Tent for Seven: A Camping Adventure Gone South Out West

A family of seven. The Canadian Rockies. No way to foresee what was coming.

“Humorous and horrifying and suspenseful all at once. . . . This story entertains on every page.”— Southern Literary Review

Marty thought a camping trip would be the perfect escape—a chance to give his wife and five young children a memorable adventure in the beautiful Canadian mountains. Had he known just how memorable it would be, they never would have left the house.

A brutal heat wave. Contaminated water. Swarms of red ants. Torrential rain. Flooded campgrounds. Grizzly bears.

Disaster after disaster—until tragedy struck, forcing Marty to confront how close he was to losing someone he loved. Far from help and pushed to the edge of panic, he fought to keep his family alive.

Now, three decades later, Marty joins his daughter Grace Ly to recount the true story of the vacation that changed them forever. Told with candor and hard-earned wit reminiscent of Bill Bryson, Tent for Seven captures both the grandeur and the perils of the wilderness—and the bond that deepens when everything falls apart.

What readers are saying about Tent for Seven :

“A wonderful, entertainingly written true story . . . Many scenes are absolutely hilarious . . . With its quick pace, it is almost impossible to put down .”—Goodreads reviewer, 5 STARS

“ I laughed out loud and choked back tears . . . both an adventure thriller and a heartwarming story . . . Once you start reading it, you won't be able to put it down.”—Goodreads reviewer, 5 STARS

“ What a delightful book . . . If you enjoy Bill Bryson, you will definitely enjoy Tent for Seven .”—Goodreads reviewer, 5 STARS

“ A real page-turner . I am not a fast reader but I flew through the book . . . hard to put it down. I highly recommend.”—Goodreads reviewer, 5 STARS

“ Heartwarming, funny, at times hilarious . . . I could not put the book down !!! By the end, you know and love the Ohlhaut family.”—Goodreads reviewer, 5 STARS

“If you like Bill Bryson, you'll love Tent for Seven . Reminded me of A Walk in the Woods ! Read in one sitting .”—Goodreads reviewer, 5 STARS

“ LOVED this book! Sat down to read a chapter or two, and ended up reading half the book in one sitting—finished the book the next day. A really unique story , told from a witty and humorous perspective . . . Definitely recommend.”—Goodreads reviewer, 5 STARS