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By Jason Parnell-Brookes published 9 August 22

Here's our guide to all the best stargazing tents on the market today, with something to suit all campers.

If you're looking for the best stargazing tents out there, then you've come to the right place as we're rounding up the top items you can get for your money. Whether you're in the market for something substantial to withstand strong winds and heavy rain on mountain tops, or something that pops up with ease, we've included something to suit everyone and every budget. 

Naturally, if you're looking for the best stargazing tents, it's because you intend on stargazing outdoors. That means having one of the best telescopes, best binoculars or best cameras for astrophotography is key. However, there are still a few important things to note when searching for the best stargazing tent out there. For example, waterproofness is vital as although most stargazing will be done under clear skies, unforeseen bad weather can sneak up on you and you don't want to be caught out.

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Getting yourself one of the best stargazing tents is something worth doing, especially with the Perseid meteor shower due to peak on August 12. The asteroids themselves will be visible to the naked eye (if the weather conditions are right) so you wont need specialist stargazing equipment, unless you want to photograph some of it. 

Another key factor to consider when choosing your tent is the size and weight of it. If you're travelling over long distance, especially on foot, you'll need to think about how much of a load you can carry, especially if you're already carrying stargazing equipment. 

If you are an astrophotographer, for example, and you will be carrying around equipment on top of your tent, then it's not just the best stargazing tents you'll want to check out. You can read our round-ups of the best lenses for astrophotography best zoom lenses and best tripods too. However, for the best stargazing tents on the market, read on below. 

The MSR Hubba Hubba NX tent is a freestanding tent that’s easy to put up. It can hold two people so it’s a good option if you’re traveling alone or with a friend. The symmetrical geometry of this tent maximizes the space as there’s no central peak but an even shape all around. It’s got a waterproofed rainfly cover with the added benefit of StayDry doors, for any unpredicted heavy downpours. The rainfly cover can be rolled up, either partly or entirely, to uncover the stargazer window.

The stargazer window is the highlight of this tent. Its location near the top of the tent makes for a great view of the stars. The mesh of the window is light in color leaving you with unobstructed views of the night sky. What we love about this tent is that you can stargaze while lying down. As there is a designated stargazing window, there is an element of privacy to this tent, allowing you to stay warm and dry.

You can use this tent across three seasons; using the rainfly and footprint will reduce the weight or you can use the mesh and footprint in warm summer conditions. A combination of all three materials can protect against harsher weather if you’re unexpectedly caught out in it. It collapses down into a compact stuff sack so is super easy to carry.

The Kelty Dirt Motel is a wonderful tent if you’re looking to go stargazing with a couple of friends. This tent comes in a two or three person option with the three person option coming in at a good size if you do want some extra company on your night jaunt.

With a water-resistant rainfly, the Kelty Dirt Motel is great for autumn, spring and summer. The rainfly can be rolled back to reveal the meshed area. Arguably, the stargazing ‘window’ on the Kelty Dirt Motel is much bigger in size than the window of MSR Hubba Hubba NX. However, the material is a darker mesh providing a more obscured view of the night sky. However, we like that if the rainfly is rolled partially back, a good portion of the side and top of the tent are completely open for you to view the stars all around you. If the rainfly is completely removed, you can get 360 degree views which is amazing. This is partly due to the clever design as it has vertical walls and no central peak, which provide more overall space and less obstructions for stargazing.

As well as the rainfly being waterproofed, the seams are tape sealed to ensure protection from unexpected bad weather. It also folds into an easy to carry stuff sack.

This freestanding tent is a great option if you're looking to set up camp alone, with a friend or in a small group as one, two and four people options are available. It's seems are sealed for waterproofness and the floor is also waterproof, to 1800mm. That means that 20.6 square foot of space you get inside (in the one person model) is plenty of room to manoeuvre around while looking at the night sky, and you won't have to worry about getting wet. 

There's a single door with this tent and you can get good views, even if you want to stargaze from bed. The aluminum poles are pre-bent to create more space inside the tent and at 3 lbs (one person model) it's lightweight and easy to transport. There really isn't much to dislike about this tent at all, especially given it's price point as there are more expensive options on this list. 

The ALPS Mountaineering Lynx tent is a superb option if you’re stargazing alone. While being quite snug, it offers a great view of the stars all while you stay snuggled in your sleeping bag. With the rainfly removed, you are able to gaze out one side of the tent and through the top. The other sides are not made of see-through mesh which allows you to have some privacy. Although, as the mesh is only on one side, you may need to consider your positioning to ensure the best view of the stars. The mesh is not as dark as the Kelty Late Start, allowing for a clearer view of the wonders of the night sky.

Being the first evergreen tent we’ve mentioned, it’s perfect for those who are keen to get out and about all year to capture the beautiful display above them. We love the sleekness of the design.

Now this is a surprising find for us. The Moon Lence ticks a lot more boxes than the previous portable tents and comes in cheaper. This one is a fantastic size for two people and its rectangular base shape allows it to feel very spacious, maximizing the room available. Not only this but the design means there are no poles obstructing your views, as the poles sleekly cross over the top of the tent.

The mesh of the tent is see-through allowing for good visibility of the stars. We really like that the bottom part of the tent adds a layer of privacy that some of the larger tents don’t offer. You can peel the protective rainfly back at the large door for a good view of the stars or alternatively, remove the rainfly completely. This opens up the tent offering 360 degree views. 

Furthermore, the lower part of the tent allows you to maintain some privacy as you lay in bed, gazing at the night sky. Unlike the Kelty Late Start tent, the Moon Lence has a thick border, covering you when you are lying down. This adds an element of intimacy to the evening with whoever you choose to stargaze with. We think this is a really nice touch. The Moon Lence is very portable and can be stored in a carry bag.

We know this isn’t exactly what you had in mind when you saw this article but we couldn’t resist putting in a luxury version. We love this gazebo which offers 360 degree clear views, if the weather is a little chiller than expected.

You can stand up in it with no trouble, even if you’re over six foot tall. It’s large enough to host friends and to place furniture in so you can get really comfortable while watching a meteor shower or pointing out constellations to each other. There are also convenient hooks for coats, bags or other items. It boasts two large entrance doors that can be rolled up. Unlike the camping tents, this one is made from PVC so ventilation may be needed while sharing the space with others, to avoid it turning into a steam room. 

Amazingly, this gazebo is freestanding and easy to assemble. It also compacts down into a carry bag but is obviously not the easiest option for portability. This design is meant more for it being a fixed item in your garden. However, it’s not impossible to take it to a friend’s house if they are hosting.

Although we don’t tend to stargaze in adverse weather conditions, this gazebo is not intended to withstand such weather. However, it can be a lovely addition to your garden, on a Spring evening when the nights are still a little cold, to allow you and your family or friends to enjoy the outdoors.

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Jason Parnell-Brookes is an award-winning photographer, educator and writer based in the UK. He won the Gold Prize award in the Nikon Photo Contest 2018/19 beating over 90,000 other entrants and was named Digital Photographer of the Year in 2014. Jason is a Masters graduate and has a wealth of academic and real-world experience in a variety of photographic disciplines from astrophotography and wildlife to fashion and portraiture. Now the Channel Editor for Cameras and Skywatching at Space.com his speciality is in low light optics and camera systems.

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