The North Face Wawona 6 Tent Review
Luxurious car camping comfort with serious space, but the weight and bulk keep it tethered to the campground
June 26th, 2025
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Our verdict
If space and features are what you’re looking for in a camping tent, then The North Face Wawona is here to be your home away from home. No tent in our test matched the functional spaciousness of this tent, with its ample floor space and massive vestibule. This is a tent you can stand up in.
If you travel with a family or friend group, the Wawtona tent is the ideal companion to offer all the space and features you could dream of while at camp, without sacrificing stability or durability in the tent construction. The hybrid double-wall construction increases ventilation for warm summer nights. We love the generous vestibule, which provides plenty of room for a camp table and chairs or to keep our bikes out of the rain. That's why it wins our award for best overall camping tent in our Best Camping Tents guide.
We tested The North Face Wawona Camping Tent in the 6-person version on camping trips in the Pacific Northwest, including musical festivals and group campouts.
Overall, the Wawona is made with sturdy, durable materials, and it’s clearly built to last many seasons of camping. If you're a frequent campground camper, and space and features are your top priorities in a tent, then this one should be at the top of your list.
The North Face Wawona 6 Tent
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Comparison Table
| CAMPING TENT | MSRP | # OF PEOPLE | FLOOR SPACE | DOORS/ VESTIBULES | VESTIBULE SPACE | FREESTANDING? | PEAK HEIGHT |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| The North Face Wawona 6 | $550 | 4, 6 | 86.11 SF | 1/1 | 44.7 SF | Y | 76" |
| Nemo Aurora Highrise 6 | $500 | 4, 6 | 83.3 SF | 2/2 | 47.2 SF | Y | 77" |
| REI Co-op Wonderland 6 | $499 | 4, 6 | 83.3 SF | 2/0 | n/a | Y | 78" |
| Mountain Hardwear Mineral King 3 | $375 | 3 | 42.5 SF | 2/2 | 20.9 | Y | 48" |
| Eureka Copper Canyon LX 4 | $329 | 4, 6, 8, 12 | 64 SF | 1/0 | n/a | Y | 84" |
Specs
Capacity: 6 people (also available in 4-person model)
Seasons: 3
Type: freestanding
Packed weight: 19 lbs, 6.4 oz
Packed size: 10" x 32"
Floor area: 86.11 square feet
Floor dimensions: 120" x 96"
Vestibule area: 44.7 square feet
Peak height: 76"
Doors: 1 on tent body, 2 in vestibule
Canopy and rainfly material: 75-denier polyester with 1,200 mm PU coating
Floor fabric: 150-denier polyester with 1,500 mm PU coating
The vestibule can even fit a bike!
What we liked
Massive interior space with nearly vertical walls that maximize usable floor area
Excellent headroom — I'm 5'8" and could stand upright throughout most of the tent
Huge vestibule that doubles as an outdoor living room for gear storage and hanging out
Color-coded setup makes pitching the tent intuitive, even in low light
Solid construction with reinforced stress points and quality zippers that operated smoothly throughout testing
Great ventilation with multiple mesh panels and vents that kept condensation to a minimum
Storage pockets are everywhere in the interior
The rainfly rolls up when not needed for maximum ventilation.
What could be better
Instructions for setup could be more helpful (we recommend practicing at home and checking YouTube)
Rainfly doesn't extend over the back of the tent
Setup footprint requires a large, relatively flat site—not all established campsites can accommodate it
Wind profile is substantial due to the vertical walls and large vestibule
Price point puts it in premium territory for car camping tents
Vestibule pole could be more intuitive—it's the most confusing part of the setup process
Features
Capacity and Floor Area
The Wawona set up without the vestibule or rainfly.
The TNF Wawona has 86.11 square feet (8 square meters) of floor area. The Wawona is a generous tent and unlike many tents we tested, you actually can fit the number of people advertised here. However, the key is that five people are side-by-side and one person is awkwardly at the end. Still, there's plenty of room for everyone to stand up and have their stuff next to them. If your group or family knows they want more room, the Wawona is also available in an 8-person version.
Height
Excellent headroom, even for a 6'1" person shown here.
The ability to stand up in the Wawona Tent is the main advantage of this over many other camping tents we tested. You can stand up or set up a camp table and a bunch of camping chairs. We've been on camping trips where it has rained for many hours during the day. We've ended up hanging out inside the tent playing cards and talking and that is much more comfortable to do in a tent this spacious.
Vestibule Area
A massive vestibule accommodates a 4-person table and chairs.
The TNF Wawona's main advantage over other tents is its 44.7 square feet front vestibule and 21 square feet rear vestibule. This is enough room to store a camp table or a bike. This comes in very handy when you've unloaded all the stuff from your car and then it starts raining in camp. We've also used it as a seating area with a camp table and camp chairs so you can have an alternate place to hang out in camp if it starts raining.
DAC MX Poles
DAC is a name-brand pole company, and the model that The North Face chose for the Wawona is particularly strong for holding up in the wind. The poles are color-coded to make setup a little bit easier when looking for the corresponding trims.
Pockets
Storage pockets are everywhere, even along the ceiling.
One of the really great features of this tent are the internal organization pockets. The Wawona is loaded with stash pockets inside the tent. They’re on the walls and ceiling with plenty of space to maximize storage and organization. It also has hooks along the top to hang a camping lantern or other items.
Rainfly and canopy
The rainfly doesn't cover the back of the tent, shown here.
The TNF Wawona comes with a 75-denier polyester taffeta tent rainfly. TNF lists the weight as 68g per square meter. It has a 1,200 mm hydrostatic head. Hydrostatic head is a way of measuring how waterproof a material is. It means the fabric can withstand 1,200 mm (12 cm, or about 4 inches) column of water for 24 hours before letting water through. 1,200 is the minimum we'd recommend for waterproofing on a tent. Although in windy conditions, it may not be enough, over several years, we've had no issues camping in the rainy Pacific Northwest with this tent.
The waterproof has a PU coating and a non-PFC Durable Water Repellent (DWR) that is better for the environment. While older models had flame retardant material to be more eco-friendly and meet the PFC-free requirements. We don't recommend setting up your tent close to the campfire.
As we mention elsewhere in this story, the rainfly does not completely cover the back of the tent. The back door also doesn't have as much waterproofing because the vestibule is only in the front. Still, we haven't had any issues camping in the wet Pacific Northwest.
Floor
The floor is made with heavier 150-denier polyester (compared with the 75-denier canopy) for greater puncture resistance, and a 1,500 mm polyurethane coating for greater water resistance. However, we recommend purchasing the Wawona footprint if rain is a possibility (when isn't it?).
Performance in the Field
Spaciousness
On one camping trip, Treeline founder Naomi Hudetz was able to fit a camping table, four camp chairs, and a bikepacking bike in the vestibule with room to spare. The tent has one door on the main body and the vestibule has doors on both sides. On the rear of the tent body there is a large zippered window plus many other venting points that work well on hot days at camp.
Pockets
When hanging out in our tent during a rain storm and even at night, the Wawona's good pocket system allowed us to know exactly where our headlamp, glasses, flashlight, or hat and gloves were without having to mess around in a pack or wonder if we had to go out in the rain to see if we left them in the car. There are pockets on the ceilings as well as internal organization pockets.
Ease of set up
The poles and grommets are color coded for easier setup.
The North Face's instructions on setting up are a bit less than helpful, but once you’ve figured it out, setting up is simple. The poles, sleeves, and grommets are all color-coded (which TNF did not mention in the instructions, oddly), so once you understand that, the setup is much less confusing.
As usual, we recommend practicing setup at home before heading out into the field, especially if you are camping somewhere without reception. We found videos online that were helpful in setting up.
Ventilation
Ventilation openings help keep condensation to a minimum.
Many camping tents can turn into a sauna after baking in the sun all day. The North Face Wawona definitely heats up, but the double-wall hybrid construction in the newer models helps air flow between the two doors. There aren't side windows, so you won't get ventilation that way.
I used the Wawona 6 at a Dead & Company show at the Gorge. In a heatwave. While I didn't last long in the tent after the sun came up, it did have impressive ventilation that cooled it down rapidly at night. The ventilation also helps keep condensation to a minimum.
Weatherproofness and windproofness
The tent stakes out well and has a sturdy structure, even for such a large and tall tent. On a camping trip in the notoriously windy Columbia River Gorge, the tent held up well against consistent big gusts. (The tent has additional guy lines to further stake out the tent if needed.)
One downside to the tent’s construction is the coverage of the rainfly (and this is a common complaint with many large car camping tents). The rainfly does not completely cover the body of the tent, leaving the potential for precipitation to get in. Specifically, the rainfly does not fully extend over the back of the tent. While we haven’t had a chance yet to test this tent in heavy rain, this is the one area where we have reservations about its performance.
The tent handled moderate winds well, but I wouldn't want to test it in truly severe conditions. The large surface area and high profile make it susceptible to strong gusts. Stake it down properly and use all guy lines.
What's included
4 DAX MX poles
14 stakes
2 orange guylines
Bottom Line
The Wawona 6 succeeds brilliantly at what it's designed to do: provide luxurious space and comfort for car camping. The trade-offs are obvious—weight, bulk, and price—but if those aren't dealbreakers for your camping style, this tent delivers exceptional livability.
It's particularly well-suited for family camping, extended stays at established campgrounds, or anyone who values comfort over packability. The space efficiency and build quality justify the premium price if you'll use it regularly.
For backpackers or minimalist campers, look elsewhere. But for car camping comfort, the Wawona 6 sets a high bar that's tough to beat.
Other size options
The North Face Wawona is available in 4-person and 8-person versions.
The North Face Wawona 4-person
Number of people: 4
Floor space: 58.13 square feet
Front vestibule space: 27.6 square feet
Peak height: 63"
Doors: 2
The 4-person version isn't just a smaller version of the 6-person Wawona. Unfortunately, it lacks the huge front vestibule that we love. The vestibule on the 4-person is only 27.6 square feet, which won't get your camp table and bike in there like we could do with the 6-person.
In addition, the peak height is only 63" versus 76" with the 6-person version. This means that most people won't be able to stand up in the 4-person version.
Yes, it is $100 less than the 6-person version. But you can find other camping tents without great vestibules that are similarly-priced.
The North Face Wawona 8-person
Number of people: 8
Floor space: 112 square feet
Vestibule space: 44.7 square feet
Peak height: 78 inches
Doors: 2
For bigger families and groups, the North Face Wawona also is available in an 8-person. And it's huge. With 112 square feet, it's 30% bigger than the 6-person version. And you also get another 2" of peak height.
However, it's $200 more than the 6-person version. And with a floor area of 168" x 96" (or 14' x 8'), you'll need a huge area to set it up.
Where to buy The North Face Wawona
The North Face Wawona tent is among the most popular camping tents out there, so you have options when it comes to retailers. Here are some of the pros of the retailers.
REI
Pros: 100% satisfaction policy for 1 year; up to 10% dividend for members.
The North Face
You can sometimes find more options when purchasing directly from The North Face's website. Sometimes, purchasing directly from the retailer can make it easier if you need to make a warranty return, such as if there is a defect.
Should I buy The North Face Wawona tent?
Buy it if you want a quality camping tent that will last for years, and that actually fits the number of people advertised. If you camp somewhere with the potential for mid-day rain showers, having a vestibule to hang out and keep your bike or other gear dry is a huge perk. For such a tall tent, we were impressed by the windproofness. Where many camping tents will break poles in high winds, the North Face Wawona is a camping tent that will last for years.
Skip it if you only camp occasionally or if you need something that will work for backpacking as well. If you camp occasionally, you'll probably be happier with a tent that is less of an investment. If you want to use your tent for backpacking as well, look for a lighterweight camping-backpacking hybrid tent.
Similar camping tents to consider
Nemo Aurora Highrise 6-person
Capacity: 6 people (also available in 4-person model)
Seasons: 3
Type: freestanding
Packed weight: 18 lbs, 10 oz
Packed size: 9.5" x 26"
Floor area: 83.3 square feet
Floor dimensions: 120" x 100"
Vestibule area: 47.2 square feet
Peak height: 77"
Doors: 2
Similar in size and weight to the Wawona, the Nemo Aurora Highrise is also a feature-packed tent. Plenty of storage pockets, headlamp diffusers, and loops for string lights make it super functional too. The steep sidewalls make it feel extremely large, and it's easy to stand inside.
Capacity: 3 people (also available in 2-person model)
Seasons: 3 (also available in all-season version)
Type: freestanding
Packed weight: 7 lbs, 13.7 oz
Packed size: 7" x 25"
Floor area: 42.5 square feet
Floor dimensions: 90" x 68"
Vestibule area: 20.9 square feet
Peak height: 48"
Doors: 2
The Mountain Hardwear Mineral King 3 is our winner for best dome-style camping tent, but comparing it to the Wawona is like comparing oranges and mangoes. They're both camping tents, but the Mineral King has more in common with a backpacking tent than a home away from home. There's no vestibule to hang out in. You can't even stand up in it. But it's an easy-to-assemble and roomy option for those who want a more minimalist camping tent. You can read more in our in-depth review of the Mountain Hardwear Mineral King tent.
Capacity: 6 people (also available in 4-person model)
Seasons: 3
Type: freestanding
Packed weight: 22 lbs, 15 oz
Packed size: 13" x 32"
Floor area: 83.3 square feet
Floor dimensions: 120" x 100"
Vestibule area: none
Peak height: 78"
Doors: 2
The REI Wonderland is probably the most similar camping tent to The North Face Wawona. It has an impressive height of 78 inches and two doors with an easy sleeping arrangement design. It also has large doors to move camp furniture and lots of storage pockets.
But what the REI Wonderland really is missing compared with The North Face Wawona is the vestibule. It has no vestibule. That means you have to bring your bikes and camp furniture inside if it is raining (or have them get wet). That means if it starts raining, you have to hang out in the tent with your sleeping bags (or put them to the side and hope you don't drag mud into your sleeping area). The REI Wonderland is a great value for the price, but the lack of vestibule is something we missed.
Why you should trust us
Naomi Hudetz is co-founder and director of analytics and digital innovation and leads business strategy and revenue operations for Treeline Review. She brings decades of private sector experience in project management, budget and pricing projection, and long-term business vision, strategy, and goals.
Naomi left her corporate career to pursue her passion for the outdoors. She received the Triple Crown award for hiking for completing the Appalachian Trail, Pacific Crest, and Continental Divide Trails and has hiked numerous other distance routes including the Great Divide Trail across the Canadian Rockies (twice), Grand Enchantment Trail, Pacific Northwest Trail, the Arizona Trail, (most of) the Idaho Centennial Trail, the first known thru-hike of the Blue Mountains Trail, and the Oregon Desert Trail. She recently bikepacked the Great Divide Mountain Bike Route.
She previously served as Treasurer of the American Long Distance Hiking Association-West, and is currently on the board of the Continental Divide Trail Coalition. She’s based in White Salmon, Washington.
