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One of the best ways to truly enjoy life is to spend time with your family members and friends. You can choose to go camping at your own special location outdoors and create a welcoming home away from home for everybody to enjoy. But you can’t do that without knowing the best 12-person tent to take with you on your camping trip.
While camping, you can go on hikes in the forests, fish in the rivers, and just enjoy the beautiful works of nature. So, we’ve made a list of the best 12-person tents you should consider if you are going camping with your family or a large group of people.
1. Ozark Trail Three Room Cabin
The 12-person Ozark Trail tent is a perfect tent that is kind of private. It has three rooms, allowing you to separate sleeping arrangements for children and parents or to form more intimate groups of friends. Also, the pre-attached poles make the quick setup quite simple.
There is no disagreement about who gets the larger vestibule because each room has extra space for four people to sleep in sleeping bags or two people to sleep on air mattresses.
When it’s daytime, you can all go outside under an umbrella and unwind without being exposed to the sun's damaging rays or the mild drizzle of the rainier seasons.
You can still create a social atmosphere inside if it's too rainy to use the awning. Even though all seven windows can be closed and the front door can be covered with fabric, you should leave the windows open to allow in fresh air and let the outdoors in.
Also, it performs well and won't leak in the rain, although it isn't as strong in the wind. Any blowing debris may rip through the tent canvas, and the fiberglass poles are prone to buckling.
With this tent, you can't go wrong as long as you stay on low ground and stay away from storm-prone locations.
Pros
- Three rooms can be created with a room divider
- Less than two minutes to set up
- Freestanding tent
- An air conditioner can fit in an oversized ground vent.
Cons
- Not reliable in high winds
- Tent fabric can be torn.
2. NTK Super Arizona GT Tent
The NTK Super Arizona is the best tent for you if you're searching for a 12-person tent that can be used all year long and offers the ideal blend of sturdiness, durability, weatherproofing, and livability.
Contrary to many 12-person tents, Super Arizona uses a 2,500mm HH rainfly and flooring that can withstand the toughest three-season conditions to provide weather protection. Also, it is composed of robust, extra-durable materials, has several vents, and large mesh windows to prevent condensation and stuffiness in humid conditions.
The SA's 210 square feet of floor space make it one of the roomier tents on our list, and the wide vestibules and inner storage pockets ensure that all of that interior space is used by those living in the tent, not just their stuff.
The NTK has a mesh screen room for relaxing, dining, or drying wet sleeping bags, a removable room divider, and two substantial D-shaped doors for simple entry and exit.
Pros
- Two doors
- A roomy interior
- High peak height
- Easy setup
Cons
- Expensive
- Not suitable for all weather conditions
3. CAMPROS 12 Person Dome
A relatively light 24.2 lbs make up the CAMPROS. As a result, it is not only the lightest option on our list but also appropriate for both car camping and backcountry camping, provided the weight is distributed among several carriers. The interior of this camping tent measures 180 square feet, and it has a reasonable peak height of 72 inches despite its low weight.
This tent also has a rain fly with a 1,000mm hydrostatic head rating, making it one of the more watertight options on our list. The fly can only provide partial coverage, but unlike the other partial-coverage flys on our list, it only exposes a small portion of the space around the doorway.
Pros
- Easier to carry around
- Has three rooms
- Excellent for harsh weather
- Quite budget-friendly
Cons
- Difficult to set up
- Absence of awning or vestibule
- Fiber-optic poles
4. KTT Extra-Large 12 Person Tent
Although it is the smallest tent on our list, the KTT checks off every other need. This makes it a perfect choice whether you have a large number of children in your group or simply require a smaller shelter that can be used for camping in all but the bad weather.
The KTT performs admirably in all areas. It is one of the most waterproof tents on our list thanks to its 1,500mm HH rainfly and 2,000mm HH floor. It also has three huge doors, a curtain that can be stretched to create a canopy, and durable 210D polyester fabric.
The use of iron and shock-cord fiberglass poles for increased sturdiness and stability in heavy winds, as well as a room divider and large mesh windows, are other charming features.
The NTK Super Arizona is a much better choice for heavy winds because of its partial coverage rain fly, but this isn't the simplest tent to set up. For customers on a budget, its low price makes it the best 12-person tent available.
Pros
- Lightweight
- Has waterproofing
- Three doors
- A room divider
Cons
- Takes a longer time to setup
- Quite small for a 12-person tent
5. CORE 12 Person Instant Cabin Tent
Large tents can be heavy and awkward, especially when having to unroll and assemble them. Sometimes, you can require assistance from someone to complete the task in under 30 minutes! What if I told you that you could easily and quickly pitch the CORE 12-person tent by yourself in under two minutes?
That's the catchy thing about an instant tent, which is a nice feature for a 180-square-foot cabin-style tent like this one. You can divide the inside into three distinct rooms using the two different room dividers that are located inside.
Cool air is drawn into the tent through ground vents, while heated air is allowed to exit through the ceiling mesh, maintaining a healthy airflow cycle. It's a great tent for hot days when the body heat of 12 people can start to seem a little oppressive.
Pros
- Even with the windows shut, the ventilation system works perfectly
- Quick setup
- Multiple sleepers can have easy access through the front and back entrances.
Cons
- Not good for rainy weather
6. Tahoe Gear Prescott 12 Person Tent
The Tahoe Gear Prescott 12 has a 200-square-foot floor area, and the center height is about 7 feet. It has a built-in, zip-down partition that lets you divide into two sizable rooms.
For those on a tight budget seeking a spacious tent for a festival or an odd camping trip, the Tahoe Gear Prescott 12-Person is perfect. Although it is a good tent for the money, it cannot hold up for long or be able to withstand bad weather.
You probably already know how to set up the tent because it is pretty easy to do so and is similar to how most dome tents are set up. You can divide the tents into two rooms using the room dividers, offering you and your friends solitude when it is needed. Once up, the tent has two doors for simple access.
It does lack certain features because it is a low-budget 12-person tent. Water can enter the tent through the exposed seams because the rainfly doesn't completely cover them. In order to fix this, you could add some seam sealant, but it would be extra work. Also, the building's wind resistance is poor, and there are no interior storage spaces.
Pros
- Easy to assemble and disassemble
- For privacy, the room divider system with dual access is appropriate.
- Excellent ventilation
Cons
- The seams allow water in
- Comes with subpar stakes
7. Bushnell Shield Series 12 Person Cabin Tent
Our favorite feature of Bushnell is their lifetime warranty, which covers all of their fantastic outdoor gear. You won't have to go through any hoops if you need their assistance because they don't need a receipt, and the guarantee is totally transferable.
Even though this cabin-style tent is a large 11 x 18 feet in size, we think that our favorite feature is the rapid setup, which takes less than 60 seconds. The pre-attached poles make things even simpler, giving you more time to concentrate on the most crucial aspects of camping and enjoy yourself more while suffering less headaches.
The heat shield technology, which has an interior reflective coating on the tent material, is one of the cool characteristics of this tent, in addition to how quickly it sets up. As a result, the tent is kept cooler and darker by helping to obscure the sun's rays. Along with having fully sealed seams and weather-repellent fabric, the tent's sturdy frame provides wind resistance.
Because Bushnell doesn't list a waterhead rating for this tent, it is its primary drawback. However, anyone who dislikes camping in the rain should still consider this tent.
Pros
- Only takes 60 seconds to set up
- AC Contains port
- Great manufacturer’s warranty
- Reflective fabric coating keeps the tent cooler and blocks UV rays.
Cons
- There is no Waterhead rating
- Some seam leakage is possible.
8. Teton Sports Sierra Canvas Tent
One of the best examples of a canvas tent is this TETON tent for 12 people.
The extra-wide glass front door allows light to enter day and night, and the strong canvas material can withstand any storm.
Since it's a one-room tent, you won't have much privacy. Maybe it's a tent to bring the kids camping in so that you can stay near enough to use the tent.
Also, built-in vents prevent the heavy canvas fabric from suffocating you. There is an electrical cable port, allowing you to add brightness and amusement to the space.
This tent serves as both an entertainment space and a cover. Instead of setting up the tent in your backyard for a party rather than as a temporary residence while camping, you can zip off the floor.
The floor immediately returns to being robust and weatherproof after being reattached. This tent's heavy-duty welded floor and strengthened seams ensure that there won't be any leaks.
Little ones can run around as much as they like on the floor because it is safe for bare feet.
The 12-person limit functions well when most of the campers are children. The tent can accommodate eight people, even though 12 people can fit inside of it.
Pros
- Removable walls and floors
- Bell tents are simply amazing.
Cons
- Very heavy
- Expensive
9. Eureka Copper Canyon LX 12 Person Tent
With nearly vertical walls and a 7-foot peak height, the Copper Canyon LX 12 Person is a cabin-style tent that also made our list of the best tents for tall people. Add in the large windows, and you have a tent that is airy and spacious.
The detachable room divider that is part of the set can divide this large interior space into two distinct rooms. This is excellent for families who wish to keep children and adults apart, as well as for groups of friends who want some peace and quiet while they sleep. You don't even need to go around the partition to enter or exit the tent because there is an entrance on each side.
This tent is stronger and long-lasting than one made entirely of fiberglass since the upright poles that offer all of the support are made of steel. This was a really clever design choice made by Eureka.
This tent is rather big, but it still complies with the standards for weather resistance. It is waterproof and equipped for all types of weather thanks to robust materials and a 1200mm waterhead rating.
The absence of conventional zippers in the windows of this tent is its lone drawback. They substitute hook and loop fasteners instead. Because there is so much mesh, this reduces the cost and gets rid of a lot of zippers, but opening and closing the windows takes longer.
Pros
- Doors at the front and back for easy exit
- Great pole design
- Lots of ventilation for summer camping.
Cons
- Little floor space
- Pole design increases setup time
10. Coleman Skydome 12 Person Tent
One of the most well-liked tents is the Coleman Skydome, which has been around for a while. This 12-person capacity is the largest available, however, it is also available in 2, 4, 6, 8, and 10-person capacities. Because it's a spacious tent with the essential elements you need to get outside, it's excellent for first-time campers or travelers on a tight budget.
The proportions allow for four queen-size air mattresses, which is a fairly generous size. By using welded corners and other design elements, it leverages Coleman's traditional WeatherTec system to withstand winds up to 35 mph and keep out rain.
Coleman isn't particularly open about their waterhead rating, so there's no way to know how completely waterproof this tent is. This is the primary drawback of this tent. Because of this, it works well for short vacations or casual campers who don't frequently encounter bad weather.
Other than that, it has some fantastic features like a quick and easy setup using color-coded poles, a room divider to split the interior area, and ground-level vents to promote better air circulation. When you camp with queen-sized air mattresses, the wide doors make it easy to transport your things in and out.
Pros
- Waterproofing by Coleman Weathertec
- Excellent integrated gear storage
Cons
- Requires more time to set up
- Lacks seclusion without rainfly
11. White Duck Avalon Optimus
If you love the classic feel, style, and craftsmanship of the Teton Sports Bell tent but need something a little more opulent, then you need to try out the White Duck Avalon Optimus.
The 12-person Avalon Optimus tent is what most people picture when they think of glamping. This may be the largest tent you've ever entered, with a giant 23-foot circumference floor plan, 12-foot ceilings, and windows on every wall for 360-degree panoramic views.
It’s made up of superior quality, as well as its astounding size and superb livability. This tent is made by White Duck using their own "Dynaduck" fabric, a 10.1 oz cotton canvas with extra water-repellent treatment, mold resistance, and UV protection.
There is even a pre-cut silicone-coated stove jack in the ceiling for camping with a wood stove. The floor is constructed of an extraordinarily strong 16 oz. Polyvinyl and the poles are all made of galvanized steel.
The cost is the primary drawback in this situation. Inexpensive canvas bell tents are common, but this particular type stands out as being among the most expensive.
The Avalon Optimus' outright mass, which comes in two different suitcases and weighs more than 200 lbs, is the device's second drawback. However, if you have the money and the room to store it, there is nothing that compares to the splendor of this spacious family tent.
Pros
- Quite luxurious
- Huge interior space
Cons
- Expensive
- Heavy
12. Tahoe Gear Gateway Family Tent
Similar to the Ozark Trail, the Tahoe Gear Gateway family tent has an L-shaped design to provide both space and privacy. However, this one lacks a porch space, which is a little disappointing.
Even though the setup is quite quick and simple, you can get it done more quickly if you are helped by someone.
Once erected, this tent includes two rooms—one big and one small—each with its own door for privacy and ease of access. Large windows are provided in every room, providing you with plenty of light and ventilation when you need it. The mesh inner ceiling does a great job of ventilating and cooling the rooms.
Although the rainfly does a decent job of controlling the rain, the seams that it does not cover can leak. The sun shield that is part of the rainfly is designed to reflect heat, keeping you cool on warm summer days.
Pros
- Good for strong winds
- A lot of space and privacy are provided by the L-shaped design.
Cons
- The setup instructions are difficult
- Rain can cause seams to leak.
- Not very robust
13. Coleman Skylodge 12 Person Tent
The Skylodge 12 from Coleman strikes the ideal combination of cost and unique features, making it one of the best tents. Our favorite element is the 5 x 10 foot enlarged screen room. This second room has a floor and is weatherproof, making it ideal for storage space or even lounging on rainy days.
The Coleman WeatherTec system is used for the remainder of the weatherproofing, which employs welded corners, inverted and taped seams, and a tub-like floor to keep water out.
The upper portion of the tent and mesh ceiling are covered by the rain fly, and the bottom windows can be opened or closed using zippers for privacy and ventilation.
This tent is 15.5 feet by 11 feet, even without the expanded screen room, which makes room for four queen air mattresses. The seven ft. interior height and an enormous front door that makes access easy give it even more space.
Coleman refers to this tent as a "portable mansion," and we couldn't agree more. It even has a room divider to divide the inside space into two rooms, making it ideal for large groups and family camping outings.
It just takes two people a few minutes to set it up, despite its size, when they cooperate. All things considered, it's a really great tent that includes everything you could possibly need for an enjoyable outdoor experience.
The floor's low waterhead rating of only 600mm is the primary drawback of this tent. In order to better protect the floor, we would strongly advise buying a tarp or a footprint that matches the size.
Pros
- Budget-friendly
- 365-day warranty
- Extra space provided by extended screen room
Cons
- Floor with a low Waterhead rating
Things to Consider When Getting a 12 Person Tent
There are certain factors you should take into consideration when you are getting a 12-person tent for camping with your family. They are:
1. The Setup Process
You'll probably be camping with friends and family members if you're looking for the best 12-person tents, and they'll assist you in putting up your tent. Even so, it's comforting to know that setup and breakdown can be completed quickly by one person if you find yourself in that situation.
The pre-assembled and attached pole configurations come in helpful in this situation. Particularly with large cabin-style tents with difficult-to-reach ceilings and doorways, quickly unfolding your tent into shape saves a ton of time.
There will undoubtedly be some huge family camping tents that are not quick tents, and that's okay. Even with color-coding for simple set-up, certain pole-in-sleeve designs are still manageable to pitch solo, such as the Eureka Copper Canyon.
2. Floor Area
Once you have determined why you need huge tents, you should determine how much floor space is required for that use.
Do you require the entire area just for sleeping, or do you also want some more space? This should clarify how much floor space you could need. Most of the tents usually have 150–300 square feet of floor space.
Three queen-size air mattresses can fit within a tent with a floor area of 150 square feet. And since one queen-size air mattress can hold four people, the rest of the math shouldn't be too difficult for you to figure out.
In a tent with 150 square feet of floor space, twelve people can sleep comfortably, but there won't be any extra room.
3. Shape
There are normally only two basic shapes offered, and each has advantages and disadvantages. One is a tent in the cabin design, while the other is a dome tent.
The floor space in a cabin-style tent will be substantially larger, and the walls will be steep and straight, providing additional headroom for taller campers.
However, it can be a deal-breaker if you are camping in bad weather because it doesn't provide the best wind protection.
On the other hand, dome-style tents are useful in weather-sensitive situations and are generally lighter than cabin-style tents. The drawback, in this case, is that it's not as pleasant as the ones designed like cabins. 12 person tents are available from well-known brands in both styles.
You must make your decision based on your standards. If you insist on using cabin-style tents, place them next to a tree and use it as an anchor to strengthen your tent. You can proceed after tying the corners to the tree.
For more comfort and headroom, you can buy dome-style tents in sizes larger than what you actually need.
4. Weight
It's likely that if you're buying a big tent, you won't be carrying it far or squeezing it into a backpack.
However, living with an 80-pound tent in two different bags versus a 40-pound tent in a single sack that you can toss over your shoulder makes a noticeable difference.
It really just boils down to storage capacity and intended use in this case. If you have room for your preferred tent's additional weight, go for it. But before you do, just be aware of what you're getting into.
5. Durability
You should be aware of the distinction between a high-quality, reasonably priced tent and a cheap tent. Nobody wants a low-quality tent.
In general, higher-denier fabrics of the same type, such as 150D polyester, are preferred to lower-denier fabrics, such as 65D polyester, since they are more robustly constructed.
Tent poles should also be taken into account. The strongest and most durable 12-person tents include metal or alloy poles. Again, weight isn't a big deal, so don't be put off by a tent with steel poles. Contrarily, you need to think twice before using fiberglass.
6. Waterproofing
A tent offers protection from the elements. When camping, rainy days are never fun, but if your tent can't keep you dry, your day just becomes worse.
When assessing the waterproofing of tents, you need to consider the seams, materials, and design of the rainfly. The first line of defense against the rain when it comes to rainflys is to use bigger rainflys that offer more covering of tent walls and windows.
Awnings are a different option to consider since 12-person tents do not have "full-length" rainflys that cover the canopy from floor to ceiling for ventilation.
A large canopy also gives you a place to store goods outside the tent, which is a bonus. We've discovered that tents with larger awnings perform better in the rain.
So, now that you have known the best 12-person tent that you should get, it is time you started planning your family trip.
For us, our best picks are rated the best by users of 12-Person Tent.
These tents are perfect for families and friends who want to enjoy a comfortable camping trip in the great outdoors. It is inexpensive, wonderfully roomy, private, and has a nice hangout space.