I’m the kind of girl who doesn’t mind getting a little down and dirty on a hike, only with the reassurance of a nice, comfy hotel room waiting for me later. Yet, I still have that wannabe-outdoorsy, set up camp, adventurous mama in me who wants to fulfill our kids’ camping dreams, but without all the prep work! And that’s why they invented…GLAMPING! After hours of research, I’ve found the best glamping resorts for wannabe outdoorsy families, surrounded by plenty of adventures for the whole fam. And yes, by “glamping” I mean private bathrooms, cooking facilities, play areas for kids, live music, games, on-site restaurants, and more.
As a travel advisor, I have exclusive discounted rates and perks at many of these glamping resorts, so book with me if you want to take advantage of them (at no cost to you, because I get paid commission through the resorts).
Title image courtesy of Auto Camp
Table of Contents
- California
- Utah
- Colorado
- Florida
- North Carolina
- Arizona and Nevada
- Nationwide – Huttopia
- Nationwide – Under Canvas
- Nationwide – AutoCamp
California
I’m a born and raised Cali girl, but I had no idea we had so many intriguing glampsites!
Johnson’s Beach in Guerneville (near Russian River) is such a hidden gem that even I didn’t know about it, and I live less than 2 hours from there. From April to November, you can go tubing down the river, zip lining through trees, or wine tasting through Sonoma County. By night, snuggle together in your little cabin or tent. These little cabins even have private kitchens!
Craving a spa day after a long hike? Then Mendocino Grove is your glampsite of choice. Get a deep tissue then sweat it out in the sauna. I mean, they’ve got this glamping thing dialed! They also have live music events, canoe rentals, yoga, bocce ball, games and books. Do a waterfall hike, bike along the beach trail, ride the vintage Skunktrain, all of which are 14 miles north of Mendocino Grove.
If you want to explore more of wine country, then Wildhaven Sonoma in Sonoma County is perfect. Or keep it simple and lay low in your tent or canvas, with their shared bathrooms, yoga, live music and local events.
You don’t need to go all the way to Africa anymore to experience an overnight safari. Now you and the kiddos can get up close with wildlife at Safari West in Santa Rosa. They call it the “Sonoma Serengeti”. Not ready for an overnight commitment? Then just head out for the day! Rates for a family of 4 in November were starting at $400 a night.
If it’s beaches that your family is craving, El Capitan Canyon in Santa Barbara has cabins and yurts overlooking the California coastline. The kids will stay busy here with the llama and goat farm, pool, and playground, while the parents have fun with free beach cruisers, wine tasting and live music (from 4-7p every Saturday through Labor Day). Adventures nearby are endless with surfing, hiking, kayaking, horseback riding, climbing, and whale watching. Rates start at $174 a night.
For more awesome Cali glamping options, check out AutoCamp (see below). They have locations in Yosemite, Russian River and coming soon – Sequoia! They are running a sale through my agency right now, so contact me for discounted rates!
Utah
I think Utah might have the best glamping options in the US, so much so that I will have to devote an entire blog post to Utah’s Best Glamping Sites (coming soon), some for less than $130 a night!
Highest on my list is BaseCamp 37 just outside of Kanab, which truly is the ultimate basecamp for Utah adventures. From there you can easily drive to Zion NP, Grand Canyon, Bryce Canyon, Antelope Canyon… pretty much if it has “Canyon” in its name it can’t be far!
Cheers on the private porch of your canvas “tent” after a fun day of sand-boarding and slot canyons. This is my kind of camping.
(photo courtesy of BaseCamp 37)
A quiet and beautiful desert sanctuary, perfect for stargazing and s’mores, it’s no surprise they’ve received stellar reviews.
(image courtesy of BaseCamp 37)
Unfortunately, glamping has become so popular that many resorts charge more than they are worth. BaseCamp 37 is the exception! It is one of the few I have found for such a great price! Stay tuned for more details after our upcoming stay in spring of 2025!
If you’d rather the sky views without stepping foot out of your bed, then Clear Sky Resorts’ domes will give you exactly that from your own clear dome! Think Northern Lights igloos meet desert sky. Locations are convenient as there really aren’t many impressive lodging options around Bryce Canyon and the Grand Canyon. In addition to star gazing, live music, games, yoga, and s’mores that are at many other glamp sites, you can also watch a movie on the projector. Pass the popcorn for family movie night. Do you have a dancing queen? Book the disco dome and dance the night away. Right now they are running a 30% off special!
Zion Ponderosa Ranch Resort is the ultimate glamping playground. After your fill of Utah adventures, there’s more at the resort with a pool, pickleball, climbing wall, bungee trampoline, archery, mini golf, and more. Contact me to help you get the best glamp site for the best price. Campsites start at $55 a night.
If you want more budget-friendly options for Utah, just email me. I have so many, I can’t decide where we want to go next!
Colorado
Your adventure-lust will be fulfilled at the Royal Gorge Cabins in Canon City. The glamping tents are near the highest suspension bridge in the US. Glampers can access endless outdoor adventures: biking, rafting, hiking, ATVing, hot springs, zip lining and winter activities.
Rates start at $219 a night.
Florida
Timberline Glamping Co. has locations throughout Florida that are in or near state parks. Their deluxe tents are massive! I saw one that has 4 bunk beds and a king bed. Big families – you’re welcome! With locations in Alabama, Georgia, and Virginia, there are plenty of glamping options world’s away from California.
Or transport yourself back to our 90’s Oregon Trail days at a place where dude ranch meets glamping meets cowboy adventure park. Sleep in an old wild west wagon, horseback ride, mini golf, ride swamp buggies, break your back on a mechanical bull, watch a live rodeo, visit the petting farm, rock climb, conquer an escape room, try your boots at some line dancing…where do I sign up??? Contact me for more details on this one of a kind find!
Rates start at $200 a night.
North Carolina
Asheville Glamping caught my eye with their family friendly domes with indoor slides! What kid, or kid at heart (me) wouldn’t be psyched for that?! If you’re of age, stay in the romantic adults-only treehouse. Booooo, where’s one for the kiddos? They’ll get over it quickly with the Blue Ridge Mountains at their doorstep – hiking, biking, rafting and more.
Rates start at $599 a night.
Arizona and Nevada
Village Camp – Village Camp has locations in Flagstaff, AZ, Truckee, NV and Moab, UT. These cool cabins are more modern and newer than what you’d expect for traditional glamping. And they have plenty of amenities, depending on the location, with a pool, bocce ball, fitness center, and playground. I even saw inflatable slides in the photos on their website!
Nationwide – Huttopia
With locations throughout the US and Canada, and rapidly growing, I’m surprised I hadn’t paid closer attention to Huttopia sooner.
Magic shows, play areas, on-site bistro, swimming pools, fitness classes…they have it figured out. Have fun in a camping community, without pitching a tent!
And, get this, unbeknownst to me, their French roots have established locations in Europe! They’re calling me. 🙂
Nationwide – Under Canvas
You’ve probably seen Under Canvas as they’ve expanded with their beautiful canvas tents popping up all over the country. With their West Elm furnishings, organic bath products and on-site catering, this is truly lux camping at its best.
With their convenient locations near National Parks, you can check off some bucket list trips while staying at some stellar ‘campsites’. Their onsite activities for children and adults are free, and there are plenty of adventures offsite for everyone, from canyoning to rafting to fly fishing. Mount Rushmore and Yellowstone Under Canvas are high on my list!
Check out their list of locations to see which dates they are open. Some of them close in September.
Under Canvas Locations:
- Arcadia
- Bryce Canyon
- Glacier
- Grand Canyon
- Great Smoky Mountains
- Lake Powell – Grand Staircase
- Moab
- Mount Rushmore
- North Yellowstone – Paradise Valley
- West Yellowstone
- Yosemite
- Zion
- ULUM Moab
Book Under Canvas through me for VIP perks at no extra cost to you.
Nationwide – AutoCamp
AutoCamp is another rapidly growing brand with locations nationwide in the US. They have cute little airstreams, tents, bunk rooms or a combo of both for bigger families. Baby on board? No worries as a pack n play can fit but only if you don’t unfold the couch!
Pick up what you need at the general store…
and at some locations let loose at happy hour.
No needs to pack all your tents and propane. They have it all ready to go for you.
You won’t be bored out in the wilderness either. Activities on site depend on location but could include bikes, games, a pool, play areas, forest school, outdoor yoga, dried flower arrangement class, photography class, outdoor cinema, cider tasting, and live music, just to name several.
***Contact me first if you want to take advantage of my exclusive travel agent sales***
Go glamp at one of these awesome AutoCamp locales.
- Cape Cod, MA
- Catskills, NY
- Hill Country, TX (coming soon)
- Joshua Tree, CA-pool
- Russian River, CA
- Sequoia, CA (coming soon)
- Yosemite, CA-pool (a/c, bikes available, kids stay free)
- Zion, UT-pool
With plenty of glamping options popping up everywhere, I am excited to fulfill my kids’ camping dreams, without having to do all the work, buy the gear, or even pack the food!
Now you can release your inner wild and outdoorsy self and feel like you’re on vacation!
