By the editorial team · Updated October 7, 2026 · 11 min read · Category: Family Tents
Disclosure: this post contains affiliate links to Amazon and REI. If you buy through them, we may earn a commission at no extra cost to you. It does not change what we recommend.
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The Bottom Line: A Waterproof Family Tent Is About More Than a Rating
The real fear behind waterproof is a wet sleeping bag at 2 a.m. with kids awake and nowhere dry to go. After comparing manufacturer specs, independent test results and customer reviews, our pick is The North Face Wawona 6.
It pairs taped seams and a coated floor with a huge vestibule, so your family has a dry place to live when it pours. It is not perfect: the rainfly does not cover everything, a few owners report condensation, and the 6 person label is optimistic.
Transparency note: we have not tested this tent ourselves. This guide synthesizes the REI product page, details from the Amazon listing, OutdoorGearLab’s published hands-on test, Camping Guidance’s published test, and customer reviews from REI and Amazon.
Quick Verdict: Who the Wawona 6 Is Best For
| Your family situation | Fit | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Family of 3 to 4 (plus a dog) camping where rain is likely | Strong fit | OutdoorGearLab calls it ideal for four people and a pet, and Camping Guidance scored its rain protection 9.7 out of 10 |
| A family that wants a dry outdoor living room | Strong fit | The vestibule measures 44.7 sq ft per REI and OutdoorGearLab (51 sq ft per Camping Guidance), and adults can stand in it |
| Hot, wet summer trips | Strong fit | Four vents, mesh doors and a fly you can remove. Camping Guidance ranks it among the best family tents for summer |
| Arriving late with tired kids | Mixed | A two-person crew pitched it in 10 minutes 20 seconds, and one tester needed 20 minutes alone, but a first pitch can run much longer |
| A family of 5 or 6 who all sleep inside | Poor fit | Camping Guidance fits 3 to 4 adults, and owners say sleeping six is unrealistic |
| Teens who want their own room | Poor fit | No room divider |
| Cold shoulder-season or winter trips | Poor fit | It is a 3 season tent, and Camping Guidance says its mesh cannot hold heat in |
| Hiking in to camp | Not suitable | It weighs roughly 19 to 22 lbs depending on the source |
Our research points to one consistent theme: the Wawona 6 stays dry through a complete system of taped seams, a coated floor and a huge vestibule, not through any single spec.
Check the current price of the Wawona 6: REI Co-op · Amazon
How We Evaluated the Wawona 6 as a Waterproof Family Tent
Waterproof is several features working together, so we looked past the headline number. Here is what we checked and why it matters when kids are involved.
- Fabric coating (hydrostatic head, in mm) This is how much water pressure the coated fabric resists before leaking. Higher numbers generally mean more resistance. We only use figures published by the manufacturer or retailer.
- Seam taping and floor design: Water usually gets in at seams and from the ground, not through the fabric. A tub style floor keeps puddles out.
- Rainfly coverage: A fly that only covers part of the tent leaves gaps in sideways rain.
- Vestibule space: Wet boots, strollers and muddy dogs belong outside the sleeping area. A big vestibule keeps the interior dry.
- Ventilation and condensation: A sealed tent that drips on the inside is not dry. Vents and mesh matter as much as coatings.
- Peak height and floor space: When you are stuck inside for hours, standing room and elbow room keep family morale up.
- Ease of setup: Pitching in the rain with kids in tow is a different job than pitching on a sunny afternoon.
Deep Dive Review
The North Face Wawona 6
The Quick Verdict: The best fit for a family of four (plus a dog or a pile of gear) that wants a spacious, dry, car camping basecamp and can live with a fiddly setup.
Key Specifications
| Specification | Details | Source |
| Capacity | 6 person on paper. Ideal for four people and a pet, and fits 3 to 4 adults | OutdoorGearLab, Camping Guidance |
| Seasons | 3 season | REI, Amazon |
| Weight | 19 lbs 6.4 oz packaged. | REI, |
| Peak height | 76 inches. Measured at 6 ft 4 in | REI, OutdoorGearLab |
| Floor area | 75.7 sq ft, 116 x 94 inches. | REI |
| Vestibule | 44.7 sq ft. | REI |
| Materials | 75D polyester canopy and rainfly with a 1,200 mm PU coating. 150D polyester floor with a 1,500 mm PU coating | REI |
| Poles | 4 DAC MX aluminum poles, freestanding | REI, OutdoorGearLab |
| Doors and vents | A large front door, a small back door, 2 vestibule doors, 3 windows and 4 vents | Camping Guidance |
| Storage | 9 pockets and 8 lantern loops. No gear loft, room divider or power port | Camping Guidance |
| Included | Stakes, guylines and a carry bag. The footprint is sold separately | REI |
| Finish | Made without a flame retardant coating, with a non PFC water repellent finish | REI, Amazon |
| Setup time | 10 minutes 20 seconds for a two person crew. 20 minutes solo, plus about 30 more on a first pitch | OutdoorGearLab, Camping Guidance |
| Packed size | 10 x 32 inches | REI |
| Price | $585 | REI, Amazon |
What Independent Testing Found
OutdoorGearLab and Camping Guidance both buy the tents they test, and both rated the Wawona 6 highly. Their scoring systems differ, so read each column on its own.
| Category | OutdoorGearLab | Camping Guidance |
|---|---|---|
| Overall | 85 out of 100, ranked #2 of 16 camping tents, Editors’ Choice | 8.1 out of 10 |
| Weather | Weather Resistance 8.0 | Rain Protection 9.7 |
| Space | Space and Comfort 9.0 | Spaciousness 7.8 |
| Setup | Ease of Setup 7.0 | Ease of Use 6.5 |
| Quality | 9.0 | 9.3 |
| Family fit | Family Friendliness 9.0 | Comfort and Features 8.6 |
| Other | Not scored | Ventilation 7.0, Portability 7.5 |
OutdoorGearLab calls the Wawona 6 a long standing favorite and a go to for families with piles of gear. Camping Guidance bought its tent with its own money, ran 13 hands on tests, and names it one of the best family tents for summer. Watch the test videos at OutdoorGearLab and read the full Camping Guidance review.
How Waterproof Is the Wawona 6? A Rain Test Breakdown
Waterproofing on this tent comes from four things working together: coated fabrics, taped seams, a heavier floor, and a rainfly that covers most of the tent but not all of it.
- Fabric coatings (manufacturer): REI lists the canopy and rainfly at 1,200 mm and the floor at 1,500 mm. Amazon describes a non PFC water repellent finish and calls the tent water repellent.
- Seams: OutdoorGearLab reports every seam is backed with waterproof tape. Camping Guidance found every fly seam taped, plus every inside seam the fly does not cover, and says no seam sealing is needed.
- Hose test (OutdoorGearLab) the testers soaked the tent with high pressure hose water for several minutes and were impressed by the result.
- Heavy rain test (Camping Guidance) an hour of light rain brought no leaks. Then three hours of heavy rain flooded the tester’s yard to ankle depth, with one corner sitting in about two inches of water. The interior stayed dry, and the submerged corner seam felt dry to the touch.
- Three days of rain (Camping Guidance) after three straight afternoons of heavy rain, the back wall was slightly damp inside but never dripped. The tester suspects the back wall has no guy out point, so the fly sits closer and sheds less.
- Owner experience: an Amazon buyer reports a dry interior through storms with two tornado warnings, though chairs stored in the vestibule got a little wet. REI owners report dry nights in sustained rain, while one reports a leaking vestibule tarp and a wet ceiling.
Where the protection has limits. OutdoorGearLab points out that this is not a full coverage fly. It covers the top and open sections but not the back window, which relies on a rainproof zipper. Camping Guidance measured the fly overlapping the window mesh by only about 4 to 5 inches. No water came in during testing, but both flag sideways rain as the open question.
What this means for your family. The Wawona 6 looks well suited to the long, steady rain most trips run into. It rewards careful pitching, though. OutdoorGearLab says the front vestibule must be fully staked and guyed to work.
Wind and Storm Stability
- Poles and shape: four DAC MX aluminum poles and a mostly dome profile. Camping Guidance counts 11 guy-out points, five per side plus one at the vestibule.
- OutdoorGearLab wind result: the tent held firm in winds above 50 mph in the California desert with the guylines fully staked.
- Camping Guidance wind result: the tester pitched it in 10 to 15 mph winds and it held steady. An older-model Wawona from a friend, which survived roughly 50 mph winds, had bent poles that never broke.
- The catch is stakes. Camping Guidance says the included 14 stakes are about nine short of staking and guying out the whole tent, and the 8 guylines are three short of the 11 points. An Amazon buyer swapped in heavy-duty 8-inch steel stakes because the included ones are thin. OutdoorGearLab, by contrast, found plenty of stakes.
- Fly flap: OutdoorGearLab notes the fly sides flap in wind unless tied down, and two side zippers on the back of the fly opened on their own.
Space and Livability: What Six Person Really Means
- Headroom: REI lists a 76 inch peak, OutdoorGearLab measured 6 ft 4 in, and Camping Guidance measured 77 inches. Because it is a dome, the peak sits at the center and the side walls slope in. Camping Guidance praises an extra pole that makes the front wall vertical, which adds real standing space.
- Sleeping space: OutdoorGearLab fit a full size mattress plus a twin, with room for an extra sleeper or two on the floor. A full plus two twins did not fit. Camping Guidance fit six pads side by side only very tightly, and recommends one queen plus a twin.
- Vestibule: this is the star feature. Camping Guidance measured 99 x 84 inches, with standing height of 74 inches tapering to 65 inches at the far end. Two chairs and a table fit inside. OutdoorGearLab says it is a place to stage gear, wipe your feet, change clothes and cook in bad weather.
- Doors: the front door is large and mostly mesh, and Camping Guidance could carry an inflated double pad through it. The back door is only 42 x 37 inches, so adults must duck. Two vestibule doors zip open one-handed, though the storm flap sometimes catches the zipper.
- Storage: nine pockets and eight lantern loops. OutdoorGearLab wants more low pockets for night-time headlamps and dislikes the three-pouch panel on the back door.
For families: this layout rewards bringing the right number of people. Four people and a dog fit comfortably, and the vestibule absorbs the gear that would otherwise crowd the sleeping area.
Ventilation and Condensation
- Airflow: Camping Guidance counts four vents and three windows. With both tent doors and both vestibule doors open and the fly still on, air flows straight through. OutdoorGearLab credits two top vents for letting heat escape.
- Fly-off option: in fair weather you can drop the fly and still keep all your sleeping space. OutdoorGearLab says this suits desert trips and late arrivals.
- Windows: the side windows open only from outside. If rain starts with them open, someone must step out to close them.
- Condensation: owner reports are mixed, so open the vents and keep air moving, especially on damp, cool nights.
- Cold weather: Camping Guidance says there is too much mesh to hold heat in, and an REI buyer worries about a mesh front door in cold mountains.
Setup, Take-Down and Packing
- OutdoorGearLab: a two-person crew pitched it in 10 minutes 20 seconds. The color-coded poles help, and the fly is hard to attach backward. The testers disliked the pin-and-hook fly attachment, the tight pole-to-grommet fit, and the need to fully stake and guy out the vestibule.
- Camping Guidance: 20 minutes solo including staking, and 14 minutes to take down and pack. The first setup took 30 minutes longer because the last corner was so tight. The tester suggests pitching it once at home before your trip.
- Owners: an Amazon buyer recommends two people, and another found it easy once the corners were staked before the poles went in. An REI owner calls the instructions nearly useless.
- Carry bag: OutdoorGearLab says it never really closes. Camping Guidance found the opening easy to repack but the strap too short for a shoulder carry.
Build Quality and Durability
- Poles: DAC MX aluminum. OutdoorGearLab calls them very strong, and not one bent in Camping Guidance’s three weeks of testing.
- Stitching and zippers: connection points are double-stitched, and Camping Guidance found consistent seams and snag-free zippers.
- Fabric: OutdoorGearLab calls the mesh strong and tight, and judges the tent built to last. It also notes the new poles are unproven over time.
- Warranty and long-term durability: not specified in the sources we reviewed.
Why It Fits Families
- Proven weather protection. Camping Guidance scored rain protection 9.7 out of 10 and OutdoorGearLab scored weather resistance 8.0. Neither reported a leak in its main rain tests.
- Taped seams throughout. Both testers confirm taped seams, so you are not brushing on sealant before the first trip.
- A vestibule that works like a mudroom. It is a covered place to stage gear, shed wet shoes, change clothes or cook in bad weather. Camping Guidance fit two chairs and a table in it, and OutdoorGearLab says it roughly doubles usable space.
- Real headroom. The 76 to 77 inch peak and a vertical front wall let adults stand and move around. A 6 ft 3 in Amazon reviewer says he stands comfortably.
- A sensible layout for 3 to 4 people. OutdoorGearLab fit a full mattress plus a twin with room for extra sleepers on the floor.
- Strong poles and wind setup. DAC MX poles, 11 guy-out points and a dome shape. OutdoorGearLab saw it hold in 50+ mph winds.
- Ventilation for summer. Four vents, mostly mesh doors and a removable fly keep it airy in heat. OutdoorGearLab says you lose no sleeping space with the fly off.
- High build quality. OutdoorGearLab scored quality 9.0 and Camping Guidance 9.3. Connection points are double-stitched and the zippers are snag-free.
- Good storage. Nine pockets and eight lantern loops, with pockets placed under the fly or back-door fabric.
- Solid owner satisfaction. REI shows 4.5 out of 5 from 51 reviews, with 33 of 39 reviewers recommending it. Amazon shows 4.4 out of 5 from 43 ratings.
Real-World Trade-Offs
- It is not really a 6-person tent. Camping Guidance fits 3 to 4 adults and measured the floor about 5% under the marketed size. Owners say the same.
- It is heavy and bulky. At roughly 19 to 22 lbs depending on the source, it is for car camping only.
- Setup takes practice. OutdoorGearLab dinged the pin-and-hook fly attachment and the tight pole-to-grommet fit. Camping Guidance needed 30 extra minutes on a first pitch, found the pole sleeves snag, and says the fly often takes two or three attempts alone.
- The fly does not cover everything. Overlap with the window mesh is small, and the back wall turned slightly damp in a three-day soak.
- Condensation and leak reports exist. One REI owner reports puddles from interior condensation. Another reports a leaking vestibule tarp and a wet ceiling. Other owners report no leaks in multi-day rain.
- Included stakes and guylines may fall short. Camping Guidance and an Amazon buyer both upgraded. OutdoorGearLab found plenty.
- Windows open only from outside. Camping Guidance says you must step out of the tent to close the side windows if rain starts.
- Too much mesh for cold weather. It is a 3-season tent, and Camping Guidance says it cannot hold heat in.
- A small back door. It measures 42 x 37 inches, so adults must duck.
- No room divider, gear loft or power port. Teens will not get a private room.
- Bag and pocket quirks. OutdoorGearLab says the carry bag never really closes, and three REI owners complained about it. Camping Guidance found the bag easy to repack but the strap too short for a shoulder carry. Some pockets sit on a door.
- Footprint not included. An Amazon buyer says the floor feels thin and recommends a tarp.
- Premium price. At $585 it costs more than most family tents. OutdoorGearLab calls it a fair price for the build.
What REI Customers Say (Patterns, Not One Offs)
Our read of the eleven REI reviews visible on the product page (out of 51) shows these repeating themes. These are patterns from a small sample, so treat them as directional.
- Space and vestibule praise is the most common positive.
- Capacity is overstated: three reviewers say it fits fewer than six people comfortably.
- Stuff-sack quality: three reviewers complained.
- Setup: split. Three call it easy, while one needs two adults and a video.
- Rain performance: mixed, with two reports of dry nights in sustained rain against two reports of condensation or leaking.
What Amazon Customers Say
Amazon shows a 4.4 out of 5 average from 43 ratings: 70% five-star, 19% four-star, 0% three-star, 5% two-star and 6% one-star. We had the listing details and two top customer reviews, so the themes below are limited. We have not read the critical reviews, which make up about 11% of ratings.
- Storm performance: one verified buyer reports sitting through two tornado warnings with heavy downpours and a dry interior, though chairs stored in the vestibule got slightly wet. Another reports staying dry through a bad lakeside storm.
- Floor and stakes: both reviewers suggest upgrades. One recommends a tarp under the tent because the floor feels thin. The other bought heavy-duty 8-inch steel stakes because the included stakes are thin. An REI owner also recommends a footprint and says the stakes and guylines fall short.
- Setup: one says it takes longer than a pop-up and works best with two people. The other found it easy once the corners were staked before the poles went in.
- Headroom: a 6’3″ reviewer says he can stand comfortably.
- Listing wording: Amazon calls the tent “water repellent” and lists a non-PFC durable water-repellent finish. The text we received gives no waterproof rating in mm, and it lists a floor area of 86.11 sq ft, which differs from REI.
Manufacturer Specs vs. Independent Measurements: Where the Numbers Disagree
Our research found several conflicts between sources. We flag them rather than guess.
- Weight: REI lists 19 lbs 6.4 oz packaged. Amazon lists 20 lbs 15 oz total and 19 lbs 4 oz trail weight. OutdoorGearLab measured 21.9 lbs and Camping Guidance measured 19.4 lbs.
- Floor area: REI lists 75.7 sq ft, and Camping Guidance measured the same. Amazon’s listing says 86.11 sq ft. OutdoorGearLab’s spec table lists 80 sq ft, while its text cites 85.
- Vestibule area: REI and OutdoorGearLab list 44.7 sq ft, while Camping Guidance measured 51.0 sq ft. Some retailers also list a 21 sq ft rear vestibule, but REI and OutdoorGearLab describe a single front vestibule.
- Fabric deniers: REI and Camping Guidance list a 75D canopy and rainfly with a 150D floor. OutdoorGearLab’s text says the main structure is 150D and the floor 68D. We use the REI figures.
- Waterproof rating and wording: the fly and canopy are listed at 1,200 mm and the floor at 1,500 mm. Amazon’s listing calls the tent water repellent and gives no mm rating.
- Stakes and guylines: OutdoorGearLab found plenty of stakes and pre-attached guylines. Camping Guidance counted 14 stakes and 8 guylines, short of what 11 guy-out points need. An REI owner and an Amazon reviewer also found them lacking.
- Packed size: OutdoorGearLab lists 10 x 32 inches and Camping Guidance 26 x 16 x 10 inches.
Where to Buy The North Face Wawona 6
Both of our retail partners list the tent at the same price, so choose on perks and availability.
| Retailer | Listed price | Availability and perks | Customer rating |
|---|---|---|---|
| REI Co-op | $585.00 | Members earn an estimated 10% back ($58.50). On October 7, 2026, the Exuberance Orange/Tan/Green color showed as sold out, with pre-order available | 4.5 out of 5 from 51 reviews |
| Amazon | $585.00 | Listed in Agave Green/Asphalt Grey and Light Exuberance Orange/Timber Tan/New Taupe Green. Footprint sold separately | 4.4 out of 5 from 43 ratings |
Check current prices: Check price at REI Co-op · Check price at Amazon
Prices and stock change quickly, so confirm on the retailer page before you buy. Budget for a footprint to protect the floor and stronger stakes if you camp in wind. As affiliates, we may earn a commission from qualifying purchases at no cost to you.
Final Buying Advice: Is the Wawona 6 Right for Your Family?
- Buy the Wawona 6 if you camp from the car with two to four people plus gear or a dog, expect rain, and want a dry living area. Based on our research, it is a strong waterproof family tent for rainy-weekend basecamps.
- Think twice if you need to sleep five or six, camp in cold shoulder seasons or snow, or plan to hike in. It is too big, too heavy and too ventilated for those trips.
- Know the privacy limit if you have teens. There is no room divider, so plan on a shared sleeping space.
- Make the most of it. Pitch it once at home first, since testers describe a tight first setup. Bring a second adult. Add a footprint and sturdier stakes. Stake and guy out the vestibule and every guy-out point before the rain arrives.
Before you buy: prices and colors change. On October 7, 2026, REI showed the Exuberance Orange/Tan/Green color as sold out or on pre-order. Budget for a footprint to protect the floor, and consider extra guylines and stakes for storm trips.
Ready to buy? Check the current price at REI Co-op or Amazon.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is The North Face Wawona 6 waterproof?
The canopy and fly are 75D polyester with a 1,200 mm PU coating, and the floor is 150D polyester with a 1,500 mm PU coating, per REI. OutdoorGearLab reports taped seams and no water entry in its hose test. Owner reports are mixed on condensation, so ventilate well.
How many people really fit in a Wawona 6?
OutdoorGearLab calls it ideal for a family of four and a pet. Several REI owners say about three to four people with gear is comfortable.
Does the Wawona 6 come with a footprint?
No. REI states the footprint is not included. A matching footprint (item NF0A52V9) is listed as compatible, but one owner says the ground cloth was discontinued, so check availability.
Can one person set up the Wawona 6?
Reports differ. OutdoorGearLab timed a two person crew at 10 minutes 20 seconds. One REI owner pitches it solo in about 45 minutes, while another recommends two adults. Camping Guidance pitched it alone in about 20 minutes, though the first setup took 30 minutes longer.
Is it good in wind?
OutdoorGearLab reports it held firm in 50+ mph winds with the guy lines fully stacked. One owner reports it handled high winds in Death Valley. Camping Guidance saw it hold steady in 10 to 15 mph winds, and an older model Wawona it examined survived roughly 50 mph winds with bent but unbroken poles.
Can the Wawona 6 handle several days of heavy rain?
Camping Guidance ran it through three afternoons of heavy, flooding rain. The back wall turned slightly damp inside but never dripped, and the submerged corner seam stayed dry. One REI reviewer reports a leaking vestibule tarp and wet ceiling in rain, so a footprint and good ventilation are sensible precautions.
Does the Wawona 6 need seam sealing?
No. OutdoorGearLab reports every seam is backed with waterproof tape. Camping Guidance found every fly seam taped, plus every inside seam the fly does not cover.
Does the Wawona 6 have a room divider?
No. OutdoorGearLab and Camping Guidance both report no room divider, and Camping Guidance also notes no gear loft or power port.
Is it a 4 season tent?
No. REI and Amazon both list it as a 3 season tent.
How much does it cost?
It lists at $585 at REI and on Amazon . REI members earn an estimated 10% back.
Where can I buy the North Face Wawona 6?
Both REI Co-op and Amazon list it at $585.00. REI members earn an estimated 10% back. Stock and colors vary, so check each page.
Sources
- OutdoorGearLab: The North Face Wawona 6 Review (independent testing, scores, measurements, videos)
- REI Co-op: The North Face Wawona 6 Tent (specifications, features, price, customer reviews)
- Amazon: The North Face Wawona 6 listing (price, rating breakdown, description and top reviews, as supplied by the site owner)
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