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Reading Time: 12 minutesLast Updated on September 13, 2025 by Paul Clayton
Table of Contents
10 Unique Camping Tent Types
Camping in a traditional tent is the most common method, but some fun and unique tents are available!
Key Takeaways:
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- Beyond Traditional Tents: The camping world offers a diverse array of unique tent types that go beyond the basic dome or cabin tent, catering to various needs, preferences, and levels of outdoor comfort.
- Glamping vs. Traditional Camping: Many unique tent types, like yurts, plastic igloos, and large canvas/bell tents, lean towards “glamping” by offering enhanced space, comfort, and amenities, differing significantly from the minimalist approach of traditional camping.
- Specialized Functions: Different tents are designed for specific purposes, such as rooftop tents for elevated sleeping and security, pop-up tents for quick solo setups, dog tents for pet-friendly camping, and truck bed tents for vehicle-integrated shelter.
- Varying Levels of Portability and Setup: Some unique tents prioritize quick and easy setup and portability (pop-up, hammock tents), while others are more elaborate, requiring more time and effort to assemble (yurts, large canvas tents) and are often semi-permanent.
- Cost Reflects Features and Permanence: The price range for unique tents varies widely, from affordable pop-ups and truck bed tents to expensive, more permanent structures like yurts and high-end canvas tents, reflecting their materials, size, features, and intended use.
- Innovation in Outdoor Living: Tent innovations, such as trampoline tents, highlight creative approaches to outdoor fun and leisure, demonstrating how tent design continues to evolve beyond basic shelter.
If you are looking for a more exciting camping experience, consider these ten different, unique tent types:
1. Yurt Tents
Yurt tents are popular for glamping campers and formal outdoor events. Whether you are hosting a garden party or building a camping cabin, a yurt tent is an excellent investment.
Because yurts are unique, they are often confused with bell tents. Bell tents have only a single pole in the middle that holds up the canvas and structure.
On the other hand, official yurts have a fence-like lattice wooden wall built into the structure’s circumference. The roof is made of wooden rafters that angle upwards toward the top.
Designed after an ancient tenting technique that originated in Mongolia and its surrounding areas, yurts are circular tents now made from canvas and wooden frames. The yurt features rafters, a door, and a circular opening or light at the top. The hole was once used to allow campfire smoke to exit the tent safely, but now works as a window or covered duct.
Yurts aren’t just great for camping. You can also use them as statement pieces at outdoor events, such as picnics or weddings. Some yurts are more permanent, used as tiny houses or rental spaces in backyards. They can also be a small, convenient cabin space for users looking to set up their vacation home on a budget.
Yurts are perfect for larger families. Most models can sleep eight or more people, depending on the size of your cots or sleeping bags. You can camp in them and use them as eating or recreational spaces.
Whether on a picnic or watching projected movies, you can use a yurt for almost anything.
The Cost:
Yurts can be very expensive, depending on the type you want to camp in.
Some yurts are more portable, able to be used as actual camping tents and taken on the road, as they were always meant to be. However, some modern yurts are more permanent, built as small homes and cabins rather than used to camp.
Camping yurts are portable and collapsible, usually taking about 45 minutes to set up.
Sites like campingyurts.com sell them for upwards of $2,000. Other manufacturers, such as Pacific Yurts Inc., build more permanent structures that can be lived in full-time. These cost between $7,000 and $17,000.
2. Plastic Igloo Tents
Popularly used in winter as cozy igloos for dining and drinking spaces, plastic and bubble tents are a unique and simple way to set up a camping space.
While most plastic and bubble tents don’t offer much privacy, they are ideal for storing food and creating dry, warm spaces to eat and gather during camping trips. Most plastic tents are easy to set up, thanks to their plastic poles and zipper doors, which provide easy access and takedown.
Most plastic tents are dome-shaped and quite spacious. You can fit picnic tables, dining tables, or even chairs and TVs inside them for comfortable glamping or backyard camping.
You can also use plastic tents for garden and patio seating outside in winter or during rainy seasons. Igloo tents are also great for children’s birthday parties and events, providing dry spaces for play or eating.
The Cost:
Plastic igloo tents, like the one above, can cost anywhere from $300 to $ 1,000 or more, depending on the brand, size, and materials. The more expensive tents are more likely to be used by restaurants and businesses than by campers.
However, if you want something to take camping as a backup tent or a food tent for garden parties, a tent costing $ 300 or more is probably perfect for you.
3. Rooftop Tents
Rooftop tents have revolutionized nomadic camping, making them perfect for campers who enjoy roughing it in remote areas.
Rooftop tents are more popular among hikers and rustic campers. They are a great way to stay safe and off the ground when camping, and they can also help you avoid bears, other animals, and possible intruders.
Rooftop tents are always ready to go. Once you park at your campsite, you can pop up your tent in your car and unpack the rest.
Rooftop tents are also great for keeping warm. Sleeping on the ground can be colder, as the temperature seeps through the floor and into your sleeping bag and blankets.
In a rooftop tent, your blankets won’t have that problem!
Having the Right Car:
Depending on your car type, a rooftop tent may not be suitable for you.
Most rooftop tents require a sturdy car with roof racks for easy assembly and attachment. Without roof racks, you will need specialized rooftop tents that attach well to flat roofs.
Furthermore, most car roofs have a weight limit. Rooftop tents can weigh anywhere from 100 lbs to even more. Add your weight or the weight of a dog or partner camping with you, and the numbers start to add up quickly.
In that case, you’ll want a car that can handle a lot of weight, or consider investing in roof racks that distribute the weight properly to prevent dents or damage.
The Cost:
Most rooftop tents are pretty pricey. Most cost about $1,500 or more before shipping and accessories.
However, Thule rooftop tents are an excellent investment. They are high-quality and can last you years once you buy one.
That’s why only the more serious campers buy rooftop tents to take everywhere they drive.
4. Canvas/Bell Tents
Canvas and bell tents are beautiful, easy to set up, and perfect for camping or outdoor parties.
While most canvas and bell tents aren’t as insulated or utilitarian as traditional polyester tents, they are comfortable in dry, warm weather.
Bell canvas tents are circular and raised, featuring a single large pole in the middle, smaller poles, and zip doors for easy access. Using many ropes that stretch outward from the center, the entire tent is easy to set up!
Other canvas tents are more square or rectangular. These tents are used for large parties, Boy Scout adventures, weddings, or camping with large families. While not as aesthetically pleasing as bell tents, the rectangular canvas tent is just as effective at keeping out the rain and bugs.
Many canvas tents can be waterproof, and they offer options with or without walls.
Canvas and bell tents are more popular among the glamping crowd and are great for honeymoons, date nights, or even sleepovers with the whole family.
Because canvas tents are enormous, they can accommodate double beds, dining tables, chairs, patio couches, and even TVs.
Canvas tents can also have windows and good airflow. They are relatively simple to set up and take down, and you can customize your interior space however you like it!
The Cost:
Canvas tents are pretty expensive.
Like rooftop tents, most high-quality, customizable canvas tents cost between $1,500 and $4,000. You should receive high-quality canvas, a variety of accessories, and numerous features for that price. Furthermore, some canvas tents feature electrical cable outlets, windows, bug mesh on doors and windows, and a shock-absorbing grounding system for withstanding harsh weather conditions.
5. Pop-Up Tents
Are you a solo camper? Well, a pop-up tent might be perfect for you!
Designed after soldiers’ tents that were made to pop up and down quickly, pop-up tents are ideal for campers who only need a small amount of space. They are also great for motorcyclists who can only fit so much into their saddlebags.
Pop-up tents are spring-loaded, meaning they pop into place when you set them up. When you need to take them down, they are collapsible and are stored in a small, easy-to-pack container. This leaves little need for effort and can create quick and easy camping for hikers on the move!
Furthermore, some pop-up tents are ideal for small families or couples who need extra space. Some can sleep four people or even you and your three dogs!
Other pop-up tents are comfortable for a single person to stand in, such as a changing room at the beach or in the woods. You can also use them as a cover for camp toilets or showers!
The Cost:
Most pop-up tents are reasonably affordable, starting at around $ 100.
This is perfect if you want to buy a few so your teenagers can have space. You can also buy one as a backup tent for emergency camping on a long hike.
The more expensive ones cost only about $200, making pop-up tents an affordable option.
6. Dog Tents
One of the more unique tents on this list is a tent for dogs. Whether buying a tent for your dog to sleep in alone or a durable enough one for you and your fluffy friend to sleep in together, dog tents are great for the devoted pet parent.
Most dog tents are compact and easy to set up quickly once you reach your site. They are great as quick and easy dog houses to keep your pet safe from the rain or in the shade. You can also use them as small storage tents for food or supplies!
Other tents offer an “annex” or small space attached to the main tent. Usually used for supplies or excess luggage, these annexes can make cozy dog dens.
You can also buy outdoor dog beds and open cots with a small tarp to protect your dog from the sun and rain.
There are playpen tents for smaller dogs who need a little space to move around on your campsite. These circular tents have a small tarp over them. However, not all of them are waterproof.
Additionally, there are folding pet crates and boxes that can serve as kennels in the car during long camping trips. These rectangle-shaped crates provide a quick and easy travel solution for rowdy dogs that need space in the car.
The Cost:
Elevated dog bed cots are roughly the same, costing most around $50 to $100.
Playpens are generally cheaper, starting at around $30, and collapsible kennels are priced at about $ 50 or more.
Tents with small annexes for your dog to den will cost the same as traditional tents if not more. That means they’ll probably cost over $100.
Depending on your needs, a dog tent could be an affordable and easy investment!
7. Truck Bed Tents
Like rooftop tents, truck bed tents are attached to your vehicle and easily set up.
They can be used for sleeping at a campsite, changing clothes at the beach, or taking a nap on long road trips.
Although these tents are only suitable for trucks with open beds, they are great for boaters or 4-wheeler owners who want to haul something and have a place to sleep!
Truck bed tents, which use straps and poles, are great for quick and easy camping. They keep you warm and dry, keep unwanted animals and bugs out, and maintain a dry space above the ground during rain.
Most truck bed tents are only built for two people, but you could squeeze in a small family of four. Some models are 6 feet tall, so you can stand up to change clothes or stretch.
Truck bed tents feature sewn-in tarps and tent floors, similar to those found in regular tents. However, most truck beds aren’t very comfortable, so bring padding inside your tent.
These tents are ideal for pickup truck owners who enjoy camping, hiking, or tailgating. No matter your needs, having an easy-to-assemble pop-up tent ready to go at all times is a huge plus!
The Cost:
Truck bed tents are pretty affordable.
They commonly range between $80 and $200, which is excellent for a single camper or a couple.
The low cost allows the camper to buy accessories for the interior, such as added padding or insulating materials to keep you comfortable in any weather.
8. Hammock Tents
Hammock tents are ideal for keeping you off the ground quickly and easily.
Hammocks are invaluable for hikers. They offer a soft and comfortable place to rest on a long journey. However, ordinary hammocks can’t keep out the bugs or the sun.
That’s where hammock tents come in!
Hammock tents feature zip-up covers, allowing hikers and campers to sleep peacefully without worrying about sunburn or bug bites.
Like the Haven XL Hammock Tent, many can be equipped with padding and insulators to create a cozy, durable environment.
However, it is essential to note that hammock tents are not suitable for individuals with back or shoulder pain. They aren’t always the most comfortable and may not always be able to accommodate everyone overnight.
Instead, hikers and campers prefer to use hammock tents as a quick, bug-free nap space. That way, hikers can rest for an hour or two on long walks or hikes before continuing down the trail.
The Cost:
Hammock tents are relatively affordable and last quite a long time.
For example, the Haven XL is roughly $340 with the added insulator pad, but it can be had for as low as $280 without the pad.
For approximately $100 to $500, you can purchase the tent, along with all the necessary ropes, ties, parachutes, and tarps.
The pricing will differ depending on the brand, accessories, or materials used to make your tent.
9. Trampoline Tents
The trampoline tent is probably the most unique tent on this list.
Exactly as they sound, trampoline tents are circular tents that can be placed on top of a trampoline. This allows kids and teens to camp outside comfortably above the ground!
These tents are uncommon, but you can buy some from sites like JumpSport or Acon.
There are more common trampoline tents sold on Amazon and through other retailers that resemble tarps. These tarps cover the mesh-and-pole trampolines, protecting children by preventing them from falling off.
These tents are attached to those poles and zip up with a door at one end of the trampoline, allowing children to climb inside.
While not as tent-like as the trampoline-top circular tents we mentioned before, these are great for kids’ parties and sleepovers, creating a bouncy-house-like atmosphere.
The Cost:
JumpSport and Acon sell circular trampoline-top tents in the $330- $560 range.
10. WHITEDUCK Avalon Canvas Bell Tent
These large tents, featuring numerous windows and doors, are designed for campers who want to bring a range of luxuries. They are mainly used for semi-permanent rental spaces, such as Airbnb, for couples or groups of friends.
You can also use glamping tents for luxurious outdoor picnics and special occasions, such as weddings and other special events. These tents also allow users to string lights or attach electronics through accessibility ports and flaps in the tent.
Campers are allowed to bring small televisions, mini-fridges, or fans on their camping trip.
Not all glamping tents are expensive and luxurious, though!
Some tents considered “glamping” tents are oversized or those with attached annexes or awnings. Those additional awnings and annexes allow users to set up picnic spaces or store extra luggage.
While more valuable than those pretty canvas tents, they are still considered more of a hassle for quick and easy camping. Instead, they require a significant amount of time to set up and take down, and they aren’t as small and portable as single-person pop-up tents.
The Cost:
Depending on the type of glamping tent you get, you could be charged anywhere from $200 to $1,500.
For more traditional tents with annexes and awnings, the cost is approximately $250-$400.
You could pay $500+ for canvas and bell tents used at weddings or $3,400+ for luxurious cabin tents that double as houses.
Final Thoughts
The world of camping tents has expanded far beyond traditional designs, offering a fascinating range of unique options for every type of outdoor enthusiast. Whether you seek the luxurious comfort of a yurt or a large canvas tent, the elevated security of a rooftop or truck bed tent, the ultimate portability of a pop-up, or even specialized shelters for pets and playful trampoline integration, there’s a tent to enhance any camping experience.
These diverse choices underscore the ongoing innovation in outdoor living, allowing campers to tailor their shelter precisely to their adventure, budget, and desired level of comfort.
