Canvasdale

Tunnel tent

By the Canvasdale team · Last checked

A tunnel tent is a tent built on a row of curved poles or hoops, so it forms a long, low shape. Many have two or more sleeping areas. The maker usually says which end to face into the wind, so follow its pitching guide on that point.

Where you'll see it

Tunnel tents appear on family tent listings and campsite guides, usually with the word "tunnel" in the product name or spec. Listings often give the sleeping space as a berth for each room. The pitch you need is the tent's footprint plus room for guy lines, so compare that with the booking page before you commit.

What to check

  • The pitch length and width the maker gives, compared with the pitch size on the campsite booking page.
  • Which end the maker says to face into the wind, and how the tent should be pegged on that side.
  • The number of separate rooms, and the berth the maker lists for each.
  • Whether the maker lists a porch or awning area for kit and wet gear.
  • The pole material the spec gives, and whether the maker lists spare poles.
  • Dome tent: a freestanding design with a more rounded shape.
  • Inner tent: the sleeping layer that sits inside the flysheet.
  • Pitch: the space the tent needs, which includes room for guy lines.

Read more: tent pitch sizes explained and, if one fits, the pitch size checker.