9 sublime glamping resorts to take outdoor adventure to the next level
Glamping tents at The Resort at Paws Up include personal firepits — Photo courtesy of Stuart Thurkill
If you love the great outdoors but aren’t fond of roughing it, glamping is the way to go. Short for glamorous camping, the best glamping getaways combine activities like stargazing or exploring national parks with creature comforts like feather-soft beds and indoor plumbing.
Glamping means staying in luxury treehouses, vintage trailers, tiny houses, and safari-style tents with amenities as sumptuous as a five-star hotel room. Or maybe a really fancy igloo underneath the northern lights fits the bill — with a shower and beverage bar for morning coffee, of course.
If this sounds like your idea of heaven, we rounded up nine resorts in the U.S. that offer incredible glamping experiences.
The Resort at Paws Up, Greenough, Montana
The luxury tents at The Resort at Paws Up are as fine as any hotel room — Photo courtesy of Stuart Thurlkill
The Resort at Paws Up takes pampering seriously. A multiyear USA TODAY 10Best Readers’ Choice Award winner, most recently for Best All-Inclusive Resort, Paws Up offers amenities like three meals a day, access to a wide range of activities, and car service to and from the airport as part of the curated experience.
Sprinkled across a 37,000-acre working cattle ranch, accommodations include lavishly appointed safari-style tents (complete with camping butlers), private homes, or treehouses. Trips here are so magical, you just might find yourself planning your next visit before you leave.
Open Sky Zion, Virgin, Utah
Glamping at Open Sky Zion includes breathtaking views — Photo courtesy of Tamara Gane
Exquisite tents with ensuite bathrooms, fireplaces, and breathtaking views: No wonder Open Sky Zion is consistently voted among the 10 Best Glamping Spots in the country.
Located a short distance from Zion National Park, nature meets luxury here. Complimentary snacks, s’mores kits, and grab-and-go breakfasts are included with each stay. At night, the intimate Black Sage Restaurant offers delicious local fare served against the dramatic backdrop of Greater Zion.
The Vintages Trailer Resort, Dayton, Oregon
Located in the heart of Willamette Valley wine country, The Vintages Trailer Resort is about as retro cool as a place can get.
This three-time USA TODAY 10Best Readers’ Choice winner for Best Vintage Trailer Hotel offers 36 gleaming trailers with amenities like outdoor grills, cruiser bikes, and custom interiors.
Spend your time lounging by the pool, making friends at the firepit, or using your complimentary tasting passport for steep discounts at local wineries. It’s sure to be a groovy stay.
Piney River Ranch, Vail, Colorado
The tents and cabins at Piney River Ranch are steps from the lake — Photo courtesy of Tamara Gane
It’s hard not to gasp when you arrive at Piney River Ranch. Open seasonally from the end of June through the end of September, the 40-acre property is home to streams, meadows, and waterfalls underneath the white-capped peaks of the rugged Rocky Mountains.
Lodging options include luxury canvas tents or private cabins that hug the shore of a mirror-like lake. After hiking, canoeing, or fishing, guests dine at the log cabin-style restaurant or grill meals on private barbecues.
The Mohicans Treehouse Resort and Wedding Venue, Glenmont, Ohio
Serene treehouses at The Mohicans Resort are surrounded by trees — Photo courtesy of Tamara Gane
The Mohicans Treehouse Resort and Wedding Venue is located in the middle of Ohio Amish country, so don’t be surprised if you pass horses and buggies on your way in. The serene retreat features a fully stocked fishing pond and a quiet, wooded property to explore.
Each treehouse is unique, with luxurious linens, indoor and outdoor showers, barbecues, and firepits to gather around in the evening. Fun fact: Actor Matthew McConaughey once stayed here with his family.
Mary Village, St. Mary, Montana
The homes are tiny but the backdrop looms large at St. Mary Village — Photo courtesy of Pursuit Collection
Open from the end of May to the end of September, this Montana tiny home resort is as comfortable as it is adorable. Units at St. Mary Village sleep four. To maximize space, each has a private detached bathhouse with showers, toilets, and jetted tubs a few steps away.
The best part? The glamping resort is minutes from Going-to-the-Sun Road and Glacier National Park.
Treebones Resort, South Big Sur, California
A clifftop view from one of the human nests at Treebones Resort — Photo courtesy of Treebones Resort
Treebones Resort offers glamping experiences perched on a cliff above Big Sur. The off-grid resort produces its own power, but that doesn’t make it any less luxurious.
Vote Now: Best National Wildlife Refuge (10Best Readers’ Choice Awards 2024)
Guests slumber in yurts, tents, or human nests carved of wood. A full-service restaurant serves four-course meals and unforgettable cliffside omakase experiences.
Bolt Farm Treehouse, Whitewell, Tennessee
Luxury glamping at Bolt Farm Treehouse feels like being part of nature — Photo courtesy of Levi Kelly
The captivating glamping options at Bolt Farm Treehouse include domes, treehouses, and cabins with mirrored exteriors to reflect the natural beauty of the surroundings.
Vote Now: Best Dude Ranch (10Best Readers’ Choice Awards 2024)
Perched on top of a mountain with panoramic vistas of the valley, resort guests have the opportunity to indulge in experiences like private chef-prepared dinners, massages, or exploring nearby Chattanooga if they can tear themselves away from the views.
Borealis Basecamp, Fairbanks, Alaska
The northern lights are on full display at Borealis Basecamp — Photo courtesy of Borealis Basecamp / The Nomadic People
If you’ve always dreamed of experiencing the majesty of the Alaskan wilderness, Borealis Basecamp is calling. Nestled within 100 pristine acres of the Borealis forest, luxury igloos and cubes offer astonishing views. This basecamp is one of several amazing places in Alaska to view the northern lights.
Lunch and dinner focus on sustainable Alaskan produce and seafood served in a cozy dining yurt. To make it easy, lodging packages include transportation to and from Fairbanks.
