Ozark Trail 14′ x 14′ 11-Person Instant Cabin Tent with Private Room

He is a dedicated backcountry explorer and a trained Wilderness First Responder. Tyler has hiked every mountain range in the US and summited Highpoints in several US states as well as Germany. His favorite outdoor destinations ozark trail shower tent are the Canadian Rockies, the Black Hills of South Dakota, Mt. Tongariro in New Zealand, and the San Juan Region of Colorado. Otherwise, water would pool on top of the canopy and it could weigh down and cause sagging.

ozark trail instant cabin

The large size also means you can fit 2 queen size mattresses inside it. Ozark provides an optional curtain partition (can be removed or rolled up) that divides the tent into two. While a large number of tents have a mesh ceiling to keep air circulating while allowing for stargazing, this is usually negated once the rain fly has been attached over the tent. This model from Ozark differs by working with the rain fly to give you a skylight experience while inside the tent. The Gazelle also comes with an included rainfly that you can put over the mesh roof.

If you’re willing to spend a few extra bucks (emphasis on few), the Ozark Trail 9-Person Cabin with a screen room gives some added livability at a similar price point. Large dome tents are also an option, ozark trail canopy tent and although they’re a little less flashy, they have some perks of their own. First off, dome tents are typically less expensive since they have fewer total parts and less sophisticated frames.

If you don’t want rain coming through, tape it up with waterproof strong tape. The small screened triangle found on the awning fabric has a couple of uses. It allows some wind to travel through, so the awning doesn’t move around, and it also helps to drain any build-up of rainfall. You know you’re protected from any bugs, and you can get a lot of airflow at the same time. You also even have the area under the awning, so this tent is truly fit for many purposes. You can take a nap without worrying about others disturbing you, plus there are 2 doors so people can get in and out from different spots.

Second, Ozark Trail tents are affordable because they use very basic materials. All Ozark Trail poles are either steel alloy or fiberglass, and the fabrics used throughout the tent are typically on the thinner side. Again, not a deal-breaker, but don’t expect these tents to stand up to the same use and abuse as their premium alternatives from brands. Strategically placed cut-outs in the rain fly correspond with the mesh ceiling panels of the tent to let you watch the night sky at any time. The ceiling panels can be zipped up at any time, allowing you to control light, airflow, privacy, and how dry you stay when it rains.

It’s also straightforward to set up, and it is made with sturdy, light materials. Great for backyard overnights, this simple dome-style tent is for anyone who doesn’t want to spend more than $150 on a tent but also doesn’t want to buy another one next year. As for ventilation on rainy days, after the 15 minutes of light rain, I checked the windows of this tent and found that the mesh was already kind of damp. The easiest models to pitch are pretty much always “instant tent” shelters, which use a system of preattached poles than only need to be unfolded and locked into place. With that being said, we have yet to see an Ozark Trail tent that’s actually “difficult” to set up, so there’s no reason to limit your search to “instant-only” if you don’t mind putting your own poles together.

In terms of drawbacks, this is a particularly budget-friendly model from an already budget-focused brand, so you’ll need to be mindful of a few shortcomings to get the most out of this shelter. First, Ozark Trail uses sealed seams on this tent, but the fabric itself isn’t made for a rainstorm. You’ll want to give the entire tent a thorough Nikwax treatment before taking it on the road. Second, the fabric feels thin, and a few users have reported ripping it during setup, so you’ll need to take your time both setting up and taking down this tent. At $500, this modified dome-style tent isn’t cheap, but it represents substantial value. Many tents with similar profiles—such as the Big Agnes Dog House 6—either cost more or require you buy the tent body and attachable vestibule separately.