Ozark Trail 12-Person Base Camp Tent with Light is an incredibly affordable freestanding dome structure for summer camping, with 8 windows and 2 doors.
Key features
- Fully freestanding.
- Fiberglass poles.
- Single-layer structure.
- 8 Mesh windows.
- 2 Doors.
- Integrated LED string.
- E-cable port.
- Large wall organizer.
- Extra tall tent.
What this is about
This 12-Person Base Camp Tent is a part of their new series that includes also tents for 9 people and for 6 people, all built in the same style. This is a simple single room construction with 16 ft diameter. Note that the manufacturer uses the name Ozark Trail 16 x 16 Sphere Tent at their site.
As you realize from the pictures this is a fully freestanding and dome-style tent, the poles are added from outside and you have no extra fly here. So this is a single-layer construction. Note also that this is an incredibly tall tent with 92 inches (234 cm) peak height. You will not find many taller tents on the market.
In fact, to the best of my knowledge, this is the largest dome-style tent currently available on the market. I have never seen a bigger dome tent. So I have added it to my list of extra large family camping tents.
Built-in LED system
So this built-in light system is a great bonus here. You have settings for high, low, and medium light, and the system is powered by a Universal Power Bank or batteries. The picture below shows the ambient. Because of this feature, I have added it to my list of lighted tents.
Ozark Trail 16 x 16 Sphere Tent – Who is it for
Capacity-wise, the tent is declared suitable for 12 people but this number is not realistic for a real camping because you do not have any storage area here. But the total floored area is indeed huge, 201 ft² (18.7 m²), and this gives 16.7 ft² (1.56 m²) per person if used by 12 people.
So I would say it is for a maximum of 6 – 7 people or so if used for camping. But a group of friends on a summer festival or an open-air concert would manage to put 9 pads on the floor. In view of its diameter, it can easily accommodate three queen air beds.
Seasons-wise and climate-wise, this tent looks like some of these expedition tents, but in fact this is not such a tent. What you have here is a summer camping tent for quiet weather conditions without much rain. The manufacturer describes it as a 3-season tent but I would not take this seriously.
The structure is with so many poles that cross each other numerous times and this makes it very strong against the pressure from any side. So indeed it will behave well in the case of winds.
However, what is missing here is a full-coverage fly and this would change a lot. As it is, with so many seams and with zippers on numerous windows and doors, this tent should not be used in a rainy area.
This tent is so affordable and it really looks cool so that it makes sense buying an extra tarp and put it above as a rain shell. You have some nice tarps from Kelty that would do the job, check this Kelty Noah’s Tarp Sun Shelter, the largest is a 20 x 20 ft square. It would not go all the way to the ground because the length of such a half-sphere is around 25 ft, but if you spread it like a roof and fix with guylines it will do the job.
Weight-wise, with its 49.08 lb (22.3 kg), this is a heavy tent with the Area/Weight ratio 0.84 m²/kg, but this is not surprising in view of so many poles. You will see how it stands when compared with some other tents in the same size range.
One thing is certain, you would not want to change your camping place frequently with such a tent. There are many poles and sleeves here.
Materials & Construction
The poles
There are 10 poles in total here and this is fiberglass. This is why the tent is so heavy. Six of them create the dome and four go around adding to the stability so you have many cross points. Everything is color-coded and you have three different colors for the poles and sleeves.
The fabric
The fabric is polyester and this is pretty much all that is provided by the manufacturer. So this is very disappointing, to say the least. There is no indication whatsoever about waterproof rating and as I said above better avoid the rain.
You have mesh and panels on all the windows and doors. Surprisingly, zippers are on all panels and this is what you would not expect in such an affordable tent. But this was a must in view of its dome structure, otherwise panels on the curved windows would not close the space.
Ventilation
This tent has many windows with mesh and panels, but if it is raining you have to keep them with panels. So it must rely on vents and you have them here 4 in total, 2 floor vents and 2 ceiling vents, one pair on two opposite sides, one floor vent is shown above. They are with mesh and zippers (you need to unzip the mesh to raise the Velcro stiffener), so this is well done, no objection here at all.
Other features
- Carry bag included.
- 26 Steel tent stakes included.
- Organizer with media center and multiple pockets is included, see the picture above.
- Several mesh pockets on the walls.
- Lantern loop on the ceiling.
- An electric cable port is available close to one of the doors.
Please see this tent live in this video:
Specifications
- Type: dome tent, freestanding.
- Declared capacity: 12 people.
- Weight: 49.08 lb (22.3 kg).
- Diameter: 192 in (16 ft; 488 cm).
- Area: 201 ft² (18.7 m²).
- Area per person: 16.7 ft² (1.56 m²).
- Peak height: 92 in (234 cm).
- Packed size: 29.1 x 11.4 x 11.4 in (74 x 29 x 29 cm).
- Warranty: 6-month limited warranty.
Ozark Trail 12-Person Base Camp Tent with Light vs Competitors
Obviously, there are no other similar summer camping tents to compare. So I have decided to show this tent side by side with two other 12-person tents that are also summer camping tents but cabin-style. This might give you some idea of the advantages and disadvantages of the two different styles.
As you realize they all are heavy, but the Core tent is with an instant setup, and those cabin tents have rooms as compared to the one room in the Ozark Trail tent. But the other two are very expensive tents, at least in comparison with this tent here which is incredibly affordable and worth considering from this point of view.
Weight, lb (kg)
Floor size, sq ft (sq m)
Peak height, in (cm)
Doors
Awning
Freestanding
Rooms
Instant
Lighted
Type
Price
Ozark Trail 12
Person Lighted Tent
49 (22.3)
201 (18.7)
92 (234)
2
no
yes
1
no
yes
dome
$
Eureka Copper
Canyon 12
38.75 (17.6)
168 (15.6)
84 (213)
2
no
yes
2
no
no
cabin
$$$
Core Lighted
Instant Cabin 12
54 (24.5)
180 (16.7)
80 (203)
2
no
yes
3
yes
yes
cabin
$$$
Final thoughts, rating, pros & cons
It is easy to get delighted when you see such a structure like this Ozark Trail 12-Person Base Camp Tent with Light. This is even more so when you see its price. But to make this a reliable tent it is necessary to add a fly, as I have suggested above, a large tarp or anything similar will do the job.
So do not make a mistake to compare its price with some of those expedition or winter tents that look similar in style. I have seen some people doing exactly this, but this is a big mistake. See below how I rate it.
Ozark Trail 12-Person Base Camp Tent with Light
Pros
- Incredible price.
- Integrated light.
- Enormous size.
- Very tall and pleasant.
- Freestanding.
- 2 Doors.
Cons
- Low rain protection.
- Heavy.
If you need more options in the same size range, check my list with 12-person tents.
Note that this is not a sponsored text and I am not paid by the brand. Please use the comment box below in the case of questions or comments. Have a nice day.
I was given this tent by a friend. Am currently homeless and trying to set it up now. I think it is missing some poles. Not a big deal but need to know the overall length of the different poles or how many poles make each one. The elastic has broken inside all the poles. Can’t find anything about lenght of poles or how many individual pets there are. Please help.
The only way is to get in touch with the brand. Ozark Trail and this tent are owned by Walmart.
Area per person
6
Weight
6
Packed size
6
Protection
2.5
Ease of use
1.5
Features
6.5
I have a dark gray pole that snapped at the end.. where would I get another supportive pole long enough to replace? I’m searching everywhere and I’m lost. Please help
Hi Savannah, perhaps there is no need to replace the whole pole. You can replace the damaged part only. Try this Coleman Replacement Pole Kit on Amazon, it is available also at Walmart. With this you should be able either to replace the pole or its damaged section.
I also see many options at eBay, search under the name replacement tent poles. Let me know in what part of the world you are, I see several more options for people in UK.
Been loving this tent since last year. Just had my August 71st birthday in it last week in August. Hadn’t taken in down, which we did last year late September , but got hit with Santa Ana wind out of no where and with tables & chairs it blew sideways. (No sand bags, but we thought secure in ground.) It Started to rip. My grandson came over it’s 6 a.m. and impossible to take it down in wind, plus with fires we have ashes all over, so he cut elastic cords. He said buy a easy pop up and down next time. Any suggestions for that size or away to replace frame pole.
Hi Elaine, my guess is it will be very difficult to find replacement poles. Ozark Trail is a brand of Walmart, it is best to contact them. But poles can be repaired, so replace only the damaged part, see this Coleman Replacement Pole Kit.
Area per person
4.5
Weight
4.5
Packed size
7
Protection
2
Ease of use
0
Features
3
Make sure you order the Chinese Army Tent crew to help you get it to stand up… Or bring a 7 foot pole to hold it up while you try to attach everything else…
So it appears you had fun pitching this tent Mark. With so many poles it cannot be easy but the tent is exceptional in shape. My rating for ease of use is quite low so yes I share your opinion. But two people can do the job if you just follow the instructions.
Area per person
7
Weight
5.5
Packed size
7.5
Protection
5
Ease of use
5
Features
7.5
This is not easy to put up, especially by one’s self. I managed to get it up by myself after much difficulty and finality getting the idea to pitch it near a tree with an overhanging limb I could toss it for over and tie to the loop atop the peak to lift it to approximate hight while bending the grey poles into position. The second time i erected it, I used my extendable a-frame ladder to hold the peak from the inside whilst i set the poles. I loved living in this solo for months while working on a gutted travel trailer.
Thank you for sharing your personal experience with this tent. Your comment will be useful for our readers. Indeed this is not a tent to move around and pitch frequently.
I bought this tent last December when it went on sale at Wallyworld.Didn’t get to use it until July this year.Was putting it up and realized it was missing one gray pole,a main pole.Got it up anyway, really like the spaceousness but was really disappointed there was no rainfly, luckily no rain, would have thought for a advertised price of almost $200 it would be included.Tried to contact Ozark Trail to get the parts missing can’t figure it out or find parts needed.Any help would be appreciated.
Hi, the tent comes without a separate fly as I pointed out in the text, so this is not missing. I also suggested seeing some tarps which you could order separately and use as an extra protection layer. As for the pole, of course this is the seller’s mistake.
I have 2 of these domes and a third metal-framed dome that is the same size. I would recommend a 20′ play parachute, with the center hole taped over with gorilla tape or something comparable. You can waterproof it with about 4 cans of spray waterproofing and its a great rain cover. It is lightweight and durable with built-in handles.
Many thanks Doug, this is an interesting addition that can work well. Though the colors of the cover are a bit unusual but I guess some will like them.