This Ozark Trail 12 Person Instant Cabin 16 x 16 3-Room Tent is an impressive 3-room structure with steel poles, 7 windows and 2 doors, suitable for warm weather family camping.
Key features & benefits
- Instant setup.
- 3 Rooms.
- 2 Doors.
- 7 Windows.
- 2 Vents.
- Awning.
- E-cable port.
- Sewn-in dividers.
- Wheeled carry bag.
Where to buy
- This tent is available on Amazon. They operate globally so follow the link and check shipping conditions for your location.
- You can find it also at Walmart.
What type of tent is this
Here you have a huge L-shaped structure which needs 16 x 16 feet ground area to set it up. This explains the numbers in its name. This is a cabin-style tent with steep and straight walls and with a partial coverage fly.
The structure is freestanding, but you should always stake it down properly and put your mind at rest. Stakes and guylines are included in the package.
Instant design: So this is an instant setup, and two people can raise this tent in 2 minutes only. Sounds incredible for such a large structure, but this is because the frame is preattached to the tent. I have included it in my list of best instant camping tents. The pictures below describe the most important steps. As you see, you unfold it and then extend its telescopic poles.
Rooms: The tent is with 3 real rooms here, and by this I mean that you have sewn-in dividers, see the picture below. There are two external doors 68 inches (173 cm) high, and two inner doors. One of the external doors is inverted-T shaped and all other doors are huge D-shaped constructions. So all the rooms are interconnected but you can close all the doors for privacy, you have panels everywhere. I have included this tent in my list of best 3-room tents.
There are 7 windows in total and they all are the double-layer type with mesh and panels. The picture below shows how it looks inside:
Awning/porch: Remember what I mentioned about its shape? So 3/4 of those 16 x 16 feet are the floored tent, but 1/4 is outside under the awning/porch shown below. This is a great addition, it extends the useful space and you have a place to sit in the shade. This area is also at least partly protected from the rain.
Note that this awning/porch is a natural part of the rain fly so you cannot detach it. The pole which you see used for the awning is included in the package. Because of all this, I have included it in my list of best cabin tents with a porch.
Who is it for
Capacity-wise, the number 12 in the name describes the declared capacity, and the total floored area is 192 ft² (17.8 m²). The floor picture shown above suggests that the 3 rooms are big enough to accommodate 4 people each. Now, the rooms are 8 x 8 feet (244 x 244 cm) each, so indeed it is possible to put 4 sleeping pads on the floor. This makes the declared capacity justified.
This declared capacity cannot work for family camping, but this holds for practically all the tents of this type and size on the market. So I have included this tent in my list with best 12-person tents for camping.
Note also that each of the rooms is large enough to have a queen size bed inside. So the tent may be useful for 3 couples, but the corner room is without its own door. In any case, this tent can indeed accommodate many people. You can have a large family here with parents and 5-6 kids. The picture below shows that it offers the best possible privacy.
Seasons-wise & climate-wise, this is a tent for warm weather camping, say for 2 seasons maximum, summer, late spring, and early autumn. The ceiling is all mesh which is great for ventilation but not for a cooler environment.
Note also that it comes with two large floor vents, see the pictures below. The vents are with mesh, so you are fully protected from insects and snakes.
The picture above shows how you can attach a cooling system. But you will be cooling the Universe from your pocket, see the ceiling to realize why:
Weight-wise, this is a heavy construction with its 61 lb (28 kg). But no worry, the carry bag shown below is with wheels. Note that the packed size is not so great, it is long, see the picture below. So all in all, this is a tent for places with a car access.
Materials
The poles
All the poles here are steel, so this is partly behind the mentioned weight of the tent. This is a strong and reliable construction. The poles are telescopic. So when you extend them you will hear a click which will signal that the desired length of the pole is achieved.
The fabric
The floor is a 1000D thick polyethylene with a bathtub design and it goes 6 inches on the sides above the ground. This is a welded construction, so completely reliable and waterproof.
The fly is a durable 68D polyester with PU coating which gives it 600 mm waterproof rating. Note that the fly attaches to the main legs poles somewhere in the middle. My understanding is that the same material is used for the walls. All the seams are taped. The mesh areas are not rated as no-see-um type.
Note also that the fabric used here meets the flammability requirements of CPAI-84.
Ventilation
There is nothing one could object regarding the ventilation. I already mentioned numerous windows with mesh, plus the huge ceiling with mesh, plus two vents. So here just to add that those floor vents are 18 x 18 inches (46 x 46 cm) large, and they are 9 inches (23 cm) off the ground.
Other features
- You have an electric cord port shown below.
- There are several storage pouches on the walls, on each of the three inner dividers, see the picture below.
- 25 Steel stakes are included in the package.
I believe this video will be useful to get some idea about this large tent:
Specifications
- Declared capacity: 12 people.
- Weight: 61 lb (28 kg).
- Dimensions: 16 x 16 ft (488 x 488 cm).
- Area: 192 ft² (17.8 m²).
- Area per person: 16 ft² (1.48 m²).
- Peak height: 82 in (208 cm).
- Packed size: 52 x 15 x 14 in (132 x 38 x 36 cm).
Ozark Trail 12 Person Instant Cabin 16×16 Tent vs Core Lighted 12 & Eureka Copper Canyon 12
I have decided to show you how this Ozark Trail tent stands when compared with two quite famous 12-person tents from some other brands. this may help in making an informed decision.
So as you see, the Eureka Copper Canyon 12 is lighter but it is smaller and it offers fewer features, and it is not an instant tent. On the other hand, the Core Lighted 12 tent is an instant type, but a bit smaller and lower. Both of them are considerably more expensive than the Ozark Trail tent.
Weight, lb (kg)
Floor size, sq ft (sq m)
Peak height, in (cm)
Doors
Awning
Freestanding
Rooms
Instant
Lighted
Price
Ozark Trail
12 Person 16x16
61 (28)
192 (17.8)
82 (208)
2
yes
yes
3
yes
no
$$
Eureka Copper
Canyon 12
38.75 (17.6)
168 (15.6)
84 (213)
2
no
yes
2
no
no
$$$
Core Lighted
Instant Cabin 12
54 (24.5)
180 (16.7)
80 (203)
2
no
yes
3
yes
yes
$$$
Final thoughts, my rating, pros & cons
So you have seen it, and you realize why it is easy to get impressed with this Ozark Trail 12 Person Instant Cabin 16 x 16 3-Room Tent. It is very functional and this is probably the most important word which I can use to describe it. The three rooms, two doors, and the awning are the most important components of this functionality. Observe also its fully sewn-in dividers, not many tents offers such a great privacy.
Make sure you use this tent in a proper environment, avoid windy areas and a climate with lots of rain, and you will enjoy camping with this tent. With such limitations, I can fully recommend it.
Please see how I rate this tent against my standard set of criteria used consistently so you can easily compare various tents here in the site.
Ozark Trail 16x16-Feet 12-Person 3 Room Instant Cabin Tent with Pre-Attached Poles
Pros
- Enormous size.
- Very pleasant & livable tent.
- Freestanding.
- Reasonable price.
- Durable materials.
Cons
- Heavy.
- No hooks/loops to hang a lamp.
- Long when packed.
You might want to check also their another tent with the same declared capacity, the Ozark Trail 12-Person Cabin Tent with Screen Porch.
Note that this is not a sponsored text, and I am not paid by the manufacturer. Please use the comment box below in the case of questions or comments. I wish you a nice day.
I would love this tent or something very similar for a more affordable price. As of today Amazon wants almost $500 for this tent. Which is exorbitant and twice what you have listed as the purchase price. Haven’t checked Walmart yet as im leary about buying tents from them. Do you know of any tents just like this one that may be closer to the $200 this one should be? Thanks!
Sorry for the price confusion, the tool which I am using is supposed to update the prices regularly. You now have the correct and daily updated price in the text. So yes it is higher.
I am not sure which size you would want. It is best that you check in my list of best 12 person camping tents if this is the official capacity that you want. Otherwise, there are tents with the price tag you mentioned but I am not sure what type and size you want.
The type of tent i want would include Either the 12 person declared capacity or bigger. Its got to have 3 rooms minimum with SEWN IN dividers. the rooms have to fit queen size air mattress with room around them. Cabin style due to needing the abilty to just walk in not crawl in and stand up as well for someone over 6ft tall. Somewhat water-resistant due to random rain showers when camping. Around$200 to $300 price tag preferably. Good air circulation. It’d mainly be used during May through September or October depending on temperatures in pa which can vary greatly. Already seen it be 70 or higher in October here hahaha.i dont camp unless its above 65° at the coldest. My bones cant handle cold weather camping anymore.
Thanks fr any suggestions you might have!
Hi Sinopa, I would suggest these:
Ozark Trail Base Camp 14.
Tahoe Gear Carson.
Jv,
These would be great if they were in stock anywhere. Sadly they are either out of stock or currently unavailable. When they are in stock the prices seem to be much higher than normal most likely due to the recent pandemic or it woud take weeks to months to recieve it. Im slightly impatient and i need a tent asap for a planned trip. My other tent is currently unusable. Do you have any info on the quest brand tents that I can actually go to a sporting goods store such as dicks in the usa and purchase? I love how in depth you go on your reviews but the majority of your tents need to be purchased online wheras I would prefer to go to a brick and mortar store to purchase one. So any tents that are available at actual sporting goods stores? Thanks
Hi Sinopa, I have seen both of these tents sold through the site very recently. I guess the web browser detects your IP address and directs you to the regional store where the tents are not available. But they may be back soon.
I do not think you will fill find large tents at Quest. But you can find many at Walmart, so follow this link.
Ive checked walmmart mu,tiple times. All they have is smzllerntent or ones with removable dividers. Yeah im in the usa so sadly a lot of the tents are either over 300 even when they should normally cost under 300 or are alwaysnout of stock. Ad eerytime walmart sends me a notification that igs in stock they aren’t actually in stock. Ive literally clicke ongjt wighin seconds of recieving the notification and it says out ot stock. Its becoming very frustrating. I live in an area where theres about 10 different campgrounds all within a 50 mil3 radius. Same with amazon. The only tent in my area availanle is over 400 whennit used to be 200 last year. Im so very frustrated. Itshpuldnt be that hard yo find a tent withsewn in didviders for under 300 yet it is damn near impossible. All i want is a large tent wiyh sewn in dividers that i can get like now not in 2 weeks. Sadly ive also been to several brick and mortar storesnincludimg Walmart dicksnsporting goods and dunhams. Theydo have large tents but no jnfo onnif there are sewn in dividers. Hence why im so very frustrated finding a tent. Also why i asked if youd done any reviews on lesser known brand tents like quest which is sold at dicks and whatever brands dunhams sells. Tents you wouldnt necessarily find online except via the stores website.
Area per person
10
Weight
7
Packed size
7
Protection
10
Ease of use
10
Features
10
I am a middle aged, disabled woman. I have owned this particular tent for well over ten years, and can honestly say it is by far the best I have ever purchased.
I have assembled this unit completely by myself on numerous occasions without issue. It is important to note, however, that this is of a high profile, straight wall design that requires a large footprint. Therefore common sense must be used when setting it up. It cannot be squeezed into a 10′ by 10′ camp pad, and care must be used to utilize the stakes with the tie downs in order to ensure it doesn’t turn into a massive kite in windy conditions.
I model my interior equipment just as I would a cabin. Each room can be separated from the others not just by a flimsy suspended piece of cloth, but by actual zip close doors. This provides exceptional privacy.
The screen room to the left is my kitchen, complete with a portable dining table and seating, and collapsible lighweight (and inexpensive) plastic shelves for cookware, utensils, a microwave, a Camp Chef propane stove/oven, etc.
The corner room is set up with an elevated airbed, collapsible shelves and 12,000 btu air conditioner.
Finally, the remaining room is used as a family area, with inflatable furniture, collapsible shelves, 32 inch flat panel television and BluRay player. I even bring along an inexpensive floor lamp!
The rainfly forms a great front “porch”/carport, under which I park my SUV.
I usually set up in the middle of campgrounds where expensive motorhomes and RVs are the norm. Believe it or not, I have actually been approached on numerous occasions by curious “neighbors” asking for a “tour” of my tent! (The owners of one RV park in South Dakota always welcomes me with open arms, and refer to my “glamorous” vacation tent as the “Taj Mahal”!)
In summary, this is an incredible tent that will offer many years of fun and shelter. Mine has withstood several severe thunderstorms, heavy rain and high winds without so much as a drop of moisture inside. Just remember to use common sense, and ENJOY!!!
Many thanks for such a detailed first-hand report, my readers will appreciate this. I really liked the “Taj Mahal” name used for the tent by the mentioned park owner. I wish you all the best.
Area per person
0
Weight
0
Packed size
0
Protection
0
Ease of use
1.5
Features
0
This is an excellent review. We had high hopes for this tent, since a close friend has it and loves it. However, the first one we got, despite following the directions very carefully, the fabric ripped away from the center pole as we were unfolding the tent. We didn’t even notice it unitl we were already inside the tent, so we thought it was torn before we got it, rather than it being an issue that came up during set up , so we returned it (Walmart customer service is great, return was painless) and got a new one. We tried again, paying close attention to the instructions – and the same issue happened. We are experienced tent campers, and have assembled many tents many times.Luckily both times, we were setting the tent up at home in anticpation of adding waterproofing spray and seam sealer. I still don’t know if it’s operator error, or maybe a manfacturing lot that just had issues (we bought the tents from the same Walmart within the same 20 day period, so that’s a possibility). I’d be interested to hear if other folks had similar issues. We were so looking forward to using this tent, we’re a bit bummed.
Many thanks Faith for such kind words and for describing your experience. It is a pity to hear this about the tent, it looks so cool in every respect. It was bad luck, and it is great to hear that Walmart was so helpful in such an unpleasant episode for you. The comment will be here so hopefully we might hear from other users as well. It was very wise from you to check it at home in a controlled situation, you are clearly experienced tent campers.