
Under Canvas
We get it—not every nature lover (or lack thereof) jumps at the chance to rough it in the woods for a weekend. Enter glamping, the luxury camping trend that’s here to stay. While the portmanteau of “glamour” and “camping” was first used all the way back in 2005, its addition to the Merriam-Webster dictionary in early 2018 is proof that travelers’ predilection for seeing the great outdoors while also having access to running water and air conditioning is no longer just a trend. Thus, glamping is officially here to rewrite the rules on outdoor adventures, one extravagantly-furnished tent at a time. So, if your ideal version of being one with nature involves sipping wine in an Adirondack chair outside of a yurt, here are 20 must-see glam camping spots across the U.S, just for you. From geometric pods to decked-out shelters, keep these venues on the back burner for your next getaway—because even camping adversaries will take one look and want to pack their bags ASAP.
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Mendocino Grove
Mendocino, California
The overwhelming 5-star ratings on Airbnb and Trip Advisor speak for themselves. Mendocino Grove’s sprawling 37 acres feature an assortment of tent sizes (whether you’re leaning toward a couples getaway or family vacay), all outfitted with cozy beds and linens. Wind down for the day from the shelter’s wooden platform on leather butterfly chairs.
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Westgate River Ranch
Lake Wales, Florida
Calling all country lovers—this central Florida locale already earns points as a real-life dude ranch, but glampers galore can now reap the benefits of the cowboy-inspired property’s 20-unit luxe campsite. There’s never a dull moment either, thanks to activities like horseback riding and Saturday night rodeos. We’ll “yee-haw” to that.
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Terra Glamping
East Hampton, New York
With furnishing this opulent, you’d almost never know you were in the heart of the great outdoors. Conveniently located just 2.5 hours from New York City, this glamping pop-up will woo your crew with its safari-style tents overlooking the picturesque Sag Harbor, hotel-room-style furniture, and, best of all, queen-sized memory foam mattresses. Perfect for escaping the grid, the high-end getaway also purposely lacks Wi-Fi to encourage connecting with those around you.
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Firelight Camps
Ithaca, New York
This luxury safari-inspired site puts the glamour in glamping, thanks to hardwood floors, king- or queen-sized beds, battery-powered lanterns, and private tented balconies. That’s not all—located on La Tourelle Resort and Spa, Firelight also boasts complimentary locally-sourced breakfast, a lobby tent that doubles as a reception desk, and access to the nearby Upper Buttermilk Falls hiking trails. Plus, community lies at the forefront of this camping experience’s mission, so you and your friends can bond at the central “fire circle” with fellow campers.
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Asheville Glamping
Asheville, North Carolina
Ditch the canvas for one of Asheville’s star-gazing-friendly luxury camping domes. Or, if that’s not your speed, you can also choose from a handful of Airstream rentals, yurts, safari tents, and the recently added treehouse.
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Huttopia White Mountains
Conway, New Hampshire
The first Huttopia to make its way to the U.S, this chain of outdoor oases lets you choose your own adventure based on your tent choice and party size. Glampers, for example, will get a kick out of the Canadian Tent for its provided camping supplies and functioning kitchen.
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Ventana Big Sur, an Alila Resort
Big Sur, California
When Ventana shut down last year for renovations after the only bridge into Big Sur was destroyed, they decided to add 15 luxury tents to the 20-acre redwood canyon below the main part of the resort. Not only do the safari-style tents include real beds and luxe white linens, but there’s also hot running water in each one plus daily housekeeping services to boot.
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El Cosmico
Marfa, Texas
Whatever your glamping style is, there’s something for everyone at this hotel slash campground in the artsy desert oasis that is Marfa, including canvas safari tents, Sioux-style tipis, Mongolian yurts and renovated vintage trailers.
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Under Canvas Mount Rushmore
Keystone, South Dakota
Opening May 24, 2018 in the Black Hills of South Dakota on the outskirts of an original gold mining settlement, Under Canvas Mount Rushmore features three different styles of glamping tents. From safari style tents with king-size beds and wood-burning stoves to suite tents that are large enough to fit a separate lounge area with a queen-size leather sleeper sofa, you could travel here alone, with a few of your best girlfriends, or your entire family.
There are also Under Canvas glamping retreats in Zion, Moab, Yellowstone, Glacier, the Great Smoky Mountains and the Grand Canyon.
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Capitol Reef Resort
Torrey, Utah
While guests can also stay in the main lodge, a luxury cabin or a tipi at this resort located on the edge of Capitol Reef National Park, our pick would be the Conestoga wagons they’ve outfitted with king beds and two sets of twin bunks. Even though the wagons are based on 19th century designs, you won’t exactly be roughing it like a pioneer, considering they’re all air conditioned and have private bathrooms just a few steps away.
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Dunton River Camp
Dolores, Colorado
While the ghost town-turned luxury resort of Dunton Hot Springs does have one all-season tent made from reclaimed materials from the 1830s, in the summer you can stay at one of the eight glamping tents about five miles down the road at Dunton River Camp that all feature king beds, gas stoves and en suite bathrooms with soaking tubs.
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Sandy Pines Campground
Kennebunkport, Maine
Each of the 16 glamping tents at Sandy Pines have all been individually decorated by New England designers. But if you’re looking for an even more unique experience, Sandy Pines also offers miniature A-Frame huts and Camp Carriages (which are more commonly referred to as Shepherd’s Huts).
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The Ranch at Rock Creek
Philipsburg, Montana
The glamping “tents” are more of a hybrid cabin-tent combination at The Ranch at Rock Creek, a five-star dude ranch in western Montana. For example, the 1,300-square-foot Sweet Grass Cabin has a cabin living room at its center and two canvas tent bedrooms attached to it along with two full baths (yes, really).
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Collective Governors Island
New York, New York
Even though you’re only an eight-minute ferry ride from Manhattan’s Financial District, you’ll feel a world away at the brand-new glamping retreat opening on Governors Island in the summer of 2018. Facing the Statue of Liberty on the west side of the island, the retreat includes bell tents with shared bathrooms and a separate area of luxury glamping tents that all have their own private en-suite bathrooms.
Collective also has glamping retreats in the Hudson Valley, Texas Hill Country, Yellowstone, Vail and they plan on opening one in Sonoma, California in 2019.
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Little Raccoon Key
Little Raccoon Key, Georgia
There’s only one glamping tent on Little Raccoon Key—located 10 minutes from Jekyll Island—so you’ll get this entire private island to yourself each night you stay there. On your boat ride to the island, which is included in your stay, you’re likely to see pods of dolphins swimming alongside you or pelicans trying to catch fish.
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Under Canvas Smoky Mountains
Gatlinburg, Tennessee
One of the newest Under Canvas glamping retreats opens on August 30, 2018. Featuring eight different styles of tents and tipis, this camp is set on 200 acres and offers easy access to Great Smoky Mountain National Park as well as the Appalachian Trail.
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AutoCamp
Guerneville, California
Choose your own glamping adventure at AutoCamp’s Russian River location in northern California. Whether you’d prefer to stay in a classic Airstream trailer, luxury tent or miniature Happier Camper, each type of accommodation comes with Casper mattresses, Malin + Goetz bath products and access to the Russian River.
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Sinya on Lone Man Creek
Wimberley, Texas
Located 45 minutes southwest of Austin in Texas Hill Country and just five miles outside of Wimberley, this ultra-luxe safari tent includes a king-size bed, a claw-foot bathtub and a kitchenette to provide all the luxuries of home while still feeling like you’re getting away from it all.
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The Resort at Paws Up
Greenough, Montana
Between May and October, the Resort at Paws Up takes reservations for its 30 glamping tents that have every modern luxury you could possibly think of. Air conditioning? Check. Hardwood floors? Check. A private, en suite bathroom with heated floors? Check and check. It almost seems ridiculous to call these tents, but despite all their amenities you’ll never be closer to the great outdoors.
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Bellfire Tipi
Roxbury, New York
The small town of Roxbury in New York’s Catskills mountains is one of the best places for stargazing in New York state due to its lack of light pollution. Make a weekend out of it by camping at the Bellfire Tipi, which is decorated with custom-made furniture and has a fire pit at its center. Unlike many of the other glamping sites in this list, the Bellfire Tipi does not have electricity—but that’s better for stargazing anyways, right?
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Lifestyle Editor
Lyndsey Matthews is the Lifestyle Editor across all of Hearst Digital Media’s brands.
Blair Donovan is a staff writer for CountryLiving.com, where she covers everything from the latest Joanna Gaines and “The Voice” news to home décor, gardening, DIY, and entertaining.
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