I’ve Stayed in Over 40 Glamping Resorts Across the…

Glamping-short for “glamorous camping”-is a broad, ever-changing spectrum. Just like traditional camping, it ranges from ultra rustic to downright luxurious. Over the past few years, I’ve experienced seemingly every in-between version of it. I lived in Arizona during the pandemic, when glamping exploded across the West, and thanks to easy driving access across the Southwest and an abundance of options, it quickly became one of my writing niches. In 2020 alone, I stayed at roughly a dozen glamping resorts; over the next few years, I added another 30-some across the country.

What I’ve learned after more than 40 stays is that the most memorable glamping experiences aren’t always the most expensive or the most Instagrammable. They’re the ones that get the balance just right, between nature and creature comforts, solitude and community, novelty and practicality. With that in mind, I’m sharing 10 of the glamping stays that have stuck with me most.

Quick note: many glamping resorts are seasonal, especially in the mountains and up north, so double-check opening dates before booking. 

1. Nauti Otter – Seward, Alaska

I stayed solo at Nauti Otter, in Grizzly Grotto, one of several whimsical animal-themed yurts just outside Seward. Like most yurts, there’s no bathroom inside, but the shared facilities were immaculately clean and just a short walk away. Admittedly, my head was on a swivel during said walk (this is bear country, after all), but I never saw so much as a footprint. The yurts have heat and come with Wi-Fi, which felt both indulgent and odd in the Alaskan wilderness. A lively communal pavilion anchors the property, with shared fridges, cooking stations, games, and free pancake mix and coffee each morning. As a bonus, guests receive discounts on local adventures. I got 25% off a last-minute Marathon Helicopters flightseeing tour over a glacier, which, by the way, was one of my life’s highlights.

2. The Hohnstead – Bonner, Montana

Spread across 100 secluded acres near Missoula, The Hohnstead consists of five hand-built glamping cabins. Here, that craftsmanship is the whole point. Owners Garrett and Alla, two of the best humans you’ll ever meet, personally design and build each one using materials from the land and thoughtfully upcycled finds. For example, the A-frame’s door handle is an antler shed found on the property.  The outdoor solar showers and hot tub are highlights, as is the scavenger hunt Garrett and Alla created. You’ll sharpen some survival skills, as you have to read a map and shoot a bow, among other things. The reward? Bragging rights, plus cold beers hidden in a creek along the way.

3. East Zion Resort – Orderville, Utah

For a long time, I thought my love for East Zion Resort was nostalgic-it was my first-ever glamping stay-but I’ve come to learn that they simply set the bar extremely high. On the quieter east side of Zion, the views are outrageous, the owners are gems (when I said how much I loved the hand-hewn bedframe, one of them offered to make me one), and Orderville feels delightfully behind the modern world, despite being just 20 minutes from the park. I’ve returned four times, staying in yurts, treetop cabins, an Airstream, and a safari-style tent. Every option strikes the same balance: luxurious without being over-the-top.

4. Curry Village, Yosemite National Park – California

Three friends and I stayed in an unheated tent cabin here the night before we hiked Half Dome. In Yosemite Valley, directly below Glacier Point, it’s hard to imagine a more spectacular setting. The canvas-and-wood tent cabins are simple but sturdy, with real doors and electricity for lights only. Park lore says a handful of cabins have outlets, but as a workaround, bring a light socket plug adapter and basic extension cord so you can charge your phone at night. Curry Village is bustling with foot traffic at all hours, so earplugs are also helpful.

5. Skyview Hotel – Torrey, Utah

The domes at Skyview are so polished they barely qualify as glamping, but the otherworldly red-rock setting outside Capitol Reef National Park seals the deal. My husband and I stayed here in August, and we were both surprised by how comfortable the high-desert elevation felt in summer. Each dome includes a stargazing roof and a kitchenette with an excellent coffee setup, and you can order locally made breakfast boxes the night before, which include a high-protein quiche of the day, pastry, fruit, and a drink. Bathrooms are a hybrid situation; you’ll be assigned a private one in the bathhouse, less than a minute’s walk.

6. Bodhi Farms – Bozeman, Montana

Bodhi Farms calls itself a “boutique eco resort,” but that barely scratches the surface. In addition to beautiful creekside Nordic tipis, the 35-acre property includes a permaculture farm, a wild game farm-to-table restaurant, and a tipi spa and wood-fired sauna. Each tipi is heated, thoughtfully positioned for privacy, and comes with a private hammock and wraparound deck. I had the best bison burger of my life here, followed by an unforgettable massage. Guests can also participate in hands-on farm activities, from volunteering in the garden (which I did) to learn how to pickle food.

7. Firelight Camps – Ithaca, New York

A five-minute drive from downtown Ithaca, Firelight Camps leans hard into community. While all but a few tents lack electricity, the shared spaces more than make up for it, with nightly bonfires, complimentary s’mores, and a full bar in the lobby tent. It feels like an adult summer camp in the best way. Even though I wasn’t traveling with a dog, I noticed it’s exceptionally dog-friendly. This was a perfect jumping-off point to explore Watkins Glen State Park and several Finger Lakes waterfalls, including Taughannock Falls and Buttermilk Falls.

8. The Views RV Park & Campground – Dolores, Colorado

My two kiddos and I stayed here for two nights while visiting Mesa Verde National Park, and the name “The Views” isn’t overstated. The glamping tents are simple but spotless, well-heated for chilly October nights, and positioned to make the most of sweeping views. The tiny town of Dolores is adorable itself, especially during peak fall foliage, and the nearby Geyser Spring Trail leads to Colorado’s only geyser.

9. Yellowstone Tipis – Gardiner, Montana

Located a literal three minutes from Yellowstone’s serene north entrance, these colorful accommodations offer posh luxury and amazing wildlife viewing just outside the park. We saw elk every day we were here, but (thankfully!) no bears. Each accommodation includes electricity, heat, fans, and heated mattress covers, with private bathrooms assigned for the duration of your stay. A shared lounge and fire pit with games and a giant TV for movie nights overlook the property, but the real luxury here is avoiding the crowds while still being inside Yellowstone’s orbit.

10. Hotel Luna Mystica – Taos, New Mexico

This “vintage trailer hotel” sits in a wide-open valley at the foot of the Taos mesa, surrounded by craggy Rocky Mountain peaks and filled with lovingly restored trailers. I stayed solo in Esmerelda, a 1950s Spartanette with gorgeous copper walls, a surprisingly hot shower, and an outrageously comfortable bed. With my own kitchen setup and private fire pit, it felt remote, cozy, and unmistakably Taos.

What to Pack For Your Glamping Trip

After dozens of glamping stays, I’ve learned that it isn’t about replicating a hotel-it’s about enhancing the experience of being outside. When it’s done right, it’s unforgettable. With that said, here are a few things I always bring along.

• Headlamp or flashlight for navigating the grounds after dark

• Closed-toe shoes for walking between tents, cabins, and bathrooms

• A compact toiletry kit, ideally one that hangs, especially if bathrooms are separate

Food-storage strategy: check what’s provided (and allowed), and bring a soft packable cooler or pick up a cheapie styrofoam one on arrival if needed.

Feeling inspired? Try planning your own glamping trip using Only In Your State’s itinerary planner.