Best 12 Person Tents

Camping is a great way to enjoy a vacation without having to travel too far from home. Of course, that doesn’t mean you can’t pack up your tent and travel cross-country; camping is also an ideal way to go further afield.

Tents for backpacking are typically small and compact, but what if you want more space, or your group consists of more than just a couple of people? Does that mean you need to take several tents?

With the best 12 person tents, you can fit you, your family, your friends, and all your gear into one shelter. This makes for a much more comfortable, sociable camping trip. With space to spread out, you won’t feel claustrophobic, and you’ll also have somewhere undercover to hang out if the weather unexpectedly turns bad.

With so many big tents available, it can be hard to know which one to choose so, for this review, we’ve tried and tested the best 12 person tents so you can buy with confidence.

Best 12 Person Tents

1. CORE 12

If you are looking for a tent that feels more like a home, this cabin tent would be a good choice. It’s got all the space and headroom needed to comfortably sleep 12 people, and the multiple room options mean it also provides plenty of privacy.

Key Features

• 16’ x 11’ x 86”
• Weighs 41 lbs.
• Made from 68D polyester
• Fits four queen-size air mattresses
• Removable waterproof rainfly
• Two-door entry
• Removable room dividers
• Mesh windows and roof for better ventilation and airflow

This big tent is ideal for large groups and extended families. Smaller parties will enjoy it too as the rooms can be used for different purposes, such as sleeping, kitchen, and kids’ playroom. While it is a little high-sided for strong winds, it’s the ideal fair-weather tent.

Pros

• Very spacious
• Plenty of headroom
• Decent weatherproofing
• Easy to pitch
• Configurable rooms
• Rainfly can be removed in warm weather for temperature control

Cons

• Too high-sided for strong winds

This big cabin tent makes camping a lot more comfortable. The separate rooms are a nice option if you’re camping with friends or family who want some extra privacy. It will not withstand high winds, but only low-profile mountain tents tend to do that anyway. This is a great family tent!

2. NTK Super 

This large tent is durable and easy to pitch, even if you only have two adults to do the work! With just two rooms, it doesn’t offer a whole lot of privacy, but there is certainly plenty of space so all your campers will be comfortable.

Key Features

• 9’ x 10.2’ x 6.9’
• Weighs 42 lbs.
• PU coated nylon flysheet with 2500mm hydrostatic head
• Bathtub groundsheet for increased weatherproofing
• Inner mosquito mesh
• Two doors
• Three mesh windows
• Removable room divider

The semi-tunnel design, high hydrostatic head rating, and bathtub groundsheet mean that this tent is very wind and weatherproof. It’s not quite a four-season tent, but it should provide plenty of comfort and protection for spring, summer, and autumn.

Pros

• Very open floor area
• Good ventilation
• Suitable for most mild to moderate weather
• Lots of added features including door pockets, overhead hanging points, and roll-up mesh windows

Cons

• Only two rooms
• Fiberglass poles are prone to breaking

The best quality tents have aluminum poles as they flex without breaking and are very strong. This tent has fiberglass poles that are prone to cracking and even shattering. However, aluminum is more expensive, and this is reflected in the price.

3. CORE Instant Cabin

Big tents can often be hard to pitch. After all, there are a whole lot of poles and yards of material to manage. This 12-person instant cabin tent goes up in minutes and not hours and can even be pitched by one person working alone. Spacious and easy to use; what’s not to love?!

Key Features

• 18’ x 10’ x 80”
• Made from 68D polyester with a 600mm hydrostatic head
• 125-gram polyethylene floor
• Removable rainfly
• Taped/glued seams
• Fits three queen-sized airbeds
• Two configurable room dividers to make three rooms
• Multiple vents for increased circulation

With its fitted, telescopic poles, this tent pitches in two minutes or less – an instant tent! The 600mm hydrostatic head rating means this tent is not the most waterproof on review, but it should keep you and your camping crew dry in all but the heaviest, most sustained downpour.

Pros

• Good size
• Configurable rooms
• Easy to put up
• Plenty of headroom
• Strong, stainless steel poles and stakes

Cons

• Not the most waterproof tent on review

This is a decent tent for spring and summer use. It’s ideal for anyone who doesn’t want to waste time pitching their tent but still wants plenty of space and comfort. It’s a spacious, well-made tent, but it is not suitable for severe weather camping.

4. Outbound

Dome tents are strong and made to withstand strong winds. But, their curved sides mean they are also spacious and gave plenty of headroom. This easy pitch 12-person tent is weatherproof and durable, as well as being spacious and comfortable.

Key Features

• 20’ x 9’ x 6’6”
• Weighs 21 lbs.
• 600mm hydrostatic head 68D poly-taffeta rainfly
• Bathtub groundsheet
• Glued and welded seams
• Large D-shaped door and twin windows
• Mesh panels and windows for warm-weather ventilation

This three-season tent weighs about 20 pounds, which is half the weight of many of the other tends on review. It’s not light enough for backpacking, but it’s still nice to know that you’ll have no problem carrying this tent from your car or boat to your pitching site.

Pros

• Quick and easy to pitch
• Good weatherproofing
• Durable and strong materials
• Suitable for three-season use (spring, summer, and early autumn)

Cons

• Fiberglass poles
• No internal partitions

This tent is one large space and is not divided into separate areas. That means no privacy and no way to separate the sleeping area from the cooking area. But, if that’s not an issue, this spacious tent is a good choice and is especially good for campers who want to head out even if the weather is sketchy.

5. Bushnell Shield Series 

Taking just 60 seconds to pitch, this is the fastest instant tent on review. It’s a three-season model designed to keep you cool through the summer but warm when it’s cooler. There are detachable room dividers so you can configure the inside to suit your group or family’s needs.

Key Features

• 18’ x 11’ x 80”
• Heatshield material to keep the tent cool in summer
• Three-room configuration options
• One-minute setup
• Water repellent fabric
• Extra feature includes storage pockets, reflective guylines, and large mesh windows for better ventilation

This tent is designed to keep you comfortable, whatever the temperature outside may be. It’s not the sturdiest tent, so it may not stand up to high winds, but for fair-weather camping, and if you need plenty of space, it’s a good option.

Pros

• Easy and fast to pitch
• Spacious
• Very comfortable
• Lots of gear organizer pockets

Cons

• Not the most waterproof tent

There is no information on this tent’s hydrostatic head rating, and some reviewers have reported leaks. It’s described by the manufacturer as “water repellent,” which is a little vague. This all suggests that this tent is not suitable for very wet weather, but should be fine in hot and cold environments.

6. Ozark Trail

If you want to have a home from home in nature, but without sacrificing comfort, this could be the tent you need. It’s not just spacious; it also looks and feels like a real cabin. In fact, with this tent, you may forget you are camping at all!

Key Features

• 20’ x 9’ x 84”
• Weighs 65lbs.
• Made from 1200mm hydrostatic head 190T polyester
• Two configurable room dividers
• Twin recessed closets and two corner gear organizers
• Large single gable entrance
• Removable rain fly for increased warm weather ventilation
• Mud porch

This cabin tent is more cabin than tent. It even looks a lot like a cabin! It’s plenty big enough for 12 people, although all those people may need to pitch in when setting this tent up! It’s a great three-season tent that really will feel like a second home.

Pros

• Very spacious
• Excellent weatherproofing
• Built-in storage areas
• Lots of headroom
• Well ventilated

Cons

• Quite tricky to pitch – definitely needs two adults at least

This tent will probably take 30 minutes or so to pitch and probably longer until you are a bit more practiced. But, once it’s up, this substantial shelter will be a pleasure to spend time in. It’s big, sturdy, and comfortable and should appeal even to people who don’t generally like camping.

7. Ozark 3 

This tent from Ozark Trail is unusual in that, instead of being tunnel-shaped or straight, it’s L-shaped. This design doesn’t offer any particular advantages for weather protection, stability, or strength, but does create a nice outside enclosed area, which is ideal for cooking and social gatherings.

Key Features

• 16’ x 16’ x 6’
• Weight 61 lbs.
• Pre-attached poles for instant setup
• Two internal dividers to create three rooms
• Central awning to create a covered area for cooking or socializing
• Low-level vents and seven mesh windows for increased ventilation
• Two doors
• Rainfly can be removed in warm weather for increased ventilation

This is a great family tent. The central awning joins the L-shape’s two sides to create a large covered area for shelter from rain or sun. This means your party can congregate outside in a common area instead of staying in a tent. With its pre-attached poles, this tent is very easy to put up.

Pros

• Unique design
• Easy to pitch
• Useful extended outdoor living area
• Well ventilated – ideal for summer use

Cons

• Not made to withstand severe weather
• The central shade will fill up with water if it rains as there is no central pole.

This tent is NOT suitable for high winds or heavy rains. The material itself is not sufficiently waterproofed, and the tent is not that sturdy. But, for camping in mild to warm and mostly dry weather, especially if you want to make more use of the dedicated outdoor area, this L-shaped tent is a good choice.

8. Core Two Room 

A lot of tents are described as big enough for 12 people, but with some, that means four adults and six kids. They’re not as big as they sound! Add some equipment, cots, or air mattresses, and even a 12-person tent can soon feel very crowded.

This tent from Core is a genuine 12-birth, and that means it’ll comfortably hold 12 adults, plus a reasonable amount of gear, too.

Key Features

• 18’ x 10’ x 80”
• Made from durable 68D polyester with 600 mm hydrostatic head rating
• 125-gram polyethylene floor
• Weighs 40lbs
• Pitches in two minutes or less
• Welded and taped seams
• Removable rainfly for increased ventilation or stargazing
• Two internal walls that can be opened or closed to create one, two, or three rooms
• Large side and end doors for easy access
• Wall vents for even better air circulation
• 1-year limited warranty

With all those doors, each room can be accessed separately, making it easier to enter or leave this tent without disturbing your fellow campers. The high hydrostatic head rating means this tent can deal with even heavy rain, making it ideal for three-season use.

Pros

• Very easy to pitch
• A high degree of weatherproofing
• Easy ingress and exit
• Excellent ventilation
• Not too heavy

Cons

• No interior hanging points or gear pockets/organizers

This easy to pitch tent is roomy and well-made. With plenty of doors and windows, it’s light and airy and easy to enter and leave. It’s really a spring and summer tent but, in the right conditions, could also be used later in the year. This is a tent for the whole family to enjoy.

9. TETON Sports

Bell tents look a lot like teepees. This is a traditional tent design that has advantages and drawbacks. On the downside, the steeply sloping roof limits headroom, but those same sides help the rain roll off more efficiently, increasing weatherproofing. If you are looking for a bell tent, this one from TETON Sports is an excellent choice.

Key Features

• 16’ x 16’ x 113”
• Made from all-weather canvas
• Breathable and waterproof
• Double-stitched and taped seams
• Large front doorway
• Welded, heavy-duty flooring
• The sides roll up for increased ventilation and to turn the tent into a canopy
• Single central pole design

The sides of this tent are 24,” and the height of the doorway is 4’ 6.” While the middle of the tent is 9 ½ feet high, a lot of this tent is relatively low and only tall enough to sit or lie down in. This tent will definitely hold 12 people, but only if they are all sleeping. This is not a good tent for just “hanging out” in.

Pros

• Easy to pitch
• Very strong and waterproof
• Large floor area
• Excellent airflow/ventilation
• A great-looking tent

Cons

• Away from the central poles, the ceiling of this tent is very low
• Most people will need to kneel or crouch to pass through the door

This is an awesome-looking tent – but it’s really made for sleeping in and not socializing or eating. You can only stand if you are near the central pole, and that limits its functionality.

Bell tents are not as common or popular as they once were, and while this tent is a classic design, it may not be as functional or as easy to use as a dome and tunnel tent.

Buyers Guide

Consider the following essential information before buying your 12-person tent.

Capacity

Just because a tent is rated for 12 people doesn’t mean it will fit 12 people, so it always pays to look at the square footage of the tent you are thinking about buying.

Any extra gear you put in your tent will eat into the available space, as well as the size of your air mattresses or cots. If in doubt, always underestimate capacity, and assume that a 12-birth tent will comfortably house 8-10 people.

A 12-person tent WILL hold 12 people (and maybe even more), but it will be very cramped. That’s okay for sleeping but not so good for daytime use.

Weight

Weight can vary enormously from one model and make to the next. Some 12-person tents weigh around 25 lbs. while others are as heavy as 70 lbs. In truth, weight isn’t really much of an issue with 12-person tents because they are not made for backpacking.

At most, you’ll need to carry your tent from your car or boat to your campsite. And, if you are camping with friends, you won’t have to carry it on your own anyway! But, if you do anticipate having to carry your tent more than a few dozen yards, lighter will obviously be better.

Fabric

Most tents are made from various strengths of polyester, the strength of which is denoted in denier. 68-denier is pretty strong and should withstand moderate to heavy winds without ripping.

40D and below makes for a lighter tent, but it may not be strong enough if the weather turns bad. A few tents are made from canvas, which must be treated and retreated to keep the water out.

However, canvas is very strong, should last many years, and is breathable too. But, it’s usually a lot heavier than even the most substantial polyester.

Groundsheets are typically made of polyethylene or PVC for strength and waterproofness. Even then, they can be punctured, so smart campers often lay an added groundsheet, called a footprint, and set it under their tent for added protection.

Weather resistance and sealing

In tents, weather resistance means being strong enough to withstand winds and rain. Strong fabric, poles, and the shape of the tent will determine how well it deals with the wind, while hydrostatic head refers to waterproofness.

Hydrostatic head is measured in millimeters and is the amount of water per hour a tent can withstand before leaking.

600 mm or higher is a good rating to look for if you expect to be out in your tent in the rain. If a tent is listed as water-resistant, with no hydrostatic head rating, it’ll probably leak in anything other than a short, light shower.

Tents also have seams, and those seams need to be sealed to keep out the water. Seams are usually glued or stitched and may also be welded and taped.

The more of these methods used, the more waterproof the seams will be. If you care about keeping rainwater out, look for seams that are stitched AND taped or welded and glued. Two sealing methods are always better than one.

Climate and seasons

Tents are typically rated in seasons. The more seasons, the better your tent be at protecting you from bad weather. One-season tents are designed for summer use only – warm weather and very little rain.

Two-season tents are suitable for spring and summer use. They’re a bit more weatherproof than one-season tents but won’t cope well with any “real” weather.

Three-season tents are for spring, summer, and autumn use. With a decent level of waterproofing and strong enough to cope with moderate winds, these are good all-rounders that are ideal for most campers.

Four-season tents can be used in the winter and should be able to withstand snow, ice, heavy rain, and high winds. Most four-season tents are backpacking and mountaineering tents, although bigger base camp tents may also carry a four-season rating.

Assembly

Tents are held up with a framework of poles. Depending on the design, this could be an internal or external frame.

Internal frames support the tent from within, whereas tents with an outer frame are clipped to and hang down from the poles. Both options work perfectly well.

Tents also often have inner and outer skin.

The inner tent is usually thin and light, while the outer layer is waterproof. All these components come together to form your shelter, and the tent itself is held in place with stakes and ropes called guylines.

Tents are assembled (pitched) differently depending on the design, and some are definitely easier than others. Large 12-person tents can be tricky to pitch simply because there is so much material to manage. However, even a complicated tent should take no more than 30 minutes to pitch.

If the idea of pitching a tent worries you, the good news is there are instant pitch tents that have pre-fitted poles and guylines, so they go up in minutes. On the downside, most instant pitch tents are not made for bad-weather camping, as this feature is often a bit of a novelty.

Awnings and storage areas

If there are six of you in your 12-person tent, you should have all the space you need to live, sleep, eat, and store your gear.

But, if your tent is full of people, you may find yourself running short of space.

Some tents have built-in gear organizers in the form of hanging nets and mesh pockets. Others do not have these features.

Some tents have extended awnings that act as extra sun and rain shelters, effectively extending the square footage of your tent. This is a good area for cooking and eating. You can often add a supplementary awning to your tent by using a tarp.

Either way, make sure your tent is big enough for you and your party and their gear too.

Pumps or poles?

Most tents have fiberglass or aluminum poles. But some tents have inflatable beams (I-beams) to hold them up instead. On the plus side, I-beam tents are easy to pitch as you just need to pump them up. They’re light and spacious too.

But, on the downside, inflatable tents are usually more expensive, and you’ll probably need an electric pump to inflate them in a reasonable time.

Plus, if you get a puncture or one of the valves fails, your tent will quickly deflate and collapse. To that end, poles are probably more reliable than I-beams, but the technology is improving, and it probably won’t be long before inflatable tents are used more widely.

Comfort

Camping is no fun at all if you are uncomfortable.

Things that affect comfort include:

• Temperature
• Ventilation
• Water resistance
• Condensation
• Privacy
• The ability to use air mattresses/camping cots

Some of these factors are affected by the design of the tent (ventilation, water resistance), while others are more to do with the size of the tent (being able to use air mattresses).

Pay attention to the features on offer to determine if your tent will be comfortable. Packing a tent with too much gear and too many people is a good way to make everyone uncomfortable, so make sure your tent is big enough for all of your camping gang.

Bottom Line

Whether you want to go camping with 11 other people or go with fewer people and have lots of living and gear space, a 12-person tent could be just what you need for an enjoyable trip.

Big tents feel a lot like living in a cabin, and you’ll even have space for an air mattress or a camp cot so you can sleep in comfort. That’s never an option in smaller hiking and backpacking tents.

A 12-person tent also gives you the option of setting up indoor dining, kids play, or lounge area. Again, good luck doing that with a smaller tent.

But, big 12-berth tents can be tricky to pitch, take up a lot of space, are usually heavy, and aren’t the best at dealing with inclement weather. Some might look like cabins, but they aren’t as sturdy. Some are barely waterproof.

That said, whatever your camping style is, you’ll find a 12-person tent that suits your needs. From easy-pitch summer-only tents to more robust three-season tents, we’ve found the best and reviewed them for you.

Think about what you want from a tent (space, capacity, price, ease of pitching, seasons, etc.), and then find the one that matches your specifications. Once you’ve got the perfect 12 person tent, all that’s left for you to do is plan your trip and get out and enjoy living under canvas!

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