The Best Big Camping Tents for Large Groups

Tent campers come in all different types, and so do large camping tents. Some people prefer solo camping in the backcountry of Utah. Others love the camaraderie found in developed campgrounds. 

Still, others only hit the campgrounds when friends or family members go along. These large group camping weekends can be amazing adventures for people who love to hang out and share responsibilities. 

Let’s look at some of the best big camping tents for large groups so you can start planning your weekend adventure with family and friends!

What Are the Advantages of Large Group Camping?

Many people enjoy group camping because of the bonding and relationships, the communal spaces, and the group effort to contribute to the overall experience. It’s a great way to spend quality time with colleagues, family, or friends. 

Plus, group campsites tend to have spaces like a pavilion or several picnic tables where you can all gather in one place. Each person can help make the camping experience enjoyable with different tasks.

One family may cook dinner one night, and another family plans the next night.

What Are the Disadvantages of Large Group Camping?

But other people choose not to group camp because of the crowded space, fewer campground options, and additional planning needed.

Even though group campsites tend to have a lot of space, people who want their own private camp may still find them crowded.  

There also aren’t group campsites available at every campground, so you may be limited in where you can camp together. This can require additional planning. 

Plus, you have much more preparations that need to happen ahead of time for meals, activities, and supplies. Camping in a large group can be more of a headache than it’s worth for some campers.

Tips for Going Camping With a Large Group

If you love large group camping, we have a few tips to make your experience and everyone else’s enjoyable and comfortable.

The most important thing is to plan ahead. This may not be your forte, but the experience will go much smoother if you prepare in advance.

Choose a Location With Lots of Activities

First, find a campground with lots of activities, especially if camping with kids. Although kids tend to entertain themselves in a large group, they’ll have a lot more fun if there’s a horseshoe pit, a swimming pool, corn hole boards, a basketball court, or a catch-and-release fishing pond. 

Plus, these activities also provide opportunities for parents to connect with each other and for the kids to make new friends.

Make Reservations Early

Once you’ve found that perfect campground, make your reservations early. Group camping areas aren’t as readily available as some tent sites or RV sites in certain locations. 

So if you can make reservations several months ahead, you’re more likely to find availability. If not, you might have to settle for a campground with fewer activities or farther away.

Establish Responsibilities

Everyone needs a role with large group camping. Maybe a group of moms puts together the dinner menu for the week. Perhaps a group of older kids plans the games. 

Maybe one couple is responsible for bringing the Solo stove while another brings the Blackstone. There’s no need for everyone to bring everything. So divvy up the duties so everyone has a role, and you don’t have extra items you don’t need.

Plan the Menu

Finally, it may sound silly to plan the menu when large group camping, but this is a key tip to enjoying the experience. This way, different people can come prepared with different foods. 

If everyone brings peanut butter, jelly, and bread, that’s all you’ll eat. So plan the meals and divide responsibilities for getting the different items. You won’t even have to think about dinner plans because you already have them ready.

Best Large Camping Tents for Group Camping

Now that you have planned ahead and have a few tips to make the group camping experience enjoyable for everyone, here are some of the best large camping tents to make the experience comfortable. You can find the best option for you depending on your needs, the size of your family, and your budget.

Best Cabin Big Camping Tent: Core 9-Person Instant Cabin Tent

If you need a big camping tent with a cabin style instead of a teepee, this Core Cabin Tent may work great. Set-up takes about two minutes, which means less clunking around with tent poles and more time spent enjoying the company of friends. 

The included rainfly provides weather protection, and the air vents and mesh ceiling provide great ventilation. Plus, the 14-by-9 foot floorplan sleeps up to nine adults, with plenty of space for a family.

Best Big Camping Tent With Screen Room: Wenzel Klondike Family Camping Tent

Many tent campers prefer a screen room where they can lounge, or the dog can relax. This Wenzel family camping tent sleeps up to eight people in the 16-by-11-foot sleeping area and provides an additional 60 square feet in the screen room. 

The full mesh roof, two mesh windows, and rear mesh vents keep bugs out and provide excellent ventilation. And it comes with the rainfly for extra weather protection.

Best Big Camping Tent With Multi-Rooms: Ozark Trail Instant Cabin Tent

This large group camping cabin tent measures 16-by-16 feet and has three rooms. It can sleep up to 12 people in sleeping bags. 

With a center height of 82 inches, most campers will feel comfortable in this spacious option. It weighs 55 pounds, so it’s a bulkier tent but offers much more space for large families or groups to have comfortable accommodations. 

It also has seven windows for good ventilation and a covered porch to enjoy the outdoors without feeling the sun’s heat.

Keep in Mind: Now that you know the best tent for large groups, what are the best truck tents? Here are our top 5 picks!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2zP_OK_3b28

Best Big Camping Tent for 12+ People: Tahoe Gear Ozark Large Family Cabin Tent

Another big camping tent is this option by Tahoe Gear. It features a 7-foot center and 15-by-16-foot sleeping space.

The included rainfly extends out over the door for extra coverage, and the mesh design and floor vents provide excellent cross ventilation.

It can accommodate up to 16 people, for plenty of room for several families to enjoy a camping trip together.

Best Budget-Friendly Big Camping Tent: Coleman Montana 8-Person Tent

If you don’t want to spend $200 on a large camping tent, this Coleman Montana option is still a great buy. It’s available in a six or eight-person and comes in three colors. 

The interior space measures 16-by-7 feet with a 6-foot-2-inch center. The quick set-up in about 15 minutes makes this another great option for large group camping.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yO1pHyJ9AsE

Best Luxury Big Camping Tent: White Duck Regatta Canvas Yurt Tent

Finally, if you want to splurge and get something truly luxurious, this White Duck Regatta canvas yurt tent is something to behold. 

Available in four different colors, this canvas tent offers superior protection in the wind and rain and is made from sustainably manufactured products. 

The steel poles, water-repellent fabric, heavy-duty pins and stakes, and double-stitched seams and edges help make this large camping tent durable. You can choose from 8-foot, 10-foot, 13-foot, and 16.5-foot sizes.

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Make Memories With Friends and Family This Camping Season

Camping in a large group can be so much fun. From the campfires to the lawn games to the conversations, you’ll value the quality time spent with family or friends. 

So prepare for your camping adventures with a quality large camping tent. You don’t have to spend an arm and a leg, but you don’t want to get the cheapest option and then have it rip the first night you’re camping.

These spacious options give you protection and room for sleeping or fun with the whole family.

Which big camping tent do you think will work best for your weekends?

Last update on 2024-04-22 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API