-night stays and naps during long daylight hours.
Why You’ll Like It
- Very quick setup with pre-attached poles — usually under 5 minutes once you know the routine
- Dark Room technology blocks about 90% of sunlight and helps reduce interior heat
- Nearly vertical walls give about 20% more headroom so you can stand and move around
- WeatherTec tub floor, welded corners and inverted seams for improved wet-weather protection
- Sturdy frame tested to withstand winds up to 35 mph when properly pitched
- Wider door and roomy 12 x 9 ft floor that fits two queen airbeds
- Interior mesh pockets and gear loft keep small items tidy
The Coleman Skydome with Screened Porch adds a second living zone to the quick-pitch Skydome design. The screened area is useful as a mudroom, gear zone, bug-buffered lounge, or extra sleeping space when configured as the manufacturer allows.
Pre-attached poles, near-vertical walls, a wide door, WeatherTec construction, an E-port, and storage pockets make it a practical choice for multi-night car camping where a little separation between sleeping space and campsite clutter is valuable.
Best for: families who want a screened transition area for shoes, gear, or lounging.
Skip if: campsite footprint is tight or you would rather have a simpler one-room tent.
What People Say
You’ll find lots of praise for how quick the tent is to pitch and how roomy the main area and screened porch feel. People commonly mention the WeatherTec floor and welded corners as helpful in wet weather and like having the e-port and storage pockets for gear.
At the same time, a number of users warn about issues in very windy, rainy conditions and occasionally note small hardware or packing frustrations.
Review theme: Generally positive in the source review summary, with recurring trade-offs noted above.
Durability
For regular car-camping and weekend festival use it holds up well thanks to WeatherTec construction and a sturdy frame, but some campers report water intrusion in severe storms and occasional failures of plastic fittings or pole attachments. If you plan to camp in exposed, windy spots, reinforce stakes, use guy lines, and inspect fittings before long trips.
Indoor & Outdoor Use
This is an outdoor-first tent — ideal for family car camping, backyard holiday stays and festival weekends where comfort and quick setup matter. It’s roomy and comfortable for multi-night stays, but at about 21 lb it’s too bulky for backpacking. The standing height and storage features make it easy to live in for short trips.
Why You’ll Like It
- Super-fast setup with pre-attached poles — takes about 5 minutes once you know the steps
- About 52 sq ft of screened space for gear, lounging, or an extra sleeping zone
- Nearly vertical walls give more headroom for standing and moving around
- WeatherTec tub floor, welded corners and taped seams for better wet-weather protection
- Fits two queen airbeds and has a wide door for easier gear moves
- E-port lets you run power inside for pumps or lights
- Interior mesh pockets keep smaller items organized
The TIMBER RIDGE 8-Person Family Tent is the largest-footprint option in this list at about 20 x 8 ft with a 76 in peak height. Its separate screen room gives you a practical place for shoes, chairs, coolers, or bug-buffered lounging without crowding the sleeping area.
Color-coded poles, a removable rainfly, water-resistant 66D fabric, mesh ventilation, an E-port, and interior storage make it a comfort-first car-camping shelter. At roughly 32 lb, it is best treated as a drive-up tent rather than something you carry far from the vehicle.
Best for: families that value living space and a screen room more than compact packed size.
Skip if: you have a small campsite, travel light, or often pitch alone.
What People Say
Customers frequently praise how roomy the tent is and how useful the screened porch is for shoes, coolers, or an extra sleeping spot. Most people find the setup doable with two people and appreciate the ventilation, storage pockets and E-port. A few buyers call out zipper snagging or minor hardware frustrations and recommend reinforcing stakes or adding a tarp in the screen room.
Review theme: Generally positive in the source review summary, with recurring trade-offs noted above.
Durability
The fiberglass-pole tunnel design and removable rainfly are suitable for ordinary family car camping, but the large side area can catch wind. Use all required stakes and guy lines, choose a sheltered pitch when possible, and follow the manufacturer’s care instructions before applying any seam treatment or aftermarket coating.
Indoor & Outdoor Use
This is an outdoor-first tent — ideal for family car camping, backyard holiday sleepouts and festival weekends where space and comfort matter. The screen room adds a sheltered living area, but at about 32 lb it’s not a backpacking choice.
It’s free-standing and roomy enough for multi-night stays when you’re camping near your vehicle.
Why You’ll Like It
- Very spacious interior and separate screen room for gear or lounging
- Color-coded poles and a two-person setup that’s manageable once you practice
- Water-resistant 66D fabric and a removable rainfly for wet-weather protection
- Mesh ceiling and large windows for ventilation and star views
- E-port and interior pockets to keep gear and power organized
- Sturdy fiberglass poles that balance flexibility and support
FAQ
How Much Space Do You Really Get In An 8-Person Tent?
Eight-person capacity is usually a maximum sleeping-capacity label, not a comfort guarantee. If you use queen airbeds, cots, luggage, or a table, plan for fewer people. Check the pitched floor dimensions, peak height, door position, and whether a divider or porch consumes part of the usable footprint.
Which 8-Person Tent Is Easiest To Set Up?
Pre-attached-pole models such as the Coleman Skydome line are designed to reduce setup steps. Conventional pole tents such as CAMPROS, GoHimal, Montana, and TIMBER RIDGE can still be straightforward, but a first-time pitch usually takes longer. Practice at home and keep the pole, rainfly, stake, and guy-line sequence with the tent.
Will An 8-Person Tent Keep You Dry In Rain?
A family tent can provide good protection in ordinary rain when it is correctly pitched, fully staked, guyed out, and used with the supplied rainfly. No large three-season family tent should be treated as a guarantee against severe storms, flooding, or snow loading. Choose high, well-drained ground and keep the tent floor away from depressions where water can pool.
Can An 8-Person Tent Fit Two Or Three Queen Airbeds?
It depends on the exact model. Coleman lists the standard 8-Person Skydome for two queen airbeds and the Skydome XL for three. Other tents may fit multiple airbeds, but bed height, pump placement, door clearance, and gear can make the layout feel tighter than the raw floor dimensions suggest.
What Should I Check Before Buying A Large Family Tent?
- Pitched floor dimensions and center height
- Number and size of airbeds or cots you plan to use
- Rainfly coverage, floor design, stakes, and guy-line points
- Ventilation, especially for humid-weather camping
- Divider, screen-room, E-port, and storage needs
- Packed weight and whether you can move it from car to campsite
- Campsite pad size, including extra room for doors, porch space, stakes, and guy lines
How Should You Maintain And Pack A Large Tent?
Shake or sweep out dirt, let the tent and rainfly dry completely before long-term storage, and avoid forcing zippers or poles. Store components together in a cool, dry place. For seam sealers, waterproofing treatments, cleaning products, and repairs, follow the manufacturer’s care instructions so you do not damage coatings or void warranty coverage.
How to Choose Between These 8-Person Tents
Start with the feature that changes your campsite experience most. Choose a pre-attached-pole Skydome when setup speed matters; choose CAMPROS or GoHimal when a divider is more useful; choose Dark Room when morning light is the problem; and choose a screened-porch or screen-room model when you want a buffer between sleeping space and muddy gear.
Then check the pitched footprint against your campsite pad and the sleeping layout you actually use. A tent that technically sleeps eight can feel crowded once you add thick airbeds, luggage, chairs, and a cooler, so floor dimensions and door placement matter more than the capacity number alone.
[Amazon Products Picked for You]
Sets up in under 5 minutes thanks to pre-attached poles
Roomy 8 People Family Tent: Spacious tunnel design family outdoor tent for 8 people, with a size 20' (14'+6') x 9' x 80"(H), it is enough for 2 full air mattresses or 8 sleeping bags. An 80-inch height is enough for you to stand up while walking in the tent.
Large Interior & Screen Room: This 8 person tent is 20(14+6)' x 8' x 76", it well fits 2 full size airbeds and other camping gears. With 76" center height, you can stand up and move freely inside. The screen room offers a big bug-free relaxation space for you and your dogs.
Wrapping Up
You now have eight distinct 8-person tent options covering quick setup, room dividers, dark-room comfort, screened living space, and extra-large family layouts. For fast setup, start with the Coleman Skydome models. For privacy, look at CAMPROS or GoHimal. For a separate screened living zone, compare the Coleman Screened Porch and TIMBER RIDGE.
Before ordering, measure your campsite and sleeping setup, check the current Amazon listing for the exact variant, and test-pitch the tent at home. Large-family tents are most comfortable when you leave some of the advertised sleeping capacity unused for luggage and movement.
Verified Specs Snapshot
This table keeps comparable published specifications for the models that already had dedicated spec-table images in the source. The Top Picks table above covers all eight remaining recommendations.
| Product | Image | Pitched Size | Weight | Occupancy | Weather Design | Setup | Special Highlights |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| CAMPROS CP Tent 8 Person Camping |
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About 14 ft x 9 ft x 6 ft | About 19 lb | 8 Person | Coated polyester with rainfly; use as a three-season family tent | Conventional color-coded pole setup; easiest with 2 people |
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| Coleman Skydome Tent (8-Person) |
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12 ft x 9 ft floor; 6 ft 4 in center height | 19.32 lb | 8 Person | WeatherTec tub-like floor, welded corners, inverted seams, rainfly | Under 5 minutes with pre-attached poles |
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| Coleman Skydome XL Camping Tent |
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16 ft x 7 ft floor; 6 ft center height | 21.68 lb | 8 Person | WeatherTec tub-like floor, welded corners, inverted and taped seams | Under 5 minutes with 2 people and pre-attached poles |
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| TIMBER RIDGE 8 Person Family Tent |
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20 ft x 8 ft x 76 in | About 32 lb | 8 Person | Water-resistant 66D fabric with removable rainfly | About 15 minutes; 2 people recommended |
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[Amazon Products Picked for You]
ROOMY INTERIOR: Straight wall design with 72in center height create more space to stand up changing and move
ROOMY INTERIOR: Straight wall design with 72in center height create more space to stand up changing and move
Sets up in under 5 minutes (based on average setup time with 2 people) thanks to pre-attached poles
