Best 12 Person Tent To Fit You All

Whether you’re towing along your family, or hosting a getaway with friends, choosing a roomy 12 person tent is an excellent choice. Regardless of how many people have to share it, you’ll have ample room to stretch your legs.

With this in mind, we’ve gone with the NTK Super Arizona GT for its roominess and excellent durability.

The best 12 person tents come with extra compartments than smaller models, providing excellent privacy. This works out fantastic, whether you have kids or are camping with friends.

In this article, we’re going to review the following 12 person tents:

Best Tents for Twelve People

A high-quality tent is imperative when going camping, so we took extra care when selecting the best 12 people tents. Taking into the key features further down, we managed to find our top seven.

Super Arizona GT up to 12 Person Tent by NTK
Dimensions:  6.9 x 10.2 x 20.6 feetWeight:  39.77 pounds

NTK’s Super Arizona GT tent is perfect for families or couples who travel together. It offers spacious accommodation where up to 12 people can fit effortlessly.

When you first walk into the tent, you’ll notice how roomy it feels. You get 6.9 feet of headroom, two doors and three windows to bring in some natural light.

NTK included a detachable room divider. Attaching this inside the tent instantly creates two separate quarters for privacy. Around the tent’s interior are spacious utility pockets and a loft for gear storage, adding to this tent’s utility.

The tent is durable, too — NTK made sure it would protect from rain and sun. Covering it, you’ll have a rainfly composed of a double layer of polyurethane laminated polyester and a water column. This combination makes it fully waterproof and UV-resistant.

The interior consists of a layer of ultra-thin polyester no-see-um material — a special insect net preventing even the smallest creepers from entering.

For the frame, there are fiberglass rods, and to make the set up easy, you’ll have an aluminum pin-and-ring system. Lastly, the floor is a heavy-duty, anti-fungus polyethylene that works to keep water and moisture out.

PROS

  • Spacious 6.9-foot height.
  • Included detachable room divider.
  • Rain and UV protected.
  • Heavy-duty floor.

CONS

  • Included storage bag is fragile and small.
Prescott 12-Person 3-Season Family Cabin Tent by Tahoe Gear
Dimensions:  6.5 x 10 x 20 feetWeight:  31.6 pounds

The Tahoe Gear Prescott is a three-season tent, measuring 20 feet by 10 feet. If you’re taking the whole family on a trip, this tent is it.

On the inside, you have a spacious 200 square feet surface where up to 12 people can sleep comfortably. To maximize your sleeping space, Tahoe Gear recommends that you place all the sleeping bags at the center — you’ll then have room in the front and back for gear.

It’s an oval-shaped tent, so you don’t get the roomy L-shape, but the high ceiling makes up for that. At the tallest point, the roof reaches 6.5 feet, allowing almost anyone to stand up straight. Once erected, on all sides are large windows, bringing in natural light.

For the body and rainfly, Tahoe Gear used sturdy 190T polyester and a 1,200mm coating to make it rain and UV-resistant.

The setup is straightforward with shock-corded fiberglass poles.

PROS

  • Large interior and high center ceiling.
  • Durable body and rainfly.
  • Large windows.
  • Easy to set up.

CONS

  • Floor tears easily.
Dimensions:  7 x 12 x 20 feetWeight:  39.6 pounds

If you’d like luxury while away camping, have a look at this tent by Tahoe Gear. It’s a weather-resistant tent, complete with a few surprises. We particularly like the panoramic view with windows all around, even on the roof.

Spacious is a generous word for this Tahoe Gear tent. You’ve got 7 feet of head clearance in most locations. The walls are tall, allowing you to move about freely without bumping your head or rubbing shoulders with others.

The body consists of a durable 1,200mm polyester fly, finished with fly seams. It protects you from both hot and cool weather. On top of the fly, the solar shield deflects sunlight, preserving a cool temperature inside. In addition, the polyethylene binding floor provides a water-resistant surface, keeping you and your gear safe.

If it should get windy, like on one of our most recent trips when we nearly blew away, you can secure the fly with heavy-duty ropes, which are secured from the inside.

Included in the bundle are thorough instructions as well as a carry bag.

PROS

  • Roomy interior.
  • Multiple windows for visibility.
  • Weather-resistant material.
  • Waterproof floor.

CONS

  • Fragile poles.
12-Person Extra Large Straight Wall Cabin Tent by CORE
Dimensions:  7.1 x 11 x 16 feetWeight:  41 pounds

If you’re searching for a tent that feels more open and spacious, Core has a fantastic example here. The 12-person straight wall tent gives you a roomy floor space of 16 feet by 11 feet with a 7.1 feet ceiling. You can easily fit four queen-sized air mattresses or several sleeping bags in there.

Core offers you two entrances — T and D — one at the front and the other in the back. This comes in handy when you pull up the space divider, as it gives each room more privacy.

When you remove the rainfly, you’re opening up a mesh ceiling, giving you a large sky window. This, along with the side windows, gives you a panoramic view of the surroundings.

Still, if the weather should get worse, the rainfly features H2O Block Technology, keeping you dry inside. On the warm days, however, the advanced ventilation system will draw in cool air from the ground. When it’s colder, close the vents to preserve the heat inside.

The exterior consists of 86D polyester with a 115 gsm polyethylene floor. The tent comes with 22 stakes to keep it grounded.

PROS

  • 360-degree windows.
  • Spacious interior.
  • Room divider and two entries.
  • Water-repellent rainfly.

CONS

  • Difficult to assemble.
Two Room 12 Person Tent with Side Entrance by CORE
Dimensions:  6.7 x 10 x 18 feetWeight:  40 pounds

For summer campers, we suggest you have a look at this 12 people tent from Core. With a removable rainfly, you can enjoy a panoramic view, perfect for stargazing on a warm summer’s day.

To help you get through the hot summer, Core included an advanced ventilation system. This consists of vents near the floor that draw in cool air while pressing the heat out through the mesh ceiling. Don’t worry; when the weather is cold, you can close the vents, preserving the warm air inside.

For those who have less experience with tents, you’ll love the next feature. Core made sure the tent is effortless to set up — it comes with a special ten-leg pole design. The poles are pre-attached, so all you do is lift the tent, extend the legs and it clicks into place.

The interior of the tent is roomy. You’ll have a 6.7 by 10 by 18 feet floor plan where 12 adults can sleep comfortably. In the middle, you can zip up the room divider, giving you two private areas, each with their own entrance.

Core also made sure that no water seeps in by heat sealing the seams from top to bottom.

PROS

  • Advanced venting system.
  • Panoramic views.
  • Waterproof rainfly.
  • Easy setup.

CONS

  • Some of the zippers tend to snag.
Copper Canyon 12-People Tent by Eureka
Dimensions:  7 x 12 x 14 feetWeight:  38.75 pounds

If you’re heading out with friends and are looking to preserve your privacy, we highly recommend the Copper Canyon. Eureka has your privacy in mind by including two rooms in this 12-people tent.

Included in the bundle is a detachable divider curtain that transforms the Copper Canyon into a two-room tent. The interior feels spacious with almost vertical walls, so there’s plenty of room for cots or airbeds. In all, you’ve got 7 x 12 x 14 feet of space, so it isn’t the largest tent in this feature, but it’s still spacious.

A remarkable feature is the E! Power Port, which allows you to bring an electrical power cord into the tent. You can use it to charge your phone or lights. This combines well with multiple storage options with pockets and gear lofts.

Another aspect that we appreciate is the six large windows. These provide a 360-degree view as well as natural cross-tent airflow. When you need privacy, you can zipper them closed.

The Copper Canyon tent is easy to set up. It features a clip, pole sleeve and a ring/pin assembly that’s straightforward, even for a tent novice. The only issue we’d like to mention is that it’s not 100 percent waterproof.

PROS

  • Room divider included.
  • Spacious floor and height.
  • Electrical power cord port.
  • Large windows.

CONS

  • Rainfly not fully waterproof.
  • Poles are rather fragile.
12-Person 3-Room Instant Cabin Tent by Ozark Trail
Dimensions:  6.8 x 16 x 16 feetWeight:  61 pounds

For campers who don’t have hours to set up their camp, we found this 12-people tent from Ozark Trail. With a super easy setup, Ozark Trails boasts that you can have it ready in under two minutes. Perhaps this is a bit of a long shot unless you’re an expert, but it’s nonetheless a straightforward process.

All the poles come pre-attached, so all you need to do is open and extend. Once unfolded, you get to see just how spacious it is. Ozark Trail promises a 6.8-foot central height with windows on all sides.

The interior can easily fit three queen-sized airbeds or up to 12 sleeping bags. You can divide the floor using two room dividers, giving you three separate spaces total.

You can comfortably camp out during the summer thanks to the ventilation system. Inside, there’s a vent near the floor, drawing in cool air from the ground. You could also fit an air conditioner.

Also included are a rainfly and carry bag. To keep moisture out, the manufacturer used fully taped, factory-sealed seams. This combines well with the durability of the 6-inch thick, tub-styled material floor.

PROS

  • Effortless to set up.
  • All-around windows.
  • Room for three queen-sized airbeds.
  • Moisture-proof.

CONS

  • Not enough storage compartments.

What to Consider When Finding the Best 12 People Tent

Ease of Setup

One of the most crucial points to consider when choosing a tent is how easy it is to set up. A complicated setup means lots of frustrations.

When it comes to tents, you’re generally met with a choice between freestanding and non-freestanding.

The tents on our review list are non-freestanding. Some, including the Two Room Tent by Core, are specially designed to make set up easy. It works similarly to a freestanding tent, but with the security of stakes.

Freestanding Tents

Freestanding tents are those that don’t require any stakes in the ground. They have pre-attached poles, making them easy to set up. Because there are no stakes, you can easily pick them up and move them. However, they aren’t as safe in windy conditions.

Non-Freestanding Tents

Non-freestanding tents are the old-fashioned ones, where you’ll need ropes or cords attached to stakes that secure them to the ground. They’re generally more weatherproof and are lighter to carry. They can, however, be cumbersome to set up.

Comfort Features

Tent Size

With tents, you’ll have to provide the sleeping arrangements, for example, a sleeping bag or air mattress.

So when it comes to your comfort, the focus on the size. Even though all the tents we feature can house 12 people, not all are equally spacious. If you’re going to travel with several people, you need extra room.

Think about what you’re using to sleep in — are you bringing queen-sized air mattresses or simple sleeping bags?

Amount of Rooms

It may sound crazy if you aren’t used to large tents, but many do offer two to three rooms. The manufacturer will include a room divider that you can attach in certain areas for more privacy.

Sometimes, they’ll give you one large space and a smaller one, which is excellent if you’re hauling extra gear. If you’re traveling with coupled friends, we highly recommend looking for room dividers. This way, everyone can have their private space without being totally separated.

Windows and Views

Tents can often feel confined and closed off, so having a window or two helps open up the space.

Fortunately, most 12-person tents come with large windows. Many even have a mesh window on top, like the Gateway Deluxe Cabin from Tahoe Gear, allowing you to watch the night. During the day, you can enjoy the fresh air and daylight.

If, however, you choose a tent with a mesh roof, ensure that it includes a rainfly, or that you can find a compatible one. Mesh won’t protect you from rain or strong winds.

Ventilation

If you’re planning on camping out during the summer, look for a good ventilation system. If the tent has windows, then that’s fine. However, some include a special design, where vents pull cool air in from the ground. It then pushes out the heat, creating a comfortable atmosphere.

Keep in mind that heat exhaustion can easily occur, especially after a day walking in the sun.

Gear Storage Features

Having a designated spot to place your gear is excellent when living in a tent. Sadly, it’s not always fulfilled — not all tents include pockets or other places for equipment.

During your search, pay attention to how many pockets and storage spaces the tent offers. Some, such as the Copper Canyon tent from Eureka, offer a suspended storage “loft,” which is a mesh pocket extended from the ceiling. These are fantastic for storing items, including pillows or clothes.

Weatherproof

The best weatherproof tents are those that include a protective layer keeping you safe from rain and UV rays.

Many 12-people tents have something called a rainfly. This is an additional layer that you attach to the top to protect the interior.

To avoid waking up in a puddle, look for durable, waterproof floors. Some tents have a tub-styled floor, which is fantastic for keeping the moisture out. But, of course, always be smart about where you place your tent.

Climate and Seasons

Do you need a tent that you can use all year round, or are you only going to travel during specific months? Not all tents are suitable for winter use — all on our list are best suited for three seasons: summer, autumn and spring.

Benefits of a 12-Person Tent

Space for Gear

With a 12-person tent, you’ve lots of room to spare, even if there are 12 of you. These tents often have individual storage compartments or even entire rooms dedicated to gear.

A Little Elbow Room

You don’t have to be traveling 12 people to enjoy this type of tent. They’re usually recommended for folks who enjoy having that extra elbow room. They add some luxury to camping since you have a mini house to live in.

Tall-Person-Friendly

12-people tents almost always offer ample head clearance — most will give you at least 6.5 feet.

A little pro tip: look for vertical walls if you want extra height. Vertical walls automatically give you more height than slanted ones.

Extra Features

Many 12-person tents come with a few extra features. These generally include one or two room dividers, panoramic views, advanced ventilation systems and spots for electrical cords to enter the tent.

Conclusion

Whether you’re going away with a group or love your elbow room, a 12-person tent is a fantastic investment. Today’s clear winner is the Super Arizona GT up to 12 Person Tent by NTK because not only does it offer space, but it’s weatherproof and durable, too.

For our runner up, we chose the Tahoe Gear Prescott for how easy it is to set up and large windows for that panoramic viewing. It’s also one of the most visually attractive 12-man tents on the market.

When choosing your tent, consider how much space you’ll need — some tents are more spacious than others. Combine this with the extra features and especially whether it’s weatherproof.

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