The Best 12 Person Tent for Camping in 2021

1. Ozark Trail Cabin Camping Tent

4.4/5

2. Core 12 Person Instant Cabin Tent

4.3/5

3. Core 12 Person Extra Large Cabin Tent

4.7/5
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School trips, family outings, or attending concert with your friends often require suitable sleeping arrangements. 

You could be a gang of 12 friends looking to sleep under the same roof or a family in search of more space in a tent. In all these instances, the best 12 person tent could save the day. Wondering which to pick? Check out our rundown.

How We Rated Best Tents?

  • Waterproof

    Is it well protected?

  • Ventilation

    Is it breathable?

  • Longevity

    Is it build for years to come?

  • Price

    Is it the best value for your $?

  • Set Up

    Is it easy to set-up?

  • Durability

    Is it strong enough?

  • Convenient

    Is it designed for comfort?

  • Sleeping Capacity

    Is it spacious and roomy?

How We Conducted Research?

  • 10

    Hours Researched

  • 15

    Products Evaluated

  • 1k

    Reviews Considered

  • 2

    Sources Researched

1. Ozark Trail Cabin Camping Tent

4.4/5

Technical Specs:

Why we picked the Ozark Trail Cabin Camping Tent

If you’re looking for the perfect tent to house 12 adults and their gear, you can’t go wrong with the Ozark Trail cabin camping tent. This thing is absolutely huge, originally designed for 16 adults in sleeping bags.

You’ll get 240 square feet of floor surface, two space dividers that allow you to easily turn the tent into three room, and can also enjoy three entrances, that maximize privacy. Plenty of ventilation is ensured by a mesh roof and six windows. Furthermore, the mud mats in front of the doors help you keep the inside clean. Affordable for what it is and durable, this is the best 12 person tent for most people.

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2. Core 12 Person Instant Cabin Tent

4.3/5

Technical Specs:

Why we picked the Core 12 Person Instant Cabin Tent:

The Core 12 Instant Cabin Tent might be heavy and cumbersome, but it’s an excellent choice for people on a budget. It is designed for camping in warmer climates, boasting 7 windows, two doors, and two large vents near the floor.

Its interior can easily accommodate three queen-size air mattresses, or up to 12 people in sleeping bags. When used at full capacity, there is little space inside for the gear, but you can still enjoy the storage pockets to keep your electronics. Like most modern tents, you can also expect a convenient e-port. No doubt, a great tent for car camping.

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3. Core 12 Person Extra Large Cabin Tent

4.7/5

Technical Specs:

Why we picked the Core 12 Person Extra Large Cabin Tent:

Lighter than the instant cabin tent above and also relatively smaller, the Core 12 Person Extra Large Cabin Tent could be your best bet if you want to find a compromise between portability and interior size. 

Sure, you won’t be able to carry it to far – at least not on your own – but you could fit it on a motorbike to reach more remote campsites. In terms of usable floor space, it’s slightly smaller than our other favorite picks, but it’s still roomy enough for 12 adults in sleeping bags. If you want comfort, the tent can house up to 4 queen-size air mattresses, or you could opt for self-inflating pads. The tent is easy to pitch, durable, and dependable. What else could you wish for?

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4. Ozark Trail Hazel Creek

5/5

Technical Specs:

Why we picked the Ozark Trail Hazel Creek:

The Ozark Trail Hazel Creek is a behemoth of a tent designed to comfortably accommodate 12 adults on self-inflating camping pads. For a super-comfortable approach, you can even turn it into a family tent for two families of up to 6 members each. 

Easy to divide into separate areas, it incorporates plenty of storage space, including two built-in closets and hanging organizers. The tent is also outstanding from a visual standpoint, looking just like a real cabin. 

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5. Core Two Room 12 Person Instant Cabin Tent

4.5/5

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Why we picked the Core Two Room 12 Person Instant Cabin Tent:

Another tent from Core that has made it to our list is this instant cabin tent designed for 12 people. The floor space is generous enough for twelve adults; however, the tent might be a most appropriate choice for school trips if you want to have more room in it.

Two doors provide access to both sides of the tent, and you can easily divide it into two rooms thanks to the included panel. Furthermore, a full mesh wall and entrance offer you the possibility to turn half the tent into a screen room, making it perfect for families. All these features come at a cost, but the tent is undeniably well worth it.

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6. Ozark Trail 3 Room Instant Cabin Tent

4.1/5

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Why we picked the Ozark Trail 3 Room Instant Cabin Tent:

This L-shaped tent by Ozark Trail is an excellent choice if you’re planning to divide it into multiple living spaces. Like most 12-person tents, it can house twelve adults in sleeping bags, or three queen-size mattresses while allowing you to move freely.

Pre-attached poles make set up easy, although not instant. Learning how to erect it might take some time, but once you get there, the process is smooth. Plenty of vents, windows, and doors ensure proper airflow in all seasons. All we miss is a vestibule for added storage space, but is undeniable that you still get a lot of value for money.

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7. Bushnell Shield Series Instant Cabin Tent

5/5

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Why we picked the Bushnell Shield Series Instant Cabin Tent:

Another tent that we like comes from Bushnell. The Shield Instant Cabin Tent is a great choice for large families rather than sharing it with your friends. That’s because the tent only has one door, so dividing it into different living spaces might not be necessarily practical. 

That said, the tent promises a lot. It holds up well to rain and elements, it comes with plenty of storage space for essentials, and is roomy enough to hold 12 adults on self-inflating pads. It might be more expensive than the average, but it’s durable. No doubt, a great 3-season tent to consider.

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8. Outbound Dome Tent for Camping

4.8/5

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Why we picked the Outbound Dome Tent for Camping:

Tested to resist to the Canadian outdoor conditions, this dome tent from Outbound is an excellent choice for three seasons. While the thin fly might not withstand heavy rain, you can easily treat it with waterproof spray to enhance its water resistance. 

The dome construction enhances resistance to wind. You won’t get the same head clearance you’d expect from a cabin style tent, but most people will still be able to stand and move in this tent. Lightweight and compact and packed, it’s also an excellent choice for backpacking with your gang.

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9. Dream House Canvas Camping Bell Tent

4.8/5

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Why we picked the Dream House Canvas Camping Bell Tent:

 

Want to stand out from the crowd? Then check out this canvas camping bell tent by Dream House. It comes in various sizes, including one suitable for 12 adults. Undeniably, this is one o the best tents out there for kids. 

The fairy-tale like design is truly inspiring. A very roomy interior allows for different layout options. For a more comfortable approach, the tent can house up to 4 queen-size air beds, and you’ll still have sufficient space to roam around. Needless to say, the tent offers a generous head clearance and resists all kinds of weather, for seamless use in all seasons.

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10. Ozark Trail 12-Person 3-Room Instant Cabin Tent

4.2/5

Technical Specs:

Why we picked the Ozark Trail 12-Person 3-Room Instant Cabin Tent:

Last on our list, the Ozark Trail is one of the best 12 person tents for families that don’t mind sharing a shelter, but who still value privacy. A roomy interior gives you plenty of space to sleep on yoga mats or self-inflating camping pads. Two room dividers allow you to split the main living space into two rooms, each with its own entrance, and the screen room can also be used as a separate room, thanks to the solid panels.

As you can expect, the tent has three doors, one for each room. The tent is also easy to set up and take down, but it’s cumbersome and heavy. Nevertheless, it’s great for car camping.

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12 Person Tent Buying Guide

Whether you need an outdoor sleeping arrangement for a larger gang or the best tent for glamping, a 12-person tent could be right for you. Before buying, there are a few important things to focus on, depending on your needs. Let’s check them out below.

Tent Style

Best 12 person Tent Tent Style

Perhaps the most important thing to decide before getting a 12 person tent is the style of shelter that you need. Although you can choose from multiple tent types, we can divide the tents into two categories:

  • Utilitarian tents: Are ideal for regular camping, whether you need a tent that can actually fit 12 adults on sleeping pads or a big tent to accommodate your extended family and some gear. You can pick from a wide variety of cabin and dome tents, such as the Outbound Dome or the Bushnell Shields Cabin.
  • Glamping tents: If you are familiar with the concept of glamour camping and need the perfect tent to create your 5-star temporary shelter, you should pick a canvas ridge or bell tent, such as the Dream House Canvas Bell Tent. This type of tent is large enough to fit 12 adults, and also gives you plenty of space for a bed, chairs, and a table to set up an outdoor bedroom.

Tent Shape

If you couldn’t care less about glamping and all you need is a quality traditional tent, you should also decide what shape you want. You can choose from the following three options:

  • Square tents: Offer an open space design and are ideal if you don’t really care about privacy. They give you a lot of versatility to set the space in an efficient way, which often means fitting more people and gear than in another tent shape.
  • L-shaped tents: Are best for housing a large number of people, some of whom may want at least minimal privacy. They usually include room dividers as well as at least two doors at opposite sides.
  • Rectangular tents: Are also good for giving a certain amount of privacy. Just pay attention to the door location, as you don’t want to have to climb over a lot of people to get in or out of the tent. You can either choose a tent with one central door, or one with two doors, one at each side of the tent.

Size and Standing Height

While 12-person tents are designed with larger groups in mind, the truth is most families decide to go for a big tent for a more comfortable sleeping experience. For this reason, you should actually consider the floor size and the number of people/quantity of gear you want to fit in the tent.

For instance, if you need a big tent for 6-8 people sleeping on cots or air mattresses, you could choose a tent with a more compact footprint. While you’ll still have plenty of space for your gear, a smaller 12-person tent packs more compactly and is easier to store and transport.

However, if you need a tent that can fit 12 adults, consider the average size of a person and account for at least six inches of space between the occupants.

Another important thing to check out is the standing height. Most 12 person tents have high ceilings that allow you to stand and move freely, but if you’re particularly tall, make sure the tent is big enough for you.

Doors and Windows

Large tents with one door can be inconvenient. Multiple doors allow campers to enter and exit wherever they choose without disturbing or interrupting other members of the party. Doors and windows are usually zipper-controlled and made from a breathable mesh. Windows help to keep your tent fresh even in the warmest climates.

Additional Space

Since 12 person tents are often used to boost comfort while camping, you should also consider any additional space your tent can offer. In other words, you should check out if the tent has a screen room or vestibule.

The difference between the two is that screen rooms usually have a floor, whereas the vestibule only consists of a polyester flap you can fix on poles to create a covered area above the entrance. While both screen rooms and vestibules provide shade, a screen room offers better protection against rain as well as a mesh closure that keeps creepy crawlers away from your lounging area.

Portability

Twelve person tents are heavy and bulky, and you won’t find a shelter this size suitable for backpacking. Even carrying it to your campsite may require two pairs of hands instead of just one, so you should check the tent’s weight and packed size before buying. The main concern is buying a tent that fits in your car trunk, especially if you have a smaller vehicle.

Weather Protection and Seasonality

Best 12 person Tent Weather Protection and Seasonality

Most 12 person tents on the market are rated for 3 season camping. This means they’re good for warm summer weather and coldish weather too. They are not made for icy winter camping and if you plan on it, you may need to add a tent footprint and other accessories to insulate the tent and keep you warm. Alternatively, you could pick a 4-season tent with smaller doors and fewer windows, which will surely keep you warmer in very cold weather.

You should also consider the tent’s resistance to water and wind. Some tents may leak through the seams and some aren’t made to handle windy days.

To make sure the tent you want suits your needs, check the hydrostatic head (HH) of the fabric the tent is made of as well as the type and number of stakes included in the package. We can’t predict the weather but ensuring your tent can handle the season you’re interested in camping in is pretty important to enjoying your experiences.

FAQ

• How Big is a 12 Person Tent?

The average 12 person tent has around 20′ x 18′ floor space, which is sufficient for people sleeping on self-inflating pads or directly on the floor in sleeping bags. If you want to use air beds, go for a 14-person or 16-person tent.

• What is the Biggest Tent You Can Buy?

Ozark Trail is renowned for making some of the biggest tents in the world, including a 20-person cabin tent for camping.

• How to Turn 12 Person Tent Into a Living Space?

As long as you opt for a durable tent, you can turn it into a living space by pitching it on a plane area. Seal the tent to waterproof it, regardless of the waterproof rating of the fabric, then use the furnishings you want to turn it into a cozy room. Using a footprint under the tent and a solid tarp above it could help turn your outdoor living space into a more permanent shelter.

• How Much is a 12 Person Tent?

A 12-person tent will cost you between $300 and $1,000 or more, depending on its quality and your needs.

• What are the Dimensions of 12 Person Tent?

The packed dimensions of a 12-person tent can vary from around 28.5″ x 14″ x 14″ to 52″ x 16″ x 16″. A pitched tent has a floor surface of 20 by 18 feet on average, and a ceiling height of around 80 inches.