Best 12 Person Tents for Camping as a Family or as a Group

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blue family tent

Camping in large groups is challenging without all the right equipment. You’ll need enough food, and supplies to keep everyone satisfied throughout your trip. And you’ll need a tent that’s big enough to comfortably fit them all.

Fortunately, there are plenty of 12 person tents on the market today. And while they all help you fit the whole gang into one large space, each one comes with its own unique benefit that can make your trip just a little more enjoyable.

That’s why we’ve selected the Ozark Trail Three Room Cabin as our pick for the best 12 person tent.

Learn more about this — and all of our other top choices — as you read our carefully curated list below.

Our Best 12 Person Tents

The Best 12 Person Tents Reviewed

A good 12 person tent can do more than just shelter a 12 person group. It also provides additional storage space, creates extra rooms, and allows for a unique bonding experience throughout the trip.

And even if you don’t have a dozen people in your camping group, it still means lots of extra space for you and all your fellow campers.


Best Overall

1. Ozark Trail 12 Person Three Room Cabin

Specs:

  • Weight: 56.5 lbs.
  • Floor Dimensions: 16’ x 16’
  • Capacity: 12 Person
  • Peak Height: 6’2”
  • Best For: Family camping, kids camping trips, extended camping trips

8.9out of 10

Ease of Use9
Durability8
Value9.5
Protection8.5
Features9.5

The Ozark Trail Three Room Cabin has everything you’d want in a great 12 person tent. It’s the only one on our list with multiple rooms. 

As the name suggests, its design is three rooms that form an L-shaped tent. When the rainfly is attached, you’ll also have a large awning to form a perfect square when viewed from above. This creates a shared outdoor space to sit, relax and be sheltered from rain and direct sunlight.

It also comes pre-assembled, with telescopic tent poles for instant setup in as little as two minutes. And the polyester fabric keeps you and your belongings completely dry if you encounter sudden rain.

The entire structure has seven windows, two doors, and a large mesh ceiling that can be covered for better light control. Each room has its own set of storage pockets. And the floor vents are so large you can fit a standard home air conditioner for cooling comfort on hot days.

All of these features — plus the reasonable price tag — make this Ozark Trail tent one of the best you could possibly find for larger groups. And if you’re a small family, then it’s also the perfect opportunity for everyone to have their own room.

It’s not very durable against strong winds and rain, however, soo always check the weather report before bringing this tent with you on your trip.

Pros

  • Easy to set up
  • Super spacious
  • Three separate rooms
  • Great ventilation
  • Easy to modify

Cons

  • Heavy
  • Less headroom
  • Not for harsh weather

Best Fast-Pitch Tent

2. Core 12 Person Instant Cabin Tent

Specs:

  • Weight: 47.8 lbs.
  • Floor Dimensions: 18’ x 10’
  • Capacity: 12 Person
  • Peak Height: 6’6”
  • Best For: Family camping, beginner campers, spring to autumn camping

8.9out of 10

Ease of Use9
Durability8
Value9.5
Protection8.5
Features9.5

Larger tents come with their own challenges when it comes to set up, so tent manufacturers have tried to make things as easy as possible in recent years.

Core has done this wonderfully with their range of instant cabin tents that come with pre-attached poles that telescope in and out.

Along with its fast-pitch design, this tent also has a host of weatherproofing features. Like all Core tents, it’s made with an H2O Block fabric — durable polyester that’s PU-coated for extra protection.

It also features mesh windows, doors, and a roof, along with an adjustable air intake vent on each side to let cool air in. 

The tent fly also creates a small front awning, which works with the removable mat so you can safely remove your shoes.

Inside you’ll find several strategically placed storage pockets, along with a gear loft and lantern ring. Has a ton of floor space.

And when you pair that with its cabin structure, you’ll have more than enough room for everyone in your group. And it’s available in light grey/green and grey/maroon.

Although it might be too heavy for extended hiking trips, the easy setup. But be sure to read the reviews before you purchase it, however, as some buyers have complained about the inconsistent quality.

Pros

  • Fast and easy setup
  • Lots of inside space
  • Has two room dividers
  • Adjustable ventilation

Cons

  • Heavy
  • Lacks overall durability

Best Lightweight Tent

3. KTT Extra Large 12 Person Tent

Specs:

  • Weight: 34 lbs.
  • Floor Dimensions: 14’1” x 10
  • Capacity: 12 Person
  • Peak Height: 6’6”
  • Best For: Summer camping, family camping, experienced campers

8.5out of 10

Ease of Use8.5
Durability8.5
Value8.5
Protection8
Features9

While no 12 person tent is ever going to be super lightweight, the KTT Extra Large Tent comes pretty close — weighing 34 lbs in total when set up. Plus, its overall design makes it a great tent for warm-weather camping.

This tent uses a waterproof polyester fabric for the walls and rain fly. A high-density mesh forms all the windows and doors, which all have zippered panels for adjustable lighting.

When the fly is removed, its large mesh ceiling makes for excellent stargazing on a clear summer night.

The structure already comes with two separate rooms — the main sleeping room in the back and a large three-door sunroom in the front that you can convert into a second bedroom. Combined, both inside spaces let you fit up to 12 sleeping bags or four full-size air mattresses.

This particular setup provides your group with ample ventilation and the option of complete privacy. Not to mention there’s also a large front awning to sit under when it’s nice and sunny outside.

And if you do decide to purchase this tent, you get to choose between three different colors — green, blue and brown.

Whether you’re on a multi-day hike or a comfortable extended camping trip, you’ll be happy you brought this 12 person tent with you.

Because its design is meant to be more stable, the set-up is also a lot more complex and might make it unfit if you’re a brand new camper.

Also, if you’re extra concerned about durability, then you might want to switch out the fiberglass poles and stakes for aluminum or steel.

Pros

  • Relatively lightweight
  • Large front screen room
  • Lots of ventilation
  • Spacious feel
  • Adaptable rooms

Cons

  • Can be hard to set up
  • Flimsy poles and stakes

Best Waterproof Tent

4. NTK Super Arizona GT 11/12 Person Tent

  • Weight: 42 lbs.
  • Floor Dimensions: 20’7” x 10’2”
  • Capacity: 11 to 12 Person
  • Peak Height: 6’9”
  • Best For: Experienced campers, heavy wind and rain, spring to autumn camping

8.4out of 10

Ease of Use8
Durability8.5
Value7.5
Protection9
Features9

As part of NTK’s Gran Turismo line, the Super Arizona GT was made to provide you with optimal weather protection. From heavy winds and rain to shifting temperatures, you’ll stay safe and comfortable throughout your camping trip no matter what.

This hybrid tunnel/cabin tent has a double-wall design — a mesh inner tent with a full-coverage polyester laminated rain fly.

Aside from being completely waterproof, it also provides UV protection. And it’s all held up by shock-corded fiberglass poles that are color-coded for easy set-up.

Thanks to the expansive floor space and over six and a half feet of headroom, this tent offers you and everyone else in your group plenty of space from all angles.

The Super Arizona GT comes with one removable divider to create two separate rooms. And there are two doors — one at the front and one near the back — to give both spaces easy access to the outdoors.

Inside you’ll also find a bathtub style floor made from polyethylene and a silver coated layer — giving you extra rain protection underfoot. And when it comes to storage, there are several convenient pockets on the walls and a lantern ring fixed to the ceiling.

Don’t be too rough with the zippers, as they’ve been known to either rip or get caught easily. It also doesn’t come with a port for an electric cord, so battery-operated devices will be your friend.

Pros

  • Easy to set up
  • Very spacious
  • Highly waterproof
  • Full-coverage rain fly
  • Well-ventilated

Cons

  • Weak zippers
  • No electric port

Best Premium Tent

5. Teton Sports Sierra 20’ Bell Canvas Tent

Specs:

  • Weight: 80 lbs.
  • Floor Dimensions: 20’ Diameter
  • Capacity: 12 Person
  • Peak Height: 11’10”
  • Best For: Glamping, four season camping, extended camping trips, outdoor events

8.4out of 10

Ease of Use8.5
Durability9
Value7.5
Protection9
Features8

Tenton specializes in a wide range of camping gear, from sleeping bags and hydration packs to their canvas tents. The Sierra is one of their best-sellers and comes in three different sizes. But the 20-foot version can fit up to 12 sleeping bags.

Like most bell or yurt-style tents, this one is made with a thick canvas material that’s also waterproof. It has reinforced corners and seams for enhanced durability. And because this tent fabric is so heavy, it uses steel poles to safely hold everything up.

The heavy-duty — and removable — polymer floor already does an excellent job at blocking out water and mud. However, you can also purchase a footprint from the Teton website for extra protection against rain, snow, and colder temperatures.

Its built-in vents — which also serve as small mesh windows — release hot air to help you and your group sleep more comfortably. Once inside, you’ll even find a few convenient storage pockets as well as a port for an electrical outlet.

Despite its heavier weight, the Sierre is a good tent for long-term camping trips, outdoor events, or any other four season camping adventure. Although like most canvas tents with this design, it does not come with a room divider.

Pros

  • Durable design
  • High-quality materials
  • Provides lots of airflow
  • Water, wind, and snow-proof
  • Great for all four seasons

Cons

  • Expensive
  • Heavy
  • No room divider

Best Family Tent

6. Coleman Skydome 12 Person XL Tent

Specs:

  • Weight: 40 lbs.
  • Floor Dimensions: 20’ x 9’
  • Capacity: 12 Person
  • Peak Height: 7’
  • Best For: Rainy weather, spring to autumn camping, family camping

8.4out of 10

Ease of Use8.5
Durability7.5
Value8.5
Protection8
Features9.5

Despite its dome-like shape — which would make other tents feel smaller — Coleman’s Skydome XL proves to be incredibly spacious.

Its large floor dimensions, seven-foot center height, and nearly vertical walls make it an excellent tent for larger families or groups — especially those with taller people.

Once again, we see the brand’s WeatherTec system coming into play here. The inverted seams, welded corners, and bathtub-style floor keep water out of the tent.

It can withstand wind speeds up to 35 mph, though you might want to replace the fiberglass poles with something stronger.

The tent has two (very wide) separate doors to give each space its own access point, and the large rain fly creates awnings over both of them. You can easily fit four queen size airbeds inside, where you’ll also find several mesh pockets and a gear loft for convenient storage.

Considering its massive floor size, it’s surprising that this tent only comes with one room divider. Although, if you’re camping with less than 12 people, we say that just means there’s plenty of extra space left over for everyone. 

Despite the instant setup design, many reviewers say the instructions are hard to understand. Therefore, we don’t recommend this one for beginner campers. In fact, we suggest practicing ahead of time before taking this tent with you to save yourself the frustration.

Pros

  • Well-ventilated
  • Provides lots of space
  • Plenty of inside storage
  • Waterproof design
  • Has two separate doors

Cons

  • Flimsy fiberglass poles
  • Tricky set-up

Best Tent for Summer

7. Bushnell Shield 12 Person Tent

Specs:

  • Weight: 58 lbs.
  • Floor Dimensions: 18’ x 11’
  • Capacity: 12 Person
  • Peak Height: 6’6”
  • Best For: Hot weather camping, family camping, kids camping trips, extended camping trips

8.7out of 10

Ease of Use8.5
Durability9
Value8
Protection9
Features9

f you want to comfortably camp all summer long — even when it’s really hot out — then we recommend Bushnell’s Shield tent. All of its unique features work together to keep you cool and protected in every way possible.

The tent’s water-repellent fabric with waterproof seams and aluminum poles to safeguard against potential storms. As an added bonus, the instant setup design lets it be ready in as little as one to two minutes — especially handy on hot days.

The mesh roof gets covered with a protective rain fly equipped with Heat Shield Technology — a reflective coating on its underside — to block out harmful UV rays. All the mesh windows and doors have panels for further light blocking and temperature regulation.

Part of the tent fly forms a semi-enclosed awning around the door, protecting you just before you step in. 

The entire inside space lets you fit up to four queen air mattresses. Plus, it has two attachable room dividers to help you create three different spaces.

And its wide range of storage options include an electrical port, a flashlight holder and both inside and outside pockets.

And as for its best feature — each oversized ground vent also serves as an air conditioner port. Just plus your appliance in using the covered port and enjoy the most comfortable summer camping trip you’ve ever experienced

Aside from its heavier weight, the only real downside is that it only has one door despite the potential for a three-room space.

Pros

  • Easy to set up
  • Very well-ventilated
  • Three separate rooms
  • Lots of inside storage
  • Space for air conditioning

Cons

  • Heavy
  • Only has one door

green family camping tent

Picking the Best 12 Person Tent For You 

When you’re a first-time camper, picking out a camping tent is already hard enough. And it gets even more confusing when you have to choose one for a dozen people.

Fortunately, we’ve created a list of qualities to look out for when purchasing your own 12 person tent.

Shape and Size

As you can see, all of the 12 person tents on our list come with different dimensions. And the space they provide can depend entirely on their shape.

Most spacious tents are cabin-shaped, thanks to their straight walls and higher ceilings. Unfortunately, this also means they don’t hold up well in severe winds and rains.

Dome tents are another popular design thanks to their weatherproofing qualities. While they can also provide you with lots of space, the curved structure also makes for inconsistent headroom throughout the tent.

At the end of the day, whichever one you choose depends entirely on your preferences and camping locations.

Separate Rooms or Room Dividers

One of the biggest upsides to large tents is that you have the possibility of creating separate rooms. This way you can break everyone up into smaller groups and better organize each sleeping area.

Most tents for large groups will provide you with detachable room dividers to give you the options.

But Ozark Trail’s Three Room Cabin takes this several steps further by already having three sleeping areas built in.

And if you’re a small family, it’s the perfect opportunity for everyone to have their own room

The Teton Sports Sierra is the only tent on this list without any kind of dividers. Although as long as everyone in your group is okay with this room setup, you can still have a fun group camping trip.

Ease of Setup

It’s obvious that large tents will take longer to set up than smaller ones.

With that said, they shouldn’t be so hard to set up that they take away from your experience. That’s why more and more tent manufacturers are finding ways to make pitching a tent easier.

If you enjoy multi-day hikes or usually camp with children, then instant tents will be your best option.

Because they already come preassembled, they can be ready to use in just a few minutes. And a quick setup is especially convenient if you find yourself stuck in a rainstorm.

Regardless, it’s always a good idea to get at least one other person to help you out. The sooner it’s done, the sooner everyone can really start to enjoy their camping trip.

Weather Protection and Durability

All tents need weatherproofing features no matter how big or small they are. Even if you’re trying to avoid extreme conditions, it’s important to be prepared for whatever might happen during your trip.

This is why dome tents are so popular amongst campers. Their curved shape keeps heavy rain or snow from caving in the ceiling and helps to direct wind away from it. 

Because they usually have mesh ceilings, all nylon and polyester tents come with a rain fly to protect the inner sleeping area. And having large mesh windows and vents encouraging regular airflow to keep you comfortable as you’re trying to relax.

Other features to look out for include either sealed or inverted seams —- as they block out rain water — and a bathtub style floor.

These have waterproofing fabric that extends up the walls and raises the door(s) off the ground by a few inches to block out puddles or mud.

Speaking of, both of these features tie into another important quality.

Materials

Much of your tent’s most important feature — especially weatherproofing and durability — depends entirely on the materials it’s made from.

Most of the camping tents you’ll find are made with either nylon or polyester, which are both breathable and can be modified to have waterproofing or UV-blocking qualities. We prefer polyester, however, as it’s a lot more tear-resistant.

If you enjoy camping all year round, consider getting a canvas tent. It uses a breathable 100 percent cotton material that’s woven so tightly it can block out water and snow. It’s comfortable enough for the summer yet also thick enough to keep you warm in the winter.

We also suggest paying close attention to the tent poles, as most budget options use fiberglass and can bend easily. If you’re especially concerned about durability, then find something with aluminum or steel poles and tent stakes.

Price

While you can’t be too cheap when buying a good quality tent, you also don’t want to go over your budget. And knowing how to find that balance can be tricky.

All-in-all, however much you spend should depend on how often you like to camp. If you usually camp once or twice every summer, there’s no need to go overboard.

But if you enjoy three or four season camping, then you can justify paying extra for your 12 person tent.

No matter which tent you choose, always read the reviews ahead of time

Additional Features

Depending on where you camp or what you like to do, you might want to look for a tent that has a few extra features.

All good tents should have at least a few storage pockets along the inside walls to keep your necessities safe.

Most also include a built-in port that you can slide an electrical cord through. This way you can either charge your devices or power some of your camping equipment.

Some features can take your camping experience to a whole other level. For example, we love a good front screen room that lets you enjoy the sun or night sky without having to worry about bugs. 

Our Verdict

In the end, we’ve selected Ozark Trail Three Room Cabin as our best 12 person tent overall.

While all of these tents are perfect for your next group camping trip, this one is the whole package. It has three separate spaces, protects against the elements, and is easy to set up.

And the fact that it’s also budget friendly doesn’t hurt either.

Your ideal tent doesn’t have to be extravagant. As long as it shelters you and provides enough space, everyone can enjoy the great outdoors.

AUTHOR
Since the age of 10, Mark has enjoyed camping in the great outdoors. Although he loves the peace and quiet of the outdoors, he also likes his creature comforts. Mark’s mission is to make camping a fun and comfortable experience for all.