Tents that are too cramped just plain suck. The whole reason you went camping in the first place was to get out into the wide open spaces of nature. Why not live like a king out in nature with more than enough space for everyone in a large 12 person tent designed for families and larger groups of camping buddies.
We reviewed loads of options and have narrowed it down to the 6 absolute best! Our main criteria were space, durability, privacy, ventilation and ease of setup.
The layouts are all designed to allow you to create a customized air flow inside the cabin to keep cool in summer and snug in winter. There are separate rooms that allow loads of privacy and have many extra features like air conditioner flaps, screened porches and even power outlets.
We are confident that once you have picked up on of these spacious instant cabins you will never look at camping quite the same. Let’s begin…
Ozark Trail 12 Person Tent L Shaped with 3 Rooms
Our first pick is the Ozark Trail 16×16-Feet, 12-Person tent with 3 Rooms and large windows on all sides.
It a no brainer but the most loved feature for us is the pre-attached poles. This makes setup an absolute breeze. After a test setup at home, you will be putting up this impressively large “home away from home” in a few minutes.
It has 3 spacious chambers that you can stand upright in and that comfortably fit 3 queen sized airbeds. Concerned about unwanted visitors like bears or raccoons while you sleep? It has a power outlet which allows you to electrify the exterior of the tent. This will sufficiently zap and send any curious critters on their way.
There is a bit of a learning curve so you may take a little longer to set up this granddaddy for the first time. It is well worth the practice as your second time around will be a breeze and the extra space you get to enjoy is so worth the extra homework.
This is perfect for you if you have a large family or if you simply want to enjoy the big outdoors with almost as much indoor space as out.
CORE 12 Person Instant Cabin Tent
The awesome 2 Room 18 X 10 Core Tent is our number 2 selection. As its name promises, it accommodates 12 people or is the idea 6 man if you are looking for extra space and prefer sleeping on a large inflatable mattress. It offers a 80″ high centre offering great standing space.
It has two room dividers, creating a 3 room enclosure so easily allocate for different uses. It also comes with an electrical cord port which can be safely closed in case you have young children and a rain fly to ensure you stay dry in all conditions.
In rainy conditions, you may find seams let in small amount of water but this will happen on most similar products, even if labelled waterproof. On investing in a new tent, it is always advisable to use a silicone “Stay Dry” spray to make sure the tent holds in light and heavy rain conditions.
This is a great choice for you if love camping in summer and are looking for a cool, airy design. It has large windows which provide excellent ventilation and even including a roof opening for maximum breath-ability.
Tent with Screen Room Attached by Ozark Trail
At number three, we have the Ozark Trail 12 Person Instant Cabin Tent with screened room.
Like the Ozark Trail 3 room, this roomy tent sets up in minutes. All you need to do is unfold and extend as the poles are pre-attached.
Once setup, you will be able to enjoy the standing room and open feel that the large windows create. It also comes with a rain fly to keep you dry in wet conditions. The front screen room provides addition covered space for storage of extra gear and can be used as a mud room if it gets rainy.
Like the Ozark Trail 12-Person Instant Cabin it also sleeps 12 campers or accommodates 3 queen sized mattresses. It also comes equipped with the power outlet to enable you to electrify the outside perimeter. This does not leave you at risk as the interior is earthed. You can sleep easy without expecting a visit from a curious bear.
When the time comes to pack up, this impressive design packs away effortlessly into a roller bag.
The screen room does not come with a rain cover so will get wet if it rains. Fortunately, it is big enough that you can bring in any weather sensitive gear should it start to rain.
If you are part of a large camping family, this Instant Cabin is without a doubt for you. Its large, it’s spacious and it takes minutes to set up leaving you more time to unwind and enjoy your environment. The front screen room protects the inner rooms from dirt so if you like a clean space, this will work well for you.
Ozark Trail Instant 20′ x 10′ Cabin Tent Sleeps 12 (Orange)
At number four we have the Ozark Trail Instant 20′ x 10′ Cabin Tent that Sleeps 12 campers in sleeping bags.
This winner is yet another awesomely spacious creation by Ozark. This product, like the two listed above comes with the great basic yet essential features to ensure your next camping trip is effortless and comfortable.
It is quick to setup and sleeps 12 campers on the floor. Alternatively, it can accommodate 3 Queen inflatable mattresses or cots. It has large, spacious windows allowing excellent ventilation and great visibility to enjoy the views.
Room dividers offer privacy and the centre height provides sufficient space to walk upright. Should it rain, it will keep you dry and comfortable inside.
There is no internal privacy door on the main entrance so if you are looking for some privacy, choose the back room and drop the divider.
If you have a large family and love to pile into a tent together as opposed to set up several spots, this if for you. If you are part of a scout group or other social club that loves camping, then this sizable 12 man will deliver camping trip after camping trip.
Ozark Trail 10 Person Cabin Tent with Screened Porch (Green)
At number five we have the Ozark Trail Cabin Tent with Screen Porch.It has a cathedral styles ceiling and straight wall design making it feel open and spacious.
It has several storage pockets in the interior and includes a 54 square foot screen room which is ideal for storing extra gear and leaving shoes outside so you don’t walk sand or mud into the interior.
It has a room divider so can be divided if you have two couples sharing the tent or if mom and dad want a more peaceful zone from the kids.
As the name implies, it sleeps 10 people (12 at a push) in sleeping bags or accommodates 4 queen sized blow up mattresses.
It takes about 20 minutes to erect, which seems a lot compared to the previous three Ozarks reviewed above which take around 5 minutes. Even this however is impressive in setup terms and is well worth the minimal extra setup time when weighing up the cost saving on this affordable champion.
This is a fantastically cost effective option for larger camping families. With larger families comes the need for more space and this sizable monster offers more than its fair share of breathing room.
Ozark Trail Base Camp 14 Man
Last on our review list is the Ozark Trail Base Camp 14 Person Cabin. For good measure, we have thrown in one last option if you think the 12 man will not be enough tent for you.
This impressive design has 5 separate areas. Each chamber can comfortably fit a queen size air mattress but we recommend using 3 of the outer areas for sleeping and leaving a walkway open. This is great for playing games and coming together in the evening.
Some may say this tent is simply too much tent but for a large family, we’d argue there is no such thing.
If you are looking for space, look no further. Take the whole family along and there will still be extra room for your pets, gear and a lot more. Once you have this camping castle, the outdoors will take on a new level of comfort, keeping your family together, but not ontop of one another.
Conclusion
The Ozark Trail range is clearly fierce competitor in the 12 man tent arena, walking away with the prize for most number of mentions. We are clearly fans of these awesome products and all the space that comes with them. Whether you are using it to sleep 12 campers or camping comfortably on a queen sizes blow-up mattress with a spare room for lounging or entertaining, this one over delivers. You can also use a tent heater or AC to ensure a comfortable temperature is maintained.
Need Even More Ventilation?
If you’re looking for a picnic or dinner tent with even more ventilation but keeps bugs out, you should definitely consider checking out our best Screen House Mesh Tents review as well.
Tips on How to Set up your 12 Man
- When you purchase is delivered, set it up in your backyard. There is a bit of a learning curve so it your you and an assistant roughly 30 minutes.
- Once you have set it up, use a silicone “Stay Dry” spray to be 100% sure it is rainproof.
- Invest in an additional 20′ x 20′ tarp. It is great insurance to set it up above the tent, this way you have additional protection from rain and you can also collect rain water for drinking or cleaning. It is better to suspend the tarp as this allows your tent to breathe and feel less stuffy.
- When staking it into position, start with the inside corner and then focus on the doors first, this way it will stretch out evenly.
- Take time to ensure the seams on the top tarp line up with the supports; this will prevent rain water from pooling.
- An extra ground tarp is great to setup on. This is an optional extra but we like the extra layer which protects the tent from damage and makes compressing, rolling and packing away that much easier.
- Create a “mud zone” at the entrance of your tent. Ensure dirt and dusty shoes and gear are left there to keep the interior clean and comfortable. There is nothing worse than climbing into a gritty sleeping bag.
We have a superb related article about Camping Bunk Beds which work perfectly for kid’s side room tents.
Product Videos
1. L Shaped Design
2. Core Equipment
3. Ozark Trail With Screen Room Porch
4. 20 x 10 With AC vents
5. 10 Person with Screen Room
6. Base Camp 20 x 20
We hope you have found our review helpful and informative. We look forward to hearing how your choice has changed the way you view camping and the benefits of camping comfort in these beautiful beasts.
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