Review: Big Agnes Bunk House 4 tent
The Big Agnes Bunk House 4 tent is like having a cozy cabin for camping. It’s large enough to stand up inside, has plenty of room for two cots, and the attached awning makes a great front porch for hanging out.
As someone who spends a lot of time backpacking, I didn’t think I’d ever want a giant tent like those I’d seen at campgrounds. For a long time, we used a two person tent, but you couldn’t stand up inside and there wasn’t much room for gear. After considering the purchase of a small RV, we decided instead to make a serious upgrade to our camping setup and purchased this tent.
Specs
- Total Weight: 16 lb 3 oz
- Packed Size: 6 inches x 16.5 inches x 26.5 inches
- Floor Dimensions: 92 inches x 90 inches
- Floor Area: 58 square feet
- Vestibule Area: 49 square feet
- Peak Height: 72 inches
- Retail Price: $599.99 (the version shown here is discontinued but there is a new version available)
- Note: Poles for the awning are not included. We purchased these adjustable poles from REI.
View at REI Note: this tent has been updated for 2025
The first time we used it, we had our sleeping pads on the ground, and while we could stand up inside the tent, there wasn’t much point to it. Gear was spread out on the massive floor and while there was room to walk around, there was no reason to. We would enter the tent standing up, then need to crouch down to get in our sleeping bags or to access gear inside the tent. Then we added cots to our setup and it changed everything.
We placed the cots on the sides and left space in the middle to walk in. Sitting on the cots is a much easier way to get dressed, and raising our sleep systems off the ground makes it easier to get in and out of our bags as well as warmer since the ground isn’t taking away from our body heat.
Gear now gets conveniently stored under the cots instead of spread out inside the tent. And we placed a small table between the cots for use as a bedside table. We can also access what’s on the table from the tent’s back door, unzipping it partially to grab what we need without entering the tent.
My favorite feature is the large front vestibule and awning – which to me set this tent apart from the competition. It provides a nice space to sit when it’s raining, to get out of direct sunlight, or for protection from wind.
All of the materials and tent construction are high quality, while setup is easy, with color-coded pole segments and attachment points. Like most car camping tents, this tent is free-standing so it can be repositioned before staking. And unlike most car camping tents, this tent has full coverage for the rain fly so it will withstand inclement weather better to keep you and your gear dry.
Extra features include multiple storage pockets on the interior, with two corner pockets that can be attached where you want them. The Bunk House features two large doors and vestibules – both of which feature windows with two closure options: stay ventilated with a mesh screen or zip the polyester layer for complete closure.
Thoughtful additions include Quick Stash door keepers for fast and easy access, multiple interior loops allow for hanging light strings or lanterns, and a welcome mat on the front vestibule is a great spot to take off your shoes to leave them before entering the tent.
Disclosure: I purchased this item with my own funds.