The great outdoors: for centuries we've headed outside when we want to relax. There's no better way to change up your routine and get away from the rush of everyday life than camping. You don't need fancy, expensive equipment to enjoy yourself on a camping trip, but the type of tent that you use is an important part of the experience.

When choosing a camping tent, the different varieties can be confusing. Do you need a three-season tent? Do you need a hiking tent? What size tent do you need? What shape is the best?

The type of camping tent that you choose will depend largely on how you plan to use it. If you are going on a single summer camping trip by yourself, a small and basic tent may be right for you. A small tent doesn't allow much room for moving around or storing supplies, but it is easier to carry and set up.

Campers who don't have a lot of experience with camping equipment will find that pop-up tents are easy to use. They also allow more time for having fun. When you don't have to spend hours figuring out how to set up the tent, you can get to other activities sooner. Pop-up tents are especially popular with young campers since they don't require much skill or strength to set up or take down.

If you plan to hike to your destination, a hiking tent is ideal. Hiking tents are lightweight and waterproof, making them excellent shelters for most camping situations. Many hiking tents are also low-profile. This makes them a great choice for camping in inclement weather since they won't be greatly affected by high winds. They are among the most expensive choices in camping tents, but hiking tents are usually of very high quality.

When you are taking your family or friends along with you, a multi-room tent is your best bet. Multi-room tents feature ample space for your entire party along with separate sleeping chambers. Although the thin walls don't allow for complete privacy, they do provide some personal space. You can fit anywhere from two to eight people in standard multi-room tents, and some specialty tents can sleep even more campers.

Camping tents also come in several different materials. Lightweight nylon or polyester can make wonderful weatherproof tents, but they do tend to degrade as they age. Cotton is a traditionally popular and rugged material for tents, but it is very heavy. Cotton isn't well suited for some camping tents because of its weight. However, it is superb for military encampments or other semi-permanent settings.

Another thing to consider when shopping for camping tents is the ground cover or groundsheet. The groundsheet is built-in on most camping tents. This configuration protects the tent from water seeping in between the walls and floor. Some hiking tents utilize separate ground sheets so that the weight of the two pieces can be shared between two hikers. This feature is handy, but may not provide much protection from precipitation and insects.

With so many types of camping tents to choose from, it's easy to get lost. These recommendations are just the basics to get you started on your quest for the perfect camping tent. There are plenty of resources online to point you in the right direction for finding the camping tent that fits you, your lifestyle and your camping plans perfectly.