As someone who’s spent more nights under the stars than I can count—trudging through the misty trails of the Pacific Northwest, setting up camp beside roaring rivers in the Rockies, and chasing sunsets across desert plateaus—I’ve learned that a good tent isn’t just shelter; it’s your home away from home. It needs to stand up to whipping winds, sudden downpours, and the chaos of a family outing where gear gets tossed around like confetti. After testing dozens of models over the years, the North Face Wawona 6 has earned its spot as my top pick for 2025. This beast combines spacious living with rugged durability, making it ideal for car camping weekends or longer basecamp setups.

What sets the Wawona 6 apart is its thoughtful design that prioritizes comfort without sacrificing toughness. With dimensions of 120 x 96 inches and a peak height of 76 inches, it offers a floor area of about 86 square feet—enough room for six people to sleep comfortably, or four with plenty of space for gear. The high-quality 100% polyester fabric is fully seam-taped and coated with a non-PFC durable water-repellent (DWR) finish for excellent weather protection, paired with sturdy DAC aluminum poles that provide reliable structure even in gusty conditions. One of my favorite features is the massive 44.7-square-foot front vestibule; it’s like having an extra room for muddy boots, a camp kitchen setup, or even a shaded lounge area during midday heat. Add in smart organization like internal pockets, ceiling pockets, gear loops, and effective ventilation through mesh panels and adjustable vents to keep condensation at bay, and you’ve got a tent that feels livable, not claustrophobic.

The spacious interior of the Wawona 6, perfect for family hangouts. Credit: Outdoor Gear Lab

In the field, this tent shines. I remember pitching it at a lakeside spot in the Sierra Nevada last summer—the color-coded clips and trims made setup a breeze, even as the kids ran circles around me. It withstood a surprise thunderstorm without a single leak, and the tall ceiling meant I could stand up fully to change or organize without hunching over. Ventilation is spot-on with a large mesh front door and multiple vents, keeping things cool on warm nights while blocking out bugs. Weighing in at around 21 pounds (total weight 20 lbs 15 oz), it’s not ultralight, but for car camping, the weight is a fair trade for the durability and space. Pros include outstanding gear storage, versatile vestibules that can double as porches, a sturdy build that’s made to last seasons of abuse, roominess for families, and good performance in wind and cold. On the flip side, it’s on the heavier side for anything beyond drive-up sites, the mesh door can make it chilly in cooler weather, windows open from the outside which is inconvenient, and it takes a bit longer to pitch solo—about 10-15 minutes once you’re familiar. Also, the footprint isn’t included, so I’d recommend grabbing one to protect the floor from rough ground.

Setting up the Wawona 6 in a forested campsite—quick and sturdy. Credit: Switchback Travel