How to Re‐Pack a Pop Up Tent

Co-authored by Josh Goldbach

Last Updated: December 23, 2022 References

Pop up tents can make camping a breeze! When you are ready to pack up your tent, make sure it is clean and dry and remove its grounding stakes. Pull together the top arches of the tent and fold it over as neatly as possible. If you fold it tightly enough, your pop up tent should fit back into its bag perfectly!

Part 1

Part 1 of 2:

Preparing Your Tent

1
Make sure your tent is completely dry. If it has rained on your tent, let the tent air dry before packing it up. If you do not have time to wait, remove wetness from the tent with a clean, dry cloth. Be sure to dry the underside of the tent before packing it up as well.^{[1]
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- If your tent is caked with mud or stubborn dirt, you can use a sponge with water and mild soap to clean it off.^{[2]
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- If you have to pack up your tent while it is still wet or damp, be sure to open it up and dry it properly as soon as you get home.
2
Brush off dirt and debris. Clean the outside of your tent as much as possible before packing it away. Use a small brush or dry cloth to remove dirt, small rocks, sticks, insects, and other debris from the tent. You can also use a broom or snow brush to get to hard-to-reach points of the tent. ^{[3]
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3
Air out your tent for an hour before packing it up. A closed tent can become musty or damp over the duration of a camping trip. To avoid odors or mold, open the tent door and let it air out for at least an hour before you pack it up. This will also allow your sleeping bag, pillow, or other belongings inside to air out.^{[4]
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4
Pull the stakes out of the ground. Before you can put away your tent, you will have to untether it. Remove the metal stakes that are securing it to the ground around its perimeter. Wipe them with a clean, wet cloth and put them away in your tent bag or a small zip lock bag.
5
Remove the tarp, if your tent has one. Most tents come with a tarp that helps to protect them from rainfall or create additional shade. Once you have removed the grounding stakes, pull the tarp off of the tent. Fold it up neatly and put it to the side.^{[5]
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Part 2

Part 2 of 2:

Folding Up the Tent

1
Grab the two top points of the tent and bring them together. Stand on one side of your pop up tent, perpendicular to the tent door. Locate the two high arches that create the top point of your tent. Grab the two top points and bring them together, holding them in one hand.^{[6]
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2
Grab the back end of your tent and fold it to meet the middle. With your free hand, grab the smaller arch at the top of the back of your tent. Bring it up to meet the two points you are already holding together. Grab all three points with your other hand.^{[7]
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3
Bring the front arch together to meet the other points. Make sure that your tent door is unzipped so that air can be released as you fold. With your free hand, grab the top of the arch that sits over the door. Fold the front of the tent inwards towards the rest of the tent.^{[8]
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- At this point, your pop up tent should be in a taco shape.
4
Stand your tent upright and fold it inwards. Turn your tent upwards, keeping a grip on the arches with one hand. Once it is upright, use your free arm to push the highest point of the tent downwards. The tent should be closing in on itself with the arches in your other hand remaining on the outside.^{[9]
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5
Twist the tent to form two circles, then fold them over each other. After you have folded the tent downwards, twist it slightly so the arches produce two circular shapes, side by side. Pull one circle over the other to overlap them. Line up the edges so that the tent is folded as neatly as possible.^{[10]
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6
Secure the tent if it has such features. Many models of pop up tents will have an attachment to keep it from popping open once it has been folded. Secure the tent by snapping, velcro-ing, or tying it shut. If your tent does not have any of these features, hold it firmly until you are done putting it away.^{[11]
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7
Place the tent back into its bag. Carefully insert your folded tent into its circular tent bag. If it is folded tightly enough, the tent should fit in easily. Zip up the bag and you're done!^{[12]
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