GLAMPING RETREATS AND LUXURY CAMPGROUNDS

It’s time to consider unique vacation experiences that offer upscale camping in the United States.

Skip the rustic tent or the confines of a sleeping bag. Ever heard of glamping? It’s short for “glamorous camping” and is the perfect experience for those who want to experience nature with a nod to plush interiors.

Has glamping taken off? You bet! According to KOA’S 2019 North American Glamping Report, the growing trend seems to be fulfilling travellers’ desire for a unique vacation experience, especially for young travellers, including families.

Now, let’s take a look at some of the hot glamping spots across the USA.

Westgate River Ranch & Rodeo, an authentic dude ranch located a 1.5-hour drive south of Orlando in Central Florida,

encourages guests to travel back to the days of “Old Florida” when the state was home to cowboys and cattle ranchers. The roomy, furnished glamping tents have air conditioning and heating with sumptuous private bathrooms and electrical outlets. There’s even a personal glamping concierge. More adventurous visitors can choose a completely stocked up tent known as the Luxe Teepees. New this spring is a multimillion-dollar expansion with 10 Luxe Conestoga Wagons and 10 Luxury Glamping Tents. As the largest dude ranch east of the Mississippi River, the property offers activities, including bungee jumping, rock climbing, zip lining, airboat rides and horseback riding. westgateresorts.com

An hour’s drive south of Denver, the Colorado Springs area is the epicentre of Colorado’s luxury camping experiences. Royal

Gorge Cabins is a short drive to the urban amenities of Colorado Springs, but close enough to easily escape into the beautiful Colorado Mountains. Built on redwood and concrete bases, glamping tents are outfitted with electricity, Wi-fi, comfy beds and linens, lighting and a furnished outdoor patio or deck. There is no shortage of outdoor adventure either. Traipse across America’s highest suspension bridge, zip line over the Royal Gorge, or go for the adrenalin thrills of whitewater river rafting. royalgorgecabins.com

Over by the spectacular Ruby Mountains in northeast Nevada, find two fully furnished backcountry yurts at the Ruby 360 Lodge. This mountain range, known locally as the Rubies due to the discovery of garnets by early explorers, includes 10 peaks above 3,000 metres, and more than 24 alpine lakes. About 480 kilometres of hiking trails can be accessed from a few local trailheads. The yurts are open in late spring through fall and run efficiently on clean energy using solar power. Outdoor luxury seekers can enjoy lavish interiors, from a leather couch and propane fireplace, to a well-equipped kitchen and more. In its remote setting, the yurt is perfect for fishers, nature lovers, birders, hikers, and is a short drive from the Ruby Crest National Recreation Trail. ruby360lodge.com

Just a one-hour drive southwest of Richmond, Virginia, Sandy River Retreat includes six luxury tipis that offer a pleasant change from the typical hotel experience. All tipis are pet-free zones and are fully furnished with air conditioning, Wi-fi and Netflix. In addition to a swimming pool, the property boasts an Adventure Park and Canopy Tour with paddle boarding, mountain biking and a tree-top adventure course with four levels of high-ropes courses and zip lines. sandyriveroutdooradventures.com

PHOTO: Interior of a Glamping Tent at Royal Gorge Cabins in Colorado. Photo courtesy of Royal Gorge Cabins