Walmart Clip & Camp Tent Review 2023

Ozark Trail has a well-earned reputation for cheap, as well as inexpensive, camping gear. I started with the smallest and least expensive tent in the Walmart sporting goods department. The Ozark Trail 3 Person Clip and Camp Dome Tent is 7ft X 7ft and 44 inches at the center and weighs just under 6 pounds. It's very easy for 1 person to set up and I used this tent through several minor desert thunderstorms, but I also reinforce my tents by wrapping a tarp around them like a burrito.

I also want to point out, if you're new to these tents, that it's physically impossible to put a 110' queen air mattress in an 84 inch x 84 inch tent, and most of the other marketing is equally accurate. The tent sets up very easily using plastic clips that clip onto the poles rather than the old style where the poles went into sleeves. The older style was much stronger and the clip system increases the number of places the tent is likely to fail.

These tents all have 1 common weakness, in addition to the janky clip system, and it's the way the poles clip into the holes for the doorways. The pole causes the clip to rotate and when the wind hits it from the right direction the poles and clips pop out because it's already twisted and in a bind. It's one more example of how the people who design these tents almost certainly have never been in one.

3 Person Clip and Camp Dome Tent
I used the 3 Person Clip and Camp Dome Tent for a little over a week and set it up and took it down 5 times before one of the corner clips broke off and I traded up to the 4-person version. However, I was pleasantly pleased at how well the little tent stood up to the desert wind. I had several occasions where the wind collapsed the poles and the entire tent was pushed down on top of me and then it sprung back up into place once the wind passed.

If you're looking for a tent to throw in the car and use occasionally under semi-decent conditions then the 3 Person Clip and Camp Dome Tent is a reasonable value, it's not the best tent in that price range and size but it's easily available and easy to return if it breaks. If I wasn't planning to trade up anyway then I would have been comfortable getting another of these tents.

A quick tip when you're setting up the dome tents; as you put the tent pole into the plastic foot clip, take a moment and clip the lower couple of clips to the pole, which will let it stand up on its own. I've seen people struggle with these tents and turn setting one up into a team exercise in frustration. These are some of the easiest to set up tents on the market so don't make it harder than it has to be.

4 Person Clip and Camp Dome Tent
I upgraded to the 4 Person Clip and Camp Dome Tent and used it successfully for several weeks through some moderate storms. At 8ftX8.5 feet and 50 inches high it gives a bit more space and breathing room. If you're going to be in stormy weather this slightly larger tent is better than the 3-person tent because the wind will be pushing the sides of the tent inward and it'll leak wherever it touches you or your gear.

The 4 Person Clip and Camp Dome Tent puts up just like the 3-person tent and just as quickly. The poles are noticeably thicker which helps with the weather also. I used a 10x20ft tarp and wrapped the tent like a burrito. Lay the tent out with the front of the tent facing outward along the short side of the tarp. Then you can wrap the tarp up and over the tent and pull up the sides and get some extra reinforcement from the wind as well as some insulation. You're not going to accidentally hermetically seal yourself up in a tent with this method and it will still have plenty of ventilation.

I can easily recommend the 4 Person Clip and Camp Dome Tent for casual car campers and I'll probably get another one to use for times when I'm traveling and just want a quick overnight camp without setting up the entire portable house. I moved up to the 6 Person Clip and Camp Dome Tent after the weather ran us out of Manzano Mountains State Park and I wanted something big enough to put a heater in.

Read the rest of the review on our website at:

See our website at:

See our Facebook Page at:

[STho]

I bought one of the 3 person as a summer tent (lots of mesh) for motorcycle solo camping as I found an online offer for $25 at WM and my store matched it.

I was surprised that it was the best I ever had for the motorcycle. Roomy but packs down small and square to strap atop my camp bag...pretty light too.

I've used it 40F to 95F and it is fine unmodified. Easiest setup I have.

I have a 2 person backpack tent with only one closable window I use for winter. However it is uncomfortable on hot nights.

I would say these tents look to be good for about 40 uses over 5 years...if you respray them each year. The fly is VERY water shedding.

[frankheffernan]

Great review. It helped with the planning portion of my journey.

[kevinneesemusic]

Thanks for the video. I just bought the 6-person version for when I want a quick setup for a night or two. My main tent is a White Duck Prota 10x10 canvas tent, which is very heavy (100 lbs) and not really a quick setup. Plus, I don't like setting up the canvas tent in the rain, since you have to keep canvas dry. So I wanted a lighter tent that I could set up quickly and not worry about it getting wet initially. I have two tarps that I'll use with it, one for rain and one for a wind break. I'll be trying it out tomorrow for the first time. Also, thanks for the tip about adding the clips to keep the poles standing up during setup. That will help me immensely since my dog isn't a whole lot of help lol. I also appreciate your evaluation of the tent, as I know a lot of Ozark Trail products can be less than stellar.

[RJ-ekov]

Thx I just got back from a camping trip with my Ozark - very windy with my tent facing the wrong way. Let’s just say I was like Dorothy in Oz. Lesson learned.

[coffeeinthemorning]

😂 ah yes green tents, perfect for protesting in college campuses around the country on a budget

[PatriotPopps]

I have had my Mr. Heater buddy heater for a couple yrs now..I love the thing, won’t camp without it