Wenzel Timber Ridge Sport 9-by-7-Foot Four-Person Dome Tent

Keep your load limber during long hikes and extended cycling excursions with the Wenzel Timber Creek Sport dome tent. Large enough to sleep four people at once yet compact enough to fit conveniently on a backpack or saddle bags, the tent is great for all types of camping and conditions. The Timer Creek Sport includes such features as a Dutch D-style door for easy entry, along with a shock-corded fiberglass frame with pole pockets that sets up and disassembles quickly. Campers will also appreciate the weather-armor polyester fabric and tough side seams, which are reliably rugged and resist leaks of all kinds. The window and roof vents, meanwhile, do a nice job of ventilating the tent and controlling morning moisture.

Additional details include water-repellent threads, zippers, and webbing; a sonic-sealed floor that's welded (not sewn) to eliminate stitch and needle holes; and a removable fly for wet weather conditions. The Timer Creek Sport measures 9 feet wide by 7 feet long and is backed by a 10-year limited warranty.

Amazon.com Tent Guide
Selecting a Tent
Fortunately, there are all kinds of tents for weekend car campers, Everest expeditions, and everything in-between. Here are a few things to keep in mind:

Expect the Worst
In general, it's wise to choose a tent that's designed to withstand the worst possible conditions you think you'll face. For instance, if you're a summer car camper in a region where weather is predictable, an inexpensive family or all purpose tent will likely do the trick--especially if a vehicle is nearby and you can make a mad dash for safety when bad weather swoops in! If you're a backpacker, alpine climber or bike explorer, or if you like to car camp in all seasons, you'll want to take something designed to handle more adversity.

Three- and Four-Season Tents
For summer, early fall and late spring outings, choose a three-season tent. At minimum, a quality three season tent will have lightweight aluminum poles, a reinforced floor, durable stitching, and a quality rain-fly. Some three-season tents offer more open-air netting and are more specifically designed for summer backpacking and other activities. Many premium tents will feature pre-sealed, taped seams and a silicone-impregnated rain-fly for enhanced waterproofness.

For winter camping or alpine travel, go with a four season model. Because they typically feature more durable fabric coatings, as well as more poles, four-season tents are designed to handle heavy snowfall and high winds without collapsing. Of course, four-season tents exact a weight penalty of about 10 to 20 percent in trade for their strength and durability. They also tend to be more expensive.

Domes and Tunnels
Tents are broadly categorized into two types, freestanding, which can stand up on their own, and those that must be staked down in order to stand upright. Freestanding tents often incorporate a dome-shaped design, and most four-season tents are constructed this way because a dome leaves no flat spots on the outer surface where snow can collect. Domes are also inherently stronger than any other design. Meanwhile, many three-season models employ a modified dome configuration called a tunnel. These are still freestanding, but they require fewer poles than a dome, use less fabric, and typically have a rectangular floor-plan that offers less storage space than a dome configuration. Many one and two-person tents are not freestanding, but they make up for it by being more lightweight. Because they use fewer poles, they can also be quicker to set up than a dome.

Size Matters
Ask yourself how many people you'd like to fit in your fabric hotel now and in the future. For soloists and minimalists, check out one-person tents. If you're a mega-minimalist, or if you have your eye on doing some big wall climbs, a waterproof-breathable bivy sack is the ticket. Some bivy sacks feature poles and stake points to give you a little more breathing room. Also, if you don't need bug protection and you want to save weight, check out open-air shelters.

Families who plan on car camping in good weather can choose from a wide range of jumbo-sized tents that will accommodate all your little ones with room to spare. A wide range of capacities is also available for three- and four-season backpacking and expedition tents. Remember, though, the bigger the tent you buy, the heavier it will be, although it's easy to break up the tent components among several people in your group. It's also helpful to compare the volume and floor-space measurements of models you're considering.

Customer Review: GREAT tent for $25
I've had this tent for just over a year now. It's been used about 20x. It has amazing quality thru-out. Nothing has torn-up with it at all. The floor is still completely sealed and there are no signs of anything wearing. Amazon had it on clearance back in March of 2007 for right at $25. My only regret is that I didn't buy 2 or 3 of them @ that price... GREAT PRODUCT... GREAT QUALITY...
Customer Review: Exactly as expected
This tent was perfect for my price range. I took this camping and it is quite light. It is especially light if you're going to have 3 people sleeping in the tent and I think it is safe to say that 3 people could backpack with this tent (by each carrying a 1/3rd of the tent weight). Four people, although technically do-able without gear, would be quite a tight squeeze. Tent was an easy, standard set-up as far as tents go, and we were able to take it down in the rain in only a few minutes. Definitely a good purchase for the price (only tested in a light drizzle).

The State of Minnesota, often referred to as the 'Land of 10,000 Lakes', is a smorgasbord of outdoor recreational activities. Minnesota camping is of the highest recreational and natural quality, with Minnesota being host to some 11,800 lakes, waterfalls and national parks. The name "Minnesota" is derived from Indian words meaning "sky-blue waters", which aptly describes this scenic State.

Is fishing something you are after or would you prefer to relax in a giant pool? Kiesler's Campground and RV Resort is one of the top camping spots in southern Minnesota, with some of the highest rated recreational facilities available in any Minnesota camping spots. It offers a wonderful blend of both comfortable recreation and getting up close and personal with Mother Nature.

If you are in search of a top Minnesota camping spot, you cannot go past Beaver Trails Camping and RV Park located in Austin, Minnesota. Beaver Trails Camping and RV Park offers great fishing, a heated swimming pool, paddle boats, and a chance to get in touch with nature. Beaver Trails also offers free wireless Internet to all their guests. So whether you are after Minnesota camping for a comfortable relaxing retreat or to achieve some much needed quiet time to conduct some business, Beaver Trails aims to provide.

Country Campground located in Detroit Lakes, Minnesota offers a quiet park jam-packed full of both indoor and outdoor activities. The park emanates a strong sense of serenity with beautifully green plantation that makes you feel like you are residing in a gigantic backyard. They offer paddle boats, beach sand volleyball courts, softball field, a picnic area by Glawe Lake, a fenced children's area complete with swing set, sand box, and toys, and much, much more. All facilities offered by this great Minnesota camping spot are free of charge.

For the more active Minnesota campers, Afton State Park in Hastings is just what you need. The park is set in a rolling glacial moraine and bluffland, and offers a variety of trails for hikers, horse riders, skiers, snowshoers, and bike riders. There is also a beautiful swimming beach for Minnesota campers to enjoy, as well as backpack campsites for Minnesota tourists.

So if you need a break, make your way to any of these Minnesota camping spots to enjoy the Minnesota camping experience for yourself. Minnesota offers a great camping experience no matter what time of the year it is.

Watch our video showing you the best Minnesota camping spots. Then pick up some discount camping equipment for your trip.