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If you’re going on a camping trip with your family, you’ll want to be fully prepared with your gear. The first thing you should get? The tent!
Tents vary in sizes, features, and materials. There are dome tents, backpacking tents, and many more types that may confuse you. You’ll want to do some research before going for the purchase. Additionally, if your family has 10-12 members, you’ll want the best 12-person tent to suit your needs.
That’s what We’re here for. Here’s a comprehensive view of everything you need to know before buying a large tent.
Best 12-Person Tents for Camping: For Families and Groups
If you want to see reviews of the tents for yourself, check this list. We added the best 10 to 12 person camping tents on the market. Moreover, there are different price ranges so there’s a tent to suit everyone’s budget.
Best Overall Large Group Camping Tent – ALPHA CAMP 10-12-person Cabin Tent
When it comes to luxury features, the Alpha Camp is hard to match. The tent is among the top 12-man cabin tents. It’s designed to impress with its front camping porch. Not only that, but the porch has sun protection, so you can lounge comfortably without suffering the heat.
Furthermore, the tent’s floor has a sealed-seam style. That’s why it’s ideal for rainy conditions; it prevents water leakage and blocks the moisture out. As for the ceiling, there’s a mesh panel for ventilation.
- Room Configuration: 1 Sleeping Room, 1 Vestibule
- Tent Height: 80″ – One Of Tallest
- Seasonality: Average / Fair-Weather
- Material: Polyester
- Price Range: Low-Mid range
- Top mesh panel
- High-quality steel poles
- High wind resistance
- Front camping porch
- The corners can leak water
Best Large Camping Tent: Eureka Copper Canyon 12-Person Tent
The cabin-style freestanding tent provides floor space of 14×12 feet. Plus, it weighs 38 pounds and stands at 7-feet high. The fabric is made of polyester taffeta and it has a 1200 mm coating.
- Storage flaps
- Freestanding style
- 360-degree view
- Ideal for summer
- No vestibule included
- Not suitable for winter
Best Cabin Tent – Core 12-Person Instant Tent
You can assemble the Core instant tent in under two minutes. That’s why it’s highly convenient for camping trips. You won’t have to endure the hassle of setting the tent up anymore.
We also like that the tent gets divided into 3 separate rooms for some privacy.
The Core tent provides a floor space of 180 square feet. It can easily fit up to 3 queen-sized beds. Also, it has two top panels for ventilation.
- Quick set-up
- Cabin style
- Freestanding structure
- Stability stakes included
- The waterproof coating is only 600 mm
- Not suitable for winter
Best Cheap Big Camping Tent – Coleman WeatherMaster 10-Person Outdoor Tent
Despite being marketed as a 10-person tent, the Coleman can fit up to 12 persons because of its spacious interior. It’s considered one of the best 10-12 person tents. Moreover, it can take up to three queen-sized beds. The tent has front and back doors. Additionally, it has zipper-style windows for ventilation.
The most prominent feature on the tent is the welded floors that keep the rainwater out. For a 12-person tent with a screened porch, it’s perfect for harsh weather conditions. It’s also claimed to withstand wind speed up to 55 mph.
Pros:
- Auto-closing screen door
- Waterproof
- High stability
- Ideal for winter
Cons:
- No window flaps
- No floor for the screened porch
Best 12-Person Tent with LED Lights – Wenzel Great Basin Camping Tent
The Wenzel tent has a highly durable build. If you want a camping tent that’ll last for years, this is the one. Additionally, it has a built-in Lite Reflect system that glows the interior. Once you direct your flashlight towards the reflective panel, the whole tent will light up.
Furthermore, the tent comes with removable dividers that separate the open space into three rooms. There are also zippered-style windows and doors for easier entry and exit.
Pros:
- Rain guard included
- Lite Reflect system
- Withstands high wind speed
- Budget-buy
Cons:
- No extra features
- The ceiling leaks water
Best Family Size Tent for Camping – Ozark Trail Spring Lodge Cabin Camping Tent
The Ozark Trail is a freestanding, cabin-style tent. Although it’s claimed to fit 14 persons, it can only do so if they sleep in bunk beds. Otherwise, it’s perfect for a 12-person family. It provides a floor space of 14×13.5 feet. Plus, it offers a lot of vertical space; it stands at a height of 84 inches.
The Ozark Trail is ideal for fair weather. It may not be the best option for winter because of its huge structure. These kinds of builds don’t offer much stability. Besides, the tent has many mesh panels. This means that it won’t be warm in cold weather.
Pros:
- High-quality strong frame
- Waterproof rainfly
- Easy set-up
- Mesh panels
Cons:
- No floor vents
- Heavyweight
Best 12-Person Tent Structure – Teton Sports Sierra Canvas Waterproof Tent
The Sierra tent has a unique canopy design that makes it stand out among the other camping tents. Furthermore, it’s easy to set up because of its two-pole structure. The design may not be the best for sleep-overs, but the tent is perfect for celebrations and outdoor days.
Moreover, the tent is made of waterproof, breathable cotton canvas. The material is highly insulating, which accounts for the warmth in winter and the coolness in summer. Additionally, the large windows offer a wide view of the outside.
Pros:
- Highly durable
- Easy set-up
- Withstands harsh weather conditions
- Poly-cotton fabric
Cons:
- No power port opening
- On the expensive end
Best 10 to 12-Person Camping Tent – NTK Super Arizona GT 12-Person Tent
The NTK tent is made from a waterproof, breathable polyethylene. Additionally, the material is anti-fungus and UV-resistant. The material accounts for the tent’s lightweight. It weighs 42 pounds, and its height stands at 6.9 feet.
Furthermore, the tent comes with color-coded poles for easier installation. Plus, its room divider is detachable in case you want open space. As for space, the NTK is among the most spacious tents on the market.
Pros:
- Easy set-up
- Leak-resistant material
- Large interior space
- Withstands tough weather conditions
Cons:
- The assembly instructions aren’t very clear
Best 12 Man Dome Tent – Core 11 Person Extended Dome Tent
The Core dome tent is made out of water-repellent fabrics. What’s more, it has a built-in active bead technology that blocks the water out while raining. The doors and windows also have sealed seams. These features ensure that you stay dry inside in rainy weather.
Furthermore, this tent’s poles are made of high-quality fiberglass. They come in color codes for easier set-up. Also, the mesh ceiling comes in handy when you want to star-gaze.
Pros:
- Core H20 Block Technology
- Ideal for winter
- Advanced ventilation system
- Mesh ceiling
Cons:
- Bulky when folded down
Best Instant Tent – Bushnell 12-Person Instant Cabin Tent
The Bushnell cabin tent is the best instant 12-person tent for a reason. It’s the sturdiest 3-room tent on my list. The steel structure that frames it will last for years. Plus, it has multiple storage flaps, which makes it highly convenient for large families.
Moreover, the 12-person instant cabin tent has an instant set-up that will save you the hassle of assembling the tent. You can assemble it and take it down in only a few minutes. However, it’s the reason that the tent doesn’t have high stability. Therefore, it’s not suitable for high wind speeds.
Pros:
- 8 windows included
- Spacious interior
- Quick set-up
- 80-inches peak height
Cons:
- Not suitable for tough weather conditions
Buying the Best Family Camping Tent – Questions You Must Ask
These are the frequently asked questions when choosing the best large camping tents.
How to Choose a 12-Person Tent
The first thing you should consider before buying large family camping tents is your goals and purposes. Here are a list of things to consider when choosing a 12 Person Tent:
Room Configuration
You’ll want a configuration of rooms that’ll fit your family. Tents can come in long styles, boxy styles, and even outdoor styles.
Height Of Tent vs Your Family’s Height
Considering the tent’s height is also essential. If your family is taller than average, you’ll need to buy a tent that has enough headspace. Additionally, tents vary in size even when they’re for a certain number of people. So, you’ll want to make sure that the size will fit your luggage.
Time Of Year / Season You’ll Use The Tent
You’ll definitely want to decide what you want to use the tent for before buying it. For starters, if you’ll use it all year long, you’ll want to get a 4-season tent. Unless you’ll only use it in summer or winter, you may want to get a tent that suits that specific season.
Moreover, some tents are heavier and harder to store than others. You’ll only want to get those if you go on long camping trips. On the other hand, a lightweight tent will be sufficient for your day trips.
Materials That Are Suitable For Your Needs
Tents can be made out of several materials. The most famous ones are poly-cotton and polyester.
Poly-cotton has excellent insulating properties. It works well for hot and cold weather. On the other hand, polyester isn’t as comfortable and quiet. However, it’s more practical for short trips, and it’s cheaper. It’s usually used to make cheap big camping tents.
Price And Your Budget Range
12-person camping tents typically start from $150. However, you can get a luxurious one at $700. The price varies according to the features available. There’ll be some features that you won’t need. So, you might want to do a check-list of your requirements and decide the budget accordingly.
What are the Best Materials for Tents?
The best materials for tents are Polyester, Nylon, and Poly-cotton. We’ll tell you how each of them works. So, you’ll be able to decide which one is best for your purpose.
Polyester
Polyester is a man-made fabric that doesn’t stretch or shrink. Additionally, it can be coated to become waterproof or UV-resistant. Most tents today are made of polyester because it’s practical and budget-friendly.
Nylon
Nylon is often used to make lightweight tents. It has similar properties to polyester; you can coat it to increase its life expectancy. However, nylon tends to stretch. So, if there’s one small tear in the tent, it can expand to become a large one, unless it’s high-quality ripstop nylon, which costs a lot more than the regular.
Poly-cotton
Widely known as cotton canvas, poly-cotton is water-resistant, mild-resistant, and UV-resistant. It insulates the tent properly. That way, you won’t get cold in winter, and you won’t feel extreme heat in summer. Furthermore, this material is more expensive than others. You may want to consider it only if you go on long trips often.
How to Clean a Large Camping Tent
For starters, you’ll want to pick a sunny day to clean the tent so that the tent can take its time to dry, especially if it’s waterproof. Additionally, you’ll need to prepare your cleaning equipment. You’ll only need a sponge, a hose, and some soap.
Before you clean the tent, check it for loose threads. That way, you can fix anything before it gets worse.
As for the cleaning process, we recommend that you do it one step at a time. Firstly, sweep the dust. Then, cover the sponge in soap and use it to clean dirty spots. Lastly, turn the water hose on and spray the outside of the tent.
The last step is leaving the tent to dry. If your tent has flaps, leave them open. However, if it’s a windy day, don’t open the tent wide to prevent dust from getting in.
How to Store a Large Camping Tent
Storing large tents can seem like a challenge, but it doesn’t have to be. There are some things that you need to watch before you store it, and you’re good to go.
First, make sure that the tent is dry. Storing it while it’s wet can damage its material beyond repair. Moreover, you should clean it before storing to prevent mold from growing.
For storing, we recommend that you use an old pillowcase or a mesh bag. Just fold the tent up and put it inside. Some tents come with a storing sack, but they’re usually too tight.
Consequently, the tent may develop a bad odor because the material doesn’t breathe well. That’s why it’s best if you don’t use them for long-term storage.
As for the poles, you’ll want to disassemble them before storing, so the cord doesn’t endure too much tension. If you don’t have enough space, just collapse the poles by starting in the middle and going toward their ends. That way, the cord should be fine.
What is the Best Brand of Camping Tents?
There are a lot of brands on the market that sell camping tents. However, only a few managed to make a name for themselves in the field.
The best brand of camping tent is Coleman. It’s a well-known outdoor brand. The company makes a wide variety of tents to match different needs. Additionally, their materials are highly durable and waterproof.
How Big is a 12-Person Tent?
12-person big tents for camping should have a floor space of 150-200 square feet. Space is usually divided into separate rooms.
Furthermore, the average room should fit about 4 sleeping bags maximum. A tent this size usually weighs around 40 pounds on average.
How Do You Set Up a 12-person Tent?
You can set up a 12-person instant tent in a few simple steps. You may need an extra set of hands to help you with the process if it’s a heavy tent. Other than that, you should be fine on your own. The process goes as follows:
- Take the tent’s parts out of the bag.
- Grab each pole and straighten it so its joints are standing.
- Have someone hold each pole in its place until you straighten the next one.
- Lift the leg poles to elevate the hubs.
- Extend the leg poles and the telescoping poles; You should hear a locking button while doing so.
- Install the stakes through the loops, making sure you keep them at a 45-degree angle.
- Install the rain fly by attaching it to the leg poles.
- Slide the awning poles though the sleeves that are positioned over the front and back doors.
- Set up separate rooms by attaching the dividers in their assigned places.
The Verdict
Our choice for the best tent for family camping will be the Alpha Camp 10-12-person Tent. It has all the features you need at a very reasonable price. Plus, its front porch is a huge advantage for sunbathing. The Coleman WeatherMaster comes close behind with its 4-season properties.
Family size tents’ camping is one of the most fun experiences you’ll ever have. No matter which tent you choose, we hope you make some good memories with it!
