Are you on the hunt for the best 12 person tent? For many, family camping is a summer highlight. However, it can really put a damper on things when you have a large family and a small tent. Talk about being crammed! Therefore, we’ve put together the best 12 person tents on the market, so you can go camping with a large group and still have plenty of room! If you’re looking for even more backcountry gear, check out our article on the Best Waterproof Backpacks for 2022 or the Best Waterproof Pants for 2022.
Best Overall – Ozark Trail Room Instant Cabin Tent
Best 2 Room Tent – Eureka Copper Canyon
Best 3 Room Tent – Core 12 Person Instant Cabin Tent
Best for Quick Setup – Bushnell Shield Series Cabin Tent
Best for Heavy-Duty – NTK Super Arizona GT Sport-Family Tent
Best for Budget-Friendly – Campros Tent
What is a 12 person tent?
Summer camping in a 12 person tent can be a camping experience like none other. Typically, a 12 person tent features multiple rooms (yes, you heard that right) with space for different mattress sizes and lots of floor space. Seriously, some even have room dividers…how crazy is that?!
Honestly, many 12 person tents are similar to a cabin-style tent experience. Forget crammed sleeping bags and embrace a camping trip with a large tent.
That doesn’t mean that every family camping tent is exactly the same, though. Some value weatherproof materials and weather protection while others value easy setup and privacy. It really depends what your family is looking for. Therefore, it’s great that there are so many different 12 person tents on the market!
What are the dimensions of a 12 person tent?
Each tent differs, but typically a 12 person tent floor size is 18′ x 10′. Additionally, tent heights usually sit around 80″. Before you purchase a 12 person camping tent, make sure you check the measurements to ensure it will fit the whole family!
Should a 12 person tent be waterproof?
Surprisingly, not all tents are waterproof – most are only water-resistant. If you anticipate camping in extreme weather, it is probably worth it to invest in a waterproof tent. Otherwise, having a completely waterproof tent is not actually necessary. Most tents come with a rainfly, which will provide weather protection from most weather conditions. Before you purchase, make sure you also examine the tent materials and seams to make sure they’re high-quality and durable.
*However, remember that all tent floors should be waterproof.*
How many rooms does a 12 person tent have?
What a concept, right? It depends on the brand, but generally most 12 person tents have 2-3 separate rooms. Some do only have one bedroom though, such as the Teton Sports Sierra Canvas Bell Tent or the Coleman Skydome XL Tent.
Therefore, you really need to think about the setup that you want for your camping living space. Essentially, there is about the same room in a 2-3 bedroom tent than a 1 bedroom 12 person tent, so it just varies on how close to each other you guys want to be!
How much does the best 12 person tent weigh?
This is another factor to consider when buying a large tent. Chances are, you are probably just driving up to a campsite with a tent this large. Therefore, it may not be as crucial that you find a lightweight tent that is a small packed size. However, this is still an important factor to consider when buying a 12 person tent.
Some tents weigh 80 pounds and break down into separate bags while some are only 40 pounds and fit into a single sack. Before you purchase a tent, make sure you’re clear on your needs regarding weight and packed size.
Durability
Another factor to consider when purchasing a large tent is the durability of it. Typically, you want to look for higher denier fabrics (like 150D) as they’re more heavy-duty and will withstand things like strong winds and other crazy weather.
Additionally, consider what the tent poles are made of. Most often, you’re going to want to find a tent that has alloy/steel poles. Stay away from fiberglass poles!
So, on the best 12 person tents…
From straight wall tents to large teepees, let’s take a look at the best 12 person tents on the market!
Best Overall – Ozark Trail Room Instant Cabin Tent
This 3 room tent can fit 3 queen air mattresses and sets up in under 2 minutes with pre-attached poles. It has 7 fully close-able large windows and lots of floor space. With a quick setup, plenty of room for sleeping spaces, and heavy-duty durability – this tent is the best!
Best 2 Room Tent – Eureka Copper Canyon
This 3-season tent features 2 large rooms as well as a front door and rear door for easy access. I love the mesh windows as well as the mesh roof so you can have scenic views wherever you’re camping. Although it takes a bit longer to setup and we don’t love the fiberglass poles, overall – Eureka is a really solid company and this tent does not disappoint.
Best 3 Room Tent – Core 12 Person Instant Cabin Tent
The Core has two entryway and three room options, which can fit a variety of air bed sizes. The floor size is 18ft x 10 ft with a center height of 80 inches, so you can have plenty of room. Additionally, this tent has a mesh ceiling for panoramic views so you can stargaze all night! And don’t worry, The Core has sealed seams on the rainfly fabric, so wind and rain don’t stand a chance.
Best for Quick Setup – Bushnell Shield Series Cabin Tent
If you’re looking for instant, 2-minute easy setup time technology then this is your tent. Another neat thing about this tent is that it features heat shield technology, so it has a special reflective coating that blocks the sun’s UV rays, keeping the tent darker and cooler. It also has two air conditioner ground vents as well.
Best for Heavy-Duty – NTK Super Arizona GT Sport-Family Tent
This large tent provides the ultimate family camping experience. It features heavy-duty seamless polyethylene with an inner silver coated layer, sure to keep you dry. It has a spacious awning as well as a screen room so you can feel like you’re glamping out in the backcountry! Available on Amazon, you don’t want to miss this sport-family tent!
Best for Budget-Friendly – Campros Tent
This is the best tent option if you’re on a budget! It still fits 12 people and comes with 2 curtains that hang from the ceiling, so you can easily divide rooms. The tent also comes with a carry bag, so you can store it easily if you want to take it down and go backpacking, or something along those lines. Personally, I love the 2 way zippers that this tent features, so you can get in and out easily. Trust me, with this tent you’ll become a regular camper in no time!
In conclusion on the best 12 person tents…
These tents listed above are the best 12 person tents you’ll find on the market. Happy camping!
