Most of us have been camping at some point in our lives. Some even make a regular habit of roughing it in the wild. Unless you travel with a truckload of gear or haul a trailer behind you, chances are your experience was an austere one, absent from many basic comforts and certainly devoid of luxurious amenities.
But sleeping with nothing but canvas between you and the wild doesn’t mean you have to sacrifice the comforts of home, like a bed. You don’t even have to give up luxurious amenities. With glamping, you can have it all.
Glamping has been around for decades. As you might surmise, the term is a mashup of “glamour” and “camping.” If this sounds right for you, read on to discover some of the Northwest’s best glamping.
The Resort at Paws Up
Greenough, Montana
Sprawling across 37,000 acres of forests and prairies with the Blackfoot River running through it, The Resort at Paws Up delivers what you might envision when you picture Montana. You’ll find wide-open spaces and just about any activity you can imagine making your stay a true adventure—horseback riding, fly fishing, ATV tours, river rafting, aerial adventures and much more.
With your days filled with adventure, your nights will be filled with a comfortable sleep cushioned among pillows and beneath a duvet in what the resort calls “The Last Best Bed.” Couple that with the pristine environment, the freshest air and night sounds to serenade you as you drift off, and you’ll have the best night’s rest ever.
You have a choice of six glamping camps, each different from the last: Cliffside Camp, on a forested cliff overlooking the confluence of Elk Creek with the Blackfoot River; North Bank Camp, where every tent has a riverside deck; the secluded Moonlight Camp, perfect for a quiet retreat; Creekside Camp on the wooded shores of Elk Creek; as its name suggests, Pinnacle Camp sits on a bluff offering scenic views; and River Camp, situated on a bank of the Blackfoot River.
The Resort at Paws up is about 30 miles east of Missoula, Montana, along Highway 200.
Lakedale Resort
San Juan Island, Washington
So many factors make San Juan Island an idyllic destination. First, if you drive, you have to take the San Juan Islands Scenic Byway to get there, the bulk of which is aboard a Washington State Ferry. The quaint waterfront town of Friday Harbor anchors the island and serves as the hub of most services. Only 10 minutes from Friday Harbor, you’ll find Lakedale Resort, with a variety of lodging choices, including glamping.
Lakedale makes a perfect home base for exploring the island from end to end, where you’ll make many discoveries along the way, including historic Roche Harbor, the San Juan Island Sculpture Park, The San Juan Island National Historical Park and much more.
At Lakedale, settle in to a glamping tent and then explore the wooded property, which includes three lakes, a main lodge, log cabins and more. Grab a complimentary bike and pedal around the property or see the sights from the water in a kayak or canoe.
Breakfast is included in the mess tent during your stay. And the resort’s General Store sells groceries, beverages and deli sandwiches. Head into Friday Harbor for dinner, where you’ll find several restaurants from casual to fine dining.
Lakedale Resort is about 10 Minutes from Friday Harbor on San Juan Island
Alpenglow Luxury Camping
Glacier View, Alaska
The setting alone at Alpenglow Luxury Camping begins with a big Alaska “Wow!” factor. You can choose from mountain view glamping or glacier view glamping. Or you can opt to be whisked away via helicopter for glamping on the Matanuska Glacier. Whichever you choose—besides relaxing in this majestic setting—the Matanuska Glacier is the center of the resort’s activities.
Offered adventures range from a glacier helicopter tour to more advanced activities, like guided ice climbing on the glacier. Or explore the region on your own on trails and scenic drives.
Amenities in the tents include a comfy bed and chairs on the deck and nearby access to shared bathrooms, showers and a hot tub. This is a perfect place to unplug as tents don’t have electricity—but you can charge devices in the communal area.
Glamping at Alpenglow includes breakfast and s’mores in the evening. Guests must travel to nearby restaurants for other meals.
Alpenglow is located about 2.5 hours from Anchorage on the Glenn Highway.
Trailer Glamping
In these modern times, glamping is no longer confined to luxury tents. Other forms of glamping-worthy lodging have entered the scene: trailer glamping.
Hart’s Camp
Pacific City, Oregon
Hart’s Camp is all about Airstreams through the ages. Each one is tucked in its own little yard with patio chairs, a firepit and a fenced-in outdoor shower with a plant wall—heaven, even in the Oregon Coast drizzle. You can cook in your own kitchen and on your own outdoor grill, and excellent restaurants and a grocery store are within walking distance. And so is the stunning beach at Cape Kiwanda.
The Vintages Trailer Resort
Dayton, Oregon,
This charming resort in the middle of Willamette Valley wine country combines kitsch and charm with a collection of rentable, stationary vintage trailers. Many models and years dot the lot, each complete with outdoor furniture and firepits. I am resisting the urge to refer to the Lucy and Ricky film, “The Long, Long Trailer,” but you get the point.
Moose Creek Ranch
Victor, Idaho
Settle into a modern Airstream in a pristine setting on the banks of Moose Creek in the Caribou-Targhee National Forest of Eastern Idaho. Enjoy the outdoors on your own creek-side patio with a grill and firepit or make the short 22-mile drive into Jackson Hole, Wyoming, to explore the town.