Belle Plain State Forest – Photo Credit: Gary Rockwell
Glamping is glamorous camping, and definitely gets you closer to nature than a hotel without the work of pitching a tent and setting up a campsite. It’s become even more popular this decade. Travelers want the comforts of a hotel married with the adventures of camping. The accommodations can be as simple as a sturdy pitched tent on a wooden platform with a bed, as luxurious as a multi-room climate controlled yurt with a kitchen and a bathroom, or your own recreational vehicle (RV). Call it a happy medium for those who like the great outdoors, yet still want “civilized” amenities.
Summer is the prime season to go glamping, but since some accommodations offer heating, you could actually go year-round depending on the location. Immediately below are some glamping locations in the tri-state area for those who want to drive to a site for their glamping experience. For travelers looking for more a more “exotic” vacation destination, check out the glamping choices further below.
NEW JERSEY
Belle Plain State Forest – They have five assembled yurts available that are very modest. The front door locks and the screened windows have outer flaps (see photo above). There are two bunk beds with mattresses that sleeps four. Outside is a picnic table, fire pit, and grill. The bathroom is down a path with sinks, toilets, showers, and electricity, plus there is wheelchair access.
Photo Courtesy of AKA Central Park
NEW YORK
AKA Central Park – This opulent extended stay hi-rise offers a very unique glamping experience in New York City. AKA Central Park has two 17th floor penthouse Sky Suites located on a wraparound terrace. The approximately 1,500-square-foot suites give guests a queen-size bed in front of a wood-burning fireplace. They also supply a telescope for stargazing. Stunning city views, prime location, plus all of the amenities you would expect at luxury property gives you an unparalleled experience!
Camp Orenda – Six canvas cabins comfortably accommodate two to four guests. It has Adirondack inspired furnishings and amenities include down comforters, fleece blankets, pillows, fresh linens and towels. Wood burning stoves stocked daily with split wood are provided in each cabin, and they all have outlets and interior lighting.
Climbing Vine Cottage – It’s ideal for nature-loving families, and is 12 minutes south of Ithaca, NY in the Finger Lakes Region. The yurt is set in a breathtaking discovery garden. This cottage sleeps six and features a master bedroom with a door, loft with two twin beds, and a futon in the living room. It also offers wifi, heating and air-conditioning.
PENNSYLVANIA
Shawnee Inn – The inn has two glamping options. Their Shawnee Island Glamping experience takes you to an island in the middle of the Delaware River that’s only accessible by canoe, so travel to and from the mainland is very limited. The site consists of four separate glamping tents, a camp attendant, wifi, electricity, shared men’s and women’s restrooms with showers, hammocks, and a communal campfire.
Their Shawnee Riverside Glamping experience overlooks the Delaware River and is located on the inn’s semi-secluded North Lawn. The site consists of two glamping tents, wifi, electricity, shared men’s and women’s restrooms, and full access to resort amenities including locker rooms and showers.
Pocono Environmental Education Center – It’s located 20 miles from the tri-state junction of New Jersey, Pennsylvania, and New York. The center provides environmental education for large groups ranging from school groups to family reunions, and can accommodate catering. There is a Yurt Village with eight units. Each yurt has a plywood sub-floor, windows, heat, electricity, and a framed door entry. They have four yurts that sleep up to eight guests and four that sleep up to 12, and are furnished with bunk beds, heat, electricity, and ceiling fans. A large stand-alone bathroom/shower facility is adjacent to the village. Four yurts are wheelchair accessible.
Mountain Springs Camping Resort – Rustic log cabins have one bunk bed and one double bed. A bathroom with hot showers is nearby. Picnic Table, table and chairs, electricity, heat, air conditioning, and a grill are the resort’s amenities.
UNITED STATES
While there are MANY glamping locations throughout the country, here is a sample of some cool locations.
C Lazy U Ranch – A Colorado luxury dude ranch with guest rooms that feature stone fireplaces with dude ranch western style furnishings.
Moab Under Canvas – This corner of Utah is moments from the breathtaking Arches National Park and Canyonlands National Park. Its location offers deluxe safari tents to standard canvas teepees. Deluxe tents include private en-suite bathrooms, a king size bed and wood burning fireplace with complimentary wood. There is coffee and tea in the mornings and campfires at night. Grills are available to use since there is no on-site restaurant there.
Moose Meadow Lodge – Stay in a treehouse in Waterbury, VT. Amenities include a Jacuzzi tub, terry cloth robes, soaps and shampoos, internet, and breakfast. The cabins come with full kitchens, great views, and the community lodge.
Mustang Monument – Overnight in a teepee in Well, NV where you can go on a wild mustang safari. 300 square feet appointed with plush chairs, hardwood floors, and custom-made beds.
Safari West – Located in Santa Rosa, CA, this animal reserve gives you a realistic safari experience without the need of a passport. Stay in a luxury tent imported from Africa and built on a high wooden platform with a spacious deck. The tent comes with a plush bed, hot shower, and rustic but elegant furnishings. There are polished wood floors and a copper basin in the private bathroom.
I have never been camping but glamping is something I have wanted to try for some time. But I found the need to travel to the west coast limited the appeal for me. It’s good to know we have options much closer to home.
NOTE: I really don’t see how staying at the AKA Central Park can be considered glamping. It stretches the definition of the word beyond all meaning. If AKA Central Park is glamping then so is an AirBnB condo rental.