We have a long holiday weekend coming up soon, Memorial Day weekend. I would love to do a night or two of tent camping at Lake Lurleen State part that weekend. Just me, the wife and Sadie, our Original Mountain Cur.

I've got to purchase a tent, air mattresses and a few other items before then. I don't want to break the bank on a tent but I'd like to purchase a good quality tent that we can get a few years use out of. I don't need a real big one but I'd like something that we would have plenty of room in. Not interested in spending hundreds of dollars on a tent either.

Y'all got any suggestions on what to take a look at and where to buy?

I've never spent the night in one, but after lounging in the back yard in one of those Eno parachute hammocks, I think sleeping on the ground would be a tough sell for me.

Walmart special will be fine. I’ll prolly be camping in a 10year old Coleman from Walmart memorial weekend at the ocoee. For once or twice a year a cheap one will do.

Make sure you buy a instant up tent ! up and down in just a few mins .. this is the one i have and it works great ... https://www.walmart.com/ip/Coleman-6-Person-Instant-Cabin/15843339?wmlspartner=wlpa&selectedSellerId=0&adid=22222222227000683895&wl0=&wl1=g&wl2=c&wl3=40968946352&wl4=aud-566049426665:pla-78912259712&wl5=9011670&wl6=&wl7=&wl8=&wl9=pla&wl10=8175035&wl11=online&wl12=15843339&wl13=&veh=sem&gclid=EAIaIQobChMIkqSL_7WX4gIVUQOGCh00YwU0EAQYBCABEgKcivD_BwE

I much prefer a good cot to an air mattress.

I saw a tent the other day that hooks to a 10'×10' ez up canopy. Looked well made and the straight up walls allow for more room.

craigslist

More than you want to spend, but damn nice tents

https://www.competitiveedgeproducts.com/Kodiak-Canvas-Tent-6051-Six-Person-10-x-10-Ft-Tent_p_12.html

This x 1000. I spend a couple weeks a year in a tent. Get the Coleman deluxe cots and you won’t regret it.

Cuz I have an Ozark Trail 6 person pole type tent I have had for 20 + years. I have fancier hiking gear but for what you are wanting this one looks like a good one.

https://www.amazon.com/Ozark-Trail-Person-Instant-Cabin/dp/B07F8LQGSV?tag=allcamstu-20

I’ve got a Kodak and it’s well worth the money.

Since you are car camping, buy big one. Tents are like gun safes. Coleman or ozark trail will be fine. For lightweight backpacking I like the value/weight of eureka tents. Air mattresses always pop. I just this weekend bought a cot. If I am camping solo or with my boys we use hammocks.

I camp once a month and have for years.

The ozark trail instant tents aren’t bad but you need to buy it now and get two cans of aerosol sealer and spray all the seals on the tent then the entire rain fly. Go with at least a 6 man or bigger. Also buy the good tent stakes. You won’t regret it.

Also forget about the air mattress and get cots, you’ll thank me later. Air mattresses are notorious for deflating through the night and then you’re sleeping on hard ground.

Also make sure to bring along a small broom and dust pan to sweep the tent out before you store it back up.

I have a Coleman Sun Dome Tent that is easy to put up, has lots of room and was under $100. I have the 6 person version

TENT

That's all I'll camp in anymore. I have a rain fly and bug net for mine. Wayyyy more comfy than sleeping in a tent.

I'm glad nobody mentioned Magellan from Academy. I bought one several years ago. Before the first camping trip was over I had already replaced the POS.

I prefer to sleep off the ground especially in summer. You folks have a lot of scorpions in your state. Cots and or an air mattress. Instant tents are good. Get a Tent. Bigger than you think you need. Some folding chairs and a table. Couple of lanterns. A stove or grill. They also have the crappers with th bags that actually works well. Roll up and throw in garbage as biodegradable. You can find most if not all at Walmart. Coleman has a nice website you can go nuts buying stuff like hot shower and all kinds of stuff. Even battery powered fans are available at Walmart. Enjoy!

Welp I'm a huge advocate for hammock camping. I can explain if you are interested. Slept on the ground plenty of times, but never got a great nights rest out of it. Wife liked to use an air mattress but I've always found them go a bit light on air by morning.

Are you set on sleeping on the ground, on an air pad, on a cot, or are you open to a hammock? They aren't great for nookie so to speak, but you could both sleep great in your own.

Shelter/sleeping arrangements are pretty important but only one of the many layers. How to cook is pretty important. Were you car camping or hiking into a spot? Fishing?

Dayum, so many questions....

Don't trust those pos fold out toilets! I took one to bama jam years ago. I was dropping a duce on in and the dang thing collapsed....it was bad day .

Just how heavy of a fella are you that you folded a bucket? Shoot I'd do it too if I tried, lol.