I don’t know about you, but 2020 turned my travel plans upside down. I traveled less, I went out less, and I was yearning for human interaction (socially distanced interaction, of course). With less non-rev trips planned than ever before, I found that hiking & camping helped scratch the itch to get outside the home. Now that we look forward to a new year with new possibilities of traveling again, that led me to a new question: can you bring a tent on an airplane?
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TSA Guidelines for Flying with a Tent
According to the TSA guidelines, bringing a tent through security in your luggage is acceptable as long as it is small enough to fit within your airline’s baggage guidelines.
However, there is a major caveat: the TSA’s website states that “tent stakes and poles must be packed in checked bags.” Apparently, TSA officially deems stakes & poles as potential weapons that should be hidden away in the belly of the plane.
This is important because it requires always checking a bag when flying with a tent. While we are generally proponents of traveling with a carry-on bag only, checked luggage is a necessary evil when you want to camp on your trip. Larger tents may be too big to pack down into a carry-on bag anyways, but two-person tents are generally small enough to fit in a travel backpack.
Airline Guidelines for Flying with a Tent
No major U.S. airlines prohibit bringing a tent as a carry-on or in your checked luggage (as long as you follow the TSA restrictions above). You are free to travel with your gear as long as your tent can be packed up inside a bag that complies with your airline’s luggage dimensions restrictions and your prohibited TSA materials (the tent poles & spikes) are in your checked luggage..
What tents are the easiest to travel with?
It is important to review the packed dimensions when buying a tent that you intend to travel with. Unless you are close with your potential tent-mates, we recommend sizing up when picking a tent. Tent sizing is weird: you could technically squeeze 6 average adults into a 6-person tent, but I can guarantee you that it will not be a comfortable night’s sleep.
| Tent Size | Description |
| 1-Person Tent | Lightest & smallest option for a cozy fit |
| 2-Person Tent | Great for people who are comfortable in each other’s personal space |
| 3-Person Tent | For couples who like to have some extra room |
| 4-Person Tent | Will comfortably fit 2-3 people; can squeeze in a 4th |
| 6-Person Tent | Allows 4-5 people to spread out; can squeeze in a 6th |
| 8-Person Tent | “So much room for activities!” |
I personally travel with an REI Co-op Passage 2 Tent (though it appears that it is no longer available on REI’s website). It is simple and easy to put up, is large enough for myself & my significant other, and it fits perfectly in my carry-on-eligible Millican Oli The Zip backpack.
What else do I need when I fly with a tent?
Bringing a tent on a plane is great, but what about all the other gear you need for a successful travel camping trip?
Sleeping Bag
Tents & sleeping bags go together like peanut butter & jelly. Every good camping trip requires a comfy sleeping bag, but you have to be aware of the size. Ironically, tents can often pack down smaller than sleeping bags. When I travel, it is much easier for me to bring a tent in my carry-on bag and pack the poles, spikes, and sleeping bag into a single checked bag.
Hanging Flashlight/Lantern
The first time I ever went camping, this didn’t even cross my mind. I sat in the dark trying to balance a pocket flashlight on my tent’s poles so I could read a book at night. It was not ideal. Save yourself the trouble by getting a decent light that can be properly hung up to light up your tent or campground. This rechargeable LED camping light that is both a floodlight & a flashlight packs some serious bang for your buck.
First Aid Kit
If you are going to willingly flee civilization in your pursuit of exploring nature, make sure to bring a first aid kit. I hope to never be in a situation where I actually need it, but having a well-stocked medical kit is essential. Bonus points for finding a watertight medical kit just to be safe.
Rechargeable Battery Pack
Camping in nature is supposed to be an escape from reality, and that includes unplugging from the digital world. However, you always want to make sure you have a way to get in contact with your contacts or emergency services if the need arises. Keeping a charged battery pack with you ensures that you won’t run out of battery when you need it most. When it comes to tech accessories, it’s worth spending a little more on a reputable product like Anker’s PowerCore line.
Don’t forget that lithium batteries should never be checked in your luggage. Always keep them with you in your carry-on bag to avoid violating any regulations.
Refillable Water Bottle
Stay hydrated, my friends. Always make sure you bring ample water by toting around a reuseable water bottle that can be filled up during your trip. There are tons of options out there, but Hydroflask’s line of gear is popular for a reason.
Final Thoughts
I am glad that the Transportation Security Administration finally spelled out what they currently accept when it comes to camping gear. Figuring out what camping supplies you could bring on an airplane used to be quite a struggle (feel free to check Google search results to this question dating back 5 years ago if you don’t believe me).
I became interested in traveling with a tent after accidentally camping at a National Park in Hawaii. As we were deplaning in Maui, I noticed the guy in front of me had a tent poking out of his carry-on bag. I longed to travel with my own tent after thinking about the possibilities, and I only lasted a few more months before I finally bought myself my first two-person tent.
Have you flown with a tent before? Let us know what your experience was like and where you used it in the comments below!
