The North Face Wawona 6 Tent Review
The North Face Wawona 6 ($550) is a standout tent for those seeking spacious comfort, storage, and versatility in their basecamp layout. Between its massive vestibule, solid materials, and generous headroom, it’s an ideal pick for families or groups. Livability is excellent overall, and the oversized front vestibule is a notable highlight. Pitching the Wawona correctly can be tricky for one person, and the lack of a true second door makes traffic flow tricky, but for campers who want more “porch” in their portable shelter, this one delivers.
Space & Livability
Storage
Weather Protection
Durability & Quality
Ease of Use
Sustainability
Floor dimensions
116 x 94 in. (75.7 sq. ft.)
Vestibule Area
44.7 sq. ft.
Peak height
76 in.
Weight
19 lb. 6.4 oz.
Packed Size
10 x 32 in.
Capacities
4P, 6P, 8P
Number of Pockets
9
Pros
Cons
The North Face Wawona 6
For this season's top models, see our guide to the Best Camping Tents.
This tent feels like a true home base. The North Face Wawona 6’s 86.1-square-foot floor is easily spacious enough for a couple or small family, and it fits four 26-inch-wide Nemo Roamer pads side-by-side when arranged parallel to the door. With the same pads set up in an L-shaped configuration, this tent could comfortably sleep three people, plus all of their gear. Compared to other six-person tents, such as the REI Co-op Wonderland 6 (83.3 sq. ft.) or the REI Base Camp 6 (84 sq. ft.), the Wawona offers comparable interior dimensions, with the added bonus of a towering, 76-inch ceiling that I could comfortably stand under, even at 5-foot-10. This tent is taller than the Zempire Aerospeed 6 Air (which, to be fair, has a slightly larger floor area) and the Base Camp, and just a hair shorter than the Wonderland.
The star of The North Face Wawona 6 is its massive vestibule, which feels more like an enclosed porch than a simple entryway and storage space. It easily held two camp chairs, a table, and other gear during my trips to June Lake in California, and it helped declutter the sleeping space by acting as a true second room. However, only one side of the tent opens as a proper door—the rear “door” is really a large mesh window that you can unzip and crawl through if needed. When camping with a group of four or more, you’ll probably miss having a second full-size exit. But overall, I found the Wawona one of the most livable tents in its class—it’s spacious, smartly laid out, and great for hanging out in at camp.
The Wawona’s storage options are as dialed as its living space. Inside, I counted nine mesh pockets in total: four on the sides, three stacked along the rear window, and four more above that area (two trapezoidal and two smaller, triangle-shaped pockets). I was able to keep my headlamp, wallet, and Kindle close at night, and the pocket layout made it easy to stay organized even with gear strewn about. While I would’ve appreciated pockets near the rear corners, the total storage space is still better than most camping tents we’ve tested.
Once again, though, it's the front vestibule that changes the game. It’s simply massive. I comfortably stored duffels, chairs, and a table inside, and it still didn’t feel cramped. Compared to the Aerospeed or the Kelty Daydreamer 4P—which both offer smaller covered areas for gear—the Wawona’s front porch genuinely adds usable square footage. Its only downside? The zipper sometimes snagged near the base, and in gusty weather, the vestibule’s rainfly acted like a sail (make sure to stake it out securely). But for the most part, it made the tent feel like a two-room suite. I’d call it the best vestibule I’ve tested to date.
The North Face Wawona 6 holds up well in mild to moderate weather. On the coast near Malibu, I tested it in steady, 5- to 15-mph winds. With the rainfly off, the tent body stayed up solidly—even without stakes—thanks to its aluminum pole structure. Once I added the vestibule fly, though, things got trickier. It caught gusts and pulled the stakes out of the soft sand, flapping until I re-secured it. The rest of the tent, thankfully, remained solid and upright.
While I didn’t face any heavy rain, the fly’s material beaded moisture well in light mist, and I appreciated that it comes low on the tent body, offering better coverage than the Wonderland, which leaves its doors more exposed. That said, I’d still give the edge to the Nemo Aurora Highrise or the Aerospeed when it comes to foul weather. Both use full-length rainflies and feel better sealed overall. Even so, the Wawona’s ventilation is excellent, with vents at the top of the tent and majority-mesh walls—I had zero issues on the chilly night I spent at June Lake. In all, the Wawona can handle variable weather but isn’t my top pick for storm-heavy outings.
Build quality on The North Face Wawona 6 feels premium across the board. Its 150-denier polyester floor handled pokey campsite environs ground without issue, and I even dragged the tent a short distance while repositioning it at June Lake. Afterwards, it showed no signs of stress or damage. The 75-denier polyester canopy and fly feel equally solid, and the 40-denier mesh is tight and resilient.
The DAC aluminum poles are sturdy, and they don't flex under load. My only complaints were the snag-prone vestibule zipper and the stakes, which feel cheaper than the rest of the build. Compared to my Daydreamer (which showed wear after just two outings), the Wawona seems like it’ll last for years with proper care. It’s most comparable to the Wonderland and Aerospeed camping tents in construction quality—and easily holds its own among them.
Setting up The North Face Wawona 6 is a two-person job the first few times you tackle it. The tent body pitches fairly quickly thanks to color-coded poles—two gold ones form an X across the ceiling, and a third supports the door. The rainfly, though, is where things get tricky. It rests off-center to accommodate the large vestibule, which makes placement unintuitive. It took me 25 minutes the first time through, but I got it down to 15 minutes after a few go-rounds.
Attaching the vestibule requires threading a curved pole through a sleeve, and if you miss the alignment, it can sag. It reminds me of putting a baseball cap on a tent, with the bill being the vestibule. On the plus side, the Wawona’s stuff sack is fantastic. It’s a top-loading, duffel-style bag with side handles and a grab loop, and it made it easy to pack up the tent even in a rush. When packed, this shelter is bulkier than the Daydreamer but slimmer than the Aerospeed and the Wonderland.
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Longevity
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PFAS-Free DWR
Durable water-repellent (DWR) finishes can contain PFAS (per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances). These highly persistent “forever chemicals” are used in outdoor gear for their strong resistance to water, oil, and heat, but are linked to environmental contamination and a range of health concerns. A green check mark indicates the product uses a PFAS-free DWR, while a red X means the DWR contains PFAS.
Recycled Materials
Recycled materials are prevalent in outdoor gear, with nylon, polyester, wool, and down among the most common, but the composition varies widely. A green check mark indicates the product is made with a substantial amount of recycled materials (100% recycled or the core fabric that makes up most of the product is recycled), a yellow check means it contains a moderate to small amount of recycled materials, while a red X means there are no recycled materials in the product.
Bluesign Approved
Bluesign Technologies, based in Switzerland, operates a third-party textile management system that ensures materials are manufactured to strict environmental, chemical, and worker safety standards. A green check mark indicates a product is either a Bluesign Product (contains at least 90% Bluesign-approved fabrics and 20-30% Bluesign-approved accessories) or features a significant amount of Bluesign-approved materials. A yellow check mark means it uses some Bluesign-approved materials but less than the aforementioned category, and a red X means there are no Bluesign-approved materials in the product.
Solution-Dyed Materials
Solution dyeing adds pigment to synthetic fibers during production rather than afterward, reducing water use, energy consumption, greenhouse gas emissions, and chemical waste, while also creating fabrics that resist fading better over time. A green check mark indicates a product features a substantial amount of solution-dyed materials, a yellow check mark indicates moderate or limited use of solution-dyed fabrics, and a red X indicates there are no solution-dyed materials in the product.
Responsible Manufacturing
This criterion evaluates a brand’s commitment to fair wages, safe working conditions, and reducing environmental impact through certifications and programs like Fair Trade Certified, Fair Wear Foundation, Worldwide Responsible Accredited Production (WRAP), and the Fair Labor Association, while also recognizing brands that manufacture primarily in the U.S. or Europe under strict labor and environmental regulations. A green check mark indicates a brand meets our responsible manufacturing criteria, while a red X means it does not.
Recycled and/or Reduced Packaging
Packaging can add significant waste to outdoor gear purchases, so many brands work to reduce its impact by using recycled materials, incorporating Forest Stewardship Council-certified paper products, and minimizing plastic and paper use. A green check mark indicates a brand uses recycled or reduced materials across all of its packaging, a yellow check indicates moderate or limited use of recycled or reduced packaging, and a red X indicates the brand does not make either of these efforts.
Repair Services
Repair services extend the lifespan of outdoor gear and reduce overall consumption, though programs vary widely. Some brands offer comprehensive repairs for a range of issues, while others provide limited or no repair support. A green check mark indicates a robust repair program, a yellow check mark indicates limited repair services, and a red X indicates the brand does not offer repair services.
Resale and/or Recycling Services
Resale and recycling programs help keep outdoor gear in circulation longer and out of landfills, ranging from trade-in resale platforms that offer store credit to take-back initiatives that recycle products at the end of their usable life. A green check mark indicates a brand offers both resale and recycling programs, a yellow check mark indicates it offers one or the two, and a red X indicates it offers neither.
Carbon Footprint Tracking
This criterion evaluates whether a brand measures, reports, and works to reduce its greenhouse gas emissions using established frameworks such as the Higg Index, Greenhouse Gas Protocol, or The Change Climate Project. A green check mark indicates a brand publicly reports greenhouse gas emissions data, sets clearly defined reduction targets, and uses established tracking frameworks such as Higg or The Change Climate Project. A yellow check mark indicates the brand tracks emissions and outlines reduction goals but provides limited data, lacks science-based verification, or does not clearly report progress. A red X indicates the brand does not appear to track greenhouse gas emissions or provides so little information that its efforts cannot be verified.
Annual Impact Report
Annual impact reports provide transparency and accountability by outlining a brand’s sustainability efforts across areas such as material sourcing, greenhouse gas emissions, waste, water use, supply chains, and packaging. A green check mark indicates a brand publishes a detailed, brand-specific impact report that closely aligns with our sustainability criteria and leaves little room for ambiguity. A yellow check indicates a brand provides some relevant sustainability reporting but lacks detail in key areas or is covered only briefly within a parent company report. A red X indicates a brand does not regularly publish an impact report.
REI Co-op Wonderland 6 ($499): A Different Take on Comfort
If maximum interior space is at the top of your priority list, the REI Co-op Wonderland 6 delivers in spades. With a tunnel-like shape and a slightly taller peak height (78 vs. 76 in.) than the Wawona, it offers an even airier feel, plus an included divider to separate the interior into two rooms. But the Wonderland can’t match the Wawona when it comes to storage and weather protection. The lack of vestibules is a real downside in wet conditions (REI does sell a Mud Room attachment for an extra $99), and its towering structure can be unruly in windy weather. If you prioritize headroom and love the idea of a tent that feels more like a backyard playhouse, the Wonderland is a fun option. But for campers who don’t want to shell out for an extra add-on just to keep their gear dry, the Wawona remains the more practical pick. For more, read our review of the Wonderland 4.
Nemo Aurora Highrise 6 ($500): Built for the Storm
If you love the Wawona’s roomy feel but need better rain protection, the Nemo Aurora Highrise 6 is the smarter bet. Its nearly full-coverage rainfly (technically it doesn’t fully reach the ground along two sides) offers superior defense against wind and wet weather, and the windows zip closed from inside—no more scrambling out in the rain to shut the vents. The downside? Storage space takes a hit, as the Aurora Highrise’s two vestibules are much smaller than the Wawona’s sprawling front porch. The Wawona also gets the edge in livability with a taller and slightly airier interior. If storm protection is your top concern—or you’re drawn to the Aurora’s vibrant interior—go with the Nemo. But for campers who want extra covered space, the Wawona is the more functional choice. For more, read our Aurora Highrise 6 review.
The North Face Wawona combines near-vertical walls, a massive vestibule, and premium materials for one of the most spacious and livable car camping tents out there. It’s big, burly, and built to last, though its tall profile and heft weight make setup best with two people.
Space & Livability
Storage
Weather Protection
Durability & Quality
Ease of Use
Sustainability
For campers who want a tent that feels like a home, the REI Co-op Wonderland 6 delivers with massive interior space, great ventilation, and a smart layout for families and groups. The lack of a full-coverage rainfly, however, is a huge miss considering its premium price.
Space & Livability
Storage
Weather Protection
Durability & Quality
Ease of Use
Sustainability
One of the top all-rounders, the Aurora Highrise hits the sweet spot for campers looking for a spacious yet easy-to-manage tent. We’d prefer more vestibule space, and the patterned floor won’t be for everyone (our team was mixed), but the Highrise is well-made, family-friendly, and reliable.
Space & Livability
Storage
Weather Protection
Durability & Quality
Ease of Use
Sustainability
Is the Wawona 6 for You?
If you prefer that your car camping digs feel more like a rustic cabin than a backpacking tent, The North Face Wawona 6 is a top-tier option. The porch-like vestibule alone adds major value for families, couples with gear, or campers who want a protected hangout zone. This tent doesn’t feature the fastest setup, and it’s not ideal for extreme storms, but in average conditions, it delivers excellent comfort, smart storage, and lasting durability. Just stake it down well—and get ready to enjoy your new lounge spot.
get cozy outside
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