The seams aren’t sealed, and the untreated fabric that makes up the body is prone to soaking through after prolonged exposure. The phrasing that Ozark Trail uses is “water-resistant.” In my experience with the tent, that means in any serious rain, expect to see some moisture leaking through at least the seams. The bottom seam gives water a place to pool up and eventually leak into the tent. After spending a lot of time with Ozark Trail tents, my final verdict is that they’re excellent budget-friendly tents.
Second, the tall vertical walls and “L” shape make it about as far from aerodynamic as they come. Do NOT phone in the guyline portion of set-up (regardless of the weather) or you’ll risk damaging the tent. Finally, the material of this shelter is noticeably higher quality than many ozark trail canopys, but the 68D polyester is still not as thick as we’d like.
Beyond getting a great start with a tent, we also share lots of other cammping supplies that you will need in our Camping Gear List here. And before you head out camping be sure to grab our free packing list for camping here, and if you are camping with kids you might want to grab this fun and free outdoor scavenger hunt here. This ozark trail canopy is because of the zippered panels on the roof of the main room. These panels covered the mesh on the ceiling to prevent heat from escaping out the top of this Ozark Trail family tent. And while it does have enough guy lines to handle mildly windy conditions, we don’t recommend taking the Ozark on exposed ridgelines in high winds.
My friend chose to not put up his rain fly betting on the perfect weather to continue while enjoying the stars at night. During those five minutes of rain, he was a little more stressed as the risk of a wet sleeping bag had not been completely mitigated and he rushed back to the campground. True, I wasn’t able to remove the rain fly to watch the stars or let the wind ventilate my tent, but I was able to enjoy the day hikes without any sort of worry. In essence, I had committed to the permanent rainfly option by default and there was a certain contentedness that came with that. The first good design feature is the placement of the door on the side, and more specifically on the long side of the tent. I’ve tried tents with the door on one end and it is cumbersome.
This tent’s combination of floor space, livability, and value make it a home run for large groups or families looking to spread out in style, but this 12-person behemoth won’t be everyone’s first choice. Before you start planning a camping adventure, read these camping hacks. They’ll be your ticket to a smoother and more enjoyable experience in the great outdoors. We’re reader-supported and only partner with brands we trust. When you buy through links on our site we may receive a small commission at no extra cost to you. Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date and time indicated and are subject to change.
Not only is it the perfect tent, but it includes the 4-person dome tent, 2 sleeping bags, 2 pillows, 2 foam sleeping pads, 2 chairs, 2 dry bags, 1 lantern and 1 carry-all bag. While both Coleman and Ozark Trail are highly inexpensive family camping tents, this is where Ozark Trail outshines Coleman. While I paid between $250 to $350 for both my 10-Person Coleman Tents, I paid only about $100 for the Ozark Trail 10-Person Cabin Tent, which is less than half the price of my Coleman tents. When you’re looking at what you want in a tent, consider how many people are going to be using it. Is it for a large family or just used short camping trips? If you’re going to use air mattresses, be sure it fits your size of mattress (most tents can fit a queen size air mattress).
Four total windows are adjustable from the inside of the tent. They’re double-zippered, and it’s just a matter of rolling them up and stowing them away to enjoy a breeze or take in a view in the morning. Also, a rear window accessed from the outside can be staked out into a small awning that protects the tent’s interior if you need a little extra air when it’s raining. The front door runs nearly the tent’s entire height, and an additional bug net door mirrors it exactly. If need be, one or both of these doors can be rolled back completely, converting the tent into an open-air structure that still keeps the bugs out.