How to Fold a Pop-Up Tent (Camping, Beach & Specialty Tents)

Struggling with folding a pop-up tent?
Many campers find it tricky to collapse their pop-up camping tent without bending poles or catching fabric. Grab the truss bar at the top and bottom, push upward until the legs slide close enough to reach, then bring two legs together and squeeze until the tent is fully closed. This simple technique makes folding a pop-up tent and preparing your folding tent for storage or travel easy and stress-free.

Table of Contents

Quick Folding Instructions for Any Pop-Up Tent

Even if your tent’s brand or model has unique folding requirements, these general pop-up tent folding instructions work for most circular and oval-shaped designs used in camping, beach outings, and outdoor events.

Step 1: Prepare Your Tent (remove debris, release air)

Remove any personal items and shake out loose dirt, sand, or leaves.
Open doors, windows, and vents to let trapped air escape — this makes folding easier and prevents fabric strain.

Step 2: Fold the Poles Together

Hold opposite sides of the tent frame and bring them toward each other slowly.
Keep the fabric loose to avoid creasing or overstretching.

Step 3: Twist and Form a Circle

Once the tent is flat, rotate one side over the other in a smooth motion to create a circular or figure-eight shape.
Keep your grip firm so the tent doesn’t spring open.

Step 4: Pack and Store

Secure the folded tent with straps or bands to prevent it from unfolding.
Place it in the original carry bag or a similar-sized case for protection during storage or travel.

How to Refold a Pop-Up Tent — Step-by-Step

Folding a pop-up tent can be tricky. Follow these steps to collapse your pop-up camping tent safely and keep your folding tent compact for storage or travel.

Step 1 — Open All Zippers and Vents (prevents trapped air)

Unzip all doors, windows, and vents so trapped air can escape. This reduces resistance when folding and prevents fabric strain.

Step 2 — Fold the Top and Bottom Poles Inward

Hold the two top poles and fold them toward the middle. Repeat with the two outer bottom poles, keeping the frame aligned.

Step 3 — Turn the Tent into a “Tortilla” Shape

Stand the folded tent on its side so it forms a large, flat tortilla shape.

Step 4 — Create the Figure-Eight and Two Circles

Grab the top poles and fold them toward your backhand, twisting the frame into a figure-eight. This will naturally create two circles on the ground.

Step 5 — Stack, Secure, and Bag It

Slide the two circles together into one stacked loop, secure with straps if provided, and place the tent carefully into its bag to avoid snags.

How to Fold a Beach Pop-Up Tent

Beach foldable tents often face extra challenges — sand can clog the frame, and strong gusts can make folding tricky. Taking a few preparatory steps before collapsing the tent helps protect the fabric and ensures a smooth pack-up.

H3: Step 1: Remove Sand and Shake It Out

Brush off as much sand as possible from the fabric, seams, and poles. Give the tent a gentle shake to remove any trapped grains, especially from zippers and joints.

H3: Step 2: Flatten the Tent into an Oval

Lay the tent flat on the ground, aligning the poles so the structure forms an oval shape. This makes the twisting step easier.

H3: Step 3: Twist into a Figure-Eight Shape

With a firm grip, twist one side of the oval over the other to form a figure-eight. This motion compresses the frame without forcing it.

H3: Step 4: Fold into a Single Circle and Store

Stack the two loops of the figure-eight together to make one compact circle. Secure with straps or bands before placing it in the carry bag.

Special Folding Scenarios

Some foldable tents have unique shapes or structural features that require slight adjustments to the standard folding method. The steps below outline how to handle common specialty designs.

How to Fold a Pop-Up Pod

Unzip door.
Push top down.
Flatten tent.
Twist into loops.

How to Fold a Spray Tan Tent

Lay on back.
Fold sides in.
Flatten tent.
Twist into loops.

How to Fold a Pop-Up Sun Shelter

Tuck canopy.
Flatten tent.
Twist into loops.
Secure in bag.

How to Fold a 4-Sided Pop-Up Tent

Push sides in.
Flatten tent.
Twist into loops.
Secure in bag.

How to Fold a Pop-Up Changing Tent

Collapse height.
Flatten tent.
Twist into loops.
Secure in bag.

How to Fold a Mini Pop-Up Tent

Unzip openings.
Flatten tent.
Twist into loops.
Secure in bag.

How to Pack a Pop-Up Tent for Storage or Travel

Packing your pop-up tent correctly keeps it compact, protects the fabric, and makes it easy to carry for your next trip.

Folding for Compact Size

Follow the correct fold for your tent type.
Aim for a flat, circular shape for easiest storage.

Securing the Tent with Straps or Bands

Use bungee cords, Velcro straps, or fabric ties.
Keep straps snug but avoid over-tightening.

Using the Original Carry Bag vs. Improvised Bags

Option	Pros	Cons
Original Carry Bag	Perfect fit, offers protection	Easy to misplace
Improvised Bag	Flexible sizes, reusable totes work	May lack weather protection

Tips for Packing in a Car, RV, or Backpack

Car: Lay flat in trunk or across back seat.
RV: Slide into undercarriage compartments.
Backpack: Strap externally to save internal space.

Long-Term Storage Tips for Your Pop-Up Tent

Proper storage prevents damage, mold, and mildew, keeping your tent ready for future use.

Cleaning Before Storage

Shake off dirt, sand, and debris.
Spot-clean with mild soap and water.
Avoid harsh detergents that can weaken fabric coatings.

Ensuring the Tent Is Completely Dry

Quick Checkpoints:

Inspect the tent’s roof and seams.
Check floor corners for trapped moisture.
Air-dry outdoors or in a well-ventilated room before packing.

Choosing the Right Storage Location

Location	Pros	Cons
Indoor closet	Stable temperature, no humidity	Takes up indoor space
Dry garage	Frees up indoor storage	Risk of temperature swings

Preventing Mold, Mildew, and Fabric Damage

Store in a breathable bag instead of plastic.
Add silica gel packs to absorb excess moisture.
Keep away from direct sunlight to avoid UV damage.

How to fold a pop up tent – fAQs

How do you fold a pop-up tent?

Disassemble the poles first and group them together. Fold the tent lengthwise once or twice, keeping it flat. Start rolling from the side opposite the door so trapped air escapes through the zipper. Roll tightly with the poles inside until compact, then slip the tent into its storage bag.

How to close a pop-up tent?

Grip the upper and lower truss bars firmly. Push upward until the legs retract close enough to grab. Bring two legs together and squeeze until the frame collapses completely. You’re now ready to store it for the next use.

How to collapse a pop-up tent?

Hold the truss bar at the top and bottom for stability. Push upward to retract the legs, then bring two legs together to finish the collapse. This method works for quick packing after an event.

How to fold a pop-up tent into a circle?

Fold the tent over itself while maintaining your grip. Lift one circular edge and overlap it onto the other, compressing it into a flat circle. Keep hold of it to prevent springing open, then secure with straps or a storage band.

How to pack a pop-up tent without the bag?

Fold and collapse the tent as normal into its circle or compact form.
Secure it with straps, rope, or bungee cords to hold the shape.
Wrap in a tarp or protective cloth to keep it clean during transport or storage.

How to put a pop-up tent away by yourself?

Collapse one side first to keep the tent stable.
Fold it over and compress into a circle using your body weight.
Hold the folded shape with one arm while sliding straps or ties around it with your free hand.

How to take down a pop-up tent?

Bring the top and bottom poles together, then tilt the tent onto its side. Push the top down and fold it underneath itself, creating stacked circles. Secure the folded tent before placing it in the storage bag.