best glamping usa
Photograph: Courtesy Huttopia Napa valley
Photograph: Courtesy Huttopia Napa valley

The best glamping in the USA for a luxury experience

Rough it without actually roughing it. America's best glamping offers ready-to-go tents, comfy beds and stunning nature views.

Scott Snowden
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What if we told you that you could enjoy all the lovely aspects of camping (stargazing, s’mores and time in the great outdoors) without all the, well, less lovely parts (sleeping on the ground, setting up a tent, nowhere to charge your phone)? 

If that sounds ideal to you, let us introduce to glamping.

Glamping, by definition, is camping with a touch of glamour. It may not bring the comforts of a five-star hotel or your own home, but it's a definite upgrade in luxury from the traditional pop-a-tent-and-call-it-a-gocamping. If you love to be outside but also like sleeping on a real bed and having a toilet to yourself, glamping may be your perfect middle ground. 

And thanks to its rise in popularity in recent years, glamping has taken off across the country. The best glamping in the USA ranges from California's redwoods to Maine's beachfront forests. From glass domes to covered wagons to Airstreams, there are a wide range of accommodations to choose from, plus many more amenities including on-site restaurants, yoga lessons and even spa treatments. Sound pretty nice? Read on.

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Best glamping in the USA

1. Dunton River Camp | Dolores, CO

Boasting eight spacious tents on a 500-acre former cattle ranch, Dunton River Camp is a one-of-a-kind glamping experience. Choose between mountain tents nestled in Aspen trees or river tents that sit steps above the West Fork of the Dolores River. All the tents are outfitted with king beds, ensuite bathrooms with a 6ft soaker tub, gas stoves, and a mountain bike to get around the property. Rather sleep in a log cabin? Check out Dunton Hot Springs instead, a romantic 1800’s ghost town set in Colorado's extraordinary alpine valley.

2. Ventana Big Sur | Big Sur, CA

The word glamping was invented for spots like this. Set within 160 acres of forest on the California coast, there are two glamping sites at Ventana—Redwood or the hike-in-only Canyon (both come with stunning views, of course). Each tent comes equipped with heated blankets, a king bed, a picnic table, and separate gas and wood-burning fire pits. Throw in daily housekeeping and morning coffee, and this is the fanciest camping you can do.

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3. Firelight Camps | Ithaca, NY

Sleep among the trees and wake to the sound of chirping birds at the well-appointed tents at Firelight Camps in upstate New York. Tents are outfitted with hardwood floors, a plush king or queen bed, a private tented porch with rocking chairs, and a writer’s desk and chair (just in case you have to get some work done). A complimentary locally sourced breakfast means you'll be well-fueled to hit the nearby Upper Buttermilk Falls hiking trails.

4. Mendocino Grove | Mendocino, CA

Located on a wooded bluff overlooking the Pacific Ocean, Mendocino Grove in Northern California includes 60 tents situated over a 37-acre property. Each tent is outfitted with comfortable beds, redwood floors, and leather butterfly chairs on the patio as well as its own outdoor table and fire ring. Plus, a complimentary breakfast bar is included in every stay. 

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5. Sandy Pines | Kennebunkport, ME

Tucked into a secluded beachfront forest, bordered by a salt marsh, Sandy Pines Campground offers family-friendly activities, spacious grounds, and a one-mile walk to the beach. Safari tents have king-size beds and a deck with seating, but they're not your only option. You can also spend the night in a decked-out Airstream, Shepherd’s Hut, glass house, Oasis Dome, or one of two Conestoga Wagons, all tucked into sites overlooking the marsh.

6. Westgate River Ranch | Lake Wales, FL

At the Westgate River Ranch Resort & Rodeo, you can experience one of the last untouched pieces of Florida wilderness where you can kick back and relax in the beautiful, wide open. This 'authentic Florida dude ranch' lies one hour south of Orlando in Polk County, Florida, on 1,700 acres overlooking the scenic Kissimmee River. If you're into horse riding, this resort offers horseback riding, an award-winning Saturday night rodeo and much more.

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7. Ulum Moab | Moab, UT

Ulum Moab makes all of your American Southwest vacation dreams come true. Located in a secluded desert setting in south Moab, the resort is home to 50 large, safari-style canvas tents featuring luxurious amenities such as wood-burning stoves, private decks, electricity, and parachute linens. Take in views of Canyonlands National Park, enjoy shared spaces like the immaculately designed lobby and hot and cool dipping pools, dine at the on-site restaurant, and take part in weekly fitness classes.

8. Asheville Glamping | Asheville, NC

Always dreamt of staying in a treehouse? What about stargazing from a glass dome? Asheville Glamping boasts an array of lodging options including Geodesic domes, Airstreams and glamping tents set on a rural 15-acre property. But you're here for the tents, right? Each tent comes with a queen bed, air conditioning and a private fire pit and propane grill. 

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9. Huttopia White Mountains | Conway, NH

Don't want to choose between lakes and mountains? Head to Huttopia White Mountains. The first Huttopia site to make its way to the U.S., this global chain of glamping locations lets you choose between a fully equipped cabin or a ready-to-camp tent. There's also a heated pool and an on-site Airstream that slings delicious homemade pizzas. 

10. Paws Up | Greenough, MT

One of the original glamping sites in the U.S., this award-winning resort mixes white-glove service with 37,000 acres of pristine wilderness. Located in Western Montana’s Blackfoot Valley, Paws Up features 100 miles of trails, 10 miles of the Blackfoot River and 1.5 million acres of the nearby Bob Marshall Wilderness Area. And you know, the tents are pretty fancy too. 

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11. Eastwind Hotel & Bar | Windham, NY

Eastwind Hotel & Bar is a Scandinavian-inspired getaway that houses three newly built A-frame micro-cabins, called Lushnas. The chic, triangular pods offer private bathrooms and a queen bed as well as glass windows that face New York's Windham Mountain. A firepit and sauna are just steps away for chilly East Coast nights. 

12. AutoCamp | Joshua Tree, CA

The AutoCamp brand is all about getting people outside to enjoy nature while they rest and relax inside their own chic, timeless Airstreams. It's no different at AutoCamp Joshua Tree in Southern California. From Airstream suites to cabins, all guests can enjoy morning yoga, desert nature walks, outdoor fire pits, granola and coffee in the morning, and a daily happy hour. 

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13. Little Raccoon Key | Little Raccoon Key, GA

Thinking about a secluded getaway in the great outdoors? It doesn't get better than this luxury glamping site on a private island. A quick boat ride takes you from Jekyll Island—just off the coast of Georgia—to Little Raccoon Key, where a hand-sewn tent awaits you. A gas grill and cooler are provided, and groceries and chef-prepared meals are available upon request. You can even book private spa treatments and yoga lessons!

14. Huttopia Wine Country | Lower Lake, CA

Huttopia Wine Country is the newest site to open from Huttopia, a French glamping chain that is especially family-friendly. Located north of Napa Valley, about two hours from San Francisco, this Huttopia is set on a 4,300-acre working ranch and winery. Guests can enjoy the on-site pool, playground, nightly s'mores, rentable electric mountain bikes, and various games.

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15. Lucky Arrow Retreat | Dripping Springs, TX

If you're feeling social, a stay at Lucky Arrow Retreat is jam-packed with activities where 10 yurts, a bathhouse, 25 cabins, a ranch house, a pool, an event center and a beer garden are spread across 15 acres of pure Texas Hill Country. Opt in for free wine tastings on Friday and Saturday nights, an on-site chef that serves three meals a day on the weekends and '80s throwback jam sessions with a live DJ. The 200-square-foot yurts offer queen-size beds, Yeti coolers, Crosley record players, and heating or air-conditioning. 

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