Coleman WeatherMaster Large Camping Tent
The North Face 2-Meter Dome 8-Person Tent
Mountain Trails 10-Person Large Camping Tent
The thought of going camping right now may seem a tad unappealing – unless you like to give yourself a challenge – but soon the weather will turn and you’ll be able to enjoy the wonders of nature without running water, TV, or even electricity. If this sounds terrifying, you can at least call around your friends, family, and Bigfoot camping buddies and treat yourselves to one of the best large camping tents to make this year’s camping season the best yet.
Why would you want to camp with a large group though? Well, apart from getting out the house and – you know – socializing, it gives everyone a chance to form new bonds while also not feeling like they’re forced to do anything they don’t want. A large group of campers and we say that meaning around 10 – 12 people, is big enough so there’s always someone willing to do something so you don’t have to feel left behind or lonely, but also not too large it becomes a cluster of confusion. Nobody wants that, but they do want to enjoy themselves, so let’s see what we’ve got.
The Best Large Camping Tent
1Coleman WeatherMaster Large Camping Tent
The Coleman WeatherMaster 10-Person Outdoor Tent is a triumph of camping equipment and that’s why we’ve placed it right at the top of our selection for the best large camping tents. It’s large enough for 3 queen sized air mattresses while still offering extra room for bags and other accessories, and the doors are hinged for easy in and out.
The patented WeatherTec system ensures no flooding which is enhanced with zipper protection, and the strong frame offers wind resistance for those days where it feels a hurricane is sweeping through right next door. There’s also a built-in room divider which transforms the interior from a large individual space to a multi-room tent to give yourself some privacy when you’re getting changed and sleeping. These walls may not keep out the dulcet tones of your aunt’s snoring, though, but hopefully, the sounds of nature will drown that out.
Enough room for 3 queen-size beds
WeatherTec system with patented welded floors and inverted seams for dryness
Hinged front door allows easy entry and exit
Room divider ensures privacy
- BrandColeman
- Model2000028058
- Weight31 pounds
2CORE 9 Person Extended Dome Large Camping Tent
The Core 9 Person Extended Dome Tent is an awesome, easy to set up option that won’t set you back too much, meaning there’s more cash left to spend on sweet, sweet BBQ food and booze. It’s deceivingly larger than what the pictures suggest, which is always a bonus but is still something to consider before purchasing.
There’s enough space inside for 3 air mattresses, and you can amplify your floor space with the gear loft and lantern hook, keeping bags and similar accessories off the floor. This protects them from damp, but only if damp would be a problem – hint: it won’t be. The Core H20 Block Technology keeps your trip dry and comfortable and prevents moisture or cold to breach the walls, allowing you to focus on the trip, instead of trying to stay warm. You might be surprised at how effective it is, but once you get over this and embrace the potential, you’ll have a large camping tent with ample room for you, your family, and the pets.
Large enough for 3 queen air mattresses
Core H20 Block Technology and an adjustable ground vent
Gear loft with lantern hook and pockets for organization and cleanliness
Electrical cord access port if you have a generator or similar power source
- BrandCORE
- Model40004
- Weight20 pounds
3Kodiak Canvas Flex-Bow Deluxe Large Camping Tent
Family size tents are a must-have for generational lovers of the great outdoors and this Kodiak Canvas Flex-Bow Deluxe 8-Person Tent is an excellent option to inspire the love of the woods in your kids and convince your partner that roughing it isn’t all bad. The Hydra-Shield construction protects from adverse weather and is waterproof while still being breathable. This is made possible with the two tunnel-flow vents that regulate the airflow and the temperature, so you’ll be comfortable whatever the weather’s like on the other side.
There are also two doors for multiple access points along with four large windows for you to enjoy the picturesque vistas even if the rain is pouring. For nighttime privacy, you can cover these windows with the no-see-um panels. Sure, it’s a little more expensive than what we’ve seen so far, but we believe all this does is encourage its quality and gives you a tent that’ll last a long, long time.
Durable, watertight, and breathable Hydra-Shield construction
Dual large D-shaped doors for multiple access points
Two tunnel flow vents to regulate air flow and temperature
Four large windows that maintain privacy with no-see-um mesh panels
- BrandKodiak Canvas
- Model6014
- Weight84.6 pounds
4Coleman Montana Large Camping Tent
The Coleman Montana 8-Person Tent is only slightly smaller than our previous Coleman pick (see at the top), but we love it just – okay almost – as much. Despite not having room for 10 people, there’s still enough to fit 8, and the interior has enough space to fit 3 queen mattresses, although there may not be as much space for bags and similar equipment. The extended door awning allows you to keep gear and luggage, so you can resolve this small space issue easily. Moving on, the WeatherTec system ensures all corners and seams are secure, protecting you from waking up confused and floating, maybe feeling a little seasick.
Part of the hassles of camping is the laborious set up once you find your campground, however, Montana allows for a fast, simple set up between 15 to 30 minutes, depending on how experienced you are at pitching tents. For smaller groups, it’s an excellent option, and as the official tent of the Parks Foundation, we’re not surprised it’s so good.
Spacious enough to fit 3 queen size air mattresses comfortably
WeatherTec system with welded corners and inverted seams
Extended door awning to keep gear and equipment dry and off the tent floor
Fast set up and easy-transport carry bag included
- BrandColeman
- Model2000027941NP
- Weight24.5 pounds
5Mountain Trails 10-Person Large Camping Tent
Our pick for the best value tent is the Mountain Trails 10-Person Grand Pass Tent which boasts shock-corded fiberglass ping and ring system that allows for quick, simple setup and ensures excellent stability and grounding once complete. It’s as easy to take down as it is to erect, too, with a straightforward and stress-free Stow-n-Go duffel carry system that helps you get on your way in a matter of minutes when it’s time to head back to reality.
A 10 person tent can get a tad stuffy though, so it’s a good job the large mesh roof ensures comfortable ventilation to prevent that always-ominous cabin fever and keeping your camping trip looking more like a Disney movie than some low-budget slasher film. The dual D-style doors will also help keep you dry because there’s nothing worse than going for a hike in wet socks.
Shock-corded fiberglass pin-and-ring system for fast set up
Large mesh roof vents allow excellent ventilation
2 large D-style doors protect from rain
Convenient Stow-n-Go duffel carry system
- BrandMountain Trails
- Model36446
- Weight3.53 pounds
6Wenzel 8 Person Klondike Tent
What we love about the Wenzel 8 Person Klondike is how great it is for chilling out and relaxing at the end of a long day of hiking, exploring, fishing, or whatever else you can get up to while camping. The large front awning works as an excellent camping porch where you can fold out a chair, put your feet up, crack open a beverage and admire what’s around you.
The mesh roof vents offer great airflow, which is ideal for an 8 person tent, especially one that’s suitable for 3 seasons capable of protecting you and your camping group sufficiently, so much so, that you may not even realize what’s going on outside your tent walls.
Large front awning provides a camping porch for end-of-day relaxation and weather protection
Mesh roof vents for ventilation and air flow
3 season design for versatile camping options
Gear loft to prevent possessions getting damaged
- BrandWenzel
- Model36424B
- Weight27.3 pounds
7The North Face 2-Meter Dome 8-Person Tent
It wouldn’t be a list of the best large camping tents without including this mammoth – if a little pricey – option from The North Face, whose 2-Meter Dome 8-Person Tent is an excellent option for truly, really, deeply serious campers who love to explore the more extreme areas of our beautiful planet.
You may be put off by the price (we weren’t sure we were seeing it right at first, either), but this only solidifies its quality, and the tent has a chimney vent that regulates temperature and reduces condensation when you’re waiting to head off at base camp. If you’re still not convinced, the exterior windows allow you to check out your surrounding, which depending on where you set up camp may be worth the money.
Chimney vent to regulate temperature and reduce condensation
Exterior windows for base camp views
Steep walls ensure maximum user space with interior canopy hang loops
Dual doors for multiple entry and exit points
- BrandThe North Face
- ModelT0A557712
- Weight2.2 pounds
8Browning Camping Big Horn Two-Room Tent
The Browning Camping Big Horn Two-Room Tent doesn’t just inspire images of the great dust bowl and frontiers and the wildest of wests in the world, it’s also a huge tent perfect for large groups of friends and family planning to escape the absurdity of the modern world and live off the land for the rest of their days.
The freestanding design may cause some concerns, but it’s actually more effective than you’d first believe and the resilient fiberglass poles provide extra stability where other designs could falter under extreme weather. The 6 windows and 2 large doors give you the chance to gaze out into nature, while the extra tall center allows for a massive amount of room, which you can cordon off with a useful room divider.
Freestanding design and fiberglass poles for extra stability
Extra tall center for maximum space with room divider for privacy
6 windows and 2 large doors
Mesh storage pockets to keep valuables and other items
- BrandBrowning Camping
- Model5795011
- Weight34.6 pounds
9Barebones Lodge Tent
With what is possibly the biggest camping tent ever made (at least recently, anyway) the Barebones Lodge Tent is nothing like what the company name suggests. Capable of housing a crowd of 12 people, there’s more space than you’ll ever need, and it can function as a refuge for not-so-happy campers or merely a pop-up workshop to help you stay out of the blistering heat.
This versatility is further enhanced through strong poles, which can withstand 1000 pounds of snow load (which is the equivalent of 2.61 Big Shows) and not even quiver at winds hitting speeds of 90 mph. The custom fabric construction, which is more reliable and durable than canvas, is also resistant to mildew and condensation, ensuring excellent comfort and breathability.
Capable of housing up to 12 people
Strong poles and material able to withstand snow and wind
Custom fabric prevents condensation and improves comfort
Attachable floor and extended all-weather cover for maximum protection
- BrandBarebones
10Ozark Trail Family Cabin Tent
If you need a large family tent – even if only to get some space between you and your know-it-all older brother, the Ozark Trail Family Cabin Tent could be the one for you. It offers full coverage to ensure maximum weather protection whether (ha) you’re dealing with sun, sleet, or snow, in addition to almost-inevitable showers.
Inside, you can fit three queen air mattresses and it’s also high enough to stack them if you need additional space during the day for changing, organizing, or simply relaxing. Even better: the center and side doors are an excellent solution to guarantee privacy, regardless of whether you need it from nearby campers or curious, voyeuristic wildlife.
Full coverage fly ensures maximum weather protection in all conditions
Capable of fitting 3 queen air mattresses with room to spare
Max 10 person housing possibility
Center and side doors provide privacy options
- BrandOZARK
11E-Z UP Cube Popup Outdoor Camping Tent
Our final pick is an excellent choice for a family tent that’s sure to appeal to every member of the household but particularly your favorite barking friend. The E-Z UP Cube Popup Outdoor Camping Tent comes with excellent ventilation, easily accessible doors, and even a pet portal for them to come and go as they please. You may need to train them to zip up after themselves though.
It’s easy to set up and take down, eliminating any of the stress that plagues too many camping trips every year. There’s no need for tools, but you can probably get away with barking orders from the comfort of the best camping chair. You’ll also not need to worry about it collapsing while you’re out exploring the wide world around you. The Cube comes with heavy duty hooks that are specially designed to keep everything upright while the water- and bug-proof tub bottom may be a little unorthodox but is crucial for keeping out potential disaster and annoyances.
Fast set up for convenience with no tools
Excellent air flow mechanics with screened windows and doors and polyester flaps for privacy
Waterproof and bug-proof tub bottom flooring for peace of mind
Built in pet portal for four-legged friends – furry or not
- BrandE-Z UP
- ModelCC10SLLA
- Weight14 pounds
Large Camping Tent Buying Guide
How Do We Choose Our Selection Of Large Camping Tents?
It’s too cold where we are to try them out for ourselves (plus we don’t have enough friends to fill a tent, wah), so instead, we looked at these four factors to narrow our selection down to the awesome twelve options you see above.
Brand - Top quality brands will provide the best camping experience. To make out the selection, we focused on the best brands that a well-known among the camping community and general outdoor adventurers. These brands have typically been in the game for a long time and so have perfected the art of the perfect tent, making all the considerations necessary to ensure you enjoy your camping trip.
Reviews - As we said, we didn’t have time to check out every tent ourselves, so we relied on the wonders of reviews from hardened campers with large families and lots of friends to tell us everything we needed to know. If the reviews told us a tent was prone to leakage, difficult to assemble, or far too heavy, we looked for another option until we finally found a selection we’re happy with, and we hope you are, too.
Quality - High quality is essential whatever you buy, but for a tent, the quality is pretty much what makes the whole experience. Tents which were poorly constructed with unsatisfactory materials don’t cut it, so we only picked tents that boasted excellent quality to ensure you don’t get any nasty surprises when you go out into the wilderness.
Price - Some people believe decent tents are expensive, and we guess in a way some of them are, but considering they’re used more than once, you will get your money’s worth. That being said, some extremely good tents may be a little out of the budget for some (but not all) of you. To counteract that, we found a range of highly affordable tents to ensure everyone gets the chance to rough it in the great outdoors no matter their budget.
Plus, if you live on twigs and leaves like a proper outdoorsman you can justify spending a little extra to be comfortable and dry.
Features To Look For In Large Camping Tents
Before deciding on your new family camping tent make sure you know what to look for to find the best deal for you with enough space for everyone to sleep, easy transportation, reliable materials, and easy access, among other features.
Sleeping Capacity - Extra large camping tents typically have enough room for at least 8 people but you should still consider where they will sleep. Most large tents have enough room for 3 queen-size beds, but it could be two depending on the shape and the brand.
If you buy a 3 room tent or 2 room tent, you can separate couples, adults, kids, or families and give everyone their own shared sleeping space.
Sometimes, it’s wise to buy a tent larger than you need and it’s advised to buy one that sleeps one person more than you must account for comfort and accommodate bags.
Dimensions - The dimensions of the tent varies depending on how many people it sleeps and its shape. There’s no set standard, but ensure there’s enough space to comfortably place a mattress and any bags you may have.
Weight - One of the major problems with big camping tents is that they may be too heavy, so decide how you will carry and transport them. If you are planning a hike to a campsite, one that is too heavy could hinder progress and cause tiredness. If you’re driving to a campsite, this won’t be an issue, though.
Height - Even though you may not spend too much time in your tent while camping, having enough space to stand up straight is much more important than you may think. It gives you the room to move around freely and makes getting changed, moving mattresses and bags, and securing poles much easier than if you were to do all this on your knees or sitting down.
Shape - The shape of the tent determines where it will fit. Most large camping tents are rectangular, but some are cube-shaped or even more of a dome. The shape doesn’t always matter, but if you’re camping somewhere with limited space or a place which is narrow, keep the shape in mind before deciding where to pitch the tent.
Materials - Any decent tent will have waterproof materials, but some will be more waterproof than others. This material also dictates what season you can use the tent for (either winter or summer, spring, and fall) and will give you the best protection from the elements during that time of year.
Tent Doors - You can expect a huge camping tent to have 2 or 3 doors at the least, which makes it easy for people to move in and out while also giving you the chance to place and remove air mattresses. These doors will also aid in breathability and ventilation while also not causing congestion around one entrance and saving people climbing over each other if they need to use the bathroom in the night.
Windows - While tents don’t really get dark during the day, windows are useful for checking on the weather, admiring the scenery, and being able to find and contact people easily. These windows are made of clear plastic and usually have roll-down covers on either the outside or interior which you can use at night for extra privacy.
Ventilation - Proper ventilation increases comfort and prevents condensation, mold, and mildew build up in the ten should it get too humid, where bacteria and other foul-smelling things will flourish. Your tent should have mesh windows on the ceiling, walls, and above or around the doors. These doors should also be large to encourage air flow and further ventilate the tent.
Internal Pockets - While not essential internal pockets can help with organization and prevent cluttered floors. You can use them to keep valuables and other necessities in during the night while also having things you’ll likely need readily available instead of searching through your bag and holding everybody up.
Rain Fly - The rain fly is an extra level of protection against the weather and fits over the top of your tent. They are useful if you’re unsure about the severity of the weather and can help keep in the heat when the temperature drops, which is especially useful overnight.
If your tent has a rain fly (which it should) it will be a roof-only fly or full coverage. The roof only option is more lightweight as it’s smaller, but full coverage grants you full protection from the wind and rain.
Tent Poles - You’re likely to find either aluminum or fiberglass poles, and while aluminum is stronger, fiberglass doesn’t weigh as much.
The amount of tent poles determines how easy it is to set the tent up, and most tents will have hooks to better guide the poles through the folds for stability. Most tents you see now are also freestanding, which means they don’t require stakes or guy ropes to stay in place and makes the tent easier to move.
Large Camping Tent FAQ
Q: What is a Large Camping Tent?
A: A large camping tent is simply a tent which is large enough to accommodate more than your average 2 to 4 man tent. Typically, these tents can house at least 8 people, and some are large enough to sleep as many as 12
Their features vary, and some tents will sacrifice floor space to make it easier for you to carry and solve the storage issue by providing roof awnings and storage hooks to hang your bags and gear. Others will feature mesh pockets lining the size.
If you have friends and family who all love to camp, a large camping tent is often better than each person or group bringing their own - especially in terms of cost, weight, and convenience.
Q: How long does it take to assemble a Large Camping Tent?
A: The time it takes to assemble a large camping tent will vary depending on the size and complication of the rods, along with any extenuating circumstances of the environment such as weather or ground condition. However, you’re typically looking at anywhere between 15 and 30 minutes.
The biggest camping tents or large camping tents with rooms may take a little longer, as there are often extra rods and poles to install to ensure it remains stable.
While the first time erecting the tent may take as long as half an hour, it won’t take as long the following times, as you already know where everything goes and - hopefully - you’ll compete with yourself to beat your record.
Q: Should I waterproof my Large Camping Tent?
A: Any decent tent will be sufficiently waterproof already, but it never hurts to treat it with some waterproof spray or accessories for your peace of mind. However, you mustn’t do this when it rains, as that will defeat the purpose and the chemicals won’t be as effective. Instead, treat it no more than a week before your trip and at the least once the tent is set up, and the weather is good.
Q: Should I put a tarp under my Large Camping Tent?
A: You don’t have to, and most tents - the good ones, anyway - will have a waterproof base, but again if you want to go above and beyond to ensure maximum dryness and comfort you can put a tarp beneath the tent before setting it up. This will prevent moisture permeating the base while also making it warmer as you’re not directly on top of the chilly ground.
Q: How do you stop condensation in a tent?
A: Condensation can cause mildew and make the tent feel more like a sauna than somewhere you can leisurely hang out in between hikes and other camping activities. To prevent condensation in the tent, you can:
- Open the windows to encourage ventilation
- Keep damp or wet clothes and shoes outside overnight (or somewhere dry if there’s a chance of rain)
- Boil water outside the tent
- Find a campsite that isn’t near a stream, river, or lake
- Camp on higher ground
Q: How do I keep my tent clean while camping?
A: There is a variety of ways to keep your tent clean while camping and it will make cleaning it after your trip much easier while also preventing dirt, leaves, and other debris to scatter across the inside the tent which is just irritating.
To save yourself (and others) the hassle of needing to spend hours cleaning out dirt before you leave, you can:
- Don’t wear shoes (or at least wear different shoes) inside the tent
- Bring a small sweeping brush
- Use a tarp inside the tent
- Organize your belongings in a shoe organizer
- Bring a pop-up garbage can
And, of course, just be careful. A little dirt and mess is okay, but the end-of-trip clean up will be much easier if you take care to keep the tent as tidy and dirt-free as possible.
Q: How do I clean a Large Camping Tent?
A: Once you get home, air the tent out by putting it up again (yeah, sorry) in your backyard or wherever there’s space and leave the doors and windows open. As you’re doing this, you can also wipe down any dirty parts of the tent with a damp cloth and warm water. Most tent materials are easy enough to clean, and it will save the tent smelling a little gross the next time you take a trip. Nobody wants a tent that smells off when they’re trying to relax or sleep, so this will make everyone’s trip more enjoyable.
Sources:
- Group Camping - Camping Tips
- How to Choose Tents for Camping - REI
- How to Prevent Tent Condensation - Section Hikers Backpacking Blog
- 12 Easy Ways to Keep Your Campsite Clean - RVShare
