Some campers enjoy roughing it with no more than a simple tent and a sleeping bag, but others aren’t as fond of such a rugged experience. If you fall into the latter camp (pun intended), glamping might be the ideal alternative. Glamping — a portmanteau of “glamourous” and “camping” — is a way for nature lovers to connect with the great outdoors in style. These luxurious accommodations boast features that are lacking from traditional campsites, such as Wi-Fi, private bathrooms, and king-size beds to crash in at the end of a long day of hiking. Take a look at 10 of the best glamping spots that combine the serenity of nature with the comforts of a resort.
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Treebones Resort – California
Treebones Resort is perched along Big Sur, one of the world’s most famous coastlines, about a five-hour drive north of Los Angeles and a four-hour drive south of San Francisco. In order to ensure a quiet, restful experience for all guests, the yurt village at Treebones Resort is reserved for ages 13 and older. The resort’s full- and partial-ocean-view yurts come with king-size beds, hot and cold running water, and a scenic deck with Adirondack chairs for lounging.
But the true pièce de résistance is the Autonomous Tent Collection, each of which provides private views of the Pacific Ocean right from your doorstep. These tents offer other elevated amenities such as leather seating, tiled showers, and more, to create an unforgettable glamping experience.
Terramor Outdoor Resort – Maine
Terramor Outdoor Resort is located on the outskirts of Acadia National Park, a 10-minute drive west of the park’s main visitor center. This popular destination features canvas tents with amenities such as plush bedding, portable heating and cooling devices, electricity, and Wi-Fi. Enjoy a cup of coffee on your screened-in porch or spend evenings by the premade fire pit — you won’t have to lift a finger like you would at a traditional campsite. Tent capacity ranges from two to five people, making this an ideal destination for both couples and families.
Clayoquot Wilderness Lodge – British Columbia
Clayoquot Wilderness Lodge sits on 600 isolated acres on Vancouver Island. Some of the 25 glamping tents look out on the Pacific Ocean, while others overlook the lush British Columbia forests. Either way, you’ll have quiet views from the comfort of your own private balcony or while relaxing in a comfy king-size bed.
Inside the tents, you’ll find furnishings designed by local artisans and artwork created by members of First Nations tribes. Also keep your eyes peeled for local wildlife roaming near the resort, as the region is home to black bears, whales, and bald eagles. To reach Clayoquot Wilderness Lodge, guests can fly to Vancouver and take a 45-minute seaplane from there, which provides more epic views during the journey.
Three Camel Lodge – Mongolia
The Gobi Desert may not be at the top of your bucket list, but perhaps it’s time to reconsider — especially because of the Three Camel Lodge. This isolated glamping resort, located a nine-hour drive south of the Mongolian capital city of Ulaanbaatar, offers traditional Mongolian accommodations called gers, which feature hand-painted furniture, stone showers, and a wood stove.
The wide range of activities also makes this part of the world unique. You can traverse nearby sand dunes, go horseback riding, take a nomadic archery lesson with trained experts, or simply take a few steps outside and gaze up at the night sky, as stargazing opportunities in the Gobi Desert are difficult to beat.
Camp Sarika by Amangiri – Utah
Camp Sarika is situated among several popular U.S. national parks, including Zion (roughly two hours by car) and the Grand Canyon (roughly three hours by car). But for all of that nearby natural beauty, Camp Sarika is a must-see attraction in itself.
This luxury glampsite is located on 900 acres of southwest terrain in Canyon Point, near the Arizona-Utah border. Each tent comes with a private pool, so you won’t have to go far to beat the heat. The site also comes equipped with floor-to-ceiling windows, private outdoor showers, and canvas overhangs to provide shade while you sit and perhaps enjoy a glass of wine on your private patio.
Longitude 131 – Australia
Uluru is one of the most incredible natural landmarks in Australia. The larger-than-life sandstone monolith is both beautiful to look at and sacred to the country’s Aboriginal peoples. And there’s arguably no better place to gaze out upon this stunning rock formation than from the comfort of your private tent at Longitude 131.
This luxurious resort in Australia’s Northern Territory features 16 tented pavilions that offer direct views of Uluru from private decks, where you can lay back in a plush recliner and enjoy the serene beauty of the Australian Outback. Each tent is located just a few feet from the spa, which offers outdoor showers, massages, and other amenities.
Collective Governors Island – New York
When you think of spending a night in New York City, you might envision staying inside a skyscraper right in the heart of the action. But over on Governors Island — just an eight-minute ferry ride from Lower Manhattan — you’ll find the Collective. These luxury accommodations, consisting of 29 glamping tents on 6 acres, are unlike any hotel in the city, offering beautiful views of the Big Apple skyline and the Statue of Liberty. If you feel so inclined, you can also join fellow guests for nightly s’mores around the communal fire pit. Collective Governors Island is open seasonally from May to October.
Jack’s Camp – Botswana
Makgadikgadi Pans National Park is home to hippos, zebras, wildebeest, and other fascinating wildlife. It can also be your temporary home if you book a stay at Jack’s Camp, a serene glamping experience in the heart of the park. There are nine tents, each of which measures more than 2,900 square feet in area, allowing you ample space to relax. The tents feature green canvas walls, African and Persian rugs, mahogany furniture, plush couches, and air conditioning. The dining tent has a 36-seat communal table that once served as an officer’s mess table in the 1820s.
Backland – Arizona
Located a 70-minute drive south of the Grand Canyon, Backland is a luxury camping site just outside the town of Williams. The climate-controlled tents are situated on 160 acres of land with panoramic views of the surrounding Arizona wilderness.
Part of what makes each room so special is the 16-foot skylight that allows for stargazing right from your very own bed. There’s very little light pollution in that part of the country, which means you should have crystal-clear views of the sky above. Backland also provides access to a nearby pond with a beach, which can help you cool off during those hot Arizona summers.
Whitepod Original – Switzerland
Located a 40-minute drive south of the resort town of Montreux, Whitepod Original offers a stunning glamping experience in the heart of the Alps. While guests can choose to stay in more traditional cabin-style accommodations, the pods are what makes this resort truly special.
Each pod features a stove, private en suite bathroom, and terrace where you can gaze out upon the Rhône Valley below from an elevation of nearly 4,600 feet. The colder months are a particularly appealing time to visit, since the entire valley and nearby mountains are typically blanketed with a picturesque layer of untouched white snow — which can be enjoyed from under the covers in your comfy bed.
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