The Ozark Trail 3-Person Dome Tent is a balanced compromise of both comfort and portability for 2 people, optionally with a child to join a duo.
The Ozark Trail Hazel Creek 8-Person Lodge Tent is an 11’ X 11’ cabin-style tent with a unique interior and exterior tent pole configuration that maximizes the interior floor space and height.
Contents
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Landing on the scales with a weight of 23.5lbs (10.7kg), the Ozark Trail Hazel Creek 8-Person Lodge Tent may be a good choice to venture just a little bit further away from civilization on your next glamping adventure.
Comfort and Space
The Ozark Trail Hazel Creek 8-Person Lodge Tent measures 11’ X 11’ (335 x 335cm) which adds up to a total of 121 sq ft (11.24sq m)
Six adults can fit comfortably into the Ozark Trail Hazel Creek 8-Person Lodge Tent if they don’t mind being a bit cozy with their neighbors.
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Head Room
With an Interior Peak Height of 7’7” (236 cm) the Ozark Trail Hazel Creek 8-Person Lodge Tent allows even the tallest of campers to walk around the center of the tent without bumping their heads on the ceiling.
As a cabin tent, the Ozark Trail Hazel Creek 8-Person Lodge Tent has vertical walls that are approximately 3’ (91cm) tall. The roof of the tent runs from the top of the vertical walls to the center of the tent and rises approximately 4’7” (140cm).
With sheer tent walls, campers are able to sleep right next to a tent wall without worrying that the tent will sag onto their sleeping bag (or face!) overnight.
Doors and Vestibules
Doors
There is a single entry and exit point from the Ozark Trail Hazel Creek 8 Person Lodge Tent that is approximately 6’ x 5.5’ (183 x 168 cm) in size.
Vestibules
This is a single-room tent without a vestibule. An extended awning that measures approximately 1’ (30 cm) offers some protection from the elements. It’s enough of an awning to keep your head out of the rain, but not enough to protect your gear that’s sitting outside the tent in the doorway.
Gear Storage
Daisy Chain
An adjustable daisy chain attached to each side of the tent pole near the ceiling allows gear to be hung across the center of the tent. It’s a great location for lanterns, portable speakers, or good to hang your gear to dry out.
Pro tip: bring along a few clothespins or carabiners to maximize your hanging gear storage.
Hanging pouches
There are four hanging three-section mesh pouches. The pouches are used for personal items, cell phones, eyewear, or small electronics. The pouches are located on the side walls of the tent.
Media Pocket
There is a hanging media pocket that allows for easy group viewing of your favorite movie. An E-Port provides access to an external battery bank or generator to keep your electronics fully charged.
Extra Gear Storage
With four or five campers there’s a great deal of extra room in the Ozark Trail Hazel Creek 8 Person Lodge Tent for gear storage at the head and foot of each sleeping bag. If you’ve filled the tent to maximum camper capacity, your automobile may be the closest gear locker.
Breathability and Ventilation
The Ozark Trail Hazel Creek 8 Person Lodge Tent provides ample ventilation with four zippable noseeum mesh windows, one floor vent and two ceiling vents.
Ventilation Features
Side Windows
The Ozark Trail Hazel Creek 8 Person Lodge Tent has a zippered no-see-um mesh window on the left and right side of the tent, each approximately 3’ x 2.5’ (91 x 76 cm). Each window is approximately 1’ (30 cm) above ground level.
Rear Window
The rear panel of the Ozark Trail Hazel Creek 8 Person Lodge Tent has a single zippered no-see-um mesh window, approximately 3’ x 2.5’ (91 x 76 cm). The window is approximately 3’ (91 cm) above ground level.
Doorway
The tent entrance is a zippered no-see-um mesh that’s approximately 6’ x 6’ (183 x 183cm) in size. The no-see-um mesh doors may be zipped closed to keep bugs out of the tent while allowing ventilation.
Floor Vent
A single floor vent, located approximately 1’ (30cm) above the ground, is located beneath the rear window.
Roof Vents
There are two roof vents, located near the peak of the tent. The roof vents, in conjunction with the floor vent, allow dedicated fresh air to circulate through the tent when the windows and front door are closed. Vents are a great way to reduce moisture and condensation inside the tent.
Weather Resistance
Wind Resistance
The Ozark Trail Hazel Creek 8 Person Lodge Tent has a great deal of surface area for the wind to capture, so it’s not a good choice for a windy weekend getaway. Armed with twenty two steel stakes and twelve Guy wires, it’s a reasonable conclusion that the Ozark Trail Hazel Creek 8 Person Lodge Tent requires a great deal of support to hold up to windy conditions.
Rain Resistance
The Ozark Trail Hazel Creek 8 Person Lodge Tent has several good features that are geared toward keeping you and your gear dry.
Protected Windows
The side wall windows are protected by Guy out awnings. The awnings are stretched away from the tent and are located approximately 1’ (30cm) above each window. The windows may remain open, allowing ventilation, during rainfall. The windows may be closed for privacy.
Protected Entryway
An extended awning at the front entryway allows the no-see-um zippered mesh door to remain zipped open, without the need of closing the front door’s solid zippered panel during rainfall.
Tent Wall Composition
The Ozark Trail Hazel Creek 8 Person Lodge Tent body is produced from a single layer of recycled polyester, with a thickness of 1200mm and a thread count of 185.
Durability
Floor
The floor of the Ozark Trail Hazel Creek 8 Person Lodge Tent is constructed from Polyethylene Oxford 210D 1200mm. The interior ground-level seams should be sealed before your first expedition.
Tent Walls/Ceiling
The lower walls and ceiling fabric seams have been taped for added rain protection and durability.
Poles
The Ozark Trail Hazel Creek 8 Person Lodge Tent utilizes a combination of fiberglass and steel poles. The exterior corner upright and door frame poles are fiberglass. The Primary and Secondary pole sections are long hollow steel poles; Each long pole is created from multiple smaller poles that are connected with interior elastic ropes.
Ease of Use
You’ll definitely want to have a friend along to help set up the Ozark Trail Hazel Creek 8 Person Lodge Tent. The setup has many steps. Plan to set it up in your backyard at least once before you take it out in the field.
How to Set Up the Ozark Trail Hazel Creek 8 Person Lodge Tent
- Spread the tent out on level ground
- Adjust the roof vents bars to have the vents “open”
- Stake the tent. Verify that the tent is tight and square after staking.
- Extend the poles and connect them. The longest pole is the front door frame and the other two poles are the corner upright poles.
- Attach the two corner poles to the exterior tent base and the top of the lower tent wall at the front right and rear left of the tent.
- Stretch the guy wires and then stake the wires at the two corner pole positions.
- Place the extended steel poles inside the tent and attach the pole of each fast foot to the base of the tent.
- Connect the poles in the center of the tent ceiling with the “Y” plastic connection.
- Attache the poles to the tent corners with the attached velcro straps and extend the poles until the tent wall is tight.
- Extend the guy lines at the front left and right corners of the tent and stake them in. Adjust the guy lines so that the tent is firm and tight.
- Insert the entryway fiberglass door frame and attach the fast feet on each side of the door.
- Attach the pre-connected plastic hooks from the tent doorway opening to the doorway frame.
- Stretch the doorway guy wires and stake them into the ground.
- Stretch and stake the remaining guy wires.
Packed Size and Weight
The packed size of the Ozark Trail Hazel Creek 8 Person Lodge Tent is 2’4” x 8.75” x 8.75” (71 x 22 x 22cm). The packed tent is compact enough to easily fit into any automobile.
The Ozark Trail Hazel Creek 8 Person Lodge Tent weighs 23.5 lbs (10.6 kg). The weight is quite comparable to the Columbia Mammoth 8 Person Person Cabin Tent, which weighs 28lbs (12.7 kg). While compact and somewhat lightweight, the packed weight will keep this tent tethered to most car camping sites.
ALSO SEE: Ozark Trail Tents in 2023: Full Model Lineup and Reviews
Pros and Cons
Pros
- Good wet weather protection
- Tape sealed seams
- Upper and lower moisture vents
- Stretched awnings over windows for shade and rain
- Reduced weight for a larger tent
- Awning over front door
- Good ventilation
Cons
- Twelve support Guys increase exterior trip hazards
- Two-person setup
- High profile: wind may cause issues
- Lack of vestibule
| Comfort and Space | 8 |
| Weather Resistance | 9 |
| Durability | 8 |
| Ease of Setup | 5 |
| Size and Weight | 8 |
