7 Gorgeous Glamping Destinations for Your Next Outdoor Adventure

There’s something really appealing about a good, old-fashioned camping trip. Getting closer to nature, cooking over the fire, stargazing, snuggling into your sleeping bag after a long day—all sounds great, right? Until you remember the less glamorous sides of camping, like schlepping all your stuff up the trail, wrangling the finicky tent you store in your parents’ garage, fending off mosquitoes, and trading in your comfy bed for a patch of rocky ground. Suddenly, you might find yourself frantically googling hotels while you’re stuck deep in the woods.

For nature lovers who also appreciate modern amenities (like running water and memory foam mattresses), there’s a solution that offers up the best of both worlds: glamorous camping, aka glamping! In recent years, glamping resorts that combine the rugged appeal of a camping trip with the luxury amenities of a high-end hotel have been popping up in wilderness destinations around the world. Read on to discover seven of our favorite spots for getting away from it all without leaving behind too many comforts of home.

Firelight Camps

Ithaca, NY

For East Coast glampers, upstate New York provides the perfect escape from city life—especially when that escape comes in the form of Firelight Camps. Tucked into the heart of the state’s Finger Lakes region, this elevated camping destination is a perfect jumping-off point for those who want to spend a long weekend exploring the many surrounding wineries and taking a few day hikes. (Don’t miss nearby Buttermilk Falls State Park for some of the area’s best scenery.) Life at camp isn’t so bad either, with spacious canvas tents featuring wooden floors and comfy beds, plus a bathhouse outfitted with hot showers and flush toilets. A locally sourced breakfast is served every morning, and you can join your fellow glampers at the bar for local spirits, wines, ciders, and beers each evening. Best of all, you can even bring your dog!

Asheville Glamping

Asheville, NC

Heading south from the Finger Lakes, our next glamping spot is the ideal place to call home during a weekend trip to Asheville, North Carolina. Asheville Glamping offers a quirky variety of accommodations that perfectly balance natural beauty with comfortable amenities. Take your pick from deluxe canvas tents, vintage Airstream trailers, treehouses, and even geodesic domes—all with spectacular views of the Smoky Mountains. Asheville has made a name for itself as a destination for food and beer lovers as well as outdoor enthusiasts, so you’ll have plenty to do when you’re ready to leave camp and start exploring.

El Cosmico

Marfa, TX

Perhaps the most Instagram-worthy destination on our list, El Cosmico is a one-of-a-kind glamping destination in quirky Marfa, Texas. Settle into a selection of retro-cool RVs, safari tents, tepees, yurts, and even a colorful tiny home, all decorated in vibrant colors inspired by Southwestern art and culture. No matter which style of glamping you choose, you’ll be treated to sprawling views of the West Texas high desert, plus luxe amenities including queen beds, wood-fired hot tubs, locally-made hair care products, outdoor kitchens, an airy hammock grove, and even AC in some accommodations. The centralized lobby is home to El Cosmico Provision Co., where you can pick up some suitably groovy souvenirs and log onto the Wi-Fi to ‘gram to your heart’s content.

Under Canvas Zion

Virgin, UT

With locations that range from Yellowstone and Glacier to Moab and Mount Rushmore, the Under Canvas family of glampsites has made a name for itself as an unbeatable launching pad for some of America’s most popular national parks. Our favorite, however, is the location near Zion National Park. While you’ll likely spend most of your days exploring the park’s otherworldly rock formations, you’ll also want to spend some time in camp to make the most of amenities like fully-equipped en-suite bathrooms, crackling wood stoves, private decks for stargazing, and a fast casual dining menu complete with gluten free and vegan options. The folks at Under Canvas Zion can also help you arrange a wide array of activities in the park, from hot air balloon rides and guided hikes to private Jeep and helicopter tours.

The Resort at Paws Up

Greenough, MT

Considered by many to be the gold standard in glamping, Paws Up has hosted celebrity guests like Gwyneth Paltrow on the banks of the Montana’s Blackfoot River. Boasting Big Sky views and an amenities list to please even the pickiest guests, Paws Up is a once-in-a-lifetime trip that’s worth the splurge. The glamping experience takes place in stunningly appointed safari tents with hardwood floors, climate control, private bathrooms featuring heated slate floors, and even your very own butler to build a campfire, deliver drinks, and attend to all the details of a perfect vacation. In case that sounds too much like roughing it, you can split your stay between a tent and a collection of luxurious, ranch-style homes. No matter where you sleep, you can expect world-class cuisine and a roster of classic Western activities like horseback riding, canoeing, mountain biking, shooting, and much more.

Treebones Resort

Big Sur, CA

For unbeatable views of the rugged California coast, check into a yurt at Treebones Resort in Big Sur. Perched high above the ocean, your yurt makes the perfect home base for whale watching and taking in stunning sunsets over the Pacific. Get serious about relaxation with a soak in the pool or hot tub, a massage at the on-site spa, a yoga class, or simply a stroll along the beach. After a long day of lounging, you can also book an omakase-style sushi diner at the Oceanview Sushi Bar. Back at your yurt, enjoy a king-sized bed and expansive redwood decks with panoramic views.

Glamping Ruta de Art y Vino

Valle de Guadalupe, Mexico

For the last glamping destination on our list, we’re heading south to Baja California with a getaway in the Mexican desert. Glamping Ruta de Art y Vino features a collection of vintage Airstream trailers that date from the 50s, 60s and 70s, all charmingly restored with colorful, comfortable details. At camp, enjoy the communal BBQ area along with bikes, telescopes, and acoustic guitars. You’ll also be conveniently located in the heart of Mexico’s Valle de Guadalupe wine country, so expect lots of great local food and drink. (You can even tour a few wineries via tuk tuk!)

Will you be getting your glamp on this summer? Take along your favorite shades and tag your vacation photos with #OutdoorKnocks to be featured!

Written by Caroline Lees for Knockaround.