If you're looking to soak up the sights and sounds of nature this summer, but pitching a tent isn't your thing, consider the latest glamping and outdoor resorts. From treehouses, luxury tents, geodesic domes and vintage Airstreams, you can vacation near national parks and wake up surrounded by forests and mountains without having to crawl into a sleeping bag. Sink into memory foam mattresses, tuck into French toast, and enjoy wine tastings and massages at these scenic resorts from New York to California.
Stonewall, Texas
Beautiful interior of this new 32 acre The Texas Hill Country escape feels more like a hotel room than a canvas glamping tent. The king-size beds (some with twin beds) and private bathrooms feature rain showers, bathrobes, and bath products from San Saba Soap Company near Fredericksburg. The property, founded by Outdoorsy, a peer-to-peer RV rental company that has expanded into the travel business, including luxury outdoor lodging, features 22 climate-controlled tents that sleep two or four people and come with wraparound decks, fire pits, kitchenettes, and minibars. If you'd prefer someone else to make your favorite drink, head to the outdoor bar, which serves local wine, beer, seasonal cocktails, and snacks. There's also a café with light meals available. If you want to grill some steaks, stop by the Country Store near the check-in area.
This hotel is located in the middle of Hill Country trails and wineries, just a short drive from Luckenbach and Albert Dance Hall, and less than a 30-minute drive from Fredericksburg, home to boutiques and eye-catching 19th-century buildings. Want to stay in? Have a movie night or play shuffleboard, darts, and other games. Rates start at $300 per night.
Mornings start with complimentary coffee, tea, and hot chocolate at this new glamping site, about a 45-minute drive from Yosemite National Park. There are 12 cabins and 30 tents spread across 36 acres. All tents have decks, queen-size beds with memory foam mattresses (some tents have bunk beds for kids), rugs, and nightstands with lamps. If you choose a premium tent, you'll also get a heated mattress pad, a larger deck, and a gas fire pit. Bathrooms and showers are located in the communal baths, and there's a large outdoor sink and soap for washing utensils (don't forget to bring your own). There's also a shared barbecue area and fire pit.
Want more privacy? Try one of our 12 cabins, which feature large windows, kitchens, bathrooms with showers, heating and air conditioning, and private outdoor seating areas with fire pits.
Food, wine, beer, and cider are readily available at the clubhouse, and you can also purchase kits to make s'mores and picnic supplies. When you're not exploring Yosemite, visit downtown Mariposa, less than a five-minute drive away. You can visit the California State Mining and Mineral Museum, the Mariposa Museum & History Center, shops, and restaurants. At the end of the day, retreat to Wildhaven's pergola and watch the sunset from the hilltop. If you feel like taking a stroll, the property features nature trails with views of the Sierra Mountains. Two areas offer stunning views: The Hills and Mariposa. On-site activities include yoga, live music, and wine and cider tastings. Tent rates start at $199/night in summer ($99/night in off-season), and cabin rates start at $399/night in summer ($199/night in off-season).
Located in Utah's breathtaking Grand Staircase-Escalante National Monument, this outdoor resort recently added 20 deluxe cabins to its 20 acres set against a backdrop of cliffs and mystical rock formations called hoodoos. There are now 52 rooms, including a vintage Airstream that sleeps three and a smaller cabin for two. The new deluxe cabins, which sleep up to four, are the most spacious accommodations off-land. They come with a queen bed, a sleeper sofa, a bathroom (guests staying in the Airstreams and small cabins have access to a communal bath), a private outdoor shower with a heater, and a fire pit.
The property, which changed its name this year from Yonder Escalante, is just under an hour's drive from Bryce Canyon National Park and about an hour and a half from Capitol Reef National Park. When you check in, you'll also receive a list of recommended hiking trails in the area. After a day of exploring, take a dip in the pool, soak in the hot tub, or watch a movie. Offland Escalante is built on the site of a former drive-in movie theater, which shows movies nightly. Parked vintage cars and a concession stand add to the atmosphere. But that's not the only place to grab a bite. The open-air lodge with fire pits serves up complimentary breakfast staples like yogurt, granola, fruit, protein bars, coffee, and tea. There's also a food truck where you can purchase hearty breakfast treats like burritos and French toast. There's also a general store selling snacks, picnic supplies, meal kits (each with a protein, veggies, and s'mores), local wine, beer, and cocktail kits. Rates start at $249 per night for a deluxe cabin (with vintage Airstreams starting at $175 per night and tiny cabins starting at $159 per night).
Whitwell, Tennessee
This adults-only glamping resort not far from Chattanooga, Tennessee, offers lodging in luxury domes, cabins and mountaintop treehouses. The 18 rooms include four new “honeymoon” treehouses (11 more are scheduled to open this year) with sweeping valley views and feature private hot tubs, porch swings, Adirondack chairs, fire pits, grills, pizza ovens, kitchens and indoor and outdoor showers with heated floors. Other accommodations at this 55-acre property include geodesic domes with stunning views, fire pits and a private pool. The 1,175-square-foot space also includes a deck and a “mirror cabin” with glass walls that reflect the surrounding views.
Hike the hotel's trails and book a massage, facial or body treatment at the spa when you're back. If you're in the mood for a drink or a snack, you can purchase beer, wine, champagne, cocktails and pizza oven food without leaving the hotel. (The hotel can also help you book a private chef if you prefer.) When night comes, watch a movie on your in-room projector or head outside to gaze up at the stars. Rates start at $545 per night.
Catskill Mountains (Bethel, New York)
This longtime performance venue, which hosted the Woodstock Festival in 1969, now offers glamping to event-goers on its idyllic grounds. You can walk to the concert venue while enjoying nature Pavilion Amphitheater.
The luxury glamping tents come in three sizes, sleeping one to six people. They come equipped with beds, bathrooms with showers, Wi-Fi, electricity, fans, portable heaters, and outdoor decks. You also get free admission to the Bethel Woods Museum, which takes you back in time through exhibits on Woodstock history and 1960s culture. In addition to the luxury tents, there are basic glamping bell tents (sleeping one to two people) with beds and power strips. Shared restrooms and showers are nearby. Camping options at the pavilion include bringing your own tent or checking into the facility's “Stay Put RV.” (There is also another camping area called Best Road Camp, within a half mile of the pavilion, which is open to all types of vehicles and tents.) Rates for the new glamping tents start at $335 per night. To book, first click on the concert you want on the Camping page on the website.
Few and far
Various locations
new An initiative from the founders of glamping company Undercanvas, Few & Far set out to create a private outdoor and glamping experience. The company plans group trips in a variety of locations, including Africa, Chile and, this summer, near national parks across the U.S. For example, in August, it is planning a Grand Teton Luxury Tented Camping trip to a ranch in Daniel, Wyoming, about an hour and 20-minute drive from Grand Teton National Park. The trip begins with a pre-dinner cocktail reception and western hat making. Outdoors. Area activities include fly fishing on the Green River, mountain biking, paddle boarding, horseback riding, and hot air balloon tours. The company's website lists a variety of trips ranging from $10,000 to $50,000 per person, with a one-week minimum.
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