3 Best 12-Person Tents for Your Next Gang Trip

Last Updated on March, 2025

Camping and holidays are so much fun when more people join in. It’s a special moment when you’re partying with your family and friends. And, if you’ve planned an outing in a big group, you need a bigger tent. 

Now, you can’t go any bigger than a 12-person tent. Of course, there are some bigger options available but they are too hefty to deal with. 

But what should you consider when buying a 12-person tent? In this guide, we’ll take a deep dive into this matter and will share some of the best options you can avail for your next big trip.

So let’s crack on, shall we?

Best 12-Person Tents of 2024 – Top 3 Reviewed

01. Coleman Skydome XL Tent

Coleman Skydome XL Tent product image

Features:

  • Material: Synthetic
  • Season: 3-Season
  • Doors: 2
  • Ventilation: Mesh windows and ground-level vents for improved airflow
  • Interior Pockets: Multiple mesh pockets for organized storage

Dimensions:

  • Floor Dimensions: 20 ft x 9 ft
  • Interior Height: 7 ft
  • Floor Space: 180 ft²
  • Packed Size: 27 in x 12.5 in x 12 in

Coleman presents the Skydome XL 12-person tent that works very well if you’re planning for a large family car camping trip. It has enough room to fit the whole group without compromising comfort. 

The tent also features room dividers for privacy and it comes with a double door access to ensure anyone can get in and out of the tent with ease. It also features vents closer to the ground to circulate the air effectively so you can enjoy a restful night’s sleep. 

Moreover, this tent features an E-port that enables you to sneak in any extension cord right through its wall. This tent also boasts enough dimensions so you can fit in four queen-size airbeds without breaking a sweat. 

This 3-season tent is made of synthetic material that doesn’t add much weight to it and you won’t need to bother about it tearing up. With the double wall construction, water won’t enter the tent when it’s pouring down hard and the interior stays dry and comfy. 

Its aluminum poles ensure stability and can handle high winds. Furthermore, these poles come pre-attached so setting it up and breaking it apart won’t be a thing.

Its interior height is 7 feet so there’s plenty of headroom even when standing. And, with a floor area of 180 square feet, you have plenty of space to utilize. 

However, you need to keep in mind that this tent doesn’t come with a separate vestibule. So you need to keep all your gear and stuff with you in the tent. But that also means that everything you need will just be at arm’s length. 

Pros

  • Made of synthetic material for durability
  • Poles are made of aluminum for long-lasting sturdiness 
  • Plenty of head height and floor area
  • Features 2 doors for easy access
  • Low vents for maximum air circulation at night

Cons

  • It doesn’t feature any separate vestibule section 

02. CORE 12-Person Instant Cabin

CORE 12-Person Instant Cabin Product image

Features:

  • Material: 68D Polyester
  • Season: 3-Season
  • Doors: 2
  • Instant Setup: Pre-attached telescoping poles allow for setup in about 2 minutes
  • Multiple Room Capability: Comes with 2 room dividers to create up to 3 separate rooms

Dimensions:

  • Floor Size: 18 ft x 10 ft 
  • Center Height: 80 in
  • Pack Size: 49 in x 16 in x 11.5 in 
  • Weight: 47.8 lbs 

The CORE Instant Cabin truly lives up to its name when it comes to setting it up. It comes with pre-attached poles that you can lock into place within a couple of minutes once you get the hang of it. Similarly, taking it down is as simple as it can get. 

The tent boasts quality weather protection featuring H2O Block technology. This technology pairs water-repellent fabrics with a fully-taped rainfly along with sealed seams. This system works well when the rain is coming down hard. 

With this double wall design, your interior stays dry from all sides and you can just sit around in your tent nice and dry while everything is getting drenched around you. 

The ventilation system of this tent is also adjustable. The vents on this tent are low and have mesh on them. Therefore, cool air from the ground comes in and hot air from the tent goes out pretty fast. 

The tent also comes with room dividers for privacy and you can set up three separate sections within your tent. And, when it comes to organization, this tent has storage pockets along with an overhead loft to keep your stuff right next to you. The overhead loft also features a hook where you can hang a lantern for better interior lighting at night. 

The poles of this tent are made of sturdy aluminum to deal well with high winds. You won’t have to worry about your poles bending with the weight and pressure thanks to their telescoping design. 

Pros

  • Durable 68D polyester construction for longevity
  • Solid H2O Block technology for keeping the interior dry
  • Sturdy telescoping poles made of aluminum 
  • Quick to set up and take down
  • Comes with room dividers and an overhead gear loft
  • Performs well under heavy rain and wind, keeping the interior dry

Cons

  • The door zipper gets stuck with the little fabric flap at times
  • Bent poles may require customer service, potentially delaying trips

03. Eureka Copper Canyon LX

Eureka Copper Canyon LX product image

Features:

  • Material: Synthetic
  • Season: 3-Season
  • Doors: 2
  • Two Large Doors: Front and rear doors for easy access

Dimensions:

  • Internal Height: 7 ft
  • Internal Length: 14 ft
  • Internal Width: 12 ft
  • Floor Area: 168 sq ft
  • Doors: 2
  • Packed Size: 11 inches
  • Max Length: 144 inches (12 ft)
  • Max Width: 7 ft

Eureka’s Copper Canyon LX tent features sturdy fiberglass and steel poles along with corner hubs and pole sleeves to ensure that you don’t have to waste much time setting it up.

This design also makes taking the tent apart a simple process, but you need to get used to it. Try it out a couple of times at home to know which part goes where.

The tent has near-vertical walls to ensure you have plenty of standing room. It also means that you can bring in cots and air mattresses without much effort. The tent also features a couple of massive doors to make the tent more accessible. 

The Copper Canyon LX has large mesh windows that also come with waterproof curtains to ensure you get plenty of ventilation and air circulation. Therefore, you don’t need to worry about any condensation if you want to seal the tent when it is raining outside. 

The tent also provides you with an option to extend your rainfly over the doors for extra weather protection and keep the entryway dry and ultimately your interior clean. Moreover, the tent comes with a divider to create two separate rooms for privacy.

There’s an E-port in this tent that allows you to bring in an extension cord to keep all your gadgets fully powered and ready to use. The walls of the tent boast stash pockets and there’s a gear loft as well to organize all your stuff and keep everything near you. 

Pros

  • Plenty of head and elbow room to move around
  • Mesh windows and doors for excellent ventilation
  • Solid fiberglass and steel poles for durability
  • Plenty of stash pockets on the walls and a gear loft
  • Features E-port to bring in an extension cord and power your gadgets 

Cons

  • Setting it up does take time until you get used to it
  • Not ideal for extreme weather conditions

What to Look for When Buying the Best 12 Person Tent?

Camping tent in a camping atmosphere

Now, the question is what you should consider when buying a 12-person tent. There are various features you need to keep in mind when making such a purchase. And, to assist you with that we’ve developed this guide so you can get the best bang for your buck. 

Weatherproofing

Of course, a tent is your shelter out in the wild, and you need to keep your group safe from external elements. Therefore, you must consider the weatherproofing aspects of your potential purchase. 

The tent should be made of waterproof materials and it would let in water from the joints as well. Look for synthetic or denier tents as they are highly regarded for this feature. These materials also hold up well against high winds and perform well to keep the floor dry. 

The tent should also feature proper sealing to prevent cold winds from entering. Still, it should be properly ventilated to keep condensation at bay. But we’ll talk about it in a bit. 

It’s better to look for a tent that comes with a rainfly to make the design double-walled for maximum protection from the elements. The doors and windows should also feature zippered flaps that you can use conveniently. 

User-Friendliness

Be sure to look for a tent that is easy to set up and take apart. 12-person tents are pretty huge and you will need an extra pair of hands for assistance. 

You need to look for a design that comes with pre-attached poles because you won’t have to guess yourself out of it when setting up your tent. 

Of course, when you have landed at your campsite, you need to start setting it all up right away without wasting any time. The last thing you want is to get stuck when putting up your tent and everyone is waiting in the car all tired from the journey craving some rest. 

Removable Rainfly

As mentioned above, you need to look for a tent that features a rainfly so you can double-wall it for protection against the elements.

But what to do when the weather is clear and you want some fresh air circulating your tent? 

For that, a removable rainfly works like a charm. It enables you to attach the rainfly when it’s pouring down or the winds are high and detach it when the sun is out and the weather is stable. 

a campfire Tent in the mountains

Room Dividers

When camping in large groups, privacy is key. Therefore, you must consider a tent that comes with room dividers. These dividers enable you to create separate cabins within your tent for each family. 

Most 12-person tents enable you to create two cabins within, while others let you create three or maybe even four.

You can remove the dividers during the day and make one giant lounge and come the night get the dividers going for privacy. 

Ventilation

Ventilation is important as it prevents condensation within the tent. You must look for tents that have at least two doors and plenty of windows with mesh. Some tents even feature mesh ceilings for maximum ventilation. 

You can go for it if you need but be sure that your tent comes with a rain fly that you can attach on top when the weather is not right. Moreover, look for tents that have low vents as they perform better for circulating air throughout the tent.

AC Ports

Most campsites have electricity for campers. Therefore, you need to have a tent that enables you to bring in a power cord to charge your gadgets and stuff. Even if you don’t have electricity at your campsite, you still need to have these E-ports in your tent for car camping 

Cost

Now, let’s talk about the most important thing of all, price. 12-person tents vary depending upon price. Some of them can be around USD 200 to USD 300 while others may cost you over USD 500.

It’s important to consider how often you go camping in large groups. If it’s going to be a one-off endeavor then you might not need to spend a lot on your tent. But if you do a lot of group camping then you must consider a solid 12-person tent that can deal with wear and tear over time.

Still, we suggest you choose a quality tent that performs well when you’re out in the wild. You don’t want to mess up your trip just because your tent didn’t last the extent of your stay.  

Camping in a forest

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Final Thoughts

The best 12-person tent out there in 2024 is the Coleman Skydome XL Tent. it comes with all the features that you need to have in a tent of this size.

You can do base camping or car camping in large groups with it and it’s extremely user-friendly as well. 


FAQs

Technically yes, but comfort decreases with 12 people. It’s better suited for fewer occupants with gear or air mattresses. For example, the Coleman Skydome XL fits four queen-size airbeds comfortably.

No, not all have AC or E-ports. Some, like the Coleman Skydome XL, offer E-ports for easy access to power during car camping.

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Author
Dillon Morrison
I have been involved in the flashlight community since 2007. My brother has a flashlight shop from where I have tested and reviewed more than 600+ different types of flashlights. You can find more about me here.

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