CuteCamper
There are many large tents in the market. They all promise to deliver on one thing or the other to make buying them imperative. I decided to look at one of those tents, the Ozark Trail 3-Room 16×16 feet 12-Person Instant Cabin tent.
As a lover of the outdoors, I have camped alone and with a large group in various locations and weather. I’m not just reviewing this tent based on hearsay. I will give you a firsthand experience of a tent many believe to be one of the best three room tents on the market.
Is it as easy to set up as advertised? Can it protect you against the elements? Why should you consider it over its rivals? I’ll try to answer these questions as clearly and accurately as possible.
Table of Contents
What You Need to Know About Ozark Trail 3-Room Instant Cabin
Ozark Trail tents are best for a family or group. The Ozark brand is a Walmart brand. As we all know, Walmart prides itself on selling affordable products with a lot of features. The 3-Room Instant cabins aren’t any different.
Twelve people can stay in this tent at the same time. Also, its spacious floor space and three separate rooms make you feel like you are home while out in the wilderness.
This is a 2 or 3 season tent with good ventilation, it is a good choice for warmer seasons, and you should avoid taking it for winter camping.
The weight is 61lb (28kg), this is not much for such a large tent, but you’d better take it for car camping. The packing size is 52x15x14 inch, which is quite small and gives you more space for other gears in your car.
Pros
- Large Floor Space.
- Fast Setup Time.
- Factory-fitted Awning / Porch.
- Affordable.
- Three rooms.
- Two vents that fits air conditioning systems.
- E-Port.
Cons
- Not suitable for heavy weather.
- Poles break easily.
Features and Details
Ergonomic Shape and Design
One of the first things you notice about this tent is its shape. It has a unique L-shape that houses the three rooms. I particularly like the shape because it makes you feel like you are home, not just a single dome like most tents.
Furthermore, there’s the tunnel design, which means the tent doesn’t take up much space to assemble. The tent has to be set up on a flat surface that usually might take up a large area, but that is not the case thanks to the innovative L-shaped design.
Tent users who are tall will have no issue using this tent. At 6’8’’ (208cm) in height, the tent is high enough for most people.
Weather Protection
The Ozark 3 room tent has weather protection features; One of which is a rainfly. This rainfly runs across the tent and shields the tent’s two doors. The job of the rainfly is to protect the different parts of the tent from water penetration.
While this tent might not offer enough warmth during winter or protect you in a blizzard, this tent is excellent for milder climates.
Mesh Windows
You don’t have to worry about heat in the tent on hot days because it is adequately ventilated. Several strategically placed mesh windows are attached to the tent to aid ventilation. Its polyester fabric also helps to protect occupants from moderate winds.
In total, there are seven windows to keep the tent aerated at all times. If you are in need of more air, there is a pocket door that fits your air conditioning.
Fast Setup Time
As advertised, this is an instant setup tent that takes about five minutes to get up and running. The minimal setup time is due to pre-attached poles in the tent that make assembly unnecessary. It is easy for one or two people to assemble.
Additional Anchors
Due to its vast size, the Ozark Trail cabin tent comes with twenty-five steel stakes. The job of these stakes is to give the tent stability against winds and prevent collapse.
Awning and Porch
Another excellent addition to this tent is its awning. When completely set up, the tent has an awning in front where you can sit and enjoy nature at its finest. This is not only great because of the shade it provides but also because of the extra space.
Large Floor Space
Finally, let’s talk about the floor space. Each room is 8 × 8 feet each which means it can accommodate twelve people using sleeping bags. However, for better convenience you could fit a queen size bed if the number of occupants is lower.
If you are big on privacy, this tent suits you best. The three individual rooms ensure that everyone gets their me-time. My group of eight adults used the tent, and we didn’t feel claustrophobic or get in each other’s hair.
Specifications
| Weight | 61 lb (28 kg) |
| Capacity | Up to 12 people / Fits 3 queen airbeds |
| Season | 2 or 3 Season |
| Dimensions | 16×16 feet (4.88 x 4.88 m) |
| Floor Area | 192 ft² (~17.8 m²) |
| Area per person | 16 ft² (1.48 m²) |
| Peak height | 82 inches (208 cm) |
| Window | 7 fully closeable windows |
| Packed size | 52.5 x 14.5 x 12.5 in (133 x 36.8 x 31.8 cm) |
Alternatives
Here are two alternatives with similar features. Plus, we have a dedicated in depth review of the best 12 person tents if you want to check more, the following tents are all covered in that review.
CAMPROS 12 Person Camping Tent
This is a low budget tent. It is affordable but still offers great values.
CORE 12 Person Instant Cabin Tent
The Core 12 Person tent can be a good alternative, It is a tunnel like tent with instant setup design. This series also has different variations with features such as side entrance and extra large straight wall. You can check more details in our best 12p tent review.
Conclusion
When you go camping with a large group, especially on a popular campsite, space is premium. Maybe people also crave a touch of home when they are away camping. You know, ample samples, a little privacy, and protection from the elements.
Ozark Trail 3-Room Instant Cabin has a total floor space of 16 ×16 feet that gives you enough space for twelve people. It also has a unique design that allows you to set it up in small spaces, and it’s easy to set up. The wall dividers break the tent into three separate rooms to offer you some privacy. More importantly, it comes at a great price when considering all the advantages you get from buying the tent.
If you are interested in getting the Ozark Trail 3-Room Instant Cabin, you can check it here.
Keep Reading:
- Ozark trail 6 person instant cabin tent with light
- Ozark Trail 10-Person Dark Rest Instant Cabin Tent Review
- Ozark Trail Base Camp 14-Person Cabin Tent Review
