Best 12 Person Camping Tents

Here you have my collection of the best 12 person camping tents that are available on the market. The list includes various types like instant tents, dark rest, cabin style, etc.

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What you have here

All the tents included in the list are 12-person tents by the declared capacity. But as I wrote in my text about tent capacity, the declared capacity is usually not realistic. Some manufacturers determine it by the number of sleeping pads they can put on the floor.

But there are some great opposite examples, where the actual capacity may far exceed the declared one. This is typically the case with tunnel tents from some European brands. Those have a huge living room plus sleeping sections, and the capacity is only measured by the number of pads you can put on the floor in the sleeping rooms. So in some cases, you could have two times more people sleeping in such a tent than what the declared capacity tells you.

Unfortunately, I have not found such examples in this 12-person size group. These are 12-person camping tents but realistically you should plan just half of this number if you are going to use such tents for real camping.

On the other hand, you should also consider all larger tents, they are in the group 11-people plus here in the site. So you have tents for 15 people, 16 people, and more.

Regarding the types and style, here in the list, you have at least one representative of the following types:

• Cabin style tents.
• Dome and extended dome type.
• Dark rest type.
• Instant setup tents.
• Double-layer full coverage fly type.
• Teepee tents.

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My list – 12 person tents for camping

Here they are ordered by the area from smaller to larger:

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1. KTT Extra Large Tent 12 Person

This is a cabin-style family camping tent with 2 rooms and 3 doors. It is tall with its 6.58 ft (200 cm) peak height, and with steep walls. I see it most suitable for the warmer part of the year and for calm weather conditions.

The frame is a combination of steel used for the legs poles and fiberglass used for the roof. As you realize from the picture, it allows for a great awning configuration that extends its inner space. 

The tent weighs 35 lb (15.9 kg) and its overall dimensions are 14.1 x 10 ft (430 x 305 cm). The area is 141 ft² (13.1 m²). Note also that this is a very affordable tent.

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2. Coleman Sunlodge 12-Person Camping Tent

This is a cabin style tent with 2 rooms and 2 doors, fully freestanding and pleasant with its 6 + 2 windows. The tent is tall, you have a peak height of 6.6 ft (201 cm).

There is an e-cable port, the frame is a combination of steel and fiberglass, and the fabric is polyester. The area of the tent is 166 ft² (15.4 m²).

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3. Eureka Copper Canyon LX 12 Tent

This is the largest tent from a famous series from Eureka. So as you realize from the picture, this is a very typical cabin style tent and it is freestanding. The area is organized into 2 rooms and you have 2 entry doors plus 6 large windows. It comes with 2 gear lofts and it is also with an electric cable port. This is a very tall tent with 7 ft (213 cm) height at the peak.

From all this, you realize that this is a very pleasant summer camping tent. The floor area is 168 ft² (15.6 m²), so this is rather tight for the declared 12 people capacity. The waterproof rating is 1200 mm, this is quite enough for summer camping. The vertical poles are steel and the roof poles are fiberglass. Setting this tent is easy in spite of its huge structure. Please see more in my review.

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4. Ozark Trail 12-Person Cabin Tent with Screen Porch

This Ozark Trail 12-Person Cabin Tent with Screen Porch is a really nicely designed summer camping tent with two floored rooms plus a screen room. I have added it also to my lists of 3-room tents.

You have 6 windows, an E-cable port, and the poles are a combination of steel and fiberglass. This is a freestanding construction. The tent weighs 44 lb (20 kg) and the floor area is 168 ft² (15.6 m²). The peak height is 90 inches (229 cm) and I have included it in my list if very tall tents.

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5. Ozark Trail 12-Person 3-Room Instant Cabin Tent with Screen Room

This Ozark Trail 12 tent is with the floor plan Y-shaped and you would not expect this when you look at its picture above. So you have the front screen room plus two back rooms, and the total area is 168 ft² (15.6 m²). Obviously, the declared capacity is 12 people and this is why the tent is here in the list.

But as you realize from the name, this is also an instant tent with a setup time of 2 minutes only. You have a steel frame that is preattached to the tent and the telescopic legs you simply extend. Note that the screen room is fully protected, with the sealed floor and panels on all sides.

The tent is high, you have 76 inches (193 cm) peak height and the fly is minimal. There is lots of mesh everywhere and the ceiling is all mesh. So this tent is perfect for summer camping in an environment without much rain and wind. Please follow the link for more.

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6. CAMPROS Tent 12 Person

This CAMPROS Tent 12 Person is a tunnel-type tent with two large doors visible in the picture above, and six windows. This is a 2-room structure supported by fiberglass poles.

With 24.3 lb (11 kg) and an area of 169 ft² (15.7 m²), this tent can be described as lightweight for its size. It is best suited for quiet-weather summer camping.

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7. Coleman Camping Tent Skylodge Instant 12 Person

The Coleman Camping Tent Skylodge Instant 12 Person is an easy-to-use 2-room tent from their series that includes many tents built in the same style. So this is the largest of them.

The tent is most suitable for calm weather family car camping in the warmer part of the year. As its name says, this is an instant setup tent, and it is very tall with its 7.4 ft (226 cm) peak height. This is why it is also in my list of very tall family camping tents. The weight is  52.71 lb (24 kg) and the area is 170.5 ft² (15.8 m²).

Note that they also have a very similar Coleman Camping Tent Skylodge 12 Person which is a non-instant type but with the same floor area.

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8. Tahoe Gear Prescott 12 Person Tent

This Prescott 12 is in this position in the list because of its 175 ft² (16.3 m²) area, so it is not particularly large for a 12-person capacity. But this is a tent with 12 windows, can you imagine this?

The tent is tunnel type and it is not freestanding. The structure is supported by its 4 fiberglass poles which create the usual loops. It has 2 doors and it comes with an E-cable port.

The waterproof rating is 1200 mm, so this is typical and enough for a summer camping tent. You might also want to know that this is a very affordable tent.

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9. CORE 12 Person Extra Large Straight Wall Cabin Tent 16 x 11

This tent is here because of its 12 person capacity, but this is a new tent on the market they launched for the season 2019. The dimensions are 16 x 11 ft and as you see from the pictures this is a very typical cabin tent. It is very tall and I have included it in my list of very tall tents for camping. The peak height is 86 inches (218 cm).

The tent is a 2-room structure with a removable divider, and it is a freestanding construction with 9 huge windows on all sides, and with 2 doors. It is well ventilated, you have lots of mesh around and two floor vents as well. There is an E-cable port as well.

If you need to see a bit more numbers, the area is 176 ft² (16.4 m²), and the weight is 40 lb (18.14 kg). The price is very reasonable, please follow the link to read more.

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10. Coleman 12 Person Skydome XL Tent

This Coleman 12 Person Skydome XL Tent is currently the largest in their Skydome series. This is a very tall tent with a peak height of 7 ft (213 cm), built as an extended-dome type, with two doors and floor vents.

Being an extended dome, the tent packs to a relatively small size. It weighs 40.11 lb (18.2 kg), so this is a lot, but note that you have an area of 180 ft² (16.7 m²).

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11. Core 12 Person Instant Cabin Tent

You see already from the name what this is about. This nicely designed cabin tent is with an instant setup, so you can have it ready in under 2 minutes. This is a 3 room structure for 12 people. You have 2 entry doors with windows plus 7 separate windows. So more pleasant it can hardly be.

The tent offers 180 square feet (16.7 m²), and they claim it is big enough for 3 queen size beds. It is well ventilated and you have 2 large vents plus lots of mesh on the ceiling. This is also a freestanding structure, but it is so big so stake it down properly, you have stakes included.

The waterproof rating is almost like an umbrella, 600 mm only, and in view of its minimal fly this tent is best suited for warm and mild summer camping areas without rain and strong winds.

Note that they have yet another version of this tent launched for the 2019 season with an integrated light system, the Core Lighted 12 Person Instant Cabin Tent.

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12. CORE Two Room 12 Person Instant Cabin Tent with Side Entrance

As you realize from the name and from the picture above, this is a tent with two large doors and you also have a 2-room design here so each of the rooms has its own door. The size of this tent is 180 ft² (16.7 m²), and the height is 80 inches (203 cm). It weighs 40 lb (18.1 kg).

This is a freestanding tent with an instant setup so you can make it ready in under two minutes. The poles are steel and this is a very strong and stable structure perfect for summer camping. Note also that the tent is with 5 huge windows. Please follow the link for more.

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13. Ozark Trail 18 x 10 Instant Cabin Tent with Integrated Led Light

The Ozark Trail 18″ x 10′ Instant Cabin Tent with Integrated Led Light is officially for 12 people, and for this it offers 3 rooms and an area of 180 ft² (16.7 m²).

This is also an instant-setup tent with a 2-minute official setup time. You have 2 doors and 6 separate windows. But as you realize from the name, it has integrated lights.

The awning shown in the picture is supported by 2 poles that are included. The tent is very tall, easy to use, pleasant, and affordable. The weight is 47.87 lb (21.7 kg), and its overall dimensions are 18 x 10 ft (549 x 305 cm).

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14. Ozark Trail Hazel Creek 12 Person Cabin Tent

This Hazel Creek 12 is what its name says, with the 12 people declared capacity and for this, you have the area of 180 ft² (16.7 m²) organized into 3 rooms. You also have one plus 5 mesh windows, an E-cable port, and LED lights that work with 6 AAA batteries. So it is included in my list with lighted tents.

The picture above shows the tent without the fly so you can see its cabin-style framed construction. The poles are steel. The tent also has two cabinets with their own support poles, they are floored and sealed, and equipped with mesh shelves. So I have included it in my list of tents with cabinets.

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15. Coleman Skylodge 12 Person Tent with Screen Room

This Skylodge 12 has a large area in its 2 rooms, you have 190 ft² (17.6 m²). The tent is also a very tall cabin-style structure with a peak height of 7.4 ft (225 cm). This is why I have included it also into my list of very tall camping tents.

The front room is with mesh on all sides, but you also have zippered panels as you realize from the picture. This room is also floored and this means fully protected. Because of this, I have included it in my list of tents with a screen room.

This is a ventilated tent with lots of mesh and with a ground vent for situations when you have to keep the panels closed. The weight is 45.31 lb (20.6 kg).

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16. Ozark Trail 16 x 16-Feet 12-Person 3 Room Instant Cabin Tent

Here you have a huge structure that needs a 16 x 16 feet ground area to set it up. The actual inner area is around 192 square feet (17.8 m²). But you also have an awning area (see the picture) roughly the size of one of the cabins, and this altogether makes it 16 x 16 ft as the name of the tent suggests.

This is also an instant tent and it is a cabin-style tent, so this tent can be pitched in under 2 minutes. This is because of the pre-attached poles, so just unfold and extend the leg poles. I have added it to my list of best instant tents for camping. The tent is freestanding, but stakes are included and don’t miss to use them, such a huge and 208 cm tall structure is not the best thing in a strong wind.

You have an electric cord port and the tent is also with ground vents that fit an air conditioner, this is good to have regardless if you have electricity in the camp or not. The tent has three large rooms, each can accommodate a queen-size bed. So it is also on my list with best 3-room tents.

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17. Ozark Trail Flat Creek 12 Person Family House Tent

This tent is 12 person and for this it has 4 rooms and around 194 ft² (18 m²) of the floored area. This includes also two extensions/cabinets plus a unique feature, a shower room. I have included it in my list of tents with cabinets.

The tent is very impressive, freestanding and tall with a peak height of 86 inches (218 cm). It is built as a cabin style tent with steep walls, it has floor vents, an e-cable port, and 8+ 2 windows. 

The weight is quite substantial, it weighs 81.04 lb (36.8 kg). But this is because of its huge size and its strong steel frame.

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18. Bushnell Shield Series 12 Person Instant Cabin Tent 18 x 11 ft

This Bushnell Shield Series 12 Person Instant Cabin Tent 18 x 11 is the largest from their Shield series which also includes a 6-person tent and a 9-person tent, all built differently. This is a steel structure with 3 rooms so I have included it in my list of best 3-room tents.

The tent comes with 8 windows, an awning, and multiple storage features. The area is 198 ft² (18.4 m²) so this is a large construction included in my list of extra large family camping tents. Note also that this is an instant setup tent. The tent is best suited for summer camping without much rain and wind. Note also that it is tall, with 80 inches (203 cm) peak height.

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19. Bushnell Sport Series 12 Person Cabin Tent 20 x 10

So this is yet another tent from Bushnell but from their different series. It offers 200 ft² (18.6 m²) of the area and this is large enough to be added also to my list of extra large family camping tents. The declared capacity is 12 people and this is why it is here in the list.

The tent is with removable dividers inside, and they create 3 separate rooms. Each of them has its own door. There are 7 windows in total and the peak height is 84 inches (213 cm). So this is a very pleasant family camping tent built in the cabin-style.

You also have an E-cable port, a large gear organizer, a floor vent, and a few wall pockets. The weight is 48 lb (21.8 kg).

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20. Ozark Trail 20 x 10 Dark Rest Instant Cabin Tent

This is an exceptional design and a tent with many great features. First what you might want to know is its instant setup. Such a giant you can make ready in under two minutes.

This is also a tent with dark rest technology so glare is strongly reduced. This is achieved through very dark materials used in the construction. The ceiling is with mesh and dark panels with zippers, so you can regulate the daylight as you wish.

You have 3 rooms here, the tent is cabin style so it is very pleasant and livable. There is an electric cable port for the power supply, and you have two double entry doors. The area is 200 ft² (18.6 m²) and the peak height is 80 inches (203 cm). Please read more in my full review.

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21. Ozark Trail 12-Person Base Camp Tent with Light

There are no many dome-style tents of such a size on the market. In fact, this Ozark Trail tent is the largest dome tent that you will find. So the declared capacity is 12 people and the area is 201 ft² (18.7 m²). I have added it to my list of extra large tents. But this is also a very tall tent with 92 inches (234 cm) peak height and it is in my list of very tall tents.

The structure is a single layer with the poles that are added from outside as you see in the picture, so there is no extra fly here. You have 2 doors and 8 windows, and all of them are with mesh and zippered panels. Observe also that it comes with an integrated light system. So I have included it in my list of lighted tents.

The tent is heavy and with poles that are fiberglass and there are 10 of them with many cross points so the structure is very stable and strong. This is a tent for summer camping, it is best to avoid areas with lots of rain unless you add some extra tarp above.

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22. NTK Super Arizona GT Tent

This is an unusual structure with 2 rooms. The tent offers 210 ft² (19.5 m²) of the floor area. This is a two-layer structure with the inner tent and a full-coverage fly, so this makes it rather unique among the tents of this type. Note that you have a 2500 mm waterproof rating for the fly, and the floor is waterproof polyethylene, so you definitely have full weather protection with such a tent. This is a 3-season camping tent.

The poles are fiberglass and this is not its best feature. There are two entry doors and they are with mesh for ventilation. The tent allows for an awning configuration. In view of all these features, it is no surprise that it is so highly rated on Amazon with an average rating of 4.7/5. Please see more in my full review.

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23. Tahoe Gear Gateway 10 to 12 Person Deluxe Cabin Family Camping Tent

Here you have an interesting L-shaped 2-room tent with 2 doors visible in the picture above, and with many windows. Such a structure is very suitable for warm weather camping. The ceiling is all mesh and you also have one floor vent visible above.

The tent is non-freestanding but the setup is not complicated in spite of its great size. You have around 215 ft² (20 m²) of the area here and the tent is tall with its 84 inches (213 cm) peak height.

You also get 2 E-cable ports and a decent waterproof rating with taped seams. Note that the tent is quite heavy with its 39.6 lb (18 kg), but this is normal when you see its size.

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24. Guide Gear Teepee Tent 18 x 18

This Teepee is a single-pole structure with 4 solid windows and 5 vents (two low vents and one on the top). The structure is huge and it offers more than 230 ft² (21 m²) of the area. The official capacity is in the range of 10 – 12 people.

In spite of such a size, one person can easily set this tent up in some 15 minutes or so. This is also a very lightweight tent for such a size, it weighs 23.15 lb (10.5 kg). It is also very packable, the carry bag measures 32.3 x 10.2 x 9.8 inches (82 x 26 x 25 cm).

The single-pole is steel, and the tent body is polyester with a 1000 mm waterproof rating. The floor is thick and waterproof polyethylene. Note also that this is a very affordable tent.

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25. Tahoe Gear Bighorn XL 12-Person Teepee Tent

This Bighorn XL teepee is with a declared capacity of 12 people, and this is quite realistic. You have 230 – 237 ft² (21 – 22 m²) of the area so the tent can accommodate such a number of users.

This is a floored teepee with one central pole, so the structure is not freestanding. It is essential to stake it down properly before you add the pole and raise the tent. One person can easily do the job in under 15 minutes.

You have 2 doors and 4 PVC windows. The tent also has 4 low vents plus a top vent, so you have enough air circulation. The waterproof rating is 1000 mm and this should be enough for such a construction, it is suitable for 3-season camping. Note that it is very affordable as well.

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How to choose a 12-person tent

Regarding the capacity

I already mentioned this capacity issue above. It is always the best idea to check the dimensions and the actual floor area, so do not rely on the declared capacity. Most of the tents can indeed accommodate 12 people in the sense that you can put 12 sleeping pads on the floor, but you would not have much space left for the gear.

You can optimize space by using bunk cots. This is particularly suitable for those cabin tents because of their tall and straight walls.

Regarding the climate & seasons

You have seen a number of great cabin-style tents here. So those are with mesh on the ceiling and with a minimal fly that covers only the roof. But this is why you have so many windows and great views around. Such a type is great for warm weather and for calm conditions, but do not think of using them in a cooler climate and with lots of rain and wind.

For such a colder climate better go for some of the tunnel tents, but only those that are built as enclosed constructions. I am stressing this because there are tunnel tents here that are for summer camping only.

Regarding the setup

If you want an easy and fast setup, then go for instant camping tents. You will see some examples here. Those are giants but you can set them up in just a couple of minutes. This is because of:

• the frame that is preattached to the tent and,
• because of their telescopic poles.

But you will also notice that these instant tents are longer when packed than the tents that are not instant, so you will need a bit more space in the car. Note also that teepee tents with their single pole construction are also easy to pitch.

Freestanding or not

There are examples of freestanding tents here, and those are in the group of cabin tents and dome tents. Tunnel tents are rarely freestanding. The tents that are not freestanding, must be staked down properly before you add the poles. Typical examples are teepee tents.

But those are all large tents and do not even think of using them before staking them properly. So freestanding or not, this does not really matter.

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Final thoughts & Editor’s Choice tent

Editor’s Choice

Thank you for reading. Do you have some experience with these large tents? If so, please let us know, there is a comment box below. Have a nice day.

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